hupakouo – Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: hupakouo

Romans 10:16 – Who’s the Fool?

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Will

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?"

Truth to Learn

Many people will not listen to or believe the Gospel message.

Behind the Words

“Obeyed” is from the Greek word hupakouō, which is make up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and akouō, meaning “to hear.” This word has two basic meanings, “to listen attentively” or “to yield to a superior command or force” that is, to obey (whether voluntarily or not).

The word “report” is translated from akoē (from akouō, “to hear”) which refers to “something which is, or may be, heard.” Notice Paul’s play on words between “obeyed” and “report.” He will continue to emphasize forms of the Greek word akouō in the next couple of verses.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just been talking about how simple it is to be saved (Romans 10:9 – that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.). He has also just said that anyone, Jew or Gentile, can get saved (Romans 10:13 – For "Everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD will be saved.")

The current verse is in response to an anticipated objection by the Jewish Christians in Rome which might sound something like this, “If all that you say is true, then how come there are so many who don’t believe?” Or, as Paul has stated it in the first part of this verse, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel.”

In response to this objection, Paul now quotes from Isaiah at the very beginning of chapter 53,

Isaiah 53:1 – Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

The first part of this verse is a Hebraism (a Hebrew expression) which means, “But nobody has believed our message.” This is an interesting statement by Isaiah because it applies both to the response of the people of Isaiah’s day who wouldn’t listen to his messages, as well as to people in the days of the coming of the Messiah. If you read through the entire 53^rd chapter of Isaiah (it’s a fairly short chapter), you will see that it is a clear depiction of the final days of Christ’s earthly ministry, that is, His sacrificial death on the cross. It speaks of the Messiah as one who is rejected even as He is offering Himself up for the sins of those who reject Him.

Paul’s point is that Isaiah predicted many years ago that most of the Jews (as well as the Gentiles) would reject the message about the Messiah even in the face of overwhelming evidence. And this is still true today. In spite of the evidence of prophecy and historical verification of the death of Jesus Christ, many today would rather believe that we have evolved from single cell amoeba than to believe that God created us. God wants to have a personal relationship with us, and sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross to pay for our sins so that He can have that personal relationship with us.

Application

When you witness to the unsaved, don’t be surprised if they reject your message and think of you as a fool. Keep in mind, the real fool is the one who rejects God’s free gift of salvation!

The fool has said in his heart,"There is no God!" (Psalms 14:1a and Psalms 53:1a)

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 3:6 – Sarah’s Example

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Will

as Sarah was obedient to Abraham, calling him sir, whose daughters you are doing good and fearing no terror.

Truth to Learn

Sarah is Peter’s example of a wife who is submissive to her husband.

Behind the Words

The word translated “obedient” is the Greek word, hupakouō, which literally translates to “hear under.” It is the picture of a student attentively learning from a teacher.

The word “sir” is from kurios which means, “lord, master, or sir.” It does not show Sarah as an abject slave of Abraham, calling him “master,” so much as it shows her as giving respect to him as the family spiritual head, calling him “sir.”

“Fearing” is from the Greek word, phobeō, from which we get the English word “phobia,” which means “to fear.” This is the word used when we are commanded to “fear God.” It carries with it the sense of “to be in awe of” or “to revere.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verses Peter has been talking about wives voluntarily ranking themselves under their husbands, specifically unsaved husbands, with the view in mind of being a witness that may result in the salvation of their husbands. The whole purpose is to minister for the glory of God.

Peter then gets very specific about the type of outward adornment that is appropriate for the wife, which is itself less important than the inner adornment of a humble and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

He then uses the women of ancient time as an example of this inner adornment and now cites Sarah as the supreme example of this type of spirit in her adornment and submission to God through her submission to Abraham.

Remember that Peter started this particular treatise in chapter 2 with instruction on how to be built up as a spiritual house. How we behave with respect to government, our own bosses, and even how we conduct ourselves within our own family are an indication of how we are allowing ourselves to be used in the construction of this spiritual building.

He finishes this section on the behavior of wives with a word of encouragement that by behaving in this manner you wives are demonstrating that you are the spiritual daughters of Sarah. He caps it off by saying that wives who behave in this manner are doing well if it is done in fear without alarm.

But ladies, if your husband is treating you in such a way as to cause you to fear him, whether he claims to be saved or not, then this verse is not addressed to you. You are not commanded to be his doormat and certainly not expected to take abuse from your husband, either physical or emotional.

Application

Western society today does not like this message. The message of the world is to stand up for yourself and do your own thing. If your “thing” is to be faithful to God and to be obedient to Him, then you women are to place yourselves under your husband’s authority. But, if you’re more focused on yourself than on God, you can ignore Peter’s message. It’s up to you.

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Thessalonians 1:8 – Righteous Blazing Fire

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Will

in blazing fire giving vengeance to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Truth to Learn

God will judge unbelievers, so we don’t need to.

Behind the Words

“Blazing” is translated from the Greek word phlox, which refers to “a flame or a blazing fire.” It is sometimes translated as “flaming.”

The word “fire” is from pur, which refers to something that is burning. When combined with phlox, as it is in today’s verse, it refers to a hot, blazing fire.

Didomi is the Greek word translated “giving.” Some translations have this as “taking” but actually, the primary meaning of didomi is “to give” rather than “to take.”

“Vengeance” is translated from ekdikēsis. This word is made up of ek, meaning “out” and a form of dikē, meaning justice. Thus, ekdikēsis refers to handing out a just sentence. It is sometimes translated as retaliation or punishment.

The verb “know” is from eidō, meaning “to see” or “to perceive.” Since knowing something is like “seeing with the mind,” it is often translated as “to know.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the effect.

“Obey” is from the Greek verb hupakouō, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and akouō, meaning “to hear.” It is a picture of a disciple listening attentively to his or her master and obeying the instruction given.

Meaning Explained

In verse six Paul told us that it is a righteous, or proper, thing for God to repay with tribulation those people who have been persecuting the Christians in Thessalonica. Now in this verse and the next, Paul tells how God will repay them. He says here that God will give a just sentence to them. That just sentence, according to Paul, is blazing fire. This is a clear description of hellfire. Observe that it is God who hands out this judgment. In his letter to the Roman Christians Paul said:

Beloved, do not take revenge yourselves, but leave room for wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

The words translated “revenge” and “vengeance” are from the verb form and noun form of ekdikēsis, the same as in the current verse. So, Paul is telling the Romans that it is not up to them (or us) to be judge, jury, and executioner. We may be suffering from persecution and injustice from non-believers, but we can rest in the fact that not only has God prepared a glorious future for us, He will also repay our persecutors with a just sentence.

Now, let’s take a look at the two main characteristics of those who are persecuting us and causing us tribulation. Paul says that they “do not know God” and they “do not obey the gospel.” As we discussed in Behind the Words, this word “know” indicates a perception or awareness of God. They either refuse to believe that there is a God, or the god they choose to worship is not the true God. As a result, they don’t believe the truth that He has communicated to all mankind, that we are all sinners and that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has paid the price for our sins.

Application

When you suffer for being a Christian or for proclaiming the Gospel message, don’t be discouraged. Know that God will bless you and will judge those who are persecuting you.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 6:1 – Obedience is Right

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Will

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Truth to Learn

Obeying our parents is what God expects from us.

Behind the Words

“Children” is translated from the Greek noun teknon, which is based on the verb tiktō, meaning “to bring forth, or bear children.” Therefore, teknon refers to someone who has been born, that is, a child. The word teknon is a neuter noun so there is no implication as to the gender of the child.

The word “obey” is from hupakouō, composed of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and akouō, meaning “to hear” or “to listen.” Thus, hupakouō, means “to hear under,” that is, “to listen attentively.” By implication it means “to obey.” It is expressed here as a command.

“Parents” is from goneus, a noun derived from the verb ginomai, meaning “to begin to be” or “to generate.” Thus, goneus refers to someone who brought someone or something into being, that is, “a parent.”

Dikaion is the Greek word translated “right.” This is derived from the word dikē, which originally meant “a manner” or “a tendency.” Later it came to refer to the acceptance or correctness of established custom or usage. The basic meaning of dikaion is that of “an imposed standard of behavior which, if not met, results in punishment.”

Meaning Explained

Having spent most of the previous chapter teaching about the relationship between members of the body of Christ and how we are to treat one another, the Apostle Paul ended the chapter with a lesson on how husbands and wives are to interact with each other within the marriage relationship. Now, he moves on to other relationships within a household.

He starts off this section talking to children. Take note, however, that he is not simply talking to little children, adolescents, and teenagers. He uses the term teknon, which is a generic term for someone who has been born. In general usage it refers to those living in their parents’ home under their parents’ care. But, as Paul uses the word, it also refers to adults who still have a living mother or father. This is indicated by verse two and three where he refers to long life and blessing being a result of honoring your parents.

The expression “in the Lord” means that parental obedience is to be practiced as part of our submissive relationship with our Lord and Savior. Paul explains this a little further in his letter to the Colossians:

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

God is pleased when we respect our parents and humbly learn all that we can from them.

Application

In the latter half of the twentieth century is was in vogue for those with problems of various kinds to blame their parents. As children of God, however, we are to humble ourselves before our God and to learn what we can from our parents (even when we are adults). This is right, and this is what God expects from His children.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 6:5 – Obedient to Masters

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Will

Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

Truth to Learn

Christians are to be respectful and obedient to their bosses.

Behind the Words

“Bondservants” is from the Greek word doulos, which refers to “someone who, either voluntarily or involuntarily, is in a position of servitude to someone else and whose will is completely submitted to that of his or her master.”

The word translated “obedient” is hupakouō. In verse one of this chapter, we learned that this literally means “to hear under.” As used here it means “to listen attentively and obey.”

The word “masters” is translated from kurios, meaning “a person who is in a position of authority over you.”

“Fear” is from the Greek word phobos, which is related to the verb phebomai, which means “to flee from.” In Greek writing, Phobos has several nuances of meaning including: honor, respect, reverence, fear, or terror.

Tromos is the word translated “trembling.” It generally refers to “trembling of the body as a result of extreme fear.” When combined with phobos (as it is here), it is a reference to “great timidity or profound reverence, respect, or dread.”

The word translated “sincerity” is haplotēti. This word is derived from a (a particle of connection or union) and the base of plekō, meaning “to braid together.” Thus, haplotēti refers to the characteristic of not being divided, but being a single unit.

Meaning Explained

In the Roman society in which this letter was written, slaves made up between twenty and forty percent of the population. Bond slaves were considered legal property of their owner and they had no rights within Roman society. Most slaves were owned by individuals, but some were owned by the Roman people. Some of these public slaves did menial work while others did skilled office work such as accounting and secretarial duties.

A person became a slave in one of three ways: people who were defeated and captured by the Roman army, a Roman father had the right to sell his children into slavery, or a person could voluntarily surrender himself into slavery. In addition to bond slaves, there were household servants (Greek word oiketēs) who worked within a household but were not owned by the master of the house

The Apostolic teaching of the first century does not declare that slavery is wrong; however, within the church all members are considered equal. Paul’s teaching here and in Colossians 3:22 was specifically directed at bond slaves, but the Apostle Peter says the same thing to household servants in 1Peter 2:18.

Both Paul and Peter taught that servants and slaves were to be respectful and obedient to their masters, recognizing that they were under the authority of their master in the same way that all Christians are under Christ’s authority.

Application

All Christians are to be respectful and obedient to those who are in authority over them. Whether your boss is kind or mean, honest or devious, being sincerely obedient to him or her is the same as being obedient to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 6:1 – Obedience is Right

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Will

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Truth to Learn

Obeying our parents is what God expects from us.

Behind the Words

The word “obey” is from hupokouō, composed of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and akouō, meaning “to hear” or “to listen.” Thus, hupakouō, means “to hear under,” that is, “to obey.” It is expressed here as a command.

Meaning Explained

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

God is pleased when we respect our parents and humbly learn all that we can from them.

Application

In the latter half of the twentieth century is was in vogue for those with problems of various kinds to blame their parents. As children of God, however, we are to humble ourselves before our God and to learn what we can from our parents. This is right, and this is what God expects from His children.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 6:17 – Getting Into Shape

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Will

Romans 6:17

But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

Truth to Learn

We are molded into Christ’s shape by Biblical teaching.

Behind the Words

The words “be thanked” are translated from the Greek word charis, which refers to “a favor done without expectation of anything in return.” However, this word is also used to express the joy or gratitude (thanks) arising from the favor received.

The word “obeyed” is hupakouō, which we have looked at recently. It literally means “to hear under.” It refers to hearing, and obeying the teaching of an instructor.

