innocent – Ministry of Grace Church

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Romans 16:19 – Obedient and Wise

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Will

For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I rejoice on your behalf; but I want you to be wise as to what is good, and innocent concerning evil.

Truth to Learn

It is important for all Christians to be growing in our faith daily by reading and studying the Bible.

Behind the Words

“Obedience” is translated from the Greek noun hupakoē. This is a compound word made up of hupo, meaning “under or beneath” and a form of akouō, meaning “to listen or to hear.” It is a picture of a student listening under the teaching of an instructor. In common usage, it means “listening attentively” or “being obedient to a teacher or master.”

The expression “has become known” is from the verb aphikneomai, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and a form of hikanos, meaning “to arrive.” So, this word means “to arrive from or to reach a destination.” A literal translation of the opening part of this verse would be, “For your obedience reached to all.”

“Innocent” is translated from akeraios. This word is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” and the verb kerannumi, meaning “to mix.” Thus, akeraios means “without mixture,” that is, “without any deceit” or “innocent and pure.”

Meaning Explained

You will recall that Paul has just told the Christians at Rome to be on the lookout for people who cause division within the body of Christ and who cause others to stumble in their walk with the Lord. A classic example of this is the type of people who come to your door with pamphlets and other literature proclaiming them to have the truth about God when, in fact, they are spreading false doctrine.

Part of Paul’s concern for these Christians in Rome is based on the fact that they have a reputation for being attentive listeners and applying themselves to the teachings they learn. It is good for all Christians to want to learn more about God and how to have a closer walk with Him. But it is just as important to be able to discern between teachings that are truth and teachings that are deceptive. One kind of teaching builds up the body of Christ while the other tears it down and divides it. One sure way to identify these false teachers is that they often claim to have teaching and truth that most other Christians don’t have, sometimes in the form of additional books of Scripture.

Paul warned the Christians in Ephesus in a similar manner when he taught them about the spiritual gifts and the gifted people that God provides in each church so:

that we should no longer be infants, being tossed and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men in craftiness, with deceitful schemes, (Ephesians 4:14)

Instead of falling prey to such false teachers, Paul tells the Romans to be wise in what is good and to be innocent and pure concerning evil.

Application

There are some Christians who want to learn everything they can about false religions. Instead of that, Paul says we should learn all we can about true faith in God. The best way for us to do that is to read and study His Holy Word. Let’s commit to seeking a deeper relationship with God by spending time each and every day reading and studying the Bible.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 16:18 – Servants, Not Crusaders

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Will

For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the innocent.

Truth to Learn

Lack of submissiveness can cause harm to the body of Christ.

Behind the Words

The word translated “serve” is douleuō, the verb form of doulos, meaning “a slave, one whose will is totally submitted to his master/owner.”

“Belly” is from the Greek noun koilia, which refers to “a cavity.” This word is often used in reference to “the womb” or “the belly.” Allegorically, it is used as a reference to the sensuality of food, drink, and personal gratification.

“Smooth words” is the translation of the Greek word chrēstologia, which is a compound of chrēstos, meaning “easy, good, or kind” and legō, meaning “to relate something in words, a discourse.” Thus chrēstologia refers to “a polite discussion.” Today, we might refer to a person who does this as a “smooth talker.”

The words “flattering speech” are from eulogia, which is made up of eu, meaning “good or well” and logos, meaning “a word or something said.” So, we see that eulogia is a reference to “an eloquent message.”

“Innocent” is translated from the Greek noun akakos, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and kakos, meaning “bad.” Hence, akakos refers to someone “without guile;” that is, someone who is innocent or unsuspecting.

Meaning Explained

This verse is an extension of the previous one in which Paul warned the Christians in Rome to be on the lookout for people who cause divisions within the body of Christ or who do and say things that cause brothers or sisters in the Lord to stumble in their walk with God.

In today’s verse Paul characterizes such people as selfishly seeking to satisfy their own appetite (usually for power or revenge) instead of the good of the body of Christ. If you have been in any church for a long time, you have probably had encounters with this type of person. He or she talks a good game. These people are often very intelligent and can make a convincing argument as to why a certain thing should or should not be done.

When you encounter such a person, or even suspect that there is such a person in your congregation, ask yourself, Is this person primarily interested in the health of the body of Christ? Are they proposing something that will bring glory to God? Are their reasons and justifications for action based on a humble submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Or, are they more interested in getting their own way rather than submitting to the leadership of the church.

Too often such people are very charismatic and persuasive. And too often a church split is the result of their words and actions. Do you think that’s what God wants?

Application

Whether or not we like the decisions of the leadership of a local congregation, we are to submit ourselves to such leaders. Instead of stirring up dissention in the body, we need to get on our knees and humbly seek God’s guidance. And, we need to act as servants, not crusaders.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 3:10 – Innocent Language

Posted on January 18, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 3:10

For “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.

Truth to Learn

The way we speak and the things we say will have an effect on the way we live.

Behind the Words

The word translated “would” (“wants” or “wills” in some translations) is the Greek verb thelō, which means “to desire, implying active volition and purpose.” In other words, it means “to determine.” There is another word translated “will” or “want” in the New Testament. It is the Greek verb boulomai, which means “to want” or “to desire.” Whereas boulomai means “to be disposed or to intend, but not pressing on to execute that decision,” thelo implies a determination that produces action. It is a subtle, but important, distinction especially in today’s verse.

“Refrain” is translated from the Greek word pausato, which means “to stop” or “to bring to an end.” The implication is that something is already happening and we need to stop doing it.

The word translated “guile” is dolon, which means “trickery or deceit.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Peter admonished us not to retaliate when people do or say bad things against us. Instead, we are to respond with “good words.” As we have discussed before, we Christians will suffer persecution on this earth. This world is not our home and we are not of this place. Our home is in the heavenlies and we are but strangers and wanderers on this earth. As such we will be treated as aliens by those who are of this world. If we have a witness that we are Christians, then the inhabitants of this world will do evil to us and they will insult us. It’s their nature.

As Christians, however, we must be ever mindful that we are the children of the King and we are His ambassadors. Since we represent Him, people should see Him in us, particularly in our actions. Not only is He the great King but He is Almighty God who is in control of all things. He knows what will make us truly happy, and in these verses Peter tells us how to be that way.

Peter is not saying that if you desire to love life, then do the following. He is saying that if you have determined to love life, then do the following. It is not a wishy-washy hope that you might love life, rather a determination that you will love life and see good days. Isn’t this what we all want (desire)? If so, then let us decide (determine) to do what it takes to have it.

Peter says, if you want to love life and see good days, you must stop using your tongue for evil and your lips from speaking guile. That is, we need to stop speaking worthless or injurious things and stop trying to trick or deceive people with our words.

Application

If you remember what we learned in our study of James, you will recognize how difficult it is to control the tongue, so what Peter is telling us, though it sounds easy, really isn’t. But that shouldn’t stop us from trying! Let your language reflect your spiritual position (in Christ) not your physical surroundings.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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