Tag: declare

1 Thessalonians 1:9 – Turn From Idols

Posted on by Will

For they themselves declare about us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

Truth to Learn

We need to turn from idols and give all our devotion to God.

 

Behind the Words

“Declare” is from the Greek verb apangellō, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and angellō, meaning “to announce” or “to declare.” This word literally means “to bring a message from any person or place.”

The word “entry” is from the Greek noun eisodon, which is made up of eis, meaning “in” or “into” and hodos, meaning “a road” or “a way.” Thus, eisodon literally means “a way in.”

Epistrephō is the verb translated “turned.” It is composed of epi, meaning “above, over, on, or motion toward something” and strephō, meaning “to turn.” Thus, epistrephō means “to turn on something” or “to turn toward something.”

The word translated “idols” is eidōlon, which refers to “an image or representation of some other thing.”

“God” is translated from theos, which was originally used by the heathen to refer to their gods (idols). It is based on the noun theteres, meaning “placers.” The heathen Greeks thought their gods were the makers and disposers (placers) of all things. For instance, the god of money was referred to as mammon, which Jesus referred to in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13. In the New Testament, when you see word “god” it refers to a false god (see 1Corinthians 1:20) but when spelled “God” it refers to the one true God.

 

Meaning Explained

In this letter to the church in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul has been praising the members of the church there for the manner in which they have been living their lives and proclaiming the gospel message. In yesterday’s verse he told them that the witness of their faith living has gone out into the entire world; so much so, in fact, that Paul says he and his associated don’t have to tell anyone about it.

Now he adds to that praise by saying the reason the Apostles don’t have to tell anyone about the Christian character of the Thessalonians is because people everywhere are talking about it. He tells us that these people are talking about the way that Paul and his companions initially came to the people of Thessalonica. He also says that people are talking about how the Christians in Thessalonica turned from idol worship to become dedicated followers of Jesus Christ.

This makes this church somewhat unique among the churches that Paul planted. Most of them were primarily converts from Judaism, but it appears that the Thessalonian Christians were pagans before hearing and believing the gospel message.

 

Application

Do you have idols in your life that are more important than Jesus Christ? What’s more important to you, money, clothes or other possessions, family, success at work, sports, your reputation …? Whatever it is, if it demands more of your time and devotion than serving God, it’s an idol and you need to turn from it to serve the living and true God.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 3:13 – The Fire Test

Posted on by Will

each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.

Truth to Learn

We need to be working in the church for God’s glory.

Behind the Words

“Each one’s” is from the Greek word hekastos, which we saw back in verse five. It refers to “each one” or to “everyone.” It implies specific application to each one separately, not to the group as a whole.

The word “work” is from ergon, meaning “a work or a deed.”

Phaneros is the Greek word translated “clear.” It is derived from phainō, which means “to shine” or “to cause to appear.” Hence, phaneros means “to be publicly apparent.”

The word “declare” is translated from dēloō, meaning “to make known” or “to reveal.”

“Revealed” is from apokaluptō, which is made up of apo, meaning “away from” and kaluptō, meaning “to cover.” Thus, apokaluptō means “to uncover” or “to expose.”

Pur is the Greek word translated “fire.” It refers to literal fire.

The word “test” is from dokimadzō, which means “to test for the purpose of finding good or value.”

Meaning Explained

Paul is talking about work that is being done in building God’s temple on the foundation of Jesus Christ, that is, the work of building the church body. Each and every Christian is responsible for using the gifts given him or her to build up the body of Christ. In verse ten we were told that we each need to take heed how we build on the foundation. In today’s verse Paul tells us why. He says that the work we do will be made publicly evident in “the Day.” Most Biblical scholars agree that this is a reference to the Bema Seat Judgment:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

This is a judgment of our works, not of our sins. Our sins were judged and paid for at the cross. These works will not be used to determine if we are saved or not because the Bema Seat Judgment happens after the rapture when all Christians are already in heaven. Also, notice in verse fifteen that even if our works are burned up, we will still be saved. The purpose of this judgment is to “test each one’s work.” The word translated “test” is dokimadzō, as we pointed out above. It is the word used of testing gold or silver in order to determine its worth. Also notice in verse fourteen that the works which endure the fire will result in a reward.

If we pay close attention to the context of today’s verse, we will see that the works being talked about here are specifically those done to build up the church, the body of Christ. This is of special note to anyone who is not serving in some capacity within the local church or the church universal.

Application

If we are not actively working to build up the church, we may find that we have no works to be judged. However, if we are working to build up the body, we need to be doing so at God’s direction and for His glory or our works may be burned up.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Corinthians 1:11 – Discuss, Don’t Argue

Posted on by Will

For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.

Truth to Learn

Discussions are good, but arguments are bad.

Behind the Words

The words “it has been declared” are translated from the Greek verb dēloō. This word means “to signify” or “to make known.” It is expressed here in the aorist tense indicating action that was completed at a point in time in the past.

“By” is from the Greek preposition hupo, which usually means “under or beneath.” However, when used with a noun in the genitive case, as it is here, it indicates agency and is translated as “by, through, or from.”

The word “Chloe” is transliterated from the Greek word chloē, which is a feminine noun meaning “green.” Chloe was apparently a prominent person in the church at Corinth. It is not completely clear whether Chloe was a man or a woman.

“Contentions” is translated from eris, meaning “strife” or “contention.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul began this correctional teaching regarding the divisions that had sprung up in the Corinthian church. Here he tells us how he learned about the infighting that had developed. He says that it was signified to him by those who are of Chloe’s household. Since this is the only mention in the Bible of Chloe, we don’t know for sure whether Chloe was a man or a woman. However, since chloē is a feminine noun, it is most likely that Chloe was a woman. We also don’t know whether Chloe was part of the church in Corinth or part of the church in Ephesus, where Paul wrote this letter from. However, it is unlikely that Paul would have mentioned her by name if she was in the church in Corinth, since that might have caused even more harsh feelings within that already contentious church.

The apostle tells us that what he heard is that there were “contentions” within the church about which he will elaborate further in the next verse. It is good, and even important, to have discussions within the body of Christ. But, when discussion turns into fighting, it’s time to check our attitudes and emotions. The word eris (strife or contention) is listed as one of the works of the flesh in Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia:

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like (Galatians 5:19-21a)

It is clear from this list that heated arguments are just as bad as some of the other evil outpourings of our sin nature. And such sinful arguments can spring from the most innocent of topics, like what color of carpeting to put in the sanctuary or whether it is proper for your pastor to own a nice car.

Application

Let’s have open and informed discussions within the church. Let’s share what God has taught us from the Bible. But let’s not allow these discussions to turn into fighting or personal attacks. Instead, let us be humble and discuss things with love in our hearts.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Thessalonians 1:9 – Turn From Idols

Posted on by Will

For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

Truth to Learn

We need to turn from idols and give all our devotion to God.

Behind the Words

“Declare” is from the Greek verb apangellō, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and angellō, meaning “to announce” or “to declare.” This word literally means “to bring a message from any person or place.” The form of this verb indicates continual action.

The word “entry” is from the Greek noun eisodon, which is made up of eis, meaning “in” or “into” and hodos, meaning “a road” or “a way.” Thus, eisodon literally means “a way in.”

Epistrephō is the verb translated “turned.” It is composed of epi, meaning “above, over, on, or motion toward something” and strephō, meaning “to turn.” Thus, epistrephō means “to turn on something” or “to turn toward something.”

The word translated “idols” is eidōlon, which refers to “an image or representation of some other thing.”

“God” is translated from theos, which was originally used by the heathen to refer to their gods (idols). It is based on the noun theteres, meaning “placers.” The heathen Greeks thought their gods were the makers and disposers (placers) of all things. For instance, the god of money was referred to as mammon, which Jesus referred to in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13. In the New Testament, when you see word “god” it refers to a false god (see 1Corinthians 1:20) but when spelled “God” it refers to the one true God.

Meaning Explained

In this letter to the church in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul has been praising the members of the church there for the manner in which they have been living their lives and proclaiming the gospel message. In yesterday’s verse he told them that the witness of their faith living has gone out into the entire Christian world; so much so, in fact, that Paul says he and his associated don’t have to tell anyone about it.

Now he adds to that praise by saying the reason the Apostles don’t have to tell anyone about the Christian character of the Thessalonians is because people everywhere are talking about it. He tells us that these people are talking about the way that Paul and his companions initially came to the people of Thessalonica. He also says that people are talking about how the Christians in Thessalonica turned from idol worship to become dedicated followers of Jesus Christ.

This makes this church somewhat unique among the churches that Paul planted. Most of them were primarily converts from Judaism, but it appears that the Thessalonian Christians were pagans before hearing and believing the gospel message.

Application

Do you have idols in your life that are more important than Jesus Christ? What’s more important to you, money, clothes or other possessions, family, success at work, sports, your reputation …? Whatever it is, if it demands more of your time and devotion than serving God, it’s an idol and you need to turn from it to serve the living and true God.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved