no longer – Ministry of Grace Church

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1 Peter 4:2 – Stop That Lust

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Will

no longer to live the rest of his time in the flesh in the lusts of men, but in the will of God.

Truth to Learn

He suffered and died for us, let us suffer and live for Him.

Behind the Words

In the previous verse Peter told us to “arm” ourselves with the same “mind.” Let’s look at these two words. “Arm” is translated from the Greek word hoplidzō, meaning “to equip with armament.” It is expressed in the imperative mood indicating a command. The implication of the verb is that we should start doing so right now.

The word translated “mind” is ennoia, which is a compound word made up of en, meaning “in” and nous, meaning “the mind.” Therefore this word means “that which is in the mind,” hence, “thoughts” or “understanding.”

In today’s verse, the words “no longer” are from the Greek word mēketi, made up of mē, meaning “not” and eti, meaning “anymore” or “yet.” Hence, it means “not anymore.”

“Flesh” is translated from the Greek word sarx, which refers to “the flesh of a living creature.” Hence, Peter is referring to the remainder of time that we are living on this earth.

The word “lusts” is one that we have seen before. It is translated from the Greek epithumia, which is made up of epi, meaning “over” and a form of thumos, which refers to “a violent motion or passion of the mind.” Hence, epithumia refers to “an overly strong desire of the mind.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Peter told us, “he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” This doesn’t mean that we will never commit a sin again. Rather, Peter is telling us that when we are suffering, though we have done nothing wrong, and we are doing so patiently, we are not letting our sin nature control us.

In the current verse, Peter completes that thought. Since we have the same understanding as Christ, that this suffering is God’s will, then each of us should:

no longer … live the rest of his time in the flesh in the lusts of men, but in the will of God.

In other words, for the remainder of the time that we are living our earthly life, we should not be living for the lusts of men but for the will of God. Well, what are these lusts of men? According to the Apostle John they are:

the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16)

So it’s not just sexual lust we are talking about, but all those desires that we have that cause us to focus on ourselves rather than God. It includes the overly strong desire for food, for pleasure, for “stuff” like a new car or a new house, or a new kitchen, or a new boat, or the desire to be admired because of a position of prominence. It’s anything that focuses on “me.”

Application

Let us not waste our few remaining years on this earth satisfying ourselves, that is, our fleshly lusts. Let us, instead, seek out ways to be obedient to the will of God so as to bring Him glory! After all, He suffered and died for us, let us suffer and live for Him!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 3:5 – Faith Strengthening Trials

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Will

For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

Truth to Learn

Trials and temptations can be good for us.

Behind the Words

“No longer” is translated from the Greek word mēketi, which is made up of mē, a particle of negation and eti, meaning “still” or “yet.” This word primarily means “not anymore.”

The word translated “endure” is stegō, which we saw in the first verse of this chapter literally means “to cover.” It can also mean “to forbear” or “to endure.”

Mēpōs is the Greek word translated “lest by some means.” It is made up of mē, a particle of negation and pōs, meaning “somehow” or “by some means.”

The word “tempter” is based on the verb peiradzō, which is derived from peira, meaning “a test, temptation, or trial.” In the Greek this is written as ho pairadzōn, which literally means “the tempting one.”

“Had tempted” is from the same verb, peiradzō. It is expressed here in the imperfect tense, indicating past continuous or repeated action.

Meaning Explained

Earlier in this chapter Paul told the Thessalonian Christians that he could no longer endure his forced separation from them and his inability to personally return to them. As a result, he said that he stayed in Athens and sent Timothy there to ensure that they were firmly grounded in the faith and to act as a coach to help them succeed in the building of their faith.

Now he tells them another reason for his sending Timothy. He says he wanted to know for sure how strong their faith was. You may recall that the Thessalonian Christians were being persecuted by their fellow countrymen in the same manner as Paul. Paul was well aware that Christians suffering persecution will either grow stronger in their faith or weaker in their faith.

Whenever we are suffering persecution for exhibiting our faith in God, our enemy Satan knows that we are very vulnerable to temptations. The most destructive temptations we face at times like these involve thinking that God has deserted us or doesn’t care about us. This is particularly true of young Christians who haven’t yet learned the value of difficulties. These difficulties force us to rely on faith to get through; they make us stronger.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:18 we learned that the name Satan means “accuser” or “adversary.” We also learned that one of his actions against us is to “hinder” us from doing the work of our ministry. Now we learn that Satan also tempts us in order to weaken our faith. The more we learn about him and his methods, the better prepared we are to resist him. Keep in mind what James said:

“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2, 3)

Application

Don’t despair when you encounter opposition to your ministry. God allows this to strengthen you. Also, don’t think that because you are tempted to sin when you are weak that God doesn’t care. God loves His children and wants us to grow stronger. Remember that trials and testing can be good for us!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 2:19 – Household Members

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Will

So, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Truth to Learn

Christians are part of God’s household and will live with Him for eternity.

Behind the Words

The word translated “So” is ara, which is an inferential particle. That is, it indicates that an inference, or conclusion is being made. It is somewhat difficult to translate directly into English, but is often translated as “now,” “then,” “so,” “in conclusion,” or “truly.”

“Therefore” is from another Greek inferential particle, oun. This word is most often translated “therefore” or “certainly.”

The words “no longer” are translated from a single Greek word, ouketi. This is made up of ouk, meaning “not” and eti which refers to a duration of time. It is most often translated as “yet” or “still.” When these two words are combined they mean “not still” or “no longer.”

“Strangers” is the Greek word xenos, which we saw back in verse twelve. It refers to someone who is “a stranger” or “an alien.”

Paroikos is the Greek word translated “foreigners.” It is made up of para, meaning “by, beside, or near” and oikos, which refers to “a dwelling place” or “a house.” Thus, paroikos refers to “someone who lives nearby,” that is, “someone who lives in a nearby foreign country.” The strong implication here is that the foreigner is not of the household (see below).

“Fellow citizens” is translated from the Greek word sumpolitēs. This word is made up of sun, meaning “together’ or “together with” and politēs (from which we get our English word “politics”), meaning “citizen.”

Hagios is the word translated “saints.” The fundamental idea behind this word is “separation from one thing and consecration to another.” Throughout the New Testament, this word is used to refer to those who have been separated from the world (world system) and consecrated to God.

The word “household” is from oikeios, which is derived from oikos, meaning “a house” or “a household.” Thus, oikeios means “a member of a household.”

Meaning Explained

As we saw above, the opening words of this verse indicate a conclusion is being drawn. In this case, the two words ara oun, are best translated as “So then” or “so therefore” as we have in our translation here. Some translations have this as “Now, therefore” which can be a little confusing. Paul is not saying “Now” as opposed to “previously.” He is simply summarizing what he has been teaching. This summary takes us back to verse twelve, where Paul said that we were “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise.”

Paul has been teaching us about how the blood of Jesus Christ and faith in His death on the cross as payment for our sins has broken down the dividing wall between the Gentiles and Jews. By breaking down this wall, we are at peace with the Jews and with God, and we have access to God the Father through the Holy Spirit. So, therefore …

We are no longer strangers from the covenants of promise and we are no longer foreigners from the commonwealth of Israel. Instead, we are fellow citizens of a holy nation with all the saints. “Saints” is a reference to all those whom God has declared righteous through faith, from the time of Adam to the present day. And, not only are we fellow citizens of that holy nation, we are now members of God’s household. That means that when we leave this life and “go home” it will be to God’s home.

Application

As Christians, we have so many precious promises that will help us endure this life of service to God. One of the greatest promises, however, is that when this life is over, we will live with Him in His home forever. What a blessing!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 3:5 – Faith Strengthening Trials

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Will

For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

Truth to Learn

Trials and temptations can be good for us.

Behind the Words

“No longer” is translated from the Greek word mēketi, which is made up of mē, a particle of negation and eti, meaning “still” or “yet.” This word primarily means “not anymore.”

The word translated “endure” is stegō, which we saw in the first verse of this chapter literally means “to cover.” It can also mean “to forbear” or “to endure.”

Mēpōs is the Greek word translated “lest by some means.” It is made up of mē, a particle of negation and pōs, meaning “somehow” or “by some means.”

“Had tempted” is from the same verb, peiradzō. It is expressed here in the imperfect tense, indicating past continuous or repeated action.

Meaning Explained

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2, 3)

Application

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 2:19 – Household Members

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Will

Ephesians 2:19 – Household Members

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Truth to Learn

Christians are part of God’s household and will live with Him for eternity.

Behind the Words

The word translated “Now” is ara, which is an inferential particle. That is, it indicates that an inference, or conclusion is being made. It is somewhat difficult to translate directly into English, but is often translated as “now,” “then,” “so be,” “in conclusion,” or “truly.”

“Therefore” is from another Greek inferential particle, oun. This word is most often translated “therefore” or “certainly.”

“Strangers” is the Greek word xenos, which we saw back in verse twelve. It refers to someone who is “a stranger” or “an alien.”

Meaning Explained

As we saw above, the opening words of this verse indicate a conclusion is being drawn. In this case, the two words ara oun, are best translated as “So then,” That’s the basic meaning of “Now, therefore” as we have in our translation here (New King James Version). Paul is not saying “Now” as opposed to “previously.” He is simply summarizing what he has been teaching. This summary takes us back to verse twelve, where Paul said that we were “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise.”

Paul has been teaching us about how the blood of Jesus Christ and faith in His death on the cross as payment for our sins has broken down the dividing wall between the Gentiles and Jews. By breaking down this wall, we are at peace with the Jews and with God and we have access to God the Father through the Holy Spirit. So then …

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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Romans 14:13 – Judge Yourself

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Will

Romans 14:13 – Judge Yourself

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

Truth to Learn

Our actions should not hinder the relationship between our brother or sister and the Lord Jesus Christ; it should enhance it.

Behind the Words

Paul starts off this verse with the Greek word mēketi, which is made up of mē, meaning “not” and eti, meaning “anymore.” Hence, mēketi means, “not any more” or “no longer.” It carries the notion that there is something which was being done which will cease to be done.

This use of the verb “judge” is from the Greek verb krinō, which is in the subjunctive mood, implying action which is possible or probable. So this phrase could be translated, “Therefore we should not judge one another any more, …”

“Resolve” is also translated from krinō; however, here it is expressed in the imperative mood meaning “you must do this.” It is as if Paul were saying, “Therefore you should not judge one another anymore, but you must judge yourselves in this.”

The word translated “stumbling block” is proskomma, which refers to “something that someone hits or runs into.” Figuratively this refers to something that someone stubs their toe on or trips over.

The word translated “a cause to fall” is skandalon, which is “the trigger of a trap which when touched causes the trap to close.”

Meaning Explained

This verse contains the second half of the conclusion that Paul started in the previous verse. There we were told that the reason we are not to judge other Christians is because each of us will give an account of ourselves, not of others, to God at the judgment seat of Christ.

Now he reiterates how we should behave toward other Christians. First, we are to stop condemning each other. Notice that Paul uses the pronoun “we” in this phrase, indicating that he, too, needs to stop judging other Christians.

The second thing that Paul tells us here is more forceful than the first. He commands us to judge our own actions so that we won’t cause other Christians to fall. And, we are to judge our own actions to ensure that we don’t do anything that will cause our Christian brother or sister to sin. In other words, we are to be constantly watching our own actions to ensure that what we do doesn’t either cause another Christian to stumble in their walk with God or cause them to become entrapped in sin.

Some translations express skandalon as “an offense.” Though this is a reasonable translation, it is often misunderstood. It does not refer to something that will offend another Christian, rather something that will cause them to be ensnared by sin.

Application

Are you watching your Christian brothers and sisters in order to judge their actions as right or wrong? Or are you watching and judging yourself to ensure that you do not do something that will cause your brother or sister in Christ to stumble or sin?” Again, it’s a matter of where your focus is!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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