Tag: dikaiosune

Romans 14:17 – Calm Delight

Posted on by Will

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Truth to Learn

Building up the body of Christ creates a sense of calm delight.

 

Behind the Words

“Eating” is from the Greek noun brōsis, which is derived from the same root as brōma (food) which we saw in verse fifteen. Brōsis refers to the act of eating and by extension it refers to the food being eaten.

“Drinking” is from posis, which refers to the act of drinking and by extension to the drink itself.

The word translated “righteousness” is dikaiosunē, which refers to the character or quality of being righteous (always doing what is right) or just (guided by truth and fairness). It is a state of being in which God charges no blame because either there is no wrong to be blamed or the wrong has already been paid for and done away with.

“Peace” is translated from eirēnē, which can mean “a state of tranquility” or “the absence of war or the threat of war.”

The word translated “joy” is charis. This word does not refer to “excitement and jubilation.” It refers to “gladness and calm delight.”

 

Meaning Explained

There are several uses of the term “the kingdom of God” in the New Testament. In some places it refers to the heavenly kingdom that will exist in the new heavens and the new earth after the current heavens and earth have been destroyed. In other places it refers to the earthly kingdom that will be in place during the Millennium, with Christ on the throne in Jerusalem. And in still others it refers to the spiritual kingdom that exists here and now, where Christ is reigning in the hearts of Christians. Although Paul’s use of the term here could refer to any or all of these meanings, it appears that Paul is talking about the spiritual kingdom that exists today of which all Christians are members.

Even though eating and drinking are necessary for our earthly existence, these are not the things that are really important in our spiritual existence. In Matthew 4:4 Christ, Himself, when tempted to create bread from the rocks after having not eaten for 40 days in the wilderness, told Satan,

It is written, “Man will not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."

The kingdom of God to which we belong today is not centered in the physical world, but in the spiritual world. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our daily walk with Him are neither enhanced nor depreciated by what we do or don’t eat or by whether we treat one day as sacred above the others or not. Instead, our focus should be on the spiritual body of Christ by treating each other with righteousness (doing what is right), being at peace with other Christians, and creating conditions that make for joy among all Christians.

 

Application

Instead of arguing about what foods we can and can’t eat or getting hung-up on how others treat “the Lord’s day,” let’s do what we can to help nurture and grow the body of Christ, the church. By doing so, instead of strife and contention we can all experience a sense of peace and calm delight even in the midst of a world that is filled with evil.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 9:30 – Not Attained by Pursuing

Posted on by Will

What shall we say then? That Gentiles, not pursuing righteousness, have taken on a righteousness, even the righteousness of faith;

Truth to Learn

Righteousness comes as a result of faith, not works.

 

Behind the Words

“Pursuing” is from the Greek verb diōkō, meaning “to actively and intentionally go after something.”

The Greek word translated “have taken on” is katelaben, which is made up of kata, used as an intensifier and a form of lambanō, meaning “to take.” So in its root form this word means “to take aggressively” or “to seize with eagerness.” There is another Greek word that is translated “take on.” It is phthanō, meaning “to come suddenly upon something” or “to arrive at a goal.” Thus, we see that Paul is referring to the Gentiles having taken possession of a prize rather than having reached a goal that they were pursuing.

The word “righteousness” is from dikaiosune, which is derived from the noun dikaios meaning “one who does what is right or just.” The ending sune, makes it an abstraction, so it refers to “the character or quality of being righteous or of having obtained righteousness.”

“Of” is from the Greek word ek, meaning “out of” or “as the result of.” The righteousness that is recorded in God’s book is not the result of any action on our part. It is the result of faith, believing God’s promise to us.

 

Meaning Explained

“What shall we say then?” With this rhetorical question, Paul begins his summation of this entire chapter. Even though he spent a great deal of time and energy making the case for God’s sovereign choosing (election), that has only been a supporting point of his argument. The main point is that the Gentiles have received the prize of justification (righteousness) without constantly pursuing after it, and the Jews, who constantly pursued righteousness, have not received it.

You see, the Jews had vigorously pursued righteousness by seeking rigorous adherence to the Law, but they did not obtain it. They believed they had to do something. They believed so strongly that righteousness came by obedience that they consumed their entire lives in being obedient to God’s commandments. The Gentiles, on the other hand, did not pursue righteousness but have now been declared righteous by God through faith. They did not pursue righteousness by doing works or by following all the rules; they simply believed the gospel message. Those who believe that Jesus is the Christ and that He died on the cross to pay for their sins are declared as righteous in God’s record book and only they will be permitted in God’s presence without condemnation.

 

Application

When God chooses those who will be saved, He does not give them a magic formula of things to say or do. He gives them faith to believe His promise of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. This only serves to strengthen Paul’s argument that God chooses whom He will save and He does so through the gift of faith. (see Ephesians 2:8)

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 3:26 – His Righteousness

Posted on by Will

to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Truth to Learn

God’s plan of salvation draws attention to His righteousness.

 

Behind the Words

The word, “demonstrate” if translated from endeixis, which refers to “the act of pointing something out, especially with the finger.” Thus, it implies drawing attention to something.

“Righteousness” is from dikaiosunē, meaning “the characteristic of always doing what is right (see Romans 3:21).

The phrase “at the present time” is from en tō nun kairō, which literally means “at the now time.” In other words, “right now.”

The word “just” is from dikaios, meaning “someone who does what is right.” This word could be translated “righteous.”

“Justifier” is from dikaioō, meaning “to make someone righteous.”

 

Meaning Explained

At the end of the previous verse we said that the purpose of the entire plan of salvation is to glorify God. Today’s verse tells us how God will be glorified in the plan of salvation. You will recall that we said God can “pass-by” our sins because they will be “covered” by the blood of Christ.

The result of His passing-by our sins is that His righteousness is on display right now. The translation “that He might be just” is unfortunate in that it makes it appear that God might be just, but he might not. That’s not what the Greek text says. A better translation would be “resulting in His being righteous.”

You see, God cannot ignore sin, he must judge it and exact payment for it. The blood of Christ is the payment for our sins and is sprinkled as a covering over our sins. Because this payment is made, God can pass-by our sins and still be doing what is right. It means He is righteous in forgiving our sins.

Now, here’s the best part of this verse, “and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Do you see what that says? Not only is God proven to be righteous by his plan of salvation and the “passing-by” of our sins covered by the blood of Christ, but in doing so He actually is “justifying” us. That is, at the time of our salvation God declares that we are righteous (just like He is). This means that in His record book we are credited with having kept the law and never having committed a single sin. We are declared righteous!

Remember what Paul said back in verse 20? “Therefore by the works of law no flesh will be justified in His presence, for through the law is the knowledge of sin.” We cannot become righteous by keeping the law, but we can be declared righteous by believing in the blood of Jesus Christ. God’s plan of salvation for us is a perfect plan because it provides a way for Him to judge sin and forgive the sinner. Wow! Praise be to God!

 

Application

These last couple of verses are very complex, but they demonstrate how perfect God’s plan of salvation really is. He has found a way to judge sin but forgive the sinner. You are a sinner. Do you believe in the blood of Jesus Christ as payment for your sins? If not, then you are a sinner who will be judged!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 5:9 – Goodness, Righteousness, and Truth

Posted on by Will

for the fruit of the light is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth,

Truth to Learn

We should always exhibit goodness, righteousness, and truth.

 

Behind the Words

The word “fruit” is translated from the Greek word karpos, which is derived from the same base as harpadzō, meaning “to pluck” or “to take by force.” Karpos can refer to fruit taken from a tree or any edible thing taken from plants. Paul uses this word metaphorically, referring to the effects of, or result of, a force or an action.

The word “light” is phōs, which we learned in the previous verse, refers either to physically perceived light or to spiritual enlightenment. In some later manuscripts, this word is replaced by pneumatos, which is based on the verb pneō, meaning “to breathe” or “to blow.” Pneumatos literally refers to “a current of air.” Figuratively, it refers to “a spirit” or “a ghost.”

 “Goodness” is from agathōsunē, based on agathos (good or useful). The sunē ending indicates an abstraction from the base noun. Thus, agathōsunē refers to the general characteristic of goodness or usefulness.

“Righteousness” is from dikaiosunē, which is based on the noun dikaios, meaning “just” or “righteous.” As with agathōsunē, t he sunē ending indicates an abstraction from the base noun. Therefore, dikaiosunē refers to “justice” or “righteousness.”

“Truth” is from alētheia, which refers to “truth” or “reality.”

 

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is one that exhibits a minor variation between the two most often used Greek texts. In this verse the Received Text (from which the KJV and NKJV are taken) reads “fruit of the Spirit” and the Wescott-Hort text (from which the NASB, NIV, ESV, and others are taken) reads “fruit of the light.” Nowhere else in the New Testament does “fruit of the light” appear, but only one other place has “fruit of the spirit” (Galatians 5:22). Both versions make sense and contain teaching that is profitable for all Christians. So to me, it really doesn’t matter which one is the “right” text.

I use my own translation in these studies because I prefer a more literal translation of the Greek, whereas others contain more interpretation and paraphrasing in their translations. Having said all that, I find that the phrase “fruit of the light” makes more sense in today’s verse. Here’s why: In the previous verse Paul said we previously were darkness but now are light and he said that we are to walk as “children of light.” It makes perfect sense that he would now tell us something about walking as children of light.

The fruit that we are to exhibit in our lives is to be characterized by goodness, righteousness, and truth. That which is bad is obviously not from God. That which is unjust or unfair is obviously not from God. That which is false or which is based on falsehood is obviously not from God.

 

Application

What we have to ask ourselves today is not whether the fruit of our thoughts and actions are fruit of the Spirit or fruit of the light. What we have to ask ourselves is, “Do our thoughts and actions demonstrate that God is our Father?” As God’s children we are to exhibit goodness, righteousness, and truth! Do you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 3:18 – Sow in Peace

Posted on by Will

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who are making peace.

Truth to Learn

Those who teach with earthly wisdom reap a harvest of contention and discord. Those who humbly teach through the Spirit of God reap a harvest of peaceful righteousness.

Behind the Words

“Fruit” is from the Greek word karpos, It refers to the fruit or produce of trees and other plants. Metaphorically, it refers to the results produced from any action or deed.

The word translated “righteousness” is dikaiosunē, which is a form of dikaios, meaning “righteous” or “just.” The sunē ending makes this an abstraction and thus refers to the characteristic of being righteous or just.

“Sown” is translated from the verb speirō, meaning “to scatter seed” or “to sow.”

The Greek word poieō is translated here as “making.” It means, “to make” or “to do,” indicating action that is either completed or on-going. It is expressed here as a present participle, which places emphasis on the continuing nature of the action.

“Peace” is translated from the Greek word eirēnē. In a civil or political application it refers to the opposite of war and dissention. In a personal application, it refers to harmony and tranquility.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse, James told us that heavenly wisdom makes peace and is full of good fruit. He now picks up on that idea, showing that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace.

The result of proper teaching from God’s word is that it bears much fruit. It is the fruit of righteousness which is sown peaceably by godly teachers of the Word, not by selfish, contentious teachers who create strife. The effective preaching and teaching of God’s word is done with conviction (sometimes fervent conviction), but it is not done to produce strife. It is done to produce peace, peace within each heart that is submitted to God and to His Word, and peace within the body of Christ.

When Christ told his disciples that he was going away, He told them that He would send a helper (the Holy Spirit) to teach them. He also said the helper would give them peace.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:26, 27)

Proper teaching of the Word of God is only accomplished through the Spirit of God. Its end result is to produce peace. Improper teaching of the Word of God, teaching with earthly wisdom from a self-serving attitude, does not produce peace. It produces confusion and every evil thing, as James has just taught us. And, the final result of this type of teaching is conflict and self-serving attitudes among the people.

In the next chapter of this letter, James will talk about just such conflicts and fighting within the church. He will explain why these things come about and how to resolve all these issues. I’ll give you a hint: resolution involves humbling ourselves before Almighty God.

Application

Do you desire to teach the Word to others? If so, study hard and prepare diligently, seek the Spirit fervently, then deliver humbly as a fellow sinner saved by the grace of God! Remember, when you teach God’s Word, you do it for Him.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 1:20 – Bad Example

Posted on by Will

Truth to Learn

We should not be easily angered because it does not show the world the type of godly example that we should be.

Behind the Words

In the previous verse we looked at the Greek word orgē, which refers to “violent passions.” It is most likely derived from the Greek word oregō, which means to stretch out with the hand or to snatch. Metaphorically, it means to covet, to long after, or to desire. Hence, orgē is the state of mind produced when we don’t get what we desire.

“Bring about” is translated from katergadzomai which is a compound word made up of kata, used as an intensifier and ergadzomai, which means “to work.” Put these together and we see that katergadzomai means “to work out, to bring about, or to fully accomplish.”

The word translated “righteousness” is dikaiosunē, which is based on the word dikaios meaning “equity, justice, or that which is right.” The sunē ending makes this an abstraction. Therefore, the word dikaiosunē means “the characteristic of doing that which is just or right.”

Meaning Explained

According to an area of Psychology called Cognitive Behavior Theory, “The main cause of anger is represented by our irrational perceptions and evaluations of situations when our rights and goals are apparently broken.” Put in layman’s terms, anger is caused when someone does something to us that we don’t like. When someone insults us, we don’t like it and we get angry. When someone cuts in front of us in traffic and slows us down, we don’t like it and we get angry. When the sports team we are rooting for loses, we don’t like it and we get angry.

Anger is a selfish response to a situation where we don’t get our way. This selfishness is not only the root of our anger, it is sin. God’s anger, on the other hand, is the result of people not giving Him the reverence that He alone deserves.

Because we have a sin nature, we are incapable of always responding properly to situations in our life. Because of His holiness, God is incapable of responding any way other than the right way. That’s His righteousness. He always does what is right.

The only way we can respond properly to difficult situations is to recognize that we belong to Christ; we have been bought with His blood. Because of that we have no personal rights and showing forth His righteousness is our high calling in life. But when we get angry because we think we have been wronged, we are sinning, therefore we are not producing righteousness.

James has just told us that we should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. The reason given here is that when we get angry we are not being an example of or a witness for God, which should be our full time occupation.

Application

The old adage of counting to ten before you get angry has some basis in this verse. Let us all work harder at keeping our cool, and keeping our testimony pure and God glorigying.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 1:30 – All From God

Posted on by Will

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

Truth to Learn

Our salvation is all from God.

Behind the Words

The word translated “of” is ek, which means “out of” or “from.” It is an indication of the source of something.

“Became” is from the Greek verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be.” It is expressed in the aorist tense, passive voice, indicating that it was done to Him at a point in time in the past.

Dikaiosunē is the word translated “righteousness.” It is based on the noun dikaios, which means “just” or “righteous.” Righteousness is a description of our standing before God.

“Sanctification” is from the noun hagiasmos, from the verb hagiadzō, which means “to set apart from common use as something without blemish to be used in the service of God.”

The word “redemption” is translated from apolutrōsis. This is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and lutroō, which means “to bring a ransom for the purpose of freeing someone from captivity.” Thus, apolutrōsis means “set free as a result of a ransom having been fully paid.” We are set free from sin and its consequences because the ransom for our freedom has been fully paid by the blood of Christ.

Meaning Explained

Throughout the past six verses Paul has been talking about God’s wisdom in his choosing and calling us foolish, weak, sin-sick nobodies out of the world and into His family. He has masterfully and effectively contrasted the wisdom of the world (which in reality is utter foolishness) with the foolishness of God (which in reality is supreme wisdom). Here he makes a dramatic statement that is often missed. Paul says that God is the source of our position “in Christ Jesus.”

If you carefully study the New Testament teachings, you will find that all aspects of our salvation have their source in God. Here is a list of some of the things that we could not do, but that God has already done for us:

He willed (determined) to make us His (Ephesians 1:5)

He purposed to predestine us (Ephesians 1:11)

He predestined us to adoption as sons (Ephesians 1:5)

He chose us (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

He prepared us (Romans 9:23)

He drew us to Himself (John 6:44)

He granted us to come to Christ (John 6:65)

He saved us (Titus 3:5)

He sanctified us completely (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

He appointed us to eternal life (Acts 13:48)

He delivered us from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13)

He made us alive (Ephesians 2:5)

He poured out His Spirit on us (Titus 3:6)

He brought us forth (James 1:18)

He justified and glorified us (Romans 8:30)

He called us into His kingdom (1 Thessalonians 2:12)

Application

Seeing all that God has done for us, how can we do anything but be humbled and eternally grateful for all His work in our salvation? And given all that He has already done, how could we ever think that there is anything that we could do to nullify what God has done? Praise God and give Him the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Ephesians 5:9 – Goodness, Righteousness, and Truth

Posted on by Will

(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

Truth to Learn

We should always exhibit goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Behind the Words

The word “fruit” is translated from the Greek word karpos, which is derived from the same base as harpadzō, meaning “to pluck” or “to take by force.” Karpos can refer to fruit taken from a tree or any edible thing taken from plants. Paul uses this word metaphorically, referring to the effects of, or result of, a force or an action.

The word “spirit” is from pneumatos, which is based on the verb pneō, meaning “to breathe” or “to blow.” Pneumatos literally refers to “a current of air.” Figuratively, it refers to “a spirit” or “a ghost.” The problem that we have in today’s verse is that some manuscripts do not have the word pneumatos, but phōs, which we learned in the previous verse, refers either to physically perceived light or to spiritual enlightenment.

“Goodness” is from agathōsunē, based on agathos (good or useful). The sunē ending indicates an abstraction from the base noun. Thus, agathōsunē refers to the general characteristic of goodness or usefulness.

“Righteousness” is from dikaiosunē, which is based on the noun dikaios, meaning “just” or “righteous.” Therefore, dikaiosunē refers to “justice” or “righteousness.”

“Truth” is from alētheia, which refers to “truth” or “reality.”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is one that exhibits a minor variation between the two most often used Greek texts. In this verse the Received Text (from which the KJV and NKJV are taken) reads “fruit of the Spirit” and the Wescott-Hort text (from which the NASB, NIV, ESV, and others are taken) reads “fruit of the light.” Nowhere else in the New Testament does “fruit of the light” appear, but only one other place has “fruit of the spirit” (Galatians 5:22). Both versions make sense and contain teaching that is profitable for all Christians. So to me, it really doesn’t matter which one is the “right” text.

I use the NKJV translation in these studies because I find it to be a more literal translation of the Greek, whereas others contain more interpretation and paraphrasing in their translations. Having said all that, I find that the phrase “fruit of the light” makes more sense in today’s verse. Here’s why: In the previous verse Paul said we previously were darkness but now are light and he said that we are to walk as “children of light.” It makes perfect sense that he would now tell us something about walking as children of light.

The fruit that we are to exhibit in our lives is to be characterized by goodness, righteousness, and truth. That which is bad is obviously not from God. That which is unjust or unfair is obviously not from God. That which is false or which is based on falsehood is obviously not from God.

Application

What we have to ask ourselves today is not whether the fruit of our thoughts and actions are fruit of the Spirit or fruit of the light. What we have to ask ourselves is, “Do our thoughts and actions demonstrate that God is our Father?” As God’s children we are to exhibit goodness, righteousness, and truth! Do you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Romans 14:17 – Calm Delight

Posted on by Will

Romans 14:17 – Calm Delight

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Truth to Learn

Building up the body of Christ creates a sense of calm delight.

Behind the Words

“Eating” is from the Greek noun brōsis, which is derived from the same root as brōma (food) which we saw in verse fifteen. Brōsis refers to the act of eating and by extension it refers to the food being eaten.

“Drinking” is from posis, which refers to the act of drinking and by extension to the drink itself.

The word translated “righteousness” is dikaiosunē, which refers to the character or quality of being righteous (always doing what is right) or just (guided by truth and fairness). It is a state of being in which God charges no blame because either there is no wrong to be blamed or the wrong has already been paid for and done away with.

“Peace” is translated from eirēnē, which can mean “a state of tranquility” or “the absence of war or the threat of war.”

The word translated “joy” is charis. This word does not refer to “excitement and jubilation.” It refers to “gladness and calm delight.”

Meaning Explained

There are several uses of the term “the kingdom of God” in the New Testament. In some places it refers to the heavenly kingdom that will exist in the new heavens and the new earth after the current heavens and earth have been destroyed. In other places it refers to the earthly kingdom that will be in place during the Millennium, with Christ on the throne in Jerusalem. And in still others it refers to the spiritual kingdom that exists here and now, where Christ is reigning in the hearts of Christians. Although Paul’s use of the term here could refer to any or all of these meanings, it appears that Paul is talking about the spiritual kingdom that exists today of which all Christians are members.

Even though eating and drinking are necessary for our earthly existence, these are not the things that are really important in our spiritual existence. In Matthew 4:4 Christ, Himself, when tempted to create bread from the rocks after having not eaten for 40 days in the wilderness, told Satan,

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

The kingdom of God to which we belong today is not centered in the physical world, but in the spiritual world. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our daily walk with Him are neither enhanced nor depreciated by what we do or don’t eat or by whether we treat one day as sacred above the others or not. Instead, our focus should be on the spiritual body of Christ by treating each other with righteousness (doing what is right), being at peace with other Christians, and creating conditions that make for joy among all Christians.

Application

Instead of arguing about what foods we can and can’t eat or getting hung-up on how others treat “the Lord’s day,” let’s do what we can to help nurture and grow the body of Christ, the church. By doing so, instead of strife and contention we can all experience a sense of peace and calm delight even in the midst of a world that is filled with evil.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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