“For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:25 Loses – In Greek – apollumi. The prefix apo is attached to this verb in order to intensify the thought. Although the word comes from a strong root meaning to destroy or…
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand;” Psalm 37:23-24 Holds – In Hebrew – samak. The primary meaning of the root is to lean upon or to…
“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). …
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are expedient,” I Cor. 10:23 Expedient – The Greek word (sunphero) is a combination word. It comes from sun (which means “together”) and phero (which means “to bring”). We get the English word “sum” – as in adding up things – from this Greek prefix…
” In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6 Straight – The root word (yashar) means to be level, straight, just or lawful. In its derivations, it is often connected with the idea of law keeping and uprightness. It frequently means to make a straight path, free of obstacles…
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, He will not fail you or forsake you”. Deuteronomy 31:6 Fail – Hebrew (rapa). This word has a wide variety of meanings in the Old Testament. It can mean to let…
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 Delight – This word (anag) is used for a garment that is delicate or luxurious. Here it means to feel great favor toward something. This verse makes it clear that we do not delight in something God has…
“How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust” Psalm 40:4 Trust – Hebrew batah. The word means the sense of well-being and security that results from having something or someone in whom to place confidence. It is translated in the Greek Old Testament as “hope”, not “belief”. It stresses the feeling of…
For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says “Do not fear, I will help you”. Isaiah 41: 13 Help – This word comes from a root word (azar) meaning to rescue or save or to excuse. The general sense is military assistance, but in the Psalms God’s help arrives…
“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength” Isaiah 40:31 Wait – The Hebrew root is qawa. It means “I wait, look for or hope with eager expectation”. Faith is often expressed in patient endurance confidently knowing that God will act. Waiting involves the very essence of a person’s soul. There will…
