Tag: more

1 Thessalonians 2:17 – Orphaned Christians

Posted on by Will

But we, brothers, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in spirit, were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.

Truth to Learn

Persecution of Christians occurs world-wide today.

 

Behind the Words

The words “having been taken away” are translated from the Greek verb aporphanidzō. This word is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and orphanos (from which we get our English word orphan). Orphanos means “obscure” or “dark,” like an orphan who, without parents, was often forced to wander in obscurity and darkness. Thus, aporphanidzō means to be made alone and helpless, without parents.

“For a short time” is from the Greek words kairon horas. Kairon refers to a period of time or “a season,” and horas means “an hour.” Therefore, kairon horas literally means “a season of an hour.” Metaphorically, it means “for a short time.”

The word “more” is translated from perissōs, which means “abundantly” or “exceedingly.” It implies a much greater amount than just “more.”

“Eager” is from spoudadzō, which is based on spoudē, meaning “speed, haste, or diligence.” Spoudadzō, therefore, means “to be eager, diligent, or earnest.”

Both of the words “presence” and “face” are translated from prosōpon, which literally means “before your eyes.” It is the word that refers to a person’s face, but it also means “in someone’s presence” (just as we might refer to close proximity as “being in your face”).

 

Meaning Explained

In the last few verses Paul has been telling the Christians in Thessalonica how he, and they, have been persecuted by their fellow countrymen. They were hindered from witnessing the Gospel truth because of it. Paul and his companions even suffered physical persecution. In fact, the opposition was so great that Paul and Silas had to be scurried out of town at night:

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. (Acts 17:10a)

Paul has used the personal family metaphors of a nursing mother and a father to describe his relationship with, and love for, the Thessalonians. Now he uses even more emotional words to describe his separation from these dear people. He says, “having been taken away from you,” that is, “having been orphaned from you.” This is very descriptive of the heart wrenching pain of their sudden separation from each other.

However, Paul informs his children in the Lord that this separation is only for a short time. We don’t know for sure how long he had been gone from Thessalonica when he wrote this letter; it may have only been a few months. And we will learn in this verse and the next verse that Paul had already tried to return to Thessalonica, but he wasn’t able to. He tells his readers that he had tried very hard to return to them so that he could at least see their faces again.

 

Application

In some countries of the world today Christians are under heavy persecution, being imprisoned or even killed because of their desire to be obedient to God. Let’s all take a few minutes right now to pray to our Heavenly Father for protection and comfort for Christians everywhere who suffer for their faith.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 4:6 – Humbled before God

Posted on by Will

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God sets Himself against proud ones, but gives grace to humble ones."

Truth to Learn

Humility before God is a key to having a fulfilling relationship with Him.

Behind the Words

The word translated “more” is meidzona, which is the comparative form of megas, meaning “big or large.” Hence, this word means “bigger or larger.”

“sets … against” is from antitassō, a compound word made up of anti, meaning “against” and tassō, meaning “to arrange in an orderly manner.” This is a military term meaning “to set-up battle lines against an enemy.”

The word “proud” is translated from huperēphanos, which is made up of huper (or hyper), meaning “above” or “over” and a form of phainō, meaning “to show forth” or “to shine.” Hence, literally, it is someone who overly shows himself or herself. That is, someone who is arrogant or personally proud.

The word “humble” is translated from the Greek word tapeinos, which refers to “those who are low, particularly in attitude or social position.”

Meaning Explained

When we make “stuff” our idol and seek it instead of God, it does not please Him. In fact, it makes God jealous because we are His beloved bride and He wants us to seek only Him. When we desire anything other than God, we are acting like an unfaithful wife.

In spite of our sinful selfishness, James tells us that God shows us grace greater than our selfish, self-serving attitude. But God does not show us this grace while we are filled with selfish pride. He only gives it when we are consumed with self-less humility. When we are proud, James tells us here, God sets up battle lines against us, and who in their right mind wants to go to battle against Him?

Throughout the Bible, we see that one of the keys to a fulfilling relationship with Almighty God begins with humility. Look at 2 Chronicles 7:14, where it says:

And if My people, on whom my name is called, shall be humbled, and shall pray, and shall seek my face, and shall turn from their evil ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Also, look at 1 peter 5:6, which says:

Be humbled, then, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in time

We are repeatedly told that humbleness before God is what He wants of us. We live in a world system, however, that is constantly delivering a message of pride and self-reliance, and it is constantly enticing our desire for stuff. That’s what advertising is all about! But as Christians, we need to continually humble ourselves before God and seek His will rather than our own.

Application

Take a pen and paper right now and make a list of the things that you really want in this life. Go ahead, stop reading at the end of this sentence and write down that list.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:17 – Orphaned Christians

Posted on by Will

But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.

Truth to Learn

Persecution of Christians occurs world-wide today.

Behind the Words

The words “having been taken away” are translated from the Greek verb aporphanidzō. This word is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and orphanos (from which we get our English word orphan). Orphanos means “obscure” or “dark,” like an orphan who, without parents, was often forced to wander in obscurity and darkness. Thus, aporphanidzō means to be made alone and helpless, without parents.

“For a short time” is from the Greek words kairon horas. Kairon refers to a period of time or “a season,” and horas means “an hour.” Therefore, kairon horas literally means “a season of an hour.” Metaphorically, it means “for a short time.”

“Endeavored” is from spoudadzō, which is based on spoudē, meaning “speed, haste, or diligence.” Spoudadzō, therefore, means “to be eager, diligent, or earnest.”

The word “more” is translated from perissōs, which means “abundantly” or “exceedingly.” It implies a much greater amount than just “more.”

Both of the words “presence” and “face” are translated from prosōpon, which literally means “before your eyes.” It is the word that refers to a person’s face, but it also means “in someone’s presence” (just as we might refer to close proximity as “being in your face”).

Meaning Explained

In the last few verses Paul has been telling the Christians in Thessalonica how he, and they, have been persecuted by their fellow countrymen. They were hindered from witnessing the Gospel truth because of it. Paul and his companions even suffered physical persecution. In fact, the opposition was so great that Paul and Silas had to be scurried out of town at night:

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. (Acts 17:10a)

Paul has used the personal family metaphors of a nursing mother and a father to describe his relationship with, and love for, the Thessalonians. Now he uses even more emotional words to describe his separation from these dear people. He says, “having been taken away from you,” that is, “having been orphaned from you.” This is very descriptive of the heart wrenching pain of their sudden separation from each other.

However, Paul informs his children in the Lord that this separation is only for a short time. We don’t know for sure how long he had been gone from Thessalonica when he wrote this letter; it may have only been a few months. And we will learn in this verse and the next verse that Paul had already tried to return to Thessalonica, but he wasn’t able to. He tells his readers that he had tried very hard to return to them so that he could at least see their faces again.

Application

In some countries of the world today Christians are under heavy persecution, being imprisoned or even killed because of their desire to be obedient to God. Let’s all take a few minutes right now to pray to our Heavenly Father for protection and comfort for Christians everywhere who suffer for their faith.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved