Tag: epangelia

Romans 9:8 – Believe the Promise

Posted on by Will

That is, those who are the children of the flesh, are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.

Truth to Learn

Works of the flesh are ineffective in God’s record book.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “promise” is epangelia, which is made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and angelō, meaning “to tell” or “to declare.” Hence, epangelia refers to “a very strong message, a summons, or a promise.”

“Counted” is from the Greek word logidzomai, which we have looked at before. It is an accounting term which means “to credit something to someone’s account.” It is sometimes translated as “impute” or “reckon.” It is an action of God in which He legally declares some characteristic to be applied to someone’s account.

 

Meaning Explained

Now Paul gets back to imputation. Remember that concept? A few chapters back Paul told us that our righteousness is not earned; rather it is imputed, or credited to us, by a stroke of God’s pen in his personal record book of our lives. He does not do it because we deserve it or because of anything we have done, but because it was His choice. Because Abraham believed God’s promise, righteousness was imputed to him:

For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (Romans 4:3)

In the same way Paul is telling his Jewish brothers that they are not considered God’s children simply because they are the descendants of Abraham, since that privilege should have gone to his first born son, Ishmael. Instead, Paul tells them, and us, that the children of promise are imputed, or reckoned, as the inheriting children.

The point is that God chose Isaac to be a “child of Abraham,” not Ishmael. Ishmael was the child by natural process. He was the result of Abraham’s (and Sarah’s) own efforts. Their works of the flesh produced the first child, but Isaac was the result of faith. Long after Abraham and Sarah were past the age of producing a child by their own actions, God brought forth Isaac because Abraham believed the promise that God had given him. Isaac was the child of promise and he came as a result of faith.

But that’s not fair, is it? Ishmael was the first born, so he should have received the inheritance. He should have been Abraham’s heir. But it wasn’t up to Abraham, Isaac, or Ishmael to choose, it was up to God. He chose Isaac just as he chooses those who are to be His spiritual children today.

So you see, in the final analysis it is God’s choice that matters, not ours. That’s election! And it’s not the only example of it given to us in the Bible or even here in the book of Romans. Paul will give us more examples as we move on.

 

Application

Unfortunately, there are many who call themselves Christians today who have achieved that status through works of their flesh. In God’s book, however, only those who have believed His promise that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses them of their sin are declared to be His children. These are the children of the promise and they are saved through faith and faith alone.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 4:13 – Promise Received through Faith

Posted on by Will

For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Truth to Learn

God’s promise of salvation is based on faith, not obedience.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “promise” is epangelia, which is made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and angelō, meaning “to tell” or “to declare.” Hence, epangelia refers to “a message, a summons, or a promise.”

“Heir” is from the Greek word klēronomos, which is made up of klēros, meaning “a lot” or “a die” and a form of nemō, meaning “to have in one’s possession” or “to distribute.” This word is a reference to the person who possesses the right to receive an inheritance.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul is covering all the bases, making sure that the Christians in Rome who were predominantly Jewish had no way to twist what he was saying into anything resembling “righteousness through obedience.” This verse says something a little bit different from what we found back in verse 10. That verse had to do with righteousness being imputed as a result of faith. This verse is talking about the promises that God made to Abraham. These promises include:

  • Gen 12:2 – that God would make of Abraham a great nation
  • Gen 12:3 – that in him all the families of the earth should be blessed
  • Gen 15:5 – that his descendants should be as numerous as the stars
  • Gen 17:5 – that he should be the father of many nations

It is probably this last promise to which Paul is specifically referring when he says that “… he would be the heir of the world.”

His point is that this promise was made to Abraham through the righteousness that comes from faith, not from obedience to the Law. In fact, if you read the Old Testament carefully you will discover that the Law of Moses came some 300 years after Abraham died. Hence, not only was he declared righteous through faith (just as we are declared righteous through faith) but the great promises that were made to Abraham (like the promises that are made to us) were given to him in faith, not obedience. That is, Abraham didn’t have to be obedient in order to receive the promises, he simply had to believe.

In a similar manner, the promises made to us concerning our salvation are not dependent on us being obedient before or after we are saved, they are based solely on our “once for all time” saving faith. In other words, there is no sin that we can commit that will prevent God’s promises from being fulfilled if we have truly accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!

These promises are based on faith, not obedience! Hallelujah!

 

Application

Perhaps you are convinced now that you can’t earn your salvation. But do you realize that you can’t keep your salvation (receive God’s promise to you) by obedience either? In other words, once you are saved you can’t do anything to undo that salvation.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:2 – Honor Your Parents

Posted on by Will

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:

Truth to Learn

We should all give our parents honor and respect.

 

Behind the Words

Timaō is the Greek verb translated as “honor.” Timaō literally means “to place a high value on something.” It can refer to giving something a very high price, or it can refer to giving someone honor, respect, or reverence because of their great value as a person.

“Father” is from patēr. This is a primary word which refers to a father, either literally or figuratively.

“Mother” is translated from matēr, which is also a primary word. It refers either literally or figuratively to a mother.

The word translated “first” is protos, meaning “first in place, time, order, or importance.”

The word “commandment” is from entolē, which refers to “an authoritative edict.” Throughout the New Testament it is the word used to refer to one or more of the Ten Commandments.

“Promise” is translated from epangelia. This is a legal term referring to “a summons or promise to do or give something.”

 

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has extended his teaching beyond how we are to relate to each other within the family of God (the church) to how we are to relate to each other within our individual families. In yesterday’s verse we were told that all children (young or old) are to obey their parents. The reason that Paul gave us is that it is the right (the proper) thing to do. In today’s verse he builds on that idea. He points out that one of the Ten Commandments specifically addressed this situation. It is the fifth commandment:

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

“But Paul says that it is the first commandment,” you may say. Actually, what he says is that it is the first commandment that has a promise. If you carefully read through the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17, you will notice that the second commandment has a general declaration attached to it, but not a promise. The fifth commandment is the only one that has a promise associated with it. The first four of the commandments are specifically aimed at our relationship with God. The fifth commandment is a pivotal command which shows that there is an order of authority under God and the following commandments teach how we are to behave in our human relationships.

Before leaving this verse let me point out that Paul is not teaching that we are still under the Law of Moses. He focused specifically on our freedom from the law in his letter to the Galatians. However, the precepts given in the Ten Commandments are important. So much so, in fact, that all but the fourth commandment (to keep the Sabbath) are repeated in one form or another in the New Testament.

 

Application

We should all treat our parents with respect and honor. This is particularly true as our parents get older and need our special attention and care. Honor your parents and give God the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 3:6 – Together, Together, Together

Posted on by Will

for the Gentiles to be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and fellow partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

Truth to Learn

All those who believe God’s promise share in God’s gifts.

 

Behind the Words

The words “fellow heirs” is translated from sunklēronomos. This is a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together with” and klēronomos, meaning “an heir.” Klēronomos is made up of klēros, meaning “a lot” (a die indicating participation), and a form of nemō, meaning “to have in one’s possession.”

The Greek word sussōmos, is translated here as “of the same body.” It also contains the Greek word sun, meaning “together with” and, in this case, soma meaning “a body.” So, we see that sussōmos literally means “together, of the same body.”

“Fellow partakers” is translated from summetochos, which also has the prefix sun meaning “together with” added to metochos, meaning “a partaker” or “a participant.” Thus, summetochos refers to someone as “a fellow partaker” with someone else.

The word “promise” is from epangelia which is made up of epi used as an intensifier and a form of the verb angellō meaning “to tell” or “to declare.” Epangelia is a legal term indicating a summons or a promise to do or give something. In the New Testament this word is used only of the promises of God, except Acts 23:21 where it refers to a promise (order or command) from the commander of the guard holding Paul as a prisoner.

Some manuscripts do not contain the word Jesus (iēsou), although the best manuscripts do.

 

Meaning Explained

Under earlier Greek law, when a father passed away, his children would cast lots to determine who got what portion of the estate, thus explaining the derivation of klēronomos as “an heir” (one who has a lot in his possession). Under Jewish law only the sons inherited their father’s possessions and the eldest son inherited a double portion. But, under Roman law all children were eligible as well as close friends and loyal servants and distribution was usually made according to a will.

Thus, it is significant that Paul would use sunklēronomos in reference to Gentiles being fellow heirs of God along with the Jews. We each hold a “lot” in the form of righteousness, which is given to us as a gift by God when we believe His promise.

But Paul does not stop there. This verse describes in detail what the mystery is that he has been talking about for the past few verses. The mystery is not just that we are fellow heirs with the Jews, but that we are of the same body (sussōmos). Today, all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, are part of the body of Christ. This is what Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians:

Now you [plural] are the body of Christ, and members individually.  (1 Corinthians 12:27)

But he still doesn’t stop there, for there is a third Greek word in this verse made up as a compound of sun. Along with the Jews, we are joint partakers (summetochos) of God’s promise. Beginning with Abraham, the Jews were promised that a Messiah would come to rescue them. That Messiah has come. His name is Jesus, the Christ, and through faith in His sacrifice on the cross we, too, are saved. And this promise is the essence of the Gospel message.

 

Application

All of us who believe in the Gospel are fellow heirs and will inherit our Heavenly Father’s estate when we arrive there. All believers in the Gospel are now part of the body of Christ. And, all believers are partakers of His promise of salvation and eternal life. Skin color doesn’t matter, ancestry doesn’t matter, gender doesn’t matter, age doesn’t matter, education level doesn’t matter, and wealth doesn’t matter. Only faith in Christ matters!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:2 – Honor Your Parents

Posted on by Will

"Honor your father and mother;" which is the first commandment with promise:

Truth to Learn

We should all give our parents honor and respect.

Behind the Words

Timaō is the Greek verb translated as “honor.” Timaō literally means “to place a high value on something.” It can refer to giving something a very high price, or it can refer to giving someone honor, respect, or reverence because of their great value as a person.

“Father” is from patēr. This is a primary word which refers to a father, either literally or figuratively.

“Mother” is translated from matēr, which is also a primary word. It refers either literally or figuratively to a mother.

The word translated “first” is protos, meaning “first in place, time, order, or importance.”

The word “commandment” is from entolē, which refers to “an authoritative edict.” Throughout the New Testament it is the word used to refer to one or more of the Ten Commandments.

“Promise” is translated from epangelia. This is a legal term referring to “a summons or promise to do or give something.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has extended his teaching beyond how we are to relate to each other within the family of God (the church) to how we are to relate to each other within our individual families. In yesterday’s verse we were told that all children (young or old) are to obey their parents. The reason that Paul gave us is that it is the right (the proper) thing to do. In today’s verse he builds on that idea. He points out that one of the Ten Commandments specifically addressed this situation. It is the fifth commandment:

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

“But Paul says that it is the first commandment,” you may say. Actually, what he says is that it is the first commandment that has a promise. If you carefully read through the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17, you will notice that the second commandment has a general declaration attached to it, but not a promise. The fifth commandment is the only one that has a promise associated with it. The first four of the commandments are specifically aimed at our relationship with God. The fifth commandment is a pivotal command which shows that there is an order of authority under God and the following commandments teach how we are to behave in our human relationships.

Before leaving this verse let me point out that Paul is not teaching that we are still under the Law of Moses. He focused specifically on our freedom from the law in his letter to the Galatians. However, the precepts given in the Ten Commandments are important. So much so, in fact, that all but the fourth commandment (to keep the Sabbath) are repeated in one form or another in the New Testament.

Application

We should all treat our parents with respect and honor. This is particularly true as our parents get older and need our special attention and care. Honor your parents and give God the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 3:6 – Together, Together, Together

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 3:6  – Together, Together, Together

that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

Truth to Learn

All those who believe God’s promise share in God’s gifts.

Behind the Words

The words “fellow heirs” is translated from sunklēronomos. This is a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together with” and klēronomos, meaning “an heir.” Klēronomos is made up of klēros, meaning “a lot” (a die indicating participation), and a form of nemō, meaning “to have in one’s possession.”

The Greek word sussōmos, is translated here as “of the same body.” It also contains the Greek word sun, meaning “together with” and, in this case, soma meaning “a body.” So, we see that sussōmos literally means “together, of the same body.”

“Partakers” is translated from summetochos, which also has the prefix sun meaning “together with” added to metochos, meaning “a partaker” or “a participant.” Thus, summetochos refers to someone as “a fellow partaker” with someone else.

The word “promise” is from epangelia which is made up of epi used as an intensifier and a form of the verb angellō meaning “to tell” or “to declare.”

Meaning Explained

Under earlier Greek law, when a father passed away, his children would cast lots to determine who got what portion of the estate, thus indicating the derivation of klēronomos as “an heir” (one who has a lot in his possession). Under Jewish law only the sons inherited their father’s possessions and the eldest son inherited a double portion. But, under Roman law all children were eligible as well as close friends and loyal servants and distribution was usually made according to a will.

Thus, it is significant that Paul would use sunklēronomos in reference to Gentiles being fellow heirs of God along with the Jews. We each hold a “lot” in the form of righteousness, which is given by God as a gift when we believe His promise.

But Paul does not stop there. This verse describes in detail what the mystery is that he has been talking about for the past few verses. The mystery is not just that we are fellow heirs with the Jews, but that we are of the same body (sussōmos). Today, all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, are part of the body of Christ. This is what Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians:

Now you [plural] are the body of Christ, and members individually.  (1 Corinthians 12:27)

But he still doesn’t stop there, for there is a third Greek word in this verse made up as a compound of sun. Along with the Jews, we are joint partakers (summetochos) of God’s promise. Beginning with Abraham, the Jews were promised that a Messiah would come to rescue them. That Messiah has come. His name is Jesus, the Christ, and through faith in His sacrifice on the cross we, too, are saved. And this promise is the essence of the Gospel message.

Application

All believers in the Gospel are fellow heirs and will inherit our Heavenly Father’s estate when we arrive there. All believers in the Gospel are now part of the body of Christ. And, all believers are partakers of His promise of salvation and eternal life. Skin color doesn’t matter, ancestry doesn’t matter, gender doesn’t matter, age doesn’t matter, education level doesn’t matter, and wealth doesn’t matter. Only faith in Christ matters!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to:

Romans 9:8 – Believe the Promise

Posted on by Will

Romans 9:8 – Believe the Promise

That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.

Truth to Learn

Works of the flesh are ineffective in God’s record book.

Behind the Words

The word translated “promise” is epangelia, which is made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and angelō, meaning “to tell” or “to declare.” Hence, epangelia refers to “a very strong message, a summons, or a promise.”

“Counted” is from the Greek word logidzomai, which we have looked at before. It is an accounting term which means “to credit something to someone’s account.” It is sometimes translated as “impute” or “reckon.” It is an action of God in which He legally declares some characteristic to be applied to someone’s account.

Meaning Explained

Now Paul gets back to imputation. Remember that concept? A few chapters back Paul told us that our righteousness is not earned; rather it is imputed, or credited to us, by a stroke of God’s pen in his personal record book of our lives. He does not do it because we deserve it or because of anything we have done, but because it was His choice. Because Abraham believed God’s promise, righteousness was imputed to him:

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:3)

In the same way Paul is telling his Jewish brothers that they are not considered God’s children simply because they are the descendants of Abraham, since that privilege should have gone to his first born son, Ishmael. Instead, Paul tells them, and us, that the children of promise are imputed, or reckoned, as the inheriting children.

The point is that God chose Isaac to be a “child of Abraham,” not Ishmael. Ishmael was the child by natural process. He was the result of Abraham’s (and Sarah’s) own efforts. Their works of the flesh produced the first child, but Isaac was the result of faith. Long after Abraham and Sarah were past the age of producing a child by their own actions, God brought forth Isaac because Abraham believed the promise that God had given him. Isaac was the child of promise and he came as a result of faith.

But that’s not fair, is it? Ishmael was the first born, so he should have received the inheritance. He should have been Abraham’s heir. But it wasn’t up to Abraham, Isaac, or Ishmael to choose, it was up to God. He chose Isaac just as he chooses those who are to be His spiritual children today.

So you see, in the final analysis it is God’s choice that matters, not ours. That’s election! And it’s not the only example of it given to us in the Bible or even here in the book of Romans. Paul will give us more examples as we move on.

Application

Unfortunately, there are many who call themselves Christians today who have achieved that status through works of their flesh. In God’s book, however, only those who have believed His promise that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses them of their sin are declared to be His children. These are the children of the promise and they are saved through faith and faith alone.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to: