eris – Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: eris

Romans 1:29 – Stuffed With Sin

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Will

being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,

Truth to Learn

When we reject God we are filled with all kinds of sin.

Behind the Words

“being filled with.” (plēroō) – to fill-up completely. The sense is that it is filled up as completely as possible, stuffed full. It is expressed here in the passive voice, meaning that it is something that was done to them.

“unrighteousness” (adikia) – that which is not conformable with justice, or that which is wrong.

“sexual immorality” (porneia) – The root of the English word pornography – fornication, lewdness, or any sexual sin.

“wickedness” (ponēria) – evilness, wickedness, maliciousness, of an evil disposition.

“covetousness” (pleonexia) – covetousness or greediness and, by implication, fraudulency or extortion.

“maliciousness” (kakia) – badness. That is, wickedness as an evil habit of the mind.

“envy” (phthonos) – envy or jealousy. Particularly the pain felt at the sight of excellence or happiness of someone else.

“strife” (eris) – strife, contention, or constant arguing.

“deceit” (dolos) – to bait, implying trickery, deceit, and fraud.

“evil-mindedness” (kakoētheia) – bad character or disposition.

“whisperers” (psithuristēs) – secret slanderers.

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse we learned that since these rejecters of God did not what to retain God in their knowledge, He surrendered them to a condition where they became incapable of making good judgments. The result of this is that they do those things which are inappropriate.

Paul now says that these people, after they were surrendered by God to a mind incapable of discerning what is right, were then filled with a host of personal characteristics as described above. Is it any wonder that the foes of God in this world will go to any length to discredit and destroy the church and anyone who professes a relationship with God? And this is only a partial list of personal characteristics of those who reject God.

Lest we get too high on our own pedestal, however, let me remind you that all of us are capable of these things. They are part of our sin nature, and any of these things can rear its ugly head in any one of us when we get away from that close relationship with God, our Father. The difference is that we know God, and we can confess our sinfulness to Him, knowing that we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one, whose blood cleanses us from all sin.

They, on the other hand, have rejected God and have no one to turn to for cleansing or mercy. And someday they will face the Judge, the One whom they have rejected!

Application

We can all think of people who are filled with one or more of these selfish sins, perhaps even people in the church! But let’s all look at our own lives and ensure that we are not controlled by any of these things. And, instead of shaking our finger at others in a condemning manner, let’s pray for them.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 3:3 – Now and Later!

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Will

for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Truth to Learn

Immature Christians live for themselves; spiritual Christians live their lives in a Godly manner, for the glory of God.

Behind the Words

The words “you are” are translated from the verb eimi, the verb of being. It is expressed in the present tense and indicative mood, indicating present, ongoing action.

“Still” is from the adverb eti, meaning “still.” It implies a duration of time starting in the past and continuing up to the present time.

Dzēlos is the word translated “envy.” It is based on the verb dzeō, meaning “to be hot.” Thus, dzēlos literally means “hot.” This word is most often used metaphorically, sometimes in a good sense but most often in a bad sense. When used in a good sense it is often translated as “zeal” or “zealous.” When used in a bad sense it is translated as “envy,” “jealousy,” or “anger.”

“Strife” is from the Greek word eris, which means “strife,” “contention,” or “arguing.” It is often used metaphorically to mean “the love of strife,” which seems to be Paul’s intent here.

The word “divisions” is translated from dichostasia, which is composed of dicha, meaning “separately” and stasis, meaning “a stance” or “a posture.” Hence, dichostasis literally means “a separate standing.” This word is not found in the best Greek manuscripts.

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has just told the Christians in Corinth that they are still babies in Christ because they have not grown much spiritually since the time of their conversion. Twice in this verse he says that they are living according to the thoughts and desires of a natural person instead of living according to the thoughts and desires of a spiritual person. They are not spiritually mature Christians, they are carnal Christians.

The evidence that he gives is the fact that within the church in Corinth there is envy and strife. The clear evidence of this is the fact that they boast and argue about who their spiritual hero is (Paul, Apollos, Peter, or Christ). If you look at the remainder of this chapter you will see that Paul emphasizes the building up of the body of Christ. Envy and strife do not serve to build, but to tear down. In fact, in his letter to the churches, James says this about envy and strife:

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (James 3:14-16)

Clearly, the Christians in Corinth have their sights fixed on themselves and on the things of this world. That is not the way a Christian is to live. The things of this world will pass away, but the things of God are eternal.

Application

As Christians, you spend a few years on this earth, but you will spend an eternity in glory. You can choose to live these few short years for yourself or you can choose to live them for God and give Him all the glory for eternity. The choice is yours!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:11 – Discuss, Don’t Argue

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Will

For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.

Truth to Learn

Discussions are good, but arguments are bad.

Behind the Words

The words “it has been declared” are translated from the Greek verb dēloō. This word means “to signify” or “to make known.” It is expressed here in the aorist tense indicating action that was completed at a point in time in the past.

“By” is from the Greek preposition hupo, which usually means “under or beneath.” However, when used with a noun in the genitive case, as it is here, it indicates agency and is translated as “by, through, or from.”

The word “Chloe” is transliterated from the Greek word chloē, which is a feminine noun meaning “green.” Chloe was apparently a prominent person in the church at Corinth. It is not completely clear whether Chloe was a man or a woman.

“Contentions” is translated from eris, meaning “strife” or “contention.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul began this correctional teaching regarding the divisions that had sprung up in the Corinthian church. Here he tells us how he learned about the infighting that had developed. He says that it was signified to him by those who are of Chloe’s household. Since this is the only mention in the Bible of Chloe, we don’t know for sure whether Chloe was a man or a woman. However, since chloē is a feminine noun, it is most likely that Chloe was a woman. We also don’t know whether Chloe was part of the church in Corinth or part of the church in Ephesus, where Paul wrote this letter from. However, it is unlikely that Paul would have mentioned her by name if she was in the church in Corinth, since that might have caused even more harsh feelings within that already contentious church.

The apostle tells us that what he heard is that there were “contentions” within the church about which he will elaborate further in the next verse. It is good, and even important, to have discussions within the body of Christ. But, when discussion turns into fighting, it’s time to check our attitudes and emotions. The word eris (strife or contention) is listed as one of the works of the flesh in Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia:

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like (Galatians 5:19-21a)

It is clear from this list that heated arguments are just as bad as some of the other evil outpourings of our sin nature. And such sinful arguments can spring from the most innocent of topics, like what color of carpeting to put in the sanctuary or whether it is proper for your pastor to own a nice car.

Application

Let’s have open and informed discussions within the church. Let’s share what God has taught us from the Bible. But let’s not allow these discussions to turn into fighting or personal attacks. Instead, let us be humble and discuss things with love in our hearts.

In God's service, for His glory,