For I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, Truth to Learn The bondage of manmade rules and tradition is hard to break. Behind the Words “Has become” is translated from the...
Romans 11:9 – Ensnared by Blessings
And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a repayment to them. Truth to Learn Blessings can become a trap if taken for granted. Behind the Words The words “let … become” are translated from a form of ginomai, meaning “to...
Romans 6:5 – My Fellow Sprouts
For if we have been joined together in the likeness of His death, so also will we be in the likeness of His resurrection, Truth to Learn Christian actions should bear a resemblance to Jesus Christ. Behind the Words “We have been” is translated from ginomai, which means “to...
2 Thessalonians 2:7 – The Restraining One
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He may be out of the way. Truth to Learn The restraining one is probably a reference to the Holy Spirit. Behind the Words The word “mystery” is transliterated from the...
1 Thessalonians 2:10 – Blameless Ministers
You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we were to you who believe; Truth to Learn Christians should be blameless in whatever ministry they are engaged in. Behind the Words The word “witnesses” is translated from martus, from which we get our English...
1 Thessalonians 2:1 – Opposition Will Come
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. Truth to Learn An effective Christian ministry will encounter opposition. Behind the Words “Know” is translated from the Greek verb eidō, which literally means “to see,” but as in English, it carries the meaning of...
1 Thessalonians 1:7 – Christian Models
so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. Truth to Learn Every Christian should be an example of Christ Himself. Behind the Words “So that” is translated from the Greek word hōste, which is made up of hōs, meaning “as” and te, which is...
Ephesians 6:3 – Faithful Obedience from Love
That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. Truth to Learn We should be obedient to God because we love Him, not because we want or expect something from Him. Behind the Words The verbal phrase “it may be” is translated from...
Ephesians 5:17 – God’s Will?
Therefore do not be ignorant, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Truth to Learn Christians need to understand God’s will. Behind the Words “Be” is translated from ginomai, which primarily means “to begin to be” or “to become.” It implies a change of state from one...
Ephesians 5:7 – Saved? Really?
Therefore do not become partakers with them. Truth to Learn You can’t be a child of God and still live like the Devil. Behind the Words The word “become” is translated from the Greek verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to become.” “Partakers” is from summetochos,...
Ephesians 5:1 – Imitators, Not Actors
Then become imitators of God as beloved children. Truth to Learn We need to live the part that God has given us. Behind the Words “Then” is translated from oun, which indicates a connection of two thoughts, sometimes indicating an affect from the previous thought, but often just a...
Ephesians 4:32 – Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Truth to Learn Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are of vital importance within the church. Behind the Words The verb “be” is translated from ginomai, meaning “to cause to be” or “to become.”...
Ephesians 2:13 – A New Covenant
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Truth to Learn God has made a new covenant for us. Behind the Words “Now” is translated from nuni, which is a strengthened form of nun, meaning “now.” The...
James 5:2 – Perishable Possessions
Your riches are putrefied, and your garments are moth-eaten. Truth to Learn Earthly possessions are perishable and soon will all be gone. Behind the Words Ploutos is the word translated “riches.” This is from the same root word as plousios, which we saw in the previous verse. It refers...
James 3:1 – Responsible Teaching
My brothers, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment. Truth to Learn Within the church, teaching carries a great responsibility and a greater judgment (good or bad) for those who teach. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “let … become” is ginomai,...
James 1:24 – Absentminded Professor
for he studied himself, has gone away, and immediately forgot what kind of person he was. Truth to Learn Hearing or reading God’s Word will have no effect on our lives unless we put it into practice. Behind the Words In the previous verse we looked at the word for...
James 1:22 – Perfect Practice
But become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Truth to Learn No one ever coined the phrase, “listening makes perfect.” That’s because it is only through practice that we improve on anything that we do. Behind the Words The word translated “become” is a form of...
1 Corinthians 1:30 – All From God
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— Truth to Learn Our salvation is all from God. Behind the Words The word translated “of” is ek, which means “out of” or “from.” It is an indication of the...
2 Thessalonians 2:7 – The Restraining One
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. Truth to Learn The restraining one is probably a reference to the Holy Spirit. Behind the Words The word “mystery” is transliterated from the Greek...
1 Thessalonians 2:10 – Blameless Ministers
You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; Truth to Learn Christians should be blameless in whatever ministry they are engaged in. Behind the Words The word “witnesses” is translated from martus, from which we get our English word...
1 Thessalonians 2:1 – Opposition Will Come
For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. Truth to Learn An effective Christian ministry will encounter opposition. Behind the Words The word “entry” is from the Greek noun eisodon, which we saw in verse nine of chapter one. It is made up of...
1 Thessalonians 1:7 – Christian Models
so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. Truth to Learn Every Christian should be an example of Christ Himself. Behind the Words “So that” is translated from the Greek word hōste, which is made up of hōs, meaning “as” and te, which is a...
Ephesians 6:3 – Faithful Obedience from Love
That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. Truth to Learn We should be obedient to God because we love Him, not because we want or expect something from Him. Behind the Words The verbal phrase “it may be” is translated from the...
Ephesians 5:17 – God’s Will?
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Truth to Learn Christians need to understand God’s will. Behind the Words “Be” is translated from ginomai, which primarily means “to begin to be” or “to become.” It implies a change of state from one condition to...
Ephesians 5:7 – Saved? Really?
Therefore do not be partakers with them. Truth to Learn You can’t be a child of God and still live like the Devil. Behind the Words The word “be” is translated from the Greek verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to become.” “Partakers” is from summetochos, which...
Ephesians 5:1 – Imitators, Not Actors
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. Truth to Learn We need to live the part that God has given us. Behind the Words “Therefore” is translated from oun, which indicates a connection of two thoughts, sometimes indicating an affect from the previous thought, but often just a link...
Ephesians 4:32 – Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Truth to Learn Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are of vital importance within the church. Behind the Words The verb “be” is translated from ginomai, meaning “to cause to be” or “to become.” It...
Ephesians 2:13 – A New Covenant
Ephesians 2:13 - A New Covenant But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Truth to Learn God has made a new covenant for us. Behind the Words “Now” is translated from nuni, which is a strengthened form...
Romans 15:8 – Breaking Old Habits
Romans 15:8 - Breaking Old Habits Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, Truth to Learn The bondage of manmade rules and tradition is hard to break. Behind the Words “Has...
Romans 11:9 – Ensnared by Blessings
Romans 11:9 - Ensnared by Blessings And David says: "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a recompense to them. Truth to Learn Blessings can become a trap if taken for granted. Behind the Words The word “let” is translated from a form of...
Romans 6:5 – My Fellow Sprouts
Romans 6:5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, Truth to Learn Christian actions should bear a resemblance to Jesus Christ. Behind the Words The word translated “united together” is an interesting word....