Tag: metadidomi

Romans 12:8 – Joy In Serving

Posted on by Will

the one who is exhorting, in exhortation; the one who is giving, with simplicity; the one who is leading, with diligence; the one who is showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

Truth to Learn

Spiritual gifts are to be used with joy in the body of Christ.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “exhorting” is parakalon, which is a present participle meaning “assisting, comforting, challenging, or encouraging.”

“Giving” is from metadidōmi, meaning “to give to others or to share.” This gift is to be performed “with simplicity” which comes from the Greek word haplotēs, meaning “with singleness, with simplicity, or without any ulterior motives.”

“Leading” is from proistēmi, which literally means, “the one who is standing before.” This is a person who is in charge, and we are told that this gift is done, “en spoude.” This literally means “with speed” but by implication it means “with diligence.”

Finally, Paul mentions, “ho eleon” meaning “the one having compassion or mercy” It involves not only feeling compassionate for those in circumstances brought about by their own sin, but actively assisting them in overcoming their sin and circumstances. This gift is different from “helps” in that it is extended to those who deserve what they are suffering and don’t really deserve the assistance.

 

Meaning Explained

In this verse, even though he refers to individuals, Paul’s focus is not so much on the person as on the gift. He starts off by talking about exhortation or encouragement. This is one of the words that Jesus used to describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians as our “comforter.”

But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and remind you of all things that I have said to you.(John 14:26)

Do you know someone who is like a coach, encouraging and challenging other Christians to commitment and service for the Lord? That’s the gift of exhortation at work.

Someone with the gift of giving does so without expectation of receiving anything in return. The person with this gift loves to share the material blessings that he or she has with others. People with this gift are often hidden in the body of Christ because they don’t seek recognition.

Have you ever known a Sunday School Superintendent who was gifted at organizing and running a Sunday school program? This person has the gift of leadership. If you don’t like to stand up in front of others, don’t enjoy planning and organizing, and aren’t willing to make the tough decisions, you probably don’t have the gift of leadership.

Most of us have a tendency to be a bit smug and self-righteous when we see a fellow Christian who is reaping the aweful results of sinfulness in his or her life. A person with the gift of mercy, however, is compelled to reach out to that person and help them get back on their feet.

 

Application

When we have placed ourselves on the altar as living sacrifices, we find joy and satisfaction in using the gifts that God has given us. Do you find joy in serving God? That’s probably your spiritual gift at work.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:8 – Spiritual Parenting

Posted on by Will

So, yearning for you, we were well pleased to give to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Truth to Learn

Mature Christians help younger Christians grow.

 

Behind the Words

“So” is from the Greek word houtōs, meaning “in this way.”

The word “yearning” is translated from the Greek verb himeiromai, meaning “to have a strong affection for, or remembrance of.” It is a term of endearment which was most often used of a mother and father toward their children. This is the only place in the New Testament where it appears.

“We were well pleased” is from the verb eudokeō, which is composed or eu, meaning “well” or “good” and dokeō, meaning “to think.” It is expressed in the imperfect tense indicating past, on-going action.

Metadidōmi is the verb translated “to give.” It is composed of meta, meaning “with” and didōmi, meaning “to give.” This word means “to share something with someone else.”

The word translated “dear” is agapētos, meaning “someone who is dearly loved.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse, the Apostle Paul used the imagery of a nursing mother to express to the Christians in Thessalonica how gentle and caring he and his fellow-workers were toward these new Christians. In one sense, these people really were children. They were young children in the faith. When Paul wrote this letter to them, the church in Thessalonica may have been less than a year old, with none of them having been a Christian longer than that.

In a similar manner, Paul later told the Christians in Corinth that, although they had most likely been Christians more than a year, they were still babies in their faith. Because they were letting their fleshly desires control them instead of the Spirit of God, they needed to be fed with milk (baby food) instead of adult food.

And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to infants in Christ. I fed you milk and not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not able; (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

The Thessalonians, on the other hand, were simply very young Christians. Therefore, as their spiritual parents Paul said that he, Sylvanus, and Timothy acted like doting parents to them, tenderly caring for them, feeding them with milk, watching over them, gently challenging them, and encouraging them. In fact, Paul and his companions were so affectionately tied to the Christians in Thessalonica that he referred to them as “dearly beloved ones.” And, like any loving parents, Paul and the others would have given their very lives in order to protect and nurture these new Christians.

 

Application

Let me ask you, my friend, where are you in your own spiritual maturity? Are you a baby in the Lord? Then do all you can to learn and grow. Give yourself to God and serve Him with all your heart. Have you been a Christian for years? Then be a spiritual parent to the babes in Christ. Be gentle, feed them, care for them, and encourage them like a loving parent.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:28 – Give or Take

Posted on by Will

The one stealing, let him steal no more, but rather let him labor, working what is good with his own hands, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Truth to Learn

Overcome the problem of stealing by giving to others.

 

Behind the Words

The words “stealing” and “steal” are from kleptō, from which we get our English word, kleptomaniac. It means “to take something that belongs to someone else without permission or legal right.”

“Labor” is translated from the Greek verb kopiatō, which basically means “to feel fatigue, especially from hard labor.”

“Working” is from ergadzomai, meaning “to be engaged in labor.” It usually refers to a specific trade or profession.

“Good” is from agathos, which refers to “the general characteristic of goodness or usefulness.”

The word translated “hands” is cheir, which originally meant the entire arm from the shoulder to the end of the fingers. Later, it referred only to the hand.

 “Give” is translated from metadidōmi, which is made up of two words. The first is meta, indicating accompaniment (being with someone or something). It is different from sun, which implies a joining or a union between people or things, whereas meta implies simply being in the presence of someone or something. The other word is didōmi, meaning “to give.” Thus metadidōmi implies sharing something with those around you.

 

Meaning Explained

Back in verse seventeen Paul began teaching us how we are to behave as members of the body of Christ. First, he told us not to behave like the Gentiles who do not believe in God. Then, in verse twenty-two he began giving us guidelines on what our behavior should look like. We are to take off our sin nature and put on the new nature which God created for us. One of the characteristics of taking off the old man and putting on the new man is to stop lying and to tell the truth instead. Other characteristics of putting on the new man are getting angry for the right reasons and not letting anger last, leading you into sin.

Now he teaches us another characteristic of putting on our new nature. Literally, the Greek reads, “Let the one stealing, steal no more …” Not every Christian has an obvious problem with stealing any more than every Christian has an obvious problem with anger. We all have issues with these things to some degree, but some of us have an especially severe case of one or more of these. Some people have little respect for the property of others and take whatever they can, even though it doesn’t belong to them. Paul is speaking directly to these people, telling us that the solution is to create things ourselves that we can share with those who have greater needs than we do.

There are many excuses for stealing, from feeling like we deserve to have something more than someone else to simply wanting something and believing the owner doesn’t need it or won’t miss it. Whatever the excuse, Paul says, “Stop doing it!”

 

Application

If you have a problem with “borrowing” things from others (with no intention of returning them), you need to develop the habit of giving things to others who have less than you or giving your time to help the less fortunate. Can you do that?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:8 – Spiritual Parenting

Posted on by Will

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Truth to Learn

Mature Christians help younger Christians grow.

Behind the Words

“So” is from the Greek word houtōs, meaning “in this way.”

The words “affectionately longing” are translated from the Greek verb himeiromai, meaning “to have a strong affection for, or remembrance of.” It is a term of endearment which was most often used of a mother and father toward their children. This is the only place in the New Testament where it appears.

“We were well pleased” is from the verb eudokeō, which is composed or eu, meaning “well” or “good” and dokeō, meaning “to think.” It is expressed in the imperfect tense indicating past, on-going action.

Metadidōmi is the verb translated “to impart.” It is composed of meta, meaning “with” and didōmi, meaning “to give.” This word means “to share something with someone else.”

The word translated “dear” is agapētos, meaning “someone who is dearly loved.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse, the Apostle Paul used the imagery of a nursing mother to express to the Christians in Thessalonica how gentle and caring he and his fellow-workers were toward these new Christians. In one sense, these people really were children. They were young children in the faith. When Paul wrote this letter to them, the church in Thessalonica may have been less than a year old, with none of them having been a Christian longer than that.

In a similar manner, Paul later told the Christians in Corinth that, although they had most likely been Christians more than a year, they were still babies in their faith. Because they were letting their fleshly desires control them instead of the Spirit of God, they needed to be fed with milk (baby food) instead of adult food.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

The Thessalonians, on the other hand, were simply very young Christians. Therefore, as their spiritual parents Paul said that he, Sylvanus, and Timothy acted like doting parents to them, tenderly caring for them, feeding them with milk, watching over them, gently challenging them, and encouraging them. In fact, Paul and his companions were so affectionately tied to the Christians in Thessalonica that he referred to them as “dearly beloved ones.” And, like any loving parents, Paul and the others would have given their very lives in order to protect and nurture these new Christians.

Application

Let me ask you, my friend, where are you in your own spiritual maturity? Are you a baby in the Lord? Then do all you can to learn and grow. Give yourself to God and serve Him with all your heart. Have you been a Christian for years? Then be a spiritual parent to the babes in Christ. Be gentle, feed them, care for them, and encourage them like a loving parent.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:28 – Give or Take

Posted on by Will

Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Truth to Learn

Overcome the problem of stealing by giving to others.

Behind the Words

The words “stole” and “steal” are from kleptō, from which we get our English word, kleptomaniac. It means “to take something that belongs to someone else without permission or legal right.”

“Labor” is translated from the Greek verb kopiatō, which basically means “to feel fatigue, especially from hard labor.”

“Working” is from ergadzomai, meaning “to be engaged in labor.” It usually refers to a specific trade or profession.

The word translated “hands” is cheir, which originally meant the entire arm from the shoulder to the end of the fingers. Later, it referred only to the hand.

“Good” is from agathos, which refers to “the general characteristic of goodness or usefulness.”

“Give” is translated from metadidōmi, which is made up of two words. The first is meta, indicating accompaniment (being with someone or something). It is different from sun, which implies a joining or a union between people or things, whereas meta implies simply being in the presence of someone or something. The other word is didōmi, meaning “to give.” Thus metadidōmi implies sharing something with those around you.

Meaning Explained

Back in verse seventeen Paul began teaching us how we are to behave as members of the body of Christ. First, he told us not to behave like the Gentiles who do not believe in God. Then, in verse twenty-two he began giving us guidelines on what our behavior should look like. We are to take off our sin nature and put on our new nature that God created for us. One of the characteristics of taking off the old man and putting on the new man is to stop lying and tell the truth instead. Other characteristics of putting on the new man are getting angry for the right reasons and not letting anger last, leading you into sin.

Now he teaches us another characteristic of putting on our new nature. Literally, the Greek reads, “Let the one stealing, steal no more …” Not every Christian has an obvious problem with stealing any more than every Christian has an obvious problem with anger. We all have issues with these things to some degree, but some of us have an especially severe case of one or more of these. Some people have little respect for the property of others and take whatever they can, even though it doesn’t belong to them. Paul is speaking directly to these people, telling us that the solution is to create things ourselves that we can share with those who have greater needs than we do.

There are many excuses for stealing, from feeling like we deserve to have something more than someone else to simply wanting something and believing the owner doesn’t need it or won’t miss it. Whatever the excuse, Paul says, “Stop doing it!”

Application

If you have a problem with “borrowing” things from others (with no intention of returning them), you need to develop the habit of giving things to others who have less than you or giving your time to help the less fortunate. Can you do that?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Romans 12:8 – Joy In Serving

Posted on by Will

Romans 12:8 – Joy In Serving

he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Truth to Learn

Spiritual gifts are to be used with joy in the body of Christ.

Behind the Words

The word translated “exhortation” is parakalon, which is a present participle meaning “assisting, comforting, challenging, or encouraging.”

“Gives” is from metadidōmi, meaning “to give to others or to share.” This gift is to be performed “with liberality” which comes from the Greek word haplotēs, meaning “with singleness, with simplicity, or without any ulterior motives.”

“Leads” is from proistēmi, which literally means, “the one who stands before.” This is a person who is in charge, and we are told that this gift is done, “en spoude.” This literally means “with speed” but by implication it means “with diligence.”

Finally, Paul mentions ho eleon, meaning “the one having compassion or mercy” It involves not only feeling compassionate for those in circumstances brought about by their own sin, but actively assisting them in overcoming their sin and circumstances. This gift is different from “helps” in that it is extended to those who deserve what they are suffering and don’t really deserve the assistance.

Meaning Explained

In this verse, even though he refers to individuals, Paul’s focus is not so much on the person as on the gift. He starts off by talking about exhortation or encouragement. This is one of the words that Jesus used to describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians as our “helper.”

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26)

Do you know someone who is like a coach, encouraging and challenging other Christians to commitment and service for the Lord? That’s the gift of exhortation at work.

Someone with the gift of giving does so without expectation of receiving anything in return. The person with this gift loves to share the material blessings that he or she has with others. People with this gift are often hidden in the body of Christ because they don’t seek recognition.

Have you ever known a Sunday School Superintendent who was gifted at organizing and running a Sunday school program? This person has the gift of leadership. If you don’t like to stand up in front of others, don’t enjoy planning and organizing, and aren’t willing to make the tough decisions, you probably don’t have the gift of leadership.

Most of us have a tendency to be a bit smug and self-righteous when we see a fellow Christian who is reaping the results of sinfulness in his or her life. A person with the gift of mercy, however, is compelled to reach out to that person and help them get back on their feet.

Application

When we have placed ourselves on the altar as living sacrifices, we find joy and satisfaction in using the gifts that God has given us. Do you find joy in serving God? That’s probably your spiritual gift at work.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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