hamartano – Ministry of Grace Church

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Romans 5:16 – One for the Many

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Will

Again, the gift of God is not like is not like the result of the one man’s sin. For the judgment which came from one man’s sin resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.

Truth to Learn

God’s free gift of righteousness takes care of all our sins.

Behind the Words

The word “sin” is translated from the Greek word hamartanō, which means “to miss the mark.”

As if making a play on words, in this verse Paul repeatedly uses nouns that end in ma. In each cast it indicates the result of an action. These words include:

The word translated “gift” – dōrēma, derived from the verb dōreō, meaning “to bestow a gift.” Hence, it refers to a gift.
“Judgment” – from krima, which is derived from krinō, meaning “to decide” or “to judge.” Whereas, it can refer to a decision of innocence or guilt, it is most often used in relation to a guilty judgment.
The word translated “condemnation” – katakrima. The prefix kata means “down” or “against” and krima, as we just saw, means a judgment. Hence, this word means “a judgment against” or “condemnation” as we have it in this verse.
“Justification” – from dikiōma, which is based on the verb dikaioō meaning “to declare righteous” or “to declare innocent.” Hence dikiōma refers to the result of the declaration. That is, our righteousness or justification.

Meaning Explained

This is a tough verse, so follow closely. It’s the second time Paul is contrasting the effects of the deeds of Adam and Jesus. Previously, he said that death (the consequence of sin) flowed from Adam but that the gift of grace flowed from Jesus.

A literal word-by-word translation of the first phrase in this verse is, “And the gift not like through the one having sinned.” A couple of words have been added in our translation in order to make the verse more clear. What Paul is saying is that the free gift is not like the one sin of Adam.

Paul now shows why the one sin is not like the free gift. Here’s what the remainder of this verse says,

for (on the one hand) the judgment is out of one (deed) resulting in condemnation, but (on the other hand) the free gift is out of many transgressions resulting in justification.

Though the grammatical construction is a bit awkward in English, Paul is saying: “on the one hand the judgment that came from one deed resulted in condemnation, but on the other hand the one free gift that handles many transgressions results in justification.”

If we were to sum up this verse it would be to say that death (the consequence of sin) flowed from one transgression (one sin), but the one gift of grace is effective over many transgressions resulting in our justification.

Application

Once again, we should be driven to our knees in prayer giving thanks for the gift of the sinless life of Jesus and the gift of grace whereby we will one day stand in the presence of God as righteous saints, not as condemned sinners!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 2:20 – Patient Suffering

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Will

For what fame is it if sinning and being harshly treated, you endure it? But if doing good and suffering for it, you endure it, this finds favor with God.

Truth to Learn

When we patiently endure unjust punishment for having done good deeds, God is pleased.

Behind the Words

The word translated “fame” is kleos, which is derived from a shortened form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” Kleos refers to “calling out the goodness” of someone. Hence, it is often translated as “renown,” “glory,” “favor,” or “credit.”

The word “sinning” is translated from hamartanō, meaning “to miss the mark.” It is often translated as “transgress” or “sin.” “Harshly treated” is translated from kolaphidzō, which means “to strike with the fist.” Both of these words are expressed as present participles indicating current ongoing activity.

The expression “you endure it” is translated from hupomenō, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” and menō, meaning “to remain.” It literally means “to remain under.” It is a picture of a beast of burden remaining under a heavy load and is often translated as “persevere” or “endure.”

“Doing good” is from agathopoiōn, a word we looked at back in verse fourteen. It refers to doing good deeds.

The word “suffer” is from the Greek word paschō, which refers to an intense emotion, usually suffering.

Meaning Explained

Peter is making a very profound statement that should be taken to heart by all who call themselves Christian. If you do wrong, are punished for it, and take it with patience, there is no glory or recognition given to you except that you got what you deserved. If, on the other hand, you have done good deeds, are falsely punished for it, and you take it patiently, this is joyous, or well-pleasing, with God.

When we suffer wrongfully, our Heavenly Father is aware of it. If our attitude is right, He is pleased with us. Peter says nothing of God’s attitude toward our actions when we complain and raise a ruckus because we have been falsely accused or punished unjustly. But he says that God is pleased when we endure it patiently. Peter is clearly thinking back on the unjust beating and suffering endured by Jesus Christ when he paid for our sins. In the following verses Peter will refer to Christ’s wrongful suffering as a perfect example of how we should act. He was innocent and was supremely punished by men and accepted it patiently. We, on the other hand, are guilty before God and do not receive the just punishment for our offenses.

Application

All Christians have experienced situations where we did what was good and ended up suffering for it in one way or another. Can you remember such a time? How did you handle it? Did you endure it quietly and patiently, or did you fuss and complain to God about how unfair it was? How will you react the next time this happens to you? Quietly and patiently, I hope!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 4:26 – Sinless Anger

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Will

"Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

Truth to Learn

It’s God-like to get angry without sinning.

Behind the Words

“Angry” is translated from the Greek verb orgidzō. It is based on orgē which refers to “excitement of the mind,” that is, “violent passion, anger, vengeance, or wrath.” Orgidzō is expressed in the imperative mood, a form referred to as “permissive imperative.” It is not so much a command to be angry as it is expressed permission to be angry with conditions.

The verb translated “sin” is hamartanō, which is made up of the negative particle a (not) and a form of meros, meaning “a piece or a portion.” The root meaning of hamartanō is “to miss the mark (and therefore to not share in a portion of the prize).” It is almost always translated as “sin.” This verb is also expressed here in the imperative mood.

“Wrath” is from parorgismos, made up of para, meaning “beside” and orgidzō, which we looked at above, meaning “violent passion, anger, vengeance, or wrath.” Parorgismos refers to “extreme irritation or exasperation,” that is, something more temporary and not as deep seated and enduring as orgē.

Meaning Explained

Let’s start off today’s lesson with a definition of anger. Anger is an emotional response to someone or something that has offended or hurt us. The obvious question is, “What is good (or righteous) anger and what is sinful anger?” Having read the comments of numerous scholars, I can tell you with certainty that there is no simple answer. What we can do is look at examples of God’s anger, for God cannot sin.

When the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan River, Moses reminded them that while he was receiving the Ten Commandments from God, they turned away and made a golden calf. He said, “Even in Horeb you made the LORD angry, so that the LORD was angry enough with you to have destroyed you.” (Deuteronomy 9:8) God was angry because they rejected Him and worshipped false gods.

When Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees regarding healing a man on the Sabbath, Mark tells us, “And having looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’” (Mark 3:5) Christ was angry with the Pharisees because they refused to believe that He was God, capable of healing anyone at any time, without breaking the Law.

Reading through the book of the Revelation will repeatedly reveal God’s anger (wrath) with those who reject Him as God and His sovereignty as the Ruler and Judge of the earth. God gets angry when His majesty and sovereignty are rejected. If that is what makes God angry, it should also make us angry.

But, Paul takes it one step further. He teaches us that when we do get angry, whether it is righteous or sinful anger, we are not to hold on to it. The Jewish day begins at 6:00 in the evening (at sundown), so this verse would tell them, “Don’t carry anger over from one day to the next.” That’s good advice!

Application

Does it make you angry, for example, when you hear the name of our Savior used as a swear word? At the same time, are you willing to pray for that blasphemer? Be angry, but don’t sin!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 4:26 – Sinless Anger

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Will

"Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

Truth to Learn

It’s God-like to get angry without sinning.

Behind the Words

“Wrath” is from parorgismos, made up of para, meaning “beside” and orgidzō, which we looked at above. Parorgismos refers to “irritation or exasperation,” that is, something more temporary and not as deep seated and enduring as orgē.

Meaning Explained

Let’s start off today’s lesson with a definition of anger. Anger is an emotional response to someone or something that has offended or hurt us. The obvious question is, “What is good anger and what is sinful anger?” Having read the comments of numerous scholars, I can tell you with certainty that there is no simple answer. What we can do is look at examples of God’s anger, for God cannot sin.

When the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan River, Moses reminded them that while he was receiving the Ten Commandments from God, they turned away and made a golden calf. He said, “Also in Horeb you provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry enough with you to have destroyed you.” (Deuteronomy 9:8) God was angry because they rejected Him and worshipped false gods.

When Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees regarding healing a man on the Sabbath, Mark tells us, “And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’” (Mark 3:5) Christ was angry with the Pharisees because they refused to believe that He was God, capable of healing anyone at any time, without breaking the Law.

Application

Does it make you angry, for example, when you hear the name of our Savior used as a swear word? At the same time, are you willing to pray for that blasphemer? Be angry, but don’t sin!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 5:16 – One for the Many

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Will

Romans 5:16

And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.

Truth to Learn

God’s free gift of righteousness takes care of all our sins.

Behind the Words

The word “sinned” is translated from the Greek word hamartanō, which means “to miss the mark.”

As if making a play on words, in this verse Paul repeatedly uses nouns that end in ma. In each cast it indicates the result of an action. These words include:

· The word translated “gift” – dōrēma, derived from the verb dōreō, meaning “to bestow a gift.” Hence, it refers to a gift.

· “Judgment” – from krima, which is derived from krinō, meaning “to decide” or “to judge.” Whereas, it can refer to a decision of innocence or guilt, it is most often used in relation to a guilty judgment.

· The word translated “condemnation” – katakrima. The prefix kata means “down” or “against” and krima, as we just saw, means a judgment. Hence, this word means “a judgment against” or “condemnation” as we have it in this verse.

· “Justification” – from dikiōma, which is based on the verb dikaioō meaning “to declare righteous” or “to declare innocent.” Hence dikiōma refers to the result of the declaration. That is, our righteousness or justification.

Meaning Explained

A literal word-by-word translation of the first phrase in this verse is, “And the gift not like through the one having sinned.” Fortunately a couple of words have been added by the translators in order to make the verse more clear. What Paul is saying is that the free gift is not like the one sin of Adam.

Paul now shows why the one sin is not like the free gift. Here’s what the remainder of this verse says,

for (on the one hand) the judgment is out of one (deed) resulting in condemnation, but (on the other hand) the free gift is out of many transgressions resulting in justification.

Though the grammatical construction is a bit awkward in English, Paul is saying: “on the one hand the judgment that came from one deed resulted in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift that handles many transgressions results in justification.”

If we were to sum up this verse it would be to say that death (the consequence of sin) flowed from one transgression (one sin), but the gift of grace is effective over many transgressions resulting in our justification.

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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