Tag: gregoreuo

1 Peter 5:8 – Stay Alert!

Posted on by Will

Be sober, be on your guard; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Truth to Learn

Stay on the alert and don’t be intimidated by our accuser.

 

Behind the Words

“Sober” is translated from the Greek word nēphō, which means “to abstain from wine” or “to be sober.” Metaphorically it means “sober minded.” In other words, thinking clearly and not allowing your mind to be clouded by any distractions. It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

The words “on your guard” are translated from, grēgoreuō, which means “to keep awake” or “to be watchful.” This word is also expressed in the imperative mood, indicating that it is not merely a suggestion, but a command.

 

Meaning Explained

Peter has told us how to behave when we are suffering under affliction which has been brought on by the providence of God. We are to allow ourselves to be humbled and we are to toss all of our worrying onto Him. Lest we think that enduring suffering is a passive event, however, Peter now tells us what action we are to be taking. We are to be sober minded and vigilant even while we are being humbled.

That is, we are to keep our minds clear from distractions; we are to remain sharply focused on God and to be ever watchful. The implication is that we are to be constantly on the alert for some impending danger. Why? Because, “your adversary, the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The word translated adversary means “opponent,” particularly an opponent in a legal battle. The word “devil” is the Greek word diabolos, which literally means “accuser.” But why did Peter use legal jargon referring to Satan? Because we are in a legal battle with him! He is constantly accusing us of being unrighteous.

for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10b)

And our accuser is walking about like a roaring lion. This verse does not say that the devil is a roaring lion; it says he is like a roaring lion. Have you ever watched a courtroom scene where the prosecuting attorney is roaring at the defendant trying his (or her) best to intimidate the defendant? This is precisely what Satan is doing in front of the great Judge of all creation right now. Fortunately for us, we have the best defense attorney in all of creation. In 1 John 2:1 it says:

And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

So, as we are humbled by God and we toss our cares upon Him, we need to be alert and watchful. We are to keep ourselves from succumbing to temptation because there is one who is watching for us to stumble so that he can accuse us before the Father. But, when that does happen, our advocate presents His own blood as evidence of our righteousness.

 

Application

Do you feel like you are under attack or that there is an adversary making threatening noises against you and what you believe? If so, be humbled, quit worrying, think clearly, and be ever watchful, resting in the arms of our loving Savior.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:10 – Eternal, Living Faith

Posted on by Will

who died for us, that whether we should watch or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Truth to Learn

Faith in Jesus Christ means living with Him eternally.

 

Behind the Words

“Died” is from apothnēskō, which is composed of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” used as an intensifier, and thnēskō, meaning “to die.” Literally, apothnēskō means “to die off,” but it is often used to refer to death of any kind.

The word translated “for” is huper (or hyper) meaning “over” or “above.” As used here it also means “for the sake of.”

The words “whether” and “or” are both translated from eite. It is composed of ei, meaning “if” or “whether” and te, meaning “both” or “also.” It is used in Greek to set items in contrast or opposition to one another.

Grēgoreuō is the Greek verb translated “watch.” It means “to keep wake” or “to be watchful.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating possibility or probability.

The word translated “sleep” is katheudō, meaning “to fall asleep.” It, too, is written in the subjunctive mood.

“We should live” is translated from the verb dzaō, meaning “to have life.” Like grēgoreuō and katheudō, it is expressed in the subjunctive mood.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter of his letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul began his current teaching regarding the rapture and the Day of the Lord. As he introduced the subject of the rapture, he said:

But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, that you not grieve as others who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

In this discourse on the rapture and the Day of the Lord, Paul has used the word “sleep” in two different ways. In teaching about the rapture, he used the term to refer to Christians who have died physically. In his teaching about the Day of the Lord, however, he used the word as a reference to those who are spiritually unaware. He contrasted those who are of the day (Christians) with those who are of the night (unbelievers). And, he warned us who are of the day to be awake (aware) and prepared for spiritual battles. In yesterday’s verse Paul reminded us that God did not place us in a situation where we will suffer His wrath (the Day of the Lord), rather in a situation to obtain salvation (raptured off the earth before the Day of the Lord). Also, in yesterday’s verse he reminded us that our salvation is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Now, Paul says that Christ died for our sake. He didn’t die for Himself because He was without sin and was not facing the death sentence that we were facing. He died so that we could have eternal life. He died for our sake. Why did He die for us? He died for us so that we might live eternally with Him. It doesn’t matter whether we are physically alive or dead at the time of the rapture; all Christians, together, will live with him eternally. This, he tells us in the next verse, should be a comfort to all Christians.

 

Application

If you are a born-again Christian, you will spend eternity with Jesus Christ. If not, you will be separated from Him forever!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:10 – Eternal, Living Faith

Posted on by Will

who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Truth to Learn

Faith in Jesus Christ means living with Him eternally.

Behind the Words

“Died” is from apothnēskō, which is composed of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” used as an intensifier, and thnēskō, meaning “to die.” Literally, apothnēskō means “to die off,” but it is often used to refer to death of any kind.

The word translated “for” is huper (or hyper) meaning “over” or “above.” As used here it also means “for the sake of.”

The words “whether” and “or” are both translated from eite. It is composed of ei, meaning “if” or “whether” and te, meaning “both” or “also.” It is used in Greek to set items in contrast or opposition to one another.

Grēgoreuō is the Greek verb translated “wake.” It means “to keep wake” or “to be watchful.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating possibility or probability.

The word translated “sleep” is katheudō, meaning “to fall asleep.” It, too, is written in the subjunctive mood.

“We should live” is translated from the verb dzaō, meaning “to have life.” Like grēgoreuō and katheudō, it is expressed in the subjunctive mood.

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter of his letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul began his current teaching regarding the rapture and the Day of the Lord. As he introduced the subject of the rapture, he said:

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

In this discourse on the rapture and the Day of the Lord, Paul has used the word “sleep” in two different ways. In teaching about the rapture, he used the term to refer to Christians who have died physically. In his teaching about the Day of the Lord, however, he used the word as a reference to those who are spiritually unaware. He contrasted those who are of the day (Christians) with those who are of the night (unbelievers). And, he warned us who are of the day to be awake (aware) and prepared for spiritual battles. In yesterday’s verse Paul reminded us that God did not place us in a situation where we will suffer His wrath (the Day of the Lord), rather in a situation to obtain salvation (raptured off the earth before the Day of the Lord). Also, in yesterday’s verse he reminded us that our salvation is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Now, Paul says that Christ died for our sake. He didn’t die for Himself because He was without sin and was not facing the death sentence that we were facing. He died so that we could have eternal life. He died for our sake. Why did He die for us? He died for us so that we might live eternally with Him. It doesn’t matter whether we are physically alive or dead at the time of the rapture; all Christians, together, will live with him eternally. This, he tells us in the next verse, should be a comfort to all Christians.

Application

If you are a born-again Christian, you will spend eternity with Jesus Christ. If not, you will be separated from Him forever!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved