Tag: whole

Ephesians 3:15 – Father, God

Posted on by Will

from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Truth to Learn

God, the Father, is the head of our holy family.

 

Behind the Words

“From” is translated from the Greek preposition ek, which most often translates as “out of.” When used with the genitive case, as it is here, it indicates “coming from the origin or source of something.”

The word “whole” is from pas, which can be translated as “all, any, every, or the whole.” Expressed here in the singular defining a singular noun (family), it expresses the idea of “all” or “the whole.”

The word “family” is translated from patria, which is derived from pater, meaning “father.” Patria expresses a group of people descendent from the same father. Thus, the most accurate translation of the opening of this verse is “from whom the whole family …” as we have in our translation here.

The words “is named” are translated from the Greek verb onomadzō, which means “to call by a name” or “to be named.”

 

Meaning Explained

Continuing from yesterday’s verse, we saw that Paul was expressing the notion of bowing his knee, that is worshipping, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In that verse we made a special point that of the three persons of the Trinity we are to worship and pray to the Father, not the Son or the Holy Spirit.

You may recall back in verse eleven we talked about the plan that the three persons of the Godhead put together before anything was created. As part of that plan, those who would be saved were chosen (Ephesians 1:4) and the method of revealing the mystery of the church was determined. Another significant part of that plan was how the three persons of the Trinity were to relate to each other. The father was to be the highest in authority, which Jesus (the Son) affirmed:

Then Jesus said to them, When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, these things I speak. (John 8:28)

He made similar statements in John 5:19; John 5:30; John 7:28; and John 14:10. Likewise, Jesus told us that both He and the Father had authority over the Holy Spirit:

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you … (John 14:26)

"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father … (John 15:26)

And, it is with this same authority, given by the Father, that Jesus sent His disciples:

So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." (John 20:21)

Now Paul tells us that he worships the Father and identifies Him as the supreme authority, saying from Him the whole family gets its name. Not the name “Christian,” for that only describes those of us in the church age who are saved, but the family of God the Father of the righteous in heaven and earth. This family includes Old Testament saints, New Testament saints (Christians), and those who will be saved during the tribulation and the millennium.

 

Application

Christians have a very special place in the family of God. Not only are we His children, but we have been set-apart as the bride of His Son. We will inherit His eternal estate and we will live in His home with Him forever! Hallelujah!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 2:21 – Temple Building

Posted on by Will

in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

Truth to Learn

Every Christian is part of the temple of God.

 

Behind the Words

The words “the whole” are translated from a form of pas, which can mean “all” or “every.” So this could be translated as “all the building” or “the whole building.”

“Building” is from the Greek word oikodomē, which is very similar to the word translated “having been built on” in the previous verse. This word can refer either to “the act of building” or to “the building” itself.

The verb sunarmologeō is translated here as “being fitted together.” This word is made up of sun, meaning “together,” harmos “to join things together,” and legō, which means “to lay forth” or “to say a word.” Putting these all together, we find that sunarmologeō means “to lay things closely joined together,” as one would do with stones or bricks in building a structure. The word is expressed here as a present participle, indicating that it is action that is continually taking place.

The word “grows” is from auxanō, which means “to grow” or “to increase.” This word is expressed in the present tense, indicative mood, which implies current continuous action.

“Temple” is translated from naos. This is derived from the verb naiō, meaning “to dwell.” Naos refers to “a shrine” or “a temple” where a deity dwells. There is another word in Greek, often translated “temple.” It is hieron, which refers to the entire temple area or temple grounds. Naos, however, refers specifically to the central building in the temple area.

 

Meaning Explained

In the Greek text there is no definite article associated with the word oikodomē, which introduces some ambiguity as to whether Paul is talking about every believer being a holy temple, or the whole church being a single, holy temple. However, since both “building” and “temple” are singular Greek words and the following verse says that “you [plural] are being built together for a dwelling place [singular] for God,” there is strong evidence that Paul is referring to the entire church as the building.

Assuming that this is, in fact, what Paul was expressing, we are told here that the church, which is composed of every believer from the beginning of time, is continually being built by God. Each member of the church has a place in the building and is put in place joined closely together with those around him or her. Later in this letter (Ephesians 4:12) Paul will refer to the church as “the body of Christ.” Also. in his first letter to the Corinthians, he refers to the church as “the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Since Paul uses both of these metaphors to refer to the church universal, we can see that the church, whether a living body or a building, is continually being built. And, we see from this verse, that the church is the central temple (dwelling place) of God, Himself. We are all part of the body, and we are all part of the holy temple where God lives.

 

Application

Whether we consider the church to be the temple of God or the body of Christ, we each have a part in it. Each and every Christian has an important function to perform. Are you performing your function? Are you being used by God as part of the church? If not, you’re not fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

James 2:10 – Guilty of All

Posted on by Will

For whoever shall keep the whole law, but stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all of them.

Truth to Learn

Even a single little accidental sin condemns us as unrighteous.

Behind the Words

The Greek verb translated “shall keep” is tereō which is the word used of a guard keeping watch over a prisoner. This word can also mean to “hold fast” or to “keep.” It is expressed in the subjunctive mood, so it could be translated, “might keep.”

“Whole” is translated from holos, which means “the whole thing.” Hence, James is referring to the entire body of laws which the Jews were expected to keep.

The word “stumble” is a form of ptaiō, meaning “to trip or stumble.” James’ point is that this is an unintentional commission of an act.

“Guilty” is translated from enochos which is made up of en, meaning “in or on” and a form of echō, meaning “to have” or “to hold.” Therefore, this word means “to be ensnared” or “to be held on to.”

The word translated “of all” is pantōn, meaning “all” but it is a possessive plural adjective. Hence, it means, “of all of them.”

Meaning Explained

James is now drawing an application based on the summary that he just declared in the past two verses. After reading these two verses, someone might say, “But it’s not such a big thing to show favoritism. I mean, it’s not like I just killed someone!”

Some churches teach that there are minor sins and there are major, or cardinal, sins. James disputes that. He uses exaggeration here to make his point. He says that if there were someone who should be able to keep the entire body of the law, and yet should accidentally slip-up on one little thing, he is just as guilty as if he had broken every law – including murder.

In God’s book of records, He judges us all based on keeping all of His laws. Unless we live a perfect life and do not violate a single part of His law, we are marked as unrighteous. And, according to Romans 6:23, the penalty for our sin is death. Jesus Christ is the only man who is able to live His entire life without violating any of God’s laws (because He is God). We, on the other hand, have a sin nature and are incapable of living a sinless life, which is why we need a sinless Savior who was willing to pay the penalty for our sins with His life.

So – if we treat others differently, simply based on how they look or how they dress, we are guilty of sin no matter how insignificant we think this type of action might be. Even if we do it unintentionally, we are guilty and must pay the penalty.

Application

Are you trying to please God by living as good a life as you can? If so, then one day, when you stand before the Judgment of God, you will be declared unrighteous and sentenced to eternal death in the lake of fire. No ifs, ands, or buts. On the other hand, if you have humbled yourself before Almighty God, confessed yourself to be a sinner, and accepted His free gift of life through the blood of His Son, then you are now legally declared to be righteous and you will spend eternity in heaven with Him.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Ephesians 3:15 – Father, God

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 3:15  – Father, God

from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Truth to Learn

God, the Father, is the head of our holy family.

Behind the Words

“From” is translated from the Greek preposition ek, which most often translates as “out of.” When used with the genitive case, as it is here, it indicates “coming from the origin or source of something.”

The word “whole” is from pas, which can be translated as “all, any, every, or the whole.” Expressed here in the singular defining a singular noun (family), it expresses the idea of “all” or “the whole.”

The word “family” is translated from patria, which is derived from pater, meaning “father.” Patria expresses a group of people descendent from the same father. Thus, the most accurate translation of the opening of this verse is “from whom the whole family …” as we have in our translation here.

Meaning Explained

Continuing from yesterday’s study, we saw that Paul was expressing the notion of bowing his knee, that is worshipping, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In that verse we made a special point that of the three persons of the Trinity we are to worship and pray to the Father, not the Son or the Holy Spirit.

You may recall back in verse eleven we talked about the plan that the three persons of the Godhead put together before anything was created. As part of that plan, those who would be saved were chosen (Ephesians 1:4) and the method of revealing the mystery of the church was determined. Another significant part of that plan was how the three persons of the Trinity were to relate to each other. The father was to be the highest in authority, which Jesus (the Son) affirmed:

Then Jesus said to them, When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. (John 8:28)

He made similar statements in John 5:19; John 5:30; John 7:28; and John 14:10. Likewise, Jesus told us that both He and the Father had authority over the Holy Spirit:

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you … (John 14:26)

But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth … (John 15:26)

And, it is with this same authority, given by the Father, that Jesus sent His disciples:

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21)

Now Paul tells us that he worships the Father and identifies Him as the supreme authority, saying from Him the whole family gets its name. Not the name “Christian,” for that only describes those of us in the church age who are saved, but the family of God the Father of the righteous in heaven and earth.

Application

Christians have a very special place in the family of God. Not only are we His children, but we have been set-apart as the bride of His Son. We will inherit His eternal estate and we will live in His home with Him forever! Hallelujah!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 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:

Ephesians 2:21 – Temple Building

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 2:21  – Temple Building

in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

Truth to Learn

Every Christian is part of the temple of God.

Behind the Words

The words “the whole” are translated from a form of pas, which can mean “all” or “every.” Since there is no definite article included with the word for “building” a literal translation would be either “all building” or “every building.”

“Building” is from the Greek word oikodomē, which is very similar to the word translated “having been built on” in the previous verse. This word can refer either to “the act of building” or to “the building” itself.

The verb sunarmologeō is translated here as “being fitted together.” This word is made up of sun, meaning “together,” harmos “to join things together,” and legō, which means “to lay forth” or “to say a word.” Putting these all together, we find that sunarmologeō means “to lay things closely joined together,” as one would do with stones or bricks in building a structure. The word is expressed here as a present participle, indicating that it is action that is continually taking place.

The word “grows” is from auxanō, which means “to grow” or “to increase.” This word is expressed in the present tense, indicative mood, which implies current continuous action.

“Temple” is translated from naos. This is derived from the verb naiō, meaning “to dwell.” Naos refers to “a shrine” or “a temple” where a deity dwells.

Meaning Explained

As we pointed out in Behind the Words, there is no definite article associated with the word oikodomē, which introduces some ambiguity as to whether Paul is talking about every believer being a holy temple, or the whole church being a single, holy temple. However, since both “building” and “temple” are singular Greek words and the following verse says that “you [plural] are being built together for a dwelling place [singular] for God,” there is strong evidence that Paul is referring to the entire church as the building.

Assuming that this is, in fact, what Paul was expressing, we are told here that the church, which is composed of every believer from the beginning of time, is continually being built by God. Each member of the church has a place in the building and is put in place joined closely together with those around him or her. Later in this letter (Ephesians 4:12) Paul will refer to the church as “the body of Christ.” Also. in his first letter to the Corinthians, he also refers to the church as “the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Since Paul uses both of these metaphors to refer to the church universal, we can see that the church, whether a living body or a building, is continually being built. And, we see from this verse, that the church is the temple (dwelling place) of God, Himself. We are all part of the body, and we are all part of the holy temple where God lives.

Application

Whether we consider the church to be the temple of God or the body of Christ, we each have a part in it. Each and every Christian has an important function to perform. Are you performing your function? Are you being used by God as part of the church? If not, you’re not fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 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: