Tag: note

2 Thessalonians 3:14 – Breaking Fellowship

Posted on by Will

And if anyone does not obey our word in this letter, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Truth to Learn

We are not to fellowship with other Christians who are rebellious and disobedient.

 

Behind the Words

“Obey” is translated from the Greek word hupokouō, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and akouō, meaning “to listen” or “to hear.” It is a picture of a student sitting under the instruction of a master and applying what is being taught.

The word translated “note” is sēmeioō, which means “to sign, mark, or make a mental note about.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, indicating action that is done by the subject to himself or herself. Thus sēmeioō, as it is used here, means “to make a mental note to yourself.”

Sunanamignumi is the Greek word translated “keep company.” It is a double compound word made up of sun, meaning “together” or “with,” ana, meaning “on” or “again,” and mignumi, meaning “to mix or intermingle.” This verb is also expressed in the middle voice, so as used here it means “to intermingle yourself again with someone else.” In other words, it means “to associate yourself with” or “to keep company with.”

The words “may be ashamed” are from the Greek verb entrepō, which is made up of en, meaning “in or upon” and trepō, meaning “to turn.” Therefore, entrepō literally means “to turn upon” or “to turn in.” It is expressed here in the passive voice indicating something done to the subject. Thus, as it is used here it means “he may be turned into himself.” In other words, it means “he may look into himself and understand why this has been done to him.”

 

Meaning Explained

Over the past few verses, Paul has been talking about people within the church who are being lazy and expecting others to provide for their needs, and walking around sticking their noses into other people’s business. He instructed that everyone is to work hard without complaining or telling others what to do. In yesterday’s verse, we were reminded not to get discouraged by such behavior, but to continue doing good deeds to everyone.

In this verse and the following one, Paul gives instruction regarding those who don’t put into practice what is being taught from the Word. This is not just directed at the unruly members of the church, but at anyone who refuses to follow sound Biblical teaching. Back in verse six, Paul said,

But we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which you received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Unfortunately, in the past, the Roman Catholic church has perverted this teaching in order to “excommunicate” anyone who disagrees with their church teaching. That’s not Paul’s purpose, as we will see in tomorrow’s verse.

 

Application

We are commanded to “break fellowship” with Christians who reject sound doctrine. But, we are to do so in love, in order to help them to submit to the lordship of Christ. This means that we first have to be submitted to Him ourselves. Are you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 3:14 – Breaking Fellowship

Posted on by Will

And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Truth to Learn

We are not to fellowship with other Christians who are rebellious and disobedient.

Behind the Words

“Obey” is translated from the Greek word hupokouō, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and akouō, meaning “to listen” or “to hear.” It is a picture of a student sitting under the instruction of a master and applying what is being taught.

The word translated “note” is sēmeioō, which means “to sign, mark, or make a mental note about.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, indicating action that is done by the subject to himself or herself. Thus sēmeioō, as it is used here, means “to make a mental note to yourself.”

Sunanamignumi is the Greek word translated “keep company.” It is a double compound word made up of sun, meaning “together” or “with,” ana, meaning “on” or “again,” and mignumi, meaning “to mix or intermingle.” This verb is also expressed in the middle voice, so as used here it means “to intermingle yourself again with someone else.” In other words, it means “to associate yourself” or “to keep company with.”

The words “may be ashamed” are from the Greek verb entrepō, which is made up of en, meaning “in or upon” and trepō, meaning “to turn.” Therefore, entrepō literally means “to turn upon” or “to turn in.” It is expressed here in the passive voice indicating something done to the subject. Thus, as it is used here it means “he may be turned into himself.” In other words, it means “he may look into himself and understand why this has been done to him.”

Meaning Explained

Over the past few verses, Paul has been talking about people within the church who are being lazy and expecting others to provide for their needs, and walking around sticking their noses into other people’s business. He instructed that everyone is to work hard without complaining or telling others what to do. In yesterday’s verse, we were reminded not to get discouraged by such behavior, but to continue doing good deeds to everyone.

In this verse and the following one, Paul gives instruction regarding those who don’t put into practice what is being taught from the Word. This is not just directed at the unruly members of the church, but at anyone who refuses to follow sound Biblical teaching. Back in verse six, Paul said,

But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Unfortunately, in the past, the Roman Catholic church has perverted this teaching in order to “excommunicate” anyone who disagrees with their church teaching. That’s not Paul’s purpose, as we will see in tomorrow’s verse.

Application

We are commanded to “break fellowship” with Christians who reject sound doctrine. But, we are to do so in love, in order to help them to submit to the lordship of Christ. This means that we first have to be submitted to Him ourselves. Are you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Romans 16:17 – Who to Avoid

Posted on by Will

Romans 16:17 – Who to Avoid

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

Truth to Learn

Avoid those who teach false doctrine.

Behind the Words

“Urge” is translated from the Greek verb parakalō, which literally means “to call alongside.” It is one of those verbs that has a number of nuances depending on how it is used. It can mean “to encourage, to comfort, to invite, to call for, to help, or to urge.”

The verb “note” is from skopeō, meaning “to spy out, to look toward, to give attention to, or to be on the lookout for.”

“Divisions” is from dichostasia, which literally means “separate standings.” It is a picture of two groups of people standing separate from each other.

The word “offenses” is from skandalon, which we have seen before. It refers to the trigger of a trap. Here it refers to something which will cause other Christians to stumble in their walk with God.

The word “doctrine” is translated from didachē, which refers to “something which is taught.” Here it is a reference to the teachings, or doctrines, of the church.

“Avoid” is from ekklinō, which is made up of ek, meaning “out” and klinō, meaning “to bend, to incline, or to turn.” Thus ekklinō means “to turn away from” or “to completely avoid.”

Meaning Explained

Having finished all of the personal greetings he wanted to send to his friends at the church in Rome, Paul now gives one final word of caution. He tells them to be on the lookout for “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” That is, he is warning about people who are not focused on the good of the church and the unity of the body. Instead, these people are focused on what they want rather that what God wants for the church.

In the Greek text, both the word translated “divisions” and the word translated “offenses” have definite articles associated with them. In other words, Paul is warning about those people who cause the divisions and the offenses. Thus, there must have been specific problems that he wanted them to avoid.

We know from several of Paul’s other letters that there were several false teachings that had crept into the church even in its earliest years. Two of these false doctrines were legalism, and an early form of Gnosticism. Most of Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches and part of this letter to the Romans addressed the issue of Legalism because there were many converted Jews in the early church who believed that Christians had to keep the law in order to remain saved. Another heresy that crept into the early church was Gnosticism, which tried to spiritualize many of the teachings of Christianity, introducing the notion that there was some “special knowledge” that was required to complete salvation. Paul’s specific instructions were to “turn away from and completely avoid” those who professed these false doctrines.

Application

Teaching true doctrine and the unity of the body of Christ are both essential aspects of the Church. Be on the lookout for false teachers and avoid them like the plague!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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