And walk in love, as Christ also loved you and gave Himself for you, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
Truth to Learn
God gave us a sacrifice of love. We should give Him the same.
Behind the Words
Peripateō is the Greek word translated “walk.” It is composed of peri, meaning “around” and pateō, meaning “to walk.” Thus, it literally means “to walk around.” It is used here and elsewhere as a metaphor for how one lives one’s life.
The word translated “gave” is paradidōmi, which is made up of para, meaning “to the side of” or “over to” and didōmi, meaning “to give.” Paradidōmi means “to deliver over to the power of someone else,” as a prisoner is delivered over to the executioner. It is expressed here in the aorist tense indicating a single event having occurred in the past.
“Offering” is from prosphora, which is composed of pros, meaning “to or toward” and a form of pherō, meaning “to bring” or “to bear.” This word refers to something which has been “brought forward to an altar,” that is, an offering.
The word “sacrifice” is translated from thusia, which is derived from the verb thuō, meaning “to kill and offer as a sacrifice.”
“Sweet-smelling” is from euōdia, which is composed of eu, meaning “good or well” and ozō, meaning “to smell.”
“Fragrance” is from the Greek word osmē, which refers to “a smell” or “an odor” of any kind.
Meaning Explained
In the previous chapter the Apostle Paul instructed us on how to take off our “old man” and put on the “new man.” Then, he told us to imitate God, since we are His children. Now, he tells us the most fundamental principle for living a successful Christian life, “walk in love.” This fundamental principle is one that permeates the Bible from beginning to end.
When God gave the Law to Moses, He began the process by giving him two tables of stone with the Ten Commandments carved in them. The first four of these commandments indicate how to have a loving relationship with God and the last six indicate how to have a loving relationship with others. Also, when Jesus was asked by one of the Pharisees “which is the great commandment in the law?” this is how He responded.
And Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)
Notice, however, that God does not ask us to do anything that He has not already done for us. God loved us so much that He provided a way for us sinners to have all our sins forgiven. He sacrificed His only begotten son so that we can know Him, fellowship with Him, and spend eternity with Him.
Application
Since God was willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for our sakes, shouldn’t we be willing to sacrifice this life we have for Him. We do that by showing to everyone around us a self-sacrificing love for them. We can do that, but only through the empowering of His Holy Spirit. Are you willing to try?
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved