Tag: dei

2 Thessalonians 3:7 – Walk, or Just Talk?

Posted on by Will

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, for we were not disorderly among you;

Truth to Learn

The most effective proclaimer of the Gospel truth is someone who lives the kind of life he preaches about.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “know” is eidō, which means “to see with perception.” As in English, this verb can refer to visibly seeing something and perceiving what it is, or it can mean “to see with the mind,” that is, “to know.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the effect.

“You ought” is from the Greek word dei, meaning “it is necessary.” It is a bold statement by Paul, for he is not saying “you could …” or even “you should.” He is saying “you need to follow our example.”

“Imitate” is translated from mimeomai, from which we get our English word “mimic.” It means “to imitate” or “to follow as an example.”

The words “we were not disorderly” are from the word ou and the verb atakteō. Ou expresses absolute negation (the Greek word mē expressed conditional negation). Atakteō is from the same root as ataktos, which we saw in yesterday’s verse, meaning “to be disorderly.” It is used in a military sense, indicating soldiers who have broken ranks and are not following an orderly course of action.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse, Paul instructed the Christians in Thessalonica to withdraw themselves from those who are disorderly, those who are not demonstrating obedience to God. You may also recall that the main purpose of this letter was to correct teaching regarding the Day of the Lord. There had been people who falsely taught that this time of God’s vengeance had already begun.

Based on this verse and the following seven or eight verses, Paul appears to be teaching how to identify the difference between those who teach true doctrine and those who teach false doctrine. His first teaching in this regard is that Paul and his companions were not disorderly. And we will find out in the coming verses that they worked hard for what they had.

There are many preachers today who tell you what you want to hear. They claim that God wants you to be wealthy or that God wants you to be completely healed. They are very charismatic, presenting themselves as someone who can lead you out of your misery into an earthly life of peace and prosperity, and usually asking you to send them money “for their ministry.” Paul, on the other hand, was humble, apparently not very tall or charismatic, and supported his own ministry by working as a tent maker. Which of these two types of preachers do you want to follow as an example of Christian teaching and Christian living? Paul was bold enough to tell people, “Do as I do, not just as I say.”

 

Application

Who is your favorite preacher or Bible teacher? Is he someone who lives an exemplary life of a submitted servant? Does he just talk the talk, or does he also walk the walk?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Love Others!

Posted on by Will

As for the rest then, brothers, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you need to walk and to please God that you should abound more;

Truth to Learn

Being more loving is our responsibility.

 

Behind the Words

“As for the rest” is translated from the Greek word loipon, which refers to “something remaining.” In regard to time, it can be translated as “henceforth” In regard to other things, it can be translated “as to the rest” of “for the remainder.”

The word translated “request” is erotaō, which means “to ask, to inquire, or to urge.”

The word “exhort” is from parakaleō, which is made up of para, meaning “near, beside, or alongside” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Thus parakaleō literally means “to call near” or “to call alongside.” Metaphorically, it means “to encourage, to challenge, or to coach.”

 “You received” is from paralambanō. This word means “to take near” or “to receive to oneself.”

“Need” is translated from the Greek word dei, which means to have a necessity or a need.

The word “walk” is translated from peripateō, which literally means “to walk around.” Metaphorically, it refers to the manner in which one lives one’s life.

“Please” is from areskō, meaning “to soften one’s heart toward another” or “to please.”

Perisueuō is the word translated “should abound.” It means “to be in excess” or “to have more than enough.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of something happening. So, we see that it means “you may abound” or “you might abound.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter Paul explained why he sent Timothy to the Thessalonian church: to strengthen and encourage them. His concern was that the afflictions and suffering that Paul and his companions were enduring, as well as what the Thessalonians themselves were enduring,  might have caused their faith to grow weak. Having learned that their faith remained strong, Paul then offered up a prayer for them.

Paul now switches gears and goes into preaching mode in this chapter and most of the next. He has been expressing his love and concern for the Thessalonians, but now he needs to get down to some serious teaching. Therefore, he starts out his sermon with “As for the rest then, brothers, we request and exhort …” His challenge is that the Christians there might abound even more. But what are they supposed to abound in? If we look back two verses, we see that Paul prayed that God would cause them to increase and abound in love for others. Now Paul is telling the Thessalonian Christians that they need to abound (in love) even more. On the surface, this may sound contradictory. Is it God who causes us to abound in love, or is it our responsibility to actively pursue being more loving of others? The answer is both. We can’t understand the Trinity (how God can be one and still be three persons.) We also can’t understand how we have the responsibility for being more loving toward others and yet God is the one who enables such love.

 

Application

God is all powerful, but Christians can’t just sit back and let Him make us more loving of others. We have to put effort into demonstrating the love of God to everyone around us.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:20 – Proclaim It Boldly!

Posted on by Will

for which I am an ambassador in a chain; that in it I might speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Truth to Learn

We need to boldly proclaim the Gospel message.

 

Behind the Words

Presbeuō is the Greek word translated “ambassador.” It literally means “to be an old man,” but it is used metaphorically to mean “a representative” or “an ambassador.”

“Chain” is from the Greek noun halusis, which refers to any kind of restraint for either the hands or feet (shackles, manacles, or chains). This particular word is most often used to describe a “coupling chain” which bound a prisoner hand-to-hand to a guarding soldier. Given that Paul wrote this letter from prison, it is likely that this is the type of chain he is referring to.

The words “I might speak boldly” are from the Greek verb parrēsiadzomai. This is the verb form of parrēsia, which we saw in yesterday’s verse. It means “to speak openly” or “to speak boldly.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood indicating the possibility or probability of such action.

“I ought” is translated from the Greek verb dei, which means “it needs to happen,” “it is necessary,” or “it is inevitable.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse the Apostle Paul expressed a prayer request that everyone reading this letter (and those hearing this letter read to them) might pray for him. Specifically, he requested that he might be given the words to speak regarding the mystery of the Gospel and that he might be given boldness to declare the message forthrightly. In today’s verse he tells us that it is because of the Gospel message that he is currently chained to a Roman soldier. Here’s how that came to be.

After Paul’s third missionary journey, he returned to Jerusalem to deliver an offering from the churches of Greece and Asia. He felt compelled to go there “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” even though he knew that he would be put in chains there (Acts 20:22-24). When reminded that he would be taken prisoner in Jerusalem, he told those around him that he was ready even to die for the Gospel (Acts 21:10-13).

While in Jerusalem, he was falsely accused of defiling the Temple, and he was put under protective custody. While in custody, the Lord told him that he must also proclaim the Gospel message in Rome (Acts 23:11). Then, because the Jews had plotted to kill him, Paul was taken to Caesarea so that he might appear before the Roman governor Felix, as well as his successor Porcius Festus. While appearing before Festus, Paul exercised his right of appeal as a Roman citizen to be judged at Caesar’s court in Rome. So, after having already been imprisoned for two years, he was sent to Rome. It was while in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier, that Paul wrote this letter to the church at Ephesus. We see that quite literally, Paul was in chains because of his bold proclamation of the Gospel. Now he is asking for prayers so that he might continue to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, which he still feels compelled to do.

 

Application

How many of us are reluctant to proclaim the Gospel message because of what someone might think about us? Paul was ready to face prison and death to share the good news. We have peace and hope because Christ suffered and died, and now He is risen! Let us boldly proclaim the Gospel, just like Paul did!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 3:7 – Walk, or Just Talk?

Posted on by Will

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;

Truth to Learn

The most effective proclaimer of the Gospel truth is someone who lives the kind of life he preaches about.

Behind the Words

The word translated “know” is eidō, which means “to see with perception.” As in English, this verb can refer to visibly seeing something and perceiving what it is, or it can mean “to see with the mind,” that is, “to know.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the effect.

“You ought” is from the Greek word dei, meaning “it is necessary.” It is a bold statement by Paul, for he is not saying “you could …” or even “you should.” He is saying “you need to follow our example.”

“Follow” is translated from mimeomai, from which we get our English word “mimic.” It means “to imitate” or “to follow as an example.”

