filipenses-3:20-ntv

Fixing our eyes (872) (aphorao from apo = away from something near + horao = look, see, behold) means to look away from other things and steadfastly or intently toward a distant object, at that which fills the heart. The idea is to direct one’s attention without distraction. The only other NT use is... Read More

Gentiles (1484) (ethnos gives us our word "ethnic") in general refers to a multitude (especially persons) associated with one another, living together, united in kinship, culture or traditions and summed up by the words nation, Gentiles (especially when ethnos is plural), people (much like "people g... Read More

Most gladly (2234) (hedeos from hedus/hedys = sweet) is an adverb which literally means sweetly, and figuratively as used in this passage means gladly or joyously. Hedeos thus speaks of the experience of gladness which is based primarily upon the pleasure one derives from the activity (in this case ... Read More

Learned the secret (one word in Greek) (3453) (mueo = root word for mustes meaning "one initiated" which in turn is the source of "mystery" or musterion) means to be initiated. It was used by the pagan religions with reference to their “inner secrets.” Paul is saying in essence “I have been initiat... Read More

Joy (5479) (chara) (and rejoice) is a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing. Joy is a feeling of inner gladness, delight or rejoicing. Joy in the NT is virtually always used to signify a feeling of "happiness" that is based on spiritual realities (and independent of what "happens"). Joy is... Read More

Kingdom (932) (basileia from basileus = a sovereign, king, monarch) denotes sovereignty, royal power, dominion. Basileia can also refer to the territory or people over whom a king rules (See "Three Basic Meanings" below). At the outset it should be noted that the Kingdom of Heaven/God is both simple... Read More

Life (2222) (zoe) in Scripture is used (1) to refer to physical life (Ro 8:38-note, 1Co 3:22, Php 1:20-note, Jas 4:14, etc) but more often to (2) to supernatural life in contrast to a life subject to eternal death (Jn 3:36, see all 43 uses of "eternal life" below). This quality of life speaks of ful... Read More

Looking for (4327) (prosdechomai from pros = in compound Greek words implies motion or direction toward + dechomai [word study] = a deliberate and ready reception) means to accept favorably, to receive one into intercourse/companionship, to give access to oneself or receive to oneself. Prosdechomai ... Read More

Looking for (578) (apoblepo from apo = an intensive or as a marker indicating any separation of one thing from another + blepo = see, look) means to look off or to look away from everything else and thus by "default" to fix one's eyes earnestly or attentively upon one single object (very similar to ... Read More

Lord (2962) (kurios from kuros = might or power) has a variety of meanings/uses in the NT and therefore one must carefully examine the context in order to discern which sense is intended by the NT author. For example, some passages use kurios only as a common form of polite address with no religious... Read More