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Armor for the Christian Life

Within Scripture, two sets of armor are described for the Christian. Panoplia (πανοπλία) is the heavy armor used by Roman soldiers for defense. Hopion (ὅπλον) expresses a weapon of warfare that can included armor.

When the Chief Priests and Pharisees dispatched a troop of roman soldiers to arrest Jesus, they came armed with weapons (ὅπλον), John 18:3.

As we apply the truth to overcome the desires from the sin nature, after reckoning to ourselves that we have died with Christ and are co-raised with Him to walk in newness of life, we are to yield our members as instruments (ὅπλον) of righteousness, Romans 6:13.

The night is well spent, the day is near. Therefore, we are to cast of the works of darkness, putting on the armor (ὅπλον) of light, Romans 13:12, so that we walk properly as in the day, having put on Christ as our outer garment so that we are making no provisions for the flesh and its desires, Romans 13:13-14. This armor (ὅπλον) includes the breastplate of faith and the helmet of salvation, 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

When dealing with persecution and tribulation, we are to commend ourselves as those who belong to God by the internet ability of God, through the use of the armor (ὅπλον) of righteousness, 2 Corinthians 6:7.

Our daily armaments (ὅπλον) of warfare are not carnal but in the inherent ability of God we use them to tear down strongholds, which are the reasonings that exalt themselves above God, bringing the working of our minds into obedience to the Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

Panoplia (πανοπλία) is our heavy armor that is used when we are attacked by Satan so that we are able to stand firm against him, Ephesians 6:11. With […]

Armor for the Christian Life2024-11-14T06:34:39-08:00

Begotten (γεννάω)

Begotten (γεννάω) is predominately used regarding birth; however, it is not restricted in use to only producing a child. It is used in genealogies to connect the father with his children. Abraham begot Isaac, Matthew 1:2, and the results of an action. Paul begot the Corinthian saints, 1 Corinthians 4:15, and became a parent to Onesimus, Philemon 10. Therefore, begotten (γεννάω) is not limited to a birthing term. Its root meaning expresses producing something, hence, bringing forth.

While Joseph was considering how to deal with his fiancé who had become pregnant before he knew her, an angel appeared to him in a dream informing him that the thing that is begotten in Mary’s womb is from the Holy Spirit, Matthew 1:20. Although Christ had not been born at this time, God the Father and the Holy Spirit brought forth a body that was being developed in Mary’s womb. Around two years after Jesus’ birth (when he was begotten from the womb), three wisemen from the east came looking for Him because of the star that was prophesied about through Daniel, Matthew 2:1. Therefore, because of its underlying meaning, begotten (γεννάω) can relate to a child in the womb along with one who has been born.

Begotten (γεννάω) is also used for the condition in which a person is born along with how their birth came about. Some eunuchs are begotten, brought forth as a eunuch, from their mother’s womb, Matthew 19:12. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of being born out of fornication, John 8:41. They also accuse a man who was born blind of being begotten in sin due to his birth defect, John 9:34. Paul’s Roman citizenship was brought forth because of where and to […]

Begotten (γεννάω)2024-11-07T06:01:36-08:00

Abstain (ἀπέχω)

Abstain (ἀπέχω) comes from the root “to have or hold (εχω)”, expressing the concepts of paid in full or sufficiency. In its general use it may also conveying the idea of deliberately avoiding or refraining from something; hence, abstain. Therefore, not holding onto something.

In expressing the concept of sufficiency, Paul uses ἀπέχω in Philippians 4:18 concerning the support he received from Epaphroditus, who was sent by the assembly to fulfill Paul’s physical needs. He conveys to them that he has no need for more, or they may abstain from sending more, because they have met the need.

The village of Emmaus is fully sixty stadia, approximately seven miles, from Jerusalem, Luke 24:13. ἀπέχω (apecho) is used to express its full distance being sufficiently completed by sixty stadia.

When speaking to the Jews about their righteous acts, Jesus warns them to not do them with the intent for others to see them. The one who does work in this manner receives in full what he deserves by the glory he acquired from men, Matthew 6:2, and, therefore, will not be rewarded by God.

In these latter times that we live in, we have many who have departed from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons. These are the pastors that in hypocrisy speak lies, having their own conscience seared, forbidding marriage and teaching abstaining from food, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth, 1 Timothy 4:3.

An aspect of the desirous will of God is for the saint to abstain from fornication, 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Each of us is to know how to possess his own body in sanctification and honor, not in the […]

Abstain (ἀπέχω)2024-10-31T05:42:49-07:00
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