In my most favorite book on the planet; (Sparkling Gems From The Greek) Rick Renner says the following.
The word "overcometh" is the Greek word nikos. It means to conquer. It was used to portray athletes who had gained the mastery of the competition and ultimately reigned supreme as champions over the games.
The Holy Spirit was careful in His selection of this word nikos. This word communicates vivid images that pertain to our walk of faith and victory. First, it tells us that when we begin the walk of faith, we enter into a real-life competition. The decision to walk by faith puts us right smack dab in the center of the ring where the contest immediately begins.
This is so important to understand, because too often we wrongly presume that if we walk by faith, we will be removed from all problems. But our faith pits us directly opposite the devil's powers. He hates our faith because he knows what it can do! For this reason, Satan may try to go for a knock-out punch. But even if he knocks us flat, he can't keep us down on the ground!
The apostle Paul testified to this when he said that he was "...cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:9). One translation says, "We occasionally get knocked down, but never get knocked out!" Those who are born of God have the supernatural ability to keep getting up again, no matter how many times they fall! Remember, John wrote, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world."
Because the word "overcometh" is the Greek word nikos, it tells us that we are the ultimate champions and describes our superior position as children of God over the world. We are fully armed with everything we need to be super-conquerors in this life!
Overcome (nikao) means to conquer, to be victorious or to prevail in the face of obstacles. Romans 3:4 (note) speaks of God prevailing as in a legal accusation against Him!
Overcome describes the quality of a true saint who may stumble and fall but who God always picks up and he continues onward and upward in the power and motivation of the victory Christ has won for us on the Cross.
In Webster's American Dictionary of the English language (1828) overcome means to conquer; to vanquish; to subdue; as, to overcome enemies in battle. To surmount; to get the better of; as, to overcome difficulties or obstacles. To gain the superiority; to be victorious.
There are 28 uses on nikao in the NT (4 verses use nikao twice) - Lk 11:22; Jn 16:33; Ro 3:4; Ro 12:21; 1Jn 2:13; 4:4; 5:4, 5; Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26; 3:5, 3:12, 3:21; 5:5; 6:2; 11:7; 12:11; 13:7; 15:2; 17:14; 21:7
No comments:
Post a Comment