promise – Ministry of Grace Church

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Romans 9:8 – Believe the Promise

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Will

That is, those who are the children of the flesh, are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.

Truth to Learn

Works of the flesh are ineffective in God’s record book.

Behind the Words

The word translated “promise” is epangelia, which is made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and angelō, meaning “to tell” or “to declare.” Hence, epangelia refers to “a very strong message, a summons, or a promise.”

“Counted” is from the Greek word logidzomai, which we have looked at before. It is an accounting term which means “to credit something to someone’s account.” It is sometimes translated as “impute” or “reckon.” It is an action of God in which He legally declares some characteristic to be applied to someone’s account.

Meaning Explained

Now Paul gets back to imputation. Remember that concept? A few chapters back Paul told us that our righteousness is not earned; rather it is imputed, or credited to us, by a stroke of God’s pen in his personal record book of our lives. He does not do it because we deserve it or because of anything we have done, but because it was His choice. Because Abraham believed God’s promise, righteousness was imputed to him:

For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (Romans 4:3)

In the same way Paul is telling his Jewish brothers that they are not considered God’s children simply because they are the descendants of Abraham, since that privilege should have gone to his first born son, Ishmael. Instead, Paul tells them, and us, that the children of promise are imputed, or reckoned, as the inheriting children.

The point is that God chose Isaac to be a “child of Abraham,” not Ishmael. Ishmael was the child by natural process. He was the result of Abraham’s (and Sarah’s) own efforts. Their works of the flesh produced the first child, but Isaac was the result of faith. Long after Abraham and Sarah were past the age of producing a child by their own actions, God brought forth Isaac because Abraham believed the promise that God had given him. Isaac was the child of promise and he came as a result of faith.

But that’s not fair, is it? Ishmael was the first born, so he should have received the inheritance. He should have been Abraham’s heir. But it wasn’t up to Abraham, Isaac, or Ishmael to choose, it was up to God. He chose Isaac just as he chooses those who are to be His spiritual children today.

So you see, in the final analysis it is God’s choice that matters, not ours. That’s election! And it’s not the only example of it given to us in the Bible or even here in the book of Romans. Paul will give us more examples as we move on.

Application

Unfortunately, there are many who call themselves Christians today who have achieved that status through works of their flesh. In God’s book, however, only those who have believed His promise that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses them of their sin are declared to be His children. These are the children of the promise and they are saved through faith and faith alone.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 4:13 – Promise Received through Faith

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Will

For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Truth to Learn

God’s promise of salvation is based on faith, not obedience.

Behind the Words

The word translated “promise” is epangelia, which is made up of epi, used as an intensifier, and angelō, meaning “to tell” or “to declare.” Hence, epangelia refers to “a message, a summons, or a promise.”

“Heir” is from the Greek word klēronomos, which is made up of klēros, meaning “a lot” or “a die” and a form of nemō, meaning “to have in one’s possession” or “to distribute.” This word is a reference to the person who possesses the right to receive an inheritance.

Meaning Explained

Paul is covering all the bases, making sure that the Christians in Rome who were predominantly Jewish had no way to twist what he was saying into anything resembling “righteousness through obedience.” This verse says something a little bit different from what we found back in verse 10. That verse had to do with righteousness being imputed as a result of faith. This verse is talking about the promises that God made to Abraham. These promises include:

Gen 12:2 – that God would make of Abraham a great nation
Gen 12:3 – that in him all the families of the earth should be blessed
Gen 15:5 – that his descendants should be as numerous as the stars
Gen 17:5 – that he should be the father of many nations

It is probably this last promise to which Paul is specifically referring when he says that “… he would be the heir of the world.”

His point is that this promise was made to Abraham through the righteousness that comes from faith, not from obedience to the Law. In fact, if you read the Old Testament carefully you will discover that the Law of Moses came some 300 years after Abraham died. Hence, not only was he declared righteous through faith (just as we are declared righteous through faith) but the great promises that were made to Abraham (like the promises that are made to us) were given to him in faith, not obedience. That is, Abraham didn’t have to be obedient in order to receive the promises, he simply had to believe.

In a similar manner, the promises made to us concerning our salvation are not dependent on us being obedient before or after we are saved, they are based solely on our “once for all time” saving faith. In other words, there is no sin that we can commit that will prevent God’s promises from being fulfilled if we have truly accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!

These promises are based on faith, not obedience! Hallelujah!

Application

Perhaps you are convinced now that you can’t earn your salvation. But do you realize that you can’t keep your salvation (receive God’s promise to you) by obedience either? In other words, once you are saved you can’t do anything to undo that salvation.

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 3:13 – Righteous Heaven & Earth

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Will

But according to His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, in which righteousness lives.

Truth to Learn

After God’s fiery judgment there will be a new heaven and a new earth where only the righteous will live.

Behind the Words

The word “promise” is translated from epangelma, a form of epangellō, which is made up of epi, an intensifier and angellō, meaning “to announce, proclaim, or declare.” The suffix –ma indicates it is the result of epangellō. Hence, this could be interpreted as “a sure announcement or proclamation.”

Meaning Explained

Peter has just told us about the next judgment of the earth and its inhabitants by fire. This judgment will completely destroy the entire universe as we know it. He now tells us not to become too upset over the loss of the heavens and the earth because God is going to fulfill his declaration of a new heaven and a new earth as proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah:

For, behold, I create new heavens and new earth. And the former things will not be remembered, nor come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17)

These new heavens and new earth will be different from the current heavens and earth in that, according to Peter, in them righteousness will dwell. In other words, only the righteous will occupy the new heavens and the new earth. All others will have been cast into the lake of fire for eternity.

Some esteemed Biblical scholars have speculated that the new heavens and the new earth will simply be “renovated” and somehow changed just as they were in the flood judgment. However, according to Revelation:

Then I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled; and no place was found for them. (Revelation 20:10)

If there was found “no place for them” then they could not exist, otherwise they would be some place. In effect, what the Apostle John is saying in this passage is that they were nowhere to be found; that is, they no longer existed. He goes on to say:

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth passed away (Revelation 21:1)

This new heaven and new earth are not simply a remake of the current heavens and earth because they will have passed away. The new heaven and new earth will be created out of nothing just as the current heavens and earth were created out of nothing.

Why is Peter telling us this right now? So that we can rest assured that God has completely thought out His plan and He will execute it in perfect harmony with all of His promises, whether the scoffers believe it or not.

Application

Therefore, first of all, we should be thankful for the salvation that we have (including a hope for a future), and secondly we should be obedient to this Almighty God who has made such great and precious promises to us.

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 6:2 – Honor Your Parents

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Will

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:

Truth to Learn

We should all give our parents honor and respect.

Behind the Words

Timaō is the Greek verb translated as “honor.” Timaō literally means “to place a high value on something.” It can refer to giving something a very high price, or it can refer to giving someone honor, respect, or reverence because of their great value as a person.

“Father” is from patēr. This is a primary word which refers to a father, either literally or figuratively.

“Mother” is translated from matēr, which is also a primary word. It refers either literally or figuratively to a mother.

The word translated “first” is protos, meaning “first in place, time, order, or importance.”

The word “commandment” is from entolē, which refers to “an authoritative edict.” Throughout the New Testament it is the word used to refer to one or more of the Ten Commandments.

“Promise” is translated from epangelia. This is a legal term referring to “a summons or promise to do or give something.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has extended his teaching beyond how we are to relate to each other within the family of God (the church) to how we are to relate to each other within our individual families. In yesterday’s verse we were told that all children (young or old) are to obey their parents. The reason that Paul gave us is that it is the right (the proper) thing to do. In today’s verse he builds on that idea. He points out that one of the Ten Commandments specifically addressed this situation. It is the fifth commandment:

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

“But Paul says that it is the first commandment,” you may say. Actually, what he says is that it is the first commandment that has a promise. If you carefully read through the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17, you will notice that the second commandment has a general declaration attached to it, but not a promise. The fifth commandment is the only one that has a promise associated with it. The first four of the commandments are specifically aimed at our relationship with God. The fifth commandment is a pivotal command which shows that there is an order of authority under God and the following commandments teach how we are to behave in our human relationships.

Before leaving this verse let me point out that Paul is not teaching that we are still under the Law of Moses. He focused specifically on our freedom from the law in his letter to the Galatians. However, the precepts given in the Ten Commandments are important. So much so, in fact, that all but the fourth commandment (to keep the Sabbath) are repeated in one form or another in the New Testament.

Application

We should all treat our parents with respect and honor. This is particularly true as our parents get older and need our special attention and care. Honor your parents and give God the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 3:6 – Together, Together, Together

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Will

for the Gentiles to be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and fellow partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

Truth to Learn

All those who believe God’s promise share in God’s gifts.

Behind the Words

The words “fellow heirs” is translated from sunklēronomos. This is a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together with” and klēronomos, meaning “an heir.” Klēronomos is made up of klēros, meaning “a lot” (a die indicating participation), and a form of nemō, meaning “to have in one’s possession.”

The Greek word sussōmos, is translated here as “of the same body.” It also contains the Greek word sun, meaning “together with” and, in this case, soma meaning “a body.” So, we see that sussōmos literally means “together, of the same body.”

“Fellow partakers” is translated from summetochos, which also has the prefix sun meaning “together with” added to metochos, meaning “a partaker” or “a participant.” Thus, summetochos refers to someone as “a fellow partaker” with someone else.

The word “promise” is from epangelia which is made up of epi used as an intensifier and a form of the verb angellō meaning “to tell” or “to declare.” Epangelia is a legal term indicating a summons or a promise to do or give something. In the New Testament this word is used only of the promises of God, except Acts 23:21 where it refers to a promise (order or command) from the commander of the guard holding Paul as a prisoner.

Some manuscripts do not contain the word Jesus (iēsou), although the best manuscripts do.

Meaning Explained

Under earlier Greek law, when a father passed away, his children would cast lots to determine who got what portion of the estate, thus explaining the derivation of klēronomos as “an heir” (one who has a lot in his possession). Under Jewish law only the sons inherited their father’s possessions and the eldest son inherited a double portion. But, under Roman law all children were eligible as well as close friends and loyal servants and distribution was usually made according to a will.

Thus, it is significant that Paul would use sunklēronomos in reference to Gentiles being fellow heirs of God along with the Jews. We each hold a “lot” in the form of righteousness, which is given to us as a gift by God when we believe His promise.

But Paul does not stop there. This verse describes in detail what the mystery is that he has been talking about for the past few verses. The mystery is not just that we are fellow heirs with the Jews, but that we are of the same body (sussōmos). Today, all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile, are part of the body of Christ. This is what Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians:

Now you [plural] are the body of Christ, and members individually. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

But he still doesn’t stop there, for there is a third Greek word in this verse made up as a compound of sun. Along with the Jews, we are joint partakers (summetochos) of God’s promise. Beginning with Abraham, the Jews were promised that a Messiah would come to rescue them. That Messiah has come. His name is Jesus, the Christ, and through faith in His sacrifice on the cross we, too, are saved. And this promise is the essence of the Gospel message.

Application

All of us who believe in the Gospel are fellow heirs and will inherit our Heavenly Father’s estate when we arrive there. All believers in the Gospel are now part of the body of Christ. And, all believers are partakers of His promise of salvation and eternal life. Skin color doesn’t matter, ancestry doesn’t matter, gender doesn’t matter, age doesn’t matter, education level doesn’t matter, and wealth doesn’t matter. Only faith in Christ matters!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 6:2 – Honor Your Parents

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Will

"Honor your father and mother;" which is the first commandment with promise:

Truth to Learn

We should all give our parents honor and respect.

Behind the Words

“Father” is from patēr. This is a primary word which refers to a father, either literally or figuratively.

“Mother” is translated from matēr, which is also a primary word. It refers either literally or figuratively to a mother.

The word translated “first” is protos, meaning “first in place, time, order, or importance.”

The word “commandment” is from entolē, which refers to “an authoritative edict.” Throughout the New Testament it is the word used to refer to one or more of the Ten Commandments.

“Promise” is translated from epangelia. This is a legal term referring to “a summons or promise to do or give something.”

Meaning Explained

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

Application

We should all treat our parents with respect and honor. This is particularly true as our parents get older and need our special attention and care. Honor your parents and give God the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 3:6 – Together, Together, Together

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Will

Ephesians 3:6 – Together, Together, Together

that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

Truth to Learn

All those who believe God’s promise share in God’s gifts.

Behind the Words

“Partakers” is translated from summetochos, which also has the prefix sun meaning “together with” added to metochos, meaning “a partaker” or “a participant.” Thus, summetochos refers to someone as “a fellow partaker” with someone else.

The word “promise” is from epangelia which is made up of epi used as an intensifier and a form of the verb angellō meaning “to tell” or “to declare.”

Meaning Explained

Under earlier Greek law, when a father passed away, his children would cast lots to determine who got what portion of the estate, thus indicating the derivation of klēronomos as “an heir” (one who has a lot in his possession). Under Jewish law only the sons inherited their father’s possessions and the eldest son inherited a double portion. But, under Roman law all children were eligible as well as close friends and loyal servants and distribution was usually made according to a will.

Now you [plural] are the body of Christ, and members individually. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Application

All believers in the Gospel are fellow heirs and will inherit our Heavenly Father’s estate when we arrive there. All believers in the Gospel are now part of the body of Christ. And, all believers are partakers of His promise of salvation and eternal life. Skin color doesn’t matter, ancestry doesn’t matter, gender doesn’t matter, age doesn’t matter, education level doesn’t matter, and wealth doesn’t matter. Only faith in Christ matters!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Romans 9:9 – The Promise Keeper

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Will

Romans 9:9 – The Promise Keeper

For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.”

Truth to Learn

God always keeps His promises to us.

Behind the Words

“At this time” is translated from kata ton kairon touton. The word kata means “down” but metaphorically it is used to express the relationship one thing has toward another. In this use it is often translated “according to.” The word kairon expresses “a period of opportunity.” It really has no English equivalent but can loosely be translated here as “an opportune time” or “a season.” Hence, a literal translation of this phrase could be, “according to this opportune time” or “according to this season.” We can interpret this to mean “at about this time next year.”

Meaning Explained

Paul is explaining that even though the Jews had all the special privileges as the children of Israel (Jacob), they were not all righteous. This is because that righteousness does not come from lineage but from the imputation of righteousness by God’s own choosing. The children of the flesh are not the children of God, the children of the promise are.

Paul now reminds his countrymen of the promise that was made to Abraham. A more literal translation of the open phrase of this verse is “this word is one of promise.” In other words, this is not THE promise made to Abraham, but it is one example of a promise that God made to him and it certainly ties into the earlier promise:

Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:1-2)

In keeping with the promise to make the name of Abraham great and to make him a blessing, God later promised Abraham a son. That son, however, was not to come for nearly twenty-five years. After twenty-four years, God again told Abraham that he would have a son (in addition to Ishmael) and Paul quotes this promise from Genesis 18:10 which says;

And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.”

It was about a year later that Sarah gave birth to Isaac. A living son brought forth from a dead womb. As a result we see that the child of Sarah (conceived through faith), not the child of Hagar (conceived through works), was the one God promised Abraham he would have. Abraham was about one hundred years old when this promise was made and Sarah about ninety. She was past the age of childbearing and he was too old to produce offspring himself. God is able to fulfill his promises to us even when it seems physically impossible. He can do the impossible, like saving condemned sinners like you and me.

Application

God has made many promises to us in the New Testament such as: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”(Romans 10:9) and “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). Like Abraham, we can trust His word because God keeps His promises. Always!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 9:8 – Believe the Promise

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Will

Romans 9:8 – Believe the Promise

That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.

Truth to Learn

Works of the flesh are ineffective in God’s record book.

Behind the Words

Meaning Explained

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:3)

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Romans 8:24 – Safe and Secure

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Will

Romans 8:24 – Safe and Secure

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

Truth to Learn

Your salvation is as secure as God’s promise.

Behind the Words

The word translated “saved” is sōdzō, which means, “to save, deliver, or make whole, or to preserve safe from danger, loss, or destruction.” This verb is expressed in the aorist tense which implies past, punctiliar action, that is, action that took place at a single point in time in the past, not continuous action.

“Hope” is translated from the word elpis, which means, “an earnest desire, and the expectation of obtaining the object of that desire.” It is not an uncertainty that we hope will come to pass, it is a clear expectation that it will happen.

Meaning Explained

As we mentioned in the previous verse, the Holy Spirit was given to us as a kind of “firstfruits” offering. That is, He is God’s promise that our salvation and our adoption will be consummated. Paul now adds some explanation to that idea. He says that we are saved in hope. There are two possible interpretations of this. These two interpretations revolve around the word translated “saved” which we talked about above in Behind the Words. If you interpret the word to mean “to preserve from danger,” then the beginning of this verse could be interpreted to mean that we are being preserved from danger by our hope of our future glory. That’s how some interpret this verse.

The other interpretation, which is more fully supported by the Greek text, is that we were saved (at a single point in time in the past) in light of an earnest desire and expectation that this salvation will be consummated at some time in the future.

The point is this; Paul has been talking about all of creation groaning in pain in anticipation of our adoption as sons by God and the final redemption of our body. He is now saying that our salvation, which legally has already taken place, is really an event in the future to which we look with longing, fully expecting it to happen.

Now let me say that Paul is NOT saying that we are unsure of our salvation and “hope” that it will happen. That use of the word “hope” is contrary to the meaning of the Greek word. When we were saved (at a single point in time in the past) we were given the Holy Spirit as a seal and a promise (Ephesians 1:13, 14) that God will consummate that salvation at some point in time in the future. In other words, we cannot get un-saved! It is not possible because we couldn’t give God His Holy Spirit back even if we wanted to. The giving of the Holy Spirit is an action initiated by God, not by you or me. Since He did the giving, only He could do the taking and that would mean God’s promise is worthless.

Application

Do you live in fear that you might lose your salvation if you’re not careful? Paul makes it pretty clear that it can’t happen. Your salvation is as secure as God’s promise and there’s nothing more secure than that!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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