Tag: poor

Romans 15:26 – Cheerful Giving

Posted on by Will

For those from Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

Truth to Learn

Christians are to give freely to support the church and to help other Christians in financial need.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “poor” in the current verse is the Greek word ptochous, which refers to “someone in abject poverty, utter helplessness, or complete destitution.” In other words, the Christians in Jerusalem to whom Paul was taking the money were not poor, as in unfortunate, they were without money.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul was going to travel to Jerusalem before heading to Rome on his way to Spain. The purpose of that trip was to take a contribution for the Christians in Jerusalem. The main church in Achaia (southern Greece) was the church at Corinth. To this church Paul sent a couple of letters teaching them to overcome some of the doctrinal errors that were creeping into their congregation. What they didn’t need teaching about, though, was how to give willingly. Here’s what Paul told them:

Now there is noneed for me to write to about ministering to the saints; for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up most of them. (2Corinthians 9:1-2)

Paul also told these Corinthians about the generosity of the church in Macedonia (northern Greece):

Moreover, brothers, we want you to know about the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia: that in a severe test of affliction the abundance of their joy and their extreme poverty abounded in the riches of their generosity. For I testify that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, begging us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (2Corinthians 8:1-4)

Both of these churches were eager to help the Church in Jerusalem and may even have been spurred on by Paul through a little friendly competition. These “poor” Christians in Jerusalem were most likely Jews who had been converted through the preaching of the apostles in the days following the outpouring of the Spirit of God at Pentecost. But because most of the Jews in Jerusalem refused to believe, they persecuted members of the church, even beating and stoning them. In the beginning of the eighth chapter of the book of Acts, Luke recorded how Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christians. This Saul of Tarsus later became the Apostle Paul who has written this letter.

According to Acts 20:22, Paul felt bound by the Spirit of God to make this trip to Jerusalem. It’s quite possible that his reason for wanting to minister to the saints in Jerusalem may also have been out a sense of guilt for what he had done to the Church in Jerusalem many years earlier.

 

Application

God has gifted some saints with the ability to give generously and freely. Not all of us have that gift, but that doesn’t release the rest of us from our responsibility to give. According to 2Corinthians 9:7, we are not to give grudgingly or out of necessity. God loves a cheerful giver! Do you give out of joy?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 2:2 – Apparel Judgment

Posted on by Will

For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine clothing, and there should also come in a poor person in filthy clothes,

Truth to Learn

Wealth or poverty should not be sources of differentiation within the church.

Behind the Words

The word translated “assembly” is sunagōgē, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and a derivative of agō, meaning “to lead” or “to gather together.” Hence, this word refers to a gathering together of people. It is the word from which we get our English word Synagogue.

The words “man with gold rings” are translated from the Greek anēr chrusodaktulios. Anēr is the word for “an adult male person” or “a husband.” The word chrusodaktulios is a compound word made up of chrusos, meaning “gold,” and daktulios, meaning “a finger ring.” So, literally this is referring to “a gold ringed man.”

The word “fine,” describing his clothing, is the Greek word lampros, which is derived from the verb lampō, meaning “to shine.” Hence, this refers to brilliant or magnificent clothing.

“Poor man” is translated from ptōchos, which is derived from the verb ptōssō, meaning “to crouch or cower like a beggar.” This word is a reference to someone in abject poverty like a homeless street beggar in one of our cities today.

Finally, the word “filthy” is translated from rhuparos which refers to something that is extremely dirty or foul smelling.

Meaning Explained

It might seem strange to see James refer to the meeting of Christians as a synagogue, but we must remember that the early church was largely made up of converted Jews. There is also evidence that some church gathering places even as late as the fourth century AD were called sunagōgia (synagogues) rather than what is more common today, ekklēsia (churches).

Paul is talking specifically about how you treat people within your church gatherings. In the eastern cultures, even today, a person with great wealth is easily identifiable by his luxurious robes and expensive gold jewelry. Such opulence is not as obviously displayed in Western society, although it does happen to some extent. In our churches this might be a man wearing an expensive suit displaying diamond or gold rings and expensive cufflinks, accompanied by his wife wearing designer clothing accessorized with expensive jewelry.

The second person identified in this verse is a lot easier to recognize. James is talking about a homeless beggar who likely smells of stale sweat (or worse), wearing the only clothing he or she owns. This is the kind of person nobody wants to sit next to, let alone have a conversation with. The contrast is pretty dramatic and James is intentionally showing extremes of personage. He will complete the admonition in the next two verses.

Application

Do you notice how people dress for church on Sunday morning? Do you make value judgments about them based on their appearance?

See what James says in the next verse.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:26 – Cheerful Giving

Posted on by Will

Romans 15:26 – Cheerful Giving

For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.

Truth to Learn

Christians are to give freely to support the church and to help other Christians in financial need.

Behind the Words

The word translated “poor” in the current verse is the Greek word ptochous, which refers to “someone in abject poverty, utter helplessness, or complete destitution.” In other words, the Christians in Jerusalem to whom Paul was taking the money were not poor, as in unfortunate, they were without money.

Meaning Explained

Paul was going to travel to Jerusalem before heading to Rome on his way to Spain. The purpose of that trip was to take a contribution for the Christians in Jerusalem. The main church in Achaia (southern Greece) was the church at Corinth. To this church Paul sent a couple of letters teaching them to overcome some of the doctrinal errors that were creeping into their congregation. What they didn’t need teaching about, though, was how to give willingly. Here’s what Paul told them:

Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. (2Corinthians 9:1-2)

Paul also told these Corinthians about the generosity of the church in Macedonia (northern Greece):

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (2Corinthians 8:1-4)

Both of these churches were eager to help the Church in Jerusalem and may even have been spurred on by Paul through a little friendly competition. These “poor” Christians in Jerusalem were most likely Jews who had been converted through the preaching of the apostles in the days following the outpouring of the Spirit of God at Pentecost. But because most of the Jews in Jerusalem refused to believe, they persecuted members of the church, even beating and stoning them. In the beginning of the eighth chapter of the book of Acts, Luke recorded how Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christians. This Saul of Tarsus later became the Apostle Paul.

According to Acts 20:22, Paul felt bound by the Spirit of God to make this trip to Jerusalem. It’s quite possible that his reason for wanting to minister to the saints in Jerusalem may also have been out a sense of guilt for what he had done to the Church in Jerusalem many years earlier.

Application

God has gifted some saints with the ability to give generously and freely. Not all of us have that gift, but that doesn’t release the rest of us from our responsibility to give. According to 2Corinthians 9:7, we are not to give grudgingly or out of necessity. God loves a cheerful giver! Do you give out of joy?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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