Tag: timao

1 Peter 2:17 – Christ-like Behavior

Posted on by Will

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Truth to Learn

Treating others respectfully is not an option for Christians; we are commanded to do it! Jesus Christ is our example.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “honor” is timaō, which means “to place a value on” or “to revere.” The first use of this verb in the current verse is in the aorist tense and imperative mood, implying the command, “in every case render the honor due.” The other three verbs in this verse (Love, Fear, and Honor) are all in the present tense, imperative mood, indicating continual and habitual action that we are commanded to do.

“Love,” from the Greek word agapaō, refers to the self-sacrificing, God-type love that is more focused on the good of the loved one than on self.

The word “brotherhood” is adelphotēs, a form of adelphos (brother) that refers to a collective of brothers, hence a fraternity or brotherhood. This word is rarely found in Greek writings other than religious texts. It is used as a specific reference to fellow Christians.

The word translated “fear” is phobeō (from which we get the English word “phobia”). It literally means “to frighten.” In the passive voice, as it is here, it means either “to be afraid of” or “to be in awe of.” Peter probably means both.

 

Meaning Explained

Peter here continues the discourse that he started in verse eleven. This is how we should conduct our lives while here on this earth. We are not to be contrarians, against everything everyone else stands for, rather we are to live as obedient servants representing well the One who has called us and to Whom we belong.

We are to honor each person with the specific honor due him or her. We are to continually demonstrate self-sacrificing love to other Christians, being more concerned for their welfare than we are for our own. This characteristic has distinguished Christians from all other people throughout the centuries since the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

We are also to continually fear God (both in the sense of being in awe of Him and fearing His position and power). And we are to continually honor those in civil authority over us. The apostle Paul said a very similar thing in his letter to the Christians in Rome:

Let every soul be subject to higher authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the existing authorities are appointed by God. … Give therefore to all their due: tax to whom taxes are due, tribute to whom tribute is due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due. (Romans 13:1, 7)

 

Challenge

Let me challenge each of you to stop right now and take stock of how you behave toward others. Do you treat all people with respect, independent of their appearance? Do you demonstrate that special self-sacrificing love toward your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you have a holy fear of our God? And do you show respect to civil authorities?  Hmmmm!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:2 – Honor Your Parents

Posted on by Will

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:

Truth to Learn

We should all give our parents honor and respect.

 

Behind the Words

Timaō is the Greek verb translated as “honor.” Timaō literally means “to place a high value on something.” It can refer to giving something a very high price, or it can refer to giving someone honor, respect, or reverence because of their great value as a person.

“Father” is from patēr. This is a primary word which refers to a father, either literally or figuratively.

“Mother” is translated from matēr, which is also a primary word. It refers either literally or figuratively to a mother.

The word translated “first” is protos, meaning “first in place, time, order, or importance.”

The word “commandment” is from entolē, which refers to “an authoritative edict.” Throughout the New Testament it is the word used to refer to one or more of the Ten Commandments.

“Promise” is translated from epangelia. This is a legal term referring to “a summons or promise to do or give something.”

 

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has extended his teaching beyond how we are to relate to each other within the family of God (the church) to how we are to relate to each other within our individual families. In yesterday’s verse we were told that all children (young or old) are to obey their parents. The reason that Paul gave us is that it is the right (the proper) thing to do. In today’s verse he builds on that idea. He points out that one of the Ten Commandments specifically addressed this situation. It is the fifth commandment:

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

“But Paul says that it is the first commandment,” you may say. Actually, what he says is that it is the first commandment that has a promise. If you carefully read through the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17, you will notice that the second commandment has a general declaration attached to it, but not a promise. The fifth commandment is the only one that has a promise associated with it. The first four of the commandments are specifically aimed at our relationship with God. The fifth commandment is a pivotal command which shows that there is an order of authority under God and the following commandments teach how we are to behave in our human relationships.

Before leaving this verse let me point out that Paul is not teaching that we are still under the Law of Moses. He focused specifically on our freedom from the law in his letter to the Galatians. However, the precepts given in the Ten Commandments are important. So much so, in fact, that all but the fourth commandment (to keep the Sabbath) are repeated in one form or another in the New Testament.

 

Application

We should all treat our parents with respect and honor. This is particularly true as our parents get older and need our special attention and care. Honor your parents and give God the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2016 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 6:2 – Honor Your Parents

Posted on by Will

"Honor your father and mother;" which is the first commandment with promise:

Truth to Learn

We should all give our parents honor and respect.

Behind the Words

Timaō is the Greek verb translated as “honor.” Timaō literally means “to place a high value on something.” It can refer to giving something a very high price, or it can refer to giving someone honor, respect, or reverence because of their great value as a person.

“Father” is from patēr. This is a primary word which refers to a father, either literally or figuratively.

“Mother” is translated from matēr, which is also a primary word. It refers either literally or figuratively to a mother.

The word translated “first” is protos, meaning “first in place, time, order, or importance.”

The word “commandment” is from entolē, which refers to “an authoritative edict.” Throughout the New Testament it is the word used to refer to one or more of the Ten Commandments.

“Promise” is translated from epangelia. This is a legal term referring to “a summons or promise to do or give something.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has extended his teaching beyond how we are to relate to each other within the family of God (the church) to how we are to relate to each other within our individual families. In yesterday’s verse we were told that all children (young or old) are to obey their parents. The reason that Paul gave us is that it is the right (the proper) thing to do. In today’s verse he builds on that idea. He points out that one of the Ten Commandments specifically addressed this situation. It is the fifth commandment:

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

“But Paul says that it is the first commandment,” you may say. Actually, what he says is that it is the first commandment that has a promise. If you carefully read through the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17, you will notice that the second commandment has a general declaration attached to it, but not a promise. The fifth commandment is the only one that has a promise associated with it. The first four of the commandments are specifically aimed at our relationship with God. The fifth commandment is a pivotal command which shows that there is an order of authority under God and the following commandments teach how we are to behave in our human relationships.

Before leaving this verse let me point out that Paul is not teaching that we are still under the Law of Moses. He focused specifically on our freedom from the law in his letter to the Galatians. However, the precepts given in the Ten Commandments are important. So much so, in fact, that all but the fourth commandment (to keep the Sabbath) are repeated in one form or another in the New Testament.

Application

We should all treat our parents with respect and honor. This is particularly true as our parents get older and need our special attention and care. Honor your parents and give God the glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved.