Tag: luo

2 Peter 3:10 – Fission Judgment

Posted on by Will

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will disappear with a great noise and having burned up, the elements will be destroyed, and the earth and the works in it will be burned up.

Truth to Learn

God’s judgment day will be catastrophic and final.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “elements” is the word stoicheia, which means “fundamental or elemental things.” Hence, the term “elements” is an excellent translation of it, referring to the atomic elements of which the entire universe is made.

The word translated “will be destroyed” is a form of luō, meaning “to let loose” or “to release.”

“Burned up” is translated from katakaiō, a compound word made up of kata, meaning “down” and kaiō, meaning “to burn.” Hence, this word means “to completely consume by fire.”

 

Meaning Explained

Peter has just told us that the reason that God has delayed His judgment of the unrighteous. It is because He is holding His wrath in check waiting for any who will believe and accept His offer of eternal life. God is not desirous that any should perish, but he has determined that He will “drop the hammer” someday and then the unbelievers will receive the judgment which is due them.

That Day of Judgment is referred to as “the day of the Lord.” Actually, it is not a single 24 hour day; it is a period of time in which God executes His judgment against the wickedness of mankind. There are numerous references to the day of the Lord in the Bible. Here are a few of them: Jeremiah 46:10; Acts 2:20; 1Thessalonians 5:2.

So, is this a reference to the rapture of the church? No! The rapture comes with a trumpet blast and a loud shout. The day of the Lord comes like a thief, by surprise and stealth, when no one expects it. And nearly every reference to the day of the Lord in the Bible identifies it as a day of God’s wrath and vengeance. Even in today’s verse, Peter describes it as a day when cataclysmic things will occur.

One of the most fascinating statements in the entire Bible is found in today’s verse. It says that, “the elements will be let loose with fire.” One of the things that scientists have never figured out is how the positively charged protons at the center of all atoms remain together, since like charges repel each other. Yet, these like charges are actually so tightly bound together that when they are finally separated, it produces a tremendous release of energy in the form of intense heat (nuclear fission). The explanation that scientists give for this tremendous force holding the protons together is “cosmic glue” or “dark matter.”

Peter says that these elements will “be let loose.” Notice what this means. God is suddenly going to release every proton from its place, which will produce a roar and fire the likes of which has never been witnessed. “. . .and the earth and everything in it will be completely consumed by fire.”

 

Application

When all material things have been destroyed, only our works, which we have done either for ourselves or for God, will be left for God to judge. What kind of works are you doing? Are they for you or for God?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:14 – Peace Without Fences

Posted on by Will

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Truth to Learn

We now have access to God through the new covenant.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “peace” is eirēnē, which means “peace or tranquility.” The root of this word is probably the verb eirō, which means “to join.” Hence, to be at peace with someone implies that you are joined together with them for your mutual benefit. It does not simply imply a passive act (that you leave each other alone) but an active one (that you join together with another person to produce good).

“Both” is translated from amphoteros, which is an inclusive comparative form of the word amphō, meaning “the two.” Therefore, amphoteros means “each of two” or “both.”

The words “broken down” are from the verb luō, which literally means “to loosen,” “to dissolve,” or “to destroy.”

Mesotoichon (used only here in the New Testament) is the Greek word translated “middle wall.” It is a compound word made up of mesos, meaning “middle” and toichos, which refers to the wall of a building (a different word, teichos refers to the wall of a city). Thus, mesotoichon literally refers to “an inner separating wall, as opposed to a protective wall.”

“Separation” is from phragmos, which is derived from the verb phrassō, meaning “to enclose with a fence or a hedge.” Phragmos refers to a “fence intended to keep someone out.”

 

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse we learned that Gentiles were not included in the covenant made between God and Abraham. But, we also learned that God abolished the old covenant and created a new one, sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Now we learn that because of this new covenant, He (Jesus) is our peace. Paul is not talking here about the same personal sense of peace which he told the Philippian Christians about,

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

The peace that Paul is talking about here is the peace between Jews and Gentiles. We are now joined together in a special way. Paul explains this peace further by saying that both Jews and Gentiles have been made one and that the partition separating us from one another has been dissolved.

In the middle of the courtyard of the former Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, a special partition wall divided the court of the Gentiles from the court of Israel. On that wall was an inscription forbidding Gentiles from going any further. That wall was symbolic of the partition wall separating Jews and Gentiles. However, the partition between us has now been demolished by the new covenant through the blood of Jesus.

 

Application

Mankind no longer has to practice all the ordinances of the Jewish faith in order to be children of God. Through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, we are cleansed of our sins and we are adopted into His family.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:14 – Peace Without Fences

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 2:14  – Peace Without Fences

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Truth to Learn

We now have access to God through the new covenant.

Behind the Words

The word translated “peace” is eirēnē, which means “peace or tranquility.” The root of this word is probably the verb eirō, which means “to join.” Hence, to be at peace with someone implies that you are joined together with them for your mutual benefit. It does not simply imply a passive act (that you leave each other alone) but an active one (that you join together with another person to produce good).

“Both” is translated from amphoteros, which is an inclusive comparative form of the word amphō, meaning “the two.” Therefore, amphoteros means “each of two” or “both.”

The words “broken down” are from the verb luō, which literally means “to loosen,” “to dissolve,” or “to destroy.”

Mesotoichon (used only here in the New Testament) is the Greek word translated “middle wall.” It is a compound word made up of mesos, meaning “middle” and toichos, which refers to the wall of a building (a different word, teichos refers to the wall of a city). Thus, mesotoichon literally refers to “an inner separating wall, as opposed to a protective wall.”

“Separation” is from phragmos, which is derived from the verb phrassō, meaning “to enclose with a fence or a hedge.” Phragmos refers to a “fence intended to keep someone out.”

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse we learned that Gentiles were not included in the covenant made between God and Abraham. But, we also learned that God abolished the old covenant and created a new one, sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Now we learn that because of this new covenant, He (Jesus) is our peace. Paul is not talking here about the same personal sense of peace which he told the Philippian Christians about,

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

The peace that Paul is talking about here is the peace between Jews and Gentiles. We are now joined together in a special way. Paul explains this peace further by saying that both Jews and Gentiles have been made one and that the partition separating us from one another has been dissolved.

In the middle of the courtyard of the former Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, a special partition wall divided the court of the Gentiles from the court of Israel. On that wall was an inscription forbidding Gentiles from going any further. That wall was symbolic of the partition wall separating Jews and Gentiles. However, the partition between us has now been demolished by the new covenant through the blood of Jesus.

Application

Mankind no longer has to practice all the ordinances of the Jewish faith in order to be children of God. Through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, we are cleansed of our sins and we are adopted into His family.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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