“Form” is translated from tupon, which is equivalent to the Hebrew word cabala, meaning a mold that is used to create a “copy” or “type” of the original.

The word “doctrine” is from the Greek word didachē, a noun derived from the verb didaskō, meaning “to teach.” Hence, the word didachē refers to something that has been taught. It is frequently translated as “a teaching,” “a precept,” or “a doctrine.” Some Christians have a negative attitude toward doctrine, seeing it as unbending dogma. But, as you can see here, it simply refers to something that is taught.

Meaning Explained

In talking about this verse we have to begin with what Paul is not saying. He is not giving thanks to God that we were all slaves to sin. Being a slave to sin is neither desirable nor commendable. It is a state of helpless devotion to things that are contrary to all that God is. What Paul is saying is, “Though you were slaves of sin, you have been delivered from that state.” That’s what Paul is giving thanks for. He is thankful for every one of us who has believed the gospel message and has been saved from our sins and from the mastery of sin.

The second half of this verse has been misunderstood due to a mistranslation in the past. Literally, it says,

you obeyed, from the heart, unto which you were delivered, a form of teaching.

Now, obviously we don’t talk that way in English, so we rearrange the words a bit. Now it says,

from the heart you obeyed a form of teaching unto which you were delivered.

The “form of teaching” is that which was begun by Christ and taught to His apostles, who in turn taught it to others. It includes the gospel message (by which we were made into the image of Christ), but it also includes teaching about how to live our lives. This teaching acts like a mold or a form, shaping us into a copy of the original and that original is Christ himself. As we obey this teaching we become a “type” of Christ (hence, we are called Christians). We were freed from sin and we were delivered to the new teaching. And because we have received the shaping effect of that teaching, we have been delivered from the bondage of sin.

Application

I know this is a confusing verse and difficult to understand. What we need to learn from it, however, is that we need teaching from the Bible in order to allow ourselves to be shaped into an image of Christ. Let’s all get into His shape!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:

Romans 6:12 – Who’s Your Ruler?

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Will

Romans 6:12

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

Truth to Learn

Don’t let sin take control of your life.

Behind the Words

“Reign” is a word we looked at in the final verse of the previous chapter of Romans. It is basileuō, which means “to be king or to have ruling power over.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood indicating it is a command, “do not allow sin to rule over your mortal body!”

The word translated “mortal” is thnētos, which is derived from the verb theēskō, meaning “to die.” Hence, thnētos refers to something which is subject to death.

“Obey” is from the Greek word hupakouō, which is made up of hupo (or hypo) meaning “under” and akouō, meaning “to hear.” Hence, hupakouō literally means “to hear under.” It is a picture of a disciple listening to, hearing, and obeying the teaching of his or her master.

The word, “lusts” is a translation of the Greek word, epithumia, which is made up of epi, meaning “above or over” and a form of thumos, meaning “the mind.” As we put these together we see it means “to have overly strong thoughts or desires.”

Meaning Explained

This verse and the next form a two part summation of what Paul has been saying in the past few verses with some explanation added. He just told us that we should consider ourselves dead to sin, but living to God. Here he tells us what he means by considering, or reckoning, ourselves dead to sin. He says, “Don’t let sin reign in your mortal bodies.” In other words, the way we reckon ourselves dead to sin is to not let it have control. If sin is reigning in our life, it is ruling over us and we are submitting ourselves to it; we are letting it control us. If we are dead to sin, then we are separated from the dominion of sin and we will not live in obedience to it.

The second half of this verse has been viewed by some Biblical scholars as questionable. They believe that it has been added and was not part of the original letter. Others, and I agree with them, believe that it rightly belongs here since it appears in most reliable manuscripts.

Paul says that the way we keep sin from reigning in our mortal bodies is by not obeying it in its lusts. God has put desires within us that are necessary for survival, such as the desire to eat, the desire to rest, and the desire to procreate. However, when we allow these thoughts and desires to get so strong that they overcome us and control us, then they become sinful to us. The Apostle John says that these desires (lusts) are not of God but are part of the world system:

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. (1 John 2:16)

We should not allow these desires to control us.

Application

If you are living to God through Jesus Christ then you must have control over your sinful desires. Don’t let the world system stir up your desires. Don’t let the world system rule over you. Take control of your life by submitting to God!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –