WHICH HE WILL BRING ABOUT AT THE PROPER TIME: en kairois idiois deixei
(3SFAI):
(Which: 1Ti 1:11,17 Ps 47:2 83:18 Jer 10:10 46:18 Da 2:44-47
4:34 Mt 6:13 )
THE
SECOND COMING IS SURE:
THE SOVEREIGN
GOD
DETERMINES THE MOMENT
He - This
pronoun
refers to God the Father Who is sovereign and in control over the First and
Second Comings of the Messiah. Beloved of the Father (1Th 1:4-note),
as those who are now privileged to live between the two comings of
Christ (the so called "church age"), are we not comforted that He
controls the beginning and the end! And if He is
sovereign over history, can we not trust Him to reign and rule over
our life and all our multicolored (poikilos)
trials (1Pe 1:6-note),
for which He sovereignly provides His multicolored (poikilos)
grace (1Pe 4:10-note)!
May our Father grant us
His grace to reject self reliance and a heart that strives to rely
solely and wholly on His sovereignty (and sovereign grace) in Christ Jesus, the One Who has
come and Who will soon come to take us home. Amen
Which -
Although it may seem overly simplistic, it is always good to practice
interrogating the text with the 5W/H'S.
In this case we can ask simple questions like "What is which?"
"To what does this refer?" which forces us to check the
context
for the answer, which as in this case is usually relatively
straightforward, but at times can be problematic. When you encounter
passages that are difficult, don't worry. Just move on. As you read
and re-read a given section, your Teacher, the Holy Spirit, will
usually uncover the answers that are not as obvious on the initial
reading. In fact, one of the keys of
inductive Bible study
is reading the
text over and over (See
observation),
but not in a mechanical or pedantic manner, but each time with a
specific purpose. For example, you might read through First Timothy
one time to specifically observe what the text teaches about God or
Jesus, another time through might be to discern what Paul says about
himself, another time looking for what he says about Timothy, another
time observing for instructions or commands, another time observing
for words or phrases that are repeated or seem to have special
emphasis (See
key words)
in the context of this letter (See
Keep Context King).
As you read through each time seeking to
observe with a purpose,
maximize your efforts by recording a list of what the text teaches
about each topic. Use the actual words of Scripture in your list.
Don't paraphrase. To facilitate this exercise, you might print out a
copy of First Timothy, leaving wide margins on both sides where you
can mark the text (See
mark key words)
and record your observations. Be sure to use a more literal Bible
translation for this more serious type of study (Bible
Versions compared for how literal)
The NET Bible
note comments that which indicates that this entire passage is
"a relative clause which refers back to appearing in 1Ti 6:14."
Wuest
agrees adding that
The word which is a relative
pronoun in the Greek text referring back to the word appearing.
The connection is as follows: "Which appearing in His own
times He will expose to the eyes, He who is the blessed and only
Potentate, etc."
The truths about
God in this passage and the following one serve to amplify the promise
of Christ's return, which in turn would serve to strengthen and
encourage young, "timid" (2Ti 1:7-note) Timothy to continue to "flee...follow...fight
the good fight of faith." The truth is that the Father controls
and determines the moment when the Son will return as Victorious
Warrior Who will put an end to the struggle against the powers of
evil.
Will bring about -
Wuest paraphrases it "He will expose to the eyes". "God will make
that happen at the right time." (International Children's Bible) "In
His own time will be publicly displayed." (Christian Counselor's
NT), "He will make clear" (BBE).
Bring about
(1166)(deiknuo)
means to show, to make known or to manifest. Deiknuo draws
attention to something by visual, auditory, gestural, or linguistic
means so that it can be apprehended by the senses (cp Christ's
appearing - "Every eye will see Him!" Rev 1:7). Deiknuo is also
used in the sense of showing something so as to prove it is true or to
make it clear by evidence (e.g., "We know that, when He appears...we
shall see Him just as He is.")
It is interesting that 8 of 33 uses
are in the book of the Revelation, the book that culminates with the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ which God will bring
about...
Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus
Christ, which God gave Him to show (deiknuo) to His
bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent
and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John
Rev 4:1b "Come up here, and I
will show you what must take place after these things."
Rev 17:1b "Come here, I shall
show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,
Rev 21:9b "Come here, I shall
show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in
the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy
city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
Rev 22:1 And he showed me a
river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne
of God and of the Lamb,
Rev 22:6 And he said to me, "These
words are faithful and true"; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of
the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the
things which must shortly take place.
Rev 22:8 And I, John, am the one
who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down
to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
HE MAKES ALL THINGS
BEAUTIFUL
IN HIS OWN TIME!
At the proper time - "at
just the right time" (NLT). "In due season" (The Living Bible). "In
His times." (KJV). "In His own good time." (Centenary). The Greek is
more accurately rendered by the Amplified Version which has "in His
own proper time". The NAS neglects to pick us the nuance of "His
own"
His own (2398)(idios)
is an adjective which means that this time is distinctively
characteristic of God. It is a time that peculiarly, privately, and
personally is possessed by Him.
There was an old song from my
pre-Christian days entitled "Turn, Turn, Turn," sung by the Birds and
based (I suppose) on Ecclesiastes 3, where Solomon writes...
There is an
appointed time for everything.
And there is a time for every event under heaven...
He has made everything beautiful in His time
Ec 3:1, Ec 3:11KJV
Comment: Indeed at the
terminus of this present age, the Son of Righteousness will arise and
return with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2). The Beautiful One (Play:
Jeremy Camp's Beautiful One) will
then make all things beautiful for those who belong to Him. Pause and
thank Him for this blessed hope as you listen to the beautiful
old (circa 1980's) Maranatha chorus entitled...
In His Time
At the proper time -
More literally "In His own seasons". Identical phrase in 1Ti 2:6 (First Coming - specifically the
crucifixion) and Titus 1:3-note
(Manifested the truth of eternal life in His Word about Christ).
Compare the phrase "fullness of time" (Gal 4:4 - First Coming).
Here are all the uses of "proper time" in Scripture (in the
NAS95): Nu 23:23; Eccl 8:5, 6; Mt 24:45; Lk 1:20; 12:42; 1Ti 2:6;
6:15; Titus 1:3; Heb 11:11-note;
1Pe 5:6-note.
This
time phrase ("at the proper time") is first in the Greek sentence which signifies that it
is a point of emphasis. As discussed above, whenever you encounter a
time phrase or "time sensitive word" (eg, until, then, etc), pause and
interrogate the
expression of time.
For example, "To what time is Paul referring?" "What happens at
the proper time?" "How should the truth about the proper
time effect my daily life?" (Obviously an application type
question). In context, Paul teaches that the Second Coming, the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, will occur at the proper time.
This is the time that the Father specifies and which no man knows or
even expects (ie, it will catch the world "off guard!")
because it is God the Father's own personal time only known to Him.
Mt 24:35, 36 Heaven and earth will pass away,
but My words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour no one
knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father
alone.
Read the following passages, all of
which in some way refer to the Father's personal, peculiar, private proper time
of bringing about the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. See if you notice a common
theme in these passages in regard to how we as believers should
conduct ourselves in this present evil age.
Acts 1:7 He said to them (Jesus answering
the Acts 1:6 question from His disciples), "It is not for you to know
times (chronos) or epochs (kairos
- same word translated "proper time"
in 1Ti 6:15) which the Father has fixed by
His own authority;
Zech 14:7 (Context Zech 14:1-6) For it will be a unique
day which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but it
will come about that at evening time there will be light.
Mt 24:42 (In the context of
describing the "faithful and sensible slave" Mt 24:45 Jesus warned...) "Therefore
be on the alert
(gregoreuo
in the
present imperative),
for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at
what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the
alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
44 For this reason you be
(present
imperative) ready
(Gk - hetoimos = prepared) too; for the Son of Man is coming at
an hour when you do not think He will.
45 Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in
charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time
(kairos)?
46 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he
comes. 47 Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his
possessions.
Mt 25:13 "Be
on the alert (gregoreuo
in the
present imperative) then (Why?
in view of the danger just described - Mt 25:1-10, 11, 12), for (term
of explanation
- what is Jesus explaining?) you do not know the day nor the hour.
(What time? The day of His appearing).
Mk 13:33 (See context - Mk
13:35-37) "Take heed,
(blepo
in the
present imperative
= command calling for continual attention!)
keep on the alert
(agrupneo
in the
present imperative)
for you do not know when the appointed time (kairos) is.
Luke 12:35 "Be
dressed (present
imperative
= continually in a state of) in readiness
(perizonnumi
= girded),
and keep
your lamps alight.
36 And be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns
from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to
him when he comes and knocks.
37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master shall find on the alert
when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve,
and have them recline at the table (first century middle eastern meals
were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s
side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet
farthest away), and will come up and wait on them.
38 Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and
finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
39 "And be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at
what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to
be broken into.
40 "You too, be
(present
imperative) ready
(Gk - hetoimos = prepared);
for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.
(the verb means that does not seem proper or best)"
Comment: Observe verse 37 -
Who will gird himself? The master! Many commentators feel and I agree
that this is a description of Jesus serving us in the future.
J C Ryle writes - "This is
perhaps one of the most wonderful promises made to believers in the
New Testament. It must probably be interpreted figuratively. It means
that there is no limit to the honor and glory which the Lord Jesus
will bestow on those who are ready to meet him at his second coming."
Luke 21:34 "Be
on guard (prosecho
in the
present imperative
- command to always keep our guard up spiritually speaking), that your
hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and
the worries of life, and that day (To what day is Jesus
referring?) come on you suddenly like a trap;
35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the
earth.
36 "But keep on the alert
(agrupneo
in the
present imperative)
at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape
all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the
Son of Man."
Romans 13:11-note And this do, knowing
the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep;
for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
12-note The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore
lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13-note Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and
drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife
and jealousy. 14-note
But put on
(aorist
imperative)
the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make no provision
(present
imperative) for the flesh in regard to its
lusts.
1Th 5:1-note Now as to the times
(chronos) and
the epochs (kairos), brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to
you.
2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come
just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, "Peace and
safety!"
then
(expression
of time) destruction will
come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and
they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake
you like a thief;
5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night
nor of darkness;
6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and
sober.
1Pe 4:7 The
end of all things is at hand;
therefore, be of
sound judgment (aorist
imperative)
and sober spirit (aorist
imperative)
for the purpose of prayer.
Rev 16:15 Behold, I am coming
like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his
garments, lest he walk about naked and men see his shame.
Proper time
(season)
(2540)(kairos)
means a point of time
or period of time frequently with the implication of being especially
fit for something but without emphasis on precise chronology (about
when it will take place or how long it will last, etc). Kairos
describes a moment as especially appropriate, presenting the favorable
time or season for something to occur, specifically the return of
Christ.
HE WHO IS THE BLESSED AND ONLY SOVEREIGN, THE KING OF KINGS AND THE
LORD OF LORDS: o makarios kai monos dunastes o basileus
ton basileuonton (PAPMPG) kai kurios ton kurieuonton, (PAPMPG):
(King: Ezra 7:12 Pr 8:15 Rev 17:14 19:16)
ANOTHER DIVINE
DOXOLOGY
Now Paul describes attributes of
God which "enable" God to accomplish everything He promises, in this
context, the "re-appearing" of our Lord Jesus Christ. But beloved, remember
that He is (as Paul says in Titus 1:2-note)
the "Non-lying" God! (cp Nu 23:29, 1Sa 15:28, Heb
6:17-note,
Heb 6:18-note) It
therefore behooves as His dear children to lay hold by grace through
faith of all of His "precious and magnificent promises
(e.g. see Ezekiel 36:26, 27), in order
that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having
escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2Peter 1:4-note)
Stated another way, in view of the fact that "God...cannot lie
(and) promised long ages ago", we need to study His Word
diligently (2Ti 2:15KJV-note),
as would a prospector looking for perishable gold (1Pe 1:18-note
contrasted with our "gold" which is eternal! Read Ps 12:6-note,
Pr 30:5, Isaiah 40:8, 55:11, 1Pe 1:25-note,
Ps 119:89-note,
Mt 24:35), so that we might know our "possessions" (all
the promises of God which in Christ are yea and amen! - 2Cor 1:20KJV)
and thereby be able and zealous to possess our possessions
now, in this life (cp God's promise to Joshua - Josh 1:3 - note that
God had already given ["I have given" = past tense] the
land to him! But to NT believers, it is not a land
He has given, but a
life He has promised
[2Ti 1:1-note]
a life here and now that Jesus desires that we possess
abundantly in Him - Jn 10:10b, cp Col 3:4-note,
2Cor 4:10, 11, Jn 20:31, 1Jn 5:11, 12, 13).
May God grant us His Spirit's
inner strengthening and His transforming, sufficient grace that we
might by faith lay hold of our promised possessions, doing so for His
renown, acclaim and glory through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Earlier in the context of
describing the First Coming Paul had broken into a doxology (doxa
= glory, praise + lego = to speak)
declaring...
Now to
the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only (monos -
same adjective here in 1Ti 6:15) God, be honor and glory forever and
ever. Amen. (1Ti 1:17)
Now in the context of the Second
Coming, he again breaks into a doxology.
Paul uses monos (only) in another doxology declaring "to the
only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen."
(Ro 16:27-note).
(Compare similar idea regarding the exclusivity of our great God = Rev
15:4-
note
"Thou alone art holy"). God Himself testified that He
was the "only" God asking...
Is there any God besides
Me,
Or is there any other Rock?
I know of none.
Isaiah 44:8
Gordon Fee comments
that...
Ephesus (Ed:
Timothy was thought by most scholars to be the pastor of the church at
Ephesus at this time) was not only the haven of Artemis, but an early
center of emperor worship as well. This doxology, therefore, is Paul’s
parting shot that the God with Whom the church has to do in the Gospel
of Christ is none other than the supreme Ruler of the universe, the
Lord over all other lords. (New International Biblical Commentary: 1
and 2 Timothy, Titus. Hendrickson Publishers. 1988)
Wuest adds that "The
Roman emperors were called "saviour of the world."
The Blessed - "Who is
perfectly happy" (Mace Version). Note that "blessed" (makarios) and
"only" (monos) are both adjectives modifying "Sovereign".
Blessed is
used as a Name for God in the high priest's question of Jesus at his
mock trial...
But He
kept silent, and made no answer. Again the high priest was questioning
Him, and saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed
One?" And Jesus said, "I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING
AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN." (Mk
14:61-62)
Earlier Paul had referred to...
the
glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
(1Ti 1:11)
Writing to Titus, Paul
described the Second Coming as
"...the
blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and
Savior, Christ Jesus." (Titus 2:13-note)
Blessed (3107)(makarios
from root makar, but
others say from mak = large or lengthy) means to be happy, but
not in the usual sense of happiness based on positive circumstances
(i.e., on what "happens").
From the Biblical perspective Makarios describes one free from
daily cares and worries because his every breath and circumstance is
in the hands of His Maker Who gives him such an assurance (such a
"blessing"). By using makarios, Paul is saying the
transcendent, self-existent God is “happy,” “content,” or “fulfilled”.
The Blessed One is in
turn the source of all spiritual blessings (cp Ps 1:1-note;
which in the
Septuagint [Lxx]
uses makarios, as do the following OT passages - Job 5:17KJV,
Ps 32:1, 2, Ps 33:12, Ps 34:8, Ps 40:4; Ps 41:1; Ps 65:4; Ps 84:4, 5,
12; Ps 89:15; Ps 94:12; Ps 106:3; Ps 112:1; Ps 119:1, 2; Ps 127:5; Ps
128:1, 2; Ps 137:8, 9; Ps 144:15; 146:5; Pr 3:13; 8:32; 20:7; 28:14;
Isa 30:18; 56:2; Da 12:12 - this would make an interesting study -
Observe these OT uses of makarios for the conditions associated with
the blessing. My guess is you would be blessed, pun intended!). The
Beatitudes that introduce the Sermon on the Mount each begin with this
same word "makarios."
In other words, as John
MacArthur puts it God has no
unhappiness, frustration, and anxiety. He is content, satisfied, at
peace, fulfilled, and perfectly joyful. While some things please Him
and other things do not, nothing alters His heavenly
contentment. He controls everything to His own joyous ends. Those who
enter into a relationship with God enter into His calm. They can be
unperturbed because He is unperturbed. The Psalmist wrote, “How
blessed are all who take refuge in Him” (Ps 2:12; cf.. 34:8; 40:4;
84:12; 112:1; 128:1 [Ed: See more uses of makarios in
the OT above])! Scripture describes the blessed as those whom God
chooses (Ps. 65:4), those who know Christ (Mt. 16:16, 17), those who
believe the Gospel (Gal 3:9), those whose sins are forgiven (Ro 4:7),
those to whom God grants righteousness apart from works (Ro 4:6-9),
and those who obey the Word (James 1:25). No matter what the
opposition, no matter what trials or persecutions he faces, the man of
God can be at peace. That peace is not based on external circumstances
but on the knowledge that God is in control. Believers are blessed
because they are in union with the God who is blessed.
(MacArthur,
John: 1Timothy Moody Press
or
Logos
or
Wordsearch)
(Bolding added)
In this passage blessed
(like "only"-monos) is an adjective modifying God, saying in
essence that God is the sovereign one Who has and Who bestows all
blessedness (happiness).
Schuetze says it this
way...
All
happiness and blessedness are personified in him, come from him, and
are found only in his presence. (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus.
Northwestern Pub. House)
Greek used makarios to refer to their so called gods calling
them "the blessed ones!" How deceitful is the heart! These
pagans thought their pseudo-gods were "blessed" because they had
achieved a state of happiness and contentment in life that was beyond
all cares, labors, and even death. The blessed ones were beings
who lived in some other world away from the cares and problems and
worries of ordinary people. In the pagan world of Greek mythology, to
be blessed, one had to be a god. Homer used makarios to
describe a state unaffected by the world of men, for the latter were
subject to poverty, weakness, and death. The Greeks also used
makarios in reference to the dead who were "the blessed ones",
men and women who, through death, had reached the other world of the
gods and so were now beyond the cares and problems and worries of
earthly life. To be blessed, you had to be dead, a state many of us
have felt like we would just as well experience because of the nature
of our manifold troubles and afflictions at the time.
King of kings - More literally this reads "The King of those
who reign as kings" (The first "king" is a noun and the
second is the verb form). This title and the following ("Lord of
lords") serve to even further amplify and/or magnify the fact that He
is the Sovereign one, the one Who alone rules and reigns over all men,
all angelic hosts, and all creation.
This exact phrase "King of kings" occurs 6 times in Scripture,
used
three times to describe men (Ezra 7:12, Ezek 26:7, Da 2:37) and used three times
to describe
God (1Ti 6:15, Rev 17:14-
note,
Rev 19:16-note).
For example, in Ezra 7:12 the title is used of Artaxerxes for king
of kings, a common title for Persian kings. Indeed, the New
Testament's use of this title may have been a direct rebuttal against
the kings of the earth who thought themselves supreme (cp Da 11:36-note
where "king" = Antichrist, cp also Rev 17:1-note,
Rev 17:2-note,
Rev 17:12-note,
Rev 17:13-note),
saying, in essence, there is One greater! In the
present passage King of kings is used of God the Father,
whereas it refers to God the Son in Rev 17:14-note
and Rev 19:16-note,
where in context it signifies His "victorious Name."
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (circa 333-397AD) and teacher of
Augustine helps us understand how the same title (Lord of lords)
can be used of both the Father and the Son...
THE SOVEREIGN SON INSEPARABLE FROM THE FATHER: When I speak of the
Father, I do not make separation of the Son, because the Son is in the
bosom and the solitude of the Father. (Jn 1:18) When I speak of the
Son alone, I also associate the Father, even as the Son also
associated Him, saying, “Behold the hour is coming for you to leave Me
alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” (Jn 16:32)
In this way is the Father called “the blessed and only Sovereign”
(Ed: And both can be called "King of kings and Lord of lords")
—in such a way that the Son, Who is always in the Father, is not
separated from Him. (From THE PRAYER OF JOB AND DAVID 2.4.15)
OUR POTENTATE IS "POTENT"
OUR
GOD IS ABLE
The only Sovereign (KJV "Only Potentate") - Paul
uses the adjective only (monos = "pertaining to being
the only entity in a class" [BDAG]) underscores his monotheistic belief,
that there is only one God, one "Potentate". The only one
Who "Holds sway" (NEB). "Only Ruler" (Darby)
As Patrick Fairbairn says God is the only one "in the
universe possessed of independent right and absolute sovereignty."
See study of God's attribute:
Sovereign
Webster defines "Potentate" as one who possesses great
power or sway and as applied to God is expressive of His transcendent
power and authority. Potentate is from Latin "potentatus"
= dominion ruler from Latin posse = to be able. Indeed
our God is Sovereign, our God is able. What effect would these truths
about God have on Timothy's ability to fight the good fight of faith?
Clearly when one knows they are on the winning team, of the only God
and the only God Who is able, we have nothing to fear.
How "potent" is our blessed and only Sovereign?
Read the following introduction from Psalm 2 and be encouraged that
our God is sovereign and in control of the universe, not to mention
the very hairs of our head! Let us cast away all tendency to fret
and worry (Ps 37:1, 7, 8-note,
Pr 24:19, Mt 6:25-note,
Mt 6:31-note,
Mt 6:34-note,
Mt 10:19, Lk 12:22, Php 4:6-
note,
Php 4:7-note).
He is the same God yesterday, today and forever (cp Heb 13:8-note).
Hallelujah! Amen.
WHY are the nations in an uproar,
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
The kings of the earth take their stand,
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed:
“Let us tear their fetters apart,
And cast away their cords from us!”
He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury:
“But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
Psalm 2:1–6
(See
Notes by Tony Garland and/or by
C H Spurgeon)
As John Stott comments...
our confidence in God’s perfect timing, and our consequent willingness
to leave things in his hands, arise from the kind of God we know him
to be. (Guard the truth : the message of 1 Timothy & Titus.
InterVarsity Press)
Sovereign
(
1413)
(dunastes
from
dunamai = to be able) describes one who is possessor of power or
authority, who occupies high position and was used especially of
independent rulers of territories (Lk 1:52). Dunastes in
the Septuagint and the NT is used of one who is in a position of
authority and who possesses the inherent right to command or rule over
others. It is helpful to remember that all of the words with the stem
"duna-" (or "dyna-") convey the basic sense of having
intrinsic or inherent ability or capability. In other words, God's
ability (or power) is intrinsic and integrally related to Who He is.
His ability is not delegated to Him from some other "power" therefore
He has to rivals! No created entity can make such a claim. Even the
forces of evil cannot claim such absolute power. What Satan does, God
allows. Believers must relinquish reliance of their fleshly "power"
(even that being allowed by God) and rely on His supernatural power in
order to live and work supernaturally (cp Jn 15:5, Acts 1:8, etc). The
struggle between believers and Satan is not so much a "power struggle"
as it is a "truth struggle" and the "battlefield" is our minds. The
best antidote for Satan's tactics is truth, which is why even the Lord
Jesus repelled his temptations by relying on the Word of truth (all
quotes from Deuteronomy - Mt 4:1-11). Believers have access to the
same "power source" today, which underscores why serious (in contrast
to superficial) Bible study (e.g.,
inductive Bible study
)
and
Bible memorization
(See
Memory Verses by Topic)
are disciplines so vital to the so-called "victorious Christian
life." If you are not seriously studying the Word as if your
spiritual depended on it, then, frankly, you are deceived and setting
yourself up for continual defeat in spiritual warfare.
Many passages in Scriptures affirm
God's sovereignty. For example in Isaiah God declares...
Even from eternity I am He;
And there is none who can deliver out of My hand;
I act and who can reverse it?
Isaiah 43:13
(See also Isaiah 40:25-31)
Vincent notes that this
verse is the only use of dunastes to describe God. He adds that
in Classic Greek writings dunastes was...
applied to Zeus
(Sophocles Antig. 608). In Aesch. Agam. 6, the stars are
called bright rulers (lamproi dunastai), as the regulators of the
seasons.
The only other uses of dunastes in the NT are...
Luke 1:52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And
has exalted those who were humble.
Acts 8:27 And he arose and went; and behold, there was an Ethiopian
eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the
Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to
Jerusalem to worship.
Dunastes is use in 73 verses in the Greek (Septuagint
= Lxx) (often translated as "ruler" but not
necessarily divine, adversary - Job 6:23, tyrants or oppressors - Job
27:13) (34x in the
apocrypha and 39x in the
non-apocrypha) - Ge 49:24; 50:4; Lev 19:15; Jda. 5:9; 1Sa 2:8;
1Chr 28:1; 29:24; Jdt 2:14; 9:3; 2 Macc 3:24; 9:25; 12:15, 28; 15:3,
4, 5,
23, 29; 3 Macc 2:3; 5:51; 6:4, 39; Ps 71:12; Odes 3:8; 4:14; 9:52; Pr
1:21; 8:3, 15; 14:28; 17:26; 18:16, 18; 23:1; 25:6f; 31:4; Job 5:15;
6:23; 9:22; 12:19; 13:15; 15:5, 20; 27:13; 29:12; 36:22; Wis 5:23;
8:11; Sir 4:27; 7:6; 8:1; 10:3, 24; 11:6; 13:9; 16:11; 41:17; 46:5, 7,
16; Amos 6:7; Nah 3:18; Hab 3:14; Isa 5:22; Jer 41:19; Dan 2:10; 8:24;
9:6, 8; 11:5, 15; Dat. 3:94; There is one familiar verse that uses
dunastes...
Job 13:15 (NAS) "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I
will argue my ways before Him.
Job 13:15 (English of the Lxx) Though the Mighty One
(dunastes) should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily
I will speak, and plead before him
Wuest comments that dunastes is related to the
noun...
dunamis
meaning "strength, power, ability." It is the word used in Romans
1:16-
note,
where the Gospel is the power (dunamis)
of God resulting in salvation. Here our word (dunastes)
refers to one who has power such as a prince, a high officer, a royal
minister. God is called a potentate from the viewpoint of His
power. He is a ruler by virtue of the fact that He has the power and
ability to rule.
(Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans
or
Logos
or
Wordsearch)
JEHOVAH IS
LORD OF ALL
