Category Archives: Entrust

Bible, Entrust, Heart, Obedience, Scripture, Sin, Slaves, Trustworthy

HANDED OVER

ROMANS 6:17

“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were entrusted,”

Have you ever been given something by someone and asked to keep it safe? Perhaps it was a rare coin or piece of jewelry. It could even be a child that needs your temporary care. Some things are handed over to law enforcement due to a crime. Other things or people are handed over to cause them harm. We all know the horrible stories told concerning human trafficking.

Paul uses a Greek word that is translated “were entrusted” to show us just how close and personal this is in our lives. The word is paradídōmi. HELPS Word-studies defines it this way, “(from pará, ‘from close-beside and dídōmi, ‘give) – properly, to give (turn) over; ‘hand over from,’ i.e. to deliver over with a sense of close (personal) involvement.” Let’s take a closer look at how this word is used in the New Testament.

APPLICATION

In Matthew 18:24 this word is used by Jesus in His story about the slave who owed 10,000 talents. “And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he would repay all that was owed him.” In this use of the word, being handed over was not a good thing. The torturers were given complete power over this wicked servant. Paradídōmi is also the word used to describe how Judas “betrayed” the Lord into the hands of the Jewish leaders.

The Topical Lexicon describes the use of paradídōmi this way. “Whether used of a traitor, a judge, an apostle, or God Himself, the word always carries the sober idea that what is ‘delivered up’ passes irrevocably into another’s control.” So, how is Paul using paradídōmi in today’s verse? He is telling us that we have been handed the teachings of Christ. We have control of them. But is that the case for everyone?

Yes, all followers of Christ receive His teachings, but how many of them actually follow and use them? I have met too many church-going men who knew all about Jesus and the Bible but chose not to obey. To have been entrusted with something means we protect it, to watch over it. Are you doing that today? It has been entrusted to you. How trustworthy are you?

Lord, I am so grateful for the teachings I have received. Please help me live them out daily.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Belief, Bible, Entrust, Faith, God's Will, Loyalty, Scripture, Trustworthy

ENTRUSTED

GALATIANS 2:7

“But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised”

To be entrusted with anything is a great responsibility. When the Lord gave my wife and I our two children, we both felt that He had entrusted them into our care. They have never “belonged” to us. They are His, entrusted to us for a season. It is our prayer that we did the Lord proud by the way we loved them, taught them and raised them to honor Him. There is probably no greater entrustment than that.

Paul uses the Greek word pisteuówhich is translated “entrusted.” Pisteuócomes from the word pistis (faith) which comes peitho (to be persuaded). Okay, you’ve had your Greek lesson for today, lol. But look at those words. What do you see now that Paul was trying to get across. God had shown faith in Paul, had been persuaded by his changed life and now had entrusted him with the Gospel to the uncircumcised.

APPLICATION

What has God entrusted you to do? I truly believe every believer has been entrusted with a mission. Whether they accept it is another story. God has entrusted me with a ministry to men through Every Man A Warrior. I truly love what I do. When I see men’s lives transform and become the spiritual leaders of their homes, it gives me joy. 2 Timothy 2:2 is a verse our ministry teaches to our men to show spiritual multiplication. “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.” You may have been entrusted with a ministry to the homeless or to unwed moms or with addicts. Whatever it is, embrace it.

Over in 2 Timothy 2:12 and 14, we see Paul talk about entrusting again. This time he uses another Greek word which means “a deposit, a trust or thing consigned to one’s faithful keeping: used of the correct knowledge and pure doctrine of the gospel, to be held firmly and faithfully, and to be conscientiously delivered unto others” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). “12 For this reason I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to protect what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 14 Protect, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

I believe that as we entrust ourselves to God, as we place our faith in His promises, He begins to entrust us with His desires for our lives. It is all about belief. It is all about faith. What do you entrust with your life? Who do you entrust with your future? Only Jesus can be trusted to hold you close.

I place my trust in You, O Lord. Thank You for trusting me with the message You have given me.

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