Tag: euangelion

Romans 1:1 – Our Master’s Slave

Posted on by Will

Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

Truth to Learn

All Christians need to recognize that they are God’s slaves.

 

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “slave” is doulos, which means, “a slave, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another.”

The words “called an apostle” are translated from kletos apostolos. Kletos is an adjective meaning “one who is called, invited, or appointed.” The word apostolos means “one who has been sent with a message.” Hence, Paul is saying that he was specifically called out by God and sent with a message.

“Separated” is from aphoridzō, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and horidzō, meaning “to define.” It means “to separate” or “to select to some office or work.” The Pharisees, the sect that Paul was part of before his conversion, got their name from this word. Paul is probably making a play on words here in the opening of this letter.

The word “gospel” is the Greek word euangelion, which is a compound word made up of eu, meaning “good” and a form of angellō, which means “to proclaim a message.” Hence, the word translated “gospel” really means “good news” or “a good message.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul starts off his epistle (letter) in the manner which was customary for a teacher or person of authority, that is, by identifying who the epistle is from. Usually within the opening phrase, the writer and the intended audience were both identified. Paul deviates from this, however, by giving a thorough treatise on why he is the appropriate person to be sending this doctrinal letter. He doesn’t get to who this epistle is written to until verse seven.

You will notice that he uses his Greek name (Paul) rather than his Hebrew name (Saul). This is either because he wants to show that as a result of his conversion to Christianity he is a completely new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17), or because he is the recognized apostle to the Gentiles and he is writing to Christians in the Gentile world of Rome.

He, like other New Testament writers, refers to himself as a slave. We Christians all need to remember that we have been bought with a price and we are no longer our own, but we are the property of our Master. That’s easy to forget when we wander through this life seeking our own satisfaction, but we need to remember whose we are and constantly submit our will to His.

The thing that I want us all to take away from today’s verse is the fact that even the great Apostle Paul recognizes and makes a specific point of the fact that he is not the master but the servant. Our sin nature, along with the lustful “pride of life” stimulated so strongly by worldly advertisements, is constantly trying to make self the master, not the slave.

 

Application

Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior not only receives salvation but, at the same time, gives Lordship to Jesus Christ. In other words, when we were saved from our sins, we became the permanent property of our Lord, and we should not be seeking our own desires and will but His. His will is that we obey Him and submit to Him.

Are you a submitted slave today?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 2:14 – Let Your Light Shine!

Posted on by Will

to which He called you by our gospel, unto the acquisition of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

In heaven we will shine with the brilliant glory of God.

 

Behind the Words

The word “called” is translated from kaleō, which means “to invite someone to come or to go somewhere or do something.”

“Gospel” is from euangellion, which is a compound word made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of angello, meaning “to proclaim” or “to tell.” Thus, euangellion literally means “good news.”

Peripoiēsis is the Greek noun translated “acquisition.” This word is composed of peri, meaning “around,” indicating acquisition, and poieō, meaning “to make” or “to do.” Thus, the noun peripoiēsis literally means, “the things gathered around oneself.” It is a picture of someone gathering possessions all around himself or herself. The verb form of this word is most often translated as “gather, acquire, or purchase.”

The word “glory” is from the Greek noun doxa, which primarily means “thought or opinion, especially favorable human opinion.” In a secondary sense it means “reputation, praise, honor, or splendor.” Doxa is often used to refer to the splendid appearance or brightness of God’s Shekinah glory. This seems to be the sense in which it is used here.

 

Meaning Explained

Once again we have a verse that is linked to a previous thought, so we have to look back at a previous verse to see what the connection is. The words “to which” are a reference to “salvation” in the previous verse. Not only were we chosen by God for salvation, as we learned in yesterday’s verse, but He then called us to this salvation by the gospel message.

This is a good verse for those who claim that if God chose who would be saved, then we don’t have to worry about witnessing to others. After all, if God chose them, then they’ll get saved without us having to do anything. However, according to Paul in this verse, it is through the proclamation of the gospel message that we are called to salvation. This should be very familiar to those who have carefully read the eighth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. There he said,

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:30)

Also notice that both in Romans 8:30 and in today’s verse, the ultimate consummation of our salvation will be that we will have the same magnificent glory as God. I believe that the reason Adam and Eve suddenly knew that they were naked after eating the forbidden fruit is because they lost this glory. In the future, when we are completely justified (without sin) we will have the same Shekinah glory as God. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were no longer justified and lost that glory. And, the prophet Daniel alluded to this glory when he said,

Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

 

Application

Some day we will shine as brightly as the stars. Until that day, let your gospel light shine and share the good news with everyone you meet.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:15 – Stand Firm!

Posted on by Will

and having shod the feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Truth to Learn

We have a firm standing in our salvation.

 

Behind the Words

“Having shod” is translated from the verb hupodeō, which is a compound word made up of hupo, meaning “under” and deō, meaning “to bind.” So literally, this word means “to bind under.” This verb means “to fasten sandals to your feet” or “to put on shoes.”

The word “feet” is translated from the Greek word pous, which means “foot.” The plural of pous is poda. Many medical terms are based on Greek, so a doctor who specializes in feet is called a Doctor of Podiatry.

“Preparation” is from the Greek word hetoimasia, which is based on the verb hetoimadzō, meaning “to prepare” or “to make ready.” However, in early Greek this word referred to “a foundation” or “a solid base.”

“Gospel” is translated from euangelion, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of the verb angellō, meaning “to proclaim, announce, or tell.” Thus, euangelion refers to “a good message” or “good news.”

 

Meaning Explained

In these past few verses the Apostle Paul has been instructing us regarding the daily battle that we are engaged in with the spiritual forces of evil. As God’s children we are also God’s soldiers fighting these one-on-one wrestling matches with things we cannot see. Paul’s purpose in telling us about these battles is to prepare us for them so that we can know daily victory in our Christian walk.

He already told us to stand fast against the enemy forces, and in order to win the battles we need to have our armor in place. Yesterday we learned about the importance of knowing the truth contained in God’s word. This truth acts as a foundation garment to support the rest of our armor. The other thing we learned yesterday was to put on righteousness as a breastplate. This is not our own righteousness, for we have none in and of ourselves. However, because we have Christ’s righteousness, God sees us as with the righteousness of Jesus Christ Himself.

The next part of our armor is our shoes. A Roman soldier had heavy sandals which had nails, or spikes, protruding from the bottom. This gave him a firm footing so that he could effectively leverage his power against the enemy. This is probably Paul’s meaning. Yes, we need to be prepared to share the Gospel message with others, but that is an act of peace and reconciliation, not an act of war. What Paul is referring to here is for us to have a firm standing in our understanding that because we have believed the good news about Christ’s death on the cross, we are at peace with God. All of our sins have been forgiven and we will not experience His wrath. Instead, we will know His eternal love.

 

Application

If you have confessed Christ as your Lord and Savior and have accepted His blood as payment for your sins, you are at peace with God. As we have said elsewhere, that salvation can’t be taken away from you and you can’t give it back. If you are saved, you are eternally secure. Without that knowledge, you are an easy mark for the enemy. With that knowledge of security, you can stand firm in the gospel of peace!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 2:14 – Let Your Light Shine!

Posted on by Will

to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

In heaven we will shine with the brilliant glory of God.

Behind the Words

The word “called” is translated from kaleō, which means “to invite someone to come or to go somewhere or do something.”

“Gospel” is from euangellion, which is a compound word made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of angello, meaning “to proclaim” or “to tell.” Thus, euangellion means “good news.”

Peripoiēsis is the Greek word translated “obtaining.” This word is composed of peri, meaning “around,” indicating acquisition, and poieō, meaning “to make” or “to do.” Thus, peripoiēsis literally means, “gathering things around oneself.” It is a picture of someone gathering possessions all around himself or herself. It is most often translated as “gather, acquire, or purchase.”

The word “glory” is from the Greek noun doxa, which primarily means “thought or opinion, especially favorable human opinion.” In a secondary sense it means “reputation, praise, honor, or splendor.” Doxa is often used to refer to the splendid appearance or brightness of God’s Shekinah glory. This seems to be the sense in which it is used here.

Meaning Explained

Once again we have a verse that is linked to a previous thought, so we have to look back at a previous verse to see what the connection is. The words “to which” are a reference to “salvation” in the previous verse. Not only were we chosen by God for salvation, as we learned in yesterday’s verse, but He then called us to this salvation by the gospel message.

This is a good verse for those who claim that if God chose who would be saved, then we don’t have to worry about witnessing to others. After all, if God chose them, then they’ll get saved without us having to do anything. However, according to Paul in this verse, it is through the proclamation of the gospel message that we are called to salvation. This should be very familiar to those who have carefully read the eighth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. There he said,

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:30)

Also notice that both in Romans 8:30 and in today’s verse, the ultimate consummation of our salvation will be that we will have the same magnificent glory as God. I believe that the reason Adam and Eve suddenly knew that they were naked after eating the forbidden fruit is because they lost this glory. In the future, when we are completely justified (without sin) we will have the same Shekinah glory as God. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were no longer justified and lost that glory. And, the prophet Daniel alluded to this glory when he said,

Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

Application

Some day we will shine as brightly as the stars. Until that day, let your gospel light shine and share the good news with everyone you meet.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Ephesians 6:15 – Stand Firm!

Posted on by Will

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Truth to Learn

We have a firm standing in our salvation.

Behind the Words

“Having shod” is translated from the verb hupodeō, which is a compound word made up of hupo, meaning “under” and deō, meaning “to bind.” So literally, this word means “to bind under.” This verb means “to fasten sandals to your feet” or “to put on shoes.”

The word “feet” is translated from the Greek word pous, which means “foot.” The plural of pous is poda. Many medical terms are based on Greek, so a doctor who specializes in feet is called a Doctor of Podiatry.

“Preparation” is from the Greek word hetoimasia, which is based on the verb hetoimadzō, meaning “to prepare” or “to make ready.” However, in early Greek this word referred to “a foundation” or “a solid base.”

“Gospel” is translated from euangelion, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of the verb angellō, meaning “to proclaim, announce, or tell.” Thus, euangelion refers to “a good message” or “good news.”

Meaning Explained

In these past few verses the Apostle Paul has been instructing us regarding the daily battle that we are engaged in with the spiritual forces of evil. As God’s children we are also God’s soldiers fighting these one-on-one wrestling matches with things we cannot see. Paul’s purpose in telling us about these battles is to prepare us for them so that we can know daily victory in our Christian walk.

He already told us to stand fast against the enemy forces, and in order to win the battles we need to have our armor in place. Yesterday we learned about the importance of knowing the truth contained in God’s word. This truth acts as a foundation garment to support the rest of our armor. The other thing we learned yesterday was to put on righteousness as a breastplate. This is not our own righteousness, for we have none in and of ourselves. However, because we have Christ’s righteousness, God sees us as with the righteousness of Jesus Christ Himself.

The next part of our armor is our shoes. A Roman soldier had heavy sandals which had nails, or spikes, protruding from the bottom. This gave him a firm footing so that he could effectively leverage his power against the enemy. This is probably Paul’s meaning. Yes, we need to be prepared to share the Gospel message with others, but that is an act of peace and reconciliation, not an act of war. What Paul is referring to here is for us to have a firm standing in our understanding that because we have believed the good news about Christ’s death on the cross, we are at peace with God. All of our sins have been forgiven and we will not experience His wrath. Instead, we will know His eternal love.

Application

If you have confessed Christ as your Lord and Savior and have accepted His blood as payment for your sins, you are at peace with God. As we have said elsewhere, that salvation can’t be taken away from you and you can’t give it back. If you are saved, you are eternally secure. Without that knowledge, you are an easy mark for the enemy. With that knowledge of security, you can stand firm in the gospel of peace!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.