Tag: other

Ephesians 3:5 – God’s Revealed Word

which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations, as it now was revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit:

Truth to Learn

We have the Word of God in our possession.

 

Behind the Words

“Made known” is from gnoridzō, which we saw a couple of verses earlier. It means “to become known.” It is expressed here in the passive voice (action done to the subject). And, it is expressed here in the aorist tense, indicating action that occurred at a point in time in the past.

The words “the sons of men” are a literal translation of the Greek words, “tois huiois tōn anthrōpōn.” It is a reference to those who are men by nature. It is contrasted to the apostles and prophets to whom the mystery was revealed by the Holy Spirit.

The word translated “other” is heteros, which means “another of a different kind.” There is another Greek word, allos, which means “another of the same kind.” The use of heteros implies that the age we live in is different from previous ages.

“Generations” is from the Greek noun genea. It is derived from the verb ginomai, meaning “to become” or “to begin to be.” The original meaning of genea was that of “a generation,” but in New Testament Greek it sometimes refers simply to “a period of time.”

Apostolos is the word from which we get “apostles.” As you can see it is a transliteration (a word brought over directly from one language to another). It is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of the verb stellō, meaning “to send forth.” Apostolos means “one who is sent forth from God.”

The word “prophets” is also a transliteration. It is transliterated from the Greek word prophetēs, which is made up of pro, meaning “before, in place or time” and a form of phēmi, meaning “to tell.” Thus, a prophet is “someone who declares God’s message before the people or before it happens.”

 

Meaning Explained

Previously, Paul told us that the mystery that he is talking about was revealed to him, not by a human teacher, but by God Himself. Now he informs us that through his ministry this mystery is also being revealed to us in the church age. This mystery (that Gentiles and Jews are both part of God’s chosen people) was unknown before Paul’s preaching.

If you read through the third chapter of his letter to the church in Rome, you will see that before the church age, the Jews had a great advantage over the Gentiles. Here’s what he said:

What, then is the superiority of the Jew? Or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because they were entrusted with the oracles of God. (Romans 3:1, 2)

The word translated “oracles” here is logion, which refers to “an utterance.” So, what Paul is saying is that the advantage the Jews had was that God spoke directly to them. His laws and commandments were given to them and not to anyone else.

But now, because of the preaching of the Apostles and Prophets since the time of Christ, all nations of the world can hear and understand God’s truth. And, it is through this truth, now written in the New Testament, that we all have an opportunity to hear and believe God’s promise of salvation.

 

Application

Do you recognize how precious the truths in the Bible are? Both the Old Testament and the New Testament contain information directly from God. That’s why it is often called “the Word of God.” Treasure it – and thank God for it!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 3:11 – A Sure Foundation

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

The church can only be as strong as its foundation.

Behind the Words

The word translated “other” is allos, meaning “another of the same kind.” A similar Greek word, heteros, means “another of a different kind.” Allos is expressed here as a masculine adjective that is connected to “foundation,” indicating that the foundation he is referring to is a person, not a thing.

Dunamai is the verb translated “can.” It refers to having the authority or ability to do something.

Than” is from the Greek preposition para, meaning “beside” or “alongside.”

The verb “laid” is from keimai, which means “to lay something down.” This is a different verb that that which is translated “lay.” This verb is tithēmi, which we saw in the previous verse, meaning “to set in place.”

Christos is the word transliterated “Christ,” which is based on the verb chrio, meaning “to anoint.” Thus, christos literally means “the anointed one.” It is equivalent to the Hebrew word mashiach, or Messiah.

Meaning Explained

A literal translation of this verse could be, “For no one is able to place any other foundation alongside the one having been laid down, who is Jesus Christ.”

In using this architectural metaphor, Paul wants to make a couple of things very clear. The first is the fact that the foundation is the most important fundamental part of any structure. If it is laid carelessly, or made out of the wrong material, the building that is constructed on top of it will be weak and unstable. So it is with the church. A church that is built carelessly, or built upon anything other than the person and work of Jesus Christ, will be weak and unstable. The other thing that Paul is making clear is that there can only be one foundation of the church. Anything other than the person and work of Jesus Christ that is laid alongside the original foundation is not part of God’s plan for the church. It will not make the church solid but will cause divisions within the church instead of unity.

The apostle tells us that the foundation that has already been laid for the church is Jesus Christ. The central issue of Christian faith is that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Son of God, and as such He is God. Because He is God, He is sinless (righteous), and it is because He is without sin that his death is sufficient payment for our sins. This is the truth that the church is built on. If we add anything to that foundation, whether it be a message from some gifted preacher or even an angel, or the teaching from another religion or religious book, we are building on a false foundation and the church will not stand strong.

Application

Many churches today have added to the foundation that Paul laid and are teaching a salvation based on something else in order to make the message more palatable to people. Every church split is the result of foundation issues. How is your church? Is it strong? Is it built on Jesus Christ and Him alone?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Ephesians 3:5 – God’s Revealed Word

Ephesians 3:5  – God’s Revealed Word

which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

Truth to Learn

We have the Word of God in our possession.

Behind the Words

The word translated “other” is heteros, which means “another of a different kind.” There is another Greek word, allos, which means “another of the same kind.” The use of heteros implies that the age we live in is different from previous ages.

Ages” is from the Greek noun genea. It is derived from the verb ginomai, meaning “to become” or “to begin to be.” The original meaning of genea was that of “a generation,” but in New Testament Greek it generally refers to “a period of time.”

Made known” is from gnoridzō, which we saw a couple of verses earlier. It means “to become known.” It is expressed here in the passive voice (action done to the subject).

Apostolos is the word from which we get “apostles.” As you can see it is a transliteration (a word brought over directly from one language to another). It is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of the verb stellō, meaning “to send forth.” Apostolos means “one who is sent from God.”

The word “prophets” is also a transliteration. It is transliterated from the Greek word prophetēs, which is made up of pro, meaning “before, in place or time” and a form of phēmi, meaning “to tell.” Thus, a prophet is “someone who declares God’s message before the people or before it happens.”

Meaning Explained

Previously, Paul told us that the mystery that he is talking about was revealed to him, not by a human teacher, but by God Himself. Now he informs us that through his ministry this mystery is also being revealed to us in the church age. This mystery (that Gentiles and Jews are both part of God’s chosen people) was unknown before Paul’s preaching.

If you read through the third chapter of his letter to the church in Rome, you will see that before the church age, the Jews had a great advantage over the Gentiles. Here’s what he said:

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. (Romans 3:1, 2)

The word translated “oracles” here is logion, which refers to “an utterance.” So, what Paul is saying is that the advantage the Jews had was that God spoke directly to them. His laws and commandments were given to them and not to anyone else.

But now, because of the preaching of the Apostles and Prophets since the time of Christ, all nations of the world can hear God’s truth. And, it is through this truth, now written in the New Testament, that we all have an opportunity to hear and believe God’s promise of salvation.

Application

Do you recognize how precious the truths in the Bible are? Both the Old Testament and the New Testament contain information directly from God. That’s why it is often called “the Word of God.” Treasure it – and thank God for it!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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