obedience – Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: obedience

Romans 16:26 – Gospel Proclamation

Posted on April 2, 2019 by Will

but now has been revealed, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—

Truth to Learn

We all need to be preaching the gospel message.

Behind the Words

The words “has been revealed” are translated from the verb phaneroō, which is based on phainō, meaning “to shine a light on” or “to illuminate.” Phaneroō means “to make visible,” “to make known,” or “to show openly.”

“Prophetic” is from the Greek word prophētikos. This is based on the noun prophētēs, which is made up of pro, meaning “before, in location or time” and a form of phēmi, meaning “to tell.” Hence, prophētēs refers to someone who “tells truth before its time” (fortells) or someone who “tells God’s truth in front of others” (forthtells).

The word translated “Scriptures” is graphē, which is from the verb graphō, meaning “to inscribe” or “to write.” So, literally, graphē refers to something that has been written. The English word “Scripture” is based on the Latin scriptura, also meaning “that which has been written.” However, by tradition, the English word Scripture refers to sacred writing and specifically refers to the contents of the Bible.

“Obedience” is from the hupakoē, meaning ”to hear under,” that is, to listen attentively as to a teacher. It implies more than just hearing, it means to believe and put into practice.

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is the second part of the closing benediction of Paul’s letter to the Roman church. As we pointed out in the previous verse, this benediction is basically a summary of Paul’s entire ministry. He proclaims it to the One who is able to set us firmly in place, that is to make our eternal life secure. And he says that this secure standing is accomplished through the preaching of the gospel, the good news about the payment for our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. He also told us that this gospel message is a mystery that was kept secret since the world began.

But, this mystery is now shown openly to all nations. This revelation (uncovering of the truth) is now made known to all nations through the writings of the prophets. Until the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, these Holy Scriptures were entrusted only to the Jews and they did not proclaim them to the world because they didn’t understand the message of salvation through the death of the Messiah themselves. Now that Jesus the Messiah has come, has died, and has arisen from the grave, the message of salvation through His blood is being understood and proclaimed throughout the world.

The preaching of this eternal life-giving gospel message is not an option for Christians, it is a commandment given to the entire church by Christ just before He ascended. The result of this preaching is that many will believe by attentive listening.

Application

Paul knew without a doubt what his ministry was: to preach the Gospel message to the Gentiles throughout the known world. We, too, are commanded to preach this message of salvation from the penalty of our sins. Are you being as obedient as Paul? When was the last time you proclaimed the gospel?

but now has been revealed, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—

Truth to Learn

We all need to be preaching the gospel message.

Behind the Words

“Obedience” is from the hupakoē, meaning ”to hear under,” that is, to listen attentively as to a teacher. It implies more than just hearing, it means to believe and put into practice.

Meaning Explained

Application

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 16:19 – Obedient and Wise

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Will

For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I rejoice on your behalf; but I want you to be wise as to what is good, and innocent concerning evil.

Truth to Learn

It is important for all Christians to be growing in our faith daily by reading and studying the Bible.

Behind the Words

“Obedience” is translated from the Greek noun hupakoē. This is a compound word made up of hupo, meaning “under or beneath” and a form of akouō, meaning “to listen or to hear.” It is a picture of a student listening under the teaching of an instructor. In common usage, it means “listening attentively” or “being obedient to a teacher or master.”

The expression “has become known” is from the verb aphikneomai, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” and a form of hikanos, meaning “to arrive.” So, this word means “to arrive from or to reach a destination.” A literal translation of the opening part of this verse would be, “For your obedience reached to all.”

“Innocent” is translated from akeraios. This word is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” and the verb kerannumi, meaning “to mix.” Thus, akeraios means “without mixture,” that is, “without any deceit” or “innocent and pure.”

Meaning Explained

You will recall that Paul has just told the Christians at Rome to be on the lookout for people who cause division within the body of Christ and who cause others to stumble in their walk with the Lord. A classic example of this is the type of people who come to your door with pamphlets and other literature proclaiming them to have the truth about God when, in fact, they are spreading false doctrine.

Part of Paul’s concern for these Christians in Rome is based on the fact that they have a reputation for being attentive listeners and applying themselves to the teachings they learn. It is good for all Christians to want to learn more about God and how to have a closer walk with Him. But it is just as important to be able to discern between teachings that are truth and teachings that are deceptive. One kind of teaching builds up the body of Christ while the other tears it down and divides it. One sure way to identify these false teachers is that they often claim to have teaching and truth that most other Christians don’t have, sometimes in the form of additional books of Scripture.

Paul warned the Christians in Ephesus in a similar manner when he taught them about the spiritual gifts and the gifted people that God provides in each church so:

that we should no longer be infants, being tossed and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men in craftiness, with deceitful schemes, (Ephesians 4:14)

Instead of falling prey to such false teachers, Paul tells the Romans to be wise in what is good and to be innocent and pure concerning evil.

Application

There are some Christians who want to learn everything they can about false religions. Instead of that, Paul says we should learn all we can about true faith in God. The best way for us to do that is to read and study His Holy Word. Let’s commit to seeking a deeper relationship with God by spending time each and every day reading and studying the Bible.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 15:18 – Give Him Credit

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Will

For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, in word and deed, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles.

Truth to Learn

God gets all the credit for what is accomplished through us.

Behind the Words

The word “dare” is translated from talmaō, meaning “to have courage or boldness, to dare.”

“Obedience” is translated from the Greek noun hupakoē, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” and akouō, meaning “to hear.” So, literally this word means “to hear under,” that is, “someone who listens attentively to what is being taught and puts into practice what is heard.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has just talked about the things that he can boast about in Christ Jesus. He does not dare, or presume, to speak of those things which Christ had done through the ministry of others. He only concerns himself with the way the Lord had used him to win the Gentiles to obedience, both through what he said and through what he did, by the messages he preached and by the miracles he performed (through the Holy Spirit).

Notice that Paul is not boasting about what he personally has done but what God has done through the ministry he has been called to. If he had anything to boast about personally it would be the fact that he responded to God’s call, made himself available to God, and worked long and hard at the tasks that God called him to do. But Paul does not brag about what he has done, simply about what God has done through him. Paul recognizes that he has done nothing; God has done it all.

We could all take a lesson from Paul on this point. We tend to get puffed up about the things that we have accomplished in our ministry, not recognizing that God is the one who deserves credit for it all. One day all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or evil. (2Corinthians 5:10)

Our rewards will be in the form of crowns that we will receive for the good things we have done for God in this life. We will then have the opportunity to cast those crowns at His feet in recognition of the fact that He is the one deserving of the recognition, not us:

the twenty-four elders [representing all believers] will fall down before the one sitting on the throne and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will throw their crowns before the throne, saying: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." (Revelation 4:10-11)

Application

Since we will give all the credit to God someday, let’s get in the habit now of giving Him all the credit for what we have accomplished. Our Christian works of service are all about Him, not about us. After all, He is worthy!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 1:5 – Working for God

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Will

Through whom we received grace and apostleship to obedience of faith among all nations for His name,

Truth to Learn

Paul received his salvation and apostleship from Jesus.

Behind the Words

“Received” is from the Greek verb lambanō, meaning “to take” or “to receive.”

The word translated “to” is the Greek word eis, which means “to or toward.” The root meaning of this word is “rendering something to or toward an end point or conclusion.” It focuses the attention not so much on the process as on the end result.

The word translated “obedience” is hupokoē, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” and akouō, meaning “to hear.” So, literally it means “to hear under.” This is a picture of a student learning from his teacher. It carries the idea of one who is “listening attentively and obeying what he is taught.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ. He now says, “Through whom we received grace and apostleship.” This grace has been shown to all of us who are saved, as he tells us in Ephesians 2:8:

For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Not only did Paul receive grace just as you and I did when we were saved, but he claims that he received apostleship from Jesus as well. We find this described further in Paul’s letter to the Galatian Christians:

But on the contrary, having seen that I have been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, even as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He working effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), (Galatians 2:7, 8 )

The next phrase in today’s verse is a little bit awkward in English: “to obedience of faith among all nations” In the original Greek text there is no definite article (the) before the word “faith.” Based on this and on our interpretation of the word eis (see Behind the Words), we should translate this as, “resulting in obedience of faith among all nations.” That is, God’s plan for Paul’s salvation and apostleship is ultimately to produce obedience and faith among all nations.

Finally, Paul gives the credit and glory to whom it belongs, “for His name;” Paul recognizes that the whole purpose of the Christian faith is not our personal glory or satisfaction. It is not simply to obtain a free ticket into heaven. In the final analysis it really has nothing to do with us at all; it has everything to do with God! It is for the glory of His name. The whole purpose of our salvation–totally underserved and freely given to us by the grace of God–is to bring praise and glory to God Himself.

Application

As Paul tells us in the Ephesians verse quoted above and the verses that follow, we have been saved by grace. Our salvation is a gift from God. We didn’t do any works to deserve it. In fact, God’s purpose for our salvation is that the works we do, we do for His glory.

So our sole responsibility as Christians is to be hard at work for Him, and He will get all the glory. That should humble us all.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 16:26 – Gospel Proclamation

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Will

Romans 16:26 – Gospel Proclamation

but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—

Truth to Learn

We all need to be preaching the gospel message.

Behind the Words

The words “made manifest” are translated from the verb phaneroō, which is based on phainō, meaning “to shine a light on” or “to illuminate.” Phaneroō means “to make visible,” “to make known,” or “to show openly.”

“Obedience” is from the hupakoē, meaning ”to hear under,” that is, to listen attentively as to a teacher. It implies more than just hearing, it means to believe and put into practice.

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is the second part of the closing benediction of Paul’s letter to the Roman church. As we pointed out in the previous verse, this benediction is basically a summary of Paul’s entire ministry. He proclaims it to the One who is able to set us firmly in place, that is to make our eternal life secure. And he says that this secure standing is effected through the preaching of the gospel, the good news about the payment for our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. He also told us that this gospel message is a mystery that was kept secret since the world began.

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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Romans 16:19 – Obedient and Wise

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Will

Romans 16:19 – Obedient and Wise

For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.

Truth to Learn

It is important for all Christians to be growing in our faith daily by reading and studying the Bible.

Behind the Words

“Simple” is translated from akeraios. This word is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” and the verb kerannumi, meaning “to mix.” Thus, akeraios means “without mixture,” that is, “without any deceit” or “innocent and pure.”

Meaning Explained

Paul warned the Christians in Ephesus in a similar manner when he taught them about the spiritual gifts and the gifted people that God provides in each church so:

that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (Ephesians 4:14)

Instead of falling prey to such false teachers, Paul tells the Romans to be wise in what is good and to be innocent and pure concerning evil.

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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Romans 9:31 – Faith, not Obedient

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Will

Romans 9:31 – Faith, not Obedience

but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.

Truth to Learn

God does not reward obedience, he rewards faith.

Behind the Words

The word “pursuing” is diōkō, the same root word as was translated pursue in the previous verse.

“Attained” is phthano, which we talked about in the previous verse also. It means “to come suddenly upon something” or “to arrive at a goal.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul made the point that the Gentiles who do not vigorously pursue righteousness have, nonetheless, seized upon it with eagerness. He now tells us that the Israelites did vigorously pursue righteousness but they have not arrived at the goal.

So, why couldn’t the Israelites reach the goal (righteousness) they were working so hard to obtain and why did the Gentiles seize the righteousness which they weren’t pursuing? The difference is works verses faith. The Israelites tried to please God and obtain His righteousness by doing works of obedience. They tried to work their way to righteousness. However, God does not reward obedience, He rewards faith. Let me say that again, God does not reward obedience, He rewards faith.

Let’s look at an example from the Old Testament. After God led the Israelites through the wilderness and gave them the Law through Moses’ leadership, he led them into the Promised Land where they began to eliminate all the inhabitants of the land. Under Joshua’s leadership they were successful at driving the people out of the land. After Joshua’s death, however, the new generation failed to drive the remainder of the people out of the land.

On the surface, this looks like a failure of obedience. After all, God told them to do it, but they didn’t. However, if we look at it closely we will see that it was not a lack of obedience, it was a lack of faith. Here’s how it is expressed in the book of Judges:

Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals; and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger. (Judges 2:11,12)

God considered His relationship with the Israelites like a marriage relationship just as He considers the relationship between the church and Christ a marriage relationship. But the Israelites were unfaithful to their husband-God. God’s anger against the Israelites was because of unfaithfulness, not disobedience. That’s the point that Paul is making. Righteousness is not obtained by works, but by faith.

Application

Are you still trying to please God by your good works? Or do you perform your good works out of gratitude because you believe God’s promise of salvation through the blood of Christ. God does not reward obedience, he rewards faith!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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Romans 5:18, 19 – Summing it Up

Posted on February 21, 2010 by Will

Romans 5:18, 19

Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

Truth to Learn

We all deserve God’s wrath, but we can be saved from it by believing in the death of Jesus Christ as payment for us.

Behind the Words

This verse starts off with “Therefore” which is a translation of the Greek words ara oun. These two words form what in Greek is called an “inferential conjunction,” implying that the following is a summary of that which preceded it. Hence, these two verses are a summarization of what Paul has already said several different ways in the previous verses.

Meaning Explained

These verses are a summary statement of what Paul has been saying since verse twelve. He has stated this almost repeatedly since then, so we won’t belabor it further.

However, let’s do our own quick summary of Paul’s letter so far to put this all into context. He started out by declaring that God is evident to all men, but because some refused to recognize God for who He is, He gave them up to a depraved mind so as to not only do ungodly things but also to approve of others who do the same thing.

In chapter two he showed that God judges impartially, and to those who do well He will give eternal life, but to those who are self-seeking and unrighteous He will show His wrath. He also began his argument that circumcision of the flesh and obedience to the Law do not produce righteousness.

In chapter three he went on to show that in spite of circumcision, the Jews are no better than Gentiles because, as it has been written, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” We are all sinners deserving of God’s wrath. He continues by saying that the righteousness of God has been revealed, and it is the righteousness that only comes from faith in Jesus Christ.

In chapter four Paul cited Abraham as an example. He showed that Abraham was justified by faith when he believed God’s promise and his faith was credited to him for righteousness. Then, Paul went on to point out that Abraham was declared righteous years before he was circumcised. Obedience came after righteousness-producing faith, not the other way around.

Now in this chapter he points out that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, the Godly for the ungodly. And he said that we rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because just as the sin of one man (Adam) caused us all to be sinners (and now there is none righteous, no not one), so the righteous act of one man (Jesus) results in righteousness (justification) being available to all men. By Adam’s disobedience all were made sinners and by Jesus’ obedience many (those who believe) will be made righteous.

Application

In spite of all your good intentions and good deeds, God says that you are unrighteous and deserving of His wrath. But, by believing in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ as payment for your sins, He will declare you to be righteous. Do you believe?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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Romans 4:10 – Before or After

Posted on January 3, 2010 by Will

Romans 4:10

How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.

Truth to Learn

Obedience to God is the result of faith, not the cause of it.

Behind the Words

“While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised?” could more literally be translated as “Being in circumcision or uncircumcision?”

Meaning Explained

Remember Paul’s question? “Is the blessedness of God, who does not impute sin, something that only those who keep the law can experience, or is it something that those who don’t keep the Law but simply believe in God’s promise can obtain?”

He now asks another rhetorical question with a potentially startling answer. “When was the righteousness imputed to Abraham? Was it imputed to him while he was circumcised or was it before he was circumcised?”

Do you see why this is such an important question? If Abraham was declared righteous after he obeyed God by circumcising himself and his household, then it can be argued that he was declared righteous as a result of being obedient, that is, by works of righteousness. But… if Abraham was declared righteous before he was obedient, then his circumcision had nothing to do with his being declared righteous. That’s why Paul asks, “Was this crediting of righteousness to Abraham done while he was circumcised or uncircumcised?” Let’s look and see. In Genesis fifteen God declared Abraham (then called Abram) righteous. He was about 84 years old at the time:

And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15: 6)

Then in Genesis chapter seventeen Abraham was circumcised:

Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. (Genesis 17:24)

The answer is that Abraham was declared righteous about thirteen years before he was circumcised. He was declared righteous as a result of faith, not as a result of obedience! He didn’t earn it; it was freely given to him.

Likewise, we are saved by faith and by faith alone. It has nothing to do with any act or deed on our part. We don’t have to obey any laws or rules or set of standards to be saved. In fact, we don’t do anything ourselves. We simply believe God’s promise! That’s what Paul meant in Ephesians 2:8, 9 when he said,

For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Obedience comes after salvation as a result of our freedom; it is not the cause of our salvation or our freedom!

Application

If you believe that you’re a Christian because you belong to a church and have gone through their “process,” then you may not be saved. However, if you believe that you are a sinner and that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross to pay for your sins, then you definitely are saved.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Romans 1:5 – Working for God

Posted on July 14, 2009 by admin

Romans 1:5

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

Truth to Learn

Paul received his salvation and apostleship from Jesus.

Behind the Words

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ. He now says, “Through Him we have received grace and apostleship.” This grace has been shown to all of us who are saved, as he tells us in Ephesians 2:8:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), (Galatians 2:7, 8 )

The next phrase in today’s verse is a little bit awkward in English: “for obedience to the faith among all nations” In the original Greek text there is no definite article (the) before the word “faith.” Based on this and on our interpretation of the word eis (see Behind the Words), we sould translate this as, “resulting in obedience of faith among all nations.” That is, God’s plan for Paul’s salvation and apostleship is ultimately to produce obedience and faith among all nations.

Application

So our sole responsibility as Christians is to be hard at work for Him, and He will get all the glory. That should humble us all.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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