Filling Up Christ's Afflictions - Col. 1:24

Colossians 1:24

Greek

νῦν χαίρω ἐν τοῖς παθήμασιν ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν καὶ ἀνταναπληρῶ τὰ ὑστερήματα τῶν θλίψεων τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου ὑπὲρ τοῦ σώματος αὐτοῦ ὅ ἐστιν ἡ ἐκκλησία

(Click on a word above to have Zack Hubert at Re:Greek parse it for you)

Greek Translation
Now I rejoice in the sufferings for your sake and I fill up the deficit of Christ’s afflictions in my flesh for the sake of His body, which is the Church.


NIV
Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the Church.

Accurately obscures the sufferings at the beginning of the verse. Later, Paul fills it up in his body, so most likely this first sufferings does refer to himself, but NIV rightly keeps it the way he wrote it. The “what is still lacking” is bad not only because the still isn’t there in Greek, but also because Paul is filling in the gap presently, so it no longer is still lacking… Paul is filling it. Although pathemasin at the beginning and thlipseon in the middle can both be translated “afflictions,” the NIV did good to translate them differently to keep the distinction between Paul’s sufferings and Christ’s afflictions… that they are separate trials in intensity and in affect.

NASB
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the Church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

Interprets the sufferings as mine. Not at all sure where NASB gets the “in my flesh I do my share.” This is a rare case in which NASB does some inappropriate interpretive work. Major word order problem bringing the “in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the Church” to the middle rather than keeping it at the end as it is in the Greek. Diddo NIV in keeping “sufferings” and “afflictions” distinct.


KJV
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s sake, which is the Church:

Thoroughly unreadable in the 21st century. Diddo NASB: interprets the sufferings as mine. Granted we are separate by 400 years, but it sounds in 21st century English like KJV is saying Paul’s sufferings are behind Christ’s afflictions. That is to say, his don’t measure up to His. But this is not what the Greek says. The Greeks says “I supply the deficiencies of Christ’s afflictions.” Consequently this "behind Christ's" is what Tyndale (1534) translated it as. Tyndale's verse 24 is "Now joy I in my sufferings which I suffer for you, and fulfil that which is behind of the passions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the congregation." He got the distinguishing of Paul's and Christ's afflictions wrong where he translates both as "passions." I like what Tyndale wrote in commentary. "Passions or sufferings of Christ: is the passions which we must suffer for His sake. For we have professed and are appointed to suffer with Christ. John 20, as My Father sent Me, so send I you." That we don't suffer FOR Him, but we suffer WITH Him. Consequently, Wycliffe (1388) got it right and I will add that below...


Wycliffe (1388)
And now I have joy in passion for you, and I fill those things that fail of the passions of Christ in my flesh for His body, which is the Church."

He got the passion wrong in making both sufferings and afflictions the same English word. Making two English words distinguishes them just as Paul distinguished them in Greek even though they have the same range of meanings. And now I wonder if it is not Christ's afflictions on Calvary that are deficient, but His afflictions in my body. That is to say, Christ is suffering in my body as I am wounded for His Name's sake. But His suffering is not yet complete... His plan is that I suffer more and that He in me suffer more. The Wycliffe translation puts more likeliness in this than the other English translations. I suppose the possibility is there in the Greek. See my Greek translation at the top.


ESV
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the Church.

Diddo NASB and KJV: interprets the sufferings as mine. Word order issue, moving “in my flesh” to the front of the phrase. Overall, pretty good translation. Diddo NIV, NASB, and KJV distinguishing “sufferings” from “afflictions.”


NLT
I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am completing what remains of Christ’s sufferings for His body, the Church.

The temporality of the rejoicing is not in the Greek, as it is in James 1:2 (hotan, whenever). “I suffer” in the Greek is a noun, not a verb… should be “in the sufferings” rather than “when I suffer.” Puts “in my body” with “the sufferings” rather than with the “I am completing” as it is in the Greek. Gets the meaning pretty good with “I am completing what remains of Christ’s sufferings for His body.” That is, the thrust of Paul’s comment is to say Christ is in me, ministering to His Church through me. As he got done saying in the previous section v13-22, that Christ is the first place, He wins everything, He is responsible for all good. And then anticipates well what Paul will say in v27 that the mystery is “Christ in me” and in v29 “His power working mightily in me.” This is the least possibly-arrogant of the major translations. Paul wasn’t really bragging in the Greek, but in English you could (and you’d be wrong) accuse him of boastful pride. NLT captures best the heart of his comment. Kudos!


See my comments on the whole section of 1:23-29 here.

Greek for 9/23/07

This Week's Text

1 Corinthians 13

We will study this text together at Morning Worship on Sunday, September 23, 2007

Introductory Thoughts

I hate when people use this text in a wedding. It isn't about romantic love! It's about the proper attitude for ministry. That's what happens, I guess, when people don't read the Bible as a book. No one ever picks up a chapter of Grisham