Category Archives: Holding

Bible, Godliness, Holding, Holiness, Scripture, Suppress

SUPPRESSION OF THE TRUTH

ROMANS 1:18

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,”

I am a gun owner. I love to hunt and target shoot (neither which I get to do very often). One thing I don’t own is a gun suppressor. That’s a piece that screws on to the end of a gun barrel to reduce the sound of the gun when it fires. You probably have seen these in all those James Bond movies when he is sneaking around. Suppression can be a good thing, or it can be a bad thing, depending on what is being suppressed. Look at today’s verse and see how Paul uses this word.

Paul calls out those “who suppress the truth in righteousness.” In fact, he says, “the wrath of God” will come against them. That’s a scary thought. If this is not a verse for our day, I don’t know one that is. All around us people are trying to suppress the truth about God. They are trying to reshape God in their own image. The idea of godliness and righteousness is abhorrent to them. They, according to Paul, are going to face God’s wrath.

APPLICATION

The Topical Lexicon says this about the word for “suppress” (katecho). “The verb encompasses two chief actions: positive retention of what is good and active restraint of what is harmful. In the Gospels it may describe a crowd “trying to keep Him from leaving them” (Luke 4:42), while in Romans it depicts the ungodly “suppressing the truth” (Romans 1:18). Context therefore determines whether the holding is commendable or culpable.”

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:2, using this word. “…by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.” Here katecho is translated as “hold firmly.” That’s a positive thing. We should hold the Word of God firmly, never letting it slip out of our hands or our minds. This is why Scripture memorization is so important.

Later on in the New Testament, we find Paul using katecho again. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21 he writes, “…but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good…,” What good words from the apostle. Hold fast to the good stuff. He says in the next verse, “abstain from every form of evil.” So, by holding fast to the good, you are suppressing the evil. Choose your suppressor well.

Father God, help me suppress the evil and hold fast to the good, thereby pleasing You, my heavenly Father.

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Bible, Holding, Obedience, Scripture

HOLDING FIRMLY

PHILIPPIANS 2:16

“holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.”

Whenever you use tools, you need to maintain a good grip. Handling tools loosely or haphazardly can be dangerous. For instance, my dad taught me how to properly hold and use a hammer. Simple enough, right? But there is a right way and wrong way to use a hammer. Once you learn how to use it properly, the job is usually a lot easier and is done quicker.

“Holding firmly” in our verse today is epechówhich only occurs four other times in the New Testament. “The Greek verb ἐπέχω appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the importance of attention and steadfastness. It is used to describe the act of focusing one’s mind or attention on a particular subject or truth. For example, in Philippians 2:16, the Apostle Paul uses ἐπέχω to encourage believers to “hold firmly to the word of life,” highlighting the necessity of steadfastness in faith and doctrine. This usage underscores the importance of maintaining a firm grip on the teachings of the Gospel amidst challenges and distractions.” (Topical Lexicon) Now, do you see the importance of “holding firmly”?

APPLICATION

In Acts 3:5 epechóis used when the lame man “gave…his attention” to Peter and John hoping for a gift. His focus was on them. In the same way, we should have our focus on the Word and not stop looking at it until we receive something. I always pray for God to give me a “nugget of truth” each time I read a verse or a passage. There are hidden gems present if we will just hold on and focus.

Paul uses this word again in his first letter to Timothy. We read in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” The phrase “pay close attention to” is epechó. Examine the Word, pay close attention to it.

Do you see a pattern here in this word? Hold firmly! Give attention to! Pay close attention! God has given us His Word to guide us daily, but we must do these three things. God won’t twist your arm and make you do it. You have to choose to do it on your own. But oh, the joy that comes from obeying.

Father, I want to hold firmly to every word You speak.

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