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Romans 8:11 – God’s Irrevocable Promise

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Will

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Truth to Learn

God promises all Christians that they will be raised from the dead and given an immortal body.

Behind the Words

The word “raised” is from egeirō, which means “to rouse from sleep” or “to awaken.” In its usage here it refers to awakening from the dead.

“Give life” is from the Greek word dzōopoieō, which is made up of dzōon, meaning “a living thing” and poieō, meaning “to make.” Hence, dzōopoieō means “to make a living thing” or “to make alive.

The word “mortal” is from thnētos, which is from thnēskō, meaning “to die.” Thnētos refers to something that is dead or subject to death.

Meaning Explained

This verse contains one of the great promises in the Bible. Paul starts off with, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you.” The first question we have to ask is, “Who raised Jesus from the dead?” Did He raise Himself, or did someone else do it, and if so, who was it? To answer this question let’s look at a few verses.

Having raised up His son Jesus, God sent Him first to you, blessing you in turning every one of you away from his iniquities. (Acts 3:26)

Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), (Galatians 1:1)

and to wait for His Son from the heavens (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who is delivering us from the wrath to come. (1Thessalonians 1:10)

It is obvious from these verses that it is God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead. Therefore, in the current verse Paul is talking about the Spirit of God the Father, who is none other than the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity. And Paul says that if the Holy Spirit dwells in you (remember that He has been given by God as a pledge, as a seal of the promise of redemption to all who are saved), then God the Father will also make your mortal body alive by this same Spirit who dwells in you. In other words, for all of us who are saved by His grace, God the Father has promised that just as He raised up Jesus, He will also make our dead bodies alive by his Holy Spirit.

For those of us who are alive when Jesus returns at the rapture, this means that our dead body will be changed “in a moment, in a twinkling of the eye” into an immortal body. If we have already passed from this earthly life, it means that our dead body will be awakened and made alive as an immortal body.

Application

If you believe you are a sinner and that Jesus died to pay the penalty of your sin, God promises that He will give you the same kind of immortal body that Jesus has right now! That’s an eternal promise that can’t be undone. Since the Spirit is our seal and our promise, we can’t lose it no matter what we do. We have the Spirit of God and His promise of eternal life.

That’s eternal security!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 6:4 – Raised to New Life

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Will

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we should walk in newness of life.

Truth to Learn

Because of Christ’s resurrection we should live differently.

Behind the Words

The words “we were buried with” are from the Greek word sunthaptō, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and thaptō, meaning “to bury.” In the New Testament this word only appears here and in Colossians 2:12. In both instances it refers to us being buried together with Christ in, or through, baptism.

“Raised” is from egeirō, which literally means “to arouse” or “to cause to rise.” It means to awaken someone from sleep, whether it be restful slumber or death itself.

The word translated “newness” is kainotēs, which is derived from kainos, meaning “new.” Kainotēs refers to a renewal, not simply an experience similar to the past, but a qualitatively different one. Hence, here it refers to a newness of life that has a different quality from the previous life that we had without Christ.

Meaning Explained

For Christians, baptism is a public declaration that a person has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is not part of the salvation process; it happens after salvation. This current verse and those that follow describe a mode of baptism referred to as “immersion.” Though this is the mode of baptism that most closely identifies us with the death and resurrection of Christ, it is not the only form of baptism used by Christians today. For the sake of discussion in these verses, however, we will assume that Paul is talking about baptism by immersion.

Baptism involves the baptizer laying the person being baptized backwards into the water until he or she is completely submerged. Paul says that this person was, “buried with him (Christ) through baptism into death.” The person being baptized is then raised back up and allowed to stand. Paul says, “that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we should walk in newness of life.”

What Paul means is that as we were laid back in the water we were identifying ourselves with Christ’s death. We were demonstrating that we died with Christ. When we were raised back up, we were identifying with the resurrection of Christ, entering into a new kind of life, that is, eternal life. And Paul says, since we were raised from the dead, we should now walk in this new kind of life. This new life is to be qualitatively different from our former life. It is not to be characterized by sin because, as he said in verse two, we died to sin.

Application

Let me ask you, my Christian friend, “Does the kind of life you are living now differ significantly from the kind of life you lived before you were saved?” It should!

Are you walking in this new kind of life in a manner that is worthy of Jesus Christ, the One you have identified with?

If you were arrested today for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? I certainly hope so!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 1:21 – Eternal Hope

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Will

who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Truth to Learn

It is through Christ that we believe unto salvation, and our hope for eternity rests with God and God alone.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “through” is dia which can refer to motion “through” something or it can refer to instrumentality. In this case it is the latter.

The word “believe” is from the Greek pisteuō, which means “to have faith in” or “to believe in.”

“Raised” is translated from egeirō, which means “to rouse from sleep.” It also implies the idea of rising up from the posture of sleep. Hence, it is also used of raising someone from death.

The word translated “glory” is doxa. The root of this word is the word dokeō, which means “to think or suppose.” Hence, the word doxa principally refers to thought or opinion, especially favorable opinion. By extension it also means praise, honor, or splendor.

Meaning Explained

This verse must be connected with the previous verse to make complete sense. Together these two verses read:

He indeed was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times because of youwho through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Now we can clearly see that the “who” that begins the current verse refers to “you” which ended the last verse. In other words, those of us to whom Christ was manifest (made known) in these last days are saved through believing in Him. Throughout time, faith has been the key to being declared righteous by God. In Noah’s case it was belief that God was going to bring a flood. In Abraham’s case it was believing God’s promise that his descendents would be as innumerable as the stars in the sky. In the case of the Old Testament Jews, it was the belief that the Messiah was coming. In our case it is the belief that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that his sacrificial death on the cross paid the ransom for our sins.

It is through Christ that we believe in God because Jesus Christ in his incarnation showed God the Father to us. And, it is God the father who raised Christ from the dead to prove Christ’s deity. Also, it is God the Father who placed Christ at his own right hand and returned to Him the glory He had in eternity past. Therefore, it is through Christ, and in God the Father, that our saving faith and hope for eternity rests.

Peter makes it very clear in this verse that our hope for eternity is in God. This is clearly contrary to the belief of some that our hope for eternity is in the good works that we perform while we are here in this life.

Application

If you believe that it is your actions or good deeds that ensure your place in heaven, then Peter says you are wrong. He declares to us here that our faith is in Him (through Christ) and that our hope is in Him as well. Our hope is in God the Father, not in our own deeds. Think about that!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 1:10 – He’s Coming!

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Will

and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus the one delivering us from the coming wrath.

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ is coming back very soon.

Behind the Words

“Wait” is translated from the Greek verb anamenō, which is made up of ana, used as an emphatic and menō, meaning “to remain.” Thus, anamenō means “to wait for expectantly with patience and confidence.” It is expressed as a present tense infinitive, indicating continuous action. We could translate this as “keep on waiting.”

The verb ”raised” is egeirō, which means “to awaken from sleep” or “to raise up from a bed.” It is used metaphorically to mean “to raise up from the dead.”

The words “the dead” are translated from ek nekrōn. The word ek means “out” or “out of” and nekrōn means “of the dead ones” or “from the dead ones.” Hence, this says that Jesus was not simply brought back to life, but that He was raised up from among the dead ones.

“Delivering” is translated from rhuomai which literally means “to draw to one’s self;” that is, to rescue. The picture is that of drawing someone out of a rushing river. It is expressed as a participle so it could be translated as “rescuing us” or “delivering us.”

The second occurrence of the word “from” is translated from the Greek preposition ek, meaning “from” or “out of.” It is significant that he will deliver us “out of” the wrath, not simply protecting us in the midst of the wrath. This implies that we will not be present when the wrath occurs. This is evidence that the rapture will occur before God pours out His wrath.

The words “coming” are from erchomai, which means “to come” or “to go.” As used here it refers to “the wrath that is currently coming” or “the wrath that is on its way.”

Orgē is the Greek word translated “wrath.” It is a reference to the outpouring of action as a result of violent passion or of a vengeful mind.

Meaning Explained

In yesterday’s verse we learned that Paul refers to the Thessalonian Christians as having turned to God from idols. As we mentioned, the church there was probably made up principally of converted Greek pagans rather than converted Jews. Not only did they turn away from their idols, they turned toward God and actively served Him with devotion.

In today’s verse we learn something else about these converted pagans: they were awaiting the return of our Lord. The implication is that they were expecting Him to return at any moment. Obviously, Paul had preached to them that not only had Jesus Christ been resurrected from the dead, but he was going to return to our physical world in physical form. In fact, the return of the Lord is a major theme that runs throughout this entire letter.

Another thing we learn here is that the Thessalonian Christians had been taught that God is going to pour out His wrath on sinful mankind. They also knew that God’s wrath would not be poured out on them because of their faith in the Savior. Salvation through Jesus Christ means more than simply a free ticket into heaven, it also means that we will avoid the vengeful judgment that God has reserved for those who reject Him.

Application

Are you living your life for God? Are you looking forward with eager expectation to the return of Jesus Christ? That eager expectation should be one of the things driving us to serve Him with complete devotion. Remember, He’s coming soon. It could even be today!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 1:20 – Power In Action

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Will

Behind the Words

“Worked” is translated from the same word as “working” in the previous verse. It is the word energeia. It refers to “active power” or “power in action.” Here it is expressed in the aorist tense indicating past action completed at a point in time (not a process, but a single action).

The word “raised” is from the Greek verb egeirō, meaning “to rise up” as one would rise from a sleeping position to a standing position. It is expressed here as an aorist participle, so it could be translated as “having raised Him.”

“From the dead” is translated from ek nekrōn. The preposition ek means “out of” or “out from.” The noun nekrōn is a plural form of nekros, meaning “someone who is dead.” So, ek nekrōn literally means “out from the dead ones.”

The word translated “seated” is kathidzō. This is made up of kata, meaning “down” and hidzō, meaning “to sit.” It too is expressed as an aorist participle, thus, it means “sat him down.”

“Right hand” is the translation of the word dexios, meaning “the right side” or “the right hand.” The latter meaning is used when it is expressed as a feminine adjective, as it is here.

“Heavenly places” is from epouranios, which is another compound word made up of epi, meaning “on, over, or in” and ouranos, meaning “heaven.” Therefore, epouranios means “in the heavenly places” or “in the heavenly realm.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul talked about the working of God’s incredibly great and mighty power. In today’s verse he tells a little more about that power. He says that this power was worked in Christ. Remember, the word “worked” refers to power in action. In physics there are two types of energy, potential energy and kinetic energy. Potential energy does not produce any results because it is inactive. It is like snow on a high mountain. It has the potential to produce energy, but it doesn’t. Kinetic energy, on the other hand, is energy in action. It is like melted snow that forms a river. As it rushes downhill, it produces energy. That’s kinetic energy, energy in action.

Our God is like that too. He has tremendous potential power, but He also has power in action. It is this power in action that He demonstrated when He raised Christ from the dead. The same power that created human life in the first place also gave life back to the body of Jesus Christ. Now notice something very significant. After God the Father raised Christ from the dead, He seated him at His right hand in the heavenlies. If you read through the book of Revelation you will encounter several descriptions of the throne room of God in Heaven. The only ones who are depicted as sitting in God’s presence are God Himself and the twenty-four elders (representing all Christians). Only those with the righteousness of Christ are allowed to sit in God’s presence. When Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, not only was He seated, but He was seated in the most honorable position, at the right hand of the Father.

Application

God demonstrated His mighty power in raising Christ from the dead so that you, too, might be raised from the dead one day and be seated in the presence of God!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 1:10 – He’s Coming!

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Will

and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ is coming back very soon.

Behind the Words

The verb”raised” is egeirō, which means “to awaken from sleep” or “to raise up from a bed.” It is used metaphorically to mean “to raise up from the dead.”

“Delivers” is translated from rhuomai which literally means “to draw to one’s self;” that is, to rescue. The picture is that of drawing someone out of a rushing river. It is expressed as a participle so it could be translated as “delivering us.”

Orgē is the Greek word translated “wrath.” It is a reference to the outpouring of action as a result of violent passion or of a vengeful mind.

The words “to come” are from erchomai, which means “to come” or “to go.” As used here it refers to “the wrath that is currently coming” or “the wrath that is on its way.”

Meaning Explained

Application

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 1:20 – Power In Action

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Will

Ephesians 1:20 – Power In Action

which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Truth to Learn

God demonstrated His power to the world for your sake.

Behind the Words

“Worked” is translated from the same word as “working” in the previous verse. It is the word energeia. Here it is expressed in the aorist tense indicating past action completed at a point in time (not a process, but a single action).

The word translated “seated” is kathidzō. This is made up of kata, meaning “down” and hidzō, meaning “to sit.” Thus, kathidzō means “to cause to sit down.”

“Right hand” is the translation of the word dexios, meaning “the right side” or “the right hand.” The latter meaning is used when it is expressed as a feminine adjective, as it is here.

Meaning Explained

Application

God demonstrated His mighty power in raising Christ from the dead so that you, too, might be raised from the dead one day and be seated in the presence of God!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Romans 6:9 – No Separation, Ever!

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Will

Romans 6:9

knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ can never die again!

Behind the Words

“Knowing” is translated from the Greek word eidō, which can mean either “to see or perceive” or “to know” depending on its usage. Here is what The Complete Word Study Dictionary says about this word as it appears in Romans 3:9:

[It is] spoken of man’s knowledge as a result of and only in view of his relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. There are certain things that human beings simply cannot know intuitively unless they become the children of God.

The word is expressed here as a perfect participle. That is, we have known in the past and, as a result, we are continually knowing; we have continual knowledge.

The Greek word translated “has dominion” is kurieuō, the verb form of kurios, meaning “master, lord, or owner.” Thus, kurieuō refers to “lordship or ownership.”

Meaning Explained

This verse is a statement of fact regarding what we talked about in the previous verse. Paul starts off by saying “knowing that Christ … dies no more.” In other words, because we are saved, we have come to know and now are continually aware that Christ was raised from the dead. And, since He was raised from the dead, He will never die again because death no longer has lordship or ownership of Him. That is, death has no power or authority over Him.

Did you know that before the resurrection of Christ, the Devil, Satan himself, had the power to take life? It says so in the book of Hebrews:

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14, 15)

But now that Christ has been raised from the dead, He alone has the keys to death and Hades as it says in Revelation:

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. (Revelation 1:17, 18)

Back in verse two we said that death means separation. Physical death means separation from this body. Spiritual death means separation from God. Since we know Christ as our Lord and Savior, we also know that we have eternal life with Him. We will never be separated from Him. And Paul says that we don’t simply think that we have eternal life, we know it!

Application

As Christians we are united with Christ and can never be separated from Him, ever; not in this life and not in the after-life. We are secure in Him and eternally with Him.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Romans 6:4 – Raised to New Life

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Will

Romans 6:4

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Truth to Learn

Because of Christ’s resurrection we should live differently.

Behind the Words

“Raised” is from egeirō, which literally means “to arouse” or “to cause to rise.” It means to awaken someone from sleep, whether it be restful slumber or death itself.

Meaning Explained

Application

Let me ask you, my Christian friend, “Does the kind of life you are living now differ significantly from the kind of life you lived before you were saved?” It should!

Are you walking in this new kind of life in a manner that is worthy of Jesus Christ, the One you have identified with?

If you were arrested today for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? I certainly hope so!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

Romans 4:24 – Imputed Permanently

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Will

Romans 4:24

but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,

Truth to Learn

Righteousness is imputed to everyone who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Behind the Words

“From” is the translation of ek, which means “out” or “out of.”

The word translated “the dead” is nekros, which is derived from nekus, meaning “a corpse.” Hence, nekros means “a dead one.” It is expressed here in the plural. Therefore Paul is saying that Jesus was raised out of (from) the dead ones.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul told us that Moses’ writing about Abraham’s believing faith, and his subsequently being declared righteous by God, was not done for Abraham’s sake alone. It was also written for those of us who have also believed God’s promise and have been declared righteous because of our faith.

Having taken each of these verses and having slowly dissected them one at a time as we have, we may also have lost a little of the impact that this verse would have had on the predominantly Jewish Christians in Rome. You see, Paul has been very carefully showing these believers in the Law that it is not obedience to the Law or their being Jewish that has saved them. Rather, it is their faith. He has just proved to them that they did not earn their salvation in any way. Instead, he has shown them that their salvation, that is, their righteousness, came about only because God chose to declare them righteous when they believed in the resurrection of Jesus. This verse and the following verse are the ones that complete the irrefutable argument that Paul has been delivering. This salvation is completely God’s doing!

Also, according to Ephesians 1:13,14 Paul told the believers at Ephesus that upon believing (and being declared righteous by God) we were sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our salvation. Here’s what it says:

“… hearing the Word of Truth, the gospel of our salvation, in whom also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the earnest of our inheritance …”

This is a significant point. Think about it. If God is the one who declared us righteous and as a result sealed us with the Holy Spirit who has been given to us as an earnest (a guarantee), then we can never lose our salvation because He can never take the Holy Spirit back from us. It’s like earnest money you put down when you offer to purchase a house; if you decide to remove your purchase offer, you don’t get your earnest money back because that was your guarantee. The Holy Spirit is our guarantee that God will complete our salvation as He promised. Even if He were to take back your righteousness (which He won’t), He couldn’t take back His Holy Spirit; that’s your guarantee! This means no matter what you do you can’t lose your salvation.

Application

If you are a born again Christian then you have been declared righteous by God. You didn’t do anything to earn it in the first place, and you can’t lose it no matter what you do!

That’s security! And it’s eternal!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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