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Ephesians 5:11 – Be Light – Expose Darkness

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Will

And have no partnership with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Truth to Learn

Christians should always do what is right, avoid what is wrong, and expose evil for what it is.

Behind the Words

The words “have … partnership” are translated from the Greek verb sungkoinōneō, which is made up of sun, meaning “together with” and koinōneō, meaning “to participate, to have fellowship, to share things in common, or to be in partnership with.” The prefix sun indicates that this is more than ordinary fellowship; it implies a stronger, mutual relationship, that is, a partnership..

“Unfruitful” is from akarpos, made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and karpos, meaning fruit. Thus, this word refers to something that is barren, not producing any fruit.

“Rather” is translated from mallon, which is the comparative of mala, meaning “very.” So we can see that mallon compares two things but giving more emphasis on the second. When combined with the Greek word de (“but” or “and”), it means “but more so.”

The word “expose” is from elegchō, which in Classical Greek meant “to shame” or “to disgrace.” In New Testament Greek, however, it means “to rebuke or to chastise,” that is, “to stand against something and expose it for what it really is.”

Meaning Explained

Back in verse eight Paul commanded us to walk like children of light. As God’s children we are to show forth the light of goodness, righteousness, and truth, which things are the evidence of our being part of God’s family. Then, in yesterday’s verse, Paul told us that by living like children of light, we discover what pleases our Father.

As we saw earlier, Paul’s teaching style is such that he often tells us what not to do as well as what to do. Here is another example, although here he tells us what to do before telling us what not to do. The thing we are to do is “Walk like children of light.” The thing we are not to do is “have no partnership with the unfruitful works of darkness.” Notice that when we walk like children of light, we produce fruit, but the works of darkness do not produce fruit. If you read through the gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke, you will see several references to trees that do not bear good fruit; they are to be cut down and cast into the fire (Matthew 3:10, Matthew 7:19, Luke 3:9, Luke 13:7, 9). Likewise, when Christians stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, our works will be judged. Those which are good will produce rewards, but those which are worthless (unfruitful) will be burned up in the fire.

But, Paul does not stop there. We are not to simply avoid the fruitless works of darkness; we are to expose them for what they really are and stand against them. The world that we live in is controlled by Satan (see Ephesians 2:2, John 14:30, John 16:11, & 2Corinthians 4:4) and his influence seems to be getting stronger daily. It’s not politically correct to be critical of others, but when we see ungodliness, we need to call it what it is, rather than ignoring it or sweeping it under the rug.

Application

Are you living for God? Is He your supreme authority? Are you doing all you can to be pleasing to Him? Well done! But, are you exposing and resisting evil at the same time? That’s what light does to darkness. Be light in a dark world.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 3:9 – New Truths

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Will

and to enlighten all, what is the administration of the mystery, hidden from eternity past in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

Truth to Learn

God has revealed new truths during the church age.

Behind the Words

The words “to enlighten” are translated from the Greek verb photidzō, which is based on phos, meaning “light.” Photidzō means “to give light to;” that is, “to illuminate,” to bring to light,” or “to make known.”

The word “administration” is written as “fellowship” in some translations. “Fellowship” is from the noun koinōnia, which is related to the verb koinōneō, meaning “to share.” Koinōnia refers to communal sharing, fellowship, or participation. In the better manuscripts, however, the Greek word oikonomia is used. In verse two we learned that oikonomia refers to “administration” or “stewardship.”

“Hidden” is from apokruptō, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and kruptō, meaning “to hide.” Thus it means “to hide away.” It is expressed here as a perfect participle, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, with emphasis on the effect.

The words “from eternity past” are translated from “apo tōn aiōnōn.” Apo means “from” and tōn is the definite article (the). The word aiōnōn is a form of aiōn, meaning “an indefinitely long period of time.” It is often translated “age” and sometimes translated “eternity.” Paul’s meaning here is “from eternity past” or “from the beginning of time.”

Ktidzō is the Greek word translated “created.” In the writings of Homer the word is used to describe the founding of a city. Here it refers to the creation of something where nothing previously existed.

The words “through Jesus Christ” do not exist in the best manuscripts, although it is clearly taught elsewhere in Scripture that Jesus Christ was the instrument of creation.

Meaning Explained

As you can see from our discussion above, the major Greek manuscripts differ in a couple of places in this verse. However, as with nearly all textual variants, the truth being taught here is not significantly different between them.

Since verse three Paul has been talking about a mystery. You may recall that the word translated “mystery” refers to something that has previously been hidden but now is revealed. We learned a few verses back that the mystery he is talking about is the fact that the Gentiles and the Jews are jointly part of God’s holy temple. That is, the Gentiles now share in the promises made to the Jews, they are part of the same body, and they are fellow heirs of God’s eternal estate.

In yesterday’s verse, Paul said that he, being less than the least of all the saints, was granted the privilege and responsibility of preaching the Gospel message to the Gentiles. In that verse he referred to the message he is commissioned to proclaim as “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” The riches that he referred to are an expression of how precious this salvation by faith really is. There is not enough money in the entire world to purchase this salvation. Therefore, it can’t be purchased; it can only be received as a gift.

In the current verse he tells us that he also has been given the responsibility of enlightening all of mankind about the stewardship of this mystery. In other words, Paul’s task is to proclaim the Gospel and explain how the Jews and Gentiles are now one in Christ. The remainder of this verse is best explained along with verse ten.

Application

We are living in an age (period of time since the death of Jesus Christ) in which new truths about God have been revealed. Most of the world, however, is ignoring these truths and living in ignorance. How are you living in light of what you have learned?

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:9 – Called Into Eternal Fellowship

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Will

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Truth to Learn

Christians are called into fellowship with God, forever.

Behind the Words

Pistos is the Greek word translated “faithful.” It is based on the verb peithō, meaning “to win over” or “to persuade.” The word pistos means “worthy of belief, trust, or confidence.”

The words “you were called” are from the verb kaleō, which literally means “to call to someone in order that he may come or go somewhere.” It is expressed here in the passive voice, indicating something done to the subject (you) and in the aorist tense, indicating an action that was done at a point in time in the past.

The word “into” is translated from the preposition eis. It literally refers to motion into, or unto, a place or thing. It carries the idea of moving from outside to inside. There is another Greek preposition, en, which indicates a position “in a place or thing,” but it does not contain the idea of movement as eis does, only the final position.

“Fellowship” is translated from koinōnia, which is based on the verb koinōneō, meaning “to share with, to participate with, or to have things in common with.” Thus, koinōnia refers to a condition in which someone shares things in common with others.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just told the Corinthian Christians that God will preserve them as blameless until Jesus Christ comes to give them their eternal bodies and take them home to His Father. He now tells us another marvelous truth about God: He is faithful. In other words, whatever God promises, He fulfills. Faithfulness is part of who God is and He never changes. Therefore, He is always going to do what He says He will do. This adds more firmness to the statement in the previous verse that God will preserve us blameless until the end.

Now Paul couples God’s faithfulness with our calling. Although the word kaleō sounds to us like simply an invitation, when used of God it always represents an effectual call. Paul gives us a little more information about this calling in his letter written to the Romans:

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)

This verse tells us that God determined ahead of time that we would be saved. It also tells us that those whom He predestined, he also called. And, it tells us that those whom He called, he also justified. In other words, everyone who is called by God is given the righteousness of Christ; we are justified, that is, declared to be guiltless of any and all sin. This is sometimes referred to as God’s effectual call.

Today’s verse tells us a little more about our calling. We have been called into fellowship with Jesus Christ. This is important, especially given that Paul is about to scold the Corinthians for all the factions and divisions within their church.

Application

Every Christian has been called by God for a purpose. That purpose is to serve Him in spreading the Gospel and building up the body of Christ. God will never give up on you, so don’t give up on him. Get to work and give Him your all!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 3:9 – New Truths

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Will

Ephesians 3:9 – New Truths

and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

Truth to Learn

God has revealed new truths during the church age.

