Tag: nuni

Romans 15:23 – Desire to Serve

Posted on by Will

But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a longing these many years to come to you,

Truth to Learn

Paul followed his desires, except when God changed his plan.

 

Behind the Words

The word “now” is translated from the Greek word nuni. This word is made up of nun, meaning “now” and the letter iota which adds emphasis. Thus, it could be translated “just now.”

“Longing” is from epipothia, made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and a form of the verb potheō, meaning “to yearn” or “to desire.” Hence, epipothia indicates a strong desire.

 

Meaning Explained

Having just expressed why he had not yet gone to Rome, Paul tells the Christians there that he is now ready to go. He has finally finished his job of preaching the gospel from Jerusalem all around to Illyricum and now, finally, is at liberty to travel to Rome. In the next verse we will see that Paul’s intention was to visit the church in Rome as part of a trip to Spain, which he was apparently planning to take.

This letter was most likely written while Paul was in Corinth (around A.D. 56) just shortly before he traveled to Jerusalem with an offering for the poor members of the church there (see Romans 15:25). It is likely that Paul expected to travel to Spain after this brief return to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, what was planned as a brief trip ended up being an extended stay; he was put in a Roman prison in Caesarea due to the hatred that the Jews had for him. Though he was never found guilty of any crime, Paul was imprisoned for two years while the trials took place. At the end of this time, in an effort to prevent Governor Festus from sending him back to Jerusalem where the Jews were lying in wait to kill him, Paul appealed to Caesar and was eventually shipped off to Rome to stand trial.

Certainly these were not the circumstances under which Paul intended to travel to Rome. He nonetheless was able to go there and was, in fact, met on the way and accompanied the last day or two of his journey by members of the church at Rome. Paul’s style of loving exhortation and personal transparency comes out in this letter. This is part of the reason why the Roman Christians were so willing to extend their own efforts to comfort him in his time of distress.

We should take comfort in Paul’s distress, especially when we are faithfully serving Christ and suffering personal attacks by those who claim to be religious. Our adversary will do anything to silence our witness for Christ. So, when those attacks come (and they WILL come), remember how faithfully Paul continued steadfast in the work of the gospel, never doubting that his Lord and Savior was by his side every step of the way.

 

Application

We might wonder how Paul could maintain his drive to spread the Gospel in the face of all the opposition against him. He probably remembered the promise God gave to Joshua in Joshua 1:5 that was quoted by the writer of Hebrews:

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

Now, that’s a promise we can all live and serve with!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:13 – A New Covenant

Posted on by Will

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Truth to Learn

God has made a new covenant for us.

 

Behind the Words

“Now” is translated from nuni, which is a strengthened form of nun, meaning “now.” The strengthened form adds emphasis on the present.

“Once” is from the Greek word pote, which has several nuances of meaning and is used of both the past and the future. It can mean “at some time,” “one time or another,” “when,” “formerly,” or “at last.”

The Greek word translated “far off” is makran, which is derived from makros, meaning “long.” Makran means “a great distance away.”

The words “have been brought” are from the verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” Thus, Paul is really saying, “you … have become near.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul’s current train of thought began back in verse eleven where he reminded us that previously we were Gentiles in the flesh and we were called “the uncircumcision” by the Jews. So what’s the big deal about circumcision? Back in Genesis chapter fifteen, Abraham was declared to be righteous because he believed God’s promise that the Messiah would be one of his descendants. Fifteen years later (Genesis 17) he still had no children by his wife Sarah. At that time God promised him again that He would be a father of many nations, telling him that in one year Sarah would give birth to a son. He then made another covenant with Abraham, promising him that He would be God to Abraham’s descendants and that He would give him and his descendants the land of Canaan. This covenant required Abraham and his entire household to be circumcised.

The fact that we were not descendants of Abraham means that we aren’t part of the Commonwealth of Israel. Therefore, we were not included in the promise of the coming Messiah or the promise that Jehovah would be our God. And, as a result, as Paul said in verse twelve, we were without hope. Now that Abraham’s descendant, the Messiah, has come and shed His blood as payment for our sins, things have changed. We, who were aliens and far away from the promises and covenants, have been brought near by a new covenant. Luke recorded the following words of our Lord at the Last Supper:

This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20)

In other words, by shedding His blood, he was making a new covenant. And, in the book of Hebrews we are told:

In that He says, "a new covenant," He has made the first obsolete.” (Hebrews 8:13)

Because of this new covenant, sealed with Christ’s blood, we who were once far off have now become near to God.

 

Application

If you believe that the blood of Christ saved you from your sins, then God has declared you to be righteous. Because you are righteous, you can stand (actually, we will sit) in His presence. All who refuse to believe are unrighteous and can’t stand (or sit) in His presence; they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, separated from God for all eternity. This is referred to as “the second death.” Christians will not experience the second death. Instead, we will have life because of the new covenant in His blood. Praise be to God!

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Truth to Learn

God has made a new covenant for us.

 

Behind the Words

“Now” is translated from nuni, which is a strengthened form of nun, meaning “now.” The strengthened form adds emphasis on the present.

“Once” is from the Greek word pote, which has several nuances of meaning and is used of both the past and the future. It can mean “at some time,” “one time or another,” “when,” “formerly,” or “at last.”

The Greek word translated “far off” is makran, which is derived from makros, meaning “long.” Makran means “a great distance away.”

The words “have been brought” are from the verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” Thus, Paul is really saying, “you … have become near.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul’s current train of thought began back in verse eleven where he reminded us that previously we were Gentiles in the flesh and we were called “the uncircumcision” by the Jews. So what’s the big deal about circumcision? Back in Genesis chapter fifteen, Abraham was declared to be righteous because he believed God’s promise that the Messiah would be one of his descendants. Fifteen years later (Genesis 17) he still had no children by his wife Sarah. At that time God promised him again that He would be a father of many nations, telling him that in one year Sarah would give birth to a son. He then made another covenant with Abraham, promising him that He would be God to Abraham’s descendants and that He would give him and his descendants the land of Canaan. This covenant required Abraham and his entire household to be circumcised.

The fact that we were not descendants of Abraham means that we aren’t part of the Commonwealth of Israel. Therefore, we were not included in the promise of the coming Messiah or the promise that Jehovah would be our God. And, as a result, as Paul said in verse twelve, we were without hope. Now that Abraham’s descendant, the Messiah, has come and shed His blood as payment for our sins, things have changed. We, who were aliens and far away from the promises and covenants, have been brought near by a new covenant. Luke recorded the following words of our Lord at the Last Supper:

This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20)

In other words, by shedding His blood, he was making a new covenant. And, in the book of Hebrews we are told:

In that He says, "a new covenant," He has made the first obsolete.” (Hebrews 8:13)

Because of this new covenant, sealed with Christ’s blood, we who were once far off have now become near to God.

 

Application

If you believe that the blood of Christ saved you from your sins, then God has declared you to be righteous. Because you are righteous, you can stand (actually, we will sit) in His presence. All who refuse to believe are unrighteous and can’t stand (or sit) in His presence; they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, separated from God for all eternity. This is referred to as “the second death.” Christians will not experience the second death. Instead, we will have life because of the new covenant in His blood. Praise be to God!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:13 – A New Covenant

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 2:13  – A New Covenant

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Truth to Learn

God has made a new covenant for us.

Behind the Words

“Now” is translated from nuni, which is a strengthened form of nun, meaning “now.” The strengthened form adds emphasis on the present.

“Once” is from the Greek word pote, which has several nuances of meaning and is used of both the past and the future. It can mean “at some time,” “one time or another,” “when,” “formerly,” or “at last.”

The Greek word translated “far off” is makran, which is derived from makros, meaning “long.” Makran means “a great distance away.”

The words “have been brought” are from the verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” Thus, Paul is really saying, “you … have become near.”

Meaning Explained

Paul’s current train of thought began back in verse eleven where he reminded us that previously we were Gentiles in the flesh and we were called “the uncircumcision” by the Jews. So what’s the big deal about circumcision? Back in Genesis chapter fifteen, Abraham was declared to be righteous because he believed God’s promise that the Messiah would be one of his descendants. Fifteen years later (Genesis 17) he still had no children by his wife Sarah. At that time God promised him again that He would be a father of many nations, telling him that in one year Sarah would give birth to a son. He then made another covenant with Abraham, promising him that He would be God to Abraham’s descendants and that He would give him and his descendants the land of Canaan. This covenant required Abraham and his entire household to be circumcised.

The fact that we were not descendants of Abraham means that we aren’t part of the Commonwealth of Israel. Therefore, we were not included in the promise of the coming Messiah or the promise that Jehovah would be our God. And, as a result, as Paul said in verse twelve, we were without hope. Now that Abraham’s descendant, the Messiah, has come and shed His blood as payment for our sins, things have changed. We, who were aliens and far away from the promises and covenants, have been brought near by a new covenant. Luke recorded the following words of our Lord at the Last Supper:

This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20)

In other words, by shedding His blood, he was making a new covenant. And, in the book of Hebrews we are told:

In that He says, “a new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete.” (Hebrews 8:13)

Because of this new covenant, sealed with Christ’s blood, we who were once far off have now become near to God.

Application

If you believe that the blood of Christ saved you from your sins, then God has declared you to be righteous. Because you are righteous, you can stand (actually, we will sit) in His presence. All who refuse to believe are unrighteous and can’t stand in His presence; they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

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 15:23 – Desire to Serve

Posted on by Will

Romans 15:23 – Desire to Serve

But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you,

Truth to Learn

Paul followed his desires, except when God changed his plan.

Behind the Words

The word “now” is translated from the Greek word nuni. This word is made up of nun, meaning “now” and the letter iota which adds emphasis. Thus, it could be translated “just now.”

“Great desire” is from epipothia, made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and a form of the verb potheō, meaning “to yearn” or “to desire.” Hence, epipothia indicates a strong desire.

Meaning Explained

Having just expressed why he had not yet gone to Rome, Paul tells the Christians there that he is now ready to go. He has finally finished his job of preaching the gospel from Jerusalem all around to Illyricum and now, finally, is at liberty to travel to Rome. In the next verse we will see that Paul’s intention was to visit the church in Rome as part of a trip to Spain, which he was apparently planning to take.

This letter was most likely written while Paul was in Corinth (around A.D. 56) just shortly before he traveled to Jerusalem with an offering for the poor members of the church there (see Romans 15:25). It is likely that Paul expected to travel to Spain after this brief return to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, what was planned as a brief trip ended up being an extended stay; he was put in a Roman prison in Caesarea due to the hatred that the Jews had for him. Though he was never found guilty of any crime, Paul was imprisoned for two years while the trials took place. At the end of this time, in an effort to prevent Governor Festus from sending him back to Jerusalem where the Jews were lying in wait to kill him, Paul appealed to Caesar and was eventually shipped off to Rome to stand trial.

Certainly these were not the circumstances under which Paul intended to travel to Rome. He nonetheless was able to go there and was, in fact, met on the way and accompanied the last day or two of his journey by members of the church at Rome. Paul’s style of loving exhortation and personal transparency, comes out in this letter. This is part of the reason why the Roman Christians were so willing to extend their own efforts to comfort him in his time of distress.

We should take comfort in Paul’s distress, especially when we are faithfully serving Christ and suffering personal attacks by those who claim to be religious. Our adversary will do anything to silence our witness for Christ. So, when those attacks come (and they WILL come), remember how faithfully Paul continued steadfast in the work of the gospel, never doubting that his Lord and Savior was by his side every step of the way.

Application

We might wonder how Paul could maintain his drive to spread the Gospel in the face of all the opposition against him. He probably remembered the promise God gave to Joshua in Joshua 1:5 that was quoted by the writer of Hebrews:

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Now, that’s a promise we can all live and serve with!

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: