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For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles\u2014<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Serving God as part of His kingdom is a very high calling.<\/p>\n \u201cFor this reason<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek words toutou<\/em> charin<\/em><\/span>. The first of these, toutou<\/em><\/span>, is a form of touto<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cthis\u201d and charin<\/em><\/span> means \u201con account of,\u201d \u201cbecause of,\u201d or \u201cfor the sake of.\u201d So, we can translate the opening phrase as \u201cBecause of this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPrisoner<\/span>\u201d is from desmios<\/em><\/span>, which is derived from the verb desme\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto bind.\u201d Thus, desmios<\/em><\/span> means \u201csomeone in bonds\u201d or \u201ca prisoner.\u201d<\/p>\n The words \u201cChrist Jesus<\/span>\u201d are transliterated from the words christou<\/em> i\u0113sou<\/em><\/span>. The interesting thing to note here is that Paul adds the definite article tou<\/em><\/span> (the). Therefore, this could be translated as \u201cthe Christ, Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul starts out this verse (and this chapter) with \u201cBecause of this<\/span>.\u201d So, we have to ask ourselves, \u201cBecause of what?\u201d Well, what has he just been talking about? Beginning in verse eleven of the previous chapter, Paul taught us that before Christ came, we Gentiles were without a savior, we were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and we were not included in the covenants that God made with Israel. Basically, we were without hope. But now, because of Christ, we are no longer strangers and foreigners, we are fellow citizens with the saints of old and we are of God\u2019s household. And \u2013 we are part of God\u2019s temple, which is being built with the lives of all who are saved. In short: we were lost, we are now saved and part of God\u2019s family, and God has a purpose for us in His kingdom.<\/p>\n Because of this, Paul wants to give us further instruction. However, a strange thing happens starting in this verse and continuing through verse thirteen. In these verses Paul gets sidetracked with an explanation and justification of his own ministry (his position as a foundation stone in the temple of God). So, to learn the rest of \u201cBecause of this\u201d we have to go to verse fourteen, \u201cI bow my knees to the Father \u2026\u201d As we get to that verse, we will see that Paul has a special prayer for the rest of us building blocks in God\u2019s temple.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, he will share with us some of the reasons why God has made him a foundation stone in the temple. He starts that off with a reminder that he is in bonds. He tells us that he is a prisoner of the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. In the book of Romans, he goes to great lengths to show us that we were once in bondage to sin but we are now owned by a new master, God Himself. He is now our master. But I don\u2019t think that\u2019s what Paul is referring to here. In chapter six, verse twenty of this letter, he will tell us that he is an ambassador in chains. From this most scholars believe that Paul wrote this letter from a prison cell in Rome where he was sent because of his testimony of salvation in Jesus Christ. Thus, he says that he is a prisoner of Christ (or \u201cbecause of Christ).<\/p>\n How high do you consider your calling in Jesus Christ? Are you willing to go to prison simply because you are a Christian? Are you willing to lose your job simply because you are a Christian? Are you willing to suffer simply because you are a Christian? What\u2019s more important, serving God, or yourself?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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