Some Key Words (1/10/01-1/11/01)

Full (mestos [3324]):

one's mind fully occupied with particular thoughts or emotions;

Goodness (agathosune [19]):

active goodness; uprightness of heart and life; virtue, beneficence

Filled (pleroo [4137]):

to fill - as a net with fish or a house with the smell of perfume, to fill up, fulfill, complete, perfect, finish, accomplish, perform fully, to perform what was foretold; to fill to the full, to cause to abound, to furnish liberally, to complete, to fill so that nothing shall be wanting, to fill to the brim, to make complete in every particular, render perfect, to carry out, accomplish, to bring to realization, to perform a duty, to fulfill a prophecy; to cram, level up, to furnish, to satisfy, execute an office, finish a task, verify a prediction

Knowledge (gnosis [1108]):

present and fragmentary knowledge; general intelligence, the general knowledge of Christian religion, deeper and more advanced knowledge of Christian religion, moral wisdom;

Admonish (noutheteo [3560]):

to put into the mind, instruct, warn, reprove; to exhort; to caution, reprove gently

Grace (charis [5485]):

joy, favor, acceptance, a kindness granted, a benefit, a favor done without expectation of return, unearned and unmerited favor; that which affords pleasure, delight, and loveliness, good will, favor, the merciful kindness of God - exerting His influence on souls to turn them to Christ, the spiritual condition of one governed by divine grace, a gift of grace, thanks or reward; graciousness of manner or act, the divine influence on the heart reflected in the life

Minister (leitourgos [3011]):

a public minister, servant of the state, a military laborer, a temple worker, one busied with holy things, a priest, the king's servants; a Temple functionary, a worshipper of God, a benefactor of man

Ministering as a priest (hierourgeo [2418]):

to perform a sacred office, the sacred business of preaching; to do priestly service, to defend the sanctity of the law to the death, to preach the Gospel; to be a temple worker, to officiate as a priest

Acceptable (euprosdektos [2144]):

well accepted, a strong affirmation of acceptability; well received; approved, favorable

Sanctified (hagiazo [37]):

to hallow, sanctify, to withdraw from fellowship with the world by gaining fellowship with God; to be venerable, to separate from profane things and dedicate to God, to consecrate to God, to purify, to free from the guilt of sin, to renew the soul; to ceremonially purify or consecrate

Reason for boasting (kauchesis [2746]):

the act of glorying; the act or object of boasting

Presume (tolmao [5111]):

not to dread or shun through fear, to bear or endure, to bring oneself to, to be bold, bear oneself boldly; to venture, to be courageous

Accomplished (katergazomai [2716]):

to perform, achieve, work out, to bring about, to result in, to fashion, to render one fit for a thing; to do work fully, to finish

Power (dunamis [1411]):

inherent power; the power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, power to perform miracles, moral power, excellence of soul, the influence of riches and wealth, the power of numbers and resources, military power; force

Signs (semeion [4592]):

a miracle with an ethical end and purpose, miracles which lead to something beyond themselves - pointing to God, indications of God's grace and power; a mark, a token, that by which one is distinguished from others, a portent, an unusual occurrence, a transcending of the normal course of nature, miracles and wonders by which God authenticates His messengers; an indication

Wonders (teras [5059]):

that which is likely to be remembered - being extraordinary, a startling and amazing miracle, a strange appearance in the heavens. Zodhiates sees semeion and teras as differing aspects of the same miracles, as opposed to different types of miracle; a portent, a miracle; an omen

Fully preached (pleroo [4137]):

see above (filled).

Preach the gospel (euaggelizo [2097]):

to evangelize, to proclaim the good news, to declare; to bring good news, announce glad tidings, to announce the news of God's kingdom coming, and of salvation obtainable in Christ, to instruct in the things pertaining to salvation; to announce the gospel

Understand (suniemi [4920]):

to notice, perceive, recognize, to put it all together and make sense of it, to collect all the features of an object into a whole, to put together - as with the pieces of a puzzle, immediate knowledge, moral reflection, pondering, laying to heart; to bring together, to have knowledge of things pertaining to salvation; to mentally put together, to comprehend, to act piously

 

Paraphrase: (1/10/01)

14 I'm quite sure that all of you are full of goodness and knowledge, well able to teach and correct each other. 15 However, because of that particular grace of God towards me, I felt it right to remind you clearly of certain things. 16 For I was called to be Christ's minister to the Gentiles, a priest of God's gospel, and I desired to be sure that the offering I make of the Gentiles will be holy and acceptable, fully sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Jesus, I have reason to boast of the things of God. 18 And I would not speak out on anything other than what Christ has done in and through me, bringing obedience from the Gentiles by my words and actions, 19 accompanying them with powerful signs and wonders by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this way I have delivered the complete message of the Gospel of Christ everywhere, from Jerusalem to Illyricum. 20 And ever my desire and goal was to preach the gospel in places where Christ was not yet known, not establishing myself on another man's foundation, but rather 21 showing those who had not known, and bringing understanding to those who hadn't heard, even as Scripture has said.

Key Verse: (1/10/01)

15:18 - I will not consider my own thoughts worthy of spreading to my brothers, but will speak only of what Christ has done through me.

People Mentioned: (1/10/01)

N/A

Some Parallel Verses (1/12/01)

15:14

Eph 5:9 - The fruits of godly living are filled with goodness, righteousness, and truth. 2Th 1:11 - Our prayers are ever that we will be worthy of our calling in God's eyes, and that all the good we desire to do will be accomplished through powerful faith. 1Co 1:5 - All of our knowledge and all our abilities to communicate it are enriched by Him. 1Co 8:1 - Knowledge is prideful, but love edifies. 1Co 8:7 - Those weak in knowledge may be weak also in conscience, and so, defiled by acts which would not impact a more knowledgeable believer. 1Co 8:10 - We must not allow the freedom of our knowledge to lead a weaker brother into what is sinful for him. 1Co 12:8 - The Holy Spirit brings to some a word of wisdom, or a word of knowledge. 1Co 13:2 - All the knowledge man can have - even of the Spirit - comes to nothing without love.

15:15

Ro 12:3 - We ought not to think more of ourselves than is true, for each man's faith is just that degree of faith God has given him.

15:16

Ac 9:15 - Paul was declared a chosen instrument of God's, to declare His truth to all; Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. [note the order. Interesting.] Ro 11:13 - As a missionary to the Gentiles, Paul's ministry is enlarged further still by his concern for his fellow Jews. Ro 1:1 - Paul was an apostle, set apart for the Gospel. Ro 12:1 - We are to present ourselves as living and holy sacrifices, as our service of worship to God. Eph 5:2 - Christ, in His love, offered Himself up as a sacrifice. We are to live with that same type and degree of love. Php 2:17 - Even though sacrificed to serve another's faith, I will rejoice and share my joy with all.

15:17

Php 3:3 - Those who worship in Spirit and truth - the true Israel - have no confidence in the flesh, but find all their cause for glory in Christ Jesus. Heb 2:17 - Christ had to become like us in all things so as to be faithful as our high priest; fully knowledgeable of our ways and of God's ways, and so able to provide the propitiation for our sins, Heb 5:1 - for the primary task of the high priest was ever to offer gifts and sacrifices to God in recompense for the sins of the people.

15:18

Ac 15:12 - All kept still to hear Paul and Barnabas tell of the great works God had done through them among the Gentiles. Ac 21:19 - Paul related to the apostles each thing that God had done through his ministry to the Gentiles. Ro 1:5 - It was a gift of Christ that declared Paul an apostle and that empowered him to bring faith amongst the Gentiles. 2Co 3:5 - Nothing we do comes of ourselves, but we are empowered by God to accomplish for His name's sake.

15:19

Jn 4:48 - Jesus declared that people simply would not believe without there being signs and wonders. 1Co 2:4 - Paul's persuasiveness was not due to fine words and oratory skills, but due to demonstrations of the Holy Spirit and of power. 1Th 1:5 - The Gospel was not just words delivered, but power and the Holy Spirit brought convincingly among you with absolute confidence. Ac 22:17-21 - Paul's commission to go to the Gentiles was received from God while He was in the Temple. Ac 20:1-2 - From Asia, throughout Macedonia, and onward into Greece, Paul spread the Gospel.

15:20

Ro 1:15 - Paul was eager to preach in Rome, Ro 10:15 - but the preacher can't preach until sent, although his tidings will be of good things. 1Co 2:4 - The preacher's message is not a construct of fine words, but a demonstration of God's power and Spirit. 1Co 3:10 - Paul's message laid a foundation that others are building upon, but those others must be careful to build properly. 2Co 10:15-17 - We shall not boast of another's labors any more than we would boast of our own, but will allow the faith of those converted by our ministry to boast for us, as it leads those others to also spread the Gospel farther abroad. And in all this ministry, let the boasting be only of what God has done.

15:21

Is 52:15 - God will cleanse many nations, and bring to naught the boastings of kings because of His Son. Where the Gospel has not been heard, yet the people will recognize the witness of God. Where there has not been preaching, yet God will cause Himself to be understood.

 

New Thoughts (1/13/01)

We are told here that there are things we need to be reminded of, that no matter how we progress, we remain in need of good teaching on the basics. That said, there are a few things that come out of the parallel verses that stand as reminders that we need to be attentive to.

In 1Co 8:7, we are reminded of that portion of our walk which is on a sliding scale, as it were. We are spoken to regarding how we are to act when our situations are not those clearly covered by moral absolutes. The gist of this reminder is largely 'let your conscience be your guide.' If it seems sinful to you, don't do it. The setting of this advice is in the statement that the one who has greater knowledge has greater freedom of action, for he knows more fully that nothing is sinful in itself. Of course, we also have to bear in mind the counter to this advice, which reminds us of our duty to our neighbor, and that love is the rule that supercedes all others. If we allow our freedom to cause one whose convictions are not as our own to do as we do, we have effectively led him into sin, and so have sinned ourselves. Thus, the truly free are bound by their love for those less free. I must admit that on some level, it seems unfair that what isn't truly sinful in itself could be sinful for some, or could become sinful for others. It seems as though God is showing Himself capricious in this fashion. If the drinking of wine is a sin, should it not be so hard and fast? If it is not a sin, then why all the fuss? If there is a need to avoid anything that might have been connected with less savory practices, should it not be the law of Christian living? And if not, then should it not be clearly meaningless to us? The answer to this appears to lie in the superceding law of love. It was never an issue of the thing that appeared to be the cause. It was not an issue of wine, or of food. This is what Paul had reminded us of earlier. We tend to get focused on the issue of freedom. We tend to twist it all out of context and attempt to defend ourselves by the 'all things are permissible, nothing is evil in itself' arguments. And to all these arguments, God says "you're right, but let me show you a more excellent way." The rule in all cases is the rule of love. Is it loving your neighbor to lead him into acts that give him pause? Is it loving the alcoholic to insist on your right to drink in his presence? This is the point we are to be reminded of ever and always! With freedom comes responsibility. With knowledge comes responsibility. To whom much is given, much is required, and the only way we can be sure of meeting those requirements is in the love of God.

The second reminder I wish to pursue is found in Ro 12:3, where we are reminded that no man has room to boast. Why? Because each man's faith is strictly the measure God has given him. No more, and no less. It is not a question of whether we have exercised our faith to make it grow. We can no more make our faith grow, than we can make our bones grow. It's not up to our effort, it's only up to God's choice in giving us of His faith. this is not an 'exercise it and it will grow' thing. It is what it says it is - the faith God bestows. 2Co 3:5 adds nicely to this point, reminding us that nothing we do comes of ourselves, but we are empowered by God to accomplish for His name's sake! If we appear to be gaining in faith, it is because God is empowering us to accomplish more. If we are mighty in the Word, it is because God is empowering us to accomplish more. I'd like to say that it remains to us only to do what He has empowered us to accomplish, but even that would be overstating the case. Even that would be trying to put some of the glory back on us, and that simply is not the case. I like to believe that I come to a better understanding, that I become more determined to obey, that I do all I can to do His will. But it's not true. In all truth, He leads me to that better understanding, He causes me to obey - against the will of my flesh, He brings me to do His will. All that is good in me is by His hand. All that I do is to His glory, because it is by His glorious gifts that they are done at all. Am I then a robot in His hands, a puppet on a string only responding to His tugs? Yes and no. The record shows that He is fully able to use those who oppose Him to bring about His plans. Nebuchadnezzar was not willingly assisting God in attacking the Israelites, not consciously. Pharaoh did not have it in his mind to do God's will in letting Israel go. Yet in these cases God caused His will to be done through these men. There have been deeds in my life, and doubtless in yours, in which we sought only to do our own will, having nothing in mind towards God except perhaps open rebellion. Yet He has turned those circumstances towards our building, He has determined that we should be His children in spite of our foolish youth. Whom He has chosen, will He not gain? Do you really think to pit your will against His and win? Therein lies true pride and arrogance. This really bothers folks, to think that in the end they cannot possibly deny God His will, they claim it demeans Him, although they really mean it demeans them. But, rather like the previous reminder, the truth lies in the overriding rule of love. His will will be done, but by those who know Him well, it will be done out of loving obedience. This is how His children are known on the earth: not that they do His will, but that they do it lovingly, with exceeding great joy.