Tag: heis

Ephesians 4:7 – God’s Gifting

Posted on by Will

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

Truth to Learn

Each Christian has a job function to perform within the church based on how God has gifted him or her.

 

Behind the Words

The word “each” is from heskatos, which indicates “each” or “every;” that is, not just some, but all.

“One” is from heis. The fact that Paul says, “each one” indicates “every one of us, individually.”

“Grace” is translated from charis, which is derived from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Charis refers specifically to “that which causes joy or gratification.” When used in reference to God, it always refers to “an unearned and undeserved favor done by Him without expectation of anything to be done in return.”

The words “was … given” are translated from the verb didōmi, meaning “to give.” This Greek word is expressed in the aorist tense, passive voice, and indicative mood. This indicates that it was done completely to the subject (each one of us).at a point in time in the past

“Measure” is from metron (from which we get our English word “metric”), meaning “a measure of length or capacity.”

 

Meaning Explained

In this chapter the Apostle Paul has been teaching us how to behave within the body of Christ, the church. He has told us that we are to be humble, gentle, patient, supportive servants who are eager to work toward unity and peace. In the past few verses he gave us a number of examples of reasons why we should be working toward this unity.

Now, in achieving that unity we each have a calling, or a job, to perform. Even though we are all one in Christ, we are still individuals and each one of us has a different function to perform. Paul tells us that God bestows His favor on each one of us in the form of a gift or gifts. These undeserved gifts have been given to us to be used within the church. As we will learn a few verses from now, the purpose of these gifts is to enable us to minister to one another, the result of which will be, “the edifying of the body of Christ.” In other words, these gifts are not given to us for our own personal use or personal benefit. They are given to us to benefit others in the church.

We are also told here that God’s grace is bestowed on each of us, “according to the measure of Christ's gift.” What Paul means is that God determines which gift or gifts to bestow on us and He determines how much of each gift to give to each Christian. We do not all have the same gift, and we do not decide which gift or gifts He gives us, nor do we determine how much of the gift we are to receive. It is all determined by God and by Him alone. Paul tells us in 1Corinthians 14:1 that we are to desire certain gifts, but we don’t determine them.

 

Application

I have been in churches where a specific gift is so sought after that people are convinced you are not completely saved unless you have that specific gift. Paul would say, “Hogwash!” More literally, he would say mē genoito, or “No way!” God determines your gift or gifts. Your only responsibility with regard to His gift is that you use it to the best of your ability to build up the body of Christ. Is that what you’re doing?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:4 – Only One

Posted on by Will

There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling;

Truth to Learn

All Christians are to work toward unity within the church.

 

Behind the Words

“One” is translated from the Greek word heis (pronounced hice). This is the masculine form of the word. The feminine form of this word is mia and the neuter form is hen. All three of these forms refer to the first cardinal numeral, one.

The word “body” is translated from sōma, meaning “an organized whole made up of parts and members.” It is the word commonly used to refer to a physical body or a representative body. In today’s verse it is a reference to the body made up of all Christians around the world, whether past, present, or future. Paul refers to us as “the body of Christ.”

“Spirit” is from pneuma, which is based on the verb pneō, meaning “to breathe” or “to blow.” Thus, pneuma literally refers to “a current of air.” Figuratively, it refers to “a spirit” or “a ghost.”

Elpis, is the word translated “hope.” This word is based on the verb elpō, which means “to anticipate” or “to welcome.” Whereas the English word “hope” implies a wish or a desire for something to occur, elpis expresses “an expectation of what is sure.” We can define elpis as “a hope for something, with the full expectation that it will happen.”

 

Meaning Explained

In this fourth chapter of his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul is instructing us regarding how we are to behave as Christians. This is in contrast to the first three chapters where he taught us what to believe. In the first verse of this chapter we were told to “walk worthy” of our calling. That is, we should behave in a manner consistent with God’s character and the job that He has given us to perform.

In yesterday’s verse Paul instructed us to be fast, that is, eager or diligent to guard the unity of the Spirit within the church. In other words, he is exhorting us to work hard at avoiding division. In today’s verse and the following two, he reinforces his argument by showing numerous examples of the unity that exists within the church.

He starts off reminding us that there is only one body of Christ. Sadly, throughout the centuries since the original formation of the church on the day of Pentecost (see Acts chapter 2), there have been divisions within the church. On the human level, the church is made up of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. There are even divisions within each of these, most notably the Protestants of which there are numerous denominations. From God’s perspective, however, there is only one body, united by one Holy Spirit and infused with the same hope in our calling. That common hope is the assurance, or expectation, that we will exist eternally in God’s presence.

 

Application

Are you walking worthy of the calling with which you have been called? Are you diligent in performing your given responsibility in a manner that promotes unity within the body of Christ? If so, Paul would be proud of you!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 3:8 – Unity and Individuality

Posted on by Will

Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Truth to Learn

The work of ministry is a team effort, but the rewards given will be based on individual effort.

Behind the Words

“One” is translated from the Greek word heis, meaning the number “one.” It is written here in the neuter person, just like the word ti in verse seven, further supporting the use of ti in verse five.

“Each one” is from the Greek word hekastos (from hekas, meaning “separate”). It refers to “each one” or to “everyone.” In the case of “everyone,” it implies specific application to each one separately, not to the group as a whole.

The words “will receive” are from lambanō, which means “to take” or “to receive.” It is expressed in the future tense, indicating action that will take place sometime in the future.

Misthos is the word translated “reward.” It refers to “wages” or “a reward” that is given as payment for work done.

The words “according to” are from the Greek word kata. The primary meaning of this word is “down.” When used metaphorically, as it is here, it expresses the relationship of one thing with respect to another. In this sense it means “according to,” “in comparison to,” or “with respect to.”

“Labor” is from the word kopos, based on the word koptō, meaning “to strike,” “to hit,” or “to cut.” It refers to “wearisome or painful effort” or “hard work.”

Meaning Explained

In the agricultural metaphor that Paul has been using, he has shown that the work of the gospel involves both planting of seeds (evangelism) and nourishing of the spiritual plants that have sprung up from the seeds (preaching and teaching). Because of the divisions that had sprung up in the church at Corinth, Paul is making a strong point that all of those who labor for God are one unit. They are not divided, working in competition with each other, but working together as members of the same team.

In the upcoming verses, he will switch from an agriculture metaphor to that of constructing a building. In both of these, Paul clearly shows that the work of ministry is a combined effort, requiring hard work on the part of many people. Each person has their part of the job to do for a common objective. Each person has his or her work to do according to the gifts that God has given them to work with, but there is a unity of purpose for all.

Now, lest we get lazy and assume that the work of the ministry will get done whether or not we do our part, Paul declares a significant truth. Each one of us will be paid (rewarded) for the work that we do individually. Later, Paul will show that our payment will depend on the quality and focus of our labor; here he states that we each have our own assignment and we need to be doing the work assigned us by the Master.

Application

In any church today, eighty percent of the work is performed by twenty percent of the people. However, those who faithfully do the work assigned to them will receive the reward promised to them, while those who are not working will receive nothing.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Ephesians 4:7 – God’s Gifting

Posted on by Will

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

Truth to Learn

Each Christian has a job function to perform within the church based on how God has gifted him or her.

Behind the Words

The word “each” is from heskatos, which indicates “each” or “every;” that is, not just some, but all.

“One” is from heis. The fact that Paul says “each one” indicates “every one of us, individually.”

“Grace” is translated from charis, which is derived from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Charis refers specifically to “that which causes joy or gratification.” When used in reference to God, it always refers to “an unearned and undeserved favor done by Him without expectation of anything to be done in return.”

The words “was … given” are translated from the verb didōmi, meaning “to give.” This Greek word is expressed in the aorist tense, passive voice, and indicative mood. This indicates that it was done completely at a point in time in the past to the subject (each one of us).

“Measure” is from metron (from which we get our English word “metric”), meaning “a measure of length or capacity.”

Meaning Explained

In this chapter the Apostle Paul has been teaching us how to behave within the body of Christ, the church. He has told us that we are to be humble, gentle, patient, supportive servants who are eager to work toward unity and peace. In the past few verses he gave us a number of examples of reasons why we should be working toward this unity.

Now, in achieving that unity we each have a calling, or a job, to perform. Even though we are all one in Christ, we are still individuals and each one of us has a different function to perform. Paul tells us that God bestows His favor on each one of us in the form of a gift or gifts. These undeserved gifts have been given to us to be used within the church. As we will learn a few verses from now, the purpose of these gifts is to enable us to minister to one another, the result of which will be, “the edifying of the body of Christ.” In other words, these gifts are not given to us for our own personal use or personal benefit. They are given to us to benefit others in the church.

We are also told here that God’s grace is bestowed on each of us, “according to the measure of Christ's gift.” What Paul means is that God determines which gift or gifts to bestow on us and He determines how much of each gift to give to each Christian. We do not all have the same gift, and we do not decide which gift or gifts He gives us, nor do we determine how much of the gift we are to receive. It is all determined by God and by Him alone. Paul tells us in 1Corinthians 14:1 that we are to desire certain gifts, but we don’t determine them.

Application

I have been in churches where a specific gift is so sought after that people are convinced you are not completely saved unless you have that specific gift. Paul would say, “Hogwash!” God determines your gift or gifts. Your only responsibility with regard to His gift is that you use it to the best of your ability to build up the body of Christ. Is that what you’re doing?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 4:4 – Only One

Posted on by Will

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

Truth to Learn

All Christians are to work toward unity within the church.

Behind the Words

“One” is translated from the Greek word heis (pronounced hice). This is the masculine form of the word. The feminine form of this word is mia and the neuter form is hen. All three of these forms refer to the first cardinal numeral, one.

The word “body” is translated from sōma, meaning “an organized whole made up of parts and members.” It is the word commonly used to refer to a physical body or a representative body. In today’s verse it is a reference to the body made up of all Christians around the world, whether past, present, or future. Paul refers to us as “the body of Christ.”

“Spirit” is from pneuma, which is based on the verb pneō, meaning “to breathe” or “to blow.” Thus, pneuma literally refers to “a current of air.” Figuratively, it refers to “a spirit” or “a ghost.”

Elpis, is the word translated “hope.” This word is based on the verb elpō, which means “to anticipate” or “to welcome.” Whereas the English word “hope” implies a wish or a desire for something to occur, elpis expresses “an expectation of what is sure.” We can define elpis as “a hope for something, with the full expectation that it will happen.”

Meaning Explained

In this fourth chapter of his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul is instructing us regarding how we are to behave as Christians. This is in contrast to the first three chapters where he taught us what to believe. In the first verse of this chapter we were told to “walk worthy” of our calling. That is, we should behave in a manner consistent with God’s character and the job that He has given us to perform.

In yesterday’s verse Paul instructed us to be fast, that is, eager or diligent to guard the unity of the Spirit within the church. In other words, he is exhorting us to work hard at avoiding division. In today’s verse and the following two, he reinforces his argument by showing numerous examples of the unity that exists within the church.

He starts off reminding us that there is only one body of Christ. Sadly, throughout the centuries since the original formation of the church on the day of Pentecost (see Acts chapter 2), there have been divisions within the church. On the human level, the church is made up of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. There are even divisions within each of these, most notably the Protestants of which there are numerous denominations. From God’s perspective, however, there is only one body, united by one Holy Spirit and infused with the same hope in our calling. That common hope is the assurance, or expectation, that we will exist eternally in God’s presence.

Application

Are you walking worthy of the calling with which you have been called? Are you diligent in performing your given responsibility in a manner that promotes unity within the body of Christ? If so, Paul would be proud of you!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.