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 means to receive one coming from some place and so to welcome with friendliness (Ro 16:2-note, Phil 2:29).
This great Greek verb describes one who is waiting for something (in context Someone) with a sense of expectancy (Mk 15:43, Luke 2:25, 38, 12:36, 23:51, Acts 23:21, Titus 2:13, Jude 1:21). Does this verb typify your life beloved? If not what "earthly cargo" do you need to jettison in order to assure a safe voyage and an "abundant" arrival at port (see 2Pe 1:10, 11-see notes, He 6:19, 20-see notes)?
The root verb dechomai means to accept deliberately and readily, receive kindly and so to take to oneself what is presented or brought by another. It means to welcome as a teacher, a friend, or a guest into one's house. The word describes accepting persons with open arms, minds, and hearts, even going beyond normally expected gracious hospitality. The term was often used of welcoming honored guests and meeting their needs with special attention and kindness.
Prosdechomai is used of things future, in the sense of expecting and with the meaning of accepting. This verb is virtually always is found in the middle voice conveying reflexive action (action directed or turned back on self) which means that one receives to one’s self or gives another access to one’s self.
As alluded to in the introductory comments on this passage, prosdechomai is in the present tense which calls for our looking to be our lifestyle! Are you looking for Him? If you are looking at the visible things, the temporal things (2Co 4:18-note) of this passing world (1Jn 2:17-note), you can be sure that your looking (for Him = Second Coming) will be a bit lacking!
We need more men like G Campbell Morgan who said...
I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps he may interrupt my work and begin his own. I am not looking for death, I am looking for Him. (Amen!)
Adoniram Judson alluded to living expectantly in light of His imminent return when he wrote that...
A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity. The same may be said of each day. When it is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it will exhibit forever. Each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will affect our everlasting destiny. How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness?! It is too late to mend the days that are past. The future is in our power.
Let us, then, each morning,
resolve to send the day into eternity
in such a garb as we shall wish it to wear forever.
Beloved, if you are struggling with the cost you might have to pay to be one of God's winning runners, or simply struggling with God's will for your life, struggling with what to do with your time, struggling with how you should live in these last days, struggling with whether you are really looking forward to that moment in eternity when you will stand fully revealed before your Lord, then you cannot afford not to watch the following video by John Piper (click the title below to watch Dr Piper's 46 minute video).
Don't Waste Your Life
Moulton-Milligan have this secular use of prosdechomai...
“I am waiting for the 450 drachma you have given to Radanus.” (Comment: We can probably all identify with this person's anticipation of being repaid!)
Prosdechomai - 14x in 14v - NAS = accepted(1), accepting(1), cherish(1), looking(3), receive(2), receives(1), waiting(5), waiting anxiously(1).
Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
Luke 2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Luke 2:38 And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 12:36 "And be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.
Luke 15:2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."
Luke 23:51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;
Acts 23:21 "So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you."
Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
Romans 16:2 (note) that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.
Philippians 2:29 (note) Therefore receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;
Titus 2:13 (note) looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;
Hebrews 10:34 (note) For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.
Hebrews 11:35 (note) Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection;
Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Thayer writes that prosdechomai...
as in Greek writings from Aeschylus and Herodotus down (meant) "to receive to oneself, to admit, to give access to oneself'... to admit one, receive into contact and companionship, Luke 15:2; to receive one (coming from some place), Romans 16:2; Philippians 2:29 (1 Chr. 12:18); to accept (not to reject) a thing offered: To reject, Hebrews 11:35; to admit (accept) hope, i.e., not to repudiate but to entertain, embrace, its substance, Acts 24:15... not to shun, to bear, an impending evil Hebrews 10:34.
(And) from Homer down (prosdechomai meant), to expect (look for, wait for): Luke 12:36; Mark 15:43; Luke 2:25,38; 23:51 (Acts 23:21); Titus 2:13; Jude 1:21
If we are to be looking for Christ to return at any time, living in light of its imminency, such an "uplook outlook" should be a powerful incentive to spur us on to fight the good fight necessary for godly living and bold witnessing. Note the emphasis is that we are to be looking for the Christ and not for the Antichrist, for a one world government or for any other supernatural sign. Beloved, our Bridegroom's coming is imminent, and no prophetic event is required to precede His sure return (See related topics Imminency; Another discussion on imminency). Maranatha (Our Lord, come! 1Cor 16:22).
Is that my mindset? Do my day to day choices
reflect the reality of an expectant attitude?
Expectant Looking
Is the "Antidote" for
Apathetic Living
Hudson Taylor put it this way...
Since he may come any day, it is well to be ready every day.
The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the Bridegroom near,
Go, meet Him as He comes,
With Hallelujahs clear!
The marriage feast is waiting,
The gates wide open stand
Up, up! ye heirs of glory,
The Bridegroom is at hand!"
May we be like the Psalmist who cried...
My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. (Ps 130:6-note)
Prosdechomai aptly describes the lifestyle and habitual attitude of the godly Jewish man named Simeon (who undoubtedly was a member of the Jewish remnant who had placed his faith in the Messiah):
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; (one of the believing Jewish remnant) and this man was righteous and devout, looking (prosdechomai present tense) for the consolation of Israel (a synonym for the Redeemer Christ Jesus Who Himself would be the ultimate "consolation" of Israel); and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.". (Luke 2:25,26)
Luke also uses prosdechomai in his description of godly Anna writing
And there was a prophetess, Anna (one of the believing Jewish remnant) the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for (present tense - the pattern or direction of one's life, this was their lifestyle in this present age ["church age" - the next "age" is the Messianic age = Millennium] which continually motivated them and pointed them toward this glorious future age [cp Jesus' disciples' question in Mt 24:3 noting especially the phrase "the end of the age"]) the redemption of Jerusalem (synonymous with the Redeemer Himself - e.g., see Zech 14:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, esp Zech 14:9!). (Luke 2:36, 37, 38)
Fanny Crosby (who was physically blind but had spiritual eyes of faith) caught the idea of expectant living in this line from Blessed Assurance (play hymn)
Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Mark describes another Jew who was undoubtedly part of the saved Jewish remnant writing that
Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for (prosdechomai present tense - expectant waiting was his lifestyle which undoubtedly prompted godly living!) the kingdom of God and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:43, cp Mt 27:57 Lk 23:50, 51 Jn 19:38)
Comment: Notice how his future focused perspective emboldened his present actions, which is exactly what should happen in every believer's life...to the glory of God!
As mentioned above, prosdechomai was used of receiving to one's self with a welcoming attitude:
And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives (to Himself with a welcoming attitude) sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:2)
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea that you receive (prosdechomai) her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well. (Ro 16:1, 2-notes)
Paul, writing to the saints at Philippi concerning his sending them Epaphroditus, his brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who was also their messenger and minister to Paul's need, encouraged the Philippians...
Therefore receive (prosdechomai - conveys the picture of someone who is filled with the Spirit welcoming another person with open arms and heart!) him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard (Php 2:29-note)
Prosdechomai is used in a negative sense in Acts, where we read
So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him (to kill Paul) who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you. (Acts 23:21)
In a positive use Luke records Paul's testimony of...
having a hope (click discussion of Biblical hope) in God, which these men cherish (prosdechomai present tense) themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. (Acts 24:15)
The writer of Hebrews explains that those having a sure future with God can even "welcome" present affliction encouraging his readers
For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted (prosdechomai) joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. (10:34-note)
Comment: Notice how their "firm grip" on their future possession, prompted a "loose grip" on the temporal possessions of this present age which is passing away and along with its lusts).
Jude also associates this expectant attitude with living for God writing
keep (aorist imperative - command to guard, practice watchful care of) yourselves (take care of your business, not everyone else's! And do so by means of the two things just mentioned in context, building themselves up in their Christian lives and by praying in the Holy Spirit) in (in the sphere of His love - see to it that they stay within "the circle" of His love) the love of God, waiting anxiously (prosdechomai present tense - this was to be their continual mindset) for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life (which Wuest feels seems to point to that part of eternal life which will be given the saint at the Rapture = glorification)." (Jude 1:21)
Jesus used this verb in His exhortation to His disciples live life with an expectant attitude and to...
be like men who are waiting (prosdechomai present tense) for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. (Luke 12:36)
Prosdechomai is used 46 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Ge 32:20; 10.17" class="scriptRef">Ex 10:17; 22:11; 36:3; Lev. 26:43; 13" class="scriptRef">Ruth 1:13; 1 Chr. 12:18; 2 Chr. 36:21; Esther 9:23, 27; Job 2:9; 29:23; 33:20; Ps. 6:9; 55:8; 104:11; Prov. 15:15; Isa. 28:10; 42:1; 45:4; 55:12; Ezek. 20:40f; 32:10; 43:27; Dan. 7:25; Hos. 8:13; Amos 5:22; Mic. 6:7; Mal. 1:8, 10, 13) with meanings generally similar to the NT uses.
Here is one use from Psalms...
The LORD has heard my supplication. The LORD receives (prosdechomai) my prayer." (Psalm 6:9)
Comment: In other words the Lord welcomes our prayers! In a sense He even looks expectantly for them! Are you as convicted as I am?
Spurgeon's note - Here is past experience used for future encouragement.
John explains that daily looking for Christ's appearing will affect daily living, writing...
See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself (motivated by love not fear...perfect love casts out all fear...perfect love would connote "perfect" as far as humanly possible, obedience.) just as He is pure." (1John 3:1-note, 1John 3:2-note, 1John 3:3-note)
I AM
COMING
QUICKLY
In a similar vein, Jesus' promise in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible should be words believers frequently ponder (Suggestion: Recall this verse to mind every morning when you present yourself to Him as a living and holy sacrifice - Ro 12:1-note) so that motivated by this truth we would continually, expectantly look for Him and continually live for Him (1Cor 6:20)...
Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. (Revelation 22:12-note)
J. C. Ryle correctly concludes that the...
Uncertainty about the date of the Lord's return is calculated to keep believers in an attitude of constant expectation and to preserve them from despondency.
Spurgeon adds that...
The fact that Jesus Christ is to come again is not a reason for star-gazing, but for working in the power of the Holy Ghost.
Even an ancient sage such as Augustine understood the motivating power of looking for Jesus' return writing...
He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it is far off, nor is it he who says it is near. It is he who, whether it be far or near, awaits it with sincere faith, stead-fast hope and fervent love.
John Blanchard has several pithy comments on the Second Coming...
It is a bad sign when people start discussing eschatology instead of preparing for the coming of Christ...When Christ returns, the second advent will no longer be a subject for discussion....The certainty of the Second Coming of Christ should touch and tincture every part of our daily behavior....Many people will be surprised when Jesus comes again—but nobody will be mistaken. (highly recommended resource useful in teaching and preaching - the best of its kind I have encountered - The Complete Gathered Gold A Treasury of Quotations for Christians by John Blanchard or Wordsearch Computer Version)
Looking at Titus 2:11-13 from another perspective, it is interesting to see how Paul uses this short but powerful section of Scripture to summarize the truth inherent in the Three Tenses of Salvation:
Three Tenses of Salvation
in Titus 2:11-13
(Click for more discussion)
Titus 2:11
note Past
Tense “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation”
(aorist tense) Justification:
One time event
Titus 2:12
note Present
Tense “instructing us”
(present tense) Sanctification:
A lifelong process
Titus 2:13
note Future
Tense “looking for the Blessed Hope”** Glorification:
One time event
** Note that the tense for looking is present not future but the effect of this habitual practice of looking is to produce a life lived with a future focus! What you aim at in life will usually determine your course through this wilderness journey. Aim at the passing pleasures of sin (He 11:25-note) of this passing present world (1Jn 2:17-note) and you will miss the joy of heaven now (cp Ps 90:12-note). I am not saying your "aiming" earns or merits heaven but when a believer is entangled by the affairs of everyday life (2Ti 2:4-note), their anticipation of heaven's joys (which also invigorate and engender present joy) will surely be dampened. Don't let the world, the flesh and the devil continue to steal your joy dear pilgrim (1Pe 1:1-note, 1Pe 2:11KJV-note), citizen of a heavenly land (Php 3:20, 21-note, see a better country, a better city - He 11:16-note, He 12:22-note, He 13:14-note)!
AMAZING
GRACE!
In short, God’s grace redeems us (cp justifies us), reforms us (cp sanctifies us) and rewards us (cp glorifies us)! Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that has saved, is saving and will save a wretch like me! (cp Ro 7:24, 25-note)
Reuben A. Torrey wrote that...
The imminent return of our Lord is the great Bible argument for a pure, unselfish, devoted, unworldly, active life of service.
Spurgeon writes that...
One work of the grace of God is to cause us to be “looking for that blessed hope of the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”
What is that “blessed hope?” Why, first, that when He comes we shall rise from the dead, if we have fallen asleep; and that, if we are alive and remain, we shall be changed at His appearing. (1Th 4:13, 14, 115, 16, 17, 18-see notes beginning 1Th 4:13)
Our hope is that we shall be approved of Him and shall hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Mt 25:21, 23, Lk 19:17) This hope is not of debt, but of grace: though our Lord will give us a reward, it will not be according to the law of works.
We expect to be like Jesus when we shall see him as he is. When Jesus shines forth as the sun, “then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father.”
Our gain by godliness cannot be counted down into the palm of our hand. It lies in the glorious future (1Ti 4:8-note); and yet to faith it is so near that at this moment I almost hear the chariot of the Coming One. The Lord cometh, and in the coming of the Lord lies the great hope of the believer, his great stimulus to overcome evil, his incentive to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. Oh to be found blameless in the day of the manifestation of our Lord! God grant us this! Do you not see, brethren, how the discipline of the doctrine of grace runs towards the separating of us from sin, and the making us to live unto God? (From Spurgeon's sermon Two Appearings & the Discipline of Grace)
Billy Graham was right when he said that...
The subject of the second coming of Christ has never been popular to any but the true believer.
><>><>><>
After World War II there was a sign on the shore of New York harbor facing all incoming troop ships, which read:
WELCOME HOME.
WELL DONE.
When the Lord Jesus Christ appears in the air, He is going to “WELCOME HOME” every saint, for at that time He shall come to take us home to heaven. Our entrance into heaven is solely on the basis of our faith in His shed blood and death on the cross, and every believer shall receive the same “WELCOME HOME.” But, how many of us will receive His “WELL DONE,” and the “crown of righteousness”? (2Ti 4:8-note, Mt 25:21, 23, Lk 19:17)
THE EARLY EDITION - THERE was a show I used to watch a couple of years ago called Early Edition. The host of the show would get the next day's newspaper, read it, and then do a show about the upcoming news. He'd read a newspaper about the morrow and related it to his viewers today. Because he had tomorrow's newspaper today, he had information nobody else did. Most of our coworkers don't have the information. Most of our neighbors don't have the information. But as Christians, we've got an Early Edition. God has given us the Early Edition. We can function today in light of what we know about God's plan for the future. (Tony Evans' Book of Illustrations)
O Son of God, We Wait for Thee
Philipp Hiller (1699-1769)
- Bíblia
- Leia a Bíblia
- Versões da Bíblia
- Verso do dia
- Planos de Leitura
- Versos por Tópico
- Books of the Bible
- Imagens bíblicas
- Estude
- Comentários
- Concordâncias
- Dicionários
- Enciclopédias
- Sermões
- Bible Atlas & Maps
- BP Wiki
- Devocionais
- Devocionais de hoje
- Light of the World
- Todos os devocionais
- Inspirational Quotes
- Mais
- Picture Quotes
- Videos
- Inspirador
- Estudo da Bíblia
- O que a Bíblia diz
- Bible Q&As
- Daily Bread
- Bible by Genre
- Bible Stories
- Random Bible Verse
- Comunidade
- Store