Tag: gave

Ephesians 5:2 – The Love Offering

Posted on by Will

And walk in love, as Christ also loved you and gave Himself for you, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.

Truth to Learn

God gave us a sacrifice of love. We should give Him the same.

 

Behind the Words

Peripateō is the Greek word translated “walk.” It is composed of peri, meaning “around” and pateō, meaning “to walk.” Thus, it literally means “to walk around.” It is used here and elsewhere as a metaphor for how one lives one’s life.

The word translated “gave” is paradidōmi, which is made up of para, meaning “to the side of” or “over to” and didōmi, meaning “to give.” Paradidōmi means “to deliver over to the power of someone else,” as a prisoner is delivered over to the executioner. It is expressed here in the aorist tense indicating a single event having occurred in the past.

“Offering” is from prosphora, which is composed of pros, meaning “to or toward” and a form of pherō, meaning “to bring” or “to bear.” This word refers to something which has been “brought forward to an altar,” that is, an offering.

The word “sacrifice” is translated from thusia, which is derived from the verb thuō, meaning “to kill and offer as a sacrifice.”

“Sweet-smelling” is from euōdia, which is composed of eu, meaning “good or well” and ozō, meaning “to smell.”

“Fragrance” is from the Greek word osmē, which refers to “a smell” or “an odor” of any kind.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter the Apostle Paul instructed us on how to take off our “old man” and put on the “new man.” Then, he told us to imitate God, since we are His children. Now, he tells us the most fundamental principle for living a successful Christian life, “walk in love.” This fundamental principle is one that permeates the Bible from beginning to end.

When God gave the Law to Moses, He began the process by giving him two tables of stone with the Ten Commandments carved in them. The first four of these commandments indicate how to have a loving relationship with God and the last six indicate how to have a loving relationship with others. Also, when Jesus was asked by one of the Pharisees “which is the great commandment in the law?” this is how He responded.

And Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)

Notice, however, that God does not ask us to do anything that He has not already done for us. God loved us so much that He provided a way for us sinners to have all our sins forgiven. He sacrificed His only begotten son so that we can know Him, fellowship with Him, and spend eternity with Him.

 

Application

Since God was willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for our sakes, shouldn’t we be willing to sacrifice this life we have for Him. We do that by showing to everyone around us a self-sacrificing love for them. We can do that, but only through the empowering of His Holy Spirit. Are you willing to try?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 1:22 – Supreme Authority

Posted on by Will

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins and He is now your supreme authority with regard to all things physical and spiritual.

 

Behind the Words

The words “put … under” are translated from hupotassō, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tassō, meaning “to place in an orderly arrangement.” Thus, hupotassō means “to intentionally place in a lower position.”

“Gave” is from the Greek verb didōmi, which means “to give” or “to grant.”

The word “head” is from the noun kephalē, which refers to “a head.” It can refer to the physical head of a body or, metaphorically, it can refer to “the supreme position of authority” as it does here.

“All” is the translation of the Greek word pas. It is expressed here in the neuter gender. Therefore, it refers to “all things.”

The Greek word ekklēsia is translated “church.” Ekklēsia is made up of ek, meaning “out” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” So, ekklēsia refers to something that has been “called out.” Originally, this word referred to an assembly of citizens who were called out by civil authorities. It is used throughout the New Testament, however, to refer to the church, either a local assembly or the world-wide church. The church is a reference to all of us who have been called out of the world system into God’s family.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about the awesome power that God displayed when He raised Jesus Christ from the dead. As He did this, He also seated Jesus at His right hand, the position of greatest honor. In this position He is far above all of creation, both physical and spirit. This is an indication of the supreme position of honor in which Jesus has been placed. Now, to emphasize the point a little bit more, Paul says that God the Father also put all of creation beneath His feet. This is a direct fulfillment of the words spoken in the Psalms:

You have made him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, (Psalms 8:6)

In other words, Jesus Christ is not only supreme in honor, but He is also supreme in authority. All of creation must submit to the authority of Jesus Christ or face the outpouring of His wrath. Those who submit to His authority during this life will not experience His wrath at the judgment. Notice that as Christians, we are commanded to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ and we are commanded to submit to each other as well, as Paul teaches later in this letter (see Ephesians 5:21).

As supreme authority over all of creation, Jesus has also been given a special position with regard to all Christians. He is our Lord individually, but He is also placed in the highest position regarding the church. He is the head of the church. That is, He is our supreme spiritual authority. 

 

Application

As a Christian, you have humbled yourself before God and accepted the blood of Jesus as payment for your sins. At the same time, you placed yourself under His authority. Jesus Christ is not only your Savior, He is your Lord and Master.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 1:22 – Supreme Authority

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 1:22  – Supreme Authority

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins and He is now your supreme authority with regard to all things physical and spiritual.

Behind the Words

The words “put … under” are translated from hupotassō, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tassō, meaning “to place in an orderly arrangement.” Thus, hupotassō means “to intentionally place in a lower position.”

“Gave” is from the Greek verb didōmi, which means “to give” or “to grant.”

The word “head” is from the noun kephalē, which refers to “a head.” It can refer to the physical head of a body or, metaphorically, it can refer to “the supreme position of authority.”

“All” is the translation of the Greek word pas. It is expressed here in the neuter gender. Therefore, it refers to “all things.”

The Greek word ekklēsia is translated “church.” Ekklēsia is made up of ek, meaning “out” and a form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” So, ekklēsia refers to something that has been “called out.” Originally, this word referred to an assembly of citizens who were called out by civil authorities. It is used throughout the New Testament to refer to a church, either a local assembly or the world-wide church.

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about the awesome power that God displayed when He raised Jesus Christ from the dead. As He did this, He also seated Jesus at His right hand, the position of greatest honor. In this position He is far above all of creation, both physical and spirit. This is an indication of the supreme position of honor in which Jesus has been placed. Now, to emphasize the point a little bit more, Paul says that God the Father also put all of creation beneath His feet. This is a direct fulfillment of the words spoken in the Psalms:

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, (Psalms 8:6)

In other words, Jesus Christ is not only supreme in honor, but He is also supreme in authority. All of creation must submit to the authority of Jesus Christ or face the outpouring of His wrath. Those who submit to His authority during this life will not experience His wrath at the judgment. Notice that as Christians, we are commanded to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ and we are commanded to submit to each other as well, as Paul teaches later in this letter (see Ephesians 5:21).

As supreme authority over all of creation, Jesus has also been given a special position with regard to all Christians. He is our Lord individually, but He is also placed in the highest position regarding the church. He is our spiritual authority.

Application

As a Christian, you have humbled yourself before God and accepted the blood of Jesus as payment for your sins. At the same time, you placed yourself under His authority.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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