Relent (נָחַם)
Nacham (נָחַם) is often translated as “comfort”, “sorry”, “relent”, “repent”, “moved with pity”, or “grieved”, making it difficult to understand its true meaning. The basic meaning of נָחַם is “to relent”; however, in context it can also express “to console,” since by the nature of relenting one concedes from his distress.
The first occurrence of נָחַם (nacham) in Scripture is when Lamech named his son Noah, which is a form of נָחַם (nacham), meaning, “one who brings comfort,” Genesis 5:29. The birth of a son brought comfort to his parents because they would be able to relent from their work, having an additional hand to assist.
In Genesis 6:6, after seeing that mankind had rejected good and only goes after wrong all day long, for even every formation of the intent of his heart only sought after evil, God determines to destroy these wicked humans. Although many of our translations use the word “sorry” or “regret”, neither of these actually expresses the meaning of נָחַם (nacham), and both imply something about God that is not true. God did not change His mind, or feel regret, concerning creating humans; instead, He relented from striving with humans because of their wickedness. God did not forget His word to Adam, Eve, and the serpent. Due to the wickedness of these humans, God chose to destroy them to stop their evil ways. However, He saved eight souls, allowing humanity to continue and His word to be fulfilled. Genesis 6:6-7 show us that wickedness is very repulsive to God and that He will only permit it to go so far before bringing judgment. To ensure the wickedness of humans would not again get to the point that it was at before the flood, when the offspring of Noah’s sons attempted to bring back these malignantly evil ways, God introduced different languages to the human race, which caused great confusion and scattered humans across the earth.
When Rebekah became Isaac’s wife, she was a comfort to him after his mother’s death, because he relented from mourning her death, Genesis 24:67. After Jacob stole his father’s blessing from Esau, his mother became aware of a plot that Esau was working on to console himself by killing his brother, Genesis 27:42. Although Esau cared little for his birthright, which he sold to Jacob for a bowl of lentil soup, the blessing was a whole other matter, for it involved Esau’s financial wellbeing. To relent from his grief and anger, Esau determined to kill his brother, claiming all of the possessions of his father for himself and thereby forcibly taking the blessing from Jacob.
After bringing Israel out of Egypt, due to their stiff-neck behavior, God became angry with them and told Moses that He would destroy them all and raise up a nation from his seed. Moses pleaded with God for Israel and God relented and withheld His anger, Exodus 32:14. This encounter is why Moses is referred to as meek, which actually means having an objectivity of mind. God gave him a task to do in leading the Israelites, and Moses was not going to change his focus, even when given the opportunity to destroy these obstinate people who continually complained and were difficult to manage.
The concept of “repent” in Hebrew comes from the word שׁוּב (shuv), which fundamentally means “to return” or “to turn back”. This correlates with the Greek concept of “repent” found in the New Testament, meaning, “to change the mind.” However, due to theology, the concept of remorse for sins has crept into the definition of “repent,” even though it has nothing to do with the original meaning. Therefore, in Numbers 23:19, we see that God is not a man, nor the son of man that He should relent, not repent or regret as though He has done something wrong. He is not going to be persuaded to relent from His word.
The Hebrew word נָחַם (nacham) carries the meaning of relent, never the concept of repentance or remorse. The wickedness of humans was so bad before the flood that God relented on striving with them, not emotionally, but logically, by determining to destroy them and raise up a new generation from the eight souls that He saved, for God does not lie, nor change His mind concerning what He has said He will do. He promised Satan that the seed of the woman would crush his head, and even though humans and angels sought to corrupt all flesh, God destroyed them and preserved the human race so that Christ would be born of a virgin and bring about the destruction of Satan through His death concerning sins and resurrection three days later.
Inherent power (δύναμις)
Inherent power (δύναμις) describes the potential for functioning, the ability or capability to carry something out.
Inherent ability is often translated as, “power”, “wonders”, “mighty works”, or “miracles”, which can cause a lot of confusion in understanding what is being expressed. However, when we go back to its roots, we find that it refers to a person’s natural innate capacity or talent without the need to be taught or trained.
In Matthew chapter eleven, verses twenty through twenty-three, Jesus rebukes Chorazin and Bethsaida for their unbelief because of all the many manifestations of inherent ability that were done before them. In comparison, if these works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, these cities would still remain. However, in the day of Judgment, it will be more tolerable for these cities than for Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated His authority by bestowing inherent ability upon the twelve disciples. He sent them to Israel to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God, equipping them with the inherent ability and authority over demons and diseases, Luke 9:1.
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved, it is the inherent ability of God, 1 Corinthians 1:18. The gospel of the Christ has within its words the inherent ability to save, Romans 1:16. It is important to clearly and without modification state the good news by which we are saved that is laid out by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Christ died on behalf of our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. Unlike the message of the Kingdom of the Heavens, which could be snatched by Satan out from the mind of the one who did not understand, Matthew 13:19, once a person believes the gospel of the Christ, it cannot be snatched from their understanding. We proclaim Christ crucified, to the Jews a scandal, and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jew and Gentiles, Christ is the inherent ability and wisdom of God, 1 Corinthians 1:24.
Knowing the inherent ability of His resurrection is of far more value to Christians than anything this world has to offer, Philippians 3:8. We are to be conformed to His death. God imputes the death of Christ to those who are in the Christ, rendering the sin nature ineffective and separating us from the world system, Philippians 3:10. Therefore, we are not to live according to the strong desires of the flesh, or seek to fulfill the desires from the world system, for God also imputes Christ’s resurrection so that we can now walk in newness of life, living out the righteousness we have in Christ, Philippians 3:11. This is the true inherent power of the Christian life, for we have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness to live out the righteousness we have in Christ.
Outwardly conforming (συσχηματίζω)
Outwardly conforming (συσχηματίζω) means putting on a mask to appear as something you’re not. It is to conform one’s mind and character to another’s pattern.
Suschēmatizō (συσχηματίζω) is derived from a word that means to be in the appearance or likeness of something else. When God the Son wrapped Himself in flesh, He was found in the likeness of a man; however, He was still fully God. He emptied Himself of His outward display of Deity and wrapped Himself in flesh, Philippians 2:8. As Christians, we are not part of the world system, for in Christ we are crucified to it, and it to us. However, Christ chose not to remove us from it; therefore, we are to use it but not abuse it, realizing that the outward form of the world is always changing, 1 Corinthians 7:31. It is the one who does the desirous will of God that abide into the age, 1 John 2:17.
In Romans 12:2, we are instructed not to put on a mask (outwardly conform ourselves) as though we are under law. Christians do not govern their lives by law, Romans 6:14. We are not to be inarticulate babblers who need a tutor because we are sons, Ephesians 1:5 (having marked off our bounds to the placement of sons through Jesus Christ unto Himself, according to the good pleasure of His desirous will). Sons do not need governors and tutors, which is what the law served as, Galatians 3:24. In contrast to living by law we are to train our senses to know what is proper from what lacks in character and govern our lives by grace out from faith, Hebrews 5:14; Romans 1:17. This standard needs no law because what is produced in the Christian who is focus on living by the Spirit is not against any law, Galatians 5:22-23.
And do not be outwardly conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewedness of the mind for the purpose that you test for approval what is the desirous will of God, the good and well pleasing and mature – Romans 12:2
As obedient children, we are not to put on a mask to the former lusts in our ignorance; instead, just as He is holy, we are to separate ourselves out unto God in all our conduct, 1 Peter 1:14-15.
Troubled (ταράσσω)
Troubled (ταράσσω) means to shake together, stir up, or throw into confusion.
A few years after the birth of Christ, three magi from the east came to Judea looking for the King of the Jews. This troubled Herod, a Roman King, Matthew 2:3. After gathering all the High Priests and scribes of Israel to determine where the Christ would be born, Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem to seek out the child with the pretense that he wanted to also prostate before Him.
While Zacharias was performing his priestly service in the Temple of the Lord, an angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw the messenger and fear fell upon him, Luke 1:12.
After the resurrection of Christ, in one of the instances that He showed the disciples that He is, in fact, raised from the dead, when He appeared to them, at first there was great fear and trembling in them. During the journey of two of the disciples to Emmaus, a man joins them asking what they are speaking about. Surprised that he did not know about what had happened over the last few days, they informed him how the rulers of Israel put Jesus to death. A man who was great in words and works from God that they had hope was the Messiah. In response, the man opens their minds concerning how the Scripture stated it was necessity for the death and resurrection of the Messiah. While they were speaking with this stranger, their hearts burned within them. When they came to the village they constrained the stranger to come and stay with them for the night. While breaking bread, it was revealed to them that the one walking and talking with them was the resurrected Christ. They immediately went back to Jerusalem and found the eleven to inform them of what happened. While speaking to them, Jesus appears in their midst, causing them to fear, thinking he was a spirit. To reassure them, Jesus tells them to not be troubled (stirred up) or let doubt arise in their hearts for He is actually raised from the dead, proving He is resurrected and not a spirit by partaking of food with them, Luke 24:38-39.
In the upper room, before the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, Jesus shared a lot of details about what was coming and the new relationship with God that would result from these events. However, in order for this to come about, He had to go away. Their hearts are not to be troubled by this, for in His Father’s house are many dwelling places and He is preparing a place for them, John 14:1. To stabilize the Christian, Jesus left His peace with us so that our hearts are not troubled, John 14:27.
Paul marveled at how quickly the saints in Galatia turned away from the One who called them by the grace of Christ to a different gospel. Jews from Jerusalem, claiming they were from the Apostles, came teaching that unless they are circumcised they cannot be saved, preaching another gospel and perverting the gospel of the Christ while stirring up the saints to follow them rather than the truth, Galatians 1:7. This persuasion does not come from Him who called them, for in Christ there is neither circumcision nor uncircumcision. Those troubling them will bear their judgment, Galatians 5:6.
In response to suffering because we are acting righteously, we are not to be troubled by their threats. Instead, we are to stand firm in our faith, setting apart Christ as our Lord (master) and being ready to give a verbal defense to anyone who asks about the reason for our hope, 1 Peter 3:14-15. It is a thing of grace to suffer for righteousness and the name of Christ; therefore, let none of us suffer as one who does wrong. Instead, in all things, let us seek to fulfill the desires of the Spirit and manifest the life of Christ in us while not being troubled by those who reject the truth, speak false things about us, and treat us unfairly because we refuse to partake in their debauchery. It is better to suffer for doing the desirous will of God than for doing wrong, 1 Peter 3:17.
Idle (ἀργός)
Idle (ἀργός) describes someone who has nothing to do or is unwilling to work and, therefore, lazy.
Words are important. Men will give account for every idle utterance that comes out of the mouth, Matthew 12:36. This is because the mouth speaks out from the abundance of the heart, Matthew 12:34. A good man will store up good treasure in his heart, where a malignantly evil one will bring forth malignantly evil things from the treasury of his heart.
Socialism is not a standard for the Church. As with secular socialism, when people are taken care of and allowed to be idle rather than work, they become lazy. However, within the assembly, the sharing of possessions can and should be done out of love. We are a community that cares for each other. Sharing is not to encourage laziness, for one who does not work is not to be permitted to eat, 2 Thessalonians 3:10. When a woman within the assembly becomes a widow, who is truly destitute having no living relatives, the local assembly is to care for her needs. This type of caring demonstrates our unity and love for the saints. However, if she is young or has other family members who can care for her, she is not to be financially provided for by the Church because of the danger of her becoming idle; instead, she is to marry, bear children, and manage the household, 1 Timothy 5:13.
The standards for a Pastor are essential for the assembly to know and to hold him accountable to. Paul left Titus in Crete to put things in order and appoint elders (pastors) in each of the cities, abiding by the guidance that Paul gave him, Titus 1:5. Due to the insubordination of some who are vain talkers and deceivers, teaching things that should not be taught and subverting whole household for dishonest gain, Paul had to specifically send Titus to put things in orders, for even their own prophets describe them as lazy gluttons, Titus 1:10-12. This same danger exists within many assemblies that do not hold their pastors to the Scriptural requirements of a Bishop.
Christians have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness. Therefore, we are not to be idle or unfruitful in gaining a full experiential knowledge of Christ. We are to be diligent in adding to our faith virtue. Virtue is manifesting a character that denotes excellence; therefore, living out the righteousness we have in Christ. To our virtue we add knowledge by experiencing through learning to identify and fulfill the desires of the Spirit. Knowledge will support self-control because we know who we are in Christ and what is coming. Patient is supported by self-control. While being patient we will live out godliness. Our godly behavior is the foundation for our brotherly fondness of the saints. Out of our fondness for the saints comes a love that seeks the best for them, 2 Peter 1:8. However, one who lacks these things is shortsighted, forgetting they have been cleaned from their old sins, 2 Peter 1:9. Let us be diligent in doing our sure calling even election, for in doing these things we will not fall, 2 Peter 1:10.
Prostration (προσκυνέω)
Prostration (προσκυνέω), the act of lying stretched out on the ground with the face downward, is a profound expression of reverence and compliance. It symbolizes complete dependence and submission to a higher authority, conveying an attitude of deep humility.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus restored a man’s sight on the Sabbath, which caused quite a stir with the ruling religious party. After the Pharisees accused the man of not being blind, which was refuted by his parents, they again questioned him concerning the healing, especially regarding who performed this act upon him. At that time, the man who was blind did not know who had given him sight; however, even he could see that such a one would be from God. The Pharisees disagreed and cast him out of the synagogue because he was healed on the Sabbath. After hearing what had happened, Jesus found the man and asked him if he believed in the Son of God. Inquiring who the Son of God is, the previously blind man prostrated before Jesus when he became aware He was the one who healed him, John 9:38.
Within our English Bibles the word “worship” is predominantly used to translate the word “prostration”, which expresses the concept of lying stretched out in reverence and compliance; therefore, it conveys the meaning of giving proper credit for who a person is. Worship is used in our English translations for a few different Greek words, such as, religious reverence (σεβάζομαι), Romans 1:25, rendering religious service (λατρεύω), Hebrews 10:2, and even prayer. Making it difficult to determine what is implied by the term worship. We see such an instance when Paul instructs the saint in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. He uses a word that communicates the concept of making a petition instead of to worship. Petition (προσευχή) is derived from the notion of uttering out loud a wish (εὔχομαι); hence, expresses a general prayer. When we worship (προσκυνέω) God, it is from an attitude of knowing who He is and what He has done, not expressing a wish, rendering service, crying out for help, or making a request. Therefore, it is important to identify which word is behind the English translation when prayer or worship are used.
The Magi of the East came when they saw the star indicating the Messiah was on earth and prostrated (worshipped) before Him, Matthew 2:11. Satan sought to have Christ prostrate (worship) before him, Matthew 4:9. However, as Jesus points out to him, it is written that you will worship and serve only God, Matthew 4:10. In Hebrew, the word used in the Old Testament passage quoted by Jesus against Satan’s request to worship him is “fear”, explaining that the concept of prostration relates to compliance and reverence coming from a proper sense of respect, Deuteronomy 10:20.
In Hebrews 11:21, we find that prostration is not restricted to the literal act of lying stretched out; instead, it also relates to the attitude. Due to his age and limited physical abilities, Jacob blessed each of the sons of Joseph and prostrated, leaning on his staff.
After the rapture of the Church, those who partake in their priestly service in heaven during the tribulation period will prostrate before Christ when they complete their duties, casting their crowns at His feet, showing their honor and respect for Him along with their verbal acknowledgement of what He has done, Revelation 4:10.
Today; rather than physically prostrating, God seeks those who worship in spirit and truth, John 4:24. Therefore, those who worship in spirit are not physically prostrating themselves; instead, it is a rational response of prostrating within the mind by acknowledging what God has done that results in a verbal recognition that gives Him proper credit while showing an attitude towards Him of humility, reverence, and compliance.