A Done Deal! (Ephesians 1:14)

TRANSACTION

When a transaction is finalized, or a business deal is made, in the area of acquisition of property, there is generally a legal contract, spelling out these terms, and the obligations of each party to fulfill, to complete the sale, or purchase. The buyer, once he has fulfilled his part of the deal, gains possession of the property, and the seller gains the funds that the buyer has relinquished, to obtain his purchased possession.

WORD GROUP

 The word group that describes this action, is only used 8 times in the NT.

GAIN / OBTAIN (VERB)

 The verb (peripoieo), [4046, Strongs], is used in Acts 20:28 and 1 Timothy 3:13.

"Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians to feed the church of the Lord which He obtained (periepoiesato) with His own blood" (Acts 20:28)

"...for those who serve well as deacons gain (peripoiountai) good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim.3:13)

NOUN

The noun (peripoiesis) [4047], is used in Ephesians 1:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Hebrews 10:39; and 1 Peter 2:9.

"...the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it (eis apolytrosin tes peripoieseos)" (Eph.1:14)

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation (eis peripoiesin soterias) through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thes.5:9)

"To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory (eis peripoiesin doxes) of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thes.2:14)

"But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls (eis peripoiesin psyches)" (Heb.10:39)

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession (ethnos hagion laos, eis peripoiesin), that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pet. 2:9)

(Periousios), [4041], is found only in Titus 2:14.

"...who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for Himself a people of His own [possession] (aon periousion) who are zealous for good deeds" (Tit.2:14)

BUSINESS TRANSACTION

 (Peripoiesis), and the word group in the Greek, are technical terms in business language, where there is a transaction, and an acquisition, based on some type of agreed terms between the buyer and seller, to finalize the transaction.

FINALITY / COMPLETED

It is very interesting that the scriptures uses this word group to describe our Father, and the actions of the Lord Jesus Christ, on our behalf, because it speaks of finality in the transaction (i.e., something that is completed, and is not reversible, or subject to change), it is a "done deal".

ACTS 20:28

He has purchased; acquired us, with His own blood. Not only is this an irreversible transaction, but the "acquiring" is for Himself, and His benefit. We are once, and for all time, His prized possession, that He saw intrinsic value in, to the point that He sacrificed Himself, through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, to gain the exclusive right to us, as His own.

1 TIMOTHY 3:13

The interesting quality of 1 Timothy 3:13, is that the exchange of value, to purchase a "promotion", or acquire, for themselves, an advancement, by the deacons, is the commodity of "service".

COMMON TRUISM

The common truism in business and life, is that "the way up, is down". What is meant, is the timeless principle of success, taught by the Lord Jesus Christ:

He said that rulers of nations dominate and lord it over their subjects, but it will not be so among you, "...whoever among you wants to be great, shall be your servant, and whoever among you wants to be first, shall be everyone's slave" (Matt.20:26-27; Mk.10:43-44).

PROVIDING SERVICE

Jesus words are the principles that have built gigantic ministries, and tremendously successful businesses. Those who are providing the most service are those who gain prominence and leadership, both among Believers; religious organizations; and business, in general. You can "purchase" a position of leadership and authority, by rendering beneficial service, to more people than anyone else, and you will be known as a successful and prosperous person.

EPHESIANS 1:14

We have the guarantee of the deposit of the Holy Spirit, that we will receive, and have a legal right to, our full inheritance, which the Father, through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, has given to us.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:9

Because of what He has done, and only because of Him, have we been given the purchase of salvation...not wrath, but salvation. Salvation is our legally purchased possession.

2 THESSALONIANS 2:14

The glory of God is our purchased possession, through our Lord Jesus Christ. It belongs to us.

HEBREWS 10:39

We have obtained the salvation of our souls because we have faith, in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 PETER 2:9

We are a chosen race of people, all born of the same Father, priests that are members of the royal family, a set apart nation of Believers, that He has acquired, to proclaim His miraculous power, who has called us out of darkness, into His marvelous light.

TITUS 2:14

We have been redeemed from all iniquity, and purified, as His acquired possession, passionate about doing the good works of Jesus.

VALUABLE COMMODITIES

In a literal sense, all of these verses speak of "business" transactions that have taken place to secure valuable commodities for the Father; for ourselves; or us, for Himself.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours