Names
Introduction. Unlike most of people's names in modern times, names in Bible times most often contained an important meaning or message. As Christians, we can learn much by studying some of these names.
Abram, Sarai, & Jacob. Changing a name to reflect a change in character or in one’s relationship with God began with Abram and Sarai. As the birth of Isaac approached, God’s intent to make Abram a great nation and father of many nations led to a name change: “no longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations” and “as for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name ... she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her” (Gen. 17:5; 15-16). In the same way Jacob was told “your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Gen. 32:28). In both cases, their names revealed their faithful service to God and God’s plans for them and thus had great significance.
Immanuel - God With Us. Before the Messiah came, God revealed names to prepare Israel for his majesty and power. “For unto us a Child is born ... His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6). How these names must have perplexed those who did not have the light of the gospel. It was John who finally put things into perspective. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn. 1:1-3, 14). With this additional revelation the names God gave in prophesy take on great significance! “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us” (Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:23). When Mary bore her son, he was Immanuel, God with us because at that moment the Word (who was God) had become flesh. He dwelt among us as Mighty God. This was the answer to the question Jesus posed to the Pharisees: “’The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’ If David then calls Him Lord, how is He his Son?” (Mt. 22:44-45)
The most wonderful name of all was revealed when “an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream” and said, “you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Mt. 1:21), “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12). This name is so great that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:10-11).
Simon, The Son Of John. When Jesus first saw Simon he saw a need to change his name. “Jesus looked at him, and said, You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas (which is translated Peter)” (Jn. 1:42). Jesus saw within Peter the raw materials for an unyielding character. Though Peter struggled with his faith while walking on the water with Jesus (Mt 14:28-32) and failed terribly when he denied Jesus three times (Mt. 26:33, 26-75), Jesus called Simon, Peter, because he would become a rock. Though an imperfect man, Jesus gave him this name to reflect the best part of his character and slowly he grew into that name.
Offspring Of... Children Of... Sons Of .... In the NT, many names are prefaced with “son of”, “children of”, or “offspring/generation of.” John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees “offspring of vipers” to describe their cunning malice. “He said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Mt. 3:7) Jesus repeated this charge at the end of his earthly ministry: “You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how shall you escape the judgment of hell?” (Mt. 23:33) This idiom was used to describe character (both good and evil). Everything produces after its kind. All offspring, children, or sons will always possess all the characteristics of their parents. When serpents have offspring they will be an exact copy of themselves. When the Holy Spirit saw the characteristics of a serpent in the hearts of the Pharisees and Sadducees, he used his prophet John to call them “offspring of vipers.”
When Jesus saw the character of “James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James,”...“He gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder” (Mk. 3:17). They were sons of thunder because their character of inner turmoil and boisterous responses resembled thunder. We catch a glimpse of this character when Jesus was slighted by the Samaritans. “When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” (Lk. 9:54) Like a clap of thunder, they wanted Jesus vindicated.
This expression is also used to describe the very best of character. Jesus promised we could become “sons of light.” “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light” (Jn. 12:36).
The Son Of Exhortation. In the early days of the church before they were scattered by Saul, the actions of Joseph (or Joses), a Levite born on the island of Cypress, caught the attention of the apostles and they changed his name. “Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation)” (Acts 4:36).
When the apostles nicknamed Joseph “son of exhortation”, they were paying him a high compliment. By exhibiting the characteristics of exhortation to such a high degree, they wanted the church to know of his character and inner purpose. Exhortation is a gift to be shared among God’s people: “having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us let us use them... he that exhorteth, to his exhorting” (Rom. 12:6,8). “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10). Barnabas had the gift of exhortation and used this gift so well that he was named the “son of exhortation.”
We don’t know what did Barnabas did to receive this name, but we can see what he did after it was given. The first example was financial: “having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet” (Acts 4:37). Later out of fear, the church in Jerusalem would not accept Saul. “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27). By these examples, he was a Barnabas (Son of Exhortation). His actions built up and comforted the church.
When word came that the Gentile church in Antioch was prospering, “they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord” (Acts 11:22-24). Then, in the midst of this great work, “Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:24-26). Some might have basked in the glory of their work, but not Barnabas. He would make himself second in order to show confidence in Saul. This allowed Saul to begin his work and he gave the church in Antioch a special gift.
Joseph was a “son of exhortation” because his entire focus was to build up, strengthen, and encouraging others. He complimented, comforted, or motivated with enthusiasm. He set aside his own comfort (sold property) and self-importance (brought Saul) in order to help others. Over Paul’s strong objection, Barnabas sought to exhort John Mark after his poor choice to leave the work (Acts 13:13). Though Paul had lost confidence in him, Barnabas “was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.” (Acts 15:37-38) Barnabas did not give up and he was right! At the end of Paul’s life he said, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry” (2 Tim 4:11).
Conclusion. So what of us? Of whom are we the offspring? Exhortation or viper? God or the devil? If God gave us a name based on character, what would he call us?
Abram, Sarai, & Jacob. Changing a name to reflect a change in character or in one’s relationship with God began with Abram and Sarai. As the birth of Isaac approached, God’s intent to make Abram a great nation and father of many nations led to a name change: “no longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations” and “as for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name ... she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her” (Gen. 17:5; 15-16). In the same way Jacob was told “your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Gen. 32:28). In both cases, their names revealed their faithful service to God and God’s plans for them and thus had great significance.
Immanuel - God With Us. Before the Messiah came, God revealed names to prepare Israel for his majesty and power. “For unto us a Child is born ... His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6). How these names must have perplexed those who did not have the light of the gospel. It was John who finally put things into perspective. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn. 1:1-3, 14). With this additional revelation the names God gave in prophesy take on great significance! “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us” (Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:23). When Mary bore her son, he was Immanuel, God with us because at that moment the Word (who was God) had become flesh. He dwelt among us as Mighty God. This was the answer to the question Jesus posed to the Pharisees: “’The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’ If David then calls Him Lord, how is He his Son?” (Mt. 22:44-45)
The most wonderful name of all was revealed when “an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream” and said, “you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Mt. 1:21), “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12). This name is so great that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:10-11).
Simon, The Son Of John. When Jesus first saw Simon he saw a need to change his name. “Jesus looked at him, and said, You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas (which is translated Peter)” (Jn. 1:42). Jesus saw within Peter the raw materials for an unyielding character. Though Peter struggled with his faith while walking on the water with Jesus (Mt 14:28-32) and failed terribly when he denied Jesus three times (Mt. 26:33, 26-75), Jesus called Simon, Peter, because he would become a rock. Though an imperfect man, Jesus gave him this name to reflect the best part of his character and slowly he grew into that name.
Offspring Of... Children Of... Sons Of .... In the NT, many names are prefaced with “son of”, “children of”, or “offspring/generation of.” John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees “offspring of vipers” to describe their cunning malice. “He said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Mt. 3:7) Jesus repeated this charge at the end of his earthly ministry: “You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how shall you escape the judgment of hell?” (Mt. 23:33) This idiom was used to describe character (both good and evil). Everything produces after its kind. All offspring, children, or sons will always possess all the characteristics of their parents. When serpents have offspring they will be an exact copy of themselves. When the Holy Spirit saw the characteristics of a serpent in the hearts of the Pharisees and Sadducees, he used his prophet John to call them “offspring of vipers.”
When Jesus saw the character of “James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James,”...“He gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder” (Mk. 3:17). They were sons of thunder because their character of inner turmoil and boisterous responses resembled thunder. We catch a glimpse of this character when Jesus was slighted by the Samaritans. “When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” (Lk. 9:54) Like a clap of thunder, they wanted Jesus vindicated.
This expression is also used to describe the very best of character. Jesus promised we could become “sons of light.” “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light” (Jn. 12:36).
The Son Of Exhortation. In the early days of the church before they were scattered by Saul, the actions of Joseph (or Joses), a Levite born on the island of Cypress, caught the attention of the apostles and they changed his name. “Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation)” (Acts 4:36).
When the apostles nicknamed Joseph “son of exhortation”, they were paying him a high compliment. By exhibiting the characteristics of exhortation to such a high degree, they wanted the church to know of his character and inner purpose. Exhortation is a gift to be shared among God’s people: “having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us let us use them... he that exhorteth, to his exhorting” (Rom. 12:6,8). “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10). Barnabas had the gift of exhortation and used this gift so well that he was named the “son of exhortation.”
We don’t know what did Barnabas did to receive this name, but we can see what he did after it was given. The first example was financial: “having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet” (Acts 4:37). Later out of fear, the church in Jerusalem would not accept Saul. “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27). By these examples, he was a Barnabas (Son of Exhortation). His actions built up and comforted the church.
When word came that the Gentile church in Antioch was prospering, “they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord” (Acts 11:22-24). Then, in the midst of this great work, “Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:24-26). Some might have basked in the glory of their work, but not Barnabas. He would make himself second in order to show confidence in Saul. This allowed Saul to begin his work and he gave the church in Antioch a special gift.
Joseph was a “son of exhortation” because his entire focus was to build up, strengthen, and encouraging others. He complimented, comforted, or motivated with enthusiasm. He set aside his own comfort (sold property) and self-importance (brought Saul) in order to help others. Over Paul’s strong objection, Barnabas sought to exhort John Mark after his poor choice to leave the work (Acts 13:13). Though Paul had lost confidence in him, Barnabas “was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.” (Acts 15:37-38) Barnabas did not give up and he was right! At the end of Paul’s life he said, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry” (2 Tim 4:11).
Conclusion. So what of us? Of whom are we the offspring? Exhortation or viper? God or the devil? If God gave us a name based on character, what would he call us?