Tag: oikodomeo

1 Peter 2:5 – Our Priestly Sacrifices

Posted on by Will

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

All true Christians are priests and we are to offer sacrifices.

 

Behind the Words

The expression “are being built up” is translated from oikodomeō, meaning “to build a house.” It is expressed here as a present passive participle, indicating current continuous action that is being done to the subject. Hence, it could be paraphrased as “you are currently and continuously being built.”

“Priesthood” is translated from hierateuma, which refers to a group of priests.

The word “holy,” which describes “priesthood,” is from the Greek word hagios, meaning “set apart for God’s use.”

“Acceptable” is translated from the Greek word euprosdektos, which is a compound of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of prosdekomai, meaning “to receive” or “to accept.” Hence, it refers to something that is “well received.”

 

Meaning Explained

Peter is about to embark on a treatise regarding the temple and the priesthood and he is doing so for a good reason. Up until the time of the writing of this epistle (somewhere between AD 55 and AD 65), the focus of worship and sacrifice unto Jehovah God had been in Jerusalem. Unbeknownst to Peter, however, is the fact that the Roman army under the Emperor Titus (son of Vespasian) was about to destroy the temple (in AD 70). In the church age the only temple of God is the body of believers themselves. There is no need for a separate priesthood to offer sacrifices because our high priest, Jesus, has already offered the ultimate sacrifice to the saving of our souls.

Peter started this treatise in the previous verse when he referred to Christ as a living stone. He now tells us that we, also, are living stones by which a spiritual house is built. He also tells us that we are a holy priesthood, we have been set-apart for God’s use, and our purpose is to offer up spiritual sacrifices. These sacrifices are not to atone for sins (as was done by Old Testament priests), and they are not to pay for our salvation, for that has already been done. We, as priests, are not to offer up physical sacrifices, rather sacrifices of a spiritual nature, which are to be acceptable, or approved, or well-pleasing to God. The reason they are well pleasing is because they are offered up from us by our High Priest, Jesus Christ himself.

A sacrifice is defined as the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something or someone else. We, as part of God’s holy priesthood, are to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. The first sacrifice we need to offer is ourselves:

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a holy, living sacrificely, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)

 

Application

Are you fulfilling your priestly duty to God? Are you offering up spiritual sacrifices? Have you placed yourself on the altar? Have you relinquished control of your life and your future to God? … Is it time for prayer?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Comfort and Build-up

Posted on by Will

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Truth to Learn

Christians need to comfort and spiritually build-up each other.

 

Behind the Words

“Therefore” is translated from the Greek word dio. This word is a combination of dia, meaning “through” and hos, meaning “who” or “which.” So, we see that dio literally means “through which.”

The word “comfort” is our old friend parakaleō, meaning “to comfort, encourage, or challenge.” It is expressed in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

Allēlon is the word translated “each other.” It indicates reciprocal action on the part of all members of a group.

“Edify” is also a word we have seen before. It is translated from oikodomeō, which is made up of oikos, meaning “a dwelling” or “a house” and a form of dōma, meaning “to build.” This verb is also expressed in the imperative mood.

The words “one another” are from the Greek words heis ton hena, which literally means “one the one” or “one in behalf of the one.” It expresses a more one-on-one type of activity than allēlon

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has been teaching the Thessalonians about the rapture and the Day of the Lord because they were grieving over the death of other Christians. When Paul finished teaching about the rapture, explaining that all Christians would be joined together as they received their new bodies, he told them:

Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

The knowledge that the rapture would include all Christians and that we will all be together again was a comfort to those who’s saved loved-ones had died.

Now that Paul has explained the difference between the rapture and the Day of the Lord, and the fact that Christians will not have to experience the out-pouring of God’s wrath, he tells them again to comfort one another. I had a godly friend who believed in a mid-tribulation rapture. He used to say, “I believe in a mid-trib rapture, but I pray for a pre-trib rapture.” The reason for his comment is the fact that he didn’t want to have to endure even a portion of the outpouring of God’s wrath on mankind. Once we understand the difference between the rapture and the Day of the Lord and the fact that we will be kept out of that time, it is an encouragement to all Christians.

But notice that Paul did not just tell them (and us) to comfort one another. He also commanded the Thessalonians to build-up each other in a one-on-one fashion. As we talk with our brothers and sisters about the things of God, we need to make the subject of the rapture and the Day of the Lord one of the things we talk about. Don’t get in an argument, simply share with them what Paul taught the Thessalonians.

 

Application

Do you talk with your Christian brothers and sisters about the things of the Lord? Do you have discussions about what the Bible teaches? Or, do you only talk about family, friends, and church activities? Paul commands us to build each other up and we can only do this by talking about what the Bible says.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Comfort and Build-up

Posted on by Will

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Truth to Learn

Christians need to comfort and spiritually build-up each other.

Behind the Words

“Therefore” is translated from the Greek word dio. This word is a combination of dia, meaning “through” and hos, meaning “who” or “which.” So, we see that dio literally means “through which.”

The word “comfort” is our old friend parakaleō, meaning “to comfort, encourage, or challenge.” It is expressed in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

Allēlon is the word translated “each other.” It indicates reciprocal action on the part of all members of a group.

“Edify” is also a word we have seen before. It is translated from oikodomeō, which is made up of oikos, meaning “a dwelling” or “a house” and a form of dōma, meaning “to build.” This verb is also expressed in the imperative mood.

The words “one another” are from the Greek words heis ton ena, which literally means “one the one” or “one in behalf of the one.” It expresses a more one-on-one type of activity than allēlon

Meaning Explained

Paul has been teaching the Thessalonians about the rapture and the Day of the Lord because they were grieving over the death of other Christians. When Paul finished teaching about the rapture, explaining that all Christians would be joined together as they received their new bodies, he told them:

Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

The knowledge that the rapture would include all Christians and that we will all be together again was a comfort to those whose saved loved-ones had died.

Now that Paul has explained the difference between the rapture and the Day of the Lord, and the fact that Christians will not have to experience the out-pouring of God’s wrath, he tells them again to comfort one another. I had a godly friend who believed in a mid-tribulation rapture. He used to say, “I believe in a mid-trib rapture, but I pray for a pre-trib rapture.” The reason for his comment is the fact that he didn’t want to have to endure even a portion of the outpouring of God’s wrath on mankind. Once we understand the difference between the rapture and the Day of the Lord and the fact that we will be kept out of that time, it is an encouragement to all Christians.

But notice that Paul did not just tell them (and us) to comfort one another. He also commanded the Thessalonians to build-up each other in a one-on-one fashion. As we talk with our brothers and sisters about the things of God, we need to make the subject of the rapture and the Day of the Lord one of the things we talk about. Don’t get in an argument, simply share with them what Paul taught the Thessalonians.

Application

Do you talk with your Christian brothers and sisters about the things of the Lord? Do you have discussions about what the Bible teaches? Or, do you only talk about family, friends, and church activities? Paul commands us to build each other up and we can only do this by talking about what the Bible says.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:20 – Singular Ambition

Posted on by Will

Romans 15:20 – Singular Ambition

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation,

Truth to Learn

All Christians are called and gifted to build the body of Christ.

Behind the Words

The expression “I have made it my aim” is translated from the Greek verb philotimeomai. This word is made up of philos, meaning “a friend,” (expressing the fondness between good friends) and a form of time, meaning “honor.” Thus, we see this word literally means “a love or fondness of honor.” By application, it means “to make something an ambition” or “to aspire to something.” It is expressed here as a present participle so it might literally be translated, “making it my ambition.”

The words “preach the gospel” are from the Greek verb euangelidzō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of angellō, meaning “to tell or to proclaim.” It means “to proclaim the gospel” or “to evangelize.”

“Build” is from oikodomeō, which literally means “to build a house.” The particular house that Paul is building is the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Meaning Explained

It is clear from this verse that Paul was absolutely certain of the calling he had from God. As the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul was called to evangelize among the heathen who had not yet heard the gospel message. He said in the previous verse that he had fully preached the gospel from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. And in the verse before that, he would take no credit for the work that that the Spirit had done through others. He now explains why.

Paul says, “And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel.” In other words, Paul was singularly focused on preaching the gospel, making it his greatest ambition. From the moment of his conversion he recognized God’s calling in his life, thus his ambition from that time was to proclaim the good message, or good news, about salvation through Jesus Christ.

And, he says that his ambition was to preach the good news to people who had never heard the name of Jesus Christ. His reason for doing this was because he was not called to build upon someone else’s work. God called Paul to proclaim Christ to those who had never heard the gospel and that is precisely what he wanted to do.

God has not called us all to this type of ministry. There are many different spiritual gifts that God has given to the members of the church through the Holy Spirit, and we each have a calling that is empowered by the gifts He has given us. God does not expect us all to travel to foreign lands and proclaim the gospel to those who have never heard it. Some, like Paul, are called to do that but others are specifically called to teach, to encourage, to be a helper, or to give generously from what God has blessed us with. However, we are all called to share our testimony with those around us, and we are all called to give of ourselves, our time, and our money. Where and how we do this depends on what God has called us to do.

Application

Do you know what God has called you to do within the body of Christ? Are you making it your singular ambition to know what that calling is and to fulfill it for God’s glory?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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