Tag: height

Romans 8:39 – Eternally Secure

Posted on by Will

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Truth to Learn

There is nothing that can cause us to lose our salvation. Nothing!

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “height” is hupsōma, which is the noun form of hupsoō, meaning “to elevate, to lift up, or to exalt.” This word refers to a place that is elevated or high up. As used here it is most likely a reference to the heavenly places (both physical and spiritual).

“Depth” is from bathos, which is derived from bathus, meaning deep. Bathos refers to that which is deep. Most scholars agree that this is a reference to Hell which is deep in the heart of the earth.

The words “created thing” are from the Greek word ktisis, which is the noun form of the verb ktidzō, meaning “to create, form, or found.” Earlier in this chapter we discussed whether ktisis referred to a single created thing or to all of creation. The use here is clearly a reference to “any other created thing.”

“Separate” is from coridzō, which we looked at back in verse thirty-five. It means “to put distance between” or “to make things separate from one another.”

 

Meaning Explained

We are reading about the answer to the question, “What shall separate us from the love of Christ?” In yesterday’s verse Paul gave us a list of things, and in today’s verse he completes the list. This list is a delineation of those things which can’t separate us from God’s love.

In this verse we are told that height and depth are included in the list. Paul uses these words as metonyms (where the name of one object is used to represent some related thing or things) to represent all the inhabitants of Heaven and Hell. In the first part of this verse he is saying that there is nothing in the heavens above or in Hell below or any other created thing that can separate us from God’s love.

You will recall that Paul is talking about those of us who have been adopted as God’s children, that is, those who are born-again Christians. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This is a very clear reference to the fact that we cannot get un-saved. We cannot even un-save ourselves according to this verse. If we are saved we cannot “renounce” our salvation, because no created thing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Some may try to argue against this and say, “But God loves all people; isn’t that what John 3:16 says?” Unfortunately, the answer to that is “No.” As we will see in the next chapter, particularly in verse thirteen where it is said of God, “As it is written, ‘Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.’"

 

Application

This verse highlights one of the greatest facts about our adoption by God. We don’t have to worry about losing something we didn’t earn and we don’t deserve. God did it entirely himself out of His love for us. He will never lose that love and there is nothing that can separate us from that love. Nothing! That means we are completely and eternally secure in our salvation! That’s something to think about. More than that, that’s something to praise God about!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 3:18 – Foundational Understanding

Posted on by Will

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—

Truth to Learn

Christian lives must be based on and rooted in Jesus Christ.

 

Behind the Words

“May be able” is translated from the verb exischuō, a compound word made up of ex, used as an intensifier and ischuō, meaning “to have strength.” Exischuō means “to be in full strength” or “to be abundantly able.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of this happening.

The word “comprehend” is from the Greek verb katalambanō. This word is made up of kata, used as an intensifier and lambanō, meaning “to take.” Thus, katalambanō means “to completely take” or “to firmly take hold of.” The context indicates that it is a “taking to one’s mind,” that is, “completely understanding” or “fully comprehending.”

“Saints” is from the Greek word hagios, which is based on hagos, meaning “that which inspires awe.” The basic meaning of hagios is “that which is set apart from common use to be used in the service of God.” Therefore, hagios is sometimes translated “holy” or “sanctified.” All Christians have been set-apart from the world and set-apart to God, which is precisely the meaning of the word “saint.” In the Bible this term does not refer to someone who has been declared to be a saint by the church, but someone who has been declared righteous by God.

The word translated “width” is platos, which refers to the breadth or width of something.

“Length” is from the Greek word mēkos, which refers to the length of an object.

Hupsos, which is derived from hupsi (meaning “high”), refers to the height of something.

Finally, the Greek word translated “depth” is bathos, from bathus (meaning “deep”).

 

Meaning Explained

In our discussion of yesterday’s verse, we mentioned that the end of that verse belongs with this verse. When we put them together we read:

that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—

So, what does it mean to be rooted and grounded in love? This could be taken to mean that as Christians all of our actions and deeds spring forth from the ideal of perfect love. Or, it could be taken to mean that all of our deeds and actions spring forth from God who is love according to the Apostle John:

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:8)

Paul uses two separate metaphors to express the source of our knowledge of His love. The first is a botanical metaphor: the source of our understanding is that into which our roots are sunk for nourishment. The second is an architectural metaphor: the base on which we build our understanding is the foundation of our lives – Christ.

Now Paul tells us that as we derive our spiritual nourishment from Him and as we build our life and service on Him, we will understand the width, length, depth, and height of … We will find out “of what” in tomorrow’s verse.

 

Application

Is your life built upon the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ? Are your roots daily getting nourishment from God? Are your deeds based on the foundation that has been laid for us by Jesus, the Apostles, and Prophets? If not, you won’t really understand what God is doing with and to you, and your trials and tribulations will seem difficult. You may even doubt God’s love for you. If so, you will more fully understand God, His love for you, and how He is working in you to make you more like Jesus Christ.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 8:39 – Eternally Secure

Posted on by Will

Romans 8:39 – Eternally Secure

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Truth to Learn

There is nothing that can cause us to lose our salvation.

Behind the Words

The word translated “height” is hupsōma, which is the noun form of hupsoō, meaning “to elevate, to lift up, or to exalt.” This word refers to a place that is elevated or high up. As used here it is most likely a reference to the heavenly places (both physical and spiritual).

“Depth” is from bathos, which is derived from bathus, meaning deep. Bathos refers to that which is deep. Most scholars agree that this is a reference to Hell which is deep in the heart of the earth.

The words “created thing” are from the Greek word ktisis, which is the noun form of the verb ktidzō, meaning “to create, form, or found.” Earlier in this chapter we discussed whether ktisis referred to a single created thing or to all of creation. The use here is clearly a reference to “any other created thing.”

“Separate” is from coridzō, which we looked at back in verse thirty-five. It means “to put distance between” or “to make things separate from one another.”

Meaning Explained

We are reading about the answer to the question, “What shall separate us from the love of Christ?” In yesterday’s verse Paul gave us a list of things, and in today’s verse he completes the list. This list is a delineation of those things which can’t separate us from God’s love.

In this verse we are told that height and depth are included in the list. Paul uses these words as metonyms (where the name of one object is used to represent some related thing or things) to represent all the inhabitants of Heaven and Hell. In the first part of this verse he is saying that there is nothing in the heavens above or in Hell below or any other created thing that can separate us from God’s love.

You will recall that Paul is talking about those of us who have been adopted as God’s children, that is, those who are born-again Christians. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This is a very clear reference to the fact that we cannot get un-saved. We cannot even un-save ourselves according to this verse. If we are saved we cannot “renounce” our salvation, because no created thing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Some may try to argue against this and say, “But God loves all people; isn’t that what John 3:16 says?” Unfortunately, the answer to that is “No.” As we will see in the next chapter, particularly in verse thirteen where it is said of God, “As it is written, ‘Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.’”

Application

This verse highlights one of the greatest facts about our adoption by God. We don’t have to worry about losing something we didn’t earn and we don’t deserve. God did it entirely himself out of His love for us. He will never lose that love and there is nothing that can separate us from that love. Nothing! That means we are completely and eternally secure in our salvation! That’s something to think about.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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