How To Be An Android

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: ανδριζομmaι (andrizomai)

PRONUNCIATION:  an-DRID-zoh-mai

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 407

MEANING: act like a man; to be brave;

ENGLISH WORDS DERIVED FROM: android

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): this word comes from the primary word for "male";

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV, NASB AND/OR ESV:  quit ye like men (KJV); act like men (NASB & ESV)

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 1

KEY VERSE IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED:

1 Corinthians 16:13 - "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men (ανδριζομmaι), be strong."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Several years back if you had mentioned the word “android”, one might think of the Star Wars movie and C3PO or R2D2.  Today the thoughts would turn to a smart phone.  The English word “android” comes from our Greek word for the day, ανδριζομmaι (andrizomai).  This particular word is only used one time in the Greek New Testament in 1 Corinthians 16:13.  Here Paul is trying to encourage specifically the male leaders within the church at Corinth when he tells them, or better yet, commands them "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."  Paul is actually closing out his letter to the church at Corinth with some final challenges.  But he specifically turns his attention to the men, the male leaders of the church.  And he issues these words as a command.  In the Greek language this is a single word, translated “act like men” (the KJV says “quit ye like men”).  It is written in what is called the “Present Middle Imperative”.   Let me try to explain that briefly.  First “imperative” means that it was a command.  This was NOT a friendly suggestion.  In all likelihood it was a command because the men were failing here.  Second, the “present” tense means that the action is to be ongoing.  In other words Paul says “continuously be acting like men.”  The middle voice basically means that this is something that men must find within themselves.  While that strength comes from God, we as men must actively and aggressively work towards this. 

Personally this is where I believe Adam got himself in trouble in the Garden of Eden.  He failed his part at being a protector for his wife.  He dropped his guard and did not act as the man that God created him as.  He was not “on the alert” as Paul states. 

The basic idea that Paul was trying to convey is that of mature courage. The mature man has a sense of control, confidence, and courage that the immature or childish person does not have. Again we see that Paul's command is for the Corinthian men to be the opposite of what they normally were. They were characterized by anything but maturity.

Paul already had pleaded with them, "Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature" (14:20). The Corinthians needed to grow up. Even when he pastored among them the apostle was not able to talk to them "as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it." Since he had left Corinth they still had not matured. "Indeed, even now," he continues, "you are not yet able" (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). He has to threaten them with discipline, just as a parent must do with a stubborn child. "What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod... ?" (4:21).

Maturity is one of the marks of love (1 Corinthians 13:11), a virtue in which the Corinthians were especially deficient. Love strives for maturity in all good things — in doctrine, in spiritual insight, in emotional stability and control, in personal relationships, in moral purity, and in all the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Above all we should "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18), "until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ .... But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:13,15).

How does a believer grow and mature? By longing "for the pure milk of the word, that by it [we] grow in respect to salvation" (1 Peter 2:2). The Bible provides spiritual and moral nourishment. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

While I know these words may sound as if they are only for men, I want to make a challenge to all.  Yet I do feel a strong sense to challenge men to “step it up”.  All too often our churches are made and kept strong by the women.  Thank God for their faithfulness.  Yet I feel that even the strongest of women are looking for men to be men.  They are looking for us as men to step up to the plate, accept our god-given responsibilities, and act upon them.  To “act like men” ανδριζομmaι.  Men, make s decision today to show forth the courage that God gave you.  Apply that in a Biblical and Christian manner.  Ladies, find ways to encourage your husband in this manner.  And to all, let’s be alert for and on behalf of one another. 

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

MEN

Heavenly Father, thank you that you created me as a man.  Thank you for the courage and strength you have given me, both physically and spiritually.  Forgive me for the times when I have not stood as a protector for those whom you have given me charge to care for.  Give me the courage I need to stand for righteousness today.  Cause me to be alert to my surroundings, especially in a spiritual manner.  May today be the beginning of my new awareness of my need to “act like a man.”  I pray this in the holy name of Jesus my Lord.  Amen

WOMEN

Heavenly Father, thank you that you created me as a woman.  Thank you for the men that you have placed in my life.  Thank you for my father.  Thank you for my husband.  Thank you for the men who have been there for me.  And father, for those men who may not have been there as needed, would you grant them today the courage they need to act like men?  Would you cause me to be an encouragement to them and not a discouragement?  As a woman, cause me also to be courageous in my own life and not look for excuses to let you down.  Thank you for this blessed day.  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.