Rejoice (Exult, Jump for joy) (21) agalliao

Greatly Rejoice (21) (agalliao from agan = much + hallomai = jump; gush, leap, spring up) means literally to "jump much", "leap for joy", skip and jump with happy excitement and so to be exceedingly joyful, overjoyed or exuberantly happy. The idea is this person shows their excessive, ecstatic joy by leaping and skipping. It describes jubilant exultation, a quality of joy that remains unhindered and unchanged by what happens. As discussed below in the NT, agalliao describes an exceeding joy (independent of dire circumstances) which is initiated and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Agalliao is used 11 times in the NT... Matthew 5:12 (note) "Rejoice (chairo - present imperative) and be glad, (agalliao - present imperative) for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Luke 1:47 (Mary said) And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. Luke 10:21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Thy sight. John 5:35 "He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. John 8:56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad (chairo)." Acts 2:26 'Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will abide in hope; Acts 16:34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. 1 Peter 1:6 (note) In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 1 Peter 1:8 (note) and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 1 Peter 4:13 (note) but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing (chairo); so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice (chairo) with exultation (agalliao). Revelation 19:7 (note) "Let us rejoice (chairo) and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." Agalliao is not used by secular Greek writers but Peter uses it 3 times this letter which also has a major theme of suffering (1Pe 1:6, 8, 4:13 - see notes 1 Peter 1:6; 1:8, 4:13) Rienecker adds that agalliao... appears to be used always with the connotation of a religious joy, a joy that springs from the contemplation of God or God's salvation. Agalliao includes not just the experiencing of a state of great joy and gladness, but often is accompanied by audible, verbal expression and appropriate visible body movement (i.e., "jump for joy") Another verb meaning to rejoice (chairo) is more expressive of the inward feeling of joy. Matthew Henry comments that this Great rejoicing contains more than an inward placid serenity of mind or sensation of comfort. It will show itself in the countenance and conduct, but especially in praise and gratitude. Barclay writes that agalliao is the joy which leaps for joy. As it has been put, it is the joy of the climber who has reached the summit, and who leaps for joy that the mountain path is conquered. (Barclay, W: The New Daily Study Bible Westminster John Knox Press) Barclay's picture of jumping joy is great, as long as I'm "on top of the world". What about when I am in the valley? Peter is teaching that a Christian does not have to be on a mountain top to experience this exceeding joy. In fact, as he teaches in this section, believers, because of their new nature (partakers of the divine nature), can experience this quality of joy even though they are walking through "the valley" of difficult circumstances! Here in first Peter the present tense of greatly rejoice indicates that this attitude of exceeding joy was the reader's habitual practice in the face of trials, so that despite afflictions these saints were continually "jumping for joy"! They could rejoice because of the salvation that has been revealed ("past tense" = caused to be born again = justification) and even more in regard to the salvation to be revealed (future tense = glorification see also the three tenses of salvation) including a reserved inheritance, all being guarded by God. No insurance policy could be more secure! In discussing the suffering the saints were now or soon would experience (and historically he probably wrote this epistle shortly before or after the burning of Rome), Peter declared "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing (chairo - a command to have this attitude); so that also at the revelation of His glory (at the end of this age and beginning of the Messianic age - compare verses from Isaiah that use agalliao), you may rejoice (chairo) with exultation (agalliao - present tense - continually "jump for joy")." (see notes 1 Peter 4:12; 4:13) As emphasized by Jesus in the section below, a Christian who is persecuted for righteousness in this life will have overflowing joy in the future because of his reward. In His final "beatitude" Jesus encouraged all those who would suffer for His Name promising them that "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice (chairo), and be glad (agalliao) (both verbs are present imperatives, which call for this to be a saint's continual attitude - God's commands always include His enablement - see verse below), for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (see notes Matthew 5:11; 5:12) The question you may be asking is how is it possible to "jump for joy" when you are experiencing various trials? Luke gives us the answer, recording that Jesus' mother, Mary, upon discovering she was to be the mother of her Messiah exclaimed "my spirit has rejoiced (agalliao) in God my Savior." (Lk 1:47) indicating that the origin of the jubilation is the supernatural work of the Spirit (cf Gal 5:22-note). Luke goes on to record that Jesus Himself "rejoiced greatly (agalliao) in the Holy Spirit" (Lk 10:21) which underscores the Source of this supernatural joy. After the Philippian jailer had believed in the Lord Jesus and was saved he brought (Paul and Silas) into his house and set food before them and rejoiced greatly (agalliao), having believed in God with his whole household. (see notes Acts 16:31) The same man who only moments earlier was contemplating taking his life, now was jumping for joy at his new birth wrought by the amazing grace of God! Sadness (lupeo) and gladness (agalliao) existing side by side as in this section of first Peter is one of the paradoxes of Christianity - joy in the midst of sorrow. The Christian’s joy is independent of circumstances and therefore baffles the natural man. Can you imagine being one of the prisoners in jail as Paul and Silas with lacerated backs began "praying and singing hymns of praise to God" (Acts 16:25-see note cf Acts 5:41 = So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.) This quality of joy is not a cold intellectual anticipation of future possessions but is a present appropriation of God’s wealth through the Holy Spirit as discussed above. (Lk 10:21; Gal 5:22-note). We see this juxtaposition of joy and suffering in the saints in Thessalonica who received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit" (see note 1Thessalonians 1:6). Grief is the natural response to the difficulties in this fallen world, but faith looks forward to an eternity with God (Click to study the prophetic verses from Isaiah) and rejoices as the Spirit enables us. Commenting on the presence of joy in the midst of grief J. H. Jowett wrote “I never expected to find a fountain in so unpromising a waste.” Corrie Ten Boom adds that The school of life offers some difficult courses, but it is in the difficult class that one learns the most—especially when your teacher is the Lord Jesus Christ. The hardest lessons for me were in a cell with four walls. The cell in the prison at Scheveningen was six paces in length, two paces in breadth, with a door that could be opened only from the outside...After that time in prison, the entire world became my classroom. William Penn said No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown. The non-apocryphal Septuagint (LXX) uses agalliao in 66 verses with 50 uses in the Psalms and 10 in Isaiah. (2 Sam. 1:20; 8" class="scriptRef">89.16" class="scriptRef">16.31" class="scriptRef">1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 2:11; 5:11; 9:2, 14" class="scriptRef">14; 13:4f; 14:7; 16:9; 19.5" class="scriptRef">19:5; 20:5; 21:1; 31:7; 32:11; 33:1; 35:9, 27; 40:16; 48:11; 51:8, 14; 53:6; 59:16; 60:6; 63:7; 67:4; 68:3f; 70:4; 71:23; 75:9; 81:1; 84:2; 89:12, 16; 90:14; 92:4; 95:1; 96:11f; 97:1, 8; 98:4, 8; 118:24; 119:162; 132:9, 16; 145:7; 149:2, 5; Song 1:4; Isa. 12:6; 25:9; 29:19; 35:1f; 41:16; 49:13; 61:10; 65:14, 19; Jer. 49:4; Lam. 2:19; Hab. 3:18) Here are some representative uses from the psalms (you might want to study some of the other uses)... Worship the LORD with reverence, And rejoice (agalliao ~ jump for joy!) with trembling. (Psalm 2:11) (Spurgeon's note) But I have trusted in Thy lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice (agalliao ~ jump for joy!) in Thy salvation. (Psalm 13:5) (Spurgeon's note) Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad. (Psalm 14:7) (Spurgeon's note) Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones, And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. (Psalm 32:11) (Spurgeon's note) Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice. (Psalm 51:8) (Spurgeon's note) This is the day (of deliverance or day the "Stone" was made chief Cornerstone) which the LORD has made. Let us rejoice (agalliao ~ jump for joy!) and be glad in it." (Ps 118:24) (Spurgeon's note) Habakkuk 3:18 Yet I will exult (Lxx = agalliao) in the LORD, I will rejoice (Lxx = chairo = be glad, delighted) in the God of my salvation. Isaiah in the context of the beginning of Messiah's Millennial Reign (see schematic Daniel's 70th week), exhorts the Jews who have been redeemed to Cry aloud (agalliao) and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 12:6) Their joyful cry is the earthly counterpart of the heavenly doxology described in the Revelation. In light of the Lion of Judah's triumph over the Antichrist and the forces of evil and in anticipation of the marriage of the Lamb to His bride the Church, John records these these words Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice (chairo), and be glad (agalliao) and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. (see notes Revelation 19:6; 19:7) And so we see the saints jumping for joy in heaven and on earth! Isaiah prophetically describing the time when the veil is removed from their eyes and the redeemed of Israel are finally enabled to recognize their Messiah in His kingdom centered on Mt Zion on earth (see also Millennium 1; Millennium 2; Millennium 3) writes And it will be said in that day (as they enter into the great Messianic kingdom feast), “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the Lord for Whom we have waited (Lxx = "hoped for" = expectation of future good). Let us rejoice (agalliao - imperfect tense pictures this action occurring over and over!) and be glad in His salvation. (Isaiah 25:9 read Isa 25:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 for an exciting description of this incredible moment!) Again Isaiah prophesying in the context of the future Messianic kingdom on earth declare "The afflicted also shall increase their gladness (agalliao - the Lxx sentence reads "beggars who crouch and cower will literally jump for joy"! cf Jesus' promise in Mt 5:3 [note], Mt 5:5 [note]!) in the Lord, and the needy (Lxx = those in despair) of mankind shall rejoice (Lxx = fill to the brim their merriment, festivity, cheerfulness, gladness of heart) in the Holy One of Israel." (Isa 29:19 read the context vv17-24) Speaking of the time of the Millennium, when the Lord will transform the wilderness into a veritable "garden of Eden", Isaiah declares that The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah (entire valley region between Mount Hermon in the north to the Red Sea in the south) will rejoice (agalliao - personifying nature as commanded to jump for joy because of the glorious transformation) and blossom, like the crocus. It will blossom profusely and rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy (agalliao - in seeming response to the command nature obligingly jumps for joy!). The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. (Isa 35:1) Finally Isaiah's prophecies utilizing agalliao culminate in this beautiful promise declaring to His beloved be glad and rejoice (agalliama = cause for jumping for joy) forever in what I create, for behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing (agalliama = cause for jumping for joy), and her people for gladness. I will also rejoice (agalliao - first person singular = the Lord Himself will "jump for joy"!) in Jerusalem, and be glad (Lxx = festive, cheerful, merry) in My people and there will no longer be heard in her the voice of weeping and the sound of crying (LXX = shrieking, screaming). (Isa 65:18-19) Think of what wonders we have yet to behold... the Lord God Almighty Himself "jumping for joy"! You may be suffering today, beloved. But there is a new day coming. If you are suffering, if you are downcast in the present, then ponder your future. Ponder these verses in Isaiah picturing the exceeding joy that accompanies the Millennial reign. It doesn't get any better than this dear suffering saint. Habakkuk was transformed from a man in despair to a man "jumping for joy" as He began to turn his focus upon God, finally concluding that "Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I (LXX = "I" = ego = placed first in the sentence for emphasis) will exult (agalliao) in the LORD (his exceeding joy comes from focusing on Jehovah, "I Am" ...anything and everything you will ever need), I will rejoice (chairo - more expressive of the inward feeling of joy) in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength (LXX = dunamis = inherent power, ability), and He has made (LXX = tasso = arranged, put in order, stationed) my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments." (Hab 3:17-19) So here we see the prophet jumping for joy, even though the coming Babylonian invasion would strip the land. What an example of the effect a God centered mindset can have on our temporal outlook! In sum, "O Come, let us sing for joy (agalliao - jump for joy) to the LORD. Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation." (Ps 95:1) (See Spurgeon's note) EVEN THOUGH NOW FOR A LITTLE WHILE IF NECESSARY (as it is): oligon arti ei deon (PAPNSN) (estin) (3SPAI): (2Co 4:17, 18) For a little while is one word in Greek (oligos) which means small in number or little in amount. Mark it down, beloved - for a little while. All time is but for a little while in comparison to eternity. When you are in the darkness, hold on to what God has shown you in the light for it will pass. As Corrie Ten Boom puts it... When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away your ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. When you are in the midst of "distressing" circumstances the "little while" often seems like an eternity. But Peter says the trials last only for a little while when compared to eternity. When God's hand is on thy back, let thy hand be on thy mouth, for though the affliction be sharp it shall be but short. --Thomas Brooks You can't get to tomorrow morning without going through tonight. -- Elisabeth Elliot How soon you will find that everything in your history, except sin, has been for you. Every wave of trouble has been wafting you to the sunny shores of a sinless eternity. -- Robert Murray M'Cheyne It was well worth standing a while in the fire, for such an opportunity of experiencing and exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God's promises. -- John Newton Affliction may be lasting, but it is not everlasting. -- Thomas Watson Light are the pains that nature brings; How short our sorrows are, When with eternal future things The present we compare! --Isaac Watts And notice Peter begins and ends emphasizing the relative brevity of our suffering writing "After you have suffered for a little while" (1Pe 5:10-note). And so clearly the time of suffering and distress has an end, for as C H Spurgeon so aptly said it... He who has fixed the bounds of our habitation has also fixed the bounds of our tribulation. Paul similarly encourages the saints at Rome with the truth that our trials are the sufferings of this present time (Ro 8:18-note) (in contrast to our eternal future). Again Paul encourages the saints at Corinth that their present affliction (thlipsis) is "momentary (for the moment, for a little while), light" and "is producing (thoroughly working out, achieving or accomplishing, carefully fashioning making completely ready) for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison" (2Corinthians 4:17). Here are some other renderings of the great truth in 2 Corinthians 4:17... (Amplified) For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], (Moffat) The slight trouble of the passing hour results in a solid glory past all comparison, (Phillips New Testament) These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain. (Weymouth) For this our light and transitory burden of suffering is achieving for us a preponderating, yes, a vastly preponderating, and eternal weight of glory; (Wuest) For our momentary light burden of affliction is working out for us more and more surpassingly an eternal, heavy weight of glory If affliction and suffering are currently your lot and you feel overwhelmed, meditate on the truths in these passages (click the Scriptures above to read them in context) for a proper perspective on your present but passing painful plight in the light of eternity. Matthew Henry adds that though they (the trials) may be smart (cause sharp pain) they are but short. If is a first class condition in Greek which assumes the truth of the condition - It is necessary! John MacDuff... If need be—1Peter 1:6KJV - Three gracious words! Not one of all my tears has been shed for nothing! Not one stroke of the rod has been unneeded, or that might have been spared! Your heavenly Father loves you too much, and too tenderly, to bestow harsher correction than your case requires! Is it loss of health, or loss of wealth, or loss of beloved friends? Be still! there was a needs be. We are no judges of what that "needs be" is; often through aching hearts we are forced to exclaim, "Your judgments are a great deep!" But God here pledges Himself, that there will not be one unnecessary thorn in the believer's crown of suffering. No burden too heavy will be laid on him; and no sacrifice too great exacted from him. He will "temper the wind to the shorn lamb." Whenever the "need be" has accomplished its end, then the rod is removed—the chastisement suspended—the furnace quenched. "If need be!" Oh! what a pillow on which to rest your aching head—that there is not a drop in all your bitter cup but what a God of love saw to be absolutely necessary! Will you not trust His heart, even though you cannot trace the mystery of His dealings? Not too curiously prying into the "Why it is?" or "How it is?" but satisfied that "So it is," and, therefore, that all must be well! "Although you say you cannot see Him, yet judgment is before Him, therefore trust in Him!" (THE FAITHFUL PROMISER by John MacDuff) Your heavenly Father can inflict no unnecessary pang. You may presently be pain-stricken, and woe-worn. There is a divine necessity for your present "fiery trial." No drop in the cup can be spared! "I will correct you in measure." Your heavenly Father, tenderer and more loving than the tenderest earthly parent, tempers the fury of the flames, saying, "Thus far shall you go, and no farther." Happy for you, that you can write "if need be" . . .over that severest hour of distress,over every night of throbbing temples, over sleepless eyes,over every fresh thorn sent to buffet,over every heavy cross sent to carry. When we are assured that nothing which is appointed by our Father can come to us wrongly, our cup of suffering becomes a cup of love! "Shall I not drink the cup my Father has given me?" John 18:11 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2Corinthians 4:17 What verse is more soothing sight for a suffering couch, or for a dying pillow? What verse is more consolatory for a weary, burdened body? and above all, for a weary, burdened, sin-stricken heart? "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17 A tearless Heaven will make amends for all! (Reference) Thomas Watson... Another heart quieting consideration is—that afflictions work for good. "I have sent them into captivity for their own good." (Jer. 24:6). Judah's captivity in Babylon was for their good. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted" (Psalm 119:71). This text, like Moses' tree cast into the bitter waters of affliction, may make them sweet and wholesome to drink. Afflictions to the godly are medicinal. Out of the most poisonous drugs God extracts our salvation. Afflictions are as needful as ordinances (1Peter 1:6). No vessel can be made of gold without fire; so it is impossible that we should be made vessels of honor, unless we are melted and refined in the furnace of affliction. "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth" (Psalm 35:10). As the painter intermixes bright colors with dark shadows; so the wise God mixes mercy with judgment. Those afflictive providences which seem to be harmful, are beneficial. Let us take some instances in Scripture. (The WORST things) John Angell James (1852)... Faith is assured that there is a NECESSITY for our trials. There is no Scripture it more readily assents to than that of the apostle Peter– "If needs be, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." 1 Peter 1:6. Yes, there must be some kind of necessity—or he who loves his children so strongly would not thus afflict them. He himself is the judge of that necessity—and with him it must be left. But we are in all cases to be assured that it exists, though oftentimes it is hidden. Hence, the beautiful reply of Payson, who in his deep affliction was asked if he saw any particular reason for his heavy trials. "No," said he– "but I am as satisfied as if I saw ten thousand reasons. It is the will of God—and there is all reason in that." Our trials come sometimes when there seems, so far as our spiritual condition is concerned, less need than ordinary for them. And then is the time especially for confidence in God's wisdom and love, as to their necessity. When they find us in a backsliding state, and come like messengers to fetch us back from our truant wanderings, we know, rather than believe their necessity. We see and feel it as clearly as if a voice from heaven declared it. But to be overtaken with some severe visitation of Providence, when the soul is comparatively healthful, and its course is even and undeviating, and then to say– "I am sure there is some needs be for this, though I cannot see it. It lies hidden somewhere in the depths of God's wisdom and love, where I cannot find it; but I am sure it is there. My Heavenly Father does not afflict willingly—nor grieve the children of men, much less his own children—and I believe I am one of them." (Practical Believer) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/1_peter_16-12.htm#gr

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Rejoice (Exult, Jump for joy) (21) agalliao

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