Tag: direct

2 Thessalonians 3:5 – Our Heavenly Guide

Posted on by Will

Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Truth to Learn

As you travel through this life, follow God’s directions.

 

Behind the Words

“Direct” is translated from the Greek verb kateuthenō. This is a compound word made up of kata, used as an intensifier and euthunō, which means “to make straight.” This is a nautical term which means “to steer a ship in the proper direction.” It is expressed here in the optative mood, indicating action that may or may not be occurring currently, but that could occur.

The word translated “love” is agapē, which refers to the kind of self-sacrificing love that is part of God’s very nature.

“Patience” is from the word hupomone, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and a form of the verb menō, meaning “to remain” or “to stay in place.” It is a picture of a beast of burden remaining under a heavy load instead of shaking it off. It is often translated as “patience” or “steadfastness.”

 

Meaning Explained

Throughout this Bible study series we have been highlighting the fact that the Christian life is a journey. It’s a journey along the pathway of life, full of twists and turns, rocky places and smooth places, steep hills and peaceful valleys, firm ground and slippery, mucky ground. There are also many places where the pathway splits, presenting us multiple options for which way to go. Throughout our travels, the most comforting and reassuring fact is that we are not on this journey alone. We have a Guide who has walked these paths before, a Comforter and Encourager who knows where every path leads, who knows what pitfalls are coming long before we fall into them. The best thing of all is the fact that our guide wants us to walk with Him and follow His lead.

But – He is not a dictator who forces us to take the right path; He simply directs in a quiet manner and leaves it up to us to follow His lead or not. He even allows us to step off the pathway and “do our own thing,” even though He knows that our choices will sometimes bring us trouble and heartache. And, when we take a wrong turn, getting lost or mired in the mud, He gently teaches us the error of our way and welcomes us back with loving, open arms.

This is what Paul’s prayer in today’s verse is all about. He prays to our loving, heavenly Guide, asking Him to direct our hearts. But notice what the destination is. He doesn’t ask God to direct us to peace and safety. That will come at the end of our journey, to be sure. Instead, Paul prays that God will direct our hearts into the self-sacrificing love that is part of who God is. Notice that this destination is not one which is focused on us, but on others. As the Apostle John says in 1 John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.”

The other destination that Paul prays about is “the patience of Christ.” Sometimes God directs us onto difficult pathways so that we might grow and become more Christ-like. This is not a punishment, but a proving ground put in our path to teach us patience.

 

Application

Hang in there, my friend. When difficulties arise, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have done something wrong. Keep your eyes fixed on Him and grow into the image of Christ.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 3:11 – Our Constant Guide

Posted on by Will

Now may our God and Father Himself, and Jesus our Lord, direct our way unto you.

Truth to Learn

God is involved in the details of the life of every Christian.

 

Behind the Words

The word “now” is from the particle de, which can be used to indicate a continuance of a thought (and, also, namely, now) or a contrasting of, or a transition between, two thoughts (but, on the other hand). In today’s verse it is continuing a thought.

“Himself” is translated from autos, which is used for emphasis to set the subject apart from everyone else.

The word translated “direct” is from the Greek verb kateuthunō. This is a compound word made up of kata, meaning “down” but used here as an intensifier and euthunō, which means “to straighten or flatten,” and by implication “to guide or direct.” Thus, kateuthunō means “to guide someone directly toward a specific goal.” The verb is expressed here in the singular, not the plural.

Hodos is the word translated “way.” It refers to “a pathway, a road, or a street.” Metaphorically, it refers to a journey or a course toward something.

 

Meaning Explained

In this chapter of his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul has been explaining why he sent Timothy to minister personally to the Christians in Thessalonica. He has previously expressed his own strong affection for them and his desire to personally be with them. Not having heard from them in a while, he was concerned that their faith may have waivered in the face of the opposition and tribulation that not only the Thessalonians, but also Paul and his companions had been experiencing.

However, having received a report from Timothy that the Thessalonian believers had remained strong in their faith and love, he repeats his desire to personally return to them. In the previous two verses we learned of Paul’s strong and persistent prayer life. We even noted that to Paul prayer had become something that he didn’t have to consciously remind himself to do. To him, praying was just as natural and automatic as breathing. In today’s verse we see an example of this. In the midst of his telling about his incessant prayers for the Thessalonians, Paul expresses his own prayer to God.

For this Apostle to the Gentiles, teaching and prayer were so intertwined that we can even learn about his doctrinal beliefs from the content of this prayer. He expresses this prayer to “our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus.” Even though he expresses his prayer to two of the three persons of the Godhead (plural subject), he uses the singular form of the verb kateuthunō (to direct or guide). In this we see that Paul considers these two persons of the Godhead as one being. We also see here that Paul believed that God was intimately involved in his everyday life.

 

Application

Some Christians today do not believe, or do not realize, that God is involved in the details of their everyday lives. They may believe that He is involved in the affairs of mankind as a whole, but not in their own personal lives. Throughout the Bible we see God’s direct involvement in individuals who recognize His sovereignty. Let Him in, my friend, and He will guide your footsteps each and every day.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 3:5 – Our Heavenly Guide

Posted on by Will

Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Truth to Learn

As you travel through this life, follow God’s directions.

Behind the Words

“Direct” is translated from the Greek verb kateuthenō. This is a compound word made up of kata, used as an intensifier and euthunō, which means “to make straight.” This is a nautical term which means “to steer a ship in the proper direction.” It is expressed here in the optative mood, indicating action that may or may not be occurring currently, but that could occur.

The word translated “love” is agapē, which refers to the kind of self-sacrificing love that is part of God’s very nature.

“Patience” is from the word hupomone, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and a form of the verb menō, meaning “to remain” or “to stay in place.” It is a picture of a beast of burden remaining under a heavy load instead of shaking it off. It is often translated as “patience” or “steadfastness.”

Meaning Explained

Throughout this Bible study series we have been highlighting the fact that the Christian life is a journey. It’s a journey along the pathway of life, full of twists and turns, rocky places and smooth places, steep hills and peaceful valleys, firm ground and slippery, mucky ground. There are also many places where the pathway splits, presenting us multiple options for which way to go. Throughout our travels, the most comforting and reassuring fact is that we are not on this journey alone. We have a Guide who has walked these paths before, a Comforter and Encourager who knows where every path leads, who knows what pitfalls are coming long before we fall into them. The best thing of all is the fact that our guide wants us to walk with Him and follow His lead.

But – He is not a dictator who forces us to take the right path; He simply directs in a quiet manner and leaves it up to us to follow His lead or not. He even allows us to step off the pathway and “do our own thing,” even though He knows that our choices will sometimes bring us trouble and heartache. And, when we take a wrong turn, getting lost or mired in the mud, He gently teaches us the error of our way and welcomes us back with loving, open arms.

This is what Paul’s prayer in today’s verse is all about. He prays to our loving, heavenly Guide, asking Him to direct our hearts. But notice what the destination is. He doesn’t ask God to direct us to peace and safety. That will come at the end of our journey, to be sure. Instead, Paul prays that God will direct our hearts into the self-sacrificing love that is part of who God is. Notice that this destination is not one which is focused on us, but on others. As the Apostle John says in 1 John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.”

The other destination that Paul prays about is “the patience of Christ.” Sometimes God directs us onto difficult pathways so that we might grow and become more Christ-like. This is not a punishment, but a proving ground put in our path to teach us patience.

Application

Hang in there, my friend. When difficulties arise, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have done something wrong. Keep your eyes fixed on Him and grow into the image of Christ.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved