deceive – Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: deceive

2 Thessalonians 2:3 – Two Preceding Events

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Will

Let no one deceive you by any means; for it will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Truth to Learn

The Tribulation won’t begin until a couple of other things happen first.

Behind the Words

“Deceive” is translated from the Greek verb exapataō, made up of ek, used as an intensifier, and apataō, meaning “to deceive” or “to seduce.” Thus, exapataō means “to completely deceive.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating possibility or probability. Therefore, the opening part of this verse should read, “No one might completely deceive you …”

The words “it will not come” are not in the Greek text; however, they are implied by the context and are appropriately inserted.

The words “falling away” are translated from the Greek noun apostasia. This word is based on the verb aphistēmi, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and histēmi, meaning “to stand” or “to place.” Thus, aphistēmi, means “to put away” or “to remove.” So, the noun apostasia refers to “the departure.” It can refer to a departure from a place or from a set of ideals. The English word apostasy primarily refers to a departure from the core beliefs of Christianity, but the Greek word could also refer to a physical departure.

Anomia is the Greek word translated “lawlessness.” It is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and nomos, meaning “a law.” Thus, this word describes someone who does not acknowledge or obey the law.

“Destruction” is from the Greek noun apoliea, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” used here as an intensifier, and ollumi, meaning “to destroy.” Thus, apoliea refers to “complete destruction.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we noted that Paul is talking about how the Thessalonian Christians had been fooled into believing that the Day of the Lord (the Tribulation) had already begun. In today’s verse he instructs us regarding certain events that must occur before the Tribulation can begin.

He says, “no one should completely deceive you …” The reason we shouldn’t be fooled into thinking the Tribulation is upon us is because it won’t happen until a couple of other things happen. The first thing that must occur is the apostasia; however, there is much debate as to what this specifically refers to. Some believe that it refers to the Rapture, when the church is removed from the earth. Others note that the only other use of the word in the New Testament is the following:

… that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses … (Acts 21:21)

Secular writers of the first century use the word to refer to political revolt as well as the religious movement away from fundamental Judaism. So, it is unclear as to whether Paul is referring to a religious apostasy or to the rapture. Based on the context of Paul’s teaching here, it is most reasonable to view this as a reference to the rapture of the church.

The other event that must occur before the Tribulation is the “man of lawlessness” must be revealed. This is most likely a reference to the one we call “antichrist,” although only the Apostle John uses that designation. Only after the apostasia and the revealing of the “man of lawlessness” can the Tribulation begin.

Application

It’s very clear to many of us that the Rapture and the Day of the Lord are both very near. Until that day, keep your focus on God and listen for the trumpet blast!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:6 – Don’t Be Deceived

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Will

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Truth to Learn

Don’t believe everything you hear being taught about the Bible.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “deceive” is apataō, which means “to deceive” or “to seduce into error.” This word and a compound of it (exapataō) are used in the description of the trickery that Satan used on Adam and Eve in 1Timothy 2:14 and 2Corinthians 11:3. The word is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command. Again, note that the word “let” does not refer to permitting something to happen, it is a command of what not to do.

“Empty” is from kenos, meaning “empty” or “hollow.” Metaphorically, it refers to that in which there is no truth.

“Wrath” is from the word orgē, which we saw back in Ephesians 4:26, where it was translated “angry.” The Greek word refers to “excitement of the mind” and generally refers to the inner emotion, although it is also sometimes used of the outward display of that emotion as in Revelation 19:15.

Apeitheia is the Greek word translated “disobedience.” It is a compound word made up of the negative particle a and a form of peithō, meaning “to persuade” or “to convince.” This word here refers to those people who have not been persuaded or convinced of the truth of the Gospel, they do not believe. Because of their lack of belief, they do not obey (or even recognize) God’s authority over them. Therefore, they are called “sons of disobedience.” This could just as well be translated as “sons of disbelief.”

Meaning Explained

During the early years of the church, just as today, Satan was actively at work trying to deceive true believers. In Paul’s day there were those in the church who taught that since we are saved by grace and our salvation is secured by the seal of the Holy Spirit, we can sin all we want. In fact, they said, by indulging in sinful pleasures we make God’s grace even greater. Paul was responding to this philosophy when he wrote,

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? May it not be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1-2)

These philosophers were not outside the church, openly attacking the flock, they were false teachers within the church in positions of authority, delivering great sounding messages cleverly designed to deceive. As I’ve said before, don’t blindly believe everything you hear from a preacher. Whether he’s in the pulpit of your own church, on television, on the radio, on the internet, or on the street corner, check what is being proclaimed against what the Bible actually says. If something doesn’t sound quite right, it probably isn’t. Check it out, do your own study, and dig for the truth like gold.

We all like to think of our Heavenly Father as a God of love, which He is, but He is also described as a God of wrath. Here we see one such example. It is true that He is not willing (desirous) that any should perish (2Peter 3:9), but those people who reject His offer of salvation will experience His wrath firsthand. For those of us who are saved, God has forgiven all of our sins (past, present and future), but each one we commit adds just a little more torture to Jesus’ experience on the cross.

Application

If you are truly saved then you will want to resist sinning and you will be sorry when you do sin. So – if you can sin without guilt, then you had better check, because you may not have God’s seal of ownership. Are you truly sealed?

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 3:18 – When Wisdom is Foolish

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Will

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

Truth to Learn

Use your gifts with wisdom, but not worldly wisdom.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “deceive” is exapataō. This word is made up of ex, used as an intensifier and apataō, meaning “to seduce” or “to deceive.” Thus, exapataō means “to completely deceive.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command, not just a suggestion. This is indicated in English by the use of the word “Let.”

“Himself” is translated from the third person pronoun heautou, meaning “himself, herself, or itself.” Paul could have used the middle case (subject acting on itself) of the verb exapataō, but added this word instead, to emphasize self-deception.

“Among” is from the Greek preposition en, meaning “in” or “inside.” It is an indication that Paul is talking about someone inside the church, as opposed to an outsider.

Dokeō is the word translated “seems.” It refers to the subjective mental estimate or opinion regarding something.

The word translated “age” is aiōn, which refers to a period of time. If he had been referring to people or society, he would have used the word kosmos (world system). By using aiōn, he is specifically referring to the current time in which we are living, as opposed to the “age to come.”

Meaning Explained

Keep in mind that Paul has been talking about the divisions that had occurred in the church in Corinth. These divisions had been caused by various groups within the church claiming to follow one leader in the church to the exclusion of others. This may have been the result of certain teachers having the reputation of, or self-proclaimed possession of, great wisdom. Throughout the second chapter of this letter, Paul taught specifically regarding the “wisdom of this world” as opposed to the “foolishness of the gospel.” He said of himself and the other apostles:

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)

Paul’s comments in today’s verse and the two that follow are directed specifically at those leaders of the Corinthian church who believed themselves to be wiser or more gifted than others. Paul is not saying that education, training, and experience are not good or desirable for church leaders. He is not speaking against the possession of such things; rather, he is speaking directly to those who have become proud of such possession and who somehow believe they are better than others who don’t.

Application

All Christians have gifts which have been given to them for the work of building up the church. Let us use those gifts in a humble manner, giving all the glory to the one who has given us these gifts, for only He is worthy.

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Thessalonians 2:3 – Two Preceding Events

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Will

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

Truth to Learn

The Tribulation won’t begin until a couple of other things happen first.

Behind the Words

The words “that Day will not come” have been inserted by the translators; however, they are implied by the context and are appropriately inserted.

The words “falling away” are translated from the Greek noun apostasia. This word is based on the verb aphistēmi, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and histēmi, meaning “to stand” or “to place.” Thus, aphistēmi, means “to put away” or “to remove.” So, the noun apostasia refers to “the departure.” It can refer to a departure from a place or a set of ideals. The English word apostasy primarily refers to a departure from the core beliefs of Christianity, but the Greek word could also refer to a physical departure.

“Perdition” is from the Greek noun apoliea, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” used here as an intensifier, and ollumi, meaning “to destroy.” Thus, apoliea refers to “complete destruction.”

Meaning Explained

… that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses … (Acts 21:21)

The other event that must occur before the Tribulation is the “man of sin” must be revealed. This is most likely a reference to the one we call “antichrist,” although only the Apostle John uses that designation. Only after the apostasia and the revealing of the “man of sin” can the Tribulation begin.

Application

It’s very clear to many of us that the Rapture and the Day of the Lord are both very near. Until that day, keep your focus on God and listen for the trumpet blast!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 5:6 – Don’t Be Deceived

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Will

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Truth to Learn

Don’t believe everything you hear taught about the Bible.

Behind the Words

“Empty” is from kenos, meaning “empty” or “hollow.” Metaphorically, it refers to that in which there is no truth.

Apeitheia is the Greek word translated “disobedience.” It is a compound word made up of the negative particle a and a form of peithō, meaning “to persuade” or “to convince.” This word here refers to those people who have not been persuaded or convinced of the truth of the Gospel. Because of their lack of belief, they do not obey (or even recognize) God’s authority over them. Therefore, they are called “sons of disobedience.”

Meaning Explained

During the early years of the church, just as today, Satan was actively at work trying to deceive true believers. In Paul’s day there were those in the church who taught that since we are save by grace and our salvation is secured by the seal of the Holy Spirit, we can sin all we want. In fact, they said, by indulging in sinful pleasures we make God’s grace even greater. Paul was responding to this philosophy when he wrote,

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? (Romans 6:1-2)

Application

If you are truly saved then you will want to resist sinning and you will be sorry when you do sin. So – if you can sin without guilt, then you had better check because you may not have God’s seal of ownership. Are you truly sealed?

In God's service, for His glory,