This message resumes the Gospel and Spiritual Growth series

Gospel and Spiritual Growth Series by Pastor David K. Spurbeck, Sr.

Message #34 – 12-9-2001 – Synopsis and Outline

SOCIAL WORKS AND LUSTS FROM THE FLESH -- IV

This message resumes the Gospel and Spiritual Growth series. There is a great deal of information in the outline that relates to the Greek root that is in the notes for one's information. The list of derivatives is of limited value to these studies because only two directly pertain to this study. As I mentioned earlier, I am giving a broader spectrum of derivatives so that someone can pursue these on his own in order to better understand how these roots work. In the composite forms the idea of warmth or burning within a person may or may not have a bad connotation.

Anger is described by two words in the Greek New Testament. The word thumos is the work of the flesh and has the idea of an inward burning. Normal statements reflecting this kind of anger are: "That makes me boil!" and "That fries me!" The other Greek word may result from the work of the flesh or may be righteous of itself. It is an outward bursting forth. Our statement for this word is "He flew off the handle." Anger of itself is not a sin. The anger of most people in the USA after Sept. 11 was righteous and was not a sin or even unrighteous. Anger against unrighteousness should very much be a part of a Christian's life. It may move from the human spirit to the human soul and become a work of the flesh. Then it may become a sin. A good example of this is seen in the stronger term orge in Ephesians 4:26: "Be angry and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath."

III. A. gives a list of the 19 forms in which thumos and its derivatives occur. The AV translation is included so that one can use a Strong's or Young's Concordance though Englishman's Greek Concordance is more functional. B. breaks out the noun and the verb in their various occurrences in sections of the New Testament. C. gives a short overview of orge and a general comparison between the two words. D. lists the primary Hebrew words that the Greek Old Testament translates by these words. E. presents an abbreviated overview of the nonbiblical uses of the word in classical Greek and other Koine Greek occurrences. F. develops the facets of definition. I have added some of the material that was mentioned in the message at this point.

G. begins the section of the uses of the terms in grace revelation. God may possess anger and wrath as is noted in Romans 2:8. As a result, it brought tribulation (pressure) and anguish on the unrighteous before the giving of the Mosaic Law. Orge is only found on the earth and never found in heaven while thumos has its origin with the divine Person. A majority of the occurrences of thumos when used of God are found in the book of Revelation. The list is given under 1. b-e. Satan will also have a manifestation of his inward burning anger at the middle of the tribulation period when he will be cast out of the second and third heavens. Harlot Babylon also will have an inward burning of anger in the Tribulation period (Rev. 14:8; 18:3).

Herod was filled with this type of anger because the wise men did not return to tell him that they had found Jesus. He slew all of the infants two years old and under in the region around Bethlehem as a result of this anger (Matt. 2:16). Pharaoh was another ruler that exhibited anger in relation to Moses (Heb. 11:27).

Inward burning anger in religious anger is normal and even proper in many cases. There are two very good examples of religious anger that produced evil responses in the N. T. Jesus was back home in Nazareth on the Sabbath and went to the synagogue. He had been in Capernaum where He had performed many miracles of healing. He went into the synagogue and rose up to read. At His request He was given an Isaiah scroll to read. He unrolled the scroll to Isaiah 61:1, 2 and read it (Lu. 4:16-19). He stopped in the middle of verse two. He said that this Scripture was fulfilled in their eyes. They evidently had anticipated His doing the same miracles at home in Nazareth yet He used two illustrations of God's dealing with Gentiles instead of Israelites from O. T. Scripture. They weren't willing to see Him as God but merely the son of Joseph. They wanted the miracles -- instant health plan -- yet rejected Him as the Son of God = full deity. As a result of what Jesus said to them, they were filled with a burning of anger to the point that they took Him out to kill Him (4:29). Another religious reaction of anger came for both religious and economic reasons in Ephesus (Acts 19:28). The silversmiths played on the religious fervor of the Ephesian populace for Diana goddess of the Ephesians to stir up anger and a riot against Paul and those who had come with the gospel. The inward burning came out in shouts verbally declaring allegiance to Diana.

This word is implied in Ephesians 3:21 where believing fathers are told not to provoke or incite their children to wrath. This is a work of the flesh that can easily be manifested by parents to children. The result is that a child may be stymied in his warmth or desire for life.

Anger is found in the plural in 2 Cor. 12:20 and Galatians 5:20. In both instances it is found with zeal and strifes (pl.). In neither of these instances is anger called a sin though it is identified as a work of the flesh. It is also found in clusters in the singular form in Ephesians 4:31 and Colossians 3:8. In both of these instances it is found with orge, the visible, external, active wrath of a person. In Eph. 4:31 it is also accompanied with bitterness. Paul clearly teaches that these should be put away from the believer. Colossians 3:8 finds anger directly linked to malice (that which is lacking in character). He uses a different verb when he tells the Colossian saints to put off the six forms of unrighteousness which include anger.

There is a form of anger that is righteous as is evident in the fact that God possesses thumos and other contexts with orge. Righteous anger involves the human spirit and rarely originates with the soul which is the seat of emotions. Angry people are governed by their souls and not by their spirits. A few weeks ago I watched an episode of The Education of Max Bickford on television. I had been preparing this message and three sentences in the script were pertinent as Richard Dryfus delivered them. "I like my anger. I'm rather fond of it. It's who I am." There are Christians who have a similar problem. It boils in them all of the time and from time to time boils over. A pastor friend told me of a man in his congregation. He was an angry man. When the church had a business meeting, this man was always there. His anger would burn and then burst forth in the meetings almost every time. The pastor was the moderator. After a few months he learned to read the man. Blood would rush to his head as the inward burning built to an explosion. The pastor said that when the man's neck would turn red the color would rise until his anger was verbalized. About the time it got to the top of the fellows neck the pastor would stop the proceedings and tell him to calm down. Eventually this believer got better control of his inward burning and outbursts of anger. It is sad that he hadn't been taught the spiritual life. This man embarrassed his wife, family and church friends by his lack of control of his soul and its anger. When anger grows, it can easily produce sin. This can go beyond just breaking things and hurting people and can lead to murder. The only anger management that works for the Christian is an understanding that anger is a work of the flesh and that Christ has provided the basis for victory over that work of the flesh. In Christ I died to the sin nature and was raised to newness of life. This dealt with the anger issue. The provisions of the grace of God in Christ Jesus make this possible to the glory of God and to the blessing of the saint.

In Christ free from condemnation (Rom. 8:1),

DKS

#34 -- Gospel and Spiritual Growth

Valley – December 9, 2001 p.m.

SOCIAL WORKS AND LUSTS FROM THE FLESH -- IV

Galatians 5:20 -- Wrath or Anger -- qumo,j

Proposition: To present the concepts involved in the word "wrath" or anger so that Christians can know how to identify it and it's manifestation. This is the tenth work of the flesh listed in Galatians five. This work involves an internal swelling or heat of anger that has the potential to burst forth.

Introduction

A. The Extent of the Directions of Anger and the Flesh

B. The Evidence of Two Distinct Forms of Anger and Their Relationships

1. Inward Burning -- "It makes me boil." "That fries me!"

2. Outward Bursting -- "Fly off the handle."

C. The Emphasis the Relation of Anger to Sin

1. It Is Not a Sin of Itself

2. It Does Not Need to Lead to Sin Though It May

D. The Expansion of One Anger to the Other Anger

TRANS: The tenth work of the flesh is wrath or anger. It involves the internal pressure that presses upon a person in reaction to some stimulus that irritates or annoys the person that results in a steaming, panting, swelling or heating up.

III. WRATH OR ANGERS: A BOILING INTERNAL EXCITEMENT STIMULATED BY SOMETHING EXTERNAL THAT SEETHES WITHIN A PERSON -- PROJECTED ANGER AGAINST ANYTHING FROM WITHIN A PERSON --AN INTERNAL PRESSURE FROM EXCITEMENT BECAUSE OF AN EXTERNAL STIMULUS -- Galatians 5:20

A. The Extent of the Revelation in the New Testament

1. qumo,j (thumos) -- masculine noun -- 18 times trans. "wrath" (15x); "fierceness" (2x); "indignation" (1x)

2. qumo,w(thumoo) -- verb -- 1 time trans. "be wroth" (1x)

3. avqume,w (athumeo) -- verb -- one time trans. "be discouraged"

4. evnqume,omai (enthumeomai) -- verb -- three times trans "think"

5. eu[qumoj (euthumos) -- masc. noun -- two times trans. "of good cheer" "cheerfully"

6. eu[qume,w (euthumeo) -- verb -- three times trans. "be of good cheer" (2x); "be merry"

7. eu[qumoteron (euthumoteron) -- adverb -- one time trans. "more cheerfully"

8. epiqume,w (epithumeo) -- verb -- 16 times trans. "desire" (8x); "lust" (4x); "covet" (3x); "fain" (1x)

9. qumomce,w (thumomcheo) -- verb -- one time trans. "highly pleased"

10. evpiqumhthj (epitthumetes) -- masc. noun -- one time trans. "lust after"

11. evpiqumi,a (epithumia) -- fem. noun -- 38 times trans. "lust" (32x); "concupiscence" (3x); "desire" (3x)

12. evnqu,mhsij (enthumesis) -- noun -- four times trans. "thought" (3x); "device"

13. o`moqumado,n (homothumadon) -- adverb -- 12 times trans. "of one accord" (11x); "with one mind"

14. makroqumi,a (makrothumia) -- fem. noun -- 14 times trans. "longsuffering" (12x); "patience" (2x)

15. makroqume,w (makrothumeo) -- verb -- 10 times trans. “be patient" (6x); "be longsuffering, patiently endure, have long patience, bear long, suffer long"

16. makroqumw,j (makrothmos) -- adverb -- one time trans. "patiently"

17. proqmi,a (prothumia) -- fem. noun -- five times trans. "fondness of mind, readiness, ready mind, willing mind, readiness of mind"

18. proqu,mwj (prothumos) -- adverb -- one time trans. "of a ready mind"

19. pro,qumoj (prothumos) -- masc. noun -- three times trans. "ready" (2x); "willing" (1x)

20. Total New Testament Occurrences of All Forms and Derivatives -- 135x [all pivot around the root but most are not pertinent to this study and are included for information only. Only 1., 2. and 3. are pertinent to the work of the flesh.]

B. The Evidence in its Distribution in the New Testament {Of pertinent terms to study}

1. In the Gospels

a. Verb -- Matt. 2:16

b. Noun -- Luke 4:28

2. In Acts -- 18:28

3. In Grace Revelation -- 7 times (Rom. 2:8; 2 Cor. 12:20; Gal. 5:20; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; Heb 11:27 [noun]; Col. 3:21 [verb. lest they be discouraged])

4. In the Book of Revelation -- 10 times (12:12; 14:8, 10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19; 18:3; 19:15)

C. The Evidence of Differences of Words for Wrath or Anger

1. qumo,j / qume,w (thumos/thumeo) = anger or wrath from burn, smoke steam

2. ovrgh, / ovrgi,zomai (orge/orgidzomai) = wrath or anger -- from. be puffed up, swell

a. ovrgh, (orge) -- noun -- 36 times [Englishman's Greek, pg. 537]

b. ovrgi,zomai (orgidzomai) -- verb -- 8 times [E.- G., pg. 537]

c. parorgi,zw (parorgidzo) -- verb -- two times [E.- G., pg. 596]

d. parorgismo,j (parorgidsmoa) -- noun -- one time [E.- G., pg. 596]

e. ovrgiloj (orgilos) -- noun -- one time [E.- G., pg. 537]

3. qumo,j / qume,w = Inward Burning or Excitation That Is a Strong Negative Response to External Stimuli in Anger

4. ovrgh, / ovrgi,zomai = External Active Hostile Opposition Manifested for Others to See

D. The Examination of the Uses in the Greek Old Testament (LXX)

1. The Noun translates 25 different Hebrew roots and their forms. More prominent are:

a. @a; = anger in general (manifest in flaring of nostrils)

b. am'xe / hm'xe (cheemah) = heat, anger, wrath, fury

c. !wOrx' (chahron) = heated or glowing anger

2. The Verb translates 14 Hebrew roots

a. hr'x' (chahrah) = be hot with anger

b. @a; hr'x' (chahron) = be hot with manifest anger

E. The Emphasis of Usage in Classical and Koine Greek

1. Often found in a positive sense of breath of life, excitation of life in activity or of desire

2. New Testament occurrences are all negative and used of God, Satan and mankind (saved and unsaved)

F. The Emphasis of the Definition of "Wraths" or Angers

1. My Definition: A slow burning or swelling type of anger (that can produce outbursts of anger) or an internal reaction of agitation against something or someone.

2. The Details from the Definition

a. Involves a burning within the person and may have a good or evil sense

b. Involves a violent movement or inward excitement

c. Is not sin of itself and can legitimately be possessed and not lead to an act of sin.

d. Impulses that can lead to outbursts of anger.

e. Can easily lead to the outwardly manifested type of anger.

G. The Examination of Biblical Revelation for Understanding Wrath or Anger

1. Divine Involvement in This Type of Anger in the New Testament

a. A Relationship of Anger by God Toward Unsaved Persons Before the Mosaic Law -- Romans 2:8

(1) They Were Contentious -- Work of the Flesh #11

(2) They Disobeyed the Truth

(3) They Obeyed Unrighteousness

(4) God Will Render Upon Every Person Doing Things Lacking in Character

(a) Wrath -- ovrgh,

(b) Anger -- qumo,j

(d) Anguish

(5) The Order -- Jew first Then Gentile

b. The Pouring Out of the Wine of the Anger of God on Those Bearing the Mark of the Beast -- Revelation 14:10

c. The Casting of the Vine of the Earth Into the Great Winepress of the Anger of God -- Revelation 14:19

d. The Revealing of the Seven Plagues of the Seven Vials Filled Up with the Anger of God -- Revelation 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19

e. Christ's Treading the Winepress of the Inward Burning of the Outward Burning of the Anger of God the Almighty -- Revelation 19:5

2. A Response by Satan in the Middle of the Tribulation Period -- Revelation 12:12

a. The Rejoicing in the Heavens

b. The Casting Down of the Devil from the Heavens (2^nd & 3^rd)

(1) Possessing Great Inward Burning Anger

(2) Because He Knows That His Time Is Short

3. A Religion That Babylon the Great Uses Toward the Nations -- Revelation 14:8; 18:3

a. The Drinking of the Wine of the Wrath of the Nations

b. The Description of the Wrath with Fornication

4. The Angered Response of Herod to the Snubbing by the Wise Men -- Matthew 2:16

a. The Mockery of the Wise Men

b. The Greatness of the Anger of Herod

c. The Murder of the Children

5. A Religious Reaction to Something Religiously Different Than One's Belief System

a. The Anger of the Jews in the Synagogue in Nazareth -- Luke 4:28

(1) The Activity of Jesus in Nazareth

(a) Read the Scriptures -- vss. 16-22

(b) Refused Miracles -- vss. 23, 24

(2) The Anger That Filled the Jews

(3) The Attempt to Murder Jesus -- vss. 29, 30

b. The Anger of the Ephesian Silversmiths Against Paul -- Acts 19:28

(1) The Profit of the Silversmiths Affected by Salvation -- vss. 23-25

(2) The Persuasion of Many Against Idols -- vss. 26, 27

(3) The Presence of Full Anger Among the Silversmiths -- vs. 28

(4) The Pressure on the Whole City of Ephesus -- vss. 29-36

6. A Prohibited Result of the Father's Provoking His Children -- Col. 3:21

a. The Avoiding of a Work of the Flesh in Provocation

b. To Prevent a Child's Loss of Warmth or Desire for Life

7. The Ongoing Relationship with Other Terms for Unrighteousness

a. In the Plural

(1) A Potential for Paul Finding Unrighteousness at Corinth -- 2 Corinthians 12:20

(a) Zeal, Angers, Strifes -- Immediate Cluster

(b) Cluster of Eight

(2) The Position in the List of the Works of the Flesh -- Galatians 5:20

(a) Zeal, Angers, Strifes -- Immediate Cluster

(b) Cluster of 17 Works of the Flesh (#10)

b. In the Singular

(1) The Encouraged Removal of Specific Qualities of Unrighteousness --Ephesians 4:31

(a) Bitterness, Anger, Wrath -- Immediate Cluster

(b) Cluster of Seven Forms of Unrighteousness

(2) The Immediate Putting Away of Unrighteousness -- Colossians 3:8

(a) Wrath, Anger, That Which Is Lacking in Character -- Immediate Cluster

(b) Cluster of Six Forms of Unrighteousness

TRANS: Anger is a work of the flesh that boils beneath the surface of a person in response to certain stimuli. It has the potential to burst forth and create great problems. The next work of the flesh in the list is selfishness or self-seekingness..

Conclusion

Valley Baptist Church

P. O. Box 99, Gaston, OR 97119