Tag: parresiadzomai

1 Thessalonians 2:2 – God-Given Courage

Posted on by Will

But also, we had suffered previously and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much opposition.

Truth to Learn

Serving God faithfully means you will encounter opposition.

 

Behind the Words

The words “we had suffered previously” are translated from the Greek verb propaschō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before, in time or position” and paschō, meaning “to suffer.” So, we can see that propaschō means “to have suffered previously.” It is expressed as an aorist participle, so it could be translated as “having suffered previously.”

“Were spitefully treated” is from the verb hubridzō, based on the noun hubris, meaning “an insult” or “arrogance.” Hubridzō means “to act with great violence” or “to treat with contempt, causing injury.” This is also expressed as an aorist participle, so it could be translated as “having been treated injuriously.”

The words “we were bold … to speak” are translated from the Greek verb parrēsiadzomai. This word means “to speak openly, boldly, and without restraint.”

“Opposition” is from agon, which refers to “contention,” “opposition,” or “striving for victory or mastery.” It is a picture of a contestant trying hard to win a victory in an athletic event in spite of strong opposition.

 

Meaning Explained

As we discussed in the previous verse, Paul and his companions faced a lot of opposition to their ministry in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. He tells us now that they suffered as a result of their work and they were treated with acts of violence by those who opposed them in Philippi.

In spite of the fierce opposition they faced, however, Paul and his helpers spoke openly and boldly when they presented the gospel message to the people in Thessalonica. They didn’t suspend their ministry in the face of opposition and they didn’t fall back to take a defensive position. Instead, they presented the message of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ openly and with conviction.

Our enemy doesn’t want others to hear about the good news. He wants to silence us and intimidate us so that we will be afraid to speak the truth. Also, notice that the courage and conviction with which they performed their ministry didn’t come from internal fortitude or gritty determination on their own part. They knew that the message they proclaimed came from God, and they relied on the Holy Spirit to give them the message to deliver and the boldness to deliver it.

Too often today, Christians lose heart when they face opposition to their ministries. Sometimes it appears as if they are looking for an excuse to back down and take the easy road of appeasement. Instead, we all need to bathe our efforts in prayer, asking God to give us boldness in proclaiming the gospel message to a lost world.

 

Application

Have you suffered as a result of proclaiming the gospel message or teaching the truth as given to us in the pages of the Bible? Don’t lose heart, my friend! Seek God’s face and step out with spiritual courage, serving God faithfully. That doesn’t mean that the opposition will stop, it just means you’re being faithful to God’s calling on your life. Go forth boldly!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:20 – Proclaim It Boldly!

Posted on by Will

for which I am an ambassador in a chain; that in it I might speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Truth to Learn

We need to boldly proclaim the Gospel message.

 

Behind the Words

Presbeuō is the Greek word translated “ambassador.” It literally means “to be an old man,” but it is used metaphorically to mean “a representative” or “an ambassador.”

“Chain” is from the Greek noun halusis, which refers to any kind of restraint for either the hands or feet (shackles, manacles, or chains). This particular word is most often used to describe a “coupling chain” which bound a prisoner hand-to-hand to a guarding soldier. Given that Paul wrote this letter from prison, it is likely that this is the type of chain he is referring to.

The words “I might speak boldly” are from the Greek verb parrēsiadzomai. This is the verb form of parrēsia, which we saw in yesterday’s verse. It means “to speak openly” or “to speak boldly.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood indicating the possibility or probability of such action.

“I ought” is translated from the Greek verb dei, which means “it needs to happen,” “it is necessary,” or “it is inevitable.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse the Apostle Paul expressed a prayer request that everyone reading this letter (and those hearing this letter read to them) might pray for him. Specifically, he requested that he might be given the words to speak regarding the mystery of the Gospel and that he might be given boldness to declare the message forthrightly. In today’s verse he tells us that it is because of the Gospel message that he is currently chained to a Roman soldier. Here’s how that came to be.

After Paul’s third missionary journey, he returned to Jerusalem to deliver an offering from the churches of Greece and Asia. He felt compelled to go there “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” even though he knew that he would be put in chains there (Acts 20:22-24). When reminded that he would be taken prisoner in Jerusalem, he told those around him that he was ready even to die for the Gospel (Acts 21:10-13).

While in Jerusalem, he was falsely accused of defiling the Temple, and he was put under protective custody. While in custody, the Lord told him that he must also proclaim the Gospel message in Rome (Acts 23:11). Then, because the Jews had plotted to kill him, Paul was taken to Caesarea so that he might appear before the Roman governor Felix, as well as his successor Porcius Festus. While appearing before Festus, Paul exercised his right of appeal as a Roman citizen to be judged at Caesar’s court in Rome. So, after having already been imprisoned for two years, he was sent to Rome. It was while in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier, that Paul wrote this letter to the church at Ephesus. We see that quite literally, Paul was in chains because of his bold proclamation of the Gospel. Now he is asking for prayers so that he might continue to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, which he still feels compelled to do.

 

Application

How many of us are reluctant to proclaim the Gospel message because of what someone might think about us? Paul was ready to face prison and death to share the good news. We have peace and hope because Christ suffered and died, and now He is risen! Let us boldly proclaim the Gospel, just like Paul did!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:2 – God-Given Courage

Posted on by Will

But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

Truth to Learn

Serving God faithfully means you will encounter opposition.

Behind the Words

The words “after we had suffered before” are translated from the Greek verb propaschō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before, in time or position” and paschō, meaning “to suffer.” So, we can see that propaschō means “to have suffered previously.” It is expressed as an aorist participle, so it could be translated as “having suffered previously.”

“Were spitefully treated” is from the verb hubridzō, based on the noun hubris, meaning “an insult” or “arrogance.” Hubridzō means “to act with great violence” or “to treat with contempt, causing injury.” This is also expressed as an aorist participle, so it could be translated as “having been treated injuriously.”

The words “we were bold … to speak” are translated from the Greek verb parrēsiadzomai. This word means “to speak openly, boldly, and without restraint.”

“Conflict” is from agon, which refers to “contention” or “striving for victory or mastery.” It is a picture of a contestant trying hard to win a victory in an athletic event.

Meaning Explained

As we discussed in the previous verse, Paul and his companions faced a lot of opposition to their ministry in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. He tells us now that they suffered as a result of their work and they were treated with acts of violence by those who opposed them in Philippi.

In spite of the fierce opposition they faced, however, Paul and his helpers spoke openly and boldly when they presented the gospel message to the people in Thessalonica. They didn’t suspend their ministry in the face of opposition and they didn’t fall back to take a defensive position. Instead, they presented the message of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ openly and with conviction.

Our enemy doesn’t want others to hear about the good news. He wants to silence us and intimidate us so that we will be afraid to speak the truth. Also, notice that the courage and conviction with which they performed their ministry didn’t come from internal fortitude or gritty determination on their own part. They knew that the message they proclaimed came from God, and they relied on the Holy Spirit to give them the message to deliver and the boldness to deliver it.

Too often today, Christians lose heart when they face opposition to their ministries. Sometimes it appears as if they are looking for an excuse to back down and take the easy road of appeasement. Instead, we all need to bathe our efforts in prayer, asking God to give us boldness in proclaiming the gospel message to a lost world.

Application

Have you suffered as a result of proclaiming the gospel message or teaching the truth as given to us in the pages of the Bible? Don’t lose heart, my friend! Seek God’s face and step out with spiritual courage, serving God faithfully. That doesn’t mean that the opposition will stop, it just means you’re being faithful to God’s calling on your life. Go forth boldly!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:20 – Proclaim It Boldly!

Posted on by Will

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Truth to Learn

We need to boldly proclaim the Gospel message.

Behind the Words

Presbeuō is the Greek word translated “ambassador.” It literally means “to be an old man,” but it is used metaphorically to mean “a representative” or “an ambassador.”

“Chains” is from the Greek noun halusis, which refers to any kind of restraint for either the hands or feet (shackles, manacles, or chains). This particular word is most often used to describe a “coupling chain” which bound a prisoner hand-to-hand to a guarding soldier.

The words “I may speak boldly” are from the Greek verb parrēsiadzomai. This is the verb form of parrēsia, which we saw in yesterday’s verse. It means “to speak openly” or “to speak boldly.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood indicating the possibility or probability of such action.

“I ought” is translated from the Greek verb dei, which means “it needs to happen,” “it is necessary,” or “it is inevitable.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse the Apostle Paul expressed a prayer request that everyone reading this letter (and those hearing this letter read to them) might pray for him. Specifically, he requested that he might be given the words to speak regarding the mystery of the Gospel and that he might be given boldness to declare the message forthrightly. In today’s verse he tells us that it is because of the Gospel message that he is currently chained to a Roman soldier. Here’s how that came to be.

After Paul’s third missionary journey, he returned to Jerusalem to deliver an offering from the churches of Greece and Asia. He felt compelled to go there “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” even though he knew that he would be put in chains there (Acts 20:22-24). When reminded that he would be taken prisoner in Jerusalem, he told those around him that he was ready even to die for the Gospel (Acts 21:10-13).

While in Jerusalem, he was falsely accused of defiling the Temple, and he was put under protective custody. While in custody, the Lord told him that he must also proclaim the Gospel message in Rome (Acts 23:11). Then, because the Jews had plotted to kill him, Paul was taken to Caesarea so that he might appear before the Roman governor Felix, as well as his successor Porcius Festus. While appearing before Festus, Paul exercised his right of appeal as a Roman citizen to be judged at Caesar’s court in Rome. So, after having already been imprisoned for two years, he was sent to Rome. It was while in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier, that Paul wrote this letter to the church at Ephesus. We see that quite literally, Paul was in chains because of his bold proclamation of the Gospel. Now he is asking for prayers so that he might continue to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, which he still feels compelled to do.

Application

How many of us are reluctant to proclaim the Gospel message because of what someone might think about us? Paul was ready to face prison and death to share the good news. We have peace and hope because Christ suffered and died, and now He is risen! Let us boldly proclaim the Gospel, just like Paul did!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved