Tag: serve

Romans 16:18 – Servants, Not Crusaders

Posted on by Will

For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the innocent.

Truth to Learn

Lack of submissiveness can cause harm to the body of Christ.

Behind the Words

The word translated “serve” is douleuō, the verb form of doulos, meaning “a slave, one whose will is totally submitted to his master/owner.”

“Belly” is from the Greek noun koilia, which refers to “a cavity.” This word is often used in reference to “the womb” or “the belly.” Allegorically, it is used as a reference to the sensuality of food, drink, and personal gratification.

“Smooth words” is the translation of the Greek word chrēstologia, which is a compound of chrēstos, meaning “easy, good, or kind” and legō, meaning “to relate something in words, a discourse.” Thus chrēstologia refers to “a polite discussion.” Today, we might refer to a person who does this as a “smooth talker.”

The words “flattering speech” are from eulogia, which is made up of eu, meaning “good or well” and logos, meaning “a word or something said.” So, we see that eulogia is a reference to “an eloquent message.”

“Innocent” is translated from the Greek noun akakos, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and kakos, meaning “bad.” Hence, akakos refers to someone “without guile;” that is, someone who is innocent or unsuspecting.

Meaning Explained

This verse is an extension of the previous one in which Paul warned the Christians in Rome to be on the lookout for people who cause divisions within the body of Christ or who do and say things that cause brothers or sisters in the Lord to stumble in their walk with God.

In today’s verse Paul characterizes such people as selfishly seeking to satisfy their own appetite (usually for power or revenge) instead of the good of the body of Christ. If you have been in any church for a long time, you have probably had encounters with this type of person. He or she talks a good game. These people are often very intelligent and can make a convincing argument as to why a certain thing should or should not be done.

When you encounter such a person, or even suspect that there is such a person in your congregation, ask yourself, Is this person primarily interested in the health of the body of Christ? Are they proposing something that will bring glory to God? Are their reasons and justifications for action based on a humble submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Or, are they more interested in getting their own way rather than submitting to the leadership of the church.

Too often such people are very charismatic and persuasive. And too often a church split is the result of their words and actions. Do you think that’s what God wants?

Application

Whether or not we like the decisions of the leadership of a local congregation, we are to submit ourselves to such leaders. Instead of stirring up dissention in the body, we need to get on our knees and humbly seek God’s guidance. And, we need to act as servants, not crusaders.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 9:12 – God’s Choice, God’s Reason

Posted on by Will

it was said to her, "The greater shall serve the lesser."

Truth to Learn

God’s choice is not dictated by human characteristics.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “older” is meidzōn, which is the comparative form of megas, meaning “great” or “large.” Meidzōn appears in forty-four different passages in the New Testament and in none of them does it carry the meaning “older.” It means “greater in stature, power, quality, or importance.”

“Younger” is from the Greek word elassōn, which is the comparative of mikros, meaning “inferior in worth, quality, size, or age.”

The word “serve” is translated from the verb form of doulos, indicating one who is a slave to another.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul now continues with his example of election. His reference here is to a passage in Genesis 25:21-23:

Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is right, why am I like this?" And she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her: "two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger."

In today’s verse, as well as the Old Testament passage that is quoted, the language that is used indicates that the greater of the two (Esau) will be a slave to the lesser (Jacob). Age does not appear to be the distinguishing characteristic as much as power and importance (from a human perspective).

While they were still inside Rebekah, God declared that Esau would serve Jacob. This reference is not specifically to the persons of Esau and Jacob, but to their descendants, for Esau never was a slave to Jacob; rather, it is a reference to their posterity. While the descendants of Esau (the Edomites) were a larger and stronger people than the descendants of Jacob (the Israelites), they were defeated and finally subjugated by Israel.

If we read the Old Testament accounts in Genesis 25, 27, 29, and 30, we see that Jacob tricked Esau out of his birthright and out of his parental blessing from their father Isaac. We also see that Jacob conspired against his father-in-law Laban to gain the stronger and better of Laban’s sheep. Jacob was constantly scheming to get the better of others. But all along, his success was not because of his cleverness; rather, it was because God chose to bless him. And it clearly was not because Jacob deserved God’s blessing; it was strictly because God chose to bless Him.

 

Application

The really incomprehensible part of God’s election is His reason for choosing some unto blessing and not others. It is reasonable to believe that God has some basis for his choosing, but we are never told what it is. What we do know about this election is that it is based on God’s choice, not ours. That’s Paul’s point throughout this entire passage in the book of Romans.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 1:9 – Unceasing Prayer

Posted on by Will

For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, how without ceasing I make mention of you in my prayers,

Truth to Learn

Paul was a prayer warrior and prayed for others constantly.

 

Behind the Words

The word “witness” is translated from the Greek word martus from which we get our English word “martyr.” The Greek word means “one who has information or knowledge of something, and therefore, one who can give information, bring to light, or confirm something.”

“Serve” is the translation of latreuō, the basic meaning of which is “to minister.” Hence, Paul’s service is really a ministry performed for God.

The word “in” is a translation from en, which is a preposition which denotes position and, by implication, instrumentality. Therefore, the most natural translation would be “in.” Paul is saying that he serves God in his spirit; in other words, he is claiming that this is a spiritual service over and above a physical service.

“Without ceasing” is from adialeiptos, which means “continually or without omission.”

 

Meaning Explained

This verse tells us that Paul prayed constantly for the Roman believers. He starts out by saying, “For God is my witness.” Paul is making a very strong appeal that the following statement is, indeed, true. He calls on the witness of Him who has knowledge of all things, God himself. Obviously the readers of this letter can’t check out the facts of his statement by asking God, but that’s not the point. The point is that Paul does not swear, since the Lord Jesus himself taught that swearing is wrong (see Matthew 5:33-37); rather, he appeals to a reliable witness.

Paul then states that he serves God in his spirit. He is saying that his service to God is not just on the surface but is with the very essence of his being, his spirit. Paul then explains that his service is in the gospel of Jesus Christ whom he describes as God’s Son.

Finally, he tells the Roman Christians that he prays for them constantly. Paul was known for being a prayer warrior. He prayed a lot and a lot of his prayers were for churches, both those which he helped start and those he had never visited (like the Roman church). Evidence of Paul’s prayer life is also found in Ephesians 1:15-16; Philippians 1:3-4; Colossians 1:3-4; and 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3.

 

Application

How does your prayer life stack-up against Paul’s? If you’re like me, you feel woefully inadequate compared to him. Paul apparently had a daily routine that included considerable time in prayer, and it wasn’t because he had nothing else to do. With everything we pack into our days, it seems silly that we can’t even find 15 minutes each day to pray for ourselves and for others.

Why don’t we do something about that?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 16:18 – Servants, Not Crusaders

Posted on by Will

Romans 16:18 – Servants, Not Crusaders

For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Truth to Learn

Lack of submissiveness can cause harm to the body of Christ.

Behind the Words

The word translated “serve” is douleuō, the verb form of doulos, meaning “a slave, one whose will is totally submitted to his master/owner.”

“Belly” is from the Greek noun koilia, which refers to “a cavity.” This word is often used in reference to “the womb” or “the belly.” Allegorically, it is used as a reference to the sensuality of food, drink, and personal gratification.

“Smooth words” is the translation of the Greek word chrēstologia, which is a compound of chrēstos, meaning “easy, good, or kind” and legō, meaning “to relate something in words, a discourse.” Thus chrēstologia refers to “a polite discussion.” Today, we might refer to a person who does this as a “smooth talker.”

The words “flattering speech” are from eulogia, which is made up of eu, meaning “good or well” and logos, meaning “a word or something said.” So, we see that eulogia is a reference to “an eloquent message.”

“Simple” is translated from the Greek noun akakos, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and kakos, meaning “bad.” Hence, akakos refers to someone “without guile;” that is, someone who is innocent or unsuspecting.

Meaning Explained

This verse is an extension of the previous one in which Paul warned the Christians in Rome to be on the lookout for people who cause divisions within the body of Christ or who do and say things that cause brothers or sisters in the Lord to stumble in their walk with God.

In today’s verse Paul characterizes such people as selfishly seeking to satisfy their own appetite (usually for power or revenge) instead of the good of the body of Christ. If you have been in any church for a long time, you have probably had encounters with this type of person. He or she talks a good game. These people are often very intelligent and can make a convincing argument as to why a certain thing should or should not be done.

When you encounter such a person, or even suspect that there is such a person in your congregation, ask yourself, Is this person primarily interested in the health of the body of Christ? Are they proposing something that will bring glory to God? Are their reasons and justifications for action based on a humble submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Or, are they more interested in getting their own way rather than submitting to the leadership of the church.

Too often such people are very charismatic and persuasive. And too often a church split is the result of their words and actions. Do you think that’s what God wants?

Application

Whether or not we like the decisions of the leadership of a local congregation, we are to submit ourselves to such leaders. Instead of stirring up dissention in the body, we need to get on our knees and humbly seek God’s guidance. And, we need to act as servants, not crusaders.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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

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Romans 9:12 – God’s Choice, God’s Reason

Posted on by Will

Romans 9:12 – God’s Choice, God’s Reason

it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.”

Truth to Learn

God’s choice is not dictated by human characteristics.

Behind the Words

The word translated “older” is meidzōn, which is the comparative form of megas, meaning “great” or “large.” Meidzōn appears in forty-four different passages in the New Testament and in none of them does it carry the meaning “older.” It means “greater in stature, power, quality, or importance.”

“Younger” is from the Greek word elassōn, which is the comparative of mikros, meaning “inferior in worth, quality, size, or age.”

The word “serve” is translated from the verb form of doulos, indicating one who is a slave to another.

Meaning Explained

Paul now continues with his example of election. His reference here is to a passage in Genesis 25:21-23:

Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her: “two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.”

In today’s verse, as well as the Old Testament passage that is quoted, the language that is used indicates that the greater of the two (Esau) will be a slave to the lesser (Jacob). Age does not appear to be the distinguishing characteristic as much as power and importance (from a human perspective).

While they were still inside Rebekah, God declared that Esau would serve Jacob. This reference is not specifically to the persons of Esau and Jacob, but to their descendants, for Easu never was a slave to Jacob; rather, it is a reference to their posterity. While the descendants of Esau (the Edomites) were a larger and stronger people than the descendants of Jacob (the Israelites), they were defeated and finally subjugated by Israel.

If we read the Old Testament accounts in Genesis 25, 27, 29, and 30, we see that Jacob tricked Esau out of his birthright and out of his parental blessing from their father Isaac. We also see that Jacob conspired against his father-in-law Laban to gain the stronger and better of Laban’s sheep. Jacob was constantly scheming to get the better of others. But all along, his success was not because of his cleverness; rather, it was because God chose to bless him. And it clearly was not because Jacob deserved God’s blessing; it was strictly because God chose to bless Him.

Application

The really incomprehensible part of God’s election is His reason for choosing some unto blessing and not others. It is reasonable to believe that God has some basis for his choosing, but we are never told what it is. What we do know about this election is that it is based on God’s choice, not ours. That’s Paul’s point throughout this entire passage in the book of Romans.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 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: