Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

eirene - ειρηνευω (Strong's #1514)
To make peace, to cultivate or keep peace, harmony to be at peace, live in peace

prosagoge - 'the act of bringing to, a moving to access, approach'
προσαγωγη (Romans 5:1-2: eirene, prosagoge, and kauchaomai. These three terms will be examined individually, in the following paragraphs.

As a man who was sentence to death, on his way to execution, but, then, the news that every criminal wants to hear, "You are acquitted! You are free!" Pretty much reflects our story. We rebelled. We have been acquitted (dikaioo, "to judge, declare righteous and acceptable"). Now, we have obtained freedom, freedom in Jesus Christ. Then Paul offers to the reader three essential truths: "We have peace with God…we have obtained our introduction by faith…and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Each of these truths deserves a consideration.

First, "We have peace with God." The word "peace" is from the Greek term eirene, literally, "a sate of national tranquility; exempt from the rage and havoc of war."^F1 This truth is amazing—we were captives to sin, miserable and without hope. We were acquitted, not because of what we have done. It was the grace of God.

There was a war waging within us because of sin's grip. We couldn't get along with each other. There was always envy, strife, hatred and murder. Peace was absent. Now we have peace, the peace that comes from God.

Second, "We have obtained our introduction by faith." The word "introduction" is from the Greek term prosagoge, literally, "the act of bringing to, approach, access."^F2 I tell you, Paul has me flying with wings. After gaining "peace with God," now, I have obtained an "access," an "introduction" into his grace." The late New Testament scholar, F.F. Bruce affirms that here Christ is viewed as ushering believers into their new state of grace and acceptance before God.^F3

The word "grace" means "favor." We have obtained "favor" with God. Can you believe that, from a criminal status to a "favor" status. Wow! Thank you, Lord for you "grace." Paul is really up to something unbelievable. I can't wait!

Third, "We rejoice in hope of the glory of God." The word "rejoice" is from the Greek term kauchaomai, literally, "to glory."^F4 It gets sweeter, from a criminal who has gained "peace," who has obtained an "access" and now "to rejoice in hope of the glory of God." I do not know what the initial response of his readers was, but after discovering this grand truth, I have "peace" in my heart and "glory" on my lips toward God.

From a criminal status to a "peace" status, we have an "access" into his grace, so that we can glory in the hope of the glory of God. These three truths are for the keeps. Every believer ought to know!

FOOTNOTES:
F1: Joseph H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996), 182.
F2: Danker, et al, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Chicago: University of Chicago, 2000), 138.
F3: F.F. Bruce, The Letter of Paul to the Romans (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985), 116.
F4: Thayer, 342.

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