Tag: ouranos

2 Thessalonians 1:7 – Eternal Rest

Posted on by Will

and to you who are troubled, rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His mighty angels,

Truth to Learn

Christians may be suffering now, but we will have eternal rest.

 

Behind the Words

Some translations start this verse off with, “and to give you …” The word “give” is not in the Greek text, but has been added by the translators. The grammatical construction of the Greek, however, indicates that the verb here is the same as the previous verse (repay). So the beginning of this verse could be translated as, “and to repay you…”

Anesis is the word translated “rest.” It is based on the verb aniēmi, a compound word made up of ana, meaning “up” or “back” and hiēmi, meaning “to send.” Thus, aniēmi means “to send back” or “to loosen” and anesis refers to “relief or rest.”

“Revelation” is from the Greek word apokalupsis, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of the verb kaluptō, meaning “to cover.” Hence, apokalupsis refers to something being “uncovered” or “revealed.”

The word “heaven” is translated from ouranos, which is probably based on oros, meaning “a high place” or “a mountain.” Ouranos refers to the area above us. It can refer to the sky (the atmosphere around the earth), space (where stars and planets are located), or God’s dwelling place (sometimes called the third heaven).

The Greek word translated “mighty” is dunamis (from which we get our English word “dynamite”). This word refers to “power in action.” The Greek word ischus is similar, although it refers to the ability, whereas dunamis refers to the action.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has prayed for the growth in faith and love of the Thessalonians and stated that this growth in the face of persecution and tribulation is an indication of God’s righteous judgment. In yesterday’s verse Paul told us that God’s judgment is righteous in the way He judges evil doers. He told them (and us) that he will repay those who persecute us with their own tribulation. We will see in tomorrow’s verse the kind of repayment they will receive.

We are now told how God’s judgment is righteous toward those of us who believe in God and who believe in His son Jesus Christ. Please note here that there is a difference between fairness and righteous judgment. If God were fair, we would receive from Him what we rightly deserve. We would receive His wrath because of our sinfulness. But, because God is righteous and has chosen to demonstrate His grace toward us, we will not experience God’s wrath. Instead, we are told here, He will give us relief from the tribulation that we suffer in this life. Keep in mind what Jesus told His disciples:

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Being a Christian does not mean that our life on earth will be easy. On the contrary, we will (and do) have tribulation. But, when this life is over we will have rest. Those who persecute us, however, will have tribulation beyond measure, eternally!

 

Application

Be of good cheer, my Christian friends; though your life may be difficult now, we will have eternal peace and rest!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:16 – A Joyful Sound

Posted on by Will

For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Truth to Learn

The rapture is a loud event and a time of celebration.

 

Behind the Words

The word “Himself” is translated from autos, meaning “self.” It is used as an intensifier which sets apart the person from everyone and anything else.

“Come down” is from katabainō, composed of kata, meaning “down” and bainō, meaning “to come” or “to go.”

Ouranos is the Greek word translated “heaven.” It is perhaps based on the obsolete word oros, referring to an elevated spot. Jewish tradition holds that there are three heavens, the atmosphere of the earth (the first heaven), the physical universe (the second heaven), and God’s dwelling place or God’s throne room (the third heaven.)

“Shout” is from keleusma, which refers to a loud cry or a shout. In Classical Greek, writers used this word in reference to the loud war cry of soldiers rushing into battle, both to excite their fellow soldiers into action and to frighten the enemies.

“Archangel” is from archangelos, which is composed of archon, meaning “chief” and angelos, meaning “a messenger.”

Salpinx is the Greek word translated “trumpet.” It can refer to the instrument specifically, or to the sound the trumpet makes.

The word translated “rise” is anistēmi, which we saw in verse fourteen in reference to our Lord’s resurrection. It means “to stand up” or “to rise up.”

 

Meaning Explained

This verse, along with the next one, gives a very succinct description of the rapture of the church. The first thing we learn here is that the Lord (Jesus Christ) will descend from heaven. In verse fourteen we learned that He will be bringing those who “sleep in Jesus” with him when He comes. The next thing that we learn is that He will come with a loud shout, a shout of celebration and enticement, to stir up His saints. This loud cry will be “with the voice of an archangel.” This can be interpreted one of two ways: either a chief among the angels will be the one shouting, or our Lord will shout with a voice like an archangel. Since Jesus is referred to as The Angel of God throughout the Old Testament, He Himself could be the archangel spoken of. And, this loud cry is accompanied by the trumpet of God.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 there is another description of the rapture. In that verse we are told that it will occur at “the last trumpet.” Because of this, some Christians believe that this is the same as the last of the seven trumpet judgments spoken of in Revelation 11:15. They believe that this seventh trumpet occurs near the middle of the tribulation period; therefore, the rapture will occur “mid-trib.” However, the trumpet sound in today’s verse is “a call to action and celebration” whereas the trumpet sound in Revelation 11:15 is a pronouncement of judgment and woe. Also, a close study of Revelation shows that the seven trumpets occur toward the end of the tribulation, not in the middle. Remember, just because two things are described in a similar manner does not mean they are the same thing.

Once this shout is made and the trumpet blast is sounded, those who are “asleep in Jesus” will be raised up. That is, their bodies will be raised up as perfect, undefiled, eternal bodies and those who have come with Christ will be united with their new perfect bodies.

 

Application

When we hear the trumpet call at the time of the rapture, we will be filled with joy and we will be changed. Rejoice my friends, for the time of celebration is very near.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:9 – God-Honoring Bosses

Posted on by Will

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Truth to Learn

Bosses are to do their job in a God-honoring way.

 

Behind the Words

The words “giving up” are from the Greek verb aniēmi. This is made up of ana, meaning “up” or “back” and hiemi, meaning “to send.” Literally, this word means “to send back.” In other words, aniēmi means “to dismiss,” “to let go,” or “to let up.”

“Threatening” is translated from the noun apeilē, which is from the verb apeileō, meaning “to threaten.” Thus, apeilē refers to “a threat.”

“Heaven” is translated from ouranos, meaning “heaven.” There are three places referred to as “heaven” in the Bible: the atmosphere of earth (the first heaven), the starry universe (the second heaven), and that place outside of creation where God’s throne room exists (the third heaven). In today’s verse it is a reference to the third heaven, God’s throne room.

The word “partiality” is from prosōpolēpsia, which is composed of prosōpon, meaning “a face” and a form of lambanō, meaning “to take” or “to receive.” Thus it literally means “to receive a face;” that is, “showing favoritism” or “showing partiality.”

 

Meaning Explained

The first thing to notice in today’s verse, as Paul talks to Christian bosses, is that he recognizes the need for a hierarchy of authority even in the work force. He doesn’t tell bosses (or slave masters) to quit being a boss and get to work with the workers. And, he doesn’t tell bosses to stop telling the workers what to do. Within the church body we are all equals (we’re all sinners saved by grace), yet we each have a different function. Both within the church and in our secular jobs there are different positions of authority and responsibility.

Paul told us that as God’s slaves we are to do God’s will from the heart (verse six) and to perform our work with good thoughts as if we were working directly for God (verse seven). He also told us that when we do this type of work and do it well, God will do good things for us. God created each of us to do good works; He even determined ahead of time what kind of work we should do. Earlier, in this letter to the Ephesians, Paul said:

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

Now, he tells bosses the same thing he told workers: do your job as God’s servant and do it for His glory. Do what you were called to do, but don’t abuse your position. Don’t threaten your workers. They are God’s workers just like you are and you are to treat them the same way God treats you. God doesn’t tell us that bosses are more important than workers or that workers are more important than bosses. What he does say, in the seventh chapter of 1Corinthinas, is to be content in whatever job we have. Here he tells us, whether boss or worker, we are do our very best. We are working for God. Let’s give Him the glory.

 

Application

If you have people working under your direction, this verse is specifically for you. God has placed you in a position of authority, so do your job in a God-honoring way. Guide and oversee your workers, but don’t abuse or threaten them.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:10 – Not Worth Arguing

Posted on by Will

He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Truth to Learn

Some Biblical truths are very important to understand correctly, others are not worth arguing about.

 

Behind the Words

Both the words translated “descended” and “ascended” are expressed here as aorist participles. Thus, we could translate the first part of this verse as “the one having descended is also the one having ascended.” Although some translations say “came down” or “went down” and “went up,” the direction of travel (came or went) is not indicated by the Greek text.

“Far above” is translated from the Greek word huperanō. This word is made up of huper (or hyper), meaning “over” or “above” and the adverb anō, meaning “upward” or “on top.” So we see that huperanō literally means “above upward” or “above on top.” The best translation of this word into English is probably “high above” or “far above.”

The word “heavens” is from ouranos, which is probably based on the verb orō, meaning “to rise.” According to Jewish beliefs, there are three distinct heavenly regions. The first is the atmosphere of the earth (where the birds fly and the clouds exist). The second is the universe (where all the celestial bodies exist). The third is God’s abode, or God’s throne room, to which only God and the angelic beings have access today.

“Fill” is from the verb plēroō, which means “to cram completely full, such that no more can be added.”

 

Meaning Explained

As we pointed out in yesterday’s verse, there are some who believe that the statement in verse nine that He “descended into the lower parts of the earth” means the He “descended into the lower earthly regions.” In other words, they argue that it is a reference to Christ coming to earth as a man. Others, adhering to a more literal translation, believe it is a reference to Christ’s descent into Hades (Paradise) as we explained yesterday.

No matter which of these two views you prefer, today’s verse is clearly a statement regarding Christ’s resurrection. But, as scholars are wont to do, there is even disagreement as to what Paul meant in today’s verse when he referred to “the One who ascended far above all the heavens.” As we noted above, the Jewish concept of plural heavens pictures three heavens: the atmosphere, the universe, and God’s abode. Does today’s verse mean that He ascended above the atmosphere and the known universe, into His own realm (the third heaven), or does it mean that he ascended even above that? Again, a literal interpretation indicates that He ascended above “all the heavens,” which implies more than two.

But let’s not get distracted by such minor concerns. Paul’s message in these verses is not so much about where Christ descended to and where He ascended to, but the fact that when He did, He gave spiritual gifts to men. Some of these gifts are described in the next verse.

 

Application

Some Biblical teachings are foundational to our beliefs and how we relate to God. Others are less important. Let’s focus our attention on the important matters and not get hung-up on unimportant matters. Whatever we believe and do, let us do it so that God will get the glory and honor.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 1:7 – Eternal Rest

Posted on by Will

and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,

Truth to Learn

Christians may be suffering now, but we will have eternal rest.

Behind the Words

The word “give” is not in the Greek text, but has been added by the translators. The grammatical construction of the Greek, however, indicates that the verb here is the same as the previous verse (repay). So this verse should read, “and to repay you…”

Anesis is the word translated “rest.” It is based on the verb aniēmi, a compound word made up of ana, meaning “up” or “back” and hiēmi, meaning “to send.” Thus, aniēmi means “to send back” or “to loosen” and anesis refers to “relief or rest.”

“Revealed” is from the Greek word apokalupsis, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of the verb kaluptō, meaning “to cover.” Hence, apokalupsis refers to something being “uncovered” or “revealed.”

The word “heaven” is translated from ouranos, which is probably based on oros, meaning “a high place” or “a mountain.” Ouranos refers to the area above us. It can refer to the sky (the atmosphere around the earth), space (where stars and planets are located), or God’s dwelling place (sometimes called the third heaven).

The Greek word translated “mighty” is dunamis (from which we get our English word “dynamite). This word refers to “power in action.” The Greek word ischus is similar, although it refers to the ability, whereas dunamis refers to the action.

Meaning Explained

Paul has prayed for the growth in faith and love of the Thessalonians and stated that this growth in the face of persecution and tribulation is an indication of God’s righteous judgment. In yesterday’s verse Paul told us that God’s judgment is righteous in the way He judges evil doers. He told them (and us) that he will repay those who persecute us with their own tribulation. We will see in tomorrow’s verse the kind of repayment they will receive.

We are now told how God’s judgment is righteous toward those of us who believe in God and who believe in His son Jesus Christ. Please note here that there is a difference between fairness and righteous judgment. If God were fair, we would receive from Him what we rightly deserve. We would receive His wrath because of our sinfulness. But, because God is righteous and has chosen to demonstrate His grace toward us, we will not experience God’s wrath. Instead, we are told here, He will give us relief from the tribulation that we suffer in this life. Keep in mind what Jesus told His disciples:

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Being a Christian does not mean that our life on earth will be easy. On the contrary, we will have tribulation. But, when this life is over we will have rest. Those who persecute us, however, will have tribulation beyond measure, eternally!

Application

Be of good cheer, my Christian friends; though your life may be difficult now, we will have eternal peace and rest!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16 – A Joyful Sound

Posted on by Will

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Truth to Learn

The rapture is a loud event and a time of celebration.

Behind the Words

The word “Himself” is translated from autos, meaning “self.” It is used as an intensifier which sets apart the person from everyone and anything else.

“Descend” is from katabainō, composed of kata, meaning “down” and bainō, meaning “to come” or “to go.”

Ouranos is the Greek word translated “heaven.” It is perhaps based on the obsolete word oros, referring to an elevated spot. Jewish tradition holds that there are three heavens, the atmosphere of the earth, the physical universe, and God’s dwelling place or God’s throne room.

“Shout” is from keleusma, which refers to the loud war cry of soldiers rushing into battle, both to excite their fellow soldiers into action and to frighten the enemies.

“Archangel” is from archangelos, which is composed of archon, meaning “chief” and angelos, meaning “a messenger.”

Salpinx is the Greek word translated “trumpet.” It can refer to the instrument specifically, or to the sound the trumpet makes.

The word translated “rise” is anastēmi, which we saw in verse fourteen in reference to our Lord’s resurrection. It means “to stand up” or “to rise up.”

Meaning Explained

This verse, along with the next one, gives a very succinct description of the rapture of the church. The first thing we learn here is that the Lord (Jesus Christ) will descend from heaven. In verse fourteen we learned that He will be bringing those who “sleep in Jesus” with him when He comes. The next thing that we learn is that He will come with a loud shout, a shout of celebration, to stir up His saints. This loud war cry will be “with the voice of an archangel.” This can be interpreted one of two ways: either a chief among the angels will be the one shouting, or our Lord will shout with a voice like an archangel. Since Jesus is referred to as The Angel of God throughout the Old Testament, He Himself could be the archangel spoken of. And, this battle cry is accompanied by the trumpet of God.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 there is another description of the rapture. In that verse we are told that it will occur at “the last trumpet.” Because of this, some Christians believe that this is the same as the last of the seven trumpet judgments spoken of in Revelation 11:15. They believe that this seventh trumpet occurs near the middle of the tribulation period; therefore, the rapture will occur “mid-trib.” However, the trumpet sound in today’s verse is “a call to action and celebration” whereas the trumpet sound in Revelation 11:15 is a pronouncement of judgment and woe. Also, a close study of Revelation shows that the seven trumpets occur toward the end of the tribulation, not in the middle. Just because two things are described in a similar manner does not mean they are the same thing.

Application

When we hear the trumpet call at the time of the rapture, we will be filled with joy and we will be changed. Rejoice my friends, for the time of celebration is very near.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:9 – God-Honoring Bosses

Posted on by Will

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Truth to Learn

Bosses are to do their job in a God-honoring way.

Behind the Words

The words “giving up” are from the Greek verb aniēmi. This is made up of ana, meaning “up” or “back” and hiemi, meaning “to send.” Literally, this word means “to send back.” In other words, aniēmi means “to dismiss,” “to let go,” or “to let up.”

“Threatening” is translated from the noun apeilē, which is from the verb apeileō, meaning “to threaten.” Thus, apeilē refers to “a threat.”

“Heaven” is translated from ouranos, meaning “heaven.” There are three places referred to as “heaven” in the Bible: the atmosphere of earth (the first heaven), the starry universe (the second heaven), and that place outside of creation where God’s throne room exists (the third heaven). In today’s verse it is a reference to the third heaven, God’s throne room.

The word “partiality” is from prosōpolēpsia, which is composed of prosōpon, meaning “a face” and a form of lambanō, meaning “to take” or “to receive.” Thus it literally means “to receive a face;” that is, “showing favoritism” or “showing partiality.”

Meaning Explained

The first thing to notice in today’s verse, as Paul talks to Christian bosses, is that he recognizes the need for a hierarchy of authority even in the work force. He doesn’t tell bosses (or slave masters) to quit being a boss and get to work with the workers. And, he doesn’t tell bosses to stop telling the workers what to do. Within the church body we are all equals (we’re all sinners saved by grace), but in our jobs there are different positions of authority and responsibility.

Paul told us that as God’s slaves we are to do God’s will from the heart (verse six) and to perform our work with good thoughts as if we were working directly for God (verse seven). He also told us that when we do this type of work and do it well, God will do good things for us. God created each of us to do good works; He even determined ahead of time what kind of work we should do. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul said:

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

Now, he tells bosses the same thing he told workers: do your job as God’s servant and do it for His glory. Do what you were called to do, but don’t abuse your position. Don’t threaten your workers. They are God’s workers just like you are and you are to treat them the same way God treats you. God doesn’t tell us that bosses are more important than workers or that workers are more important than bosses. What he does say, in the seventh chapter of 1Corinthinas, is to be content in whatever job we have. Here he tells us, whether boss or worker, we are do our very best. We are working for God. Let’s give Him the glory.

Application

If you have people working under your direction, this verse is specifically for you. God has placed you in a position of authority, so do your job in a God-honoring way. Guide and oversee your workers, but don’t abuse or threaten them.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 4:10 – Not Worth Arguing

Posted on by Will

He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Truth to Learn

Some Biblical truths are very important to understand correctly, others are not worth arguing about.

Behind the Words

Both the words translated “descended” and “ascended” are expressed here as aorist participles. Thus, we could translate the first part of this verse as “the one having descended is also the one having ascended.” Although some translations say “came down” or “went down” and “went up,” the direction of travel (came or went) is not indicated by the Greek text.

“Far above” is translated from the Greek word huperanō. This word is made up of huper (or hyper), meaning “over” or “above” and the adverb anō, meaning “upward” or “on top.” So we see that huperanō literally means “above upward” or “above on top.” The best translation of this word into English is probably “high above” or “far above.”

The word “heavens” is from ouranos, which is probably based on the verb orō, meaning “to rise.” According to Jewish beliefs, there are three distinct heavenly regions. The first is the atmosphere of the earth (where the birds fly and the clouds exist). The second is the universe (where all the celestial bodies exist). The third is God’s abode, or God’s throne room, to which only God and the angelic beings have access today.

“Fill” is from the verb plēroō, which means “to cram completely full, such that no more can be added.”

Meaning Explained

As we pointed out in yesterday’s verse, there are some who believe that the statement in verse nine that He “descended into the lower parts of the earth” means the He “descended into the lower earthly regions.” In other words, they argue that it is a reference to Christ coming to earth as a man. Others, adhering to a more literal translation, believe it is a reference to Christ’s descent into Hades (Paradise) as we explained yesterday.

No matter which of these two views you prefer, today’s verse is clearly a statement regarding Christ’s resurrection. But, as scholars are wont to do, there is even disagreement as to what Paul meant in today’s verse when he referred to “the One who ascended far above all the heavens.” As we noted above, the Jewish concept of plural heavens pictures three heavens: the atmosphere, the universe, and God’s abode. Does today’s verse mean that He ascended above the atmosphere and the known universe, into His own realm (the third heaven), or does it mean that he ascended even above that? Again, a literal interpretation indicates that He ascended above “all the heavens,” which implies more than two.

But let’s not get distracted by such minor concerns. Paul’s message in these verses is not so much about where Christ descended to and where He ascended to, but the fact that when He did, He gave spiritual gifts to men. Some of these gifts are described in the next verse.

Application

Some Biblical teachings are foundational to our beliefs and how we relate to God. Others are less important. Let’s focus our attention on the important matters and not get hung-up on unimportant matters. Whatever we believe and do, let us do it so that God will get the glory and honor.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.