Tag: need

1 Thessalonians 5:1 – Ignorance Versus Knowledge

Posted on by Will

But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need of anything to be written to you.

Truth to Learn

There is a distinct difference between the rapture (the day of Jesus Christ) and the tribulation (the Day of the Lord).

 

Behind the Words

The word “but” is translated from the Greek particle de. It indicates transition or conversion, serving to introduce a new topic.

“Concerning” is translated from the preposition peri, which can mean “around” or “with regard to” depending on the form of the word it is referencing. In the current verse, its meaning is “with regard to” or “concerning.”

Chronos is the Greek word translated “times” in this verse. Chronos is used in reference to “a quantity of time” or “the passage of time.” Thus, this word generally refers to a measurable amount of time, or a specific moment in time.

“Seasons” is translated from another “time” word. This word is kairos which implies “a quality or character of a time period.” In other words, it expresses a period of time in a more abstract sense. It is often translated as “a season” or “an hour (not a literal hour, but a general timeframe).”

Chreia is the Greek word translated “need.” It is derived from chreos, meaning “a debt.” Thus, creia literally refers to one who owes a debt. In New Testament Greek it often refers to “a need.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the last six verses of the previous chapter, Paul taught the Thessalonians (and us) about the rapture, referred to elsewhere as “the Day of Jesus Christ.” He now starts off this chapter with “but,” indicating that he is going to make a distinction between the rapture and what he is about to talk about. He refers to it here as “the times and the seasons.” Then in the following verse he will refer to it as “the Day of the Lord.”

So, what does Paul mean by “the times and the seasons?” It is a reference to specific events and a general time period. This phrase only occurs in two other places in the Bible, Daniel 2:21 and Acts 1:7. In both cases it is used in reference to God’s dealing with Israel, and there is no reason to believe otherwise in this case. Therefore, Paul is making a distinction between how God will deal with the church and how he will deal with Israel.

Another reason for seeing the rapture and the Day of the Lord as separate events is given to us in the second half of today’s verse. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul said “I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers,” meaning that they were ignorant of the facts surrounding the rapture. In today’s verse he now says, “you have no need that I should write to you,” following in the next verse with, “you yourselves know perfectly,” regarding the Day of the Lord. We will provide more information regarding this distinction of these two in the following verses.

 

Application

The rapture is an event in which God completes salvation for Christians. The Day of the Lord (the tribulation) is a time in which God will judge the world and provide complete salvation for the believing remnant of Israel.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:9 – The Christian Birthmark

Posted on by Will

But concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

Truth to Learn

Brotherly love is the birthmark of a true Christian.

 

Behind the Words

The words “brotherly love” are from the Greek word philadelphia, which is made up of philos, meaning “a friend” and adelphos, meaning “a brother.” This word refers to the kind of personal fondness that good friends have for one another.

The words “you have” is from the verb echo, meaning “to have” or “to hold.” In some translations this is written as “we have”; however, the best Greek manuscripts have it written in the second person plural form, meaning “you (plural) have.”

“Need” is translated from cheira, which properly means “employment.” By implication, however, it refers to “an occasion, a requirement, or a necessity.”

“Theodidactos” is the Greek adjective translated “taught by God.” This word is made up of theos, meaning “God, or some deity” and a form of the verb didaskō, meaning “to teach.” Thus theodidactos literally means “taught by God.”

The words “to love” are from the infinitive form of agapē, which refers to “a self-sacrificing God-love.”

“One another” is from the Greek plural reciprocal pronoun allēlous, meaning “each other” or “one another.”

 

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul spent the first three chapters of this letter to the Thessalonians assuring them of his love and concern for them. In this fourth chapter he began his doctrinal teaching for the church. Through the first eight verses of this chapter, he taught about avoiding sexual immorality, specifically fornication and, instead, living a life of holiness.

Now he switches his teaching to how we should live our lives both within and outside the church. Within the church we should all exhibit a genuine fondness for our brothers and sisters in the faith. He starts off with “you have no need that anyone should write to you concerning brotherly love.” In other words, the Christians in Thessalonica had already learned and were demonstrating that they had a genuine love for the brothers.

