Tag: perissos

1 Thessalonians 5:13 – Respect, Honor, and Peace

Posted on by Will

and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Truth to Learn

Respect and honor your pastor and be at peace with all your Christian brothers.

 

Behind the Words

“Esteem” is translated from hēgeomai, which means “to lead,” that is, “to command.” It is often used metaphorically, however, meaning “to lead the mind through a reasoning process arriving at a conclusion.” In other words, here it means “conclude, consider, view, regard, or reckon.”

The word “very” is from the Greek word huper (hyper), which means “above, over, or beyond.”

The Greek word translated “highly” is the comparative form of perissos, which means abundant. Thus, this word means “more than abundant, or highly.”

Ergon is the Greek word translated “work.” It represents the work that someone does in performing his or her job.

“Be at peace” is translated from the verb eirēneuō, which is based on eirēnē, meaning “peace.” Thus, eirēneuō means “to be at peace” or “to make peace.”

 

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse we talked a little about three of the characteristics of church pastors (or elders). These are:

  1. They are hard working. They often work six or seven days a week for very little pay.
  2. God has placed them in authority over you and you need to submit yourselves to that authority.
  3. Part of their job is to encourage and admonish you regarding what God expects from His children.

In today’s verse Paul tells us specifically how we are to feel about our pastors and how we are to treat all of our Christian brothers and sisters. He starts off today’s verse telling us that we are to regard our pastors very highly, not just a little and not just highly, but very highly. Within the church we are all given spiritual gifts by God and these gifts are to be used for the building-up of the Body of Christ. One of these gifts is that of pastor/teacher (see Ephesians 4:11). We are all to be using our gifts in a way that glorifies God. However, He has also ordained a specific order of authority within the church, and we are to honor and submit to those in authority, giving their position the respect that it deserves.

Keep in mind that your pastor has a sin nature, just as you do. He is not perfect! And, most church pastors work in relative obscurity (from a worldly viewpoint). From God’s viewpoint, however, pastors are a key part of His plan for all of His children. Because pastors are in a position of spiritual authority, when they do make mistakes or succumb to the temptations of sin, they receive harsher judgment than the rest of us (see James 3:1).

The other thing Paul teaches us in this verse is that we are to be at peace with others in the Body of Christ. None of us is perfect any more than our pastor is perfect. We need to display a lot of grace in dealing with our brothers and sisters in Christ and be at peace with them.

 

Application

Show respect to your pastor, give honor to his esteemed position, and submit yourself to his authority. Also, make peace with your brothers. This is God’s will for your life!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:17 – Orphaned Christians

Posted on by Will

But we, brothers, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in spirit, were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.

Truth to Learn

Persecution of Christians occurs world-wide today.

 

Behind the Words

The words “having been taken away” are translated from the Greek verb aporphanidzō. This word is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and orphanos (from which we get our English word orphan). Orphanos means “obscure” or “dark,” like an orphan who, without parents, was often forced to wander in obscurity and darkness. Thus, aporphanidzō means to be made alone and helpless, without parents.

“For a short time” is from the Greek words kairon horas. Kairon refers to a period of time or “a season,” and horas means “an hour.” Therefore, kairon horas literally means “a season of an hour.” Metaphorically, it means “for a short time.”

The word “more” is translated from perissōs, which means “abundantly” or “exceedingly.” It implies a much greater amount than just “more.”

“Eager” is from spoudadzō, which is based on spoudē, meaning “speed, haste, or diligence.” Spoudadzō, therefore, means “to be eager, diligent, or earnest.”

Both of the words “presence” and “face” are translated from prosōpon, which literally means “before your eyes.” It is the word that refers to a person’s face, but it also means “in someone’s presence” (just as we might refer to close proximity as “being in your face”).

 

Meaning Explained

In the last few verses Paul has been telling the Christians in Thessalonica how he, and they, have been persecuted by their fellow countrymen. They were hindered from witnessing the Gospel truth because of it. Paul and his companions even suffered physical persecution. In fact, the opposition was so great that Paul and Silas had to be scurried out of town at night:

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. (Acts 17:10a)

Paul has used the personal family metaphors of a nursing mother and a father to describe his relationship with, and love for, the Thessalonians. Now he uses even more emotional words to describe his separation from these dear people. He says, “having been taken away from you,” that is, “having been orphaned from you.” This is very descriptive of the heart wrenching pain of their sudden separation from each other.

However, Paul informs his children in the Lord that this separation is only for a short time. We don’t know for sure how long he had been gone from Thessalonica when he wrote this letter; it may have only been a few months. And we will learn in this verse and the next verse that Paul had already tried to return to Thessalonica, but he wasn’t able to. He tells his readers that he had tried very hard to return to them so that he could at least see their faces again.

 

Application

In some countries of the world today Christians are under heavy persecution, being imprisoned or even killed because of their desire to be obedient to God. Let’s all take a few minutes right now to pray to our Heavenly Father for protection and comfort for Christians everywhere who suffer for their faith.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:13 – Respect, Honor, and Peace

Posted on by Will

and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Truth to Learn

Respect and honor your pastor and be at peace with all your Christian brethren.

Behind the Words

“Esteem” is translated from hēgeomai, which means “to lead,” that is, “to command.” It is often used metaphorically, however, meaning “to lead the mind through a reasoning process arriving at a conclusion.” In other words, here it means “conclude, consider, view, regard, or reckon.”

The word “very” is from the Greek word huper (hyper), which means “above, over, or beyond.”

The Greek word translated “highly” is the comparative form of perissos, which means abundant. Thus, this word means “more than abundant, or highly.”

Ergon is the Greek word translated “work.” It represents the work that someone does in performing his or her job.

“Be at peace” is translated from the verb eirēneuō, which is based on eirēnē, meaning “peace.” Thus, eirēneuō means “to be at peace” or “to make peace.”

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse we talked a little about three of the characteristics of church pastors (or elders). These are:

1.      They are hard working. They often work six or seven days a week for very little pay.

2.      God has placed them in authority over you and you need to submit yourselves to that authority.

3.      Part of their job is to encourage and admonish you regarding what God expects from His children.

In today’s verse Paul tells us specifically how we are to feel about our pastors and how we are to treat all of our Christian brothers and sisters. He starts off today’s verse telling that we are to regard our pastors very highly, not just a little and not just highly, but very highly. Within the church we are all given spiritual gifts by God and these gifts are to be used for the building-up of the Body of Christ. One of these gifts is that of pastor/teacher (see Ephesians 4:11). We are all to be using our gifts in a way that glorifies God. However, He has also ordained a specific order of authority within the church, and we are to honor and submit to those in authority, giving their position the respect that it deserves.

Keep in mind that your pastor has a sin nature, just as you do. He is not perfect! And, most church pastors work in relative obscurity (from a worldly viewpoint). From God’s viewpoint, however, pastors are a key part of His plan for all of His children. Because pastors are in a position of spiritual authority, when they do make mistakes or succumb to the temptations of sin, they receive harsher judgment than the rest of us (see James 3:1).

The other thing Paul teaches us in this verse is that we are to be at peace with others in the Body of Christ. None of us is perfect any more than our pastor is perfect. We need to display a lot of grace in dealing with our brothers and sisters in Christ and be at peace with them.

Application

Show respect to your pastor, give honor to his esteemed position, and submit yourself to his authority. Also, make peace with your brethren. This is God’s will for your life!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:17 – Orphaned Christians

Posted on by Will

But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.

Truth to Learn

Persecution of Christians occurs world-wide today.

Behind the Words

The words “having been taken away” are translated from the Greek verb aporphanidzō. This word is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and orphanos (from which we get our English word orphan). Orphanos means “obscure” or “dark,” like an orphan who, without parents, was often forced to wander in obscurity and darkness. Thus, aporphanidzō means to be made alone and helpless, without parents.

“For a short time” is from the Greek words kairon horas. Kairon refers to a period of time or “a season,” and horas means “an hour.” Therefore, kairon horas literally means “a season of an hour.” Metaphorically, it means “for a short time.”

“Endeavored” is from spoudadzō, which is based on spoudē, meaning “speed, haste, or diligence.” Spoudadzō, therefore, means “to be eager, diligent, or earnest.”

The word “more” is translated from perissōs, which means “abundantly” or “exceedingly.” It implies a much greater amount than just “more.”

Both of the words “presence” and “face” are translated from prosōpon, which literally means “before your eyes.” It is the word that refers to a person’s face, but it also means “in someone’s presence” (just as we might refer to close proximity as “being in your face”).

Meaning Explained

In the last few verses Paul has been telling the Christians in Thessalonica how he, and they, have been persecuted by their fellow countrymen. They were hindered from witnessing the Gospel truth because of it. Paul and his companions even suffered physical persecution. In fact, the opposition was so great that Paul and Silas had to be scurried out of town at night:

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. (Acts 17:10a)

Paul has used the personal family metaphors of a nursing mother and a father to describe his relationship with, and love for, the Thessalonians. Now he uses even more emotional words to describe his separation from these dear people. He says, “having been taken away from you,” that is, “having been orphaned from you.” This is very descriptive of the heart wrenching pain of their sudden separation from each other.

However, Paul informs his children in the Lord that this separation is only for a short time. We don’t know for sure how long he had been gone from Thessalonica when he wrote this letter; it may have only been a few months. And we will learn in this verse and the next verse that Paul had already tried to return to Thessalonica, but he wasn’t able to. He tells his readers that he had tried very hard to return to them so that he could at least see their faces again.

Application

In some countries of the world today Christians are under heavy persecution, being imprisoned or even killed because of their desire to be obedient to God. Let’s all take a few minutes right now to pray to our Heavenly Father for protection and comfort for Christians everywhere who suffer for their faith.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved