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1 Peter 1:25 – Sowing the Eternal Gospel

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Will

But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was proclaimed to you.

Truth to Learn

Those who share the gospel message are sowing incorruptible seed, which produces eternal life.

Behind the Words

“Endures” is translated from the Greek word meno, which is the same word that was translated “abides” in verse 23. When we looked at that verse we learned that this word means, “to remain, to stay, to live, or to endure.”

The word “forever” is translated from the Greek phrase eis ton aiōna. We learned previously that eis means “into” or “unto,” ton is the definite article (the), and aiōna, literally means “age, i.e. an indefinitely long period of time.” Hence, this expression literally means “unto the age.” It is an idiomatic expression that means “forever.”

The expression, “by the gospel was proclaimed” is translated from the single Greek word, euangelisthen, which literally means, “was being good messaged”, or if it were transliterated it would say, “was evangelized.” In other words, This is the word which was evangelized to you. From this, we can see that someone who evangelizes is someone who proclaims or declares the good news (the gospel) about Jesus Christ.

Meaning Explained

Again, Peter is providing some additional explanation to what he said in verse 23. We were born again not of corruptible seed but by the word of the Lord. He told us in yesterday’s verse that our flesh is temporary and will pass away like flowers in the garden, but the word of the Lord (the source of our spiritual life) lasts forever. Since his word lasts forever and we were born through this word, our new birth will also last forever.

Now, lest his readers try to spiritualize the expression “the word of the Lord,” Peter tells us that this word is the very message that is contained in the gospel which was proclaimed to us when we were saved.

So what exactly is the gospel? Paul tells us precisely what it is in 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-5:

And, brothers, I make known to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand … For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

This is the good news of the word of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a perfect, sinless life then freely offered his life as payment for your sins and mine. He died in our place! And, He was buried as proof of His death. But He didn’t stay dead, He rose again from the dead and was seen as proof of His resurrection.

Application

Anyone who believes the gospel message has been born again through the word of God. He or she has eternal life. When we share the gospel message with others we are literally sowing the spiritual seed of our heavenly father. We carry the power of eternal life in what we say. Think about it!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 1:23 – Born Again Forever

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Will

having been born again, not of perishable seed but imperishable, through the word of God which lives and remains,

Truth to Learn

The source of our spiritual life, the word of God, is eternal.

Behind the Words

The expression, “having been born again” is translated from the Greek word anagennaō. This is a compound word made up of ana, meaning “again” and gennaō, which refers to the generation of offspring, that is, to give birth. The word is expressed here as a present, passive participle, so it could be expressed as “being a born again one.”

The word “of” is translated from the Greek word ek, which literally means “out of.”

“Perishable” is from phthartos, which refers to something that is perishable or subject to corruption and decay.

“Seed” is translated from the Greek word sporas, which refers to the “sowing of seed.”

“Remains” is the translation of the Greek word menō, which means “to remain, to stay, to live, or to endure.”

Some translations include the word “forever” at the end of this verse. This is translated from the Greek, eis ton aiona, meaning “unto the ages” or “forever.” However, the best Greek manuscripts do not include this Greek phrase.

Meaning Explained

The term ‘born again’ is used in only two places in the Bible, in John 3 where Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and here.

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:3-6)

In the John 3 passage “born again” is translated from the Greek genao anothen, which literally means “born from above,” which Nicodemus clearly understood to mean “born again,” else he wouldn’t have asked the question he did.

Clearly, Peter is writing his letter to Christians, and he is telling us something about the spiritual life (salvation) that we have. He tells us that the process of being born again is not from a perishable sowing of seed. Our first birth, our physical birth, is from the sowing of perishable seed. The seed of our fathers that produced us would have eventually died and perished if it had not fertilized our mothers’ ovum. But our spiritual birth is the result of an imperishable seed.

This physical life, which was produced out of a perishable seed, is a perishable life. However, the spiritual life, the life we have as a result of the new birth, is produced by imperishable seed. As a result, this new life that we have is not perishable. It will abide … remain … endure!

Application

Can you imagine losing your life and trying to be physically born again? You simply can’t do it. Once this corruptible physical life is gone, it’s gone. But our spiritual life is different. We can’t lose our spiritual life because it is eternal. Do you see that? You can’t lose your salvation … ever … period!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Corinthians 3:14 – Crowns of Victory

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Will

If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

Truth to Learn

Our works in building up the church will be tested by fire and the good works will result in a reward.

Behind the Words

“Anyone’s” is translated from a form of tis, meaning “someone.” It is expressed in the genitive case, indicating possession or source. In the Greek, this reads, “the work of anyone.”

The words “he has built on” are translated from the verb epoikodomeō, which we saw back in verses ten and twelve. It means “to build a structure” or “to build upon.” It is expressed here as an aorist verb indicating past, completed action.

“Endures” is from the Greek word menō, which means “to remain” or “to stay.”

Lambanō is the word translated “receive.” This verb means “to take or receive, either as a self-prompted action or as the result of someone else offering something.” It is expressed in the future tense, indicating action that will take place in the future.

The word “reward” is translated from the Greek noun misthos. This word can refer to something earned or to a reward for an action taken or a deed done.

Meaning Explained

We learned in yesterday’s verse that the works we do in building up the church will be tested (judged) by fire at the Judgment Seat of Christ, also called the Bema Seat Judgment. Those deeds that we do for ourselves or for our own recognition will be burned up like wood, hay, or straw. However, those works that we do under the direction of the Holy Spirit, giving the glory to God, will remain after the fiery trial.

In both Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 the word translated “judgment seat” is the Greek word bematos, which literally means “an elevated step.” The bematos often had a seat upon it where a judgment or tribunal was held. In the first century AD a Bema Seat (bematos) was where the victor in a race or other contest was awarded a crown by a judge who sat on the Bema Seat. There are at least five different crowns mentioned in the New Testament as rewards for faithful Christians. In each of those references, the word translated “crown” is a form of the Greek word stephanos. This is from the root stephō, which means “to twine” or “to wreath.” This is often referred to as a “victor’s crown.” Since the bema seat judgment is for the purpose of finding good in our works done in this physical body, it follows that at the bema seat judgment we will be awarded our crowns.

One other thing to note regarding our victor’s crowns: In Revelation 4:10, 11 there is a description of the church in the throne room of God casting their crowns before Him declaring, “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

Application

All Christians are called to serve the Lord in the building up of the church. If we perform our works with a humble heart, we’ll receive a crown. Will you have a crown to cast at our Savior’s feet, or will you be standing there with nothing but ashes?

In God's service, for His glory,