Some Key Words (5/28/00)

Proclaimed (kataggello [2605]):

To declare plainly, openly or aloud; To announce, declare, make known, proclaim publicly, publish, report, denounce, betray; To proclaim, preach, speak of, declare, teach

Whole (holos [3650]):

whole, all; completely; complete in extent, amount, time, or degree

World (kosmos [2889]):

the world - set in order, pertaining to space rather than time, the total of the material universe and / or all persons living in it; an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, adornment, as in the arrangement of the stars as the ornament of the heavens, the world, the earth, the human race, the ungodly multitude, all who are alienated from God and hostile to Christ, the things of the world, any collection of a type - such as Gentiles, Jews or believers; the world - as the thing arranged in an orderly and decorative fashion

Serve (latreuo [3000]):

to serve, to worship God, to perform Levitical service, the work of a hired servant which as such is not done by compulsion; to serve for hire, to serve or minister to either God or man, to worship, to perform sacred services, worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for His worship, to discharge the sacred office; to minister to God, render religious homage

Witness (martus [3144]):

one who remembers, who has information or knowledge of a thing and may confirm it; a legal witness, an historical witness - one who saw, an ethical witness to the genuineness of faith in Christ - proving it by submitting to violent death; witness or martyr

Unceasingly (adialeiptos [89]):

incessantly, without intermission; uninterruptedly, without omission

Always (pantote [3842]):

at all times, ever; every when

Prayers (proseuche [4335]):

a prayer, a vow, prayer to God; prayer to God, a place for the offering of prayer, a synagogue, or open place with water to wash before praying; prayer, a chapel

Making request (deomai [1189]):

to be deprived of, want, need, to be reduced to want, to want for oneself, to need; to want, lack, desire, long for, ask, beg, pray for specific need; to beg as binding oneself, petition, beseech

Will (thelema [2307]):

the result of the act of willing, not a demand, but an expression of pleasure towards that which is liked, which creates joy, as God's will - indicating His gracious disposition toward something, that which should be done as accomplishing what God's purposes and desires; what one wishes to be done, the purpose of God, commands, precepts, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure; a determination, choice, volition, inclination

Succeed in coming (euodoo [2137]):

to grant a prosperous journey, lead by a direct and easy way, grant successful issue, be successful; to help on the road, succeed in reaching, succeed in business affairs

 

Paraphrase: (5/28/00)

8 Before we start, I'd like to thank God in Christ for the faith that has made you known throughout not just the church, but the world. 9 God, whose gospel concerning His Son I preach, knows that you are always in my prayers, 10 in hope that at last it might be in His will to have me visit you.

Key Verse: (5/28/00)

1:9 - It is God we serve, the gospel we preach, and our brothers we lift in prayer.

People Mentioned: (5/28/00)

N/A

Some Parallel Verses (5/28/00)

1:8

1Co 1:4 - Thanks are offered for the grace God has given to the Corinthians in Christ. Eph 1:15-16 - Thanks are offered for the faith in Jesus, and the love of the saints in the Ephesians. Php 1:3-5 - Thanks are offered with joy for the continuing gospel work of the Philippians. Col 1:3-4 - Thanks are offered for the faith in Jesus, and the love of the saints in the Colossians. 1Th 1:2-3 - Thanks are offered for the faith, love and hope in the Thessalonians. 1Th 2:13 - as well as for their accepting of the word of God. Ac 28:22 - Christianity had become known throughout the empire, although spoken badly of by nonbelievers. Ro 16:19 - Reports of the Roman church's obedience had spread throughout the church.

1:9

Ro 9:1 - Christ is the truth, and the Holy Spirit the witness. Ac 24:14 - Paul serves God in accordance with the Law and Prophets by the ways of Christianity. 2Ti 1:3 - His service is given to God with clear conscience and prayer. Eph 1:16 - Paul's prayers for the Ephesians do not cease. Php 1:3-5 - Nor do his prayers for the Philippians.

1:10

Ac 18:21 - Paul knows his return to Ephesus will only come to be if God wills. Ro 15:32 - If he comes to Rome, he knows this to will only be if God so wills it.

 

New Thoughts (5/29/00)

What statements are made of Paul and the church to which he writes! The church has such faith in Christ Jesus that it has been announced and taught everywhere the name of Christ is known, and - if the broad view of 'world' be taken - even beyond the church. Oh, to have a faith so great that even the unbelievers would know it to be so! And Paul, who is able to claim God, Himself, as witness to his prayer life. Would I be willing to appeal to God as a witness to mine? So long as I could pick the days He witnessed to, maybe. But even then, I'm not sure His testimony would be as sweet as I'd like. Therein is my weakness. Lord, help me to make my prayer life as strong as Paul's was - as strong as my study times have become. God, teach me to pray in the way You long to hear, with the fervency of true faith in Your work. I know You have answered much of what I have prayed through these studies. I know there are many things that appear to be unanswered. If You have answered, and I missed it, help me to see it. If I stepped out of Your will in my asking, forgive me, and show me Your will more clearly, that I may remain in it.

Paul understood so very well, that everything - every plan he had, every breath he took - should only be according to Your will. He had truly come to that place of the bond-servant, gladly serving You in all You asked, never demanding his desires of You, but begging for his heartfelt need - always bearing in mind Your right to overrule. Is my pride yet too strong to allow You that control in me? I know it is, and I beg You to change that in me. God, I know You know the struggles I and my family are going through even now. I know I have been prideful in trying to force the needed change in my strength, and in my image. You know, also, how much it hurts me to see things as they are, how much it goads me to be so powerless to fix it. But, You have declared that Your power is perfected in our powerlessness. You have declared that You will work all things to our good, as we are in Your purpose. Help me, oh God, to remain in Your purpose - to stop trying to direct everything according to my "perfect" plan, and submit myself to Yours. Help me, God, to not be a blind leader, but one led by Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your plan. Mold me and make me, Lord, after Your image, to Your purpose, by Your ways.