![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
to God, alone wise, be<\/em> <\/span>glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n God deserves all the glory and all of our praise.<\/p>\n \u201cGod<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek noun theos<\/em><\/span>. This is probably derived from the Greek theteres<\/em> <\/span>(a placer of things) because the Greeks believed that their gods were the placers and disposers of things (thus, they had a god of fire, a god of wind, etc.) In the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) the title of God (elohim<\/em><\/span>) is always translated as theos<\/em><\/span>, even though elohim<\/em> <\/span>is plural and theos<\/em> <\/span>is singular.<\/p>\n \u201cAlone<\/span>\u201d is translated from monos<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cunaccompanied, alone, only, or single.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cwise<\/span>\u201d is sophos<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cthe ability to skillfully apply the knowledge that one posesses.\u201d The meaning of sophos<\/em> <\/span>in the New Testament, like its Hebrew equivalent cho\u0304kmah<\/em><\/span>, differs from the classical meaning in at least two ways. First of all, the biblical concept of wisdom is God-centered rather than man-centered. It refers to a fear of God and an understanding of His ways. Secondly, Biblical wisdom implies the possession of a certain adeptness or practical ability in applying knowledge.<\/p>\n \u201cGlory<\/span>\u201d is from the word doxa<\/em><\/span>, which is derived from the verb doke\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto think or suppose.\u201d Doxa<\/em> <\/span>primarily means \u201cthought or opinion, especially favorable opinion.\u201d In a secondary sense it means \u201creputation, praise, honor, or splendor.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul\u2019s closing benediction to his letter to the Christians in the church at Rome is the longest benediction contained in any of his letters.<\/p>\n In this final verse, he is proclaiming, first of all, the fact that only God is wise. In Greek, word order is significant, with the most important word being first. The Greek text for this verse reads, \u201conly wise God.\u201d Thus, his emphasis is on the fact that only God is truly wise. To our singularly wise God belongs \u201cgreat reputation, honor, and splendor\u201d because of the fact that He alone is wise.<\/p>\n This honor that God so richly deserves is earned in and through the person of Jesus Christ. Only a God of infinite wisdom could have developed a plan whereby we, God\u2019s created race made filthy by the stain of our sin, could be so perfectly cleansed by the sacrificial blood of the Lamb of God.<\/p>\n Because of this salvation plan which reconciles God\u2019s moral righteousness with the brilliance of His wondrous mercy, He will receive all the glory from all of creation for all of eternity. Truly, He is worthy!<\/p>\n Throughout eternity we will give God the glorious expression of our praise. In order to be fully prepared for that experience, we should be practicing every day by proclaiming His glory and declaring His praise. To God be the glory!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n