Tag: neighbor

Romans 15:2 – Build-up, Not Tear-down

Posted on by Will

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Truth to Learn

We are to focus on the good of others and on ways to build them up, not on ways to tear them down.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “please” is a form of the Greek verb areskō, which means “to make one inclined to or to soften one's heart towards another.” This particular form of the verb is in the present tense and imperative mood. The imperative mood means that Paul is not simply suggesting that this might be a good idea, rather he is commanding us to do this. Also, according to the Complete Word Study Dictionary, “the present tense denotes intentional, deliberate, and continuous conduct; yet the word involves a relationship prior to behavior. It is actually satisfying or behaving properly toward one with whom one is related.”

“Neighbor” is from the Greek noun plēsion, which is based on the word pelas, meaning “near” or “close to.” Hence, plēsion refers to someone who is physically close to you, that is, your neighbor. Metaphorically, it refers to anyone whom you encounter in your walk through this life.

“Build … up” is from oikodomē, which we looked at back in Romans 14:19. It is made up of oikos, meaning “a family dwelling place” and a form of demo, meaning “to build.” Literally, oikodomē means “to build a house.” By application it means “to build-up, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.”

 

Meaning Explained

We have just been taught that those of us who are strong in our faith need to bear with the weaknesses of those who are less mature in their Christian faith. And, we just saw that the word translated “to bear” means “to lift up” or “to provide support.” Now the Apostle Paul teaches us that we are to please our neighbor for his good, not for our own. This is nearly a restatement of what we were told back in Romans 14:19;

Therefore we should pursue the things of peace and the things by which we build up one another.

In that verse Paul emphasized us pursuing the things which produce peace and the things which build-up someone else. In the current verse Paul’s exhortation again includes building up someone else, but it focuses on pleasing our neighbor.

In other words, we are to behave in a particular way to those around us, those whom we encounter in life. We are to treat them in such a way as to make them feel good and warm hearted. If you have ever had a dispute with a next door neighbor or someone with whom you work, then you know how difficult this can be. Paul’s point, however, is that we should constantly be acting in such a way toward those around us that they will be impressed with the way Christians behave.

 

Application

Yet again, we see that the proper attitude of a follower of Christ is to be focused on the good of others rather than his or her own good. That’s what Jesus’ life was all about. He humbled himself and offered His perfect life on the cross for our sake, not His own. We need to emulate His life. Remember, you may be the only Bible that your neighbor will ever read! Do your neighbors see Jesus Christ in you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 13:10 – Unselfish Love

Posted on by Will

Love does no evil to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Truth to Learn

Unselfish love is what God wants from us.

 

Behind the Words

“Love” is translated from agape, which refers to “good will” or “benevolence.” In other words, it refers to acts of goodness toward someone else.

The Greek word translated “evil” is kakos, meaning “that which is inherently injurious, bad, or evil.”

The word “neighbor” is from the Greek word plēsion. This word is derived from pelas, meaning “near” or “close.” Hence, plēsion refers to someone who is nearby, that is, physically close. However, this word is used generically throughout the New Testament to refer to another member of the human race.

“Fulfillment” is from the noun plērōma, from the verb plēroō, meaning “to make full, to fill up, or to completely satisfy.” Thus, plērōma refers to something that has been filled full, or as we say, fulfilled (completely satisfied).

 

Meaning Explained

One who truly loves his or her neighbor (fellow man or woman) will avoid all those things spoken of in verse nine. That is, they will not commit adultery, murder, steal, declare false testimony about others, and they will not have uncontrolled desires for things. As noted above, the type of love that is referred to here is agape love. This is not an emotional love like eros (sensual love) or philos (brotherly love). This is a love of the will, love in action, not a love of desire. It is expressed by doing what is best for the object of the love in spite of the personal sacrifice that it may involve. This is the type of love that God the Father showed to us when He offered His only begotten son to die a sinner’s death on the cross so that we might be saved from our sins. This is the type of love that Christ showed to the Father by freely giving Himself to pay for our sins. We owed a debt we couldn't pay. He paid the debt He didn't owe. He did it because He loves us!

If we demonstrate this type of love to others, if we consider the good of others a higher goal than our own good and we actually live that way, then we are fulfilling the intent of the Law. This is the type of living that fulfills the righteousness of God. Unfortunately, we sinful humans cannot do this all the time. That’s why we needed someone who could, and did, live this way so that he could offer Himself as payment for our sins, the Righteous One for us unrighteous ones.

But that shouldn’t stop us from trying. We should all be constantly striving to be more Christ-like each and every day of our lives. Remember, we have been bought with a price, the precious blood of the Lamb of God, and we belong to the One who bought us. Therefore, we are obliged to do all that we can to serve Him and to please Him. We obey Him and strive to do His will, not to earn our salvation (which we can’t do), or even to earn His favor (which we can’t do), but because we want to show our Lord our gratitude and submission.

 

Application

If our good will to others is done to establish or improve our position in God’s eyes (to gain His favor), then it is selfish. If, on the other hand, we are good to others out of gratitude for what God has done for us, then we are acting out of love.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 4:12 – Honor the Judge

Posted on by Will

There is one Lawgiver and Judge, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you judging your neighbor?

Truth to Learn

God is the judge of us all. Let’s keep this in perspective when we feel like being judgmental of those around us.

Behind the Words

The word translated “lawgiver” is nomothetēs which is a compound of nomos, meaning “law” and tithēmi meaning “to put in place.” Hence it is one who puts the law in place. Clearly, there is only One who can do that.

In the Greek text the first word in this verse is eis, meaning “one.” A literal translation of the opening of this verse is “One is the lawgiver.” This places emphasis on the fact that there is only one!

The words “and Judge” are not present in some Greek texts, but the best texts include these words.

The Greek word translated “destroy” is apollumi. This word is made up of apo, meaning “away” or “away from” and ollumi, meaning “to destroy.” Hence, it literally means “to destroy away” or as we might say, to destroy completely, leaving no trace behind.

“Who are you” is translated from the words which literally say, “But you, who are you …”

Some Greek texts end this verse with “another” (heteros). However, the best texts end this verse with “neighbor” (plēsion).

Meaning Explained

In keeping with the previous verse where James equates slandering others with judging them, he now explains why we should not judge others. There is only one judge of mankind and He is the sinless Savior of the world.

Since there is only One who is capable of putting the law in place, whether referring to the law of Moses or the law of righteousness, who are we to be interpreters (judges) of that law? And since we are unfit to judge, we are clearly out of bounds when we speak judgmentally against a brother.

Only a few verses back James made it abundantly clear that we need to be humbled before Almighty God. In today’s modern world, however, we pride ourselves on our self-sufficiency and our independence. In other words, we tend to make ourselves out to be our own gods, not needing any higher power to assist us. It was no different in James’ day and he cautioned his Christian brothers and sisters to recognize that we all have a Supreme Lord who is able to give life and take it away. We need to recognize our lowly place before Him and give Him the reverence and fear He alone deserves. So, let’s listen to Him. Here’s what he said to the Israelites:

Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I keep alive; I wound and I heal; and there is no deliverer from My hand. (Deuteronomy 32:39)

And, here is what Christ told His disciples:

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)

Application

When we die we will not cease to exist, our soul will live eternally. Upon crossing the threshold of death’s door we will appear before our Judge, where we will give Him the reverence that He alone deserves and we will give account of our service to Him while on this earth. So, right now, instead of focusing on others and judging them, let’s focus on God and both serve and revere Him!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:25 – A Body of Truth

Posted on by Will

Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.

Truth to Learn

Honesty is critically important within the body of Christ.

Behind the Words

“Therefore” is translated from the Greek word dio, which is made up of dia, meaning “through” and ho, meaning “which.” Thus we see that dio literally means “through which.”

The words “putting away” are translated from the Greek verb apotithēmi, which in verse twenty-two we learned means “to put away or to take off.” It is expressed here as an aorist participle in the middle voice. Therefore, it is literally translated as “having already put away from yourself.”

“Speak” is from the verb laleō, which refers to “the utterance of words” or “talking.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

The word “neighbor” is translated from plēsios, which is derived from pelos, meaning “near.” Plēsios refers to “someone who is close by” either physically or emotionally.

“Members” is from melos, which refers specifically to “a limb or other part of a body.”

Meaning Explained

In the past few verses we have been instructed that we are to put away from ourselves our sin nature and its ungodly desires. In its place we are to put on the new nature which God created for us when we were saved. Now we are told, having put away the lie which was part of that “old man,” we are to speak truth with each other as part of the “new man.” Once again, we see the Apostle’s teaching style of getting rid of something and replacing it with something else. His point is that instead of focusing on “not lying,” we are to focus on communicating truthfully with each other.

Paul ends this verse with an interesting comment. He says that “we are (body) members of one another.” You may recall that earlier in this chapter he told us that each of us is specially gifted to perform a function within the body of Christ, that is, the church. In verses fourteen and fifteen he instructed us that we should no longer be immature Christians, deceived by the trickery of men. Instead, we were told that we should speak the truth in love as we help the entire body grow. Therefore, it appears that today’s verse is specifically aimed at our communication with others within the body of Christ.

In the fourth century, John Chrysostom, the archbishop of Constantinople, interpreted today’s verse this way.

Let not the eye lie to the foot, nor the foot to the eye. If there be a deep pit, and its mouth covered with reeds shall present to the eye the appearance of solid ground, will not the eye use the foot to ascertain whether it is hollow underneath, or whether it is firm and resists? Will the foot tell a lie, and not the truth as it is? And what, again, if the eye were to spy a serpent or a wild beast, will it lie to the foot?

Application

It is critically important that we exercise our spiritual gifts within the church to build up the body. It is just as critical, however, that we do so with complete honesty, not trying to deceive, but doing all that we do as an expression of love for our fellow Christians.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Romans 15:2 – Build-up, Not Tear-down

Posted on by Will

Romans 15:2 – Build-up, Not Tear-down

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

Truth to Learn

We are to focus on the good of others and on ways to build them up, not on ways to tear them down.

Behind the Words

The word translated “please” is a form of the Greek verb areskō, which means “to make one inclined to or to soften one’s heart towards another.” This particular form of the verb is in the present tense and imperative mood. The imperative mood means that Paul is not simply suggesting that this might be a good idea, rather he is commanding us to do this. Also, according to the Complete Word Study Dictionary, “the present tense denotes intentional, deliberate, and continuous conduct; yet the word involves a relationship prior to behavior. It is actually satisfying or behaving properly toward one with whom one is related.”

“Neighbor” is from the Greek noun plēsion, which is based on the word pelas, meaning “near” or “close to.” Hence, plēsion refers to someone who is physically close to you, that is, your neighbor. Metaphorically, it refers to anyone whom you encounter in your walk through this life.

“Edification” is from oikodomē, which we looked at back in Romans 14:19. It is made up of oikos, meaning “a family dwelling place” and a form of demo, meaning “to build.” Literally, oikodomē means “to build a house.” By application it means “to build-up, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.”

Meaning Explained

We have just been taught that those of us who are strong in our faith need to bear with the weaknesses of those who are less mature in their Christian faith. And, we just saw that the word translated “to bear” means “to lift up” or “to provide support.” Now the Apostle Paul teaches us that we are to please our neighbor for his good, not for our own. This is nearly a restatement of what we were told back in Romans 14:19;

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

In that verse Paul emphasized us pursuing the things which produce peace and the things which build-up someone else. In the current verse Paul’s exhortation again includes building up someone else, but it focuses on pleasing our neighbor.

In other words, we are to behave in a particular way to those around us, those whom we encounter in life. We are to treat them in such a way as to make them feel good and warm hearted. If you have ever had a dispute with a next door neighbor or someone with whom you work, then you know how difficult this can be. Paul’s point, however, is that we should constantly be acting in such a way toward those around us that they will be impressed with the way Christians behave.

Application

Yet again, we see that the proper attitude of a follower of Christ is to be focused on the good of others rather than his or her own good. That’s what Jesus’ life was all about. He humbled himself and offered His perfect life on the cross for our sake, not His own. We need to emulate His life. Remember, you may be the only Bible that your neighbor will ever read! Do your neighbors see Jesus Christ in you?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to:

Romans 13:10 – Unselfish Love

Posted on by Will

Romans 13:10 – Unselfish Love

Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Truth to Learn

Unselfish love is what God wants from us.

Behind the Words

“Love” is translated from agape, which refers to “good will” or “benevolence.” In other words, it refers to acts of goodness toward someone else.

The Greek word translated “harm” is kakos, meaning “that which is inherently injurious, bad, or evil.”

The word “neighbor” is from the Greek word plēsion. This word is derived from pelas, meaning “near” or “close.” Hence, plēsion refers to someone who is nearby, that is, physically close. However, this word is used generically throughout the New Testament to refer to another member of the human race.

“Fulfillment” is from the noun plērōma, from the verb plēroō, meaning “to make full, to fill up, or to completely satisfy.” Thus, plērōma refers to something that has been filled full, or as we say, fulfilled (completely satisfied).

Meaning Explained

One who truly loves his or her neighbor (fellow man or woman) will avoid all those things spoken of in verse nine. That is, they will not commit adultery, murder, steal, declare false testimony about others, and they will not have uncontrolled desires for things. As noted above, the type of love that is referred to here is agape love. This is not an emotional love like eros (sensual love) or philos (brotherly love). This is a love of the will, love in action, not a love of desire. It is expressed by doing what is best for the object of the love in spite of the personal sacrifice that it may involve. This is the type of love that God the Father showed to us when He offered His only begotten son to die a sinner’s death on the cross so that we might be saved from our sins. This is the type of love that Christ showed to the Father by freely giving Himself to pay for our sins. We owed a debt we couldn’t pay. He paid the debt He didn’t owe. He did it because He loves us!

If we demonstrate this type of love to others, if we consider the good of others a higher goal than our own good and we actually live that way, then we are fulfilling the intent of the Law. This is the type of living that fulfills the righteousness of God. Unfortunately, we sinful humans cannot do this all the time. That’s why we needed someone who could, and did, live this way to offer Himself as payment for our sins, the Righteous One for us unrighteous ones.

But that shouldn’t stop us from trying. We should all be constantly striving to be more Christ-like each and every day of our lives. Remember, we have been bought with a price, the precious blood of the Lamb of God, and we belong to the One who bought us. Therefore, we are obliged to do all that we can to serve Him and to please Him. We obey Him and strive to do His will, not to earn our salvation (which we can’t do), or even to earn His favor (which we can’t do), but because we want to show our Lord our gratitude and submission.

Application

If our good will to others is done to establish or improve our position in God’s eyes (to gain His favor), then it is selfish. If, on the other hand, we are good to others out of gratitude for what God has done for us, then we are acting out of love.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to: