Workmanship

April 21

Workmanship
poiēma

Eph_2:10 again declares, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

There’s a beautiful Greek word behind workmanship, namely, poiēma (G4161), which refers to what is made or created. Another form of the word, poiētēs, refers to one who makes something or to a work of art. In ancient Greek this referred to an author or poet. In fact, our English word poem is derived from poiēma.

So, we are God’s workmanship, His “work of art,” His “masterpiece,” His “poem,” if you will. While Milton’s epic poems Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained are true masterpieces, they pale in comparison to the masterpiece of the true child of God.

Notice more specifically that we are His, that is, God’s workmanship. There’s an important contrast between the English and Greek texts. In the English, this statement begins with “we,” but in the Greek it-in fact, the whole verse-begins with “Him.” Literally the verse reads: “For of Him we are a product.”

The world says that each of us is a product of our environment or a product of our own experience. Even Christians have a tendency to think that way. But God’s Word declares that the believer is actually “the product of God.” Many preachers are even products of a particular Bible college or seminary (warts and all). But what we really are, are products of God.

Think of poiēma in the context of a potter. Does the pot say to the potter, “Well, you know that I had a little something to do with what I have become?” Of course not; the clay has nothing to do with the process. It’s the potter who goes out and seeks the clay, brings it into his workshop, and molds it according to his own vision.

Likewise, the “Divine Potter” molds us into vessels He can use. That’s exactly what Paul illustrated to the Romans, in fact: “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” (Rom_9:20-21).

What a challenging thought it is to know we are each God’s work of art!

Scriptures for Study: What does Rom_1:20 declare about “God’s work of art” (“made” is poiēma)? While today’s word does not appear in Php_2:13, what does that verse declare concerning today’s meditation?

 
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