self-seeking – Ministry of Grace Church

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Romans 2:8 – Self-serving Fools

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Will

but to those who are self-seeking and do not believe the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,

Truth to Learn

Those who selfishly reject God will experience His wrath.

Behind the Words

The word translated “self-seeking” is eritheia. It is based on a noun that means “to work for hire” or “to work for a wage.” The verb form is usually in the middle voice meaning that it is something that is done to (and by) oneself. When used as a noun in a negative sense, as it is in today’s verse, it refers to “someone who is seeking his own good.” It is sometimes translated as “contentious.” Clearly, it is used here in reference to someone who is only looking out for himself or herself.

The word translated “do not believe” is the Greek word apeitheō, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and a form of peithō, meaning “to convince or persuade.” Hence, apeitheō refers to “one who is not allowing himself or herself to be persuaded or to believe.”

The word “obey” is also translated from the root peithō. It is expressed here as a participle in the middle voice, so it could be translated here as “convincing themselves.”

Meaning Explained

We talked in the previous verse about the judgment of the righteous ones who will receive everlasting life because of their belief in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Today’s verse gives a contrasting picture of the unrighteous unbelievers (all unbelievers are unrighteous in God’s eyes).

We could translate the opening part of this verse as, “but to those who are self-seeking and not being persuaded by the truth but persuading themselves by unrighteousness …”

Whereas we, through our patient endurance, will receive eternal life, those who are self-seeking and not persuaded by the truth will receive the anger and wrath of God. We see here another example of Paul’s frequent play on words. They are not persuaded (apeitheō) by the truth, so they persuade themselves (peithō) by unrighteousness.

Do you see the attitude of the unbeliever in this verse? Those who reject the good news of Christ’s death on the cross in payment for their sins, refuse to believe. They refuse to be persuaded that they are sinners and need salvation. Why? Because they are self seeking and unwilling to submit themselves to the truth and to the God of truth. Remember what Paul said in the previous chapter of this letter?

because, having known God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful, but their reasonings became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened Professing to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:21, 22)

And what will these self-serving fools receive when they stand before the God of creation? The wrath and anger of the Almighty, Holy, Righteous GOD whom they deny!

Application

We have the antidote for this wrath; it’s called the gospel message, and we need to proclaim it to everyone who will listen. It’s not up to us to force anyone to believe, but it is up to us to proclaim the truth, whether they believe it or not.

In God's service, for His glory,

James 3:14 – Just the Truth

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Will

But if you have bitter zeal and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

Truth to Learn

Strong, bitter feelings towards others and loud, boastful proclamations are not marks of a good teacher.

Behind the Words

The words translated “bitter zeal” are dzelos pikros. The word dzelos means “strong feelings” (we get our English word, zealous from this) and pikros means “bitter.” It is the same word used a few verses earlier in reference to bitter water. In the New Testament, dzelos is often joined with eris, which means strife. Here it is joined with eritheia.

The word translated “self-seeking” is eritheia. James may have been making a play on words by using this word instead of eris (strife). But this word, though sounding similar, is derived from erithos, meaning “a hired servant.” Eritheia refers to “labor for hire” and it has come to be applied to those who serve in official positions for their own selfish interest. Hence, this word often is used in reference to those who cause contentions.

“Boast” is translated from katakauchomai, which is made up of kata, meaning “down” or “against” and a form of kauchaomai, meaning “to boast” or “to loudly proclaim.” Hence, this word refers to making loud and boastful proclamations against someone or something. From the end of the verse it is clear that the boasting is against “the truth.” No teacher of God’s word should ever do that!

Meaning Explained

Even if you have great talents for teaching and have vast knowledge of the Word of God, James says if you are contentious, you like to argue, you harbor bitterness, and you make boastful claims about yourself or against what is clearly taught in God’s Word then you are not called to teach. In fact, this type of teaching is against the truth of the Word. These things are contrary to humility and righteous living. You are not yet ready to be a teacher.

The key attributes for a close walk with God are “submit and commit.” Submit to His will, not your own, submit to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And, commit to obeying and serving Him and Him alone in the position He has chosen for you. If these things are not true of your own walk with the Lord, then how can you possibly expect others to believe your teaching and to submit and commit themselves?

A teacher of the Bible who is putting all his or her effort into disproving what someone else is teaching is not teaching God’s way. By simply teaching what the Bible says, we reprove the works of darkness. Our job is to build up the saints with the knowledge of the truth, not to equip them for a contentious verbal battle against teachers of error. This is not to say that we should ignore bad doctrine. The way to combat error and lies, however, is not to fight against them; rather it is to proclaim God’s truth in humility, backed by a life of meekness and faith.

Application

I have listened to sermons where the preacher spent forty-five minutes spinning a tale and making powerful claims about what God wants for Christians without making a single reference to God’s Word. It sounded good and it felt good, but it wasn’t God’s truth that was being proclaimed. If you are a teacher, make sure that you are teaching God’s truth from a humble, submitted heart.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 2:8 – Self-serving Fools

Posted on September 14, 2009 by admin

Romans 2:8

but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,

Truth to Learn

Those who selfishly reject God will experience His wrath.

Behind the Words

The word translated “do not obey” is the Greek word apeitheō, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and a form of peithō, meaning “to convince or persuade.” Hence, apeitheō refers to “one who is not allowing himself or herself to be persuaded or to believe.”

The word “obey” is also translated from the root peithō. It is expressed here as a participle in the middle voice, so it could be translated here as “convincing themselves.”

Meaning Explained

We could translate the opening part of this verse as, “but to those who are self-seeking and not being persuaded by the truth but persuading themselves by unrighteousness …”

because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:21, 22)

And what will these self-serving fools receive when they stand before the God of creation? The wrath and anger of the Almighty, Holy, Righteous GOD whom they deny!

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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