Tag: eso

Romans 7:22 – God’s Delightful Law

Posted on by Will

For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.

Truth to Learn

For Christians, obeying God’s law is delightful, not onerous.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated here as “I delight in” is sunēdomai, which only occurs in this one place in the New Testament. It is a compound word made up of sun, meaning “with” or “together with” and a form of hēdomai, meaning “to be pleased” or “to rejoice.” So, we see that this word means “to be pleased with” or “to have delight in something.” Paul actually finds delight, that is, inward pleasure, when he obeys the Law of God.

“Inward” is from the Greek word esō, which is a form of eis, meaning “into.” It refers that which is already on the inside.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul said back in verse twelve that the Law is Holy and that the commandments that make up the law are holy, just, and good. Now he is saying that he actually finds pleasure in the Law. This is an obvious indication that Paul is “born-again,” for without this conversion a man cannot find pleasure in obeying God’s Law.

King David expressed a similar sentiment in Psalms 1:

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalms 1:1-2)

The law of God is not something that Christians should be afraid of; it should be a source of joy for us in our innermost being. Paul refers to this innermost being as “the inward man.” Here’s what Albert Barnes said about this expression in his Notes on the Bible:

The expression “the inward man” is used sometimes to denote the rational part of man as opposed to the sensual; sometimes the mind as opposed to the body (compare 2Co 4:16; 1Pe 3:4). It is thus used by the Greek classic writers. Here it is used evidently in opposition to a carnal and corrupt nature; to the evil passions and desires of the soul in an unrenewed state; to what is called elsewhere “the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” (Eph 4:22). The “inward man” is called elsewhere “the new man” (Eph 4:24); and denotes not the mere intellect, or conscience, but is a personification of the principles of action by which a Christian is governed; the new nature; the holy disposition; the inclination of the heart that is renewed.

So, Paul is saying that he finds inward, intellectual pleasure in obeying God’s Law because of the regenerated spiritual life that God has given him. Unfortunately, as we will see in the next verse, the “old man” is still with us as well and it is in a constant battle with this “new man.”

 

Application

As we said, the law of God is not something that Christians should fear, but we also know that obeying it does not make us holy or righteous. We should feel good when we are obedient to God, but we should also recognize that our sin nature will cause us to break God’s law. Thank God for confession and for His grace!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 3:16 – Prayer of Strength

Posted on by Will

that He might give you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Truth to Learn

The Apostle Paul prayed for strength for us in our time of need.

 

Behind the Words

“He might give” is from the verb didōmi, meaning “to give.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of this occurring.

The expression “riches of His glory” is a reference to the wealth of goodness that God possesses.

The words “to be strengthened” are translated from the verb krataioō, which means “to increase in strength and power.”

“With might” is from dunamis (from which we get our English word “dynamite”), meaning “power” or “might.”

“Inner” is translated from esō, meaning “inside” or “that which is within.”

 

Meaning Explained

We mentioned in verse fourteen that Paul is bowing in worship to the Father. The particular form of worship here is a prayer for his friends in the church in Ephesus (and by application, for all believers).

This prayer of Paul’s contains four petitions, the first of which is identified here. He prays that we might be strengthened with might. On the surface that appears to be a redundant statement. How else would we be strengthened but with strength or might? It appears that what Paul is asking is that God would strengthen us “with His might.” After all, we have very little strength within ourselves. By ourselves we are no more than sinners on a downhill road to Hell. But – through God’s power and the abundance of His glorious riches, He can strengthen us with His mighty strength.

That this is Paul’s intention is borne out by the next phrase, “through His Spirit.” The way that God gives us some of His strength is through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s channel of blessing to us.

In the previous two verses we talked about the “ranking” of the three persons of the Godhead. This is not to say that any one of the three is more important than either of the other two. It’s just that for the purpose of dealing with the finite minds of fallen mankind, they have established a hierarchy. Each one of the three persons performs a necessary function. The Holy Spirit, as mentioned in this verse, is the one who enables God-given abilities within us. He is, in a sense, the conduit through which the power and enabling of God is “fed” to us. Thus, the “gifts of the Spirit” referred to in 1 Corinthians and Hebrews, are really gifts of God, but they are given to us through the Holy Spirit.

In today’s verse Paul makes it clear that the strengthening power is not a physical or muscular strengthening. It is an inner strength. It is the inner strength which has allowed Christians throughout history to endure incredible hardships, and it reflects all the glory of God back on Him.

 

Application

Do you need inner strength to get you through a difficult situation? Rest assured that the Apostle Paul has already asked the Father to give you that strength. He prayed for you!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 3:16 – Prayer of Strength

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 3:16  – Prayer of Strength

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Truth to Learn

The Apostle Paul prayed for strength for us in our time of need.

Behind the Words

“He would grant” is from the verb didōmi, meaning “to give.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility of this occurring.

The expression “riches of His glory” is a reference to the wealth of goodness that God possesses.

The words “to be strengthened” are translated from the verb krataioō, which means “to increase in strength and power.”

“With might” is from dunamis (from which we get our English word “dynamite”), meaning “power or might.”

“Inner” is translated from esō, meaning “inside” or “that which is within.”

Meaning Explained

We mentioned in verse fourteen that Paul is bowing in worship to the Father. The particular form of worship here is a prayer for his friends in the church in Ephesus (and by application, for all believers).

This prayer of Paul’s contains five petitions, the first of which is identified here. He prays that we might be strengthened with might. On the surface that appears to be a redundant statement. How else would we be strengthened but with strength or might? It appears that what Paul is asking is that God would strengthen us “with His might.” After all, we have very little strength within ourselves. By ourselves we are no more than sinners on a downhill road to Hell. But – through God’s power and the abundance of His glorious riches, He can strengthen us with His mighty strength.

That this is Paul’s intention is borne out by the next phrase, “through His Spirit.” The way that God gives us some of His strength is through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s channel of blessing to us.

In the previous two verses we talked about the “ranking” of the three persons of the Godhead. This is not to say that any one of the three is more important than either of the other two. It’s just that for the purpose of dealing with the finite minds of fallen mankind, they have established a hierarchy. Each one of the three persons performs a necessary function. The Holy Spirit, as mentioned in this verse, is the one who enables God-given abilities within us. He is, in a sense, the conduit through which the power and enabling of God is “fed” to us. Thus, the “gifts of the Spirit” referred to in 1Corinthians and Hebrews, are really gifts of God, but they are given to us through the Holy Spirit.

In today’s verse Paul makes it clear that the strengthening power is not a physical or muscular strengthening. It is an inner strength. It is the inner strength which has allowed Christians throughout history to endure incredible hardships, and it reflects all the glory of God back on Him.

Application

Do you need inner strength to get you through a difficult situation? Rest assured that the Apostle Paul has already asked the Father to give you that strength. He prayed for you!

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 7:22 – God’s Delightful Law

Posted on by Will

Romans 7:22

For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.

Truth to Learn

For Christians, obeying God’s law is delightful, not onerous.

Behind the Words

The word translated here as “I delight in” is sunēdomai, which only occurs in this one place in the New Testament. It is a compound word made up of sun, meaning “with” or “together with” and a form of hēdomai, meaning “to be pleased” or “to rejoice.” So, we see that this word means “to be pleased with” or “to have delight in something.” Paul actually finds delight, that is, inward pleasure, when he obeys the Law of God.

“Inward” is from the Greek word esō, which is a form of eis, meaning “into.” It refers that which is already on the inside.

Meaning Explained

Paul said back in verse twelve that the Law is Holy and that the commandments that make up the law are holy, just, and good. Now he is saying that he actually finds pleasure in the Law. This is an obvious indication that Paul is “born-again,” for without this conversion a man cannot find pleasure in obeying God’s Law.

King David expressed a similar sentiment in Psalms 1:

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalms 1:1-2)

The law of God is not something that Christians should be afraid of; it should be a source of joy for us in our innermost being. Paul refers to this innermost being as “the inward man.” Here’s what Albert Barnes said about this expression in his Notes on the Bible:

The expression “the inward man” is used sometimes to denote the rational part of man as opposed to the sensual; sometimes the mind as opposed to the body (compare 2Co 4:16; 1Pe 3:4). It is thus used by the Greek classic writers. Here it is used evidently in opposition to a carnal and corrupt nature; to the evil passions and desires of the soul in an unrenewed state; to what is called elsewhere “the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” (Eph 4:22). The “inward man” is called elsewhere “the new man” (Eph 4:24); and denotes not the mere intellect, or conscience, but is a personification of the principles of action by which a Christian is governed; the new nature; the holy disposition; the inclination of the heart that is renewed.

So, Paul is saying that he finds inward, intellectual pleasure in obeying God’s Law because of the regenerated spiritual life that God has given him. Unfortunately, as we will see in the next verse, the “old man” is still with us as well and it is in a constant battle with this “new man.”

Application

As we said, the law of God is not something that Christians should fear, but we also know that obeying it does not make us holy or righteous. We should feel good when we are obedient to God, but we should also recognize that our sin nature will cause us to break God’s law. Thank God for confession and for His grace!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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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:e-mail address