Tag: philotimeomai

1 Thessalonians 4:11 – Love, Don’t Meddle

Posted on by Will

that you also Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you,

Truth to Learn

Loving others is right. Meddling in their affairs is wrong.

 

Behind the Words

“Ambition” is translated from the Greek word philotimeomai. This big word is composed of philos, meaning “a friend” along with a form of timē, meaning “honor.” So, literally it means “to be fond of honor.” In general usage it means “to be ambitious of something honorable” or “to be eager to do something honorable.” This word is never used of ambition to do something dishonorable or bad.

The words “to lead a quiet life” are from the Greek verb hēsuchadzō, a form of hēsuchos, meaning “quiet or still.” Hēsuchadzō means “to live quietly” or “to be quiet.”

The words “to mind your own business” are from prassein ta idia. Prassein is a form of prassō, meaning “to make a practice of.” The Greek word ta means “things.” And idia means “pertaining to yourself.” Thus, this expression means “to practice your own things” or “to mind your own affairs.”

“To work with your hands” is a very literal translation of ergadzesthai tais chersin. Paul recognizes the value of hard work and he saw no dishonor in manual labor. He himself worked as a tent maker to provide for himself while he was also performing the ministry that God had given him to do.

 

Meaning Explained

As we have noted previously, the Christians in Thessalonica had a reputation for being very loving toward others. Paul commended them for this, but challenged them to add abundantly to this practice. In order to show love to others, however, it is often necessary to know what is going on in the lives of others. But this presents a dilemma and a fine line that should not be crossed.

Some people are natural care givers while others have to work at it. The problem is that care givers sometimes get carried away, meddling in the private affairs of others, wanting to know more details than is necessary and giving advice on matters that they should leave alone. These people sometimes get so wrapped up in the lives of others that they become quick to give advice and slow to do their own things.

These are the people (and problems) that Paul is addressing in today’s verse. Yes, it’s important to show love to our brothers and sisters in the Lord. It’s just as important, however, to be a silent witness of the love of Christ. Yes, it’s important to assist others who are going through difficult times. It’s just as important to mind your own affairs and get your own work done.

In fact, the Thessalonians had such a difficult time in showing love without crossing the line into being meddlesome that in his second letter to them he had to tell them:

For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. (2 Thessalonians 3:11)

 

Application

We all need to work hard at showing love for others, for those inside the church as well as those outside the church. But, we need to work just as hard at not becoming meddlesome, rather minding our own business. Our testimony to others depends on us being Christ-like in everything we say and do. Does your love of others look like Jesus in action?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:11 – Love, Don’t Meddle

Posted on by Will

that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

Truth to Learn

Loving others is right. Meddling in their affairs is wrong.

Behind the Words

“Aspire” is translated from the Greek word philotimeomai. This big word is composed of philos, meaning “a friend” along with a form of timē, meaning “honor.” So, literally it means “to be fond of honor.” In general usage it means “to be ambitious of something honorable” or “to be eager to do something honorable.” This word is never used of ambition to do something dishonorable or bad.

The words “to lead a quiet life” are from the Greek verb hēsuchadzō, a form of hēsuchos, meaning “quiet or still.” Hēsuchadzō means “to live quietly” or “to be quiet.”

The words “to mind your own business” are from prassein ta idia. Prassein is a form of prassō, meaning “to make a practice of.” The Greek word ta means “things.” And idia means “pertaining to yourself.” Thus, this expression means “to practice your own things” or “to mind your own affairs.”

“To work with your own hands” is a very literal translation of ergadzesthai tais idiais chersin.

Meaning Explained

As we have noted previously, the Christians in Thessalonica had a reputation for being very loving toward others. Paul commended them for this, but challenged them to add abundantly to this practice. In order to show love to others, however, it is often necessary to know what is going on in the lives of others. But this presents a dilemma and a fine line that should not be crossed.

Some people are natural care givers while others have to work at it. The problem is that care givers sometimes get carried away, meddling in the private affairs of others, wanting to know more details than is necessary and giving advice on matters that they should leave alone. These people sometimes get so wrapped up in the lives of others that they become quick to give advice and slow to do their own things.

These are the people (and problems) that Paul is addressing in today’s verse. Yes, it’s important to show love to our brothers and sisters in the Lord. It’s just as important, however, to be a silent witness of the love of Christ. Yes, it’s important to assist others who are going through difficult times. It’s just as important to mind your own affairs and get your own work done.

In fact, the Thessalonians had such a difficult time in showing love without crossing the line into being meddlesome that in his second letter to them he had to tell them:

For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. (2 Thessalonians 3:11)

Application

We all need to work hard at showing love for others, for those inside the church as well as those outside the church. But, we need to work just as hard at not becoming meddlesome, rather minding our own business. Our testimony to others depends on us being Christ-like in everything we say and do. Does your love of others look like Jesus in action?

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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