Tag: rest

Romans 2:17 – No Place for Pride

Posted on by Will

Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest upon the law, and make your boast in God,

Truth to Learn

Relying on heritage and obedience to the Law is futile.

 

Behind the Words

“Indeed” is translated from the two Greek words ei de. Some translations use the English word “behold” as if this was the Greek word ide, but there is no evidence for this in the most reliable manuscripts. The Greek words ei de literally mean “and if,” indicating a conjunction with the previous thoughts and implying a first class conditional clause which means the statements are assumed to be true.

The words “you are called” are translated from a single Greek word, eponomadzō. This is made up of epi, meaning “upon” and onomadzō, meaning “to name.” So, it literally means “to name upon.” It refers to the name upon which other names are added, like a surname that an entire family shares. The word is expressed here in the passive voice indicating that it is a name that others call them.

“Rest upon” is a translation of the word epanapauō, which is made up of epi, meaning “upon” and a form of anapauomai, meaning “to give rest.” Paul indicates that Jews have a blind, mechanical reliance on the Law to produce righteousness.

 

Meaning Explained

The early Christian believers in Rome, to whom this letter was written, took pride in being descended from Abraham. Many of them believed, similar to the Galatian Christians, that one had to be a Jew and obey the Law before one could become a Christian. Paul has spent the last 5 verses explaining why obeying the Law of Moses does not lead one to righteousness. He now will show these Roman Christians why being a Jew may, in fact, be a hindrance to becoming a Christian.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul made a very bold statement regarding righteousness:

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ (we also believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified). (Galatians 2:15, 16)

This justification (righteousness) does not come from resting on the Law, it comes by faith. Notice what he says in today’s verse, “you are called a Jew, and rest on the Law, and make your boast in God.” Do you see the condemnation of pride implied in this verse? In the coming verses Paul will deal directly with that pride and will show how it is not external appearances which are important to God, but internal attitudes.

 

Application

As we have said before, there is no place for pride in a Christian. Pride focuses on self instead of on God. Pride is, in a sense, the very definition of sin. God wants us humbled before Him, relying on Him. Pride does not humble, it lifts self up. Pride does not rely on God, it relies on self. We have a big God, one who will judge the whole world. Let us humble ourselves before the Judge and plead for His mercy through the blood of Jesus Christ. Pride can’t do that. Can you?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 1:7 – Eternal Rest

Posted on by Will

and to you who are troubled, rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His mighty angels,

Truth to Learn

Christians may be suffering now, but we will have eternal rest.

 

Behind the Words

Some translations start this verse off with, “and to give you …” The word “give” is not in the Greek text, but has been added by the translators. The grammatical construction of the Greek, however, indicates that the verb here is the same as the previous verse (repay). So the beginning of this verse could be translated as, “and to repay you…”

Anesis is the word translated “rest.” It is based on the verb aniēmi, a compound word made up of ana, meaning “up” or “back” and hiēmi, meaning “to send.” Thus, aniēmi means “to send back” or “to loosen” and anesis refers to “relief or rest.”

“Revelation” is from the Greek word apokalupsis, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of the verb kaluptō, meaning “to cover.” Hence, apokalupsis refers to something being “uncovered” or “revealed.”

The word “heaven” is translated from ouranos, which is probably based on oros, meaning “a high place” or “a mountain.” Ouranos refers to the area above us. It can refer to the sky (the atmosphere around the earth), space (where stars and planets are located), or God’s dwelling place (sometimes called the third heaven).

The Greek word translated “mighty” is dunamis (from which we get our English word “dynamite”). This word refers to “power in action.” The Greek word ischus is similar, although it refers to the ability, whereas dunamis refers to the action.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has prayed for the growth in faith and love of the Thessalonians and stated that this growth in the face of persecution and tribulation is an indication of God’s righteous judgment. In yesterday’s verse Paul told us that God’s judgment is righteous in the way He judges evil doers. He told them (and us) that he will repay those who persecute us with their own tribulation. We will see in tomorrow’s verse the kind of repayment they will receive.

We are now told how God’s judgment is righteous toward those of us who believe in God and who believe in His son Jesus Christ. Please note here that there is a difference between fairness and righteous judgment. If God were fair, we would receive from Him what we rightly deserve. We would receive His wrath because of our sinfulness. But, because God is righteous and has chosen to demonstrate His grace toward us, we will not experience God’s wrath. Instead, we are told here, He will give us relief from the tribulation that we suffer in this life. Keep in mind what Jesus told His disciples:

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Being a Christian does not mean that our life on earth will be easy. On the contrary, we will (and do) have tribulation. But, when this life is over we will have rest. Those who persecute us, however, will have tribulation beyond measure, eternally!

 

Application

Be of good cheer, my Christian friends; though your life may be difficult now, we will have eternal peace and rest!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 4:17 – New Way of Living

Posted on by Will

Therefore, I say this, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk like the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Truth to Learn

Don’t live your life like the unsaved people of this world.

 

Behind the Words

“Testify” is translated from marturomai, a form of martus, meaning “a witness.” The verb form that we have here means “to give a testimony of that which has been witnessed.” This is the word from which we get our English word martyr, meaning “one who gives his or her life as a witness of his or her faith.”

“Walk” appears twice in this verse. In each case it is the Greek verb peripateō. This word is made up of peri, meaning “around” or “about” and pateō, meaning “to walk.” Thus, it literally means “to walk around.” Paul uses it as a metaphor for the manner in which a person lives his or her life.

Loipos is the Greek adjective that is translated “rest.” It is derived from the verb leipō, meaning “to leave” or “to be absent.” Loipos refers to “that which remains.” In today’s verse, it is a reference to “the rest of the Gentiles,” that is, those who are not part of the body of Christ. Although this word does not appear in the best Greek texts, the concept is still valid as an implication.

“Vanity” is from mataiotēs, which refers to “worthlessness” or “moral depravity.”

The word “mind” is translated from nous which refers to “mental perception and intelligent understanding.” Thus, it means “the intellectual part of man” or “the mind.”

 

Meaning Explained

Paul has just instructed us as to why we should all be at work in the church, serving each other and building-up each other. In doing so, we experience the growth that God provides for the entire body. Each of us is specially gifted for our service and, like stones perfectly fitted together, we are an integral part of the body. Also, as we serve each other, we grow together as a unit, a single body whose head is Christ.

Therefore – Paul cautions us that we should not conduct our lives the way those outside the church do. Paul refers to these people as “the rest of the Gentiles.” If you look carefully at how Paul uses this expression, you will recognize that there are three groups of people in Paul’s teaching: Jews, Christians, and the rest of the Gentiles. Everyone who is alive right now, who has ever lived, or who will ever live is in one of these three categories, Jews, Christians, and Gentiles. Jews and Christians worship the same God, Jehovah, the Creator of heaven and earth. The rest of mankind rejects God. These, instead of living their lives by faith, live their lives by intellect. They think they understand the source of all things (they call it “The Big Bang”) and they think they understand how they got here (by evolution). Paul will talk a little bit more about their thinking in the next verse.

Before we leave today’s verse, however, note that Paul says that we should “no longer” live our lives like they do. That means that there was a time when we did live like that. In fact there are many Christians today who still live their lives intellectually instead of faith-fully. To them Christianity is an intellectual pursuit or it is a set of rules to live by. Paul says, however, that Christians are not to live their life that way because the Christian life is a life characterized by faith, not intellect.

 

Application

Does your life resemble a member of the world system more than a disciple of Christ? Are you living by a set of rules in hopes of pleasing God? Or, are you living each day in humble submission to God, walking by faith and giving Him all the praise and all the glory? Which do you think He wants?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Thessalonians 1:7 – Eternal Rest

Posted on by Will

and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,

Truth to Learn

Christians may be suffering now, but we will have eternal rest.

Behind the Words

The word “give” is not in the Greek text, but has been added by the translators. The grammatical construction of the Greek, however, indicates that the verb here is the same as the previous verse (repay). So this verse should read, “and to repay you…”

Anesis is the word translated “rest.” It is based on the verb aniēmi, a compound word made up of ana, meaning “up” or “back” and hiēmi, meaning “to send.” Thus, aniēmi means “to send back” or “to loosen” and anesis refers to “relief or rest.”

“Revealed” is from the Greek word apokalupsis, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of the verb kaluptō, meaning “to cover.” Hence, apokalupsis refers to something being “uncovered” or “revealed.”

The word “heaven” is translated from ouranos, which is probably based on oros, meaning “a high place” or “a mountain.” Ouranos refers to the area above us. It can refer to the sky (the atmosphere around the earth), space (where stars and planets are located), or God’s dwelling place (sometimes called the third heaven).

The Greek word translated “mighty” is dunamis (from which we get our English word “dynamite). This word refers to “power in action.” The Greek word ischus is similar, although it refers to the ability, whereas dunamis refers to the action.

Meaning Explained

Paul has prayed for the growth in faith and love of the Thessalonians and stated that this growth in the face of persecution and tribulation is an indication of God’s righteous judgment. In yesterday’s verse Paul told us that God’s judgment is righteous in the way He judges evil doers. He told them (and us) that he will repay those who persecute us with their own tribulation. We will see in tomorrow’s verse the kind of repayment they will receive.

We are now told how God’s judgment is righteous toward those of us who believe in God and who believe in His son Jesus Christ. Please note here that there is a difference between fairness and righteous judgment. If God were fair, we would receive from Him what we rightly deserve. We would receive His wrath because of our sinfulness. But, because God is righteous and has chosen to demonstrate His grace toward us, we will not experience God’s wrath. Instead, we are told here, He will give us relief from the tribulation that we suffer in this life. Keep in mind what Jesus told His disciples:

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Being a Christian does not mean that our life on earth will be easy. On the contrary, we will have tribulation. But, when this life is over we will have rest. Those who persecute us, however, will have tribulation beyond measure, eternally!

Application

Be of good cheer, my Christian friends; though your life may be difficult now, we will have eternal peace and rest!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

Ephesians 4:17 – New Way of Living

Posted on by Will

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

Truth to Learn

Don’t live your life like the rest of mankind.

Behind the Words

“Testify” is translated from marturomai, a form of martus, meaning “a witness.” The verb form that we have here means “to give a testimony of that which has been witnessed.” This is the word from which we get our English word martyr, meaning “one who gives his or her life for his or her faith.”

“Walk” appears twice in this verse. In each case it is the Greek verb peripateō. This word literally means “to walk around.” Paul uses it as a metaphor for the manner in which a person lives his or her life.

Loipos is the Greek adjective that is translated “rest.” It is derived from the verb leipō, meaning “to leave” or “to be absent.” Loipos refers to “that which remains.” In today’s verse, it is a reference to “the rest of the Gentiles,” that is, those who are not part of the body of Christ.

“Futility” is from mataiotēs, which refers to “worthlessness.”

The word “mind” is translated from nous which refers to “mental perception and intelligent understanding.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has just instructed us as to why we should all be at work in the church, serving each other and building-up each other. In doing so, we experience the growth that God provides for the entire body. Each of us is specially gifted for our service and, like stones perfectly fitted together, we are an integral part of the body. Also, as we serve each other, we grow together as a unit, a single body whose head is Christ.

Therefore – Paul cautions us that we should not conduct our lives the way those outside the church do. Paul refers to these people as “the rest of the Gentiles.” If you look carefully at how Paul uses this expression, you will recognize that there are three groups of people in Paul’s teaching: Jews, Christians, and the rest of the Gentiles. Everyone who is alive right now, who has ever lived, or who will ever live is in one of these three categories. Jews and Christians worship the same God, Jehovah, the Creator of Heaven and earth. The rest of mankind rejects God. These, instead of living their lives by faith, live their lives by intellect. They think they understand the source of all things (they call it “The Big Bang”) and they think they understand how they got here (by evolution). Paul will talk a little bit more about their thinking in the next verse.

Before we leave today’s verse, however, note that Paul says that we should “no longer” live our lives like they do. That means that there was a time when we did live like that. In fact there are many Christians today who live their lives intellectually instead of faith-fully. To them Christianity is an intellectual pursuit or it is a set of rules to live by. Paul says, however, that the Christian life is a life characterized by faith.

Application

Does your life resemble a member of the world system more than a disciple of Christ? Are you living by a set of rules in hopes of pleasing God? Or, are you living each day in humble submission to God, walking by faith and giving Him all the praise and all the glory? Which do you think He wants?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.