hupomeno – Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: hupomeno

1 Peter 2:20 – Patient Suffering

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Will

For what fame is it if sinning and being harshly treated, you endure it? But if doing good and suffering for it, you endure it, this finds favor with God.

Truth to Learn

When we patiently endure unjust punishment for having done good deeds, God is pleased.

Behind the Words

The word translated “fame” is kleos, which is derived from a shortened form of kaleō, meaning “to call.” Kleos refers to “calling out the goodness” of someone. Hence, it is often translated as “renown,” “glory,” “favor,” or “credit.”

The word “sinning” is translated from hamartanō, meaning “to miss the mark.” It is often translated as “transgress” or “sin.” “Harshly treated” is translated from kolaphidzō, which means “to strike with the fist.” Both of these words are expressed as present participles indicating current ongoing activity.

The expression “you endure it” is translated from hupomenō, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” and menō, meaning “to remain.” It literally means “to remain under.” It is a picture of a beast of burden remaining under a heavy load and is often translated as “persevere” or “endure.”

“Doing good” is from agathopoiōn, a word we looked at back in verse fourteen. It refers to doing good deeds.

The word “suffer” is from the Greek word paschō, which refers to an intense emotion, usually suffering.

Meaning Explained

Peter is making a very profound statement that should be taken to heart by all who call themselves Christian. If you do wrong, are punished for it, and take it with patience, there is no glory or recognition given to you except that you got what you deserved. If, on the other hand, you have done good deeds, are falsely punished for it, and you take it patiently, this is joyous, or well-pleasing, with God.

When we suffer wrongfully, our Heavenly Father is aware of it. If our attitude is right, He is pleased with us. Peter says nothing of God’s attitude toward our actions when we complain and raise a ruckus because we have been falsely accused or punished unjustly. But he says that God is pleased when we endure it patiently. Peter is clearly thinking back on the unjust beating and suffering endured by Jesus Christ when he paid for our sins. In the following verses Peter will refer to Christ’s wrongful suffering as a perfect example of how we should act. He was innocent and was supremely punished by men and accepted it patiently. We, on the other hand, are guilty before God and do not receive the just punishment for our offenses.

Application

All Christians have experienced situations where we did what was good and ended up suffering for it in one way or another. Can you remember such a time? How did you handle it? Did you endure it quietly and patiently, or did you fuss and complain to God about how unfair it was? How will you react the next time this happens to you? Quietly and patiently, I hope!

In God's service, for His glory,

James 5:7 – Patient Suffering

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Will

Therefore, brothers, be patient until the coming of the Lord. See, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it might receive the early and latter rains.

Truth to Learn

Patiently suffering in the midst of unfair treatment by others will bring glory to God.

Behind the Words

The word translated “patient” is the Greek word, makrothumeō. This is a compound word made up of makros, meaning “long” and thumos, meaning “wrath” or “anger.” Hence, makrothumeō means “to suffer long” or “to persevere patiently.” This is different than the word hupomenō, translated “patience” in James 1:3, 4. Generally, hupomenō (remaining under) refers to patiently putting up with things or circumstances, whereas makrothumeō (being long suffering) means to exercise understanding and patience towards other persons, especially those who are oppressive.

“Coming” is from parousia, which is from paron, meaning “to be present.” Thus, parousia represents “the presence” of someone or something.

The Greek word ekdechomai is translated here as “waits.” Ekdechomai is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and dechomai, meaning “to receive.” In its common usage it means “to watch for” or “to wait for with expectation.”

“Early” is translated from proimon, which is an adjective that refers to “daybreak” or “early morning.” It is the word used to describe the rains that come in the autumn.

“Latter” is translated from opsimos, which is derived from opse, meaning “late.” Opsimos is the word used to describe the rains that come in the spring.

Meaning Explained

Now that James has admonished the rich for their unjust treatment of the poor, he turns his attention to those brothers who had been suffering at the hands of the rich men. His message is pretty simple – “Be patient!” This is always the message to Christians who have been treated unfairly. It is not our place to seek revenge, as it says in Romans 12:17-19:

Giving back to no one, evil for evil. Providing right things before all men. If possible, so far as is in you, being at peace with all men. Not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

Christ Himself set the example for us to follow. Though He was innocent, he did not strike back when he was struck and he did not argue when he was falsely accused.

By way of encouragement, James cites an example of how patience pays off. He says, “See, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth …” and just as God provides water and growth for the plants he will help the oppressed through their trying times and will someday avenge Himself on the wrongdoers. If necessary, we need to be patient until the coming of The Lord.

James’ admonition to be long suffering until the coming of the Lord is a reminder to those who are being oppressed, that the Judgment Day is coming. The faithless rich who are behaving selfishly and oppressively toward the poor will one day stand before God to receive harsh judgment for their actions. The faithful poor, however, who are being unfairly treated by the rich will also stand before the Judge, but they will receive mercy instead of wrath.

Application

Just remember that God teaches each one of us patience by putting us in situations where we have to wait on Him. It cannot be learned any other way. So, if you are now in a situation where you have been praying and waiting, remember to praise God for it (not in spite of it, but because of it) since He is developing patience in you and making you more like Christ!

In God's service, for His glory,

James 1:12 – Crowning Reward

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Will

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Truth to Learn

Patiently enduring the trials of our lives will result in eternal rewards of far greater value than all of our possessions and anything that money can buy.

Behind the Words

The word for “temptation” here is the same as in verse 2, peirasmos which, as was pointed out earlier, means “a criterion or test by which something is proved or tried.”

The word for “endures” is the verb hupomenō, the noun form of this word is translated as “patience” in verses 3 and 4. It’s the word that means “to remain under the load without complaining” or “to persevere.”

The word translated “approved” is also from verse 3. It is the noun dokimos (from the verb dikomadzō) which refers to proving or refining with the intent of finding good. In this verse it refers to someone who has already undergone testing and has successfully endured it. This person has been refined and his faith has been purified by the trial.

“Promised” is from the Greek word epangellō, which is made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and angellō, meaning “to announce” or “to declare.” It is expressed here in the aorist tense, indicating an action completed at a point in time in the past.

The word translated “the Lord” does not appear in the earliest manuscripts. However, even without the presence of this word it is clear who made the promise.

Meaning Explained

Not only has James taught us that we are blessed when we encounter various trials (temptations, sufferings) but he promises us that we will receive more blessing when we endure them. James is summing up what he has been talking about for eleven verses now; the person who patiently endures, who stays humbly submitted throughout the difficulties, sufferings, and trials of life will come out more refined and more Christ-like.

James does not promise us that we will be given riches, like Job, when we endure our trials. But James does say that if we endure our trials with an ever strengthening faith, we will one day receive a crown of life which is promised to those who love God. This is one of the crowns that we will be able to cast at the feet of God proclaiming His worthiness as depicted in the book of Revelation.

the twenty-four elders will fall down before the One sitting on the throne. And they worship Him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, O Lord, You are worthy to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because You created all things, and by Your will they are and were created. (Revelation 4:10, 11)

Other crowns of reward promised to Christians include:

The incorruptible crown (I Corinthians 9:24, 25)
The crown of glory (I Peter 5:2-4)
The crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7, 8)
The crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

Application

Will you have a crown to cast before your King some day? Or will you be in the crowd thinking, “I wish I had a crown to cast before Him”?

Hang in there and endure the trials of life, always looking to the author and finisher of our faith. Patient endurance is not easy but it is rewarding, both now and eternally!

In God's service, for His glory,