The words “we were not disorderly” are from the word ou and the verb atakteō. Ou expresses absolute negation (the Greek word mē expressed conditional negation). Atakteō is from the same root as ataktos, which we saw in yesterday’s verse, meaning “to be disorderly.” It is used in a military sense, indicating soldiers who have broken ranks and are being disorderly.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse, Paul instructed the Christians in Thessalonica to withdraw themselves from those who are disorderly, those who are not demonstrating obedience to God. You may also recall that the main purpose of this letter was to correct teaching regarding the Day of the Lord. There had been people who falsely taught that this time of God’s vengeance had already begun.

Based on this verse and the following seven or eight verses, Paul appears to be teaching how to identify the difference between those who teach true doctrine and those who teach false doctrine. His first teaching in this regard is that Paul and his companions were not disorderly. And we will find out in the coming verses that they worked hard for what they had.

There are many preachers today who tell you what you want to hear. They claim that God wants you to be wealthy or that God wants you to be completely healed. They are very charismatic, presenting themselves as someone who can lead you out of your misery into an earthly life of peace and prosperity, and usually asking you to send them money “for their ministry.” Paul, on the other hand, was humble, apparently not very tall or charismatic, and supported his own ministry by working as a tent maker. Which of these two types of preachers do you want to follow as an example of Christian teaching and Christian living? Paul was bold enough to tell people, “Do as I do, not just as I say.”

Application

Who is your favorite preacher or Bible teacher? Is he someone who lives an exemplary life of a submitted servant? Does he just talk the talk, or does he also walk the walk?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Ephesians 6:20 – Proclaim It Boldly!

Posted on by Will

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Truth to Learn

We need to boldly proclaim the Gospel message.

Behind the Words

Presbeuō is the Greek word translated “ambassador.” It literally means “to be an old man,” but it is used metaphorically to mean “a representative” or “an ambassador.”

“Chains” is from the Greek noun halusis, which refers to any kind of restraint for either the hands or feet (shackles, manacles, or chains). This particular word is most often used to describe a “coupling chain” which bound a prisoner hand-to-hand to a guarding soldier.

The words “I may speak boldly” are from the Greek verb parrēsiadzomai. This is the verb form of parrēsia, which we saw in yesterday’s verse. It means “to speak openly” or “to speak boldly.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood indicating the possibility or probability of such action.

“I ought” is translated from the Greek verb dei, which means “it needs to happen,” “it is necessary,” or “it is inevitable.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse the Apostle Paul expressed a prayer request that everyone reading this letter (and those hearing this letter read to them) might pray for him. Specifically, he requested that he might be given the words to speak regarding the mystery of the Gospel and that he might be given boldness to declare the message forthrightly. In today’s verse he tells us that it is because of the Gospel message that he is currently chained to a Roman soldier. Here’s how that came to be.

After Paul’s third missionary journey, he returned to Jerusalem to deliver an offering from the churches of Greece and Asia. He felt compelled to go there “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” even though he knew that he would be put in chains there (Acts 20:22-24). When reminded that he would be taken prisoner in Jerusalem, he told those around him that he was ready even to die for the Gospel (Acts 21:10-13).

While in Jerusalem, he was falsely accused of defiling the Temple, and he was put under protective custody. While in custody, the Lord told him that he must also proclaim the Gospel message in Rome (Acts 23:11). Then, because the Jews had plotted to kill him, Paul was taken to Caesarea so that he might appear before the Roman governor Felix, as well as his successor Porcius Festus. While appearing before Festus, Paul exercised his right of appeal as a Roman citizen to be judged at Caesar’s court in Rome. So, after having already been imprisoned for two years, he was sent to Rome. It was while in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier, that Paul wrote this letter to the church at Ephesus. We see that quite literally, Paul was in chains because of his bold proclamation of the Gospel. Now he is asking for prayers so that he might continue to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, which he still feels compelled to do.

Application

How many of us are reluctant to proclaim the Gospel message because of what someone might think about us? Paul was ready to face prison and death to share the good news. We have peace and hope because Christ suffered and died, and now He is risen! Let us boldly proclaim the Gospel, just like Paul did!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved