Tag: still

2 Thessalonians 2:5 – Learn God’s Truth!

Posted on by Will

Do you not remember that while I was still with you I was telling you these things?

Truth to Learn

Your faith depends on a good understanding of God’s truth.

 

Behind the Words

“Remember” is translated from the Greek verb mnēmoneuō, meaning “to exercise memory” or “to remember.” The English word mnemonic (a device to assist in memorizing something) is based on this word.

The word “still” is from the adverb eti. This word is a reference to things in the past. It is most often translated “yet” or “still.”

The words “I was telling” are translated from the Greek verb legō, which literally means “to lay forth.” Figuratively, it means “to relate in words” or “to tell.” It is expressed here in the imperfect tense indicating past, continuous action.

Houtos is the Greek word translated “these things.” In the singular it means “this.” In the current verse it is expressed as a neuter plural, so it means “these” with “things” being implied.

 

Meaning Explained

Shortly after starting the church in Thessalonica, Paul was forced to make a sudden departure. Having stayed for a while in Berea and then Athens, Paul moved on to Corinth from where he wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians. The purpose of that first letter was to comfort and encourage the Christians in Thessalonica in the face of the persecution they were suffering. As part of that letter, Paul also related to them some further teaching to clear up a misunderstanding they had regarding the Day of Christ (the Rapture) and the Day of the Lord (the Tribulation).

Sometime after that first letter was written, the Thessalonian church had received some false teaching (supposedly from Paul) indicating that the Day of the Lord had already begun. As a result, Paul wrote this second letter, to give them further encouragement and to clarify what he had already taught them. The primary theme of this second letter is to let them know some of the things that must first take place before the Day of the Lord will begin. He said that two events had to take place first: the apostasia (referring either to the Rapture or to a large-scale departure from the basic tenets of the Christian faith), and the revealing of the “man of sin,” also known to us as the antichrist.

Now that Paul has given them instruction regarding these two events, he asks them, “Do you not remember that while I was still with you I was telling you these things?” This makes it very evident that when he first started the church there, Paul gave them specific instruction regarding the Day of Christ and the Day of the Lord.

Do you see how easily false teaching can creep into the church? Every true Christian is eager to learn more about his or her faith and can get easily led astray without constantly reading the Bible and listening to good fundamental preaching. It’s no wonder that there are so many divisions within the church.

 

Application

Read the Bible and listen to good preaching, but always check what you hear against what is written in the Bible! Your faith will only be as strong as your understanding of God’s truth.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

1 Corinthians 3:3 – Now and Later!

Posted on by Will

for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Truth to Learn

Immature Christians live for themselves; spiritual Christians live their lives in a Godly manner, for the glory of God.

Behind the Words

The words “you are” are translated from the verb eimi, the verb of being. It is expressed in the present tense and indicative mood, indicating present, ongoing action.

“Still” is from the adverb eti, meaning “still.” It implies a duration of time starting in the past and continuing up to the present time.

Dzēlos is the word translated “envy.” It is based on the verb dzeō, meaning “to be hot.” Thus, dzēlos literally means “hot.” This word is most often used metaphorically, sometimes in a good sense but most often in a bad sense. When used in a good sense it is often translated as “zeal” or “zealous.” When used in a bad sense it is translated as “envy,” “jealousy,” or “anger.”

“Strife” is from the Greek word eris, which means “strife,” “contention,” or “arguing.” It is often used metaphorically to mean “the love of strife,” which seems to be Paul’s intent here.

The word “divisions” is translated from dichostasia, which is composed of dicha, meaning “separately” and stasis, meaning “a stance” or “a posture.” Hence, dichostasis literally means “a separate standing.” This word is not found in the best Greek manuscripts.

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has just told the Christians in Corinth that they are still babies in Christ because they have not grown much spiritually since the time of their conversion. Twice in this verse he says that they are living according to the thoughts and desires of a natural person instead of living according to the thoughts and desires of a spiritual person. They are not spiritually mature Christians, they are carnal Christians.

The evidence that he gives is the fact that within the church in Corinth there is envy and strife. The clear evidence of this is the fact that they boast and argue about who their spiritual hero is (Paul, Apollos, Peter, or Christ). If you look at the remainder of this chapter you will see that Paul emphasizes the building up of the body of Christ. Envy and strife do not serve to build, but to tear down. In fact, in his letter to the churches, James says this about envy and strife:

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (James 3:14-16)

Clearly, the Christians in Corinth have their sights fixed on themselves and on the things of this world. That is not the way a Christian is to live. The things of this world will pass away, but the things of God are eternal.

Application

As Christians, you spend a few years on this earth, but you will spend an eternity in glory. You can choose to live these few short years for yourself or you can choose to live them for God and give Him all the glory for eternity. The choice is yours!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2013 Will Krause. All rights reserved

 

2 Thessalonians 2:5 – Learn God’s Truth

Posted on by Will

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

Truth to Learn

Your faith depends on a good understanding of God’s truth.

Behind the Words

“Remember” is translated from the Greek verb mnēmoneuō, meaning “to exercise memory” or “to remember.” The English word mnemonic (a device to assist in memorizing something) is based on this word.

The word “still” is from the adverb eti. This word is a reference to things in the past. It is most often translated “yet” or “still.”

The words “I told” are translated from the Greek verb legō, which literally means “to lay forth.” Figuratively, it means “to relate in words” or “to tell.” It is expressed here in the imperfect tense indicating past, continuous action.

Houtos is the Greek word translated “these things.” In the singular it means “this.” In the current verse it is expressed as a neuter plural, so it means “these” with “things” being implied.

Meaning Explained

Shortly after starting the church in Thessalonica, Paul was forced to make a sudden departure. Having stayed for a while in Berea and then Athens, Paul moved on to Corinth from where he wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians. The purpose of that first letter was to comfort and encourage the Christians in Thessalonica in the face of the persecution they were suffering. As part of that letter, Paul also related to them some further teaching to clear up a misunderstanding they had regarding the Day of Christ (the Rapture) and the Day of the Lord (the Tribulation).

Sometime after that first letter was written, the Thessalonian church had received some false teaching (supposedly from Paul) indicating that the Day of the Lord had already begun. As a result, Paul wrote this second letter, to give them further encouragement and to clarify what he had already taught them. The primary theme of this second letter is to let them know some of the things that must first take place before the Day of the Lord will begin. He said that two events had to take place first: the apostasia (referring either to the Rapture or to a large-scale departure from the basic tenets of the Christian faith), and the revealing of the “man of sin,” also known to us as the antichrist.

Now that Paul has given them instruction regarding these two events, he asks them, “Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?” This makes it very evident that when he first started the church there, Paul gave them specific instruction regarding the Day of Christ and the Day of the Lord.

Do you see how easily false teaching can creep into the church? Every true Christian is eager to learn more about his or her faith and can get easily led astray without constantly reading the Bible and listening to good fundamental preaching. It’s no wonder that there are so many divisions within the church.

Application

Read the Bible and listen to good preaching, but always check what you hear against what is written in the Bible! Your faith will only be as strong as your understanding of God’s truth.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved