Exclude (1576) ekkleio by Greek Word Studies

Excluded (1576) (ekkleio from ek = out + kleío = to shut) means literally to shut out. For example in secular Greek we find the following uses -- "be excluded from one’s home city" or "be shut outside the door of the tower". Ekkleio means to eliminate, to not allow, to exclude from a thing. Ekkleio is used here figuratively to describe making something impossible. Boasting in works as a means of justification is completely shut out or banned. There is no room for man’s boasting in God's plan of salvation. If God is saving by faith in Christ and not by our merit or our works, then what can we boast in? The aorist tense indicates the completeness of the act -- the exclusion referred to has been accomplished once for all. The Amplified Version puts it plainly that boasting is "banished, ruled out entirely". Man has no "bragging rights" in this area! The only other use of ekkleio is by Paul to describe a withdrawal of fellowship or association... They (false teachers/Judaizers eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out, (they desired to exclude the Galatian Gentiles from God's gracious salvation) in order that you may seek them. (Galatians 4:17) Vincent writes that this is... A peculiarly vivid use of the aorist tense. It was excluded by the coming in of the revelation of righteousness by faith. Paul's point is that there is absolutely no room in one’s salvation for boasting since salvation is, from beginning to end, a work of God on behalf of totally depraved and helpless people. Do you attempt to bargain with God, making promises in an attempt to manipulate him? Do you secretly keep track of your good works, expecting that God will feel obliged to reward you in some manner? Have you lapsed into thinking God owes you health, prosperity, and happiness? Be careful, lest the only thing you really deserve is rebuke. Godet writes that... That glory (boasting) which man derives from his self-righteousness, and which the law had already foreclosed, has been finally excluded. And by what means? By a rule of works? Certainly not, for such a means would rather have promoted it, but by that of faith (Ro 3:26.) The apostle thus reaches the striking result that the rule of works would contradict the law, and that the rule of faith is that which harmonizes with it. Calvin writes that... “Paul is not here disputing merely concerning ceremonies, or any external works, but comprehends all works of every kind and degree. Boasting is excluded without all doubt, since we can produce nothing of our own that merits the approbation or commendation of God. And here he is not speaking of limitation or diminution of merit, since he does not allow the least particle of it. Thus, if boasting of works be removed by faith, so that it takes away from man all praise, while all power and glory are ascribed to God, it follows that no works whatever contribute to the attainment of righteousness.” (Romans 3: Commentary) Kent Hughes writes that in this verse Paul presents a call for humility, and humility paves the way for the exhilarating, infinite grace of God to deluge our bankrupt human hearts and bring us life. This is where all who are without Christ must begin. They must put down their pride and boasting and come with empty hands that they might receive this radical, true righteousness. (Hughes, R. K. Romans: Righteousness from heaven. Preaching the Word. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books) Augustus Toplady phrases it this way in his famous hymn Rock of Ages... Not the labor of my hands Can fulfill Thy law’s demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone. Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die. William Newell writes that... "In view of this new gospel-revelation of the finished work of Christ, who did the whole work for us on Calvary, and that by God's appointment, everything is seen to be of God, and not at all of man. Therefore, even the Jews, to whom the Law had been given, had their mouths completely stopped, "because there was no work done, " and no ground for boasting! (Romans: Verse by Verse) As one has quaintly said "The Feast of Mercy was on, and the damsel Grace was at the door, admitting everyone who came on the ground of mercy alone. Old Mr. Boasting, in a high hat and fine suit, presented himself. 'Oh, 'said Grace, as she quickly shut the door in his face, 'There is no room for you here! The people here are feasting on the free gifts of God.' So Mr. Boasting was shut out!" (from William Newell. Romans Verse by Verse). BY WHAT KIND OF LAW OF WORKS? NO, BUT BY A LAW OF FAITH: dia poiou nomou ton ergon; ouchi, alla dia nomou pisteos: (Ro 9:11,32; 10:5; 11:6; Ga 2:16) (Ro 7:21,23,25; 8:2; Mk 16:16; Jn 3:36; Ga 3:22; 1Jn 5:11,12) Paul is asking rhetorically on what basis has boasting been banished? Is it on the basis of works? No way. The more we think about those things we feel we have merited or earned, the prouder we become, not the more humble! Spurgeon writes that... whenever we think that we have been performing any good works, we begin to boast at once. Law (3551) (nomos) is etymologically something parceled out, allotted, what one has in use and possession; hence, usage, custom. "Law" is used in this context not as a reference to the Mosaic law but in the sense of a principle. Godet explains "law" in this context writing... In these two questions the term law is taken in a general sense. This word is often used by Paul to denote a mode of action which is imposed on the individual, a rule to which he is subject, a principle which determines his conduct. Sometimes when thus understood it is taken in a good sense; for example, Ro 8:2: “the law of the spirit of life which is in Jesus Christ;” again it is used in a bad sense; so Ro 7:23: “the law which is in my members;” or, again, it is applied in both ways, good and bad at once; comp. Ro 7:21. As Baur well says, the word law denotes in general “a formula which serves to regulate the relation between God and man.” And so the Amplified Version translates this question as On what principle? [On the principle] of doing good deeds? No, but on the principle of faith. Works (2041) (ergon) means a deed or action in contrast to inactivity. It speaks of toil or effort in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something. Works are the result of and never the means of salvation.

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Exclude (1576) ekkleio

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