Tag: entrusted

Romans 3:2 – The Entrusted Word

Posted on by Will

Much in every way! Primarily, because the oracles of God were entrusted to them.

Truth to Learn

God entrusts His message to those He loves.

 

Behind the Words

“Primarily” is translated from prōton, which means “first in time, place, order, or importance.” Since Paul does not enumerate further, this could be translated as “primarily” or “chiefly.”

The Greek word translated “oracles” is logian. The root of this word is logos, which refers to “a word” or “something said.” Hence, logian refers to “an utterance or something declared by God.”

The word “entrusted” is translated from the Greek word pisteuō, which means “to have faith” or “to believe.” The word is expressed here in the passive voice, however, indicating action done to them. Therefore, this word implies that God had faith in them, or “entrusted” them.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul now answers his own rhetorical question regarding whether there is any superiority in being a Jew or in being circumcised. He says, “Yes, there most certainly is!” Then he goes on to explain why he believes that. He says that the primary advantage of being a Jew is the fact that the Jews have been entrusted with the oracles of God.

In other words, the primary advantage of being a Jew is the fact that they have been given the very words of God for safe keeping. By this he is referring to the Hebrew Tanakh, that is, what we call the Old Testament.

Notice Paul does not say that the Jews were the only people that God talked to. After all, there are quite a number of non-Jews (like Job, for instance) to whom God communicated directly. But the only written utterances of God (at the time that Paul was writing this epistle) were contained in the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, as we discussed yesterday. This made them (the Jews) the keepers of God’s revelation to mankind, an honor not to be taken too lightly.

One unmistakable advantage of this is something that we have alluded to in previous verses. Most of the converts to Christianity in the early church were Jews. Because they had the sacred writings, the Holy Scriptures, at their disposal, they knew more about God and His dealings with mankind. They also knew about the Messiah who was to come and save the Jews (and Gentiles). As a result, when Paul and others preached the gospel to them, it was easier for them to understand the significance of His death on the cross.

Today we Christians have been entrusted with the sacred writings of God more completely than the Jews of Paul’s day were. Let us not lose sight of the fact that these “oracles of God” have been entrusted to our care!

 

Application

The next time you pick up your Bible, consider how precious a book it is. In it is the message of God’s love for you, a love so great that He sacrificed His Son so that we can know Him and have intimate fellowship with Him. Hallelujah!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:4 – Be a God Pleaser

Posted on by Will

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

Truth to Learn

Proclaim the simple truth and seek God’s approval alone.

 

Behind the Words

“Approved” is translated from the Greek word dokimadzō, which means “to test something to determine its value.” It is not a testing to find flaws or fault, but a testing to determine worth. It is expressed here in the perfect tense indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect. Hence, Paul is saying “we have been tested and found worthy; therefore, we now have God’s approval.”

The word translated “entrusted” is pisteuō, which means “to believe, to have faith in, or to trust.” It is expressed here in the passive voice (action done to the subject). Thus, it means “to be believed in” or “to be entrusted.”

“Pleasing” is from the Greek verb areskō which means “to be content with, or to be pleased with.” In the New Testament this word has evolved in emphasis from the end result (others being pleased with us) to the active pursuit (working to please others). Thus, instead of expressing a relationship, it expresses a behavior as an attempt to influence a relationship.

The word translated “tests” is another form of the verb dokimadzō, as we just saw means “to test something to determine its value.”

 

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse we noted that from verse three on, Paul is talking about the pastoral/teaching phase of his ministry among the Thessalonians. Previously, he had been talking about his evangelistic ministry there. And, as was pointed out in verse one of this chapter, it appears that Paul is now defending himself against some accusations that have been made. In yesterday’s verse it appears that he was defending himself against a claim that he was teaching false doctrine or that he was using deceptive means to convince his listeners to accept the truth he was proclaiming. These claims possibly came from those Jews who first heard his messages regarding Jesus but did not believe (Acts 17:2-5).

In preaching the gospel message and teaching the truths of God’s word, we are handling messages of extreme importance and of inestimable worth. How we deliver these messages indicates how much respect we have for them. When we declare these messages, we are not trying to endear ourselves to others; we are not trying to win others over to “our side.” We are proclaiming truths that God has given to us, and we are relying on the Spirit of God to carry these truths and to open up the hearts of men to receive them. Our job is not to make converts nor is it to convince people with fancy words or clever communication techniques. Our job is simply to proclaim the truth and to let God take care of the rest. Paul was not trying to make his listeners like him; he was trying to please God who called him to his ministry.

The great preacher Dwight Moody is said to have been approached by a man who said, “I saw one of your converts in a bar getting drunk last night” to which Moody is said to have replied, “Yes it may have been one of my converts. If he was one of God’s converts he wouldn’t have been there.”

 

Application

Whatever your spiritual gifts and whatever ministry God has placed you in, don’t seek the approval of men. Instead, seek God’s approval by being diligent and faithful to Him.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessaloninas 2:4 – Be a God Pleaser

Posted on by Will

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

Truth to Learn

Proclaim the simple truth and seek God’s approval alone.

Behind the Words

“Approved” is translated from the Greek word dokimadzō, which means “to test something to determine its value.” It is not a testing to find flaws or fault, but a testing to determine worth. It is expressed here in the perfect tense indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect. Hence, Paul is saying “we have been tested and found worthy; therefore, we now have God’s approval.”

The word translated “entrusted” is pisteuō, which means “to believe, to have faith in, or to trust.” It is expressed here in the passive voice (action done to the subject). Thus, it means “to be believed in” or “to be entrusted.”

“Pleasing” is from the Greek verb areskō which means “to be content with, or to be pleased with.” In the New Testament this word has evolved in emphasis from the end result (others being pleased with us) to the active pursuit (working to please others). Thus, instead of expressing a relationship, it expresses a behavior as an attempt to influence a relationship.

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse we noted that from verse three on, Paul is talking about the pastoral/teaching phase of his ministry among the Thessalonians. Previously, he had been talking about his evangelistic ministry there. And, as was pointed out in verse one of this chapter, it appears that Paul is now defending himself against some accusations that have been made. In yesterday’s verse it appears that he was defending himself against a claim that he was teaching false doctrine or that he was using deceptive means to convince his listeners to accept the truth he was proclaiming. These claims possibly came from those Jews who first heard his messages regarding Jesus but did not believe (Acts 17:2-5).

In preaching the gospel message and teaching the truths of God’s word, we are handling messages of extreme importance and of inestimable worth. How we deliver these messages indicates how much respect we have for them. When we declare these messages, we are not trying to endear ourselves to others; we are not trying to win others over to “our side.” We are proclaiming truths that God has given to us, and we are relying on the Spirit of God to carry these truths and to open up the hearts of men to receive them. Our job is not to make converts nor is it to convince people with fancy words or clever communication techniques. Our job is simply to proclaim the truth and to let God take care of the rest. Paul was not trying to make his listeners like him; he was trying to please God who called him to his ministry.

The great preacher Dwight Moody is said to have been approached by a man who said, “I saw one of your converts in a bar getting drunk last night” to which Moody is said to have replied, “Yes it may have been one of my converts. If he was one of God’s converts he wouldn’t have been there.”

Application

Whatever your spiritual gifts and whatever ministry God has placed you in, don’t seek the approval of men. Instead, seek God’s approval by being diligent and faithful to Him.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 3:2 – The Entrusted Word

Posted on by admin

Romans 3:2

Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.

Truth to Learn

God entrusts His message to those He loves.

Behind the Words

“Chiefly” is translated from prōton, which means “first in time, place, order, or importance.” Since Paul does not enumerate further, this could be translated as “primarily” or “chiefly” as in the New King James translation here.

The word “committed” is translated from the Greek word pisteuō, which means “to have faith” or “to believe.” The word is expressed here in the passive voice, however, indicating action done to them. Therefore, this word implies that God had faith in them, or “entrusted” them.

The Greek word translated “oracles” is logian. The root of this word is logos, which refers to “a word” or “something said.” Hence, logian refers to “an utterance or something declared by God.”

Meaning Explained

Paul now answers his own rhetorical question regarding whether there is any superiority in being a Jew or in being circumcised. He says, “Yes, there most certainly is!” Then he goes on to explain why he believes that. He says that the primary advantage of being a Jew is the fact that the Jews have been entrusted with the oracles of God.

In other words, the primary advantage of being a Jew is the fact that they have been given the very words of God for safe keeping. By this he is referring to the Hebrew Tanakh, that is, the Old Testament.

Notice Paul does not say that the Jews were the only people that God talked to. After all, there are quite a number of non-Jews (like Job, for instance) to whom God communicated directly. But the only written utterances of God (at the time that Paul was writing this epistle) were contained in the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, as we discussed yesterday. This made them (the Jews) the keepers of God’s revelation to mankind, an honor not to be taken too lightly.

One unmistakable advantage of this is something that we have alluded to in previous verses. Most of the converts to Christianity in the early church were Jews. Because they had the sacred writings, the Holy Scriptures, at their disposal, they knew more about God and His dealings with mankind. They also knew about the Messiah who was to come and save the Jews (and Gentiles). As a result, when Paul and others preached the gospel to them, it was easier for them to understand the significance of His death on the cross.

Today we Christians have been entrusted with the sacred writings of God more completely than the Jews of Paul’s day were. Let us not lose sight of the fact that these “oracles of God” have been entrusted to our care!

Application

The next time you pick up your Bible, consider how precious a book it is. In it is the message of God’s love for you, a love so great that He sacrificed His Son so that we can know Him and have intimate fellowship with Him. Hallelujah!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Copyright © 2009 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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