Tag: pote

1 Peter 2:10 – Humbling Realization

Posted on by Will

who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Truth to Learn

God shows us mercy because He wants to, not because we want Him to.

 

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “once” is pote, which means “at some time,” “previously,” or “in the past.” It does not mean “one time,” as might be inferred from some translations.

“A people” is translated from laos, which refers to “a group of people joined together by a common trait.” This common trait can be ancestry, locality, experience, or beliefs.

 

Meaning Explained

Prior to the time of Christ, the only people who were considered the people of God were the Israelites. In fact, there is a bit of a play on words in the previous verse. The word translated as “nation” in the previous verse (holy nation) is the generic term for a race or a tribe and is the term that Israelites used for all gentiles (those who are not Israelites). The Israelites believed that any gentile was outside the choosing and blessing of God.

Here Peter is saying that we who had been considered outside the blessing of God, we who were not the people of God, now are the people of God. We, who had not received mercy because we were outside of God’s chosen few, have now received mercy because we are His chosen few.

The prophet Hosea predicted this millennia ago:

and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them who were not my people, You are my people; and they shall say, You are my God.  (Hosea 2:23)

And, the Apostle Paul said it this way:

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands– that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  (Ephesians 2:11-14)

Some people believe that the doctrine of election produces lazy Christians. After all, if God chose me to be saved, doing all the work Himself, and He has promised never to lose me, all I have to do is sit back and enjoy it, right? But if we see it through Peter’s eyes, we see how priceless the gift is, and we realize how unworthy we are. This should drive us to our knees in humble thanksgiving and cause us to lift our hands in praise to Him. It should also motivate us to serve Him in whatever capacity He has called us to, with determination and humility.

 

Application

Give praise to God who has broken down the wall and has drawn us to Himself out of the darkness into His marvelous light and has declared us righteous through faith. Through His grace, we have the greatest gift of all, and we don’t deserve it!

Now, what are you going to do about it?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:5 – No Deceptive Practices

Posted on by Will

For neither at any time did we come with flattering words, as you know, nor with a pretense of covetousness—God is witness.

Truth to Learn

Christians don’t need to be deceptive to deliver the truth.

 

Behind the Words

The words “at any time” are from pote, which means “at some time” or “ever.” It can be used to refer to sometime in the past or in the future. Here it obviously refers to the past.

“Flattering” is translated from kolakeias, which does not appear anywhere else in the New Testament. It refers to “excessive compliments” or “insincere praise.”

Prophasis is the Greek word translated “pretense.” It is composed or pro, meaning “before” and phainō, meaning “to shine.” It refers to an outward show or a pretense used to hide the real intent of the speaker.

“Covetousness” is from the Greek word pleonexia, which is made up of a form of pleiōn, meaning “more” and echo, meaning “to have.” Pleonexia refers to the desire to have more, that is, greediness or covetousness.

 

Meaning Explained

The apostle is in the middle of a defense of the type of ministry he had among the Thessalonians. This verse gives us more clues as to the type of criticism or attacks that were leveled against him. In yesterday’s verse he told his readers that his purpose for declaring the gospel was not to make people feel good about him or his message. The whole reason for his ministry was to be pleasing to God. His defense in the current verse is that he didn’t use excessive compliments or unearned praise to try to influence his listeners.

It seems that many public speakers of that day used flattery and insincere praise in their speeches to make the listeners feel better about themselves and about the speaker. It was common to praise people for their beauty, wealth, accomplishments, or talent to make others more accepting of the message that was being delivered. A good example of this is given to us in Acts chapter twenty-four. When Paul was taken to Caesarea to be judged by the governor, a man named Tertullus opened his accusation before Felix like this:

Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. (Acts 24:2b-4)

Paul says that he never resorted to such deceptive practices. He also said that he didn’t try to hide his real intentions because he was not trying to gain anything from his listeners. Today there are television preachers who use such techniques to persuade viewers to give money to their ministries. Their real motive is not to help viewers grow in their faith, but to help themselves grow in their wealth. Paul’s intention, however, was not to get something for himself, but to give something of real worth to the people of Thessalonica, and he calls upon God as his witness to the type of ministry he had among them.

 

Application

Christians have a powerful message and great truths that lead to freedom. We don’t need to resort to deception or trickery to deliver our message because we proclaim the truth!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 5:8 – Live the Light

Posted on by Will

For you were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Truth to Learn

Christians are to demonstrate the light of God in our lives.

 

Behind the Words

“Once” is translated from pote, which means “at some time.” It can be used with reference to either past of future time. It can also refer to a specific point in time or to a period of time. Given that the verb translated “you were” is expressed in the imperfect tense (continual or repeated action in the past), the opening part of this verse could be translated as, “For a period of time in the past you were …”

The word translated “darkness” is skotos. This is derived from the word skia, meaning “shade” or “a shadow.” Skotos is used in the Bible to refer either to physical darkness or spiritual darkness (the absence of God’s spiritual enlightening).

“Light” is from phōs, which is based on the verb phaō, meaning “to shine” or “to make apparent.” Phōs refers either to physically perceived light or to spiritual enlightenment.

The word “walk” is translated from peripateō, meaning “to walk around.” Paul uses this word as a metaphor for how a person lives his or her life. It is expressed here as a command.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul started off this chapter telling us that we should be imitators of God. He said we should do so by walking in love. In other words we should be living our lives loving others in the same way that God showed His love for us. That is to say, we should always be looking out for the good of others instead of our own good. Paul then gave us an example of heretical teaching that had crept into the church. This teaching focused on satisfying our own fleshly desires in spite of the fact that doing so is offensive to God. Paul said, “Don’t even begin to walk down the road that these deceivers talk about!”

Now Paul gives us more instruction as to how we should live our lives. He tells us to “walk as children of light.” He says that in the past we were darkness; not in darkness, we were darkness. Throughout the Bible there is a continual comparison of light and darkness. In 1John we read:

God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (1John 1:5b)

This “light” is not just a reference to that light that we are able to perceive with our physical senses; it is also a reference to the enlightenment, the awareness and understanding, of the truth about who God is and what He wants from us. But, there is also a third type of “light” that is referred to in the Bible, and it is God’s holiness. In contrast to the light of God’s holiness is the darkness of our sin. And, in contrast to God’s light in all three of these meanings is the darkness of mankind:

men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19b)

In view of these facts, and the knowledge that we Christians are children of God (who is light), we are commanded to live our lives visibly out in the open with an understanding of God and separated from sinfulness and those who cling to it.

 

Application

God has rescued us from our sinfulness, with its eternal penalty, and has given us the knowledge of who He is and what He wants. So, let our lives show forth that light which is in us.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:13 – A New Covenant

Posted on by Will

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Truth to Learn

God has made a new covenant for us.

 

Behind the Words

“Now” is translated from nuni, which is a strengthened form of nun, meaning “now.” The strengthened form adds emphasis on the present.

“Once” is from the Greek word pote, which has several nuances of meaning and is used of both the past and the future. It can mean “at some time,” “one time or another,” “when,” “formerly,” or “at last.”

The Greek word translated “far off” is makran, which is derived from makros, meaning “long.” Makran means “a great distance away.”

The words “have been brought” are from the verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” Thus, Paul is really saying, “you … have become near.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul’s current train of thought began back in verse eleven where he reminded us that previously we were Gentiles in the flesh and we were called “the uncircumcision” by the Jews. So what’s the big deal about circumcision? Back in Genesis chapter fifteen, Abraham was declared to be righteous because he believed God’s promise that the Messiah would be one of his descendants. Fifteen years later (Genesis 17) he still had no children by his wife Sarah. At that time God promised him again that He would be a father of many nations, telling him that in one year Sarah would give birth to a son. He then made another covenant with Abraham, promising him that He would be God to Abraham’s descendants and that He would give him and his descendants the land of Canaan. This covenant required Abraham and his entire household to be circumcised.

The fact that we were not descendants of Abraham means that we aren’t part of the Commonwealth of Israel. Therefore, we were not included in the promise of the coming Messiah or the promise that Jehovah would be our God. And, as a result, as Paul said in verse twelve, we were without hope. Now that Abraham’s descendant, the Messiah, has come and shed His blood as payment for our sins, things have changed. We, who were aliens and far away from the promises and covenants, have been brought near by a new covenant. Luke recorded the following words of our Lord at the Last Supper:

This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20)

In other words, by shedding His blood, he was making a new covenant. And, in the book of Hebrews we are told:

In that He says, "a new covenant," He has made the first obsolete.” (Hebrews 8:13)

Because of this new covenant, sealed with Christ’s blood, we who were once far off have now become near to God.

 

Application

If you believe that the blood of Christ saved you from your sins, then God has declared you to be righteous. Because you are righteous, you can stand (actually, we will sit) in His presence. All who refuse to believe are unrighteous and can’t stand (or sit) in His presence; they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, separated from God for all eternity. This is referred to as “the second death.” Christians will not experience the second death. Instead, we will have life because of the new covenant in His blood. Praise be to God!

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Truth to Learn

God has made a new covenant for us.

 

Behind the Words

“Now” is translated from nuni, which is a strengthened form of nun, meaning “now.” The strengthened form adds emphasis on the present.

“Once” is from the Greek word pote, which has several nuances of meaning and is used of both the past and the future. It can mean “at some time,” “one time or another,” “when,” “formerly,” or “at last.”

The Greek word translated “far off” is makran, which is derived from makros, meaning “long.” Makran means “a great distance away.”

The words “have been brought” are from the verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” Thus, Paul is really saying, “you … have become near.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul’s current train of thought began back in verse eleven where he reminded us that previously we were Gentiles in the flesh and we were called “the uncircumcision” by the Jews. So what’s the big deal about circumcision? Back in Genesis chapter fifteen, Abraham was declared to be righteous because he believed God’s promise that the Messiah would be one of his descendants. Fifteen years later (Genesis 17) he still had no children by his wife Sarah. At that time God promised him again that He would be a father of many nations, telling him that in one year Sarah would give birth to a son. He then made another covenant with Abraham, promising him that He would be God to Abraham’s descendants and that He would give him and his descendants the land of Canaan. This covenant required Abraham and his entire household to be circumcised.

The fact that we were not descendants of Abraham means that we aren’t part of the Commonwealth of Israel. Therefore, we were not included in the promise of the coming Messiah or the promise that Jehovah would be our God. And, as a result, as Paul said in verse twelve, we were without hope. Now that Abraham’s descendant, the Messiah, has come and shed His blood as payment for our sins, things have changed. We, who were aliens and far away from the promises and covenants, have been brought near by a new covenant. Luke recorded the following words of our Lord at the Last Supper:

This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20)

In other words, by shedding His blood, he was making a new covenant. And, in the book of Hebrews we are told:

In that He says, "a new covenant," He has made the first obsolete.” (Hebrews 8:13)

Because of this new covenant, sealed with Christ’s blood, we who were once far off have now become near to God.

 

Application

If you believe that the blood of Christ saved you from your sins, then God has declared you to be righteous. Because you are righteous, you can stand (actually, we will sit) in His presence. All who refuse to believe are unrighteous and can’t stand (or sit) in His presence; they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, separated from God for all eternity. This is referred to as “the second death.” Christians will not experience the second death. Instead, we will have life because of the new covenant in His blood. Praise be to God!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 5:8 – Live the Light

Posted on by Will

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Truth to Learn

Christians are to demonstrate the light of God in our lives.

Behind the Words

“Once” is translated from pote, which means “at some time.” It can be used with reference to either past of future time. It can also refer to a specific point in time or to a period of time. Given that the verb translated “you were” is expressed in the imperfect tense (continual or repeated action in the past), the opening part of this verse could be translated as, “For a period of time in the past you were …”

The word translated “darkness” is skotos. This is derived from the word skia, meaning “shade” or “a shadow.” Skotos is used in the Bible to refer either to physical darkness or spiritual darkness (the absence of God’s spiritual enlightening).

“Light” is from phōs, which is based on the verb phaō, meaning “to shine” or “to make apparent.” Phōs refers either to physically perceived light or to spiritual enlightenment.

The word “walk” is translated from peripateō, meaning “to walk around.” Paul uses this word as a metaphor for how a person lives his or her life. It is expressed here as a command.

Meaning  Explained

Paul started off this chapter telling us that we should be imitators of God. He said we should do so by walking in love, that is, living our lives by loving others in the same way that God showed His love for us. In other words, we should always be looking out for the good of others instead of our own good. Paul then gave us an example of heretical teaching that had crept into the church. This teaching focused on satisfying our own fleshly desires in spite of the fact that doing so is offensive to God. Paul said, “Don’t even begin to walk down the road that these deceivers talk about!”

Now Paul gives us more instruction as to how we should live our lives. He tells us to “walk as children of light.” He says that in the past we were darkness; not in darkness, we were darkness. Throughout the Bible there is a continual comparison of light and darkness. In 1John we read:

God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (1John 1:5b)

This “light” is not just a reference to that light that we are able to perceive with our physical senses; it is also a reference to the enlightenment, the awareness and understanding, of the truth about who God is and what He wants from us. But, there is also a third type of “light” that is referred to in the Bible, and it is God’s holiness. In contrast to the light of God’s holiness is the darkness of our sin. And, in contrast to God’s light in all three of these meanings is the darkness of mankind:

men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19b)

In view of these facts, and the knowledge that we Christians are children of God (who is light), we are commanded to live our lives visibly out in the open with an understanding of God and separated from sinfulness and those who cling to it.

Application

God has rescued us from our sinfulness, with its eternal penalty, and has given us the knowledge of who He is and what He wants. So, let our lives show forth that light which is in us. 

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 2:13 – A New Covenant

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 2:13  – A New Covenant

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Truth to Learn

God has made a new covenant for us.

Behind the Words

“Now” is translated from nuni, which is a strengthened form of nun, meaning “now.” The strengthened form adds emphasis on the present.

“Once” is from the Greek word pote, which has several nuances of meaning and is used of both the past and the future. It can mean “at some time,” “one time or another,” “when,” “formerly,” or “at last.”

The Greek word translated “far off” is makran, which is derived from makros, meaning “long.” Makran means “a great distance away.”

The words “have been brought” are from the verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” Thus, Paul is really saying, “you … have become near.”

Meaning Explained

Paul’s current train of thought began back in verse eleven where he reminded us that previously we were Gentiles in the flesh and we were called “the uncircumcision” by the Jews. So what’s the big deal about circumcision? Back in Genesis chapter fifteen, Abraham was declared to be righteous because he believed God’s promise that the Messiah would be one of his descendants. Fifteen years later (Genesis 17) he still had no children by his wife Sarah. At that time God promised him again that He would be a father of many nations, telling him that in one year Sarah would give birth to a son. He then made another covenant with Abraham, promising him that He would be God to Abraham’s descendants and that He would give him and his descendants the land of Canaan. This covenant required Abraham and his entire household to be circumcised.

The fact that we were not descendants of Abraham means that we aren’t part of the Commonwealth of Israel. Therefore, we were not included in the promise of the coming Messiah or the promise that Jehovah would be our God. And, as a result, as Paul said in verse twelve, we were without hope. Now that Abraham’s descendant, the Messiah, has come and shed His blood as payment for our sins, things have changed. We, who were aliens and far away from the promises and covenants, have been brought near by a new covenant. Luke recorded the following words of our Lord at the Last Supper:

This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20)

In other words, by shedding His blood, he was making a new covenant. And, in the book of Hebrews we are told:

In that He says, “a new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete.” (Hebrews 8:13)

Because of this new covenant, sealed with Christ’s blood, we who were once far off have now become near to God.

Application

If you believe that the blood of Christ saved you from your sins, then God has declared you to be righteous. Because you are righteous, you can stand (actually, we will sit) in His presence. All who refuse to believe are unrighteous and can’t stand in His presence; they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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