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Romans 6:15 – Grateful Willing Restraint

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Will

What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

Truth to Learn

Just because our sins are all forgiven doesn’t mean we should let our sin nature run wild.

Behind the Words

The expression “What then?” is from two Greek words, ti oun. The first word, ti (a form of tis), in an interrogative pronoun means “who?” or “what?” or “which?” Oun is used between two clauses or sentences to show a connection between them or a cause and effect relationship. Paul is using it here to express a question that shows the relationship between what he has just said and the rhetorical question to follow.

“Under” is translated from the pronoun hupo (or hypo), which can mean physically “under” or “under the influence or dominion of” as it is used here.

Meaning Explained

Paul now asks another one of his rhetorical questions. His purpose for asking the question is to answer an objection that might be raised. He has just declared that we are not under the ruling power of sin any longer because we are no longer under the Law but under grace. Remember, the people to whom he wrote this letter were predominantly converted Jews living in Rome. They had been brought up believing that the way to righteousness was by obeying the Law. When they were saved, they continued to believe that it was necessary to obey the Law.

But Paul has skillfully demonstrated, not only are we no longer bound to the Law, but we are no longer under the ruling power of our sin nature. We are freed from the bondage of the Law, and we are freed from the ruling power of sin. To a Jewish Christian who has felt the weight of the Law and sin his or her entire life, this would sound like a freedom cry and permission to sin without repercussion.

So Paul asks his rhetorical question: Should we sin because we are not under Law, but under grace?

In his typical style, Paul immediately answers the question with the Greek phrase, “me genoito” which, as we have seen before, means “May it not be!” or “No way!”

We Christians are funny people sometimes. We labor for years under the false impression that we will be punished for our sins. We are very careful to be as obedient and faithful as we possibly can for fear of reprisal from God, as if He were a giant ogre just waiting for us to slip up so He can pounce on us and make us pay. But as soon as we learn that all of our sins are paid for (past, present, and future) and that we are no longer under condemnation, but are declared to be righteous, we immediately want to throw off the mantle of self restraint and let our sin nature run wild.

Instead, we should endeavor to be as obedient and faithful as possible, not because we will be punished for sinning, but because we have been set free and we owe it to our Master and Lord to act the way He wants us to act.

Application

We should be so grateful for having all of our sins forgiven that we willingly restrain our sin nature and live for Him the way He wants us to! But that’s not the way we think, is it?

In God's service, for His glory,

James 1:14 – Temptation’s Source

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Will

But each one is tempted by his own desires, being drawn away and enticed by them.

Truth to Learn

We may want to blame someone or something else for our sinfulness, but each of us is to blame for our own sin.

Behind the Words

James tells us that each and every one of us is tempted, not by God, but by his (or her) own “desires.” This is translated from the Greek work epithumia which is made up of epi, which means “above or over” (as in epidermis) and thumia, which means “the mind.” What this word represents is overly strong desires of the mind. It is often translated as “lusts.”

The words “drawn away” are from the Greek word exelkō. This is made up of ex meaning “out of” or “away from” and helkō, meaning “to drag” or “to draw.” This word was used by Jesus in John 6:44 where He said that the Father draws men to Him. Hence, this word means to be pulled away or drawn away.

The word translated “enticed” is deleadzō, from the noun delear which means “bait.” And what is the purpose of bait on the end of a hook? It is to entice and entrap a fish. Metaphorically, this word means “to trick or entice.”

In the previous verse we noted that the word “by” was translated from apo, referring to source rather than agency. In this verse the word “by” is translated from hupo which indicates agency. In other words, our overly strong desires are the very things (the agency) which cause us to be tempted.

Meaning Explained

When we sin, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We cannot claim the old Flip Wilson line, “The devil made me do it!” And we cannot blame our parents, or the way we were raised. The sin comes from within and it can only be taken care of from without; that is, by the blood of Christ. He is the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

We all have desires and they are necessary for sustaining life. We have the desire to eat, we have the desire to rest when we are tired, we have sexual desire, we have the desire to achieve, and many others. All of these are good and necessary in the proper balance. It is when any one of these becomes too great, even uncontrollable, that we get tempted to sin.

This is not to say that Satan and his fallen angels have no part in our temptation. In both Matthew 4:3 and 1Thessalinians 3:5 we find that our adversary is referred to as “the tempter.” The world system, which he controls, is made up of the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).

No matter who or what the source of our temptations may be, James is telling us that the agency of our temptation is our own desires which we allow to get out of control. When this happens, those lusts draw us from God’s way and entrap us in our own selfish ways.

Application

We all sin. It’s a fact of life. None of us has complete control of our fleshly desires. But we do have a Savior who did not sin and who gave His life to pay for ours. Let us thank our God for the blood of Christ and for the faith to believe in Him.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 1:11 – Discuss, Don’t Argue

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Will

For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.

Truth to Learn

Discussions are good, but arguments are bad.

Behind the Words

The words “it has been declared” are translated from the Greek verb dēloō. This word means “to signify” or “to make known.” It is expressed here in the aorist tense indicating action that was completed at a point in time in the past.

“By” is from the Greek preposition hupo, which usually means “under or beneath.” However, when used with a noun in the genitive case, as it is here, it indicates agency and is translated as “by, through, or from.”

The word “Chloe” is transliterated from the Greek word chloē, which is a feminine noun meaning “green.” Chloe was apparently a prominent person in the church at Corinth. It is not completely clear whether Chloe was a man or a woman.

“Contentions” is translated from eris, meaning “strife” or “contention.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul began this correctional teaching regarding the divisions that had sprung up in the Corinthian church. Here he tells us how he learned about the infighting that had developed. He says that it was signified to him by those who are of Chloe’s household. Since this is the only mention in the Bible of Chloe, we don’t know for sure whether Chloe was a man or a woman. However, since chloē is a feminine noun, it is most likely that Chloe was a woman. We also don’t know whether Chloe was part of the church in Corinth or part of the church in Ephesus, where Paul wrote this letter from. However, it is unlikely that Paul would have mentioned her by name if she was in the church in Corinth, since that might have caused even more harsh feelings within that already contentious church.

The apostle tells us that what he heard is that there were “contentions” within the church about which he will elaborate further in the next verse. It is good, and even important, to have discussions within the body of Christ. But, when discussion turns into fighting, it’s time to check our attitudes and emotions. The word eris (strife or contention) is listed as one of the works of the flesh in Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia:

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like (Galatians 5:19-21a)

It is clear from this list that heated arguments are just as bad as some of the other evil outpourings of our sin nature. And such sinful arguments can spring from the most innocent of topics, like what color of carpeting to put in the sanctuary or whether it is proper for your pastor to own a nice car.

Application

Let’s have open and informed discussions within the church. Let’s share what God has taught us from the Bible. But let’s not allow these discussions to turn into fighting or personal attacks. Instead, let us be humble and discuss things with love in our hearts.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 6:15 – Grateful Willing Restraint

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Will

Romans 6:15

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

Truth to Learn

Just because our sins are all forgiven doesn’t mean we should let our sin nature run wild.

Behind the Words

“Under” is translated from the pronoun hupo (or hypo), which can mean physically “under” or “under the influence or dominion of” as it is used here.

Meaning Explained

Paul now asks another one of his rhetorical questions. His purpose for asking the question is to answer an objection that might be raised. He has just declared that we are not under the dominion and power of sin any longer because we are no longer under the Law but under grace. Remember, the people to whom he wrote this letter were predominantly converted Jews living in Rome. They had been brought up believing that the way to righteousness was by obeying the Law. When they were saved, they continued to believe that it was necessary to obey the Law.

But Paul has skillfully demonstrated, not only are we no longer bound to the Law, but we are no longer under the lordship of our sin nature. We are freed from the bondage of the Law, and we are freed from the dominion of sin. To a Jewish Christian who has felt the weight of the Law and sin his or her entire life, this would sound like a freedom cry and permission to sin without repercussion.

So Paul asks his rhetorical question: Shall we sin because we are not under Law, but under grace?

In his typical style, Paul immediately answers the question with the Greek phrase, “me genoito” which, as we have seen before, means “May it not be!” or “No way!”

Application

We should be so grateful for having all of our sins forgiven that we willingly restrain our sin nature and live for Him the way He wants us to! But that’s not the way we think, is it?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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