Tag: didaskalos

Ephesians 4:11 – Builders and Protectors

Posted on by Will

And He gave some to be apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

Truth to Learn

God has provided gifted men to build and protect the church.

 

Behind the Words

 “Apostles” is a transliteration of the Greek word apostolos, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of the verb stellō, meaning “to set fast” or “to withdraw from;” in other words, “to send forth.” Apostellō means “to send forth on a specific mission.”

“Prophets” is transliterated from prophētēs, which is made up of pro, meaning “before, in place or time” and a form of phēmi, meaning “to tell.” Prophētēs refers to a person who is divinely gifted to proclaim God’s message, either before (in front of) people or before it takes place.

“Evangelists” is transliterated from euangelistēs, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of the verb angellō, meaning “to proclaim” or “to tell.” Euangelistē means “to proclaim the good news.”

The word “pastors” is translated from poimēn, which refers to “the person who guards and cares for a flock” or “a shepherd.”

The word “teachers” is translated from didaskalos, which refers to “one who teaches,” that is, “a teacher” or “an instructor.”

 

Meaning Explained

In verses seven and eight of this chapter, Paul told us that we were given gifts according to the measure that Christ determined. Like a conquering king, when Jesus Christ rose from the grave He conquered death and the one who previously had the power over death (Satan). As He rose from the dead, He “led captivity captive.” That is, Christ took Paradise and those in it out of Hades and raised them up to (but not into) the third heaven (see 2Corinthians 12:2-4). At that time, according to Paul, He gave spiritual gifts to men.

These spiritual gifts are described in at least four places in the New Testament; here, 1Corinthians 12:10, 1Corinthians 12:28, and Romans 12:6-8. In today’s verse Paul talks only about the gifts, and gifted men, responsible for the foundation and major construction of the church (the temple of God). The grammatical construction of this verse breaks this group of gifts into four categories; 1) apostles, 2) prophets, 3) evangelists, and 4) pastor / teachers.

Apostles are those who were sent out personally by Jesus Christ as witnesses of His ministry and His ascension (see Acts 1:15-22). Since there are no men alive today who have personally seen Christ, there are no apostles alive today. Prophets are specially gifted men who proclaim the Word of God either before events happen (Acts 11:28) or before others physically (Ephesians 3:5), and evangelists are those who are specially gifted to proclaim the Good News of salvation. The final group of specially gifted men described here are those who are pastors and teachers. From the Greek text it is evident that these men are gifted as both shepherds over God’s flock and as teachers of God’s flock.

 

Application

When Christ ascended from the dead, He did not leave us alone. Not only did he send His Spirit to indwell his church and empower us for His service, He also provided specially gifted men to build and watch over His body. We should all thank God for the gifted men He has provided for the church.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 3:1 – Responsible Teaching

Posted on by Will

My brothers, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment.

Truth to Learn

Within the church, teaching carries a great responsibility and a greater judgment (good or bad) for those who teach.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “let … become” is ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” The use of the word here is in the present tense and imperative mood (command). Therefore, it could be translated as “stop becoming many teachers.”

“Teachers,” or “masters” in some Bibles, is translated from the Greek word didaskalos, which means “one who teaches or instructs.” It seems that there were many people in the early church who wanted to be looked up to as teachers.

The word “judgment” is translated from krima. This is derived from the verb krinō, literally meaning “to separate.” In the New Testament it means “to form or give an opinion after separating and considering the particulars of a case.” The noun form, used in this verse, refers to the resultant judgment that is handed down. It can refer to either a judgment of approval or a judgment of condemnation.

Meaning Explained

James has just finished talking about the works which are the evidence of faith. Now he’s going to talk about the works performed by those who teach within the church. In this particular verse he is cautioning church members not to all desire the position of teacher. In 1 John 2:16 the apostle John talks about the three types of lusts; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. This third one, the pride of life, is that desire within each of us to attain greatness and fame. Unfortunately, because the church is made up of sinful humans, this pride of life occasionally shows its ugly face within the church as well. Within the body of Christ each one of us has a function to perform. In 1Corinthians chapter twelve, the apostle Paul says that we are one body with many members, each one with a specific purpose. We can’t all be eyes, we can’t all be feet, and we can’t all be teachers.

Even though teaching is a good and necessary position within the church, James warns that those who hold the position of teacher are responsible for the content of their teaching and will receive a harsher judgment, good or bad, depending on whether or not they carry it out in a manner worthy of our Lord. A good teacher can lead people to a closer, more effective walk with God. But, a careless teacher can actually lead children of God away from that close personal fellowship that He desires with each of us.

Not only are teachers within the church responsible for the content of their teaching, they are responsible, even more so, for their actions. If good works are evidence of our salvation, then practicing what you teach is even more important for those who wear the mantle of teacher.

Application

We are all called upon at one time or another to teach and exhort less mature Christians. When such opportunities arise, we need to be careful that we do not lord it over them. What we say can have a powerful effect on others. And, we who have been called to teach need to ensure that we are being instructional and not judgmental. Remember that teaching is an honorable service, but other positions in the church are just as honorable if they are carried out with an attitude of humble service. Keep that in mind the next time you talk to one of the workers in the church nursery or the church janitor. Without these humble servants, the work of the body of Christ will be less effective. Be sure to thank them for their humble service. Serve where God has called you to serve and you will bring glory to God!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:11 – Builders and Protectors

Posted on by Will

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

Truth to Learn

God has provided gifted men to build and protect the church.

Behind the Words

“Apostles” is a transliteration of the Greek word apostolos, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of the verb stellō, meaning “to set fast” or “to withdraw from.” Apostellō means “to send forth on a specific mission.”

“Prophets” is transliterated from prophētēs, which is made up of pro, meaning “before, in place or time” and a form of phēmi, meaning “to tell.” Prophētēs refers to a person who is divinely gifted to proclaim God’s message.

“Evangelists” is transliterated from euangelistēs, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of the verb angellō, meaning “to proclaim” or “to tell.” Euangelistē means “to proclaim the good news.”

The word “pastors” is translated from poimēn, which refers to “the person who guards and cares for a flock” or “a shepherd.”

The word “teachers” is translated from didaskalos, which refers to “one who teaches” or “an instructor.”

Meaning Explained

In verses seven and eight of this chapter, Paul told us that we were given gifts according to the measure that Christ determined. Like a conquering king, when Jesus Christ rose from the grave He conquered death and the one who previously had the power over death (Satan). As He rose from the dead, He “led captivity captive.” That is, Christ took Paradise and those in it out of Hades and raised them up to (but not into) the third heaven (see 2Corinthians 12:2-4). At that time, according to Paul, He gave spiritual gifts to men.

These spiritual gifts are described in at least four places in the New Testament; here, 1Corinthians 12:10, 1Corinthians 12:28, and Romans 12:6-8. In today’s verse Paul talks only about the gifts, and gifted men, responsible for the foundation and major construction of the church (the temple of God). The grammatical construction of this verse breaks this group of gifts into four categories; 1) apostles, 2) prophets, 3) evangelists, and 4) pastors and teachers.

Apostles are those who were sent out personally by Jesus Christ as witnesses of His ministry and His ascension (see Acts 1:15-22). Since there are no men alive today who have personally seen Christ, there are no apostles alive today. Prophets are specially gifted men who proclaim the Word of God either before events happen (Acts 11:28) or before others physically (Ephesians 3:5), and evangelists are those who are specially gifted to proclaim the Good News of salvation. The final group of specially gifted men described here are those who are pastors and teachers. From the Greek text it is evident that these men are gifted as both shepherds over God’s flock and as teachers of God's flock.

Application

When Christ ascended from the dead, He did not leave us alone. Not only did he send His Spirit to indwell his church and empower us for His service, He also provided specially gifted men to build and watch over His body. We should all thank God for the gifted men He has provided for the church.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.