Behind the Words

The words “to make … see” are translated from the Greek verb photidzō, which is based on phos, meaning “light.” Photidzō means “to give light to;” that is, “to illuminate,” to bring to light,” or “to make known.”

“Fellowship” is from the noun koinōnia, which is related to the verb koinōneō, meaning “to share.” Koinōnia refers to communal sharing, fellowship, or participation. In the older manuscripts, however, this word is not used; instead, oikonomia is used. In verse two we learned that oikonomia refers to “administration” or “stewardship.”

The expression “the beginning of the ages” is translated from “apo tōn aiōnōn.” Apo means “from” and tōn is the definite article (the). The word aiōnōn is a form of aiōn, meaning “an indefinitely long period of time.” It is often translated “age” and sometimes translated “eternity.” Paul’s meaning here is probably “from eternity past” or “from the beginning of time.”

The words “has been hidden” is from apokruptō, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and kruptō, meaning “to hide.” Thus it means “to hide away.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, with emphasis on the effect.

Meaning Explained

Since verse three Paul has been talking about a mystery. You may recall that the word translated “mystery” refers to something that has previously been unknown but now is revealed. We learned a few verses back that the mystery he is talking about is the fact that the Gentiles and the Jews are jointly part of God’s holy temple. That is, the Gentiles now share in the promises made to the Jews, they are part of the same body, and they are fellow heirs of God’s eternal estate.

In yesterday’s verse, Paul said that he, being less than the least of all the saints, was granted the privilege and responsibility of preaching the Gospel message to the Gentiles. In that verse he referred to the message he is commissioned to proclaim as “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” The riches that he referred to are an expression of how precious this salvation by faith is. There is not enough money in the entire world to purchase this salvation. Therefore, it can’t be purchased; it can only be received as a gift.

In the current verse he tells us he also has been given the responsibility of enlightening all of mankind about the administration of this mystery. In other words, Paul is to proclaim the Gospel and explain how the Jews and Gentiles are now one in Christ. The remainder of this verse is best explained along with verse ten.

Application

We are living in an age (since the death of Jesus Christ) in which new truths about God have been revealed. Most of the world, however, is ignoring these truths and living in ignorance. How are you living in light of what you have learned?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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1 Peter 4:13 – Joyful Suffering

Posted on February 23, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:13

but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Truth to Learn

We should be happy when we suffer as followers of Christ.

Behind the Words

“Rejoice” is from chairō, meaning “to have joy” or “to be well.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command for us to be joyful.

The word “partake” is translated from koinōneō, meaning “to have things in common with” or “to participate in.”

“Sufferings” is from the Greek word pathēma, meaning “that which is suffered.”

Meaning Explained

Peter just told us not to be surprised at the fiery trial (the adversity) that is currently happening to us and that we are not to think that such adversities are strange. Here’s what Paul said:

all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:2)

Therefore, we shouldn’t think it unusual if we are being persecuted for trying to live godly lives. Instead of thinking it strange, we should rejoice in the midst of our persecution and suffering. Say what?! Are we supposed to be some kind of masochist and get really excited when we encounter pain and suffering? No, that’s not what Peter is saying. He is saying that we should rejoice because we are sharing in Christ’s suffering. Paul said to the Philippians:

I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death (Philippians 3:10)

And we should be willing, yes even desirous, of being identified as one of His, even in our suffering. James also said:

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials (James 1:2)

James even taught us that we will grow from these trials. And keep in mind what our Lord, Himself, told us:

Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11,12)

Any personal relationship is strengthened when both parties in the relationship share common experiences, especially if they are difficult or painful experiences. God wants us to develop a closer relationship with Him, and one of the ways we can do this is by sharing in the suffering of Christ.

Application

If we are suffering because of our godly witness and our testimony as followers of Christ, then we are, in fact, suffering with Him. As a result, we will be glad with exceeding joy when Christ comes back in His glory. We will be glad because He with whom we have suffered, with whom we now have a closer personal relationship, is returning as the conquering King who will receive all the glory He is due! Give Him praise!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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