THEREFORE I ASK YOU NOT TO LOSE
HEART AT MY TRIBULATIONS ON YOUR BEHALF: dio aitoumai (1SPMI) me
egkakein (PAN) en tais thlipsesin mou huper humon: (Deuteronomy
20:3; Isaiah 40:30,31; Zephaniah 3:16; Acts 14:22; Galatians 6:9;
2Thessalonians 3:13; Hebrews 12:3, 4, 5) (Ep 3:1; 2Corinthians 1:6;
Philippians 1:12, 13, 14; Colossians 1:24; 1Th 3:2, 3, 4)
Therefore -
in view of the fact that Paul's ministry even in prison was part of his
accomplishing the stewardship of God's grace to the Gentiles. God had
entrusted Paul with the mystery of the church and had given him a
ministry of evangelizing the Gentiles. Therefore his Ephesian readers
should not view his present imprisonment as a tragedy but simply as part
of his ministry.
Henry Alford...
"seeing which things," viz. the
glorious things spoken of Ep 3:1-12: and especially his own personal
part in them; since I am the appointed minister of so great a matter. (The
New Testament for English Readers)
MacDonald
writes that...
In view of the dignity of his
ministry and the wonderful results that flowed from it, Paul encouraged
the saints not to be disheartened when they thought of his sufferings. (MacDonald,
W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)
Blaikie
notes that this verse presents...
A very delicate and touching request,
that they would not be too much distressed by what he was suffering for
them (comp. Epaphroditus,
Philippians 2:2 [see note]
= "because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you
had heard that he was sick."). Paul knew that the sympathy was so
strong that what was suffered by him was endured sympathetically by
them. (Blaikie,
W G: Ephesians in The Pulpit Commentary. Ages Software)
Therefore (1352)
(dio) is a relatively emphatic marker of a result, usually
denoting that the inference is self-evident. Synonyms - So then.
Consequently. For that reason. On which account.
In other words,
Therefore, in view of the incredible benefits (angels see God's
purpose through the church, church has bold, confident access to God's
throne), don't let the news of Paul's imprisonment (and manifold other
afflictions) discourage you. It is all worth it.
Ask
(154)
(aiteo) means to ask for something with a sense of urgency and
even to the point of demanding. Aiteo means to ask for, with a
claim on receipt of an answer. The
present tense
conveys the idea of a
continual asking.
NET Notes
writes that there...
No direct object is given in Greek,
leaving room for the possibility that either “God” (since the verb is
often associated with prayer) or “you” is in view. (Biblical Studies
Press. The NET Bible Notes)
Lose heart
(1573)
(ekkakeo
[equivalent to egkakeo, enkakeo] from ek = out of or intensifies meaning +
kakós = bad) means to strictly speaking means to act or behave
badly in some circumstance. It can mean to give in to evil. It can
convey the idea of to be weary in or become tired of doing something.
Wood
comments that...
The verb enkakein means “to become
good for nothing,” “to grow faint,” and hence “to be discouraged”
(Gaebelein,
F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament.
Zondervan Publishing or
computer version)
The UBS
Handbook notes that...
Not to be discouraged may be
expressed in a number of ways, often idiomatically, for example, “not to
lose heart,” “not to give up,” “not to run away,” or “not to think that
all is lost”
(The
United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series
or
Logos)
It is worth noting
that every NT use of ekkakeo is preceded by negative particle
("not") - Do not become discouraged. Do not lose your enthusiasm. Do not
lose heart. Do not grow weary or tired. Do not flag or faint. Do not
grow slack. Do not despair. Beloved, perhaps God's Spirit might use one
of these phrases to stimulate you to keep on fighting the good faith,
remembering that until we see Him face to face, it's always too soon to
quit. May God grant all of us to be strengthened with power through His
Spirit in our inner man (Ep 3:16-note)
so that at the end of our life we might be able to echo Paul's words...
I have fought the good fight
(struggle), I have finished the course (race), I have kept the faith. In
the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to
me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2Ti 4:7-note,
2Ti 4:8-note)
Rienecker
writes that ekkakeo
is also used in the papyri in the
sense of treating someone badly. It became a Christian technical term
expressing the unflagging pursuit of the goal of service to neighbor, or
of apostolic ministry, as well as the tautness (having no give or slack
-- tightly drawn, chiefly a nautical term signifying in proper order or
condition) of the determined heart
that does not let up or lose courage. (Linguistic and Exegetical Key to
the Greek New Testament)
Ekkakeo
can mean to be a coward, to lose courage or to lose the motivation to
accomplish a valid goal or to continue in a desirable pattern of
conduct. To become discouraged and give up.
Ekkakeo
conveys the idea of becoming exhausted or fainthearted in view of
a trial or
difficulty and therefore giving up ("throwing in the towel" to use a
modern expression). This attitude is the opposite of Paul's charge that
we be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the
work of the Lord, knowing (let this truth motivate you to keep on
keeping on!) that your toil is not (absolutely is not) in vain in the Lord”
(1Co 15:58-note).
The
present tense in Ep 3:13 speaks of a continuing
action ("don't let this be your continual response to my tribulations"
is the idea).
Wayne Barber
explains ekkakeo writing that...
It means "to grow weary, to be
discouraged, to be faint hearted." It also carries another idea. It
means "to turn cowardly and to give into the influences of evil that are
around you." It is almost as if Paul is saying,
"Listen, I am in prison, yes, and my
imprisonment is on your behalf. Now don’t you go and lose heart. I
certainly haven’t lost heart. Look at the marvel of our salvation. Don’t
you grow weary. Don’t become faint hearted. Don’t give in to the
consequences and the temptations of evil that are all around you."
(Ed note: this would be a reasonable interpretation in view of
the fact that he is about to begin his discourse charging them to walk
worthy of their calling, and not like they used to walk as godless
heathens). (Ephesians 3:13: Roots of Discouragement)
In the other 5
uses of ekkakeo (no uses in the
Septuagint), the NT instructs
believers not to lose heart about several things in addition to
trials (Notice this is primarily a "Pauline" word)...
Prayer (Of prayer to which the
answer seems deferred)
Luke 18:1 Now He was telling
them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not
to lose heart
Doing good
(In view of the danger of failure in
perseverance or temptation to laxity)
Gal 6:9-note And let us not
lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not
grow weary.
Comment: A T Robertson says
"It is curious how prone we are to give in and to give out in doing the
good which somehow becomes prosy or insipid to us".
2Th 3:13 But as for
you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.
Serving (Of the ministry of
the word in its purity, when some modification might make it acceptable)
2Cor 4:1-note Therefore, since we
have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart
Burdens of life (in spite of the fatigue and physical suffering
involved)
2Co 4:16-note,
2Co 4:17-note,
2Co 4:18-note Therefore we
do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our
inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction
is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all
comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal,
but the things which are not seen are eternal.
And thus God produces glory through
our afflictions and sufferings. Paul adds...
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. (Ro 8:18-note)
Paul always had an
eternal view when suffering for the sake of the gospel. In Philippians
(also in prison as he was when he wrote Ephesians) Paul wrote...
Now I want you to know, brethren,
that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the
gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well
known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and
that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my
imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without
fear. (Php 1:12 13 14-note)
In a similar
situation (again writing from prison) Paul tells the saints at Colossae
that...
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for
your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is
the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions.
(Col 1:24-note)
Comment: He is not saying his suffering had any atoning value,
for Christ's finished work on the Cross accomplished that objected
forever. What he is saying is that because of the union of believers
with Christ, Paul's sufferings for the sake of the church can be called
Christ's afflictions as well. And the suffering will potentially happen
to any believer who remains faithful, cf 2Ti 3:12-note)
Paul
comforted the
saints at Thessalonica reminding them that...
we sent Timothy, our brother and
God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage
you as to your faith, so that no man may be disturbed by these
afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for
this. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance
that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you
know. (1Th 3:2, 3, 4-note)
Tribulations (2347)
(thlipsis
[word study]
from thlibo = to
crush, press together, squash, hem in, compress, squeeze in turn derived
from thláo = to break)
originally expressed sheer, physical pressure on a man. Medically
thlipsis was used of the pulse (pressure). It is a pressing together as
of grapes. It conveys the idea of being squeezed or placed under
pressure or crushed beneath a weight. When, according to the ancient law
of England, those who willfully refused to plead guilty, had heavy
weights placed on their breasts, and were pressed and crushed to death,
this was literally thlipsis.
Thlipsis thus refers not
to mild discomfort but to great difficulty.
Thlipsis - 45x in 43v - Matt
13:21; 24:9, 21, 29; Mark 4:17; 13:19, 24; John 16:21, 33; Acts 7:10f;
11:19; 14:22; 20:23; Rom 2:9; 5:3; 8:35; 12:12; 1 Cor 7:28; 2 Cor 1:4,
8; 2:4; 4:17; 6:4; 7:4; 8:2, 13; Eph 3:13; Phil 1:17; 4:14; Col 1:24; 1
Thess 1:6; 3:3, 7; 2 Thess 1:4, 6; Heb 10:33; Jas 1:27; Rev 1:9; 2:9f,
22; 7:14. NAS = affliction(14), afflictions(6), anguish(1),
distress(2), persecution(1), tribulation(16), tribulations(4),
trouble(1).
John MacArthur writes that...
Thlipsis (tribulations) has
the underlying meaning of being under pressure and was used of squeezing
olives in a press in order to extract the oil and of squeezing grapes to
extract the juice...In Scripture the word thlipsis is perhaps
most often used of outward difficulties, but it is also used of
emotional stress. (MacArthur,
J: Romans 1-8. Chicago: Moody Press)
Figuratively thlipsis pictures one being "crushed" by intense
pressure, difficult circumstances, suffering or trouble pressing upon
them from without. Thus persecution, affliction, distress, opposition or
tribulation, all press hard on one's soul. Thlipsis does not
refer to mild discomfort but to great difficulty. In Scripture the
thlipsis is most often used of outward difficulties, but it is also
used of emotional stress and sorrows which "weighs down" a man’s spirit
like the sorrows and burden his heart. Thlipsis then includes the
disappointments which can "crush the life" out of the one who is
afflicted.
The
English word "tribulation" is derived from the Latin word
tribulum (literally a thing with teeth that tears), which was a
heavy piece of timber with spikes in it, used for threshing the corn or
grain. The tribulum was drawn over the grain and it separated the
wheat from the chaff. As believers experience the "tribulum" of
tribulations, and depend on God’s grace, the trials purify us and rid us
of the chaff.
Lawrence Richards writes that
thlipsis is used as a
technical theological term for the
Great Tribulation
(see note below) of the end times. Thlipsis is also used in a
non-theological, figurative way to convey the idea of the great
emotional and spiritual stress that can be caused by external or
internal pressures. Of the fifty-five uses of this root (thlipsis and
thlibo) in the NT, fifty-three are figurative and correspond
closely to the Hebrew words
tsarar
and
tsar.
(Richards,
L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency)
Marvin Vincent has the following note explaining that the root
thlibo means...
"to press or squeeze. Tribulation is
perhaps as accurate a rendering as is possible, being derived from
tribulum, the threshing-roller of the Romans. In both the idea of
pressure is dominant, though thlipsis does not convey the idea of
separation (as of corn from husk) which is implied in tribulatio."
(Vincent, M. R. Word studies in the New Testament Vol. 1, Page 3-80)
Vine
writes that thlipsis...
"primarily means a pressure, that
which weighs down the spirit. For the believer who is enabled to endure
it, the affliction becomes a means of triumph...“afflictions” are the
various forms of injury to body and mind suffered by those who are
persecuted...Thlipsis is the suffering which results from what presses
hard on the soul." (Vine,
W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson
)
The
picture of thlipsis is of one being squeezed. When you squeeze
something, what comes out is what is on he inside. What comes out of you
when you are experiencing "thlipsis"? Remember believers have Christ in
them the hope of glory and therefore have the potential to exude the
fragrance of His life when crushed.
William Barclay writes that
thlipsis...
"In ordinary Greek always describes
actual physical pressure on a man...Sometimes there falls upon a
man’s spirit the burden and the mystery of this unintelligible world. In
the early years of Christianity the man who chose to become a Christian
chose to face trouble. There might well come to him abandonment by his
own family, hostility from his heathen neighbours, and persecution from
the official powers. Samuel Rutherford wrote to one of his friends,
“God has called you to Christ’s side, and the wind is now in Christ’s
face in this land: and seeing ye are with him ye cannot expect the
lee-side or the sunny side of the brae.” It is always a costly thing to
be a real Christian, for there can be no Christianity without its cross.
(Ed note: i.e., thlipsis)" (Barclay,
W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster
Press) (Bolding added)
In other notes Barclay writes that...
"thlipsis which originally
expressed sheer, physical pressure on a man. There are things which
weigh down a man’s spirit like the sorrows which are a burden on his
heart and the disappointments which are like to crush the life out of
him...Originally thlipsis meant simply pressure and could, for
instance, describe the pressure of a great stone on a man’s body. At
first it was used quite literally, but in the New Testament it has come
to describe that pressure of events which is persecution. (Ibid)
Your behalf
(5228)
(huper) means for the sake of, in the sense of protection, care,
favor, benefit. Huper in the present context is a marker of
a participant who is benefited by an event or on whose behalf an event
takes place. Stated another way huper is a marker indicating that
an activity or event is in some entity’s interest.
Wayne Barber
has some penetrating pragmatic thoughts on "to not lose heart"
writing...
In chapter 3, the first root of
discouragement would have to be a low view of salvation. You know, so
often we talk about salvation and redemption. Christians who have been
Christians for a while have lost the thrill. They have lost the
excitement. When you have a low view of salvation it effects everything
else that goes on in your life. Paul has been trying to dignify the
salvation and show them that this salvation is absolutely the greatest
blessing you could have on this earth. Now listen to what I am saying.
This earth offers nothing compared to our salvation. That is what Paul
is trying to get across. He could have easily given up, but folks, when
he speaks in chapters 1 and 2 and 3:1-12, he speaks with such awe when
he thinks about his salvation. He is overwhelmed and nothing has marred
his focus. He single-mindedly is looking unto the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh,
when you have a low view of your salvation, you look at it as if it is
something tagged on to your life. If you have not yet seen it as the
very essence of every-thing you are, you will grow faint-hearted. You
will grow weary. You will lose heart and give in to the evil that is
around you.
What about you? How are you doing? How are you doing in your walk? How
are you doing in your work? Young people, back in school right now, how
are you doing right now? Do you have a low view of your salvation? Does
the pressure of the world make you feel sort of stupid sometimes even to
tell them that you are a Christian? Are you ever in a crowded room of
students or a crowded room at work and not want anybody to know that you
are a Christian, that you love the Lord Jesus Christ? Is that going on
in your life? Are you on a plane traveling and sit down beside somebody
and you don’t want to tell them that you are a Christian? You don’t want
to take the laughter and the ridicule because you have such a low view
of what salvation really is?
Folks, it is no wonder we are discouraged if we haven’t realized yet
that our salvation has been God’s plan before creation. He was our
Redeemer before He was ever our Creator. As a matter of fact, He has so
saved us and redeemed us that we are to teach the angelic realm what
redemption is all about. The highest honor, the highest privilege is to
be called a child of God. Folks, we have such a low view of it that we
let the world intimidate us. We lose heart and get sucked right into the
evil that is all around us.
Let me ask you a question. Have you forgotten that salvation makes you a
brand new creation in Christ Jesus? Folks, we ought to hold our heads
high, jump out of bed in the morning, thank God and praise Him that
anything short of hell is grace in our life. Something has happened to
us. We live in a day and an age when redemption and salvation are seen
on such a low, low view. The greatest privilege is when we can say our
name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Unless you are living in the kingdom and are a part of His temple and a
part of His body, you haven’t got a clue yet as to the dignity of your
salvation. Friend, to be saved, born again, redeemed, is the greatest
thing we could possibly say. Yet we let the world intimidate us to the
point we lose heart and we give in as cowards to the evil that is around
us. (Ephesians 3:13: Roots of Discouragement)
THEY ARE YOUR GLORY: etis estin
(3SPAI) doxa humon:
They are -
The tribulations (present tense) are continually. The Amplified Bible's
interpretative rendering is "Rather glory in it for it is an honor to
you."
Glory (1391)
(doxa
[word study]
from dokeo = to think or recognize) means to give a
proper opinion. The basic idea in the word doxa is that of
manifestation.
NET Notes writes that...
The antecedent (i.e., the word or
concept to which this clause refers back) may be either “what I am
suffering for you” or the larger concept of the recipients not losing
heart over Paul’s suffering for them. The relative pronoun “which” is
attracted to the predicate nominative “glory” in its gender and number
(feminine singular), making the antecedent ambiguous.
Paul’s suffering for them could be
viewed as their glory (cf. Col 1:24 for a parallel) in that his
suffering has brought about their salvation, but if so his suffering
must be viewed as more than his present imprisonment in Rome; it would
be a general description of his ministry overall (cf. 2 Cor 11:23–27).
The other option is that the author
is implicitly arguing that the believers have continued to have courage
in the midst of his trials (as not to lose heart suggests) and that this
is their glory. Philippians 1:27,28 offers an interesting parallel: The
believers’ courage in the face of adversity is a sign of their
salvation. (Biblical Studies Press.)
Steven Cole writes...
Because we are at the center of God’s
eternal purpose, we must not lose heart in trials. Paul’s focus was not
on himself, even though he was the one in prison, but on these Ephesian
believers. He didn’t want them to become discouraged on account of his
trials, because they would result in the Ephesians’ ultimate glory. In
Romans 8:18 Paul wrote, “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.” As he goes on to share in that chapter, God works all
things together for our good, using even the trials to conform us to the
image of Jesus Christ. So even if persecution comes against us, we
should not become discouraged, but rather remember that we are at the
center of God’s eternal purpose. Our good and ultimate glory are
included in His purpose. The greatness of the cause is worth the
hardship of the suffering. (Sermon)
Blaikie explains this somewhat
difficult to understand phrase writing that...
the character or capacity of the
apostle of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, in which I suffer tribulation,
is one of such exalted dignity as to reflect glory on you. Take that
view of my sufferings; I suffer because I hold so glorious an office,
and the glory of that office is reflected on you. (Blaikie,
W G: Ephesians in The Pulpit Commentary. Ages Software)
The UBS
Handbook writes...
Caragounis points out, “the meaning
of ’glory’ has puzzled all interpreters.” Barth translates “your
glorification,” which may be taken to mean progressive growth in
Christian virtues and perfection, finally to be attained in the future
life with God (so Caragounis: “will lead to your being glorified”). When
used of people, the word may have the sense of “honor, prestige, reason
for boasting” so TNT “You should be proud of this” Phps “Indeed, you
should be honoured” (Mft, Gdsp, TC, SpCL all have the idea of honor). Or
the word may have the general sense of benefit, advantage; so TEV, FrCL;
GeCL “It has happened for your benefit, and you should be proud of it.”
Perhaps something like the meaning expressed in Colossians 1.27, “the
hope of glory” (TEV you will share in the glory of God), is intended
here.
(The
United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series
or
Logos)
Expositors
explains it this way writing that...
Paul’s tribulations were endured in
their behalf, and were of value for them. The greater the office of the
sufferer, the more did the afflictions which he was content to endure
for them redound (have an effect on or rebound on) to their honor; and
the better this was understood by them, the less should they give way to
weakness and discouragement.
