worthless – Ministry of Grace Church

For where bitter zeal and self-seeking exist, there are confusion and every worthless deed.

Truth to Learn

The motivation of a teacher in a church will have a profound effect on the spiritual value of the works of the church.

Behind the Words

The word translated “confusion” is the Greek word, akatastasia. This is a double compound word made up of a, which means “not,” kata, which means “down,” and a form of histēmi, which means “to stand.” This word refers to something which is not firmly set in place, and as such it is unstable. It is used to express a state of confusion or disorder.

The word translated “worthless” is phaulos, meaning “foul, faulty, wicked, good-for-nothing, depraved, or worthless.” There are several words in Greek which express the notion of evil or bad. This one is usually applied to works or deeds. Therefore, it usually implies “worthless.”

Finally, the word translated “deed” is pragma, which means “a deed or an act.” The word phaulos is an adjective describing this word. Hence, this describes a deed or an action that is without merit; it is a worthless deed or a foul deed.

Meaning Explained

The teaching that comes from a teacher who is filled with pride or bitter emotions will manifest itself in instability within a church. It produces such instability because the teaching is not based on the Word of God. It is not constant, but changing. It is based on what the current societal or personal inclinations might be. Similarly, such teaching produces worthless deeds because the teaching is based on earthly and humanistic wisdom rather than the wisdom which is from above.

When you sit under the teaching of anyone in church, or when you listen to preachers via the media, you should be constantly asking yourself, does this teacher demonstrate spiritual wisdom? Are his or her arguments based on what the Bible says, or are they based on what he or she thinks, or what someone else says or has experienced?

Paul, writing to his beloved spiritual son Titus, gave him instruction on how to effectively pastor a church. What he told Titus in the third chapter of that letter agrees completely with what James has been teaching:

… that those believing in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. Avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. (Titus 3:8b, 9)

In a church where the teaching is based on the Bible, there will be an abundance of workers and good works that bring glory to God. In a church where the teachers are zealous but self-seeking, there may be lots of workers and works which may appear to be profitable, but to God they are worthless.

Application

Do you have a passionate preacher who inspires you to work? I hope so! But, is his passion focused on God, or on the church? Does he inspire you to do good works for God’s glory or for the church? Are his messages based on the Bible or something else? These are important questions for you to ask regarding the one who is entrusted with caring for God’s sheep!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 2:9

tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

Truth to Learn

Tribulation and anguish are coming to those who reject God.

Behind the Words

The words “tribulation and anguish” are interesting in that, for three of the four times they are mentioned in the Bible they are mentioned together. The word “tribulation” is from the Greek word thlipsis, which literally means “pressure.” However, by application it means “that malevolent external force that is applied to a man.” In other words, those bad things that happen to us that cause us extreme stress.

“Anguish” is translated from stenochōria, which literally means “a narrow place,” but symbolically it means “great distress.” Though tribulation and anguish may seem to be the same, thlipsis is the external force and stenochōria is the resultant internalization of the stress.

The word, “does” is from the Greek katergodzomai, which means “to continually carry out a task until it is complete.”

“Evil” is from kakos, which means “bad” or “worthless.” It refers to those deeds which God considers of no value.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just told us that those who have been declared righteous and who are seeking God’s glory and honor will receive eternal life. Meanwhile, those who reject the truth of Christ, those who are more concerned with self than doing what is right, will receive the anger and wrath of God. He now reiterates these points, as if to make a clear statement that there is a distinct difference between what will happen to the unrighteous and what will happen to the righteous.

Tribulation and anguish, according to Paul, are what comes to him who, “does evil” during his life here on earth. The implication is that the worthless actions of the unrighteous were not just occasional during their lives; rather the selfish acts of unrighteousness were continual until their lives were ended. It may seem harshly judgmental to think of the unsaved as never doing anything good. However, from God’s perspective “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” That is to say, the deeds of the unsaved are worthless.

Paul now makes a very clear point to the Roman Christians, who were mostly converted Jews. They had a tendency to be proud of their Jewish heritage and of their faith. He tells them that this condemnation will come on (the unsaved) Jews and Gentiles alike. In fact the judgment will come on the Jews first (or primarily) then on the Gentiles as well. This is a strong condemnation regarding their pride, which is not a godly trait.

Application

We Christians need to be very careful that we don’t get prideful in our salvation. After all, we’re not saved because of anything that we did. Our salvation is because of what God has done for us and to us. After all, without His gift of grace, none of us would be saved. When we become prideful in our salvation we are taking the credit away from Him, and it is credit that only He deserves!

Let’s humble ourselves and praise Him for what He has done!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: worthless

James 3:16 – Worthless Deeds

Romans 2:9 – Payment for Worthless Deeds