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that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The hope of all Christians is Jesus the Christ, the Messiah.<\/p>\n \u201cChrist<\/span>\u201d is transliterated from the Greek word christos<\/em><\/span>, which is based on the verb chri\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto anoint.\u201d So, christos<\/em><\/span> refers to \u201can anointed one.\u201d It is written here with the definite article (the), so it could be translated as \u201cthe Christ.<\/span>\u201d This word is the Greek translation of the Hebrew mashiach<\/em><\/span>, or Messiah.<\/p>\n The words \u201cfirst trusted<\/span>\u201d are translated from the Greek verb proelpidz\u014d<\/em><\/span>. This is made up of pro<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cbefore in time or position\u201d and elpidz\u014d<\/em><\/span> which means \u201cto hope.\u201d This hope, however, is not simply wishful desire. It carries the meaning of hoping for something with full expectation of having it come to pass. A better translation of the opening part of this verse would be \u201cthat we who hoped in Christ before.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n As we saw back in verse six, \u201cthe praise of His glory<\/span>\u201d is a Hebrew expression that, in this case, focuses on the magnificence of His glory. \u201cGlory<\/span>\u201d is the word doxa<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201crecognition, honor, or splendor.\u201d<\/p>\n Throughout the centuries there has been much debate about what Paul means by \u201cwe who first trusted in Christ.<\/span>\u201d Some claim that Paul is referring to Jewish believers in Christ (including the apostles) who believed before the gospel message was delivered to the Gentiles. If we accept the translation \u201cfirst trusted<\/span>\u201d or \u201cfirst hoped<\/span>\u201d then this might make sense.<\/p>\n Others claim that this is a reference to the Jewish people who had placed their hope in the coming Messiah. It is this sense of the phrase that Paul claimed when he stated his case before King Agrippa:<\/p>\n And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. To this promise<\/em><\/span> our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God<\/em> night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.<\/span> (Acts 26:6-7<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n From the time God told Abraham that the Messiah would be one of his descendants, the Jews have looked forward with hope to the day that their Redeemer would come.<\/p>\n Another reason for believing this to be Paul\u2019s meaning is that he later talks about Christ uniting Jews and Gentiles:<\/p>\n But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is<\/span>,<\/em> the law of commandments contained<\/em><\/span> in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from<\/em><\/span> the two, thus<\/em><\/span> making peace,<\/span> (Ephesians 2:13-15<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n Thus, it appears that Paul\u2019s reference to \u201cwe who first hoped in the Christ<\/span>\u201d is a reference to the Jewish people.<\/p>\n Where is your hope today? Is it in the things of this world, or is it in the blood of the spotless Lamb of God?<\/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
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