Noutheteo
noutheteo (noo-thet-eh'-o)
Def'n: to admonish, warn, exhort
Before I begin this entry, I must state that many of these interpretations from scripture are borrowed from the late J. Hampton Keathley, Th. M. He was a pastor and graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary and had many words of wisdom on this subject.
Whenever I have participated in bible studies and had serious discussions with fellow believers in Christ, we often touch upon how we need to be more encouraging to one another and build each other up in Christ. Pretty much 100% of the time, this area could use some improvement in my life. However, this isn't the only command that we are given for dealing with one another in the body of Christ. Keathley outlines many verses containing commands on how we need to act with one another into four categories:
A. Promotion of Spiritual Growth and Health in the Body of Christ
B. Promotion of the General Welfare and Good of the Body of Christ
C. Promotion of Unity and Peace in the Body of Christ
D. Promotion of Ministry and the Function of the Body of Christ
The area that caught my attention came within the first section on promoting the spiritual growth and health in the body of Christ. As I mentioned above, we are to encourage one another and build each other up according to the scriptures.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thes. 5:11, NIV)
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Rom. 14:19, NIV)
Then he moves on to touch upon the topic of admonishing one another.
"And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another." (Rom. 15:14, NASB)
"We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." (1 Thes. 5:14, NASB)
The Greek word for admonish is noutheteo and is translated to "council", "instruct" and "correct" in various bible translations. The King James and New American Standard versions always use the word "admonish". Dr. Gene A. Getz contrasts this from the casual communication or normal teaching. Admonishing implies, "a definite exhortation, correction and warning." In the context of the letter to the Thessalonians, Paul was speaking to lazy and idle Christians. However, this is a very delicate matter and must be done with the proper motives and by a capable individual. Paul says that we are to be full of goodness in order to be able to admonish one another. Basically, we need to be careful that we remove the plank in our own eye before attempting to help remove the speck in a brothers eye. The admonisher must be of righteous character with an attitude to heal and build up rather than to hurt or get even. Dr. Getz also writes, "Christians who are sensitive about their own walk with God are capable—and responsible—to admonish other Christians … It is one of the most difficult exhortations to obey, but it is necessary for the body of Christ to mature and grow." When done according the bible, it is NOT judging others. That is why it is so important to be "full of goodness."
Another good passage is Galatians 6:1-5 (NIV shown):
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
The last point that caught my attention was the fact that the admonisher must be "complete in knowledge", which is an obvious reference to an adaquate knowledge of the scriptures. Keathley states that we must be careful to address specific biblical issues and not exhort Christians in areas of extra-biblical matters. There is a danger of imposing personal beliefs/standards that are contrary to scripture. Romans 14 outlines this pretty well.
I find that we rarely encourage one another in fellowship. What's worse, we often give in to the temptation to use coarse joking, silly talk and crude language in our conversations instead. Admonishing one another is even harder to do and as a result, almost never happens. I think you need to be very close to someone in order to admonish them - not to mention being complete in knowledge and full of goodness. That's not an easy task but it is commanded of us nonetheless. Am I able to admonish my close friends? Would I be willing to listen and accept their council and exhortations? I think this is a definite indicator of a true friendship.
Def'n: to admonish, warn, exhort
Before I begin this entry, I must state that many of these interpretations from scripture are borrowed from the late J. Hampton Keathley, Th. M. He was a pastor and graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary and had many words of wisdom on this subject.
Whenever I have participated in bible studies and had serious discussions with fellow believers in Christ, we often touch upon how we need to be more encouraging to one another and build each other up in Christ. Pretty much 100% of the time, this area could use some improvement in my life. However, this isn't the only command that we are given for dealing with one another in the body of Christ. Keathley outlines many verses containing commands on how we need to act with one another into four categories:
A. Promotion of Spiritual Growth and Health in the Body of Christ
B. Promotion of the General Welfare and Good of the Body of Christ
C. Promotion of Unity and Peace in the Body of Christ
D. Promotion of Ministry and the Function of the Body of Christ
The area that caught my attention came within the first section on promoting the spiritual growth and health in the body of Christ. As I mentioned above, we are to encourage one another and build each other up according to the scriptures.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thes. 5:11, NIV)
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Rom. 14:19, NIV)
Then he moves on to touch upon the topic of admonishing one another.
"And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another." (Rom. 15:14, NASB)
"We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." (1 Thes. 5:14, NASB)
The Greek word for admonish is noutheteo and is translated to "council", "instruct" and "correct" in various bible translations. The King James and New American Standard versions always use the word "admonish". Dr. Gene A. Getz contrasts this from the casual communication or normal teaching. Admonishing implies, "a definite exhortation, correction and warning." In the context of the letter to the Thessalonians, Paul was speaking to lazy and idle Christians. However, this is a very delicate matter and must be done with the proper motives and by a capable individual. Paul says that we are to be full of goodness in order to be able to admonish one another. Basically, we need to be careful that we remove the plank in our own eye before attempting to help remove the speck in a brothers eye. The admonisher must be of righteous character with an attitude to heal and build up rather than to hurt or get even. Dr. Getz also writes, "Christians who are sensitive about their own walk with God are capable—and responsible—to admonish other Christians … It is one of the most difficult exhortations to obey, but it is necessary for the body of Christ to mature and grow." When done according the bible, it is NOT judging others. That is why it is so important to be "full of goodness."
Another good passage is Galatians 6:1-5 (NIV shown):
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load.
The last point that caught my attention was the fact that the admonisher must be "complete in knowledge", which is an obvious reference to an adaquate knowledge of the scriptures. Keathley states that we must be careful to address specific biblical issues and not exhort Christians in areas of extra-biblical matters. There is a danger of imposing personal beliefs/standards that are contrary to scripture. Romans 14 outlines this pretty well.
I find that we rarely encourage one another in fellowship. What's worse, we often give in to the temptation to use coarse joking, silly talk and crude language in our conversations instead. Admonishing one another is even harder to do and as a result, almost never happens. I think you need to be very close to someone in order to admonish them - not to mention being complete in knowledge and full of goodness. That's not an easy task but it is commanded of us nonetheless. Am I able to admonish my close friends? Would I be willing to listen and accept their council and exhortations? I think this is a definite indicator of a true friendship.
Labels: God Thoughts
posted by Matt at 9:35 AM
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