Tag: dokimos

Romans 16:10 – Proving Ground of Faith

Posted on by Will

Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.

Truth to Learn

Christians undergo trials of their faith.

Behind the Words

The word translated “approved” is dokimos, derived from the verb dokimadzō, which means “to try or test for the purpose of determining value or worthiness.” In the Greek text the definite article (the) is present. Thus, Paul is referring to “Apelles, the approved one.”

Although we have included the word “household” in our translation, the Greek equivalent does not appear in the text. A literal translation of this greeting would be, “Greet those of Aristobulus.” This is done in many translations to improve the readability of the translation.

“Aristobulus” is a Greek name, although it was used by some Jews as well. It means “the best advise” or “the best advisor.”

Meaning Explained

Again, we have two people about whom we know very little for certain other than what Paul says here. Throughout the centuries there have been a number of ideas regarding who these two might have been, however. Let’s start with Apelles. One of the church fathers in the third century was Origen of Alexandria. He believed that Apelles may have been another name for Apollos (see Acts 18:24-26). Others have argued, however, that since Apollos was such a powerful and remarkable preacher of the Gospel, Paul would have said much more than simply that he was “approved in Christ.” Others have claimed that Apelles was one of the seventy disciples of Christ (see Luke 10:1) and that he had become bishop of the church at Smyrna.

Whoever Apelles might have been, according to Paul he was “the approved one in Christ.” In order for Paul to refer to him as such, Apelles must have gone through some great and well known trial of his faith, having come successfully through. As we have said before, the verb dokimadzō is the word used when speaking of testing gold to determine its purity by burning it in fire. We don’t know anything about the fiery trial that Apelles went through, only that he was found to be approved in the end. James talks a little about this process:

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)

Paul now greets those of Aristobulus. There was a grandson of Herod the Great with this name who lived around this time. Some think that it is he whom Paul is referring to. Whoever he was, it is interesting that Paul does not greet him, only those of his household. There are a couple of possible reasons for this. It is possible that Aristobulus had passed away when Paul wrote this letter and that he was thus greeting the slaves and other family members. The other possibility is that this man was not a believer but that some of his slaves, domestic servants, and family members were believers, and it is these people to whom Paul sends his greeting.

Application

God chooses to test the faith of some Christians more than others. The important thing is not whether you have been tested or not, but that you have been found approved in the end. Has God been trying your faith? Have you been found approved?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 1:12 – Crowning Reward

Posted on by Will

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Truth to Learn

Patiently enduring the trials of our lives will result in eternal rewards of far greater value than all of our possessions and anything that money can buy.

Behind the Words

The word for “temptation” here is the same as in verse 2, peirasmos which, as was pointed out earlier, means “a criterion or test by which something is proved or tried.”

The word for “endures” is the verb hupomenō, the noun form of this word is translated as “patience” in verses 3 and 4. It’s the word that means “to remain under the load without complaining” or “to persevere.”

The word translated “approved” is also from verse 3. It is the noun dokimos (from the verb dikomadzō) which refers to proving or refining with the intent of finding good. In this verse it refers to someone who has already undergone testing and has successfully endured it. This person has been refined and his faith has been purified by the trial.

“Promised” is from the Greek word epangellō, which is made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and angellō, meaning “to announce” or “to declare.” It is expressed here in the aorist tense, indicating an action completed at a point in time in the past.

The word translated “the Lord” does not appear in the earliest manuscripts. However, even without the presence of this word it is clear who made the promise.

Meaning Explained

Not only has James taught us that we are blessed when we encounter various trials (temptations, sufferings) but he promises us that we will receive more blessing when we endure them. James is summing up what he has been talking about for eleven verses now; the person who patiently endures, who stays humbly submitted throughout the difficulties, sufferings, and trials of life will come out more refined and more Christ-like.

James does not promise us that we will be given riches, like Job, when we endure our trials. But James does say that if we endure our trials with an ever strengthening faith, we will one day receive a crown of life which is promised to those who love God. This is one of the crowns that we will be able to cast at the feet of God proclaiming His worthiness as depicted in the book of Revelation.

the twenty-four elders will fall down before the One sitting on the throne. And they worship Him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, O Lord, You are worthy to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because You created all things, and by Your will they are and were created. (Revelation 4:10, 11)

Other crowns of reward promised to Christians include:

  • The incorruptible crown (I Corinthians 9:24, 25)
  • The crown of glory (I Peter 5:2-4)
  • The crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7, 8)
  • The crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

Application

Will you have a crown to cast before your King some day? Or will you be in the crowd thinking, “I wish I had a crown to cast before Him”?

Hang in there and endure the trials of life, always looking to the author and finisher of our faith. Patient endurance is not easy but it is rewarding, both now and eternally! 

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:10 – Proving Ground of Faith

Posted on by Will

Romans 16:10 – Proving Ground of Faith

Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.

Truth to Learn

Christians undergo trials of their faith.

Behind the Words

The word translated “approved” is dokimos, derived from the verb dokimadzō, which means “to try or test for the purpose of determining value or worthiness.” In the Greek text the definite article (the) is present. Thus, Paul is referring to “Apelles, the approved one.”

Notice that the word “household” is in italic font. That’s because the Greek equivalent does not appear in the text. A literal translation of this greeting would be, “Greet those of Aristobulus.”

“Aristobulus” is a Greek name, although it was used by some Jews as well. It means “the best advise” or “the best advisor.”

Meaning Explained

Again, we have two people about whom we know very little for certain other than what Paul says here. Throughout the centuries there have been a number of ideas regarding who these two might have been, however. Let’s start with Apelles. One of the church fathers in the third century was Origen of Alexandria. He believed that Apelles may have been another name for Apollos (see Acts 18:24-26). Others have argued, however, that since Apollos was such a powerful and remarkable preacher of the Gospel, Paul would have said much more than simply that he was “approved in Christ.” Others have claimed that Apelles was one of the seventy disciples of Christ (see Luke 10:1) and that he had become bishop of the church at Smyrna.

Whoever Apelles might have been, according to Paul he was “the approved one in Christ.” In order for Paul to refer to him as such, Apelles must have gone through some great and well known trial of his faith, having come successfully through. As we have said before, the verb dokimadzō is the word used when speaking of testing gold to determine its purity by burning it in fire. We don’t know anything about the fiery trial that Apelles went through, only that he was found to be approved in the end. James talks a little about this process:

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12)

Paul now greets those of Aristobulus. There was a grandson of Herod the Great with this name who lived around this time. Some think that it is he whom Paul is referring to. Whoever he was, it is interesting that Paul does not greet him, only those of his household. There are a couple of possible reasons for this. It is possible that Aristobulus had passed away when Paul wrote this letter and that he was thus greeting the slaves and other family members. The other possibility is that this man was not a believer but that some of his slaves, domestic servants, and family members were believers, and it is these people to whom Paul sends his greeting.

Application

God chooses to test the faith of some Christians more than others. The important thing is not whether you have been tested or not, but that you have been found approved in the end. Has God been trying your faith? Have you been found approved?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 14:18 – Becoming God Pleasers

Posted on by Will

Romans 14:18 – Becoming God Pleasers

For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Truth to Learn

Serving Christ pleases God and gains the respect of others.

Behind the Words

The expression “in these things” is from the Greek en toutois, most likely referring to “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Some Greek texts have en toutō (in this), however the meaning is essentially the same (in this three-fold description of kingdom living; righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit).

“Serves” is translated from douleuō, which is the verb form of the noun doulos, meaning “a bond slave whose will is completely submitted to his master/owner.”

The adjective “acceptable” is translated from euarestos, made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and areskō, meaning “to please” or “to be agreeable.” Thus, euarestos literally means “well pleasing.” I prefer this translation over “acceptable” because it shows us that it’s not simply okay with God, but that He really likes it.

“Approved” is from dokimos, which is based on the verb dokimadzō, meaning “to test something to ascertain its worth.”

Meaning Explained

The three characteristics of the kingdom of God spoken of in the previous verse are seen by some as a comprehensive division of true living Christianity. The first, righteousness, is a description of our standing with God (He sees us as having the righteousness of Christ). The second, peace, is a description of our relationship with others (especially other Christians). And joy in the Holy Spirit is a description of how others see us (full of calm delight) when we are completely submitted to God.

In verse thirteen of this chapter Paul told us that serving others is more important than serving ourselves. If you go back to the Ten Commandments given to Moses, you will notice that serving others instead of self fulfills the second table of the Law (Commandments seven through ten). The point that Paul is making in the current verse is that serving God is more important than serving self. That fulfills the first table of the Law (Commandments one through six). We’re told that limiting our own freedoms based on what might cause a fellow Christian to stumble is an act of serving Christ (being His bond slave) and this is “well pleasing to God.”

Paul then goes on to say that not only does it greatly please God when we sacrifice our own desires in favor of those of our brothers or sisters, but this kind of action is “approved by men.” Those who see your behavior for what it really is will think it a worthy or noble thing that you have done.

We are not supposed to do things just to impress others, but this is one of those cases where if we are applying ourselves to pleasing God, we will also receive recognition from others for our good deeds.

Application

We would all like to be the kind of person who pleases our Heavenly Father and who receives recognition from others for our unselfish lifestyle. Unfortunately, we still have a sin nature which draws us back to our selfish ways. Through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit, however, we can become the kind of Christian we want to be. Let’s pray!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to: