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which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We have the Word of God in our possession.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cother<\/span>\u201d is heteros<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201canother of a different kind.\u201d There is another Greek word, allos<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201canother of the same kind.\u201d The use of heteros<\/em><\/span> implies that the age we live in is different from previous ages.<\/p>\n \u201cAges<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek noun genea<\/em><\/span>. It is derived from the verb ginomai<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto become\u201d or \u201cto begin to be.\u201d The original meaning of genea<\/em><\/span> was that of \u201ca generation,\u201d but in New Testament Greek it generally refers to \u201ca period of time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMade known<\/span>\u201d is from gnoridz\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which we saw a couple of verses earlier. It means \u201cto become known.\u201d It is expressed here in the passive voice (action done to the subject).<\/p>\n Apostolos<\/em><\/span> is the word from which we get \u201capostles<\/span>.\u201d As you can see it is a transliteration (a word brought over directly from one language to another). It is made up of apo<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cfrom\u201d or \u201caway from\u201d and a form of the verb stell\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto send forth.\u201d Apostolos<\/em><\/em><\/span> means \u201cone who is sent from God.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201cprophets<\/span>\u201d is also a transliteration. It is transliterated from the Greek word prophet\u0113s<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of pro<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cbefore, in place or time\u201d and a form of ph\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto tell.\u201d Thus, a prophet is \u201csomeone who declares God\u2019s message before the people or before it happens.\u201d<\/p>\n Previously, Paul told us that the mystery that he is talking about was revealed to him, not by a human teacher, but by God Himself. Now he informs us that through his ministry this mystery is also being revealed to us in the church age. This mystery (that Gentiles and Jews are both part of God\u2019s chosen people) was unknown before Paul\u2019s preaching.<\/p>\n If you read through the third chapter of his letter to the church in Rome, you will see that before the church age, the Jews had a great advantage over the Gentiles. Here\u2019s what he said:<\/p>\n What advantage then has the Jew, or what is<\/em><\/span> the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.<\/span> (Romans 3:1, 2<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n The word translated \u201coracles<\/span>\u201d here is logion<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201can utterance.\u201d So, what Paul is saying is that the advantage the Jews had was that God spoke directly to them. His laws and commandments were given to them and not to anyone else.<\/p>\n But now, because of the preaching of the Apostles and Prophets since the time of Christ, all nations of the world can hear God\u2019s truth. And, it is through this truth, now written in the New Testament, that we all have an opportunity to hear and believe God\u2019s promise of salvation.<\/p>\n Do you recognize how precious the truths in the Bible are? Both the Old Testament and the New Testament contain information directly from God. That\u2019s why it is often called \u201cthe Word of God.\u201d Treasure it \u2013 and thank God for it!<\/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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