Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Truth to Learn Christmas was first announced to those who were banned. Behind the Words “Shepherds” is translated from poimēn, which refers to “someone who watches over to protect and...
Ephesians 4:21 – Living The Truth
if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: Truth to Learn Christians know the truth and should live as such. Behind the Words “If indeed” is the translation of the Greek word eige, which is made up of ei, meaning...
Ephesians 4:20 – Learn By Faith
But you have not so learned Christ, Truth to Learn We can only learn Christ by faith. Behind the Words “So” is translated from houtōs, which literally means “in this manner.” It is a comparative word which, when used with the negative article ou as it is here, indicates a...
Ephesians 4:19 – Numb, Uncontrolled, and Unclean
who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Truth to Learn The unsaved are in a hopeless state. Offer them hope! Behind the Words The words “being past feeling” are from the Greek verb apalgeō, which is made up of apo, meaning...
Ephesians 4:18 – Darkened, Alienated, and Ignorant
having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; Truth to Learn The unsaved are the way they are because of unbelief. Behind the Words “Understanding” is translated from the Greek word dianoia,...
Ephesians 4:17 – New Way of Living
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, Truth to Learn Don’t live your life like the rest of mankind. Behind the Words “Testify” is translated from marturomai, a form...
Ephesians 4:16 – Growth At Work
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Truth to Learn Growth of the body depends on all parts doing...
Ephesians 4:15 – Lovely Body Building
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— Truth to Learn We need to be truthful and loving as we minister to our fellow Christians. Behind the Words “Speaking the truth” is translated from the verb alētheuō, which is derived...
Ephesians 4:14 – Doctrinal Trickery
that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, Truth to Learn False teaching appears deceptively easy and attractive. Behind the Words Nēpios is the Greek word translated...
Ephesians 4:13 – Gifts For Unity
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; Truth to Learn Christians should all be working for each other. Behind the Words “Come to”...
Ephesians 4:12 – Share Your Gift!
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, Truth to Learn All Christians have gifts to be used in the church. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “equipping” is katartismos. This word is made up of kata, meaning...
Ephesians 4:11 – Builders and Protectors
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, Truth to Learn God has provided gifted men to build and protect the church. Behind the Words “Apostles” is a transliteration of the Greek word apostolos, which is made up of apo, meaning...
Ephesians 4:10 – Not Worth Arguing
He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) Truth to Learn Some Biblical truths are very important to understand correctly, others are not worth arguing about. Behind the Words Both the words translated “descended” and “ascended” are expressed...
Ephesians 4:9 – Jesus In Hades
(Now this, "He ascended"—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? Truth to Learn Our Lord experienced physical death for us. Behind the Words The word “first” is translated from prōton, which is based on the superlative of pro (toward or...
Ephesians 4:8 – Moving Day
Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." Truth to Learn Jesus Christ moved Paradise and gave all Christians gifts. Behind the Words The word “says” is from the Greek verb legō, which literally means “to lay forth,” that is, “to...
Ephesians 4:7 – God’s Gifting
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Truth to Learn Each Christian has a job function to perform within the church based on how God has gifted him or her. Behind the Words The word “each” is from heskatos, which indicates...
Ephesians 4:6 – One Father God
one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Truth to Learn All Christians are united under our Father God. Behind the Words “God” is translated from the Greek word theos, from which we get our English word “theology,” meaning the study...
Ephesians 4:5 – More Oneness
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; Truth to Learn There are several aspects of oneness in the church. Behind the Words “Lord” is translated from the Greek noun kurios. This word is derived from kuros, meaning “authority” or “supremacy.” The basic meaning of kurios is “owner, master, or lord.” It...
Ephesians 4:4 – Only One
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; Truth to Learn All Christians are to work toward unity within the church. Behind the Words “One” is translated from the Greek word heis (pronounced hice). This is the masculine form of...
Ephesians 4:3 – Peaceful Unity
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Truth to Learn Our service within the church should promote unity and peace. Behind the Words “Endeavoring” is translated from spoudadzō. This word is derived from the noun spoudē, meaning “speed.” However, by implication and common usage,...
Ephesians 4:2 – Humble, Gentle, Patience
with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, Truth to Learn As we serve God and others within the church, we need to keep in mind how He treats us. Behind the Words The word “lowliness” is translated from the Greek noun tapeinophrosunē. This is...
Ephesians 4:1 – Serve One, Serve All
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, Truth to Learn We are all called to serve in God’s church. Behind the Words “Prisoner” is from desmios, which is derived from the verb desmeō, meaning “to bind.” Thus,...
Ephesians 3:21 – Praise God!
to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Truth to Learn God deserves all our praise! Behind the Words The word “glory” is translated from doxa, from which we get our English word doxology. It is derived from the verb dokeō,...
Ephesians 3:20 – Mighty Prayer Power
Ephesians 3:20 - Mighty Prayer Power Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Truth to Learn God is able to answer our greatest and mightiest prayers. Behind the Words “Now” is translated...
Ephesians 3:19 – Knowledge by Experience
Ephesians 3:19 - Knowledge by Experience to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Truth to Learn You can only really know God’s love by experience. Behind the Words There is a tiny Greek particle that is left...
Ephesians 3:18 – Foundational Understanding
Ephesians 3:18 - Foundational Understanding may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— Truth to Learn Christian lives must be based on and rooted in Jesus Christ. Behind the Words “May be able” is translated from the verb exischuō,...
Ephesians 3:17 – Indwelling Christ
Ephesians 3:17 - Indwelling Christ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Truth to Learn Christ dwells in the heart of every Christian. Behind the Words “Dwell” is from the Greek verb katoikeō, which is made up of kata, meaning...
Ephesians 3:16 – Prayer of Strength
Ephesians 3:16 - Prayer of Strength that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, Truth to Learn The Apostle Paul prayed for strength for us in our time of need. Behind the Words “He...
Ephesians 3:15 – Father, God
Ephesians 3:15 - Father, God from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Truth to Learn God, the Father, is the head of our holy family. Behind the Words “From” is translated from the Greek preposition ek, which most often translates as “out of.” When used with...
Ephesians 3:14 – Worship Him
Ephesians 3:14 - Worship Him For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Truth to Learn God wants us to worship Him. Behind the Words The phrase “For this reason” is translated from toutou charin. Toutou means “this” and charin is the direct...
Ephesians 3:13 – Christian Tribulation
Ephesians 3:13 - Christian Tribulation Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Truth to Learn It is not uncommon for Christians to suffer. Behind the Words “I ask” is translated from the Greek verb aiteō, meaning “to request, ask,...