Who are You Considering Today?
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”
(Hebrews 10:24)
The word for “consider” is from the Greek word katanoeo, a compound of the words kata and noeo. The word kata depicts something that is moving downward; the word noeo (from the word nous) depicts the mind and means to think. When the two words are placed together, it means to thoroughly think something through or to ponder something from the top all the way to the bottom. It is the idea of mulling something over; carefully contemplating a matter; pondering and carefully looking at a particular issue; or examining and fully studying a subject.
This word pictures someone who is so concerned about someone else that he/she has taken the time to really consider that other person. He/she has observed the person’s ups and downs and his/her highs and lows. He/she studied to find out what helps that person feel encouraged and what events tend to pull him/her down. Because he/she has determined to really know and understand that other person, he/she invests a great deal of time and concentration into studying and getting to know that other person. This kind of knowledge doesn’t come by accident, but by determined pursuit.
Not only are we to consider one another, but the Bible goes on to say we are to provoke one another unto love and good works. The word “provoke” comes from a compound word. Para means alongside and it carries the idea of being close. The second part, of the word means to sharpen something, such as a knife, and indicates a very sharp situation. When you put these two words together, it describes someone who has come alongside of someone else for the purpose of prodding and impelling that person to do something.
Provoking can be both positive and negative but in this verse “provoking” is telling us that our relationships with other believers should incite us to become better, stronger, and bolder in the Lord.
In our context here at Heritage Church how can we provoke other believers in a positive way? How can you stimulate your brother or your sister in the Lord in such a way that you make him or her want to walk in love and do good works? Just as Jesus Christ at the Cross “considered us” and gave His best for us to become more like Him. We are to encourage others to run their race well!
Paraphrase of this verse might be the following:
“And constantly be observing one another, seriously contemplating, studying, and examining each other, until you know exactly how to incite and stimulate each other to love and to good works.”
