Tag: engkopto

Romans 15:22 – Submitted and Committed

Posted on by Will

Because of this I also was repeatedly hindered from coming to you.

Truth to Learn

Doing God’s will often means not doing what we want to do.

 

Behind the Words

“Because of this” is from the Greek word dio. This is made up of a form of dia, meaning “for” or “through” and the relative pronoun hos, meaning “which.” So, literally, the word dio means “through which,” or “because of this.”

The word “hindered” is translated from the verb engkoptō, which is made up of en, meaning “in” and koptō, meaning “to cut.” So, literally this word means “to cut into.” Figuratively, however, it means “to impede” or “to hinder.”

“Repeatedly” is from the Greek words ta polla, which literally means “many things.” From this we know that Paul was not saying “there was a strong hindrance,” but “there were many hindrances.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off this verse with “Because of this.” So, we have to ask ourselves, “Because of what?” The answer is, “because he was so focused on preaching the gospel where Christ had not been named.” Because Paul was so intent on doing what God had called him to do, he was not able to do those things that he himself really wanted to do, like go to Rome to meet the Christians there.

As we will see in the next verse, Paul had a strong desire to travel to Rome, but because of the calling that he had from God he had thus far been prevented from traveling there. Instead, he had traveled throughout modern day Turkey and Greece, responding to God’s leading. A dramatic example of his receiving direction from God occurs in Acts chapter sixteen:

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And coming up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them  (Acts 16:6-10)

Not only was Paul submitted to God’s lordship over him, but he was also committed to doing what God called him to do. In fact, Paul was so compelled to follow God’s calling for him that he said the following of himself in his first letter to the Christians at Corinth:

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me. Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! (1Corinthians 9:16)

This is the kind of commitment to doing God’s will instead of his own that enabled Paul to be so powerfully used of God

 

Application

Do you want God to use you? Are you willing to do whatever He calls you to instead of what you want to do?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:18 – Opposition to Ministries

Posted on by Will

Therefore we determined to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.

Truth to Learn

Christians’ plans may be hindered by God – or by Satan.

 

Behind the Words

“We determined” is translated from a form of the verb thelō, meaning “to wish” or “to will.” However, this word implies more than just a desire. It implies purpose and determination. Therefore, we translate this as “we determined.”

The words “time and again” are from the phrase kai hapax kai dis, which literally means “both once and twice.” This is an idiomatic phrase meaning “several times.”

“Satan” is transliterated from the word satanas, which is originally of Chaldean origin, appearing in the Old Testament as sawtawn. The word literally means “accuser” or “adversary.” In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) it is often translated as diabolos (devil) and these two words are often used interchangeably.

Engkoptō is the verb translated “hindered.” It is made up of en, meaning “in” or “into” and koptō, meaning “to strike” or “to cut.” This word was used to describe the cutting of a trench in a road as a hindrance to the progress of an advancing army.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul expressed his eagerness to return to Thessalonica to be with the people there whom he considered to be his spiritual children. He now tells them that he and his co-workers were determined to return there. He makes a point here that it was not just his companions who wanted to return, but that he specifically wanted to see them in person.

We also see here that it was not just a one-time plan to return, but something they determined to do over and over again. We see from 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 2 that he had already sent Timothy back there, and probably Silvanus as well, with the purpose of encouraging and strengthening them.

Therefore, when we could endure it no longer, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith,  (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2)

The reason that Paul gives for his not having personally returned to Thessalonica is “hindrance from Satan.” We know from the book of Acts that the Holy Spirit had prevented him from carrying out some of his plans previously (see Acts 16:6, 7). This time, however, he perceives that it was the direct opposition of our adversary which thwarted his plans. We are not told how Paul knew that it was Satan rather than the Holy Spirit, but he seems certain as to the source of the opposition.

In some Christian circles it is common to blame Satan for any and all opposition to Christian ministry. Keep in mind, however, that Satan is not omnipresent like God. He can’t be in more than one place at a time. More often than not, satanic attack comes from one of his hoards rather than Satan himself.

 

Application

When we face opposition in our ministries, we need to prayerfully consider whether it is the Spirit of God or our enemy who is standing in our way. If it is God, we need to make other plans. If it is our enemy, however, we need to prayerfully decide whether or not we need to stand and fight.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:22 – Submitted and Committed

Posted on by Will

Romans 15:22 – Submitted and Committed

For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.

Truth to Learn

Doing God’s will often means not doing what we want to do.

Behind the Words

“For this reason” is from the Greek word dio. This is made up of a form of dia, meaning “for” or “through” and the relative pronoun hos, meaning “which.” So, literally, the word dio means “through which,” or “because of this.”

The word “hindered” is translated from the verb engkoptō, which is made up of en, meaning “in” and koptō, meaning “to cut.” So, literally this word means “to cut into.” Figuratively, however, it means “to impede” or “to hinder.”

“Much” is from the Greek words ta polla, which literally means “many things.” From this we know that Paul was not saying “there was a strong hindrance,” but “there were many hindrances.”

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off this verse with “For this reason.” So, we have to ask ourselves, “For what reason?” The answer is, “because he was so focused on preaching the gospel where Christ had not been named.” Because Paul was so intent on doing what God had called him to do, he was not able to do those things that he himself really wanted to do, like go to Rome to meet the Christians there.

As we will see in the next verse, Paul had a strong desire to travel to Rome, but because of the calling that he had from God he had thus far been prevented from traveling there. Instead, he had traveled throughout modern day Turkey and Greece, responding to God’s leading. A dramatic example of his receiving direction from God occurs in Acts chapter sixteen:

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10)

Not only was Paul submitted to God’s lordship over him, but he was also committed to doing what God called him to do. In fact, Paul was so compelled to follow God’s calling for him that he said the following of himself in his first letter to the Christians at Corinth:

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! (1Corinthians 9:16)

This is the kind of commitment to doing God’s will instead of his own that enabled Paul to be so powerfully used of God

Application

Do you want God to use you? Are you willing to do whatever He calls you to instead of what you want to do?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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