Tag: driven

2 Peter 2:17 – Refreshing, Cleansing Water

Posted on by Will

These men are dry wells and clouds driven by a storm, for whom the blackest darkness is reserved.

Truth to Learn

The Bible is like refreshing, cleansing water to the soul.

 

Behind the Words

The word “clouds” is translated from omichlē, meaning “a mist, a fog, or a cloud.” Peter’s meaning is most likely “a cloud.”

“Driven” is from alaunō, which means “to carry or to drive.”

The word “storm” is translated from lailaps, meaning “a whirlwind or a storm.”

“Blackest” is the translation of dzophos, meaning “doom or blackness.”

Finally, the word “darkness” is from the Greek word skotos, which means “obscurity or darkness.”

 

Meaning Explained

Peter has said many unkind things about these false teachers; now he boils it down to a couple of very picturesque images. He says that they are “dry wells,” that is, wells without water and he says that they are “clouds driven by a storm.” These are both descriptions of something full of promise that never delivers. Imagine a person wandering in the arid wilderness who sees a well with the anticipation of securing a much needed drink of water only to find the well is dry. Likewise, imagine a farmer who has planted his crops in anticipation of a bountiful harvest seeing clouds appear with the promise of rain only to have the clouds blown away by a strong wind without dropping a bit of water.

Water is a necessity of life that is both soothing and refreshing, and it has a cleansing effect on dirty things. The Word of God is like water to us, refreshing and soothing our souls and cleansing us as we read and understand the message of the God of the Bible. Thirsty souls come to church to be refreshed and strengthened. However, when these false teachers get up to preach, instead of providing the refreshment and cleansing that the people need, they provide no water, only dried up words.

These false teachers promise the refreshing and cleansing effect of the Word of God, but what they deliver is “waterless,” like an empty well or a cloud without rain.

Peter then makes a proclamation about the end state of these false teachers. He says that the “blackest darkness is reserved for them.” The final state of these false teachers will be the enveloping darkness of eternity without the light of God. We often think of the fiery torture of the lake of fire as the worst punishment that can happen to a lost soul, but the total separation from the light of God (for God is light according to 1 John 1:5) with no prospect for reconciliation for all of eternity is worse yet. Blackest darkness, indeed!

 

Challenge

Let me encourage each of you to earnestly desire the light of the Word of God. Learn to crave it as you do food and water. Make it part of your every day diet, not just an occasional snack. Let me also encourage you to seek out a church where the word of truth is preached, holding fast to the fundamental truths contained in the Bible, where those who open up the Word to you each week do so because it is their ministry, not their source of income!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 3:4 – Mighty Little Rudder

Posted on by Will

Look also at ships, being so large and being driven by hard winds, they are directed by a very small rudder wherever the helmsman determines.

Truth to Learn

Like the rudder of a ship, the tongue may be small but it can exert great influence, either good or bad.

Behind the Words

This verse begins in a manner very similar to the previous one: “Look also at ships …” which places “ships” in the emphatic position. James is now drawing attention to large ships which are also controlled by something small.

 “Driven” is translated from elaunō, meaning “to push” or “to drive.” It is the word used to describe the action of oars or the wind on the movement of a boat or ship.

“Hard” is from the Greek word sklēros, which literally refers to something that is dry and hard. In its normal usage, however, it refers to something that is hard or violent. Its usage here refers to the power and fierceness of the wind at sea.

The word translated “small” in this verse is, elachistos which is the superlative form of the Greek word for short or small. Hence, James is emphasizing the fact that this ship, which is large and is pushed about by fierce winds, is steered with the smallest of things.

The Greek word translated “rudder” is pēdalion, which is a derivative of pēdon, meaning the paddle of an oar. Small boats in those days were steered with an oar directed out of the back of the boat and moved one direction or the other. Larger ships were controlled with a “tiller” or “rudder” which was an adaptation of the simple steering oar.

Meaning Explained

James now provides us with a second example of small things which exert great control over much larger things. In this case he is pointing out that seagoing vessels which are driven by powerful winds are effectively steered by a little rudder.

Even today, large ocean going vessels are steered with a rudder which is only a tiny fraction of the size of the overall ship. For instance, the rudder of the cruise liner Queen Elizabeth is only about two one-thousandths the size of the entire ship. The ships which sailed the Mediterranean Sea in James’ day were much smaller, but they were wind powered and very difficult to control when the winds were not blowing from directly behind them.

It takes a skilled pilot to steer a ship that is powered by the wind. If he slips-up and allows the ship to be aimed the wrong direction it takes considerable time and great effort on the part of all the crew to get the ship aimed the proper direction again. So, even though the rudder is seemingly insignificant in terms of size, it is crucial that it be used properly if the ship is to be steered in the right direction.

James’ point is that our tongue is likewise a very small part of our body. And, a slip of the tongue can cause much pain and hardship for both the speaker and the hearer. In some cases, the damage done by an uncontrolled tongue can be irreparable.

Application

Do you have control of your tongue? Hopefully, the Apostle Paul was describing you when he said,“ Let your speech always be with grace, having been seasoned with salt …” (Colossians 4:6a) If not, then you need to work on controlling your tongue so that you faithfully represent your Lord and King in everything you say.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved