Safely at Shore (Luke 8:15)

Luke 8:15 says, "...but that on the good ground are they who, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep (it), and bring forth fruit with patience." 

 KEEP

The emphasis of this study is the word "keep". There are at least 11 different main Greek words that are translated "keep", and all of them have significance, but the Holy Spirit chose to use this word, in this passage, to convey a very specific meaning. 

The base of this word means to "keep", or to "hold on to", and added to that is the prefix "kata", which is an intensive in the Greek. This word does not just mean to keep something, in a passive sense, as one would hold on to something, for safe keeping for another, or even simply to have something in possession. The force of the word is ''to hold'', with the intensive, meaning "down". In other words, "to hold down". This 'holding down' is very intense, and used in an emphatic sense meaning that there is no way that you are letting go of this thing. It is very forceful; relentless in purpose; letting nothing detract from the intended goal, or objective. 

 LEGAL DOCUMENTATION

In secular Greek, it is used in legal documentation in regards to land and property, where a claim has been made in regards to something in possession, and there is an absolute unwillingness to release what legally belongs to that person. This is a word that speaks of ownership that the rightful party is totally unwilling to relinquish, until their legal rights have been enforced.  

 MILITARY USE

It also has a military usage meaning "to occupy". Again, there is an emphatic sense of not just to possess an area or location, but the intensive aspect conveys the idea of "completely" occupy, so that there is no risk of loss or resurgence of enemy opposition. In other words, the conquest is held until the enemy is totally defeated, and there is no danger or possibility of a counter attack that will be able to retake what has been gained. 

 HONEST and GOOD HEART

 Specifically in Luke 8:15, this word is a characteristic of those the KJV speaks of, that have an "honest and good heart" [ (kalos kai agathos) in Greek. This title was given to those who had "earned", what their position in society had already afforded them. They chose to gain the respect of all, demonstrating their positive character and benefit to the community by their actions, not relying on their lineage or inheritance, as a means of distinction. They stood out from their fellow persons of privilege because they obtained respect, not on the basis of title, but by their beneficial actions to all classes of people (See the note "Good Among the Good") ]  

The word, in Luke 8:15 speaks of holding the word in our mind. It parallels 1 Corinthians 15:2, where the scripture states that we are "being saved" by keeping or holding on to the word that has come to us. This is a statement of the effect of the word in our lives that we, with stubborn determination, because of the revelation we have received, will not let go of what belongs to us, until the manifestation, or our "salvation", is fully realized. This is obviously not a reference to being born of God, for Paul was writing to Believers; but rather living out, and possessing our promised land. 

 STEERING A SHIP

A final metaphorical use, which paints a vivid picture for us, is that of the steering of a ship. As is so often the case, the scriptures are their own best commentary. Acts 27:40 speaks of how the helmsman of the ship, "made toward the shore". Though not as picturesque as some of the classical Greek uses, the scriptural emphasis, and meaning of the word, is "to steer a ship, without wavering in course or direction, until it has arrived safely at its destination".  This imagery speaks of us, not altering our intent or purpose of complete possession of the word, held in focus in our mind, until the full manifestation has been realized, or, as the metaphor dictates, we land the ship at the desired location safely at shore.  

 We must choose to remain focused, and by no means relinquish or abandon the revelation of the word, but with confident resolve, forcefully possess what already belongs to us. [ It should be noted, that this is not some intellectual gymnastics, but rather the strength of the revelation of the word, will not allow us to give up ownership of  what we know unquestionably to be legally ours ].

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