Tag: ekpipto

Romans 9:6 – No Family Ties

Posted on by Will

But it is not as though God’s word has failed. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel,

Truth to Learn

Lineage or church membership cannot save you!

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “has failed” is the Greek word ekpiptō, which is a compound word made up of ek, meaning “out of or from” and the verb pipto, meaning “to fall.” Hence it means “to fall from.” Metaphorically it means to fail or to become of no effect. Paul is saying that the Word of God has not failed to be effective.

 

Meaning Explained

Now Paul must show God’s rejection of the Jews and do so in a way that will persuade his countrymen that everything they have believed about the Messiah is part of God’s plan. The difficulty is to reconcile the rejection of the unbelieving Jews with God's promise and the external tokens of the divine favor which had been conferred upon them. He will accomplish this with four main points:

  1. The true meaning and intention of the promise will be explained (Romans 9:6-13).
  2. Jehovah God is absolutely sovereign in his choosing of the elect ones (Romans 9:14-24).
  3. The rejection of the Jews and the reconciliation of Gentiles are clearly shown in the Old Testament (Romans 9:25-29).
  4. The reason for the rejection of the Jews is not for lack of keeping the Law but their lack of faith (Romans 9:30-33).

It may have appeared to his Jewish Christian readers in Rome that what he has said in the previous chapters implies that Paul does not believe the promises made to the Jews and that the Word of God is not true. So he starts off this section with a statement affirming that the Word of God is sound and can be believed completely. It is effective in securing righteousness.

Since the Jews believed that the promises were made to Israel and his descendants, Paul is pointing out that it is not the descendants by the flesh that are inheritors of the promises but the descendants who believe God’s promises (the chosen ones). That’s what he means by “they are not all Israel who are of Israel.” Just because one has the right lineage doesn’t mean one is a child of the promises.

Once again let me point out that there is a direct analogy to this in today’s Christianity. Just because you are a member of a Bible believing church and perform all the ordinances of the church doesn’t mean you are a Christian. Just because you have Christian parents and were brought up under Christian teachings in a Christian country doesn’t mean that you are a Christian. You are only a Christian if you believe the gospel message and you have submitted to God accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

For by grace you are saved through faith, (Ephesians 2:8a)

 

Application

You cannot secure a place in heaven through obedience or family influence. You can only do so by God’s declaration of your righteousness, and that only happens through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ as payment for your sins. The Bible is truth, and it says you will be saved if you submit your will to God and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Peter 1:24 – Withered Blossom

Posted on by Will

because "All flesh is like grass, and all the glory of man like the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away,

Truth to Learn

Like flowers, our physical body will wither and die some day.

 

Behind the Words

The word “flesh” is translated from sarx, which specifically refers to “the flesh of a living animal.” This word is often used as an expression for our earthly body, as opposed to the spiritual body which we will receive at the resurrection.

The Greek word translated “grass” is chortos, which literally means “a courtyard” or “a garden,” but the common usage is in reference to any vegetation, particularly a meadow or field.

“Flower” is translated from anthos, which refers to “the blossom of a flowering plant.”

The verb “withers” is from zērainō, which means “to dry up.”

The word translated “falls away” is ekpiptō, which is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and piptō, meaning “to fall.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Peter taught us that our new birth, that is our spiritual birth, is not by conception from corruptible seed but through the word of God. He now goes on to explain a little more about the corruptible seed. His simile equates the corruptible seed (humanity) with a field full of vegetation. This is the same simile that James used in teaching that riches and rich people are fleeting and temporary.

because like a flower of the garden he will pass away. For the sun rose with a burning heat and the garden withered; its flower fell, and the beauty of its appearance completely perished. (James 1:10b, 11a)

The reference in both of these verses is to Isaiah 40:6-8:

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field: The grass withers, the flower fades: because the spirit of the LORD blows upon it: surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God stands forever.

This fleshly life that we live is temporary and passing. It is often referred to as our time of wandering or “sojourning” and it will come to an end. The spiritual life that we get from the new birth, however, is eternal. If we have truly been born again, we have everlasting life with our heavenly father, and it does not begin when we get to heaven; it has already begun!

Using this same analogy regarding physical birth and spiritual birth, let me ask you, “Can we become unborn in our physical life, and did we have any part in making it happen?” Then how can we think that we have some part in our spiritual birth, and how can we believe that we could become spiritually unborn?

 

Application

Like a flower, we all must die physically some day, but we don’t have to die the second death (spiritually). God has given us eternal spiritual life through His Word. Let’s take a fresh, new look at this new birth which we have and recognize how truly priceless it is! Thank you, Heavenly Father!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 9:6 – No Family Ties

Posted on by Will

Romans 9:6 – No Family Ties

But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel,

Truth to Learn

Lineage or church membership cannot save you!

Behind the Words

The word translated “has taken no effect” is the Greek word ekpiptō, which is a compound word made up of ek, meaning “out of or from” and the verb pipto, meaning “to fall.” Hence it means “to fall from.” Metaphorically it means to fail or to become of no effect. Paul is saying that the Word of God has not failed to be effective.

Meaning Explained

Now Paul must show God’s rejection of the Jews and do so in a way that will persuade his countrymen that everything they have believed about the Messiah is part of God’s plan. The difficulty is to reconcile the rejection of the unbelieving Jews with God’s promise and the external tokens of the divine favor which had been conferred upon them. He will accomplish this with four main points:

  1. The true meaning and intention of the promise will be explained (Romans 9:6-13).
  2. Jehovah God is absolutely sovereign in his choosing of the elect ones (Romans 9:14-24).
  3. The rejection of the Jews and the reconciliation of Gentiles are clearly shown in the Old Testament (Romans 9:25-29).
  4. The reason for the rejection of the Jews is not for lack of keeping the Law but their lack of faith (Romans 9:30-33).

It may have appeared to his Jewish Christian readers in Rome that what he has said in the previous chapters implies that Paul does not believe the promises made to the Jews and that the Word of God is not true. So he starts off this section with a statement affirming that the Word of God is sound and can be believed completely. It is effective in securing righteousness.

Since the Jews believed that the promises were made to Israel and his descendants, Paul is pointing out that it is not the descendants by the flesh that are inheritors of the promises but the descendants who believe God’s promises (the chosen ones). That’s what he means by “they are not all Israel who are of Israel.” Just because one has the right lineage doesn’t mean one is a child of the promises.

Once again let me point out that there is a direct analogy to this in today’s Christianity. Just because you are a member of a Bible believing church and perform all the ordinances of the church doesn’t mean you are a Christian. Just because you have Christian parents and were brought up under Christian teachings in a Christian country doesn’t mean that you are a Christian. You are only a Christian if you believe the gospel message and you have submitted to God accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8)

Application

You cannot secure a place in heaven through obedience or family influence. You can only do so by God’s declaration of your righteousness, and that only happens through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ as payment for your sins. The Bible is truth, and it says you will be saved if you submit your will to God and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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