Tag: received

Romans 14:3 – Food or Service?

Posted on by Will

Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat condemn him who eats; for God has received him.

Truth to Learn

Don’t despise or judge fellow Christians, serve God!

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “despise” is the Greek word exoutheneō, a variation of exoudenoō. This is made up of ex, meaning “out” or “out of,” and oudeis, which means “not even one” or “nothing.” Thus, exoutheneō literally means “to throw out as nothing, to treat as insignificant, or to despise.”

“Condemn” is from the Greek verb krinō, which literally means “to separate” or “to distinguish between good and evil,” that is, “to make a judgment.” As it is used in this verse, it means “to make a condemning judgment about someone else.”

“Received” is from proslambanō, which we looked at a couple of verses ago. In its purest form it means, “to take to oneself.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, indicating action done by the subject (God) to Himself. That is, He was not given the one in question, but has taken him to Himself.

 

Meaning Explained

In Paul’s admonition to the Roman Christians, he has pointed out that some of them believe that there are restrictions on eating certain foods based on the Law of Moses. These are primarily Christians who have been converted from Judaism. Others, Paul says, believe that all foods are permissible to be eaten. He has advised the church that it is good to admit to the fellowship those Christians who are weak in the faith but it is not good to get into arguments about minor issues like which kinds of foods are permissible.

He now goes on to admonish those who are on opposite sides of this issue to be very careful about their attitudes towards each other. He tells the ones who feel no prohibitions about what foods they eat not to “despise” those who think that only certain foods are acceptable. Paul also tells those who follow the Mosaic dietary restrictions not to “judge” those who feel free to eat all kinds of food. These two words are aptly chosen by Paul as Gentiles have a tendency to treat Jews as insignificant or unimportant (to despise them), and Jews have a tendency to judge others because they themselves have for so many years been judged by the Law.

So what we see here is Paul’s discernment, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we all have tendencies which we have learned and which are not born out of love but out of prejudice. We Christians are not to pre-judge anyone out of our selfish prejudices, rather we are to treat all people with love. (Remember the end of the previous chapter?) Instead of condemning other Christians because they practice their Christianity in ways different from our own, we should join together to learn what the Spirit of God teaches us all through His Word of Truth.

 

Application

Regarding what kinds of foods Christians can eat, it doesn’t matter who’s “right.” That’s missing the whole point. Remember that the night is almost over and He is coming soon. Forget about what food is proper or what color the sanctuary carpet should be. Proclaim the gospel and build up the body of Christ. Serve God and serve your fellow Christians!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 1:5 – Working for God

Posted on by Will

Through whom we received grace and apostleship to obedience of faith among all nations for His name,

Truth to Learn

Paul received his salvation and apostleship from Jesus.

 

Behind the Words

“Received” is from the Greek verb lambanō, meaning “to take” or “to receive.”

The word translated “to” is the Greek word eis, which means “to or toward.” The root meaning of this word is “rendering something to or toward an end point or conclusion.” It focuses the attention not so much on the process as on the end result.

The word translated “obedience” is hupokoē, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” and akouō, meaning “to hear.” So, literally it means “to hear under.” This is a picture of a student learning from his teacher. It carries the idea of one who is “listening attentively and obeying what he is taught.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ. He now says, “Through whom we received grace and apostleship.” This grace has been shown to all of us who are saved, as he tells us in Ephesians 2:8:

For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Not only did Paul receive grace just as you and I did when we were saved, but he claims that he received apostleship from Jesus as well. We find this described further in Paul’s letter to the Galatian Christians:

But on the contrary, having seen that I have been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, even as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He working effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), (Galatians 2:7, 8  )

The next phrase in today’s verse is a little bit awkward in English: “to obedience of faith among all nations” In the original Greek text there is no definite article (the) before the word “faith.” Based on this and on our interpretation of the word eis (see Behind the Words), we should translate this as, “resulting in obedience of faith among all nations.” That is, God’s plan for Paul’s salvation and apostleship is ultimately to produce obedience and faith among all nations.

Finally, Paul gives the credit and glory to whom it belongs, “for His name;” Paul recognizes that the whole purpose of the Christian faith is not our personal glory or satisfaction. It is not simply to obtain a free ticket into heaven. In the final analysis it really has nothing to do with us at all; it has everything to do with God! It is for the glory of His name. The whole purpose of our salvation–totally underserved and freely given to us by the grace of God–is to bring praise and glory to God Himself.

 

Application

As Paul tells us in the Ephesians verse quoted above and the verses that follow, we have been saved by grace. Our salvation is a gift from God. We didn’t do any works to deserve it. In fact, God’s purpose for our salvation is that the works we do, we do for His glory.

So our sole responsibility as Christians is to be hard at work for Him, and He will get all the glory. That should humble us all.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Love Others!

Posted on by Will

As for the rest then, brothers, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you need to walk and to please God that you should abound more;

Truth to Learn

Being more loving is our responsibility.

 

Behind the Words

“As for the rest” is translated from the Greek word loipon, which refers to “something remaining.” In regard to time, it can be translated as “henceforth” In regard to other things, it can be translated “as to the rest” of “for the remainder.”

The word translated “request” is erotaō, which means “to ask, to inquire, or to urge.”

The word “exhort” is from parakaleō, which is made up of para, meaning “near, beside, or alongside” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Thus parakaleō literally means “to call near” or “to call alongside.” Metaphorically, it means “to encourage, to challenge, or to coach.”

 “You received” is from paralambanō. This word means “to take near” or “to receive to oneself.”

“Need” is translated from the Greek word dei, which means to have a necessity or a need.

The word “walk” is translated from peripateō, which literally means “to walk around.” Metaphorically, it refers to the manner in which one lives one’s life.

“Please” is from areskō, meaning “to soften one’s heart toward another” or “to please.”

Perisueuō is the word translated “should abound.” It means “to be in excess” or “to have more than enough.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of something happening. So, we see that it means “you may abound” or “you might abound.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter Paul explained why he sent Timothy to the Thessalonian church: to strengthen and encourage them. His concern was that the afflictions and suffering that Paul and his companions were enduring, as well as what the Thessalonians themselves were enduring,  might have caused their faith to grow weak. Having learned that their faith remained strong, Paul then offered up a prayer for them.

Paul now switches gears and goes into preaching mode in this chapter and most of the next. He has been expressing his love and concern for the Thessalonians, but now he needs to get down to some serious teaching. Therefore, he starts out his sermon with “As for the rest then, brothers, we request and exhort …” His challenge is that the Christians there might abound even more. But what are they supposed to abound in? If we look back two verses, we see that Paul prayed that God would cause them to increase and abound in love for others. Now Paul is telling the Thessalonian Christians that they need to abound (in love) even more. On the surface, this may sound contradictory. Is it God who causes us to abound in love, or is it our responsibility to actively pursue being more loving of others? The answer is both. We can’t understand the Trinity (how God can be one and still be three persons.) We also can’t understand how we have the responsibility for being more loving toward others and yet God is the one who enables such love.

 

Application

God is all powerful, but Christians can’t just sit back and let Him make us more loving of others. We have to put effort into demonstrating the love of God to everyone around us.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:13 – God’s Effective Work

Posted on by Will

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.

Truth to Learn

Any success we might have is because of God, not us.

 

Behind the Words

The words “we … thank” are translated from the verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant” or “to give.” The basic meanings of this word include “to show oneself to be pleased or grateful” or “to give thanks.”

Adialeiptōs is the Greek word translated “without ceasing.” It is a double compound word made up of a, meaning “without,” dia, meaning “through” or “between,” and a form of the verb leipō, meaning “to leave.” Thus, adialeiptōs literally means “without leaving space between.” In other words, it means doing something without pausing or stopping.

“You received” is from the Greek verb paralambanō. This word is made up of para, meaning “from” and lambanō, meaning “to take” or “to receive.” This word means “to receive from someone else” or “to receive to oneself.”

“You accepted” is translated from dechomai, which means “to accept something deliberately and readily.”

The word “works” is from the verb energeō. This word is based on energēs, meaning “operative, active, or working.” Thus, energeō means “to be at work” or “to be effective.”

 

Meaning Explained

One of the hallmarks of the Apostle Paul’s ministry is his repeated thankfulness to God. He realized, without a doubt, that his ministry, its effectiveness, and its result were all due to God’s working in him, not his own efforts. He also realized that his message was not something that he made up or delivered in his own personal eloquent style. He knew that he was not the originator of the message, simply the messenger. As a result, he reminded the Christians in Thessalonica that the message they heard from him is not of human origin, but God’s word.

You may recall from the first chapter of this letter that these believers were undergoing persecution (a point which he will reiterate in the upcoming verses). Under similar persecution, Christians of all ages have found comfort and encouragement in the words of Holy Scripture. Paul also reminds his readers here that God’s word is truth. Notice that in His closing prayer at the last supper, Jesus declared plainly that it is the truth which sets us apart from the rest of the world (John 17:17). In similar fashion, throughout the apostolic teaching in the New Testament, the writers give testimony that God’s word is truth (2 Corinthians 4:2, 6:7; Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18; 1 John 3:18).

 

Application

Let us all remember that we are here to serve God, not ourselves. In whatever ministry we find ourselves, our responsibility is to represent our King and it is His message we deliver. Therefore, any success which we might have is the result of His working, not ours. Give Him thanks and praise!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 1:6 – Affliction and Joy

Posted on by Will

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

Truth to Learn

Committed Christian living will result in affliction – and joy.

 

Behind the Words

 “Imitators” is translated from mimētēs, from which we get our English word “mimic.” It means “someone who mimics, imitates, or follows the example of someone else.”

The words “having received” are from dechomai, meaning “to receive.” It is very similar in meaning to the verb lambanō except that lambanō implies more of an active participation (to take to oneself) while dechomai implies more of a subjective or passive participation (to receive for oneself).

Thlipsis is the Greek word translated “affliction.” It is derived from the verb thlibō, meaning “to crush” or “to squeeze.” Thlipsis refers to “pressure, trouble, affliction, tribulation, or distress.”

“Joy” is translated from chara, which is derived from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Therefore, chara refers to “joy, rejoicing, or gladness.”

 

Meaning Explained

As we mentioned yesterday, belief in the good news about Jesus Christ is the substance of our salvation. The whole discussion of election versus “free will” becomes a moot point at the moment of conversion. It doesn’t matter whether you believe that God chose or man chooses; what matters is that a lost sinner becomes a child of God and is credited with the righteousness of Christ at the moment of belief in the gospel message.

Then, at the end of yesterday’s verse Paul said, “as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” Paul did not expect the people to whom he preached to pay him for what he did. Instead, he worked as a tent maker to pay for his own expenses. He, along with Silvanus and Timothy, lived exemplary lives in spite of the persecution they faced from the local Jews, who even traveled to Berea to harass Paul after he began preaching there. It is important to note that Paul’s ministry didn’t stop when people got saved. He simply switched from evangelist mode to teacher mode. He taught them the fundamental truths of how to live a life committed to God, and as an example to be followed he lived the kind of life that he taught about.

As a result, we learn in today’s verse that the Thessalonians became imitators of Paul and his companions. They didn’t just listen to their teaching, smile politely, say a few amens, and then continue living as they always had. They changed. They put into practice what they were taught, using as their living examples Paul and his companions. And what did they get for it? They received the same persecution that Paul continually endured. We are told here that it wasn’t just a little teasing that they received, they suffered “much affliction.”

Those who afflicted them did so intentionally to make them suffer, but they didn’t complain; instead, they endured it with joy in their hearts. That’s committed Christian living.

 

Application

Christ told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer …” (John 16:33b) Rather than causing us sadness, persecution and hardship should cause us to be as joyous as the Thessalonians, particularly if it has come upon us as a result of our living our Christian faith. Are you willing to suffer for Christ? Think about how much He gave for you!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 2:25 – Gentile Faith Works

Posted on by Will

And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

Truth to Learn

Even heathen people perform works of faith, once they believe God’s truth and are converted.

Behind the Words

“In the same way” is translated from the adverb homoiōs, a derivative of the word meaning “having the same features or characteristics,” like in the English word homogenized. Hence, it is translated, “in the same way,” “similarly,” or “likewise.”

The word “received” is from hupodechomai, made up of hupo (or hypo), meaning “under” and dechomai, meaning “to readily receive something from someone else.” So we see that the literal meaning is “to receive under,” that is, “to receive under one’s roof” or “to welcome inside.”

Ekballō is the Greek word translated “sent … out.” It is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and ballō, meaning “to throw” or “to drive.” Hence, this word literally means “to throw out” or “to drive out.” It is clear from the Greek text that Rahab openly welcomed the two messengers and that she hurriedly sent them out the back door, as it were.

Meaning Explained

James now finishes his treatise on the works of faith with one more example of faith demonstrated through works. The reference is to the events of Joshua chapter 2. When the Israelites were about to enter into the Promised Land, they sent in two spies to scope out Jericho and these two were protected by Rahab. She was a Gentile, probably a worshiper of pagan gods, and an enemy of the Jews. Nonetheless, when confronted with the truth of Almighty God, she believed, saying:

for the LORD your God, He is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. (Joshua 2:11b)

And, she demonstrated that faith by her actions, which put her own life in danger at the hands of the people of Jericho. She welcomed the spies into her home and hid them when the people of Jericho came searching for them, helping the spies escape.

Her act of faith is forever recorded in Hebrews 11:31. This eleventh chapter of Hebrews is sometimes referred to as the Hall of Faith since it recounts numerous individuals who demonstrated their faith by their actions.

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with the disbelieving ones, having received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31)

James claims that her works justified her just as Abraham’s did. Not in the place of faith, but empowered by it! And, she was further honored by God for her faithfulness in action by becoming the great-great-grandmother of David, king of Israel, according to the first chapter of Matthew’s gospel.

Application

It doesn’t matter whether you grew-up in a Christian family, hearing the gospel truth from the time you were born, or in a faithless home where God’s name was only used as a swear word. Once you believed the gospel message, you became a child of God by faith and your works of faith began, and they will continue until you leave this earthly life.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Love Others!

Posted on by Will

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;

Truth to Learn

Being more loving is our responsibility.

Behind the Words

“Finally” is translated from the Greek word loipon, which refers to “something remaining.” In regard to time, it can be translated as “henceforth” In regard to other things, it can be translated “as to the rest” of “for the remainder.”

The word translated “urge” is erotaō, which means “to ask, to inquire, or to urge.”

The word “exhort” is from parakaleō, which is made up of para, meaning “near, beside, or alongside” and kaleō, meaning “to call.” Thus parakaleō literally means “to call near” or “to call alongside.” Metaphorically, it means “to encourage, to challenge, or to coach.”

Perisueuō is the word translated “should abound.” It means “to be in excess” or “to have more than enough.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood, indicating the possibility or probability of something happening. So, we see that it means “you may abound” or “you might abound.”

“You received” is from paralambanō. This word means “to take near” or “to receive.”

The word “walk” is translated from peripateō, which literally means “to walk around.” Metaphorically, it refers to the manner in which one lives one’s life.

“Please” is from areskō, meaning “to soften one’s heart toward another” or “to please.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous chapter Paul explained why he sent Timothy to the Thessalonian church: to strengthen and encourage them. His concern was that the afflictions and suffering that Paul and his companions were enduring might have caused the faith of the Thessalonians to grow weak. Having learned that their faith remained strong, Paul then offered up a prayer for them.

Paul now switches gears and goes into preaching mode in this chapter and most of the next. He has been expressing his love and concern for the Thessalonians, but now he needs to get down to some serious teaching. Therefore, he starts out his sermon with “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort …” His challenge is that the Christians there might abound even more. But what are they supposed to abound in? If we look back two verses, we see that Paul prayed that God would cause them to increase and abound in love for others. Now Paul is telling the Thessalonian Christians that they need to abound (in love) more and more. On the surface, this may sound contradictory. Is it God who causes us to abound in love, or is it our responsibility to actively pursue being more loving of others? The answer is both. We can’t understand the Trinity (how God can be one and still be three persons.) We also can’t understand how we have the responsibility for being more loving toward others and yet God is the one who enables such love.

Application

God is all powerful, but Christians can’t just sit back and let Him make us more loving of others. We have to put effort into demonstrating the love of God to everyone around us.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:13 – God’s Effective Work

Posted on by Will

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

Truth to Learn

Any success we might have is because of God, not us.

Behind the Words

The words “we … thank” are translated from the verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant” or “to give.” The basic meanings of this word include “to show oneself to be pleased or grateful” or “to give thanks.”

Adialeiptōs is the Greek word translated “without ceasing.” It is a double compound word made up of a, meaning “without,” dia, meaning “through” or “between,” and a form of the verb leipō, meaning “to leave.” Thus, adialeiptōs literally means “without leaving space between.” In other words, it means doing something without pausing or stopping.

“You received” is from the Greek verb paralambanō. This word is made up of para, meaning “from” and lambanō, meaning “to take” or “to receive.” This word means “to receive from someone else” or “to receive to oneself.”

“You welcomed” is translated from dechomai, which means “to accept something deliberately and readily.”

The words “effectively works” are from the verb energeō. This word is based on energēs, meaning “operative, active, or working.” Thus, energeō means “to be at work” or “to be effective.”

Meaning Explained

One of the hallmarks of the Apostle Paul’s ministry is his repeated thankfulness to God. He realized, without a doubt, that his ministry, its effectiveness, and its result were all the result of God’s working in him, not his own efforts. He also realized that his message was not something that he made up or delivered in his own personal eloquent style. He knew that he was not the originator of the message, simply the messenger. As a result, he reminded the Christians in Thessalonica that the message they heard from him is not of human origin, but God’s word.

You may recall from the first chapter of this letter that these believers were undergoing persecution (a point which he will reiterate in the upcoming verses). Under similar persecution, Christians of all ages have found comfort and encouragement in the words of Holy Scripture. Paul also reminds his readers here that God’s word is truth. Notice that in His closing prayer at the last supper, Jesus declared plainly that it is the truth which sets us apart from the rest of the world (John 17:17). In similar fashion, throughout the apostolic teaching in the New Testament, the writers give testimony that God’s word is truth (2 Corinthians 4:2, 6:7; Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18; 1 John 3:18).

Application

Let us all remember that we are here to serve God, not ourselves. In whatever ministry we find ourselves, our responsibility is to represent our King and it is His message we deliver. Therefore, any success which we might have is the result of His working, not ours. Give Him thanks and praise!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 15:7 – Filthy Righteousness

Posted on by Will

Romans 15:7 – Filthy Righteousness

Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

Truth to Learn

God freely receives all who come in humble faith.

Behind the Words

“Received” is translated from proslambanō, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and lambanō, meaning “to take.” Thus, proslambanō literally means “to take to oneself.”

Meaning Explained

In the opening verse of chapter fourteen, Paul began a new subject. He began this treatise with:

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. (Romans 14:1)

The disputes over doubtful things that Paul warned about had to do specifically with the fact that some church members believed that Christians had to adhere to the dietary restrictions of the Mosaic Law. Others disputed over whether or not we should regard one day of the week as more holy than the rest. Even though Paul has gone to great lengths to show that we should not judge each other based on how we are individually convicted about such minor spiritual matters, it is not until the current verse that he completes the point he began back in Romans 14:1.

God doesn’t receive any one of us based on what we have done or what rules we have established for our lives. He accepts or rejects based on righteousness. He has already taught the Roman Christians that none of us are righteous apart from the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. In fact, God’s description of our own righteousness is captured by the prophet Isaiah:

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6a)

Isaiah compares our righteousness to “filthy rags.” That doesn’t seem too bad to us until we look at what he means by “filthy,” which is translated from the Hebrew word ‛iddāh. It refers to the uncleanness of a woman’s menstrual period.

I know that’s kind of a disgusting description to some of us, but it graphically portrays how God views our own personal righteousness. All of our efforts put into obeying the rules, all the good deeds that we do for others, all the sacrifices that we make for God, and all that we give to Him end up looking to Him like stinking, filthy menstrual rags.

And yet, Christ receives all of us who come to Him in humble faith when we confess our sinfulness and need of salvation. At that point God credits us with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. He turns away no one who comes to Him in humility because He sees Jesus’ righteousness in us. He accepts us immediately and completely with open arms. That, according to Paul in the current verse, is how we are to receive other Christians into our fellowship. We need to be convinced that a new member is genuinely saved, but once we are convinced of that, we are to welcome him or her just as Christ accepted us, to the glory of God!

Application

God doesn’t want your goodness or your gifts. He wants your humble spirit and the recognition that you don’t deserve what He freely offers. Once we recognize how utterly worthless we are to Him and that we bring nothing of worth, then He can use us to bring glory and praise to Himself, and He is worthy!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 14:3 – Food or Service?

Posted on by Will

Romans 14:3 – Food or Service?

Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.

Truth to Learn

Don’t despise or judge fellow Christians, serve God!

Behind the Words

The word translated “despise” is the Greek word exoutheneō, a variation of exoudenoō. This is made up of ex, meaning “out” or “out of,” and oudeis, which means “not even one” or “nothing.” Thus, exoutheneō literally means “to throw out as nothing, to treat as insignificant, or to despise.”

“Judge” is from the Greek verb krinō, which literally means “to separate” or “to distinguish between good and evil,” that is, “to make a judgment.” As it is used in this verse, it means “to make a condemning judgment about someone else.”

“Received” is from proslambanō, which we looked at a couple of verses ago. In its purest form it means, “to take to oneself.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, indicating action done by the subject (God) to Himself. That is, He was not given the one in question, but has taken him to Himself.

Meaning Explained

In Paul’s admonition to the Roman Christians, he has pointed out that some of them believe that there are restrictions on eating certain foods based on the Law of Moses. These are primarily Christians who have been converted from Judaism. Others, Paul says, believe that all foods are permissible to be eaten. He has advised the church that it is good to admit to the fellowship those Christians who are weak in the faith but it is not good to get into arguments about minor issues like which kinds of foods are permissible.

He now goes on to admonish those who are on opposite sides of this issue to be very careful about their attitudes towards each other. He tells the ones who feel no prohibitions about what foods they eat not to “despise” those who think that only certain foods are acceptable. Paul also tells those who follow the Mosaic dietary restrictions not to “judge” those who feel free to eat all kinds of food. These two words are aptly chosen by Paul as Gentiles have a tendency to treat Jews as insignificant or unimportant (to despise them), and Jews have a tendency to judge others because they themselves have for so many years been judged by the Law.

So what we see here is Paul’s discernment, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we all have tendencies which we have learned, which are not born out of love but out of prejudice. We Christians are not to pre-judge anyone out of our selfish prejudices, rather we are to treat all people with love. (Remember the end of the previous chapter?) Instead of condemning other Christians because they practice their Christianity in ways different from our own, we should join together to learn what the Spirit of God teaches us all through His Word of Truth.

Application

Regarding what kinds of foods Christians can eat, it doesn’t matter who’s “right.” That’s missing the whole point. Remember that the night is almost over and He is coming soon. Forget about what food is proper or what color the sanctuary carpet should be. Proclaim the gospel and build up the body of Christ. Serve God and serve your fellow Christians!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to: