OBEDIENCE DEFINED
from Chapter 1 of Steven J. Hulshizer's excellent book: Obedience, The Key To Our Problems.
Definition
"...handling accurately the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15)
Before we begin to see how obedience permeates Scripture from beginning to end, it is necessary that we have a firm grasp of its meaning. We are often guilty of misusing words because we really do not understand the true sense of the world. Many times the meaning of a word that we have in mind is what we assume it to mean. It may be a vague definition based on common, and often incorrect, usage.
If the reader is to obtain any real blessing from the following material it is necessary that he leave this chapter with the proper understanding of the Biblical use of the word obedience.
When we generally think of obedience, we think of doing what one is instructed to do. In speaking to our children we may say, "Will you please obey me and do what you are told?" What we mean is, "Please carry out my instructions." Conversely we look at one who carried out instructions as obedient. Such uses are not far removed from the intended meaning of Scripture, but far enough that the true essence of the word is lost.
In Scripture there are several different words used for obedience and disobedience. In order to establish the principal meaning of these words in our minds, we will look at them briefly. Many times throughout the following chapters verses will be printed out in full for the reader's convenience and to help reinforce the principle from Scripture. In those cases where one of the following words is used, the reference number assigned in this section will appear behind the word. This will allow you to know which word was used in the original language. All verses will be quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise specified.
OBEDIENCE
(1) Shama (Shaw-mah)
This is a Hebrew word and is the primary one used throughout the Old Testament. The first use of the word is found in Genesis 22:18,
"And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed because you have obeyed My voice."
The word has as its primary root the meaning, "to hear intelligently." Please note the word hear. It is central to the meanings of several of the words, and it carries the thought of heeding what is heard.
In verses 2 and 5 of this same chapter the first use of the words "love" and "worship" is also found. This is beautiful to see, since Isaac is a picture of God the Son and the first use of the word love is to describe the love of the Father (Abraham) for the Son (Isaac). Worship, love, and obedience are all used for the first time in Scripture in this wonderful chapter.
(2) Hupakouo (hoop-ak-oo-o)
This Greek word is the word primarily thought of throughout the remainder of this book. It is used widely throughout the New Testament. We will see that the other words are closely related to its meaning. We find its first use in Matthew 8:27.
"And the men marveled, saying, 'What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?'"
This usage of the word refers to the Lord as He calmed the rough sea at the request of the disciples. The word is really made up of two words.
Hupo - meaning under or beneath
Akouo - meaning to hear
Thus the meaning of the word could be stated as, "to hear under." It carried with it the thought of subordination, or the recognition of authority and wisdom. It is an attitude of hearing. Throughout the following pages the words "hear under" will often be used in an effort to reinforce this meaning in our hearts and minds.
(3) Hupotasso (Hoop-ot-as-so)
This word is also made up of two words. You will recognize one of them from "hupakouo" above.
Hupo - meaning under or beneath
Tasso - to arrange in an orderly fashion
The thought is one of being subordinate or to put oneself under the command of another in the chain of authority. To submit, to be under obedience, are the primary meanings. We can see this principle in the military forces. The sergeant submits to the lieutenant, who in turn submits to the captain. Submitting does not make the sergeant any less of a person than the lieutenant, but he does take his proper place under the established order. This attitude is vital to the success of the whole operation.
(4) Peitharcho (pi-tharkh-eh-o)
Again we have a word which is constructed of two other words. One of these will be seen again in the thought of disobedience.
Peitho - meaning to convince or persuade
Archo- first in rank, rule
The thought here is to be convinced or persuaded by the ruler or one in authority. To submit to authority is the primary concept.
DISOBEDIENCE
In great contrast to obedience is the meaning of disobedience. The following two words convey the thought of disobedience. Of course the negative of any of the preceding words, such as, "Obey not the Gospel," would also imply disobedience.
(5) Parakoe (par-ak-o-ay)
This word carries the primary thought of disobedience as used in the following material. It too is made up of two parts.
Para - meaning beside or vicinity of
Akouo - again meaning to hear
The word has the thought of "to hear beside" or a "failure to hear under." We can see that disobedience carries with it the thought of elevation or pride. The one who should be under elevates himself or herself to a level equal to, or beside, the one in authority. Once the one who should be subordinate elevates himself, there is no longer a recognition of the authority of the other. There is also no appreciation or trust in the wisdom of the other.
(6) Apeitheo (Ap-i-theh-o)
We recognize the second part of this word from the first part of peitharcho. It results from adding the negative article to the font of peitho.
A - as a negative article
Peitho - meaning to convince or persuade
This word thus implies a refusal to be persuaded, or to not believe. Note that it has a similar thought of a refusal to hear. We see this word used in Ephesians 2:2 in the description of the natural man as the "sons of disobedience."
LEGALISM, CONFORMITY, AND OBEDIENCE
At this point it is necessary to discuss the difference between obedience, legalism, and conformity.
Obedience is an attitude of the heart toward a higher authority. As Christians, that higher authority is God Himself. The Lord said in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." It also deals with the individual's own attitude toward God. Legalism, on the other hand, places the commandment above the commander. It places the emphasis on the law itself, and the keeping of it for law's sake, rather than to the glory of its Giver. Those who are legalistic also tend to look at the activities of others rather than their own heart (attitude). This attitude was common to the Pharisees in the time of the Lord's earthly walk. In Romans 2, Paul clearly depicts those religious leaders of that day. We must realize that obedience, as spoken of in the following pages, is something we will want to question our own hearts about.
Conformity deals with the outside of a man. Many conform to laws outwardly in fear of reprisal; however heir attitude is certainly not one of obedience. We have all probably driven our cars at the speed limit in fear of a fine, however in our hearts we would prefer to be going at a higher speed. Respect for those in authority is not the motivating factor, but rather the fear of punishment. We see here a principle. Conformity to a law may be a means of avoiding punishment; however the peace and joy that comes from obedience is not there.
SUMMARY
Obedience is primarily an attitude of hearing. We either hear in a subordinate position of obedience and thus recognize the authority and wisdom of the one over us, or we elevate ourselves and refuse to hear under the one over us.
By definition it involves the authority and wisdom of the one giving the commandment. Thus disobedience involves the thought of rebellion, either openly, or more importantly in the heart...
OBEDIENCE, THE KEY TO OUR PROBLEMS, by Steven J. Hulshizer
Believers Bookshelf, Inc., P. O. Box 261, Sunbury, PA 17801
Definition
"...handling accurately the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15)
Before we begin to see how obedience permeates Scripture from beginning to end, it is necessary that we have a firm grasp of its meaning. We are often guilty of misusing words because we really do not understand the true sense of the world. Many times the meaning of a word that we have in mind is what we assume it to mean. It may be a vague definition based on common, and often incorrect, usage.If the reader is to obtain any real blessing from the following material it is necessary that he leave this chapter with the proper understanding of the Biblical use of the word obedience.
When we generally think of obedience, we think of doing what one is instructed to do. In speaking to our children we may say, "Will you please obey me and do what you are told?" What we mean is, "Please carry out my instructions." Conversely we look at one who carried out instructions as obedient. Such uses are not far removed from the intended meaning of Scripture, but far enough that the true essence of the word is lost.
In Scripture there are several different words used for obedience and disobedience. In order to establish the principal meaning of these words in our minds, we will look at them briefly. Many times throughout the following chapters verses will be printed out in full for the reader's convenience and to help reinforce the principle from Scripture. In those cases where one of the following words is used, the reference number assigned in this section will appear behind the word. This will allow you to know which word was used in the original language. All verses will be quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise specified.
OBEDIENCE
(1) Shama (Shaw-mah)
This is a Hebrew word and is the primary one used throughout the Old Testament. The first use of the word is found in Genesis 22:18,
"And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed because you have obeyed My voice."
The word has as its primary root the meaning, "to hear intelligently." Please note the word hear. It is central to the meanings of several of the words, and it carries the thought of heeding what is heard.
In verses 2 and 5 of this same chapter the first use of the words "love" and "worship" is also found. This is beautiful to see, since Isaac is a picture of God the Son and the first use of the word love is to describe the love of the Father (Abraham) for the Son (Isaac). Worship, love, and obedience are all used for the first time in Scripture in this wonderful chapter.
(2) Hupakouo (hoop-ak-oo-o)
This Greek word is the word primarily thought of throughout the remainder of this book. It is used widely throughout the New Testament. We will see that the other words are closely related to its meaning. We find its first use in Matthew 8:27.
"And the men marveled, saying, 'What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?'"
This usage of the word refers to the Lord as He calmed the rough sea at the request of the disciples. The word is really made up of two words.
Hupo - meaning under or beneath
Akouo - meaning to hear
Thus the meaning of the word could be stated as, "to hear under." It carried with it the thought of subordination, or the recognition of authority and wisdom. It is an attitude of hearing. Throughout the following pages the words "hear under" will often be used in an effort to reinforce this meaning in our hearts and minds.
(3) Hupotasso (Hoop-ot-as-so)
This word is also made up of two words. You will recognize one of them from "hupakouo" above.
Hupo - meaning under or beneath
Tasso - to arrange in an orderly fashion
The thought is one of being subordinate or to put oneself under the command of another in the chain of authority. To submit, to be under obedience, are the primary meanings. We can see this principle in the military forces. The sergeant submits to the lieutenant, who in turn submits to the captain. Submitting does not make the sergeant any less of a person than the lieutenant, but he does take his proper place under the established order. This attitude is vital to the success of the whole operation.
(4) Peitharcho (pi-tharkh-eh-o)
Again we have a word which is constructed of two other words. One of these will be seen again in the thought of disobedience.
Peitho - meaning to convince or persuade
Archo- first in rank, rule
The thought here is to be convinced or persuaded by the ruler or one in authority. To submit to authority is the primary concept.
DISOBEDIENCE
In great contrast to obedience is the meaning of disobedience. The following two words convey the thought of disobedience. Of course the negative of any of the preceding words, such as, "Obey not the Gospel," would also imply disobedience.
(5) Parakoe (par-ak-o-ay)
This word carries the primary thought of disobedience as used in the following material. It too is made up of two parts.
Para - meaning beside or vicinity of
Akouo - again meaning to hear
The word has the thought of "to hear beside" or a "failure to hear under." We can see that disobedience carries with it the thought of elevation or pride. The one who should be under elevates himself or herself to a level equal to, or beside, the one in authority. Once the one who should be subordinate elevates himself, there is no longer a recognition of the authority of the other. There is also no appreciation or trust in the wisdom of the other.
(6) Apeitheo (Ap-i-theh-o)
We recognize the second part of this word from the first part of peitharcho. It results from adding the negative article to the font of peitho.
A - as a negative article
Peitho - meaning to convince or persuade
This word thus implies a refusal to be persuaded, or to not believe. Note that it has a similar thought of a refusal to hear. We see this word used in Ephesians 2:2 in the description of the natural man as the "sons of disobedience."
LEGALISM, CONFORMITY, AND OBEDIENCE
At this point it is necessary to discuss the difference between obedience, legalism, and conformity.
Obedience is an attitude of the heart toward a higher authority. As Christians, that higher authority is God Himself. The Lord said in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." It also deals with the individual's own attitude toward God. Legalism, on the other hand, places the commandment above the commander. It places the emphasis on the law itself, and the keeping of it for law's sake, rather than to the glory of its Giver. Those who are legalistic also tend to look at the activities of others rather than their own heart (attitude). This attitude was common to the Pharisees in the time of the Lord's earthly walk. In Romans 2, Paul clearly depicts those religious leaders of that day. We must realize that obedience, as spoken of in the following pages, is something we will want to question our own hearts about.
Conformity deals with the outside of a man. Many conform to laws outwardly in fear of reprisal; however heir attitude is certainly not one of obedience. We have all probably driven our cars at the speed limit in fear of a fine, however in our hearts we would prefer to be going at a higher speed. Respect for those in authority is not the motivating factor, but rather the fear of punishment. We see here a principle. Conformity to a law may be a means of avoiding punishment; however the peace and joy that comes from obedience is not there.
SUMMARY
Obedience is primarily an attitude of hearing. We either hear in a subordinate position of obedience and thus recognize the authority and wisdom of the one over us, or we elevate ourselves and refuse to hear under the one over us.
By definition it involves the authority and wisdom of the one giving the commandment. Thus disobedience involves the thought of rebellion, either openly, or more importantly in the heart...
OBEDIENCE, THE KEY TO OUR PROBLEMS, by Steven J. Hulshizer
Believers Bookshelf, Inc., P. O. Box 261, Sunbury, PA 17801
