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James 2:5 – Poor Heirs

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Will

Listen, my beloved brothers: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those loving Him?

Truth to Learn

If God has chosen the poor and the weak to be His children, why do we put so much importance in recognizing those who are rich and powerful?

Behind the Words

“Listen” is translated from akouō, which means “to hear.” The word is used here in the imperative mood, which indicates a command. It is as if James were saying, “Listen up and hear what I have to say to you!”

The word translated “chosen” is a form of eklegō, a compound word made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of,” and legō, meaning “to say” or “to select.” This word is used here in the aorist tense, implying past action performed at a single point in time. It is also expressed in the middle voice, meaning action that is performed by the subject on himself. Hence, this phrase could be translated as, “did not God select for Himself the poor of this world.”

The word “heirs” is translated from klēronomos. This is a compound word made up of klēros, which means “a lot” or “a portion” and nomos, which refers to the law, but which originally meant “to partition” or “to distribute.” Hence, klēronomos literally means one to whom portions are distributed, that is, an inheritor or an heir.

Meaning Explained

James carries the admonition of the preceding verses one step further by pointing out that God has chosen the poor of this world and has made them rich in faith. Not only does God not show favoritism to those who we might consider more desirable, but he seems to prefer the lowly and downtrodden. Perhaps He does so because they are more humble and more willing to honor God, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Paul, in his first epistle to the Corinthians also speaks of the poor weak ones whom God has chosen rather than the great and mighty:

For ye see your calling, brothers, that there are not many wise men according to flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, who are called: But God chose the foolish things of the world to put the wise to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and low-born things of the world, and things which are despised, and things which are not, so that He might bring to nothing things that are: that no flesh might glory in his presence. (1Corinthians 1:26-29)

You see, compared to God, even the richest man is poor. And compared to God, even the most powerful and noble people are weak and beggarly.

Application

Let us welcome all who come to hear the Word of God, no matter what their outward appearance, race, national origin, or financial position! We are God’s subjects and ambassadors, so let us represent our King as He would represent Himself!

Let us welcome the poor of this world, just as God has done.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 8:17 – Suffering Heirs

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Will

Romans 8:17 – Suffering Heirs

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Truth to Learn

We are God’s heirs and we will suffer for it.

Behind the Words

The word translated “heirs” is the Greek word klēronomos, which means “one who is receiving an inheritance.”

“if indeed” is translated from the Greek word eiper, which carries with it the notion of “if it is so, and it probably is.” By implication it means “since.” So, Paul is saying “since we suffer together …”

The word translated “glorified together” is sundoxadzō, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and doxadzō, meaning “to give honor” or “to make glorious.” It is expressed in the passive voice indicating that it will be done to us.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we saw that it is the Spirit of God who gives witness to our spirit that we are the children of God (if we have been saved). Now Paul goes on to say that if we are children of God (as confirmed by the Holy Spirit of God living in us), then we are heirs.

Note here that only legitimate children can be heirs, and under the Jewish laws of the times adopted children were legitimate children. In fact, an adopted child could not be disowned or dis-inherited the way a natural born child could be. So the fact that we are adopted children means that our inheritance is guaranteed!

So what are we inheriting? Some say we are inheriting heaven, but that’s not all we will inherit. This verse says we are heirs (inheritors) of God himself. That is not to say that we will become gods as some religions believe. It simply means that we are heirs of the eternality of God. Just as Jesus (the man) received an eternal body and shares in eternal fellowship with God the Father, we also will receive an eternal body as God’s heirs and will share eternal fellowship with Him.

Paul now throws a bit of a wrinkle in here. He says “since we suffer together with Him, we also may be glorified together (with him).” This should be both a challenge and an encouragement to us all. It says that we will suffer as Christians! But it also says that Jesus Christ suffers with us when we suffer. Here is another verse from Paul’s second letter to Timothy that talks about that suffering:

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2Timothy 3:12)

We should be prepared to suffer because we will if we are His children and we are pursuing a godly life. But when we do, He is right there with us. He knows the most intimate details of the trials that we’re going through because He is suffering with us.

Application

If you are a Christian then you have been legally adopted into God’s family, and you are an heir to all that God has to offer. Because you are in His family, however, his enemies will hate you like they hate Him and you will suffer for it. Are you ready for that? Consider this: He suffered to pay for your sins. Are you willing to suffer for Him?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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1 Peter 3:7 – Understanding Co-Heirs

Posted on January 13, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 3:7

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Truth to Learn

Though our wives are our equal, joint heirs of God, we husbands have a greater responsibility than they do in the marriage relationship.

Behind the Words

The word translated “understanding” is gnosis, which means “knowledge or understand.” We are to live with them in a knowing, or understanding, way.

“Honor” is translated from timē, meaning “value, esteem, or honor.” It refers to something that we consider of great worth.

The word “vessel” is from the Greek word skeuos, referring to “something which can be filled.” It is a reference to our very being, which can be filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 9:15, God refers to Saul (later called Paul) as a chosen vessel.

“Heirs together” is from sugklēronomos, meaning “those who inherit together.” We have an equal inheritance with our wives.

The word translated “hindered” is ekkoptō, which literally means “to cut out.” By application it refers to something that has been made ineffective or nonexistent.

Meaning Explained

Okay, men, this is where Peter drops the other shoe and it falls squarely on our toes. Earlier he started off this third chapter with “Likewise” as he talked to wives, and he now starts off with the same connective as he talks to husbands. He is not connecting this with what he said to wives; rather he is connecting this to his previous message on how to humbly live within society as a witness of God’s grace.

Peter tells us to dwell together with our wives knowingly, in an understanding way. We are to put effort into understanding their feelings and emotions and living in such a way as to take these things into account. Our responsibility in the marriage relationship is actually much greater than that of our wives. They are to voluntarily place themselves under our authority, but we are to be ever mindful of them. We are to give them special honor and we are to recognize that they are physically weaker, treating them as precious because of it. Also, the Apostle Paul says we are to love them:

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, (Ephesians 5:25)

This word for “love” is agapaō, the self-sacrificing, unconditional consideration for another, having more concern for their welfare than our own. If we don’t treat our wives with proper respect and loving care, Peter tells us that our prayers may become ineffective.

Christianity is the only major religion that places women in a position of equality with men with respect to the promises and blessings of God. We husbands are to model that to our wives, and to the world.

Application

Let me ask you men, does it sometimes feel like God is not listening to your prayers? Could it be the result of your not treating your wife with understanding and honor?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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