Tag: increase

1 Thessalonians 4:10 – Increase Your Love

Posted on by Will

and indeed you do so toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, that you increase even more;

Truth to Learn

We need to greatly increase our love for all Christians.

 

Behind the Words

The words “you do” are translated from the Greek verb poieō, meaning “to make” or “to do.”

The word translated “urge” is parakaleō, which we have looked at several times before. It is made up of para, meaning “near, in the vicinity of, or alongside” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Thus parakaleō literally means “to call near” or “to call alongside.” It is a picture of a coach being called alongside an athlete to encourage, comfort, and challenge him or her.

“Increase” is translated from perisseuō, which is the verb form of perissos, meaning “abundant” or “excessive.” Perisseuō means “to be in excess” or “to be full to the point of overflowing.”

Mallon is the Greek word translated “even more.” It means “much more.” When combined with perisseuō it indicates a huge increase which is what Paul is urging the Thessalonians to accomplish in loving each other.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul began his teaching regarding how we are to conduct our lives, both with regard to our brothers and sisters in Christ and to those outside the church. He told the Thessalonians that they already knew about loving their Christian brothers, having learned this love from God Himself.

Now he gives them a few words of affirmation, demonstrating that he is aware that they do indeed practice love for all Christians in their part of the world. Back in the first chapter of this letter, Paul remembered how hard they worked (labored) at loving others (1 Thessalonians 1:3) and noted that they were good examples to Christians throughout Macedonia (the northern part of modern day Greece) and Achaia (the southern part of modern day Greece).

But – when it comes to demonstrating love in our lives, we can’t simply rely on our reputation, and we can never assume that the amount of love we are currently showing is good enough. Even though Paul tells them that they are “doing” love toward all Christians, he now challenges them to do it even more. And, he doesn’t simply tell them (and us) to increase their (our) love a little bit. He coaches them, he urges them, he challenges them, like an athlete in a race, to increase their love exceedingly.

Take note that Paul does not simply bark out commands to those under his ministry and expect them to perform without any help, he spends time in prayer asking God to give them the ability to follow his advice (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

 

Application

We need to put more effort into loving others. Even though we may think we’re doing all we can, we need to do more – much more. Remember that our Lord told us that this is how others will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35). How is your love for your brothers? Is it strong, is it openly demonstrated? Good! Now, increase that love – a lot!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 3:12 – Growing, Overflowing Love

Posted on by Will

And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love unto one another and unto all, just as we do unto you,

Truth to Learn

All Christians need to grow in our love for others.

 

Behind the Words

Kurios is the Greek word translated “Lord.” It is derived from kuros, meaning “might” or “power.” Thus, kurios refers to “someone who has legal power or supreme authority over you.” When accompanied by the definite article (the) as it is here, it is a reference to “the Lord,” that is to God, who has supreme authority over us. He is our King, our owner, our Lord, and our Master.

The words “may … make you increase” are translated from the Greek verb pleonadzō, which means “to have, or to cause to have a lot, or more than enough.” The verb is expressed here in the rare optative mood, which is used to express a wish or a desire as used in a prayer to God.

“Abound” is from the Greek verb perisseuō, which means “to be in excess in number or measure.” The meaning of this word is really more than just “to abound.” It means to super abound. It, too, is expressed in the optative mood, indicating a wish or a prayer request.

 

Meaning Explained

In the New Testament we are instructed more than thirty times either to do something or not to do something to one another. In virtually all cases it is a reference to how we are to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ. And, by far the most frequent of these is for us to love one another. (1Thessalonians 4:9; Romans 12:10; Romand13:8; 2Thessalonians 1:3; 1Peter 1:22; 1John 3:11, 1John 3:23; 1John 4:7, 1Jn_4:11; 2John 1:5)

Paul’s prayer request here does not just include an increase in, and abundance of, love for the brothers, he prays that Christian love might abound to all people.

In yesterday’s verse we noted that Paul expressed this prayer to the Father and the Son. There are some scholars who believe that “the Lord” expressed in this verse is a reference to the Holy Spirit. If that is the case, then this is the only prayer in the Bible addressed to the third person of the Trinity. In this case, it might be appropriate, since Paul tells us in Romans 15:13 that it is the Holy Spirit who causes us to abound in hope, and he tells us in Romans 15:16 that it is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us (makes us holy, as in the next verse). Other scholars, however, point out that the instructions that we have been given in the New Testament are to pray “to the Father, through the Son, in (or by) the Spirit,” not to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

One more thing to note here: Paul has written this letter to a church undergoing severe persecution. Under such difficult circumstances, it is easy to take our eyes off those around us and focus instead on ourselves and our fears. Therefore, it is significant that he should pray for an increasing and overflowing love for the Thessalonian Christians. Do you recall what John said in his first epistle? “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear …” (1 John 4:18a)

 

Application

Let us all commit ourselves to exercising love for others, both within and outside the church. Doing so will make the persecutions we face easier to bear.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 3:6 – Farmers and Gardeners

Posted on by Will

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

Truth to Learn

We are called to be servants, planting seeds and nourishing the church. God will do the rest.

Behind the Words

Phuteuō is the Greek verb translated “planted.” It is derived from phuton (a plant), which is itself derived from the verb phuō, meaning “to generate” or “to spring up.” Thus, phuteuō refers to planting a seed with the hope that it will spring to life and grow. It is expressed here in the aorist tense, indicating action that was done in the past at a point in time.

“Watered” is from the Greek verb potidzō, which means “to give a drink” or “to irrigate.” This verb is also expressed in the aorist tense, indicating past action done at a point in time.

The words “gave the increase” are translated from the verb auxanō, which means “to grow” or “to increase.” Unlike the other two verbs, this one is expressed in the imperfect tense, indicating past continuous action.

Meaning Explained

Most of the Roman world outside of the city of Rome itself was based on an agrarian society. Growing crops and raising cattle were necessary for meeting the needs of the Roman citizens. Because of this, nearly everyone understood the basics of raising crops. In much of Jesus’ teaching and throughout the writings of the apostles, agricultural metaphors were used because the ideas being taught were easier to understand when related to something as familiar as agriculture.

This metaphor is applicable to teachings about the sprouting of faith in a person’s heart (the parable of the sower and the seed) and about the gathering together of God’s people into His kingdom at the end of this age (the harvest of the wheat and the tares). It is also particularly applicable to the growth of the church as Paul applies it here.

You and I are not responsible for the growth of the church any more than we are responsible for another person’s salvation. These things are God’s doing. We are responsible as farmers and garden growers to plant the seeds of the Gospel message and to tend the plants of faith after they have sprouted up.

Although Paul was one of the best teachers of God’s truth in the first century, he was primarily an evangelist. He planted the seeds of faith throughout the Roman world. In Corinth, it was Paul, with the assistance of Sylvanus and Timothy, who proclaimed the Gospel of salvation to the people there. He stayed there long enough to ensure that the tender new seedlings got a good start and warned about the weeds and insects that would try to choke and nibble at the seedlings as they grew. Apollos, on the other hand, was responsible for providing the spiritual fertilizer and water that the young Christian plants needed to grow strong. Paul realized, however, that the growth of the church, both in numbers and in strength is really God’s doing.

Application

If you are in a church that is healthy and growing, it is because there are dedicated farmers and gardeners of God who invest their time and effort into being God’s servants. They pull out the weeds and they are on constant lookout for spiritual insects. They give their all to God and they give Him all the glory. When was the last time you thanked one of these servants?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:10 – Increase Your Love

Posted on by Will

and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;

Truth to Learn

We need to greatly increase our love for all Christians.

Behind the Words

The words “you do” are translated from the Greek verb poieō, meaning “to make” or “to do.”

The word translated “urge” is parakaleō, which we have looked at several times before. It is made up of para, meaning “near, in the vicinity of, or alongside” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Thus parakaleō literally means “to call near” or “to call alongside.” It is a picture of a coach being called alongside an athlete to encourage, comfort, and challenge him or her.

“Increase” is translated from perisseuō, which is the verb form of perissos, meaning “abundant” or “excessive.” Perisseuō means “to be in excess” or “to be full to the point of overflowing.”

Mallon is the Greek word translated “more and more.” It means “much more.” When combined with perisseuō it indicates a huge increase which is what Paul is urging the Thessalonians to accomplish in loving each other.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul began his teaching regarding how we are to conduct our lives, both with regard to our brothers and sisters in Christ and to those outside the church. He told the Thessalonians that they already knew about loving their Christian brethren, having learned this love from God Himself.

Now he gives them a few words of affirmation, demonstrating that he is aware that they do indeed practice love for all Christians in their part of the world. Back in the first chapter of this letter, Paul remembered how hard they worked (labored) at loving others (1 Thessalonians 1:3) and noted that they were good examples to Christians throughout Macedonia (the northern part of modern day Greece) and Achaia (the southern part of modern day Greece).

But – when it comes to demonstrating love in our lives, we can’t simply rely on our reputation, and we can never assume that the amount of love we are currently showing is good enough. Even though Paul tells them that they are “doing” love toward all Christians, he now challenges them to do it even more. And, he doesn’t simply tell them (and us) to increase their (our) love a little bit. He coaches them, he urges them, he challenges them, like an athlete in a race, to increase their love exceedingly.

Take note that Paul does not simply bark out commands to those under his ministry and expect them to perform without any help, he spends time in prayer asking God to give them the ability to follow his advice (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

Application

We need to put more effort into loving others. Even though we may think we’re doing all we can, we need to do more – much more. Remember that our Lord told us that this is how others will know that we are His disciples (John 13:35). How is your love for your brethren? Is it strong, is it openly demonstrated? Good! Now, increase that love – a lot!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved