Tag: enopion

Romans 14:22 – In His Presence

Posted on by Will

The faith that you have, have it to yourself before God. Blessed is the person who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

Truth to Learn

Living in God’s presence affects our decisions and choices.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “faith” is pistis, which means “that about which we have been persuaded” or “that which we believe.”

“Before” is translated from enōpion. This is made up of en, meaning “in” and a form of ops, which literally refers to the eyes but figuratively refers to the face. Hence, enōpion means “in the face of, in the presence of, or before.”

The word “blessed” is translated from the Greek word makarios. Some translations us the word “happy.” The problem with this translation is that happy (from the root hap meaning “luck as a favorable circumstance”) actually refers to the joy that comes from good fortune. Makarios, on the other hand, refers to a state of blessedness in which peace and satisfaction come from God, not favorable circumstances.

 

Meaning Explained

Now Paul tells us how to discern whether or not we should do something. This is of extreme importance as it applies to all those things which are not specifically identified as wrong in the New Testament. This would include such things as: Should I accept an offer for a new job? Should I buy a particular house or a new car at this time? Is it okay if I drink a glass of wine? None of these things are strictly forbidden and we are not likely to hear the voice of God giving us direct revelation regarding these things.

Since Paul is talking to believers, he knows that they have faith. But how that faith is demonstrated is important. He says, “Have it to yourself before God.” That is, since you are saved and have a relationship with God, make it a personal relationship. Believe what you believe because God has convicted you and converse with God about everything you do, especially those things about which specific direction is not given in the Bible. Live your life in His presence. That is, live your life with the awareness that God is present with you at all times.

Finally, Paul tells us that we are blessed, that is, at peace with God, when we do not condemn ourselves for those things which we approve. There are many decisions that we make daily. When we follow through with a personal decision we are “approving” the decision and acting on it. Blessing, or peace with God, comes when we are not judging our own actions to be wrong in the presence of God. As the Apostle John said:

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God. (I John 3:21)

We Christians should live our lives recognizing that we are always in God’s presence. As His servants we are to obey him. As His children we should want to please Him, so we should make our decisions in a manner that will please Him. If what we are about to do is wrong, He will let us know because our conscience will be troubled. Paul will finish these thoughts in the next verse.

 

Application

Are you living your life in the presence of God? Doing so will have an impact on how you live your life. Remember, ignoring God doesn’t mean you aren’t in His presence!

Romans 3:20 – Good Deeds

Posted on by Will

Therefore by the works of law no flesh will be justified in His presence, for through the law is the knowledge of sin.

Truth to Learn

No one can do enough good deeds to be saved.

 

Behind the Words

“Therefore” is translated from the Greek word dioti, which is a compound word made up of dia, meaning “through” or “by” and hoti, which means “that.” Hence, dioti basically means “through that, because of that, or for this reason.”

The word “works” is from ergon which means “a product of labor, a work, or a deed.”

The word translated “flesh” is sarx, which literally means “flesh of a living creature.” It is used here to denote all of mankind, both Jew and Gentile.

“Justified” is from dikaioō, which means “to declare someone righteous” or “to make someone righteous.”

The phrase “in His presence” is translated from enōpion. This is another compound word. It is made up of en, indicating a static position (in, on, over, etc.) and ops (a derivation of optomai – to see) which refers to “sight” or “eyes.” So, literally this word means “in His sight,” though it is often translated “before Him” or “in His presence.”

The word translated “knowledge” is the Greek word epignosis, which means more than simply knowing something. It means “to recognize and understand something” or “to have full knowledge of something.”

 

Meaning Explained

Remember that whenever we see a “wherefore” or a “therefore” we need to see what it’s there for. In the previous verse we learned that the Law was given so that all those who tried to obey the Law would be found guilty before God without excuse. Therefore, that is, in light of this fact, because of this… “by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His presence.” 

What Paul is saying is that justification before God cannot be obtained by obeying any set of rules no matter who made the rules. Why? Because it is through rules (Law) that we recognize sin and sinfulness.

If you recall the account of the temptation of Adam and Eve, up until God gave them the command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were without sin. If they had eaten of the tree before they were told not to, they would not have been sinning; but due to the fact that they had been commanded not to, it suddenly became sinful to do so.

What Paul is telling us in these verses is that we cannot become righteous by following any set of rules, whether God-made or man-made. How then can one become righteous before God? Is it impossible? Paul is going to begin telling us in the next two verses.

 

Application

Just because we can’t be declared righteous through doing good deeds doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do them. We ought to do them out of obedience and gratitude. In other words, we can’t be saved by doing good deeds, but once we are saved, we should do them because we want to, not because we have to.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 4:10 – Useful Humility

Posted on by Will

Be humbled before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Truth to Learn

Being humbled in God’s presence is precisely what He wants of us!

Behind the Words

“Humbled” is translated from the Greek verb tapeinoō, which is an old verb from the noun tapeinos, meaning “low, particularly of attitude or social position.” This verb is expressed in the imperative mood, indicating a command. But, this verb is also expressed by James in the passive voice indicating that the action is being done to the subject (be humbled!)

The word “before” is a translation of the adverb enōpion, which is made up of en, meaning “in” and a form of ōps, meaning “the eyes” or “the face, as represented by the eyes.” Hence, it literally means “in the eyes of” but has the meaning of “in the presence of” or “before.”

“He will exalt you” is translated from the Greek verb hupsoō (from hopsos, meaning “height” or “elevation.”) This verb, therefore, means “to be raised up to an elevated position.” It is expressed here in the future tense and is translated as “He will exalt.”

Meaning Explained

When we truly see our sinfulness as God does, we have no choice but to be humbled before Him. We are told in 1 John 1:9 that if we confess our sins, He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The word “confess” is homologeō, which means “to be of the same mind as God” concerning our sins. When we truly confront our sins and see them as God sees them, we naturally place ourselves humbly before Him. Seeing ourselves as sinners before a holy and pure God. Bowing before Him in our hearts puts us exactly where He wants us, where He can use us for His glory. When we are completely humbled before God, James says that He will lift us up (exalt us). Notice the play on words, when we become humbled (made low) before Him, He will elevate us (made high).

The Apostle Peter puts it this way in 1 Peter 5:6:

Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

The word translated “due time” is kairos which means “the proper time” or “the proper occasion.” The word translated as “exalt” in 1 Peter 5:6 is the same word that appears in the end of James’ verse as “exalt you.” In other words, if we will humble ourselves before our Holy God, He will lift us up when His timing is right and we can be used for His Glory!

Application

Let me encourage each one of you to examine your life and your walk with the Lord. Are you living for Him, or are you living for yourself? The only way to truly be at peace in this world is to be completely submitted to God, willing to go and to do as He commands you through His Word and by His Spirit. If you aren’t regularly humbled before God, you will be subject to the temptations of the world system. You will have bitter envying and strife in your hearts as James talked about in the previous chapter, and you will have battles and arguements as he talks about in this chapter. But the person who is submitted and committed, humbled before the mighty hand of God, is usable by God and is at peace! 

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 1:29 – God Deserves the Glory

Posted on by Will

that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Truth to Learn

God deserves the praise for who we are and what we have.

Behind the Words

“That” is translated from the Greek word hopōs, which is an adverb of manner. The basic meaning of this word is, “in what manner, how, or so that.”

The Greek word translated “flesh” is sarx. This word specifically refers to the “flesh of a living being,” as opposed to the word kreas, which refers to “the flesh of a dead animal” or “meat.” Metaphorically, sarx refers to the physical being of a man as opposed to the immaterial soul or spirit.

Kauchaomai is the verb translated “glory.” Some sources claim that it is derived from auchen, meaning “the neck,” which some self-righteous people hold in a proud manner. Kauchaomai means “to boast, brag, or have pride.” In the New Testament, it is used both in a good sense and in a bad sense.

The words “in … presence” are from enōpion. It is made up of en, meaning “in” and a form of ōps, which refers to “the eyes.” Whereas this word literally means “in the eyes of,” it is most often translated as “in the presence of.”

Meaning Explained

In this first chapter of his letter to the Christians in Corinth, Paul is specifically addressing the problem of divisions within the church, which he first introduced in verse ten:

Now I plead with you, brethren … that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together …

The divisions within the church were caused by people claiming to follow certain gifted and respected leaders within the church. The Corinthians even boasted about who they followed. As a result, Paul spent most of the previous nineteen verses showing that worldly wisdom, education, and social rank have no influence with God. He then went on to show that not only does God not show any special favor to the rich, powerful, and famous, He actually focuses his grace primarily on those of us who are nobodies in the eyes of the world.

People who have made a name for themselves through hard work, education, political maneuvering, or social standing, all have one thing in common: they take pride in their attainment. They believe that they have risen to their position of importance because of who they are or what they have done. This self-pride, in return, takes the credit away from God. However, the Prophet Jeremiah said this:

Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

What we have to recognize is that everything that we are and everything that we have comes from God. Therefore, He deserves to get the credit for it all.

Application

Let us give humble thanks to God for everything that we are and everything that we have. He doesn’t make mistakes, so no matter what our position in life, God deserves all the credit for who we are and what we have accomplished.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Romans 14:22 – In His Presence

Posted on by Will

Romans 14:22 – In His Presence

Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

Truth to Learn

Living in God’s presence affects our decisions and choices.

Behind the Words

The word translated “faith” is pistis, which means “that about which we have been persuaded” or “that which we believe.”

“Before” is translated from enōpion. This is made up of en, meaning “in” and a form of ops, which literally refers to the eyes but figuratively refers to the face. Hence, enōpion means “in the face of, in the presence of, or before.”

The word “happy” is translated from the Greek word makarios. This is an unfortunate translation because happy (from the root hap meaning “luck as a favorable circumstance”) actually refers to the joy that comes from good fortune. Makarios, on the other hand, refers to a state of blessedness in which peace and satisfaction come from God, not favorable circumstances.

Meaning Explained

Now Paul tells us how to discern whether or not we should do something. This is of extreme importance as it applies to all those things which are not specifically identified as wrong in the New Testament. This would include such things as: Should I accept an offer for a new job? Should I buy a particular house or a new car at this time? Is it okay if I drink a glass of wine? None of these things are strictly forbidden and we are not likely to hear the voice of God giving us direct revelation regarding these things.

Paul starts off by asking, “Do you have faith?” In other words, “aren’t you saved by faith and through faith have a relationship with God?” This, of course, is a rhetorical question and the answer is obviously, “Yes!” He goes on to say, “Have it to yourself before God.” That is, since you are saved and have a relationship with God, make it a personal relationship. Believe what you believe because God has convicted you and converse with God about everything you do, especially those things about which specific direction is not given in the Bible. Live your life in His presence. That is, live your life with the awareness that God is present with you at all times.

Finally, Paul tells us that we are blessed, that is, at peace with God, when we do not condemn ourselves for those things which we approve. There are many decisions that we make daily. When we follow through with a personal decision we are “approving” the decision and acting on it. Blessing, or peace with God, comes when we are not judging our own actions to be wrong in the presence of God. As the Apostle John said:

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (IJohn 3:21)

We Christians should live our lives recognizing that we are always in God’s presence. As His servants we are to obey him. As His children we should want to please Him, so we should make our decisions in a manner that will please Him. If what we are about to do is wrong, He will let us know because our conscience will be troubled. Paul will finish these thoughts in the next verse.

Application

Are you living your life in the presence of God? Doing so will have an impact on how you live your life. Remember, ignoring God doesn’t mean you aren’t in His presence!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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