“It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,” Matthew 20:26 Wishes – Jesus was a man of action words. He understood that life changes require strong commitments. The translation “wishes” is not nearly strong enough to convey what Jesus is saying. The Greek verb used…
“But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith” Philippians 2:17 Sacrifice – The Greek word thusia cannot be understood without the Hebrew background. Sacrifice was an essential part of the worship of God in the Hebrew culture but it was not for God’s…
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 Love – We are so familiar with this verse that we have forgotten just how unusual it is. This verse is really a quotation from Deuteronomy 6:5 where the Hebrew word for…
“Return, O faithless sons, I will heal your faithlessness.” Jeremiah 3:22 Heal – The Hebrew word rapa appears over 60 times in the Old Testament. It means restoring or making healthy is almost every case. It is most often used of human subjects but can sometimes be used for the restoration of an object (for…
“How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times.” Psalm 106:3 Blessed – An Old Testament beatitude. Jesus was not the first to use this pattern of speech. He was an Old Testament man, and he taught from the Old Testament Scriptures. Here is a beatitude of David. The word in…
“Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant.” Isaiah 44:21 Servant – Slave! (eved). That’s the primary meaning of this word. But slavery in the Hebrew culture was not like slavery in the Greek culture. Nor was it like our modern version of…
“A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers” Proverbs 6:19 Strife – Joseph and his brothers. That’s where you look to see the full meaning of this word. Go back to Genesis 37. The Hebrew word medaniym means a discord or quarrel that can’t be stopped once it gets going. …
“So she removed the widow’s garments and covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in the gateway of Enaim,” Genesis 38:14 In the gateway of Enaim – Have you ever read the story of Tamar? You will find it in Genesis 38. It is not likely that you have heard many sermons…
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 Consider – This is not a matter of opinion! Paul is not filling out a heavenly survey on attitudes toward suffering. The Greek word, logizomai, really means,…
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls” Matthew 11:29 Rest – In Greek – anapuasis. A combination of two Greek words – ana ( prefix that means again) and pauo (a root word meaning to give rest). …