It is also interesting that Paul tells them that they learned this love for each other, not from some preacher of other people in the church, but they learned it from God. So how does God teach us to love one another? God the Father taught us how to love each other when He gave His only begotten Son to die for us. God the Son taught us to love one another when he said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another” (John 13:34). And the Holy Spirit taught us to love one another when He poured out the love of God in our hearts (Romans 5:5) when we trusted in Christ as our personal Savior. This love for one another is the defining characteristic of a Christian, a mark of the new birth of true Christians (1 John 4:7).

 

Application

The best way we can demonstrate the genuiness of our new birth is to exhibit the love we have for others in the Church. Can people see how real your faith is in the way you treat other Christians?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Love Others!

Posted on by Will

As for the rest then, brothers, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you need to walk and to please God that you should abound more;

Truth to Learn

Being more loving is our responsibility.

 

Behind the Words

“As for the rest” is translated from the Greek word loipon, which refers to “something remaining.” In regard to time, it can be translated as “henceforth” In regard to other things, it can be translated “as to the rest” of “for the remainder.”

The word translated “request” is erotaō, which means “to ask, to inquire, or to urge.”

The word “exhort” is from parakaleō, which is made up of para, meaning “near, beside, or alongside” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Thus parakaleō literally means “to call near” or “to call alongside.” Metaphorically, it means “to encourage, to challenge, or to coach.”

 “You received” is from paralambanō. This word means “to take near” or “to receive to oneself.”

“Need” is translated from the Greek word dei, which means to have a necessity or a need.

The word “walk” is translated from peripateō, which literally means “to walk around.” Metaphorically, it refers to the manner in which one lives one’s life.

“Please” is from areskō, meaning “to soften one’s heart toward another” or “to please.”

Perisueuō is the word translated “should abound.” It means “to be in excess” or “to have more than enough.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of something happening. So, we see that it means “you may abound” or “you might abound.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter Paul explained why he sent Timothy to the Thessalonian church: to strengthen and encourage them. His concern was that the afflictions and suffering that Paul and his companions were enduring, as well as what the Thessalonians themselves were enduring,  might have caused their faith to grow weak. Having learned that their faith remained strong, Paul then offered up a prayer for them.

Paul now switches gears and goes into preaching mode in this chapter and most of the next. He has been expressing his love and concern for the Thessalonians, but now he needs to get down to some serious teaching. Therefore, he starts out his sermon with “As for the rest then, brothers, we request and exhort …” His challenge is that the Christians there might abound even more. But what are they supposed to abound in? If we look back two verses, we see that Paul prayed that God would cause them to increase and abound in love for others. Now Paul is telling the Thessalonian Christians that they need to abound (in love) even more. On the surface, this may sound contradictory. Is it God who causes us to abound in love, or is it our responsibility to actively pursue being more loving of others? The answer is both. We can’t understand the Trinity (how God can be one and still be three persons.) We also can’t understand how we have the responsibility for being more loving toward others and yet God is the one who enables such love.

 

Application

God is all powerful, but Christians can’t just sit back and let Him make us more loving of others. We have to put effort into demonstrating the love of God to everyone around us.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:1 – Ignorance Versus Knowledge

Posted on by Will

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.

Truth to Learn

There is a distinct difference between the rapture (the day of Jesus Christ) and the tribulation (the Day of the Lord).

Behind the Words

The word “but” is translated from the Greek particle de. It indicates transition or conversion, serving to introduce a new topic.

“Concerning” is translated from the preposition peri, which can mean “around” or “with regard to” depending on the form of the word it is referencing. In the current verse, its meaning is “with regard to” or “concerning.”

Chronos is the Greek word translated “times” in this verse. Chronos is used in reference to “a quantity of time” or “the passage of time.” Thus, this word generally refers to a measurable amount of time, or a specific moment in time.

“Seasons” is translated from another “time” word. This word is kairos which implies “a quality or character of a time period.” In other words, it expresses a period of time in a more abstract sense. It is often translated as “a season” or “an hour (not a literal hour, but a general timeframe).”

Chreia is the Greek word translated “need.” It is derived from chreos, meaning “a debt.” Thus, creia literally refers to one who owes a debt. In New Testament Greek it often refers to “a need.”

Meaning Explained

In the last six verses of the previous chapter, Paul taught the Thessalonians (and us) about the rapture, referred to elsewhere as “the Day of Jesus Christ.” He now starts off this chapter with “but,” indicating that he is going to make a distinction between the rapture and what he is about to talk about. He refers to it here as “the times and the seasons.” Then in the following verse he will refer to it as “the Day of the Lord.”

So, what does Paul mean by “the times and the seasons?” It is a reference to specific events and a general time period. This phrase only occurs in two other places in the Bible, Daniel 2:21 and Acts 1:7. In both cases it is used in reference to God’s dealing with Israel, and there is no reason to believe otherwise in this case. Therefore, Paul is making a distinction between how God will deal with the church and how he will deal with Israel.

Another reason for seeing the rapture and the Day of the Lord as separate events is given to us in the second half of today’s verse. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul said “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,” meaning that they were ignorant of the facts surrounding the rapture. In today’s verse he now says, “you have no need that I should write to you,” following in the next verse with, “you yourselves know perfectly,” regarding the Day of the Lord. We will provide more information regarding this distinction of these two in the following verses.

Application

The rapture is an event in which God completes salvation for Christians. The Day of the Lord (the tribulation) is a time in which God will judge the world and provide complete salvation for the believing remnant of Israel.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:9 – The Christian Birthmark

Posted on by Will

But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

Truth to Learn

Brotherly love is the birthmark of a true Christian.

Behind the Words

The words “brotherly love” are from the Greek word philadelphia, which is made up of philos, meaning “a friend” and adelphos, meaning “a brother.” This word refers to the kind of personal fondness that good friends have for one another.

The words “you have” is from the verb echo, meaning “to have” or “to hold.” In some translations this is written as “we have”; however, the best Greek manuscripts have it written in the second person plural form, meaning “you (plural) have.”

“Need” is translated from cheira, which properly means “employment.” By implication, however, it refers to “an occasion, a requirement, or a necessity.”

“Theodidactos” is the Greek adjective translated “taught by God.” This word is made up of theos, meaning “God, or some deity” and a form of the verb didaskō, meaning “to teach.” Thus theodidactos literally means “taught by God.”

The words “to love” are from the infinitive form of agapē, which refers to “a self-sacrificing God-love.”

“One another” is from the Greek plural reciprocal pronoun allēlous, meaning “each other” or “one another.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul spent the first three chapters of this letter to the Thessalonians assuring them of his love and concern for them. In this fourth chapter he began his doctrinal teaching for the church. Through the first eight verses of this chapter, he taught about avoiding sexual immorality, specifically fornication and, instead, living a life of holiness.

Now he switches his teaching to how we should live our lives both within and outside the church. Within the church we should all exhibit a genuine fondness for our brothers and sisters in the faith. He starts off with “you have no need that I should write to you concerning brotherly love.” In other words, the Christians in Thessalonica had already learned and were demonstrating that they had a genuine love for the brethren.

It is also interesting that Paul tells them that they learned this love for each other, not from some preacher of other people in the church, but they learned it from God. So how does God teach us to love one another? God the Father taught us how to love each other when He gave His only begotten Son to die for us. God the Son taught us to love one another when he said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another” (John 13:34). And the Holy Spirit taught us to love one another when He poured out the love of God in our hearts (Romans 5:5) when we trusted in Christ as our personal Savior. This love for one another is the defining characteristic of true Christians (1 John 4:7).

Application

The best way we can demonstrate the genuiness of our new birth is to exhibit the love we have for others in the Church. Can people see how real your faith is in the way you treat other Christians?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved