misthos – Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: misthos

James 5:4 – Fortune or Favor?

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Will

Look, the wages of the laborers who harvested your fields cry out, having been kept back by fraud; and the cries of the harvesters have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

Truth to Learn

Fairness and honesty in business is far more important than wealth. We cannot serve both God and money.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “wages” is misthos, which refers to money paid (or promised) to someone for doing an agreed upon task.

Ergatēs is the Greek word translated “laborers.” It refers to anyone who does hard work or labor.

“Harvested” is from amaō, meaning “to collect, gather, reap, cut down, or harvest.” It is expressed as an aorist participle, indicating action that was previously done. It could be translated here as “having already harvested.”

The phrase translated “having been kept back by fraud” is translated from apostereō. This is made up or apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and stereō, meaning “to deprive” or “to withhold.” This word, therefore, refers to the intentional depriving someone of something that rightfully belongs to them.

The word “Sabaoth” is of Hebrew origin. It is tsebaoth, which means “armies.” Hence, we see that James is talking about the “Lord of Armies” or “Lord of Hosts” as God is sometimes called, since He commands the armies (or hosts) of heaven.

Meaning Explained

As we continue with James’ comments to the rich men who have been hoarding their wealth for prideful reasons, we see that they have been so obsessed with gaining wealth that they have obtained at least some of it by fraud. Apparently they had agreed with the laborers about a certain wage for their labor and then after the crop had been harvested, had withheld part or all of it. Even though the rich had more than enough, they were stealing from the poor who worked hard to earn what was promised to them and then kept back from them.

Another interpretation of this is that James is referring to slavery, a condition where the slave is to do the work which the master would otherwise be obliged to do so that the master is not under a necessity of laboring at all. The amount of pay which the slave receives is not even close to a fair wage for what he does, or what a freeman could be hired for. In fact, the slave’s pay is so much less than his labor is worth, that the master becomes richer while the slave becomes poorer.

In either case, James is saying that the rich man, who has far more than he needs, is getting richer at the expense of those who have less than they deserve. And, he says not only the laborers but the unfair wages themselves are crying out to God who here is called the Lord of Sabaoth. The implication is that the case has not merely been set before the Judge of the world, but the Master (Lord) of the conquering armies. Whereas a judge is more concerned about justice, the leader of a conquering army has no intent to be just. His objective is simply to conquer and destroy. This brings to mind what James told us previously:

For he shall have judgment without mercy, who has shown no mercy (James 2:13)

Finally, James is putting a big exclamation mark on the last verse of the previous chapter where he said:

Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)

Application

Our God provides each of us with possessions and abilities and, like the master in Matthew 25:14-30, expects us to use them for His glory, not for our own selfish and prideful gain. Only by using what God has given us for Him, in His way, will we receive praise from God.

Are you after money, or the approval of God? Do you want to hear “Ka-ching!” or “Well done, good and faithful servant!”? Now, that’s something to think about.

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,

1 Corinthians 3:8 – Unity and Individuality

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Will

Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Truth to Learn

The work of ministry is a team effort, but the rewards given will be based on individual effort.

Behind the Words

“One” is translated from the Greek word heis, meaning the number “one.” It is written here in the neuter person, just like the word ti in verse seven, further supporting the use of ti in verse five.

“Each one” is from the Greek word hekastos (from hekas, meaning “separate”). It refers to “each one” or to “everyone.” In the case of “everyone,” it implies specific application to each one separately, not to the group as a whole.

The words “will receive” are from lambanō, which means “to take” or “to receive.” It is expressed in the future tense, indicating action that will take place sometime in the future.

Misthos is the word translated “reward.” It refers to “wages” or “a reward” that is given as payment for work done.

The words “according to” are from the Greek word kata. The primary meaning of this word is “down.” When used metaphorically, as it is here, it expresses the relationship of one thing with respect to another. In this sense it means “according to,” “in comparison to,” or “with respect to.”

“Labor” is from the word kopos, based on the word koptō, meaning “to strike,” “to hit,” or “to cut.” It refers to “wearisome or painful effort” or “hard work.”

Meaning Explained

In the agricultural metaphor that Paul has been using, he has shown that the work of the gospel involves both planting of seeds (evangelism) and nourishing of the spiritual plants that have sprung up from the seeds (preaching and teaching). Because of the divisions that had sprung up in the church at Corinth, Paul is making a strong point that all of those who labor for God are one unit. They are not divided, working in competition with each other, but working together as members of the same team.

In the upcoming verses, he will switch from an agriculture metaphor to that of constructing a building. In both of these, Paul clearly shows that the work of ministry is a combined effort, requiring hard work on the part of many people. Each person has their part of the job to do for a common objective. Each person has his or her work to do according to the gifts that God has given them to work with, but there is a unity of purpose for all.

Now, lest we get lazy and assume that the work of the ministry will get done whether or not we do our part, Paul declares a significant truth. Each one of us will be paid (rewarded) for the work that we do individually. Later, Paul will show that our payment will depend on the quality and focus of our labor; here he states that we each have our own assignment and we need to be doing the work assigned us by the Master.

Application

In any church today, eighty percent of the work is performed by twenty percent of the people. However, those who faithfully do the work assigned to them will receive the reward promised to them, while those who are not working will receive nothing.

In God's service, for His glory,