Tag: Greek

Romans 1:16 – Powerful Message

Posted on by Will

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone believing, both to Jew first and also to Greek.

Truth to Learn

There is eternal life giving power in the gospel message.

 

Behind the Words

The word “ashamed” is from the Greek epaischunomai, which is made up of epi, meaning “upon” and aischunō, meaning “to be ashamed.” Hence, it means “to feel shame upon oneself.”

“Greek” is translated from hellēn, the word used to describe anyone from the Grecian peninsula. However, in the first century it was used in a generic sense of anyone who spoke the Greek language. And Jews of the first century, like Paul, referred to anyone who was not a Jew as a Greek (Gentile). This is the sense in which Paul uses the term in this verse.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking quite personally to the Roman Christians about his desire to see them and to give them a gift of great spiritual value. He has just told them that he is under debt to God to preach the gospel to all people. He now makes a subtle, albeit significant, turn in his message from one of introduction and consolation to one of open proclamation. Paul is just starting his sermon. Let’s listen carefully!

He says he was not bringing shame on himself by preaching the good news of Jesus. But why should anyone consider him to have been ashamed? Think about this: the Jews had cast Paul off, regarding him as an apostate. And by the wise among the Gentiles he had been persecuted, despised and driven from place to place, and regarded as the filth of the world. He had every reason to feel personally shamed. Nonetheless, he was not ashamed of the gospel.

Why was Paul so confident in his stand on the gospel? Because as he says here, “it is the power of God to salvation to everyone believing.” The power in the gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ died to pay the price for your sins and mine, is the power of God Himself. God, who demands absolute righteousness from each of us, cannot accept us into His presence if our righteousness is any less than perfect. Since none of us is righteous in and of ourselves (Romans 3:10), we are condemned to eternal separation from God. Belief in the gospel, however, results in God crediting us with the righteousness of Christ. Hence, the gospel IS the power of God resulting in salvation to everyone who believes! Praise God!

Paul then goes on to say that this salvation was offered to the Jews first and then to the rest of the world, whom Paul refers to as Greeks. If you carefully read the book of Acts you will see that Peter and the other apostles focused their preaching entirely on the Jews, and Paul’s early ministry was to Jews. In whatever city he entered, Paul went first into the synagogues to deliver the gospel message to the Jews there. But because the Jews rejected His message, Paul then turned to the Gentiles.

 

Application

The power of God is packaged in a very simple message. We are all sinners; therefore, our righteousness falls short of God’s standard. Our sin and lack of righteousness earns us death (both physical and spiritual). But Jesus’ death pays our penalty, and we receive His righteousness when we accept His payment. Then, through God’s power we receive eternal life!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 10:12 – Everyone’s the Same

Posted on by Will

Romans 10:12 – Everyone’s the Same

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.

Truth to Learn

God doesn’t care who your ancestors are. He will respond to your call for salvation.

Behind the Words

“Distinction” is translated from the Greek word diastolē, which is the noun form of the verb diastellō, made up of dia, indicating a transition and stellō, meaning “to send.” Hence it means “to send (or cause) a change,” that is, “to make things different. The noun form, diastolē, refers to this change, difference, or distinction.

The words “is rich” are from the Greek verb plouteō, which is based on the noun ploutos, referring to “riches or wealth either in money or possessions.”

“Call upon” is translated from epikaleō, which is made up of epi, meaning “over or upon” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Therefore, epikaleō means “to call upon or request aid from someone else.”

Meaning Explained

Before we get into this verse let me point out that when Paul refers to Greeks in these verses, he is using the name as a metonym, which is using a name of one object or concept for that of another. He doesn’t really mean the Greek people; he means all non-Jews or all Gentiles. Since the common language of the entire Roman Empire was Greek, it became a common expression among the Jews to refer to all Gentiles as Greeks.

In the previous verse Paul said that everyone believing on Jesus will not be put to shame. Clearly he was implying that this applies to both the Jews and the Gentiles. Throughout the first four chapters of this letter, Paul set out to show that there is no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles in God’s eyes. Notice particularly what he said in Romans 3:28-30:

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

In the current verse Paul makes it abundantly clear that God treats all mankind the same whether they are Jewish or not. As you read through the book of Acts, you will see the difficulty that even the Apostles had in believing that God accepts the Gentiles without having to satisfy the Law. In fact, it comes to a head in Acts chapter 15 where Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem from Antioch to get this matter settled. If the Apostles had such a difficulty with this concept, it is understandable that Paul would make such a big deal of it for the Jewish Christians in Rome.

In the current verse Paul states that the same Lord who is over us all is rich in his giving to all of us who call on Him, whether we are Jew or Gentile. God will freely bestow His riches of grace and mercy upon all who submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ and call upon Him for salvation.

Application

It doesn’t matter what your ethnic background is, what family you’re part or, or who your ancestors are. If you confess Christ as your Lord and Savior, God will grant you the riches of His righteousness. That’s His promise!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 1:16 – Powerful Message

Posted on by admin

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Truth to Learn

There is eternal life giving power in the gospel message.

Behind the Words

The word “ashamed” is from the Greek epaischunomai, which is made up of epi, meaning “upon” and aischunō, meaning “to be ashamed.” Hence, it means “to feel shame upon oneself.”

“Greek” is translated from hellēn, the word used to describe anyone from the Grecian peninsula. However, in the first century it was used in a generic sense of anyone who spoke the Greek language. And Jews of the first century, like Paul, referred to anyone who was not a Jew as a Greek (Gentile). This is the sense in which Paul uses the term in this verse.

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking quite personally to the Roman Christians about his desire to see them and to give them a gift of great spiritual value. He has just told them that he is under debt to God to preach the gospel to all people. He now makes a subtle, albeit significant, turn in his message from one of introduction and consolation to one of open proclamation. Paul is just starting his sermon. Let’s listen carefully!

He says he was not bringing shame on himself by preaching the good news of Jesus. But why should anyone consider him to have been ashamed? Think about this: the Jews had cast Paul off, regarding him as an apostate. And by the wise among the Gentiles he had been persecuted, despised and driven from place to place, and regarded as the filth of the world. He had every reason to feel shamed. Nonetheless, he was not ashamed of the gospel.

Why was Paul so confident in his stand on the gospel? Because as he says here, “it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” The power in the gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ died to pay the price for your sins and mine, is the power of God Himself. God, who demands absolute righteousness from each of us, cannot accept us into His presence if our righteousness is any less than perfect. Since none of us is righteous in and of ourselves (Romans 3:10), we are condemned to eternal separation from God. Belief in the gospel, however, results in God crediting us with His righteousness. Hence, the gospel IS the power of God resulting in salvation to everyone who believes! Praise God!

Paul then goes on to say that this salvation was offered to the Jews first and then to the rest of the world, whom Paul refers to as Greeks. If you carefully read the book of Acts you will see that Peter and the other apostles focused their preaching entirely on the Jews, and Paul’s early ministry was to Jews. In whatever city he entered, Paul went first into the synagogues to deliver the gospel message to the Jews there. But because the Jews rejected His message, Paul then turned to the Gentiles.

Application

The power of God is packaged in a very simple message. We are all sinners; therefore, our righteousness falls short of God’s standard. Our sin and lack of righteousness earns us death (both physical and spiritual). But Jesus’ death pays our penalty, and we receive His righteousness when we accept His payment. Then, through God’s power we receive eternal life!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Copyright © 2009 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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

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