Tag: journey

Romans 15:24 – A Friendly Visit

Posted on by Will

whenever I might journey to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

Truth to Learn

Paul wanted to visit the Roman Christians on his way to Spain.

 

Behind the Words

The first occurrence of “journey” in this verse is translated from poreuomai, which is based on the noun poros, meaning “a passage way.” Thus, poreuomai means “to travel from one place to another.”

“See” is from theaomai, which means “to view attentively.” Metaphorically, it refers to a personal visit.

The second occurrence of “journey” in this verse is translated from diaporeuomai, which is made up of dia, meaning “through” and poreuomai, meaning “to travel from one place to another.” Therefore, diaporeuomai means “to travel through.”

“Helped on my way” is translated from propempō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before” and pempō, meaning “to send.” Paul expected the Roman Christians to provide him additional resources for his trip from Rome to Spain.

 

Meaning Explained

As we mentioned in the previous verse, Paul’s plan was to head into Spain after his return from Jerusalem. This was in keeping with the commission that God had given Paul to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ where people had never heard the name of Christ.

It is interesting to note that Paul’s intent was not to stay in Rome. In fact, even though he loved the saints there and wanted to fellowship with them, he was only intending to visit them during his travel through Rome as part of his greater calling. Note that he says “For I hope to see [visit] you on my travel through.” We know, however, that God had different plans for Paul. Instead of visiting Rome on his way to Spain, he was taken to Rome in order to stand trial before Caesar. This Caesar before whom he was to stand was Nero, a Christian hater who would later blame the huge fire which destroyed much of Rome on the Christians. There is some evidence that Nero actually started the fire himself so that he could build a larger palace for himself.

Once again, let us look to Paul as an example of singleness of purpose in serving God. As much as Paul wanted to go to Rome and spend time with the Christians there, he would not do so except as a necessary stop on his way to fulfilling his call. We can also look to this as an example of God’s plan often satisfying the desires that we have. I am reminded of one of the promises in Psalms:

Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4)

There is a two-fold promise contained within this verse. If we make God our delight, that is if we seek him as a source of delight in everything that we do, then He will give us the right kind of desires to have. Not only that, but He will satisfy those very desires which He has put in our hearts.

 

Application

Where are your desires today? Are they focused on God, or are they focused on yourself or on the world? Is your delight in God or things?

That’s something to think about!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 1:11 – Disappearing Riches

Posted on by Will

For the sun rose with a burning heat and the garden withered; its flower fell, and the beauty of its appearance completely perished. So the rich man also will be extinguished in his journeys.

Truth to Learn

This life and our possessions are only temporary. Do not be lifted up by pride or put your security in these fleeting things. Put your security in the grace of God.

Behind the Words

Anetellō is the Greek word translated “rose.” It is a compound word made up of ana, meaning “up,” and tellō, meaning “to set out for a goal” or “to rise.”

“A burning heat” is from tō kausōn, which comes from the verb kaiō, meaning “to burn.” Thus, kausōn refers to “a burning heat.” The presence of the definite article tō, however, indicates a specific type of burning heat. As a result it could be translated as “the scorching heat.”

The words “will be extinguished” are translated from marainō which means “to put out or extinguish as with a fire.” Here it carries the meaning that the rich man will cease to exist on this earth.

“Journeys” is the translation of poreia, which means “travels” or “journeys.” Most likely it is a reference to the rich man’s journeys through life.

Meaning Explained

Staying with his focus on the rich man and his wealth, James points out that “the sun rose with a scorching heat, the garden withered, its flower fell, and its beauty is gone.” Flowers in a garden are quite beautiful but they are delicate and temporary. They only last a short time and it takes but a single day’s worth of hot, scorching sun and wind before they wither and disappear.

The same is true with a wealthy man and his riches; they are but temporary possessions, not eternal. We humans look on the outward things, the attractive things, the possessions. However, these things can be stripped away in an instant. The real wealth is that which is produced by the trials which produce humility and a strengthened faith. The most valuable thing a man can have is a humble submission to the Almighty Ruler of the earth.

Take Job as an example. He had great wealth. Yet, by God’s permission, it was taken from him, not because he was evil, but because God chose to do it. Even Job had to learn that it is God who rules the world, not himself, and certainly not riches.

Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that You can do everything, And no purpose of Yours is withheld from You. … I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen You. Therefore I dispise myself, I have repented in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1, 2, 5, 6)

Even a rich man who lives a long life will one day cease to exist on this earth. In the eternal state he will be no different from the poor beggar except for the spiritual riches that either one of them may have sent on ahead of time.

Application

We are all on a journey through this life. And, like the great men of faith listed in Hebrews chapter 11 we should recognize that we are but strangers and pilgrims on this earth. Let us realize that all that we are and all that we have are gifts from God. All of our possessions come from Him, so let us give Him the praise and the glory for everything.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:24 – A Friendly Visit

Posted on by Will

Romans 15:24 – A Friendly Visit

whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

Truth to Learn

Paul wanted to visit the Roman Christians on his way to Spain.

Behind the Words

The first occurrence of “journey” in this verse is translated from poreuomai, which is based on the noun poros, meaning “a passage way.” Thus, poreuomai means “to travel from one place to another.”

“See” is from theaomai, which means “to view attentively.” Metaphorically, it refers to a personal visit.

The second occurrence of “journey” in this verse is translated from diaporeuomai, which is made up of dia, meaning “through” and poreuomai, meaning “to travel from one place to another.” Therefore, diaporeuomai means “to travel through.”

“Helped on my way” is translated from propempō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before” and pempō, meaning “to send.” Paul expected the Roman Christians to provide him additional resources for his trip from Rome to Spain.

Meaning Explained

As we mentioned in the previous verse, Paul’s plan was to head into Spain after his return from Jerusalem. This was in keeping with the commission that God had given Paul to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ where people had never heard the name of Christ.

It is interesting to note that Paul’s intent was not to stay in Rome. In fact, even though he loved the saints there and wanted to fellowship with them, he was only intending to visit them during his travel through Rome as part of his greater calling. Note that he says “For I hope to see [visit] you on my travel through.” We know, however, that God had different plans for Paul. Instead of visiting Rome on his way to Spain, he was taken to Rome in order to stand trial before Caesar. This Caesar before whom he was to stand was Nero, a Christian hater who would later blame the huge fire which destroyed much of Rome on the Christians. There is some evidence that Nero actually started the fire himself so that he could build a larger palace for himself.

Once again, let us look to Paul as an example of singleness of purpose in serving God. As much as Paul wanted to go to Rome and spend time with the Christians there, he would not do so except as a necessary stop on his way to fulfilling his call. We can also look to this as an example of God’s plan often satisfying the desires that we have. I am reminded of one of the promises in Psalms:

Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4)

There is a two-fold promise contained within this verse. If we make God our delight, that is if we seek him as a source of delight in everything that we do, then He will give us the right kind of desires to have. Not only that, but He will satisfy those very desires which He has put in our hearts.

Application

Where are your desires today? Are they focused on God, or are they focused on the world? Is your delight in God or things?

That’s something to think about!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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