Tag: erotao

2 Thessalonians 2:2 – No, Not Yet

Posted on by Will

that you not be quickly shaken in mind nor troubled, either by a spirit or by a message or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ is come.

Truth to Learn

All Christians need to read and study the Bible for themselves.

 

Behind the Words

In the previous verse, the words “we ask” are from erōtaō, meaning “to make a request.” Then, this verse starts out with eis to, which is one of Paul’s favorite idioms, indicating the subject of Paul’s request. Today, we might say, “Please … don’t be quickly shaken …”

“quickly” is translated from tacheōs, meaning “quickly,” “hastily,” or “soon.”

The word “shaken” is from saleuō, which is based on the noun salos, meaning “an ocean wave.” It is a picture of a ship being buffeted by waves. Thus, saleuō means “to be rocked back and forth” or “to be shaken up.”

“Troubled” is from the verb throeō, based on the noun throos, meaning “the loud, disturbing noise of a riotous crowd.” Thus, throeō (expressed here in the passive voice) means “to be troubled, disturbed, or terrified.”

Logos is the Greek word translated “message.” It literally refers to intelligence or a word, discourse, or saying as an expression of that intelligence.

The words “is come” are translated from the verb enistēmi, which is a compound word made up of en, meaning “in” or “with” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Thus, it means “to be present” or “to be at hand.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, which in Greek means an action that occurred in the past, but with present ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the effect. In other words, Paul is using this word to mean that the day of Christ has come and is now here.

 

Meaning Explained

When Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy started the church in Thessalonica, they apparently had given instruction in the soon return of Christ to gather all believers to Himself (the Rapture) and the ensuing judgment of God against the unbelieving world (the Tribulation and future judgments). In his first letter to this church, Paul gave additional instruction regarding the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Now he tells them not to be easily shaken or disturbed by false teachings regarding these events.

There were three possible sources of these false teachings. The first is “by a spirit.” This indicates that this teaching was supposedly given to a “spirit-filled” teacher or prophet speaking by direct revelation from God. The second is “by a message,” implying that it is a message given verbally, probably as part of a sermon. The third is “by a letter,” indicating a written message. Understand that it was not uncommon during the early years of the church for letters to be sent by imposters claiming to be Paul or another of the apostles.

Before we finish, we need to observe that the word translated “Christ” (christos) is disputed. The earliest and best manuscripts have the word translated “Lord” (kurios) instead. This is an important distinction since, as Paul has taught previously, the Day of Christ refers to the Rapture, but the Day of the Lord refers to God’s judgment against the world. The message of these false teachers was not that the rapture had already happened, but that the Tribulation had begun. Given the persecution and tribulation they were suffering, it would have been fairly easy to convince the Thessalonians that this was true. In the following verses, Paul will tell us of several things that must occur before the Tribulation will begin.

 

Application

Very few preachers or teachers intentionally teach false doctrine; they simply teach what they have been taught or what they believe based on their own study. It is critical for us to read and study the Bible for ourselves and verify all such teaching (see Acts 17:11). No matter how great the teacher or preacher, don’t believe their message without verifying it yourself based on your own study of what the Bible teaches!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:12 – Encouragement and Prayer

Posted on by Will

And we ask you, brothers, to recognize those working hard among you, and leading you in the Lord and admonishing you,

Truth to Learn

Pastors have a tough job. Encourage and pray for him today.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “we ask” is erōtaō, which literally means “to interrogate.” By implication, however, it means “to request” or “to urge.”

“Recognize” is from the Greek word eidō, which means “to see with perception and comprehension.” Therefore, it takes on the meaning of “to know, to comprehend, or to recognize.”

Kopiaō is the word translated “working hard.” It literally means “to feel fatigue” and by implication it means “to work hard.”

The words “leading you” are translated from the Greek verb proistēmi. This word is made up of pro, meaning “before” or “in front of” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Thus, proistēmi means “to stand before” or “to stand in front of.” By analogy, this word refers to someone who “leads.”

“Admonishing” is from the word noutheteō, which is made up of nous, meaning “the mind” or “the intellect” and tithēmi, meaning “to put” or “to place.” Noutheteō literally means “to put in mind” or “to caution or reprove.”

 

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul now changes the topic of his teaching to how we are to think about our spiritual leader(s). The grammatical form of this verse indicates that these leaders are characterized by three things. The first is that they work hard. The second characteristic is that they “are leading you.” And, the third thing is that they “are admonishing” you. It’s fairly obvious that Paul is talking about your pastor(s). Let’s look at these three things.

Most of us have jobs that require us to work five days a week, with the weekend off. The job of a pastor, however, is one that requires effort seven days a week. Yes, I know, many pastors take Monday off to recuperate from a very full Sunday (often twelve or more hours). But, even on his day off, your pastor is often contacted by a church member needing spiritual guidance or emotional support. Like a surgeon, your pastor is on-call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Six days a week your pastor is studying and preparing sermons (often several a week), visiting families with spiritual/financial/physical needs, preparing for/conducting meetings, and overseeing the business operation of the church. He’s a busy man.

The second thing about your pastor is that he has been placed in a position of authority over you. He is directly accountable to God for your spiritual wellbeing. It is his job to open up the Scriptures and teach you what God expects from you. Remember, we are to submit to all those in authority over us.

The third thing a good pastor does is “admonish” you. This means that he has to deliver encouragement and challenge, but it also means he has to deliver the harsh truth about sin and its consequences. I firmly believe that if you aren’t getting your toes stomped on occasionally, either your pastor isn’t doing his job or you just aren’t listening to him, or to God.

 

Application

Don’t wait for pastor appreciation week. Take some time right now to send an e-mail, a text message, or a letter to your pastor. Tell him how much you appreciate him and pray for him. He needs your encouragement and your prayers!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Love Others!

Posted on by Will

As for the rest then, brothers, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you need to walk and to please God that you should abound more;

Truth to Learn

Being more loving is our responsibility.

 

Behind the Words

“As for the rest” is translated from the Greek word loipon, which refers to “something remaining.” In regard to time, it can be translated as “henceforth” In regard to other things, it can be translated “as to the rest” of “for the remainder.”

The word translated “request” is erotaō, which means “to ask, to inquire, or to urge.”

The word “exhort” is from parakaleō, which is made up of para, meaning “near, beside, or alongside” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Thus parakaleō literally means “to call near” or “to call alongside.” Metaphorically, it means “to encourage, to challenge, or to coach.”

 “You received” is from paralambanō. This word means “to take near” or “to receive to oneself.”

“Need” is translated from the Greek word dei, which means to have a necessity or a need.

The word “walk” is translated from peripateō, which literally means “to walk around.” Metaphorically, it refers to the manner in which one lives one’s life.

“Please” is from areskō, meaning “to soften one’s heart toward another” or “to please.”

Perisueuō is the word translated “should abound.” It means “to be in excess” or “to have more than enough.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of something happening. So, we see that it means “you may abound” or “you might abound.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter Paul explained why he sent Timothy to the Thessalonian church: to strengthen and encourage them. His concern was that the afflictions and suffering that Paul and his companions were enduring, as well as what the Thessalonians themselves were enduring,  might have caused their faith to grow weak. Having learned that their faith remained strong, Paul then offered up a prayer for them.

Paul now switches gears and goes into preaching mode in this chapter and most of the next. He has been expressing his love and concern for the Thessalonians, but now he needs to get down to some serious teaching. Therefore, he starts out his sermon with “As for the rest then, brothers, we request and exhort …” His challenge is that the Christians there might abound even more. But what are they supposed to abound in? If we look back two verses, we see that Paul prayed that God would cause them to increase and abound in love for others. Now Paul is telling the Thessalonian Christians that they need to abound (in love) even more. On the surface, this may sound contradictory. Is it God who causes us to abound in love, or is it our responsibility to actively pursue being more loving of others? The answer is both. We can’t understand the Trinity (how God can be one and still be three persons.) We also can’t understand how we have the responsibility for being more loving toward others and yet God is the one who enables such love.

 

Application

God is all powerful, but Christians can’t just sit back and let Him make us more loving of others. We have to put effort into demonstrating the love of God to everyone around us.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 2:2 – No, Not Yet

Posted on by Will

not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

Truth to Learn

All Christians need to read and study the Bible for themselves.

Behind the Words

In the previous verse, the words “we ask” are from erōtaō, meaning “to make a request.” Then, this verse starts out with eis to, which is one of Paul’s favorite idioms, indicating the subject of Paul’s request. Today, we might say, “Please … don’t be soon shaken …”

“Soon” is translated from tacheōs, meaning “quickly,” “hastily,” or “soon.”

The word “shaken” is from saleuō, which is based on the noun salos, meaning “an ocean wave.” It is a picture of a ship being buffeted by waves. Thus, saleuō means “to be rocked back and forth” or “to be shaken up.”

“Troubled” is from the verb throeō, based on the noun throos, meaning “the loud, disturbing noise of a riotous crowd.” Thus, throeō (expressed here in the passive voice) means “to be troubled, disturbed, or terrified.”

Meaning Explained

When Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy started the church in Thessalonica, they apparently had given instruction in the soon return of Christ to gather all believers to Himself (the Rapture) and the ensuing judgment of God against the unbelieving world (the Tribulation and future judgments). In his first letter to this church, Paul gave additional instruction regarding the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Now he tells them not to be easily shaken or disturbed by false teachings regarding these events.

There were three possible sources of these false teachings. The first is “by spirit.” This indicates that this teaching was supposedly given to a “spirit-filled” teacher or prophet speaking by direct revelation from God. The second is “by word,” implying that it is a message given verbally, probably as part of a sermon. The third is “by letter,” indicating a written message. Understand that it was not uncommon during the early years of the church for letters to be sent by imposters claiming to be Paul or another of the apostles.

Before we finish, we need to observe that the word translated “Christ” (christos) is disputed. The earliest and best manuscripts have the word translated “Lord” (kurios) instead. This is an important distinction since, as Paul has taught previously, the Day of Christ refers to the Rapture, but the Day of the Lord refers to God’s judgment against the world. The message of these false teachers was not that the rapture had already happened, but that the Tribulation had begun. Given the persecution and tribulation they were suffering, it would have been fairly easy to convince the Thessalonians that this was true. In the following verses, Paul will tell us of several things that must occur before the Tribulation will begin.

Application

Very few preachers or teachers intentionally teach false doctrine; they simply teach what they have been taught or what they believe based on their own study. It is critical for us to read and study the Bible for ourselves and verify all such teaching (see Acts 17:11). No matter how great the teacher or preacher, don’t believe their message without verifying it yourself based on your own study of what the Bible teaches!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Thessalonians 5:12 – Encouragement and Prayer

Posted on by Will

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

Truth to Learn

Pastors have a tough job. Encourage and pray for him today.

Behind the Words

The word translated “we urge” is erōtaō, which literally means “to interrogate.” By implication, however, it means “to request” or “to urge.”

“Recognize” is from the Greek word eidō, which means “to see with perception and comprehension.” Therefore, it takes on the meaning of “to know, to comprehend, or to recognize.”

Kopiaō is the word translated “labor.” It literally means “to feel fatigue” and by implication it means “to work hard.”

The words “are over you” are translated from the Greek verb proistēmi. This word is made up of pro, meaning “before” or “in front of” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Thus, proistēmi means “to stand before” or “to stand in front of.” By analogy, this word refers to someone who “leads.”

“Admonish” is from the word noutheteō, which is made up of nous, meaning “the mind” or “the intellect” and tithēmi, meaning “to put” or “to place.” Noutheteō literally means “to put in mind” or “to caution or reprove.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul now changes the topic of his teaching to how we are to think about our spiritual leader(s). The grammatical form of this verse indicates that these leaders are characterized by three things. The first is that they work hard. The second characteristic is that they “are over you.” And, the third thing is that they “admonish” you. It’s fairly obvious that Paul is talking about your pastor(s). Let’s look at these three things.

Most of us have jobs that require us to work five days a week, with the weekend off. The job of a pastor, however, is one that requires effort seven days a week. Yes, I know, many pastors take Monday off to recuperate from a very full Sunday (often twelve or more hours). But, even on his day off, your pastor is often contacted by a church member needing spiritual guidance or emotional support. Like a surgeon, your pastor is on-call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Six days a week your pastor is studying and preparing sermons (often several a week), visiting families with spiritual/financial/physical needs, and preparing for/conducting meetings. He’s a busy man.

The second thing about your pastor is that he has been placed in a position of authority over you. He is directly accountable to God for your spiritual wellbeing. It is his job to open up the Scriptures and teach you what God expects from you. Remember, we are to submit to all those in authority over us.

The third thing a good pastor does is “admonish” you. This means that he has to deliver encouragement and challenge, but it also means he has to deliver the harsh truth about sin and its consequences. I firmly believe that if you aren’t getting your toes stomped on occasionally, either your pastor isn’t doing his job or you just aren’t listening to him and to God.

Application

Don’t wait for pastor appreciation week. Take some time right now to send an e-mail, a text message, or a letter to your pastor. Tell him how much you appreciate him and pray for him. He needs your encouragement and your prayers!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Love Others!

Posted on by Will

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;

Truth to Learn

Being more loving is our responsibility.

Behind the Words

“Finally” is translated from the Greek word loipon, which refers to “something remaining.” In regard to time, it can be translated as “henceforth” In regard to other things, it can be translated “as to the rest” of “for the remainder.”

The word translated “urge” is erotaō, which means “to ask, to inquire, or to urge.”

The word “exhort” is from parakaleō, which is made up of para, meaning “near, beside, or alongside” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Thus parakaleō literally means “to call near” or “to call alongside.” Metaphorically, it means “to encourage, to challenge, or to coach.”

Perisueuō is the word translated “should abound.” It means “to be in excess” or “to have more than enough.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of something happening. So, we see that it means “you may abound” or “you might abound.”

“You received” is from paralambanō. This word means “to take near” or “to receive.”

The word “walk” is translated from peripateō, which literally means “to walk around.” Metaphorically, it refers to the manner in which one lives one’s life.

“Please” is from areskō, meaning “to soften one’s heart toward another” or “to please.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter Paul explained why he sent Timothy to the Thessalonian church: to strengthen and encourage them. His concern was that the afflictions and suffering that Paul and his companions were enduring might have caused the faith of the Thessalonians to grow weak. Having learned that their faith remained strong, Paul then offered up a prayer for them.

Paul now switches gears and goes into preaching mode in this chapter and most of the next. He has been expressing his love and concern for the Thessalonians, but now he needs to get down to some serious teaching. Therefore, he starts out his sermon with “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort …” His challenge is that the Christians there might abound even more. But what are they supposed to abound in? If we look back two verses, we see that Paul prayed that God would cause them to increase and abound in love for others. Now Paul is telling the Thessalonian Christians that they need to abound (in love) more and more. On the surface, this may sound contradictory. Is it God who causes us to abound in love, or is it our responsibility to actively pursue being more loving of others? The answer is both. We can’t understand the Trinity (how God can be one and still be three persons.) We also can’t understand how we have the responsibility for being more loving toward others and yet God is the one who enables such love.

Application

God is all powerful, but Christians can’t just sit back and let Him make us more loving of others. We have to put effort into demonstrating the love of God to everyone around us.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved