Tag: give thanks

Romans 16:4 – Behind The Scenes

Posted on by Will

who risked their own necks for me, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Truth to Learn

Some of the most important ministries are behind the scenes.

 

Behind the Words

The word “risked” is a metaphorical translation of hupotithēmi. This is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tithēmi, meaning “to place or to put.” So, literally this word means “to place underneath.” It is a word which was used of those who “placed their neck under the axe of the executioner.” The correctness of this metaphorical translation is strengthened by the fact that Paul says it is their “neck” that they “placed underneath.”

Eucharistō is the word translated “give thanks.” This is a word which we have seen before. A transliteration of this word gives us our English word Eucharist, which refers to communion or the Lord ’s Supper. Eucharistō means “to give thanks.”

 

Meaning Explained

From verse three we know that Paul is talking about Priscilla and Aquila, a wife and husband team who were instrumental in assisting Paul in both his secular job and his ministry. He says here that they risked their own necks for him. We don’t know exactly how they did this, for there is no direct scriptural evidence, but we do know that Paul was in physical danger on several occasions. One such time may have been there in Corinth when the Jews accused Paul of breaking the law:

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, "This man persuades others to worship God contrary to the law." (Acts 18:12-13)

Another time that Aquila and Priscilla may have endangered themselves to protect Paul was in Ephesus where there was a great uprising against Christians:

And the whole city was filled with confusion, and with one accord they rushed into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. Paul wanted to go in to the people but the disciples would not allow him. (Acts 19:29-30)

Paul also makes it clear that Aquila and Priscilla were a great help to some of the churches. Again, we don’t know exactly what Paul is referring to but one example of their service to the churches is found again in Ephesus where they provided scriptural training for Apollos, a preacher of the gospel:

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man being mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (Acts 18:24-26)

 

Application

Obviously, Aquila and Priscilla were used by God in the early church by assisting Paul in his ministry and by teaching correct doctrine to those who were gifted in proclaiming it. It seems that their ministry was “behind the scenes” where they worked quietly and fervently. Is this the type of ministry God has called you to? If so, do it faithfully like Aquila and Priscilla.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 2:13 – Believe the Truth

Posted on by Will

But we are obliged to give thanks to God always for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

Truth to Learn

Belief in the truth is of critical importance to everyone.

 

Behind the Words

The word “obliged” is translated from opheilō, which means “to be indebted” or “to owe something to someone.”

“Give thanks” is from the verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to give” or “to grant.” It means “to show oneself grateful” or “to be thankful.”

The Greek word translated “beginning” is archē, meaning “the beginning.” When it is used without a definite article (the) or a direct object, as it is here, it nearly always refers to the very beginning (of time).

Haireō is the verb translated “chose.” This word means “to take.” When expressed in the middle voice (subject acting on itself), as it is here, it means “to take to oneself” or “to choose for oneself.”

“Salvation” is translated from soteria, which means “preservation from danger or destruction.”

The word “sanctification” is hagiasmos, which is based on the verb hagiadzō, meaning “to sanctify.” To sanctify something means to set it apart from common usage unto usage devoted to God. Thus, sanctification carries the meaning of being set apart or separated. Sanctification and holiness are often used interchangeably, both indicating separation from sin and dedication to God.

 

Meaning Explained

Discussion among Christians regarding election versus the responsibility of man is often charged with emotion and bias. Those who hold to the doctrine of election will often quote today’s verse or Ephesians 1:4,

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

While those who hold to the doctrine of “free will” will often quote Romans 10:13,

For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

The fact is that both election (God’s choosing of who will be saved) and the responsibility of man (man’s decision to accept Christ as Lord and Savior) are taught in the New Testament and both are true. We can’t understand how they can both be true anymore than we can understand how God can be three persons and still be one God.

In today’s verse Paul very clearly states that from the beginning (of everything) God chose us for salvation. It was not based on anything we would do, for then it would not be His choice, but ours alone. This choice, according to Paul, was accomplished through an act of the Holy Spirit who set us apart (sanctified us) for Himself and through belief in the truth of the Gospel.

Paul’s reason for talking about this here is not to correct any error in the church, but to contrast the “permanent earth dwellers,” about whom he has been talking, with believers. Those who will follow the antichrist will not believe the truth because God will cause them to believe the lie. We who are saved by the Spirit believe the truth because God chose us to do so.

 

Application

The real key to salvation is belief in God’s truth as presented in the Bible. Do you believe the truth?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Thankful For Everything

Posted on by Will

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Truth to Learn

Christians are to be thankful for everything!

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “everything” is pas, meaning “all.” It includes the idea of plurality, meaning “all the parts” or “every.” In this verse it is expressed as a neuter adjective, so it could be translated as “all things” or “everything.”

“Give thanks” is from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is composed of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant” or “to give.” Thus, eucharisteō means “to express gratitude” or “to give thanks.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the past two verses, Paul has given us a couple of commands regarding Christian attitudes: always rejoicing and ceaseless prayer. He now adds a third attitude that we are to have: giving thanks for everything. This is not the only place in the New Testament where we are told to give thanks for everything. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul said:

giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father, (Ephesians 5:20)

And, in his letter to the Colossians, he said:

And whatever you do in word or in deed, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)

Also, in his letter to the Philippian Christians, Paul said:

Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6)

As with giving praise, however, it is difficult for us to be thankful for situations in which we feel physical or emotional pain. However, James has given us a similar command in the first chapter of his letter:

My brothers, consider it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the proving of your faith brings about patience. But let patience have its completing work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Yes, it’s hard to be filled with joy and to give thanks to God for trials and troubles, but it’s what God expects from Christians. Doing so will produce patience in us, as James told us. But we also know that God will use even these difficult times to produce good, as Paul told the Christians in Rome:

And we know that to those who love God all things work together for good, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Finally, the reason we should give thanks for everything that happens is because it’s God’s will for every Christian. In fact, the grammatical construction in the Greek text indicates that everything in this and the previous two verses (rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything) are part of God’s will for every Christian.

 

Application

Whether we’re healthy or sick, whether we’re rich or poor, whether life is easy or hard, whether we feel like it or not, it is our responsibility to give thanks to God. It is what God wants, it is what He expects, and it is what He deserves. Let’s get on our knees right now and thank God for everything in our lives!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 1:2 – Prayer Warriors

Posted on by Will

We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers,

Truth to Learn

Our ministry should be focused on what God will do for others.

 

Behind the Words

The words “We give thanks” are translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant” or “to give.” The basic meanings of this word include “to show oneself to be pleased or grateful” or “to give thanks.”

“Always” is from pantote, which is a compound word composed of pan, meaning “all” or “every” and tote, which literally means “the when,” but by usage it means “then.” So a completely literal translation of this word would be “every when,” that is, “at all times.”

“Making mention” is translated from poioumenoi mneian. Poioumenoi is the present participle of the verb poieō (to make), so it literally means “making.” Mneian is based on the verb mnaomai, meaning “to remember.” Thus mneian refers to “a remembrance.” So, Paul is literally saying “making a remembrance of you …”

The word translated “prayers” is proseuchē, which is made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward” and a form of euchomai, meaning “to wish” or “to pray.” Proseuchē refers specifically to a prayer (or wish) expressed to God.

 

Meaning Explained

We see something here that is very characteristic of the Apostle Paul. He is a person of prayer as much as (perhaps even more than) he is a preacher. His letters often talk about how he remembers in his prayers, and is thankful for, those to whom he is writing (Romans 1:9; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4; Colossians 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 1:4). We also see here an example of how often Paul is engaged in prayer (pantote = “every when”), that is, all the time. Based on what he has written to this church and others, Paul was constantly in prayer. Perhaps, he was not audibly praying at all times, but he seems to have been in constant communication with our Heavenly Father. He obviously practiced what he preached, for later in this very letter he admonishes his readers to “pray without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17).

However, Paul was not a lonely prayer warrior. He states very clearly here that “We give thanks …” It appears that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy spent time together praying about their ministry and praying for those to whom they ministered. These servants of God did not just preach the gospel to one group of people and then move on to preach to others, forgetting those to whom they ministered as soon as they were out of sight. No, they made constant remembrances of every church they had ministered to and probably remembered most of the people by name.

These faithful ministers were not focused on what God would do for them; they were focused on what God would do for others through them.

 

Application

Do you have a specific ministry within the church? If so, are you ministering to others for what you can get out of it, or are you ministering to others for what they can get from God? And, do you pray regularly for those to whom you minister?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 1:16 – Giving Thanks

Posted on by Will

do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Truth to Learn

Thanksgiving is an important part of the Christian life.

 

Behind the Words

“Cease” is from the Greek word pauō, meaning “to stop” or “to pause.” It is expressed here in the middle voice (action done by the subject to the subject), so the meaning is “to stop myself.”

The words “giving thanks” are translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant a favor.” Eucharisteō carries the meaning “to be thankful or grateful.”

“Making” is from the verb poieō, which means “to make” or “to do.” It is expressed here as a present participle in the middle voice. So, it literally means “making myself.”

The word “mention” is from the noun mneia, which is from the verb mnaomai, meaning “to remember.” Thus, mneia refers to “a remembrance” or “a recollection.”

“Prayers” is from proseuchē, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and a form of euchomai, meaning “to make a wish.” Proseuchē, therefore, is a wish or a desire expressed toward God.

 

Meaning Explained

In order to get the full impact from today’s verse we must combine it with the previous verse:

Because of this, I also, having heard of the faith of those among you in the Lord Jesus, which you show toward all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, making remembrance of you in my prayers.

As we saw in the previous verse, the church in Ephesus continued to grow, demonstrating their faith to all Christians. This so pleased the Apostle Paul that he continually gave thanks to God for the believers in the Ephesian church.

Paul here demonstrates that he practices what he preaches. He told the church at Thessalonica:

pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1Thessalonians 5:17-18)

Prayer is a critically important part of our relationship with God. In the New Testament alone, prayer is mentioned more than 130 times. Jesus mentions it more than fifty times and Paul mentions it more than forty times. Jesus is said to be praying about fifteen times and Paul mentions himself praying about fifteen times as well. If it was that important to them, it should be just as important to us.

 

Application

Many Christians think of prayer as asking God for something. Indeed, we are told to make our requests known to God, but we are also told to thank Him. In fact, giving thanks is mentioned about fifty times in the New Testament. It is far more important than asking for something. Giving thanks demonstrates your recognition that God has already done something for you. It is an active indication of the strength of your faith. How many times have you prayed to God for something and then forgot to thank Him when He answered your prayer? Let’s take some time right now to thank God for what He has already done! 

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Thankful For Everything

Posted on by Will

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Truth to Learn

Christians are to be thankful for everything!

Behind the Words

The word translated “everything” is pas, meaning “all.” It includes the idea of plurality, meaning “all the parts” or “every.” In this verse it is expressed as a neuter adjective, so it could be translated as “all things” or “everything.”

“Give thanks” is from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is composed of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant” or “to give.” Thus, eucharisteō means “to express gratitude” or “to give thanks.”

Meaning Explained

In the past two verses, Paul has given us a couple of commands regarding Christian attitudes: always rejoicing and ceaseless prayer. He now adds a third attitude that we are to have: giving thanks for everything. This is not the only place in the New Testament where we are told to give thanks for everything. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul said:

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 5:20)

And, in his letter to the Colossians, he said:

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)

Also, in his letter to the Philippian Christians, Paul said:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6)

As with giving praise, however, it is difficult for us to be thankful for situations in which we feel physical or emotional pain. However, James has given us a similar command in the first chapter of his letter:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Yes, it’s hard to be filled with joy and to give thanks to God for trials and troubles, but it’s what God expects from Christians. Doing so will produce patience in us, as James told us. But we also know that God will use even these difficult times to produce good, as Paul told the Christians in Rome:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Finally, the reason we should give thanks for everything that happens is because it’s God’s will for every Christian. In fact, the grammatical construction in the Greek text indicates that everything in this and the previous two verses (rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything) are part of God’s will for every Christian.

Application

Whether we’re healthy or sick, whether we’re rich or poor, whether life is easy or hard, whether we feel like it or not, it is our responsibility to give thanks to God. It is what God wants and what He expects. Let’s get on our knees right now and thank God for everything in our lives!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 1:2 – Prayer Warriors

Posted on by Will

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

Truth to Learn

Our ministry should be focused on what God will do for others.

Behind the Words

The words “We give thanks” are translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant” or “to give.” The basic meanings of this word include “to show oneself to be pleased or grateful” or “to give thanks.”

“Always” is from pantote, which is a compound word composed of pan, meaning “all” or “every” and tote, which literally means “the when,” but by usage it means “then.” So a completely literal translation of this word would be “every when,” that is, “at all times.”

“Making mention” is translated from poioumenoi mneian. Poioumenoi is the present participle of the verb poieō (to make), so it literally means “making.” Mneian is based on the verb mnaomai, meaning “to remember.” Thus mneian refers to “a remembrance.” So, Paul is literally saying “making a remembrance of you …”

The word translated “prayers” is proseuchē, which is made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward” and a form of euchomai, meaning “to wish” or “to pray.” Proseuchē refers specifically to a prayer (or wish) expressed to God.

Meaning Explained

We see something here that is very characteristic of the Apostle Paul. He is a person of prayer as much as (perhaps even more than) he is a preacher. His letters often talk about how he remembers in his prayers, and is thankful for, those to whom he is writing (Romans 1:9; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4; Colossians 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 1:4). We also see here an example of how often Paul is engaged in prayer (pantote = “every when”), that is, all the time. Based on what he has written to this church and others, Paul was constantly in prayer. Perhaps, he was not audibly praying at all times, but he seems to have been in constant communication with our Heavenly Father. He obviously practiced what he preached, for later in this very letter he admonishes his readers to “pray without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17).

However, Paul was not a lonely prayer warrior. He states very clearly here that “We give thanks …” It appears that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy spent time together praying about their ministry and praying for those to whom they ministered. These servants of God did not just preach the gospel to one group of people and then move on to preach to others, forgetting those to whom they ministered as soon as they were out of sight. No, they made constant remembrances of every church they had ministered to and probably remembered most of the people by name.

These faithful ministers were not focused on what God would do for them; they were focused on what God would do for others through them.

Application

Do you have a specific ministry within the church? If so, are you ministering to others for what you can get out of it, or are you ministering to others for what they can get from God? And, do you pray regularly for those to whom you minister?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 1:16 – Giving Thanks

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 1:16  – Giving Thanks

do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Truth to Learn

Thanksgiving is an important part of the Christian life.

Behind the Words

“Cease” is from the Greek word pauō, meaning “to stop” or “to pause.” It is expressed here in the middle voice (action done by the subject to the subject), so the meaning is “to stop myself.”

The words “give thanks” are translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant a favor.” Eucharisteō carries the meaning “to be thankful or grateful.” It is expressed as a participle; thus it means “giving thanks.”

“Making” is from the verb poieō, which means “to make” or “to do.” It is expressed here as a present participle in the middle voice. So, it literally means “making myself.”

The word “mention” is from the noun mneia, which is from the verb mnaomai, meaning “to remember.” Thus, mneia refers to “a remembrance” or “a recollection.”

“Prayers” is from proseuchē, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and a form of euchomai, meaning “to make a wish.” Proseuchē, therefore, is a wish or a desire expressed toward God.

Meaning Explained

In order to get the full impact from today’s verse we must combine it with the previous verse:

Therefore I also, having heard of the faith of those among you in the Lord Jesus, which you show toward all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, making remembrance of you in my prayers.

As we saw in the previous verse, the church in Ephesus continued to grow, demonstrating their faith to all Christians. This so pleased the Apostle Paul that he continually gave thanks to God for the believers in the Ephesian church.

Paul here demonstrates that he practices what he preaches. He told the church at Thessalonica:

pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1Thessalonians 5:17-18)

Prayer is a critically important part of our relationship with God. In the New Testament alone, prayer is mentioned more than 130 times. Jesus mentions it more than fifty times and Paul mentions it more than forty times. Jesus is said to be praying about fifteen times and Paul mentions himself praying about fifteen times as well. If it was that important to them, it should be just as important to us.

Application

Many Christians think of prayer as asking God for something. Indeed, we are told to make our requests known to God, but we are also told to thank Him. In fact, giving thanks is mentioned about fifty times in the New Testament. It is far more important than asking for something. Giving thanks demonstrates your recognition that God has already done something for you. It is an active indication of the strength of your faith. How many times have you prayed to God for something and then forgot to thank Him when He answered your prayer? Let’s take some time right now to thank God for what He has already done!

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 16:4 – Behind The Scenes

Posted on by Will

Romans 16:4 – Behind The Scenes

who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Truth to Learn

Some of the most important ministries are behind the scenes.

Behind the Words

The word “risked” is a metaphorical translation of hupotithēmi. This is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tithēmi, meaning “to place or to put.” So, literally this word means “to place underneath.” It is a word which was used of those who “placed their neck under the axe of the executioner.” The correctness of this metaphorical translation is strengthened by the fact that Paul says it is their “neck” that they “placed underneath.”

Eucharistō is the word translated “give thanks.” This is a word which we have seen before. A transliteration of this word gives us our English word Eucharist, which refers to communion or the Lord ’s Supper. Eucharistō means “to give thanks.”

Meaning Explained

From verse three we know that Paul is talking about Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife team who were instrumental in assisting Paul in both his secular job and his ministry. He says here that they risked their own necks for him. We don’t know exactly how they did this, for there is no direct scriptural evidence, but we do know that Paul was in physical danger on several occasions. One such time may have been there in Corinth when the Jews accused Paul of breaking the law:

When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” (Acts 18:12-13)

Another time that Aquila and Priscilla may have endangered themselves to protect Paul was in Ephesus where there was a great uprising against Christians:

So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. (Acts 19:29-30)

Paul also makes it clear that Aquila and Priscilla were a great help to some of the churches. Again, we don’t know exactly what Paul is referring to but one example of their service to the churches is found again in Ephesus where they provided scriptural training for Apollos, a preacher of the gospel:

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (Acts 18:24-26)

Application

Obviously, Aquila and Priscilla were used by God in the early church by assisting Paul in his ministry and by teaching correct doctrine to those who were gifted in proclaiming it. It seems that their ministry was “behind the scenes” where they worked quietly and fervently. Is this the type of ministry God has called you to? If so, do it faithfully like Aquila and Priscilla.

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: