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2 Thessalonians 1:8 – Righteous Blazing Fire

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Will

in blazing fire giving vengeance to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Truth to Learn

God will judge unbelievers, so we don’t need to.

Behind the Words

“Blazing” is translated from the Greek word phlox, which refers to “a flame or a blazing fire.” It is sometimes translated as “flaming.”

The word “fire” is from pur, which refers to something that is burning. When combined with phlox, as it is in today’s verse, it refers to a hot, blazing fire.

Didomi is the Greek word translated “giving.” Some translations have this as “taking” but actually, the primary meaning of didomi is “to give” rather than “to take.”

“Vengeance” is translated from ekdikēsis. This word is made up of ek, meaning “out” and a form of dikē, meaning justice. Thus, ekdikēsis refers to handing out a just sentence. It is sometimes translated as retaliation or punishment.

The verb “know” is from eidō, meaning “to see” or “to perceive.” Since knowing something is like “seeing with the mind,” it is often translated as “to know.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the effect.

“Obey” is from the Greek verb hupakouō, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and akouō, meaning “to hear.” It is a picture of a disciple listening attentively to his or her master and obeying the instruction given.

Meaning Explained

In verse six Paul told us that it is a righteous, or proper, thing for God to repay with tribulation those people who have been persecuting the Christians in Thessalonica. Now in this verse and the next, Paul tells how God will repay them. He says here that God will give a just sentence to them. That just sentence, according to Paul, is blazing fire. This is a clear description of hellfire. Observe that it is God who hands out this judgment. In his letter to the Roman Christians Paul said:

Beloved, do not take revenge yourselves, but leave room for wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

The words translated “revenge” and “vengeance” are from the verb form and noun form of ekdikēsis, the same as in the current verse. So, Paul is telling the Romans that it is not up to them (or us) to be judge, jury, and executioner. We may be suffering from persecution and injustice from non-believers, but we can rest in the fact that not only has God prepared a glorious future for us, He will also repay our persecutors with a just sentence.

Now, let’s take a look at the two main characteristics of those who are persecuting us and causing us tribulation. Paul says that they “do not know God” and they “do not obey the gospel.” As we discussed in Behind the Words, this word “know” indicates a perception or awareness of God. They either refuse to believe that there is a God, or the god they choose to worship is not the true God. As a result, they don’t believe the truth that He has communicated to all mankind, that we are all sinners and that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has paid the price for our sins.

Application

When you suffer for being a Christian or for proclaiming the Gospel message, don’t be discouraged. Know that God will bless you and will judge those who are persecuting you.

In God's service, for His glory,

James 3:6 – The Inflaming Tongue

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Will

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. So the tongue is set among our members defiling the whole body, and inflaming the course of nature; and it is inflamed by hell.

Truth to Learn

Our tongue, like an out of control fire, is the source of much of our sinfulness.

Behind the Words

The word “fire” in this verse is from the Greek word pur which means “fire.” However, it is also the word that is specifically used of lightning, indicating the rapidity and unexpected nature of the fire.

The word “unrighteousness” comes from the Greek adikia, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” and a form of dikē, which means justice or righteousness. Hence, adikia refers to anything which is “unjust, unrighteous, or morally wrong.”

The word translated “defiling” is from spilos, which means “a stain” or “a blemish.” In the Greek text this word is expressed as a participle, so it could be rendered, “defiling” or “staining.”

“Course of nature” is translated from trochon tēs geneseōs, which literally means “wheel of birth.” That is to say, the wheel which is set in motion at birth and runs on th the close of life. Thus, it is a figurative description of human life. Metaphorically it refers to the entire circuit, or pathway, of life.

The word “inflaming” is a form of phlogidzō, which means “to set on fire.” It is expressed here as a present, passive participle, which implies continuous action done to the subject (course of nature).

Finally, the word translated “hell” in this verse is gehenna. Gehenna is a reference to the valley of Hinnom, on the south side of the city of Jerusalem, where trash and refuse were constantly burned. Because of the unceasing fire there, it came to mean an eternal fire, which is thus interpreted as “hell.”

Meaning Explained

This is one of the more difficult passages of James to interpret because of his use of so many odd or obscure words. He literally says that the tongue is “the world of unrighteousness.” That is, the tongue personifies all that is unrighteous. As was pointed out in verse two, we are all sinners. This is because we all have a sin nature and our sin nature is often revealed by our words. Hence, our tongue is the ambassador for the world of our sin nature and thereby stains, or defiles, all that we do. In other words, the tongue reveals the most basic unrighteousness in us, kindling the worst fires in the entire course of our life.

James is telling us that even though the tongue is only a small member of our body, it is a rapid fire starter, causing sin. Therefore it blemishes our entire being and continually inflames all of our being into a fire like that of Hell itself.

Lest we give up without even trying, however, let’s remember that God’s grace is greater than our sin. And through the power of the Spirit of God we can control our tongue.

Application

Wow! No wonder James said earlier that the man who can control his tongue is a fully mature Christian. I hope I get there someday soon, how about you? Don’t relax just yet, though. James has lots more to say about the tongue. Apparently, he felt that it was a subject about which we all need a lot of teaching.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 3:15 – Enduring or Flammable?

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Will

If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Truth to Learn

We need to build with enduring works, not flammable works.

Behind the Words

Katakaiō is the Greek word translated “burned.” It is made up of kata, meaning “down,” used here as an intensifier and kaiō, meaning “to set on fire” or “to burn.” Thus, katakaiō means “to burn down” or “to burn up completely.” It is expressed here in the future tense, indicating action that will take place in the future.

The words “will suffer loss” are from the Greek verb dzēmioō, meaning “to bring loss upon someone” to “to suffer damage or loss.” This verb is also expressed in the future tense, indicating action that will take place in the future.

“Will be saved” is the translation of the verb sōdzō, meaning “to preserve safe from danger, loss, or destruction,” or “to keep alive.” Like the previous two verbs, this is expressed in the future tense.

Pur is the word translated “fire.” Although it is occasionally used metaphorically, here it is used as a reference to literal fire.

Meaning Explained

As we have pointed out previously, Paul has been scolding the Christians in Corinth about the divisions which had sprung up in the church. By direct application, the teachings of this third chapter refer to the teachers and preachers in the church who had either directly or indirectly caused such divisions. However, by indirect application we can see that Paul is writing about every member of the church, since each one of us has a responsibility to build up the body of Christ. Preachers and teachers need to be especially careful that what they say is based on the truth of the Word. James, in speaking directly to those who teach in the church declared this warning:

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (James 3:1)

Keep in mind that we are all responsible for building on the foundation that has been laid. The work we do in building up the church will undergo the fire test. That which we do in humble submission to God, for His praise and glory, will endure the flames. Those acts of service that we do carelessly or for our own glory will all go up in flames and we will lose any profit we may have expected from them.

Nonetheless, we will not be consumed by the fire. Remember that this is referring to the judgment of our works, not the judgment of our souls. This is not a reference to the fire of Hell. Christians will not experience such tormenting flame. This is a judgment of our works. Notice that Paul says, “if anyone’s work is completely burned up.”

Also notice that Paul says that as our worthless works are burned up, we will be saved. Again, this is not a reference to our eternal salvation, but to the fact that we will not be harmed by the flames that consume our worthless works.

Application

Let’s take a few minutes to evaluate our own works in building up the body. Are they being done in the proper spirit and in submission to God and to the leaders He has placed us under? We need to be doing enduring works, not flammable works.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 3:13 – The Fire Test

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Will

each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.

Truth to Learn

We need to be working in the church for God’s glory.

Behind the Words

“Each one’s” is from the Greek word hekastos, which we saw back in verse five. It refers to “each one” or to “everyone.” It implies specific application to each one separately, not to the group as a whole.

The word “work” is from ergon, meaning “a work or a deed.”

Phaneros is the Greek word translated “clear.” It is derived from phainō, which means “to shine” or “to cause to appear.” Hence, phaneros means “to be publicly apparent.”

The word “declare” is translated from dēloō, meaning “to make known” or “to reveal.”

“Revealed” is from apokaluptō, which is made up of apo, meaning “away from” and kaluptō, meaning “to cover.” Thus, apokaluptō means “to uncover” or “to expose.”

Pur is the Greek word translated “fire.” It refers to literal fire.

The word “test” is from dokimadzō, which means “to test for the purpose of finding good or value.”

Meaning Explained

Paul is talking about work that is being done in building God’s temple on the foundation of Jesus Christ, that is, the work of building the church body. Each and every Christian is responsible for using the gifts given him or her to build up the body of Christ. In verse ten we were told that we each need to take heed how we build on the foundation. In today’s verse Paul tells us why. He says that the work we do will be made publicly evident in “the Day.” Most Biblical scholars agree that this is a reference to the Bema Seat Judgment:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

This is a judgment of our works, not of our sins. Our sins were judged and paid for at the cross. These works will not be used to determine if we are saved or not because the Bema Seat Judgment happens after the rapture when all Christians are already in heaven. Also, notice in verse fifteen that even if our works are burned up, we will still be saved. The purpose of this judgment is to “test each one’s work.” The word translated “test” is dokimadzō, as we pointed out above. It is the word used of testing gold or silver in order to determine its worth. Also notice in verse fourteen that the works which endure the fire will result in a reward.

If we pay close attention to the context of today’s verse, we will see that the works being talked about here are specifically those done to build up the church, the body of Christ. This is of special note to anyone who is not serving in some capacity within the local church or the church universal.

Application

If we are not actively working to build up the church, we may find that we have no works to be judged. However, if we are working to build up the body, we need to be doing so at God’s direction and for His glory or our works may be burned up.

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Thessalonians 1:8 – Righteous Blazing Fire

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Will

in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

God will judge unbelievers, so we don’t need to.

Behind the Words

“Flaming” is translated from the Greek word phlox, which means “to burn brightly.” It could be translated as “blazing.”

The word “fire” is from pur, which refers to something that is burning. When combined with phlox, as it is in today’s verse, it refers to a hot, blazing fire.

Didomi is the Greek word translated “taking.” Actually, the primary meaning of didomi is “to give” rather than “to take.”

“Vengeance” is translated from ekdikēsis. This word is made up of ek, meaning “out” and a form of dikē, meaning justice. Thus, ekdikēsis refers to handing out a just sentence.

The verb “know” is from eidō, meaning “to see” or “to perceive.” It is often translated as “to know.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the effect.

Meaning Explained

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

The words translated “avenge” and “vengeance” are from the verb form and noun form of ekdikēsis, the same as in the current verse. So, Paul is telling the Romans that it is not up to them (or us) to be judge, jury, and executioner. We may be suffering from persecution and injustice from non-believers, but we can rest in the fact that not only has God prepared a glorious future for us, He will also repay our persecutors with a just sentence.

Application

When you suffer for being a Christian or for proclaiming the Gospel message, don’t be discouraged. Know that God will bless you and will judge those who are persecuting you.

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 3:12 – Anticipated Return

Posted on June 29, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:12

as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

Truth to Learn

We should be looking forward to the return of our Lord.

Behind the Words

“Look forward to” is translated from prosdokaō. This is a compound word made up of pros, meaning “unto or toward” and dokaō, which means “to expect or to wait for.”

The expression “speed its coming” is translated from the Greek word, speudō, which means, “to urge on or to hasten with respect to time.” It means that we anxiously desire that something should occur, and we would hasten it if we could.”

Meaning Explained

The scoffers mock us saying that the return of Christ and the Day of Judgment will never come. Actually, deep down inside, they know what they will get when He returns, and secretly they don’t want it to be true. We, on the other hand, should be eagerly looking forward to that day. Peter says that we should “look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”

We should be like a child whose parents have told him that grandma and grandpa are coming, so the child looks out the window every five minutes and even goes out to the street and looks down the street both ways looking for the coming of his or her grandparents. That’s how we should be anticipating His return and we should be urging Him on, even as the Apostle John said in Revelation 22:20,

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Peter then reiterates what will occur as part of the Day of God, “That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt [be let loose] in the heat.” On this final day of God’s judgment the heavens (the entire universe) and the earth will be completely destroyed. This is also described by John in the book of Revelation when he describes the Great White Throne judgment:

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

Application

Are you looking for and urging on the soon return of your Lord and Savior, or are you secretly in fear of the day?

Search your heart!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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2 Peter 3:10 – Fission Judgment

Posted on June 25, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:10

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Truth to Learn

God’s judgment day will be cataclysmic and final.

Behind the Words

The word translated “elements” is the word stoicheia, which means “fundamental or elemental things.” Hence, the term “elements” is an excellent translation of it, referring to the atomic elements of which the entire universe is made.

The word translated “will be destroyed” is a form of luō, meaning “to let loose” or “to release.”

“Laid bare” is translated from katakaiō, a compound word made up of kata, meaning “down” and kaiō, meaning “to burn.” Hence, this word means “to completely consume by fire.”

Meaning Explained

Peter has just told us that the reason that God has delayed His judgment of the unrighteous. It is because He is holding His wrath in check waiting for any who will believe and accept His offer of eternal life. God is not desirous that any should perish, but he has determined that He will “drop the hammer” someday and then the unbelievers will receive the judgment which is due them.

That Day of Judgment is referred to as “the day of the Lord.” Actually, it is not a single 24 hour day; it is a period of time in which God executes His judgment against the wickedness of mankind. There are numerous references to the day of the Lord in the Bible. Here are a few of them: Jeremiah 46:10; Acts 2:20; 1Thessalonians 5:2.

So, is this a reference to the rapture of the church? No! The rapture comes with a trumpet blast and a loud shout. The day of the Lord comes like a thief, by surprise and stealth, when no one expects it. And nearly every reference to the day of the Lord in the Bible identifies it as a day of God’s wrath and vengeance. Even in today’s verse, Peter describes it as a day when cataclysmic things will occur.

One of the most fascinating statements in the entire Bible is found in today’s verse. It says that, “the elements will be let loose with fire.” One of the things that scientists have never figured out is how the positively charged protons at the center of all atoms remain together, since like charges repel each other. Yet, these like charges are actually so tightly bound together that when they are finally separated, it produces a tremendous release of energy in the form of intense heat (nuclear fission). The explanation that scientists give for this tremendous force holding the protons together is “cosmic glue.”

Peter says that these elements will “be let loose.” Notice what this means. God is suddenly going to release every proton from its place, which will produce a roar and fire the likes of which has never been witnessed. “. . .and the earth and everything in it will be completely consumed by fire.”

Application

When all material things have been destroyed, only our works, which we have done either for ourselves or for God, will be left for God to judge. What kind of works are you doing? Are they for you or for God?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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2 Peter 3:7 – Fiery Reservation

Posted on June 22, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 3:7

By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Truth to Learn

Though God will not bring another worldwide flood, He will judge the world and unbelieving people by a fiery judgment.

Behind the Words

The word, “reserved” is translated from thesauridzō. This is based on the word thesauros from which we get our English word thesaurus, meaning “a stored up treasure.” The word thesauridzō is a participle meaning “being laid up,” or “being kept in store,” or “being held in reserve.” This is an accounting term that often refers to treasure that is being kept in reserve for future use.

The word translated “for” in the expression “for the day of judgment” is the Greek word eis, which means “into” or “unto.” It can also be translated “for” or “until.”

The word “ungodly” is translated from the Greek word asebēs made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and a form of sebomai, meaning “to revere” or “to adore.” Hence, we see that this is a reference to those people who have no reverence for God.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Peter stated that the earth and its inhabitants were once judged and destroyed by a flood of water. This flood occurred some forty-five hundred years ago, according to God’s Word. In today’s verse he states that the earth and its inhabitants will someday be destroyed again. The judgment will not be by water this time, for God promised Noah that He would never do that again.

I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. (Genesis 9:13-15)

This time the judgment will be by fire and it will be total destruction. Until that day, however, the current heavens and earth are being kept in store waiting for that day. And, according to Peter, the heavens and the earth are being held in reserve by the Word of God. Some day God’s patience and longsuffering will end and He will once again judge the world.

Peter’s point in these past few verses is that even though there are scoffers who think we are crazy to believe that there ever was a universal flood or that God will cause a cataclysmic judgment of fire, the flood really did happen just as sure as the fire judgment will occur some day in the future. The best (unsaved) scientific minds today are telling us that neither could a universal flood have occurred nor could the earth be judged by great fire.

But we know better!

Application

In light of this fact, what manner of people ought we to be in the presence of a loving God who continues to hold back His judgment so that everyone will have a chance to believe in His Son? Does that affect the way you live? It should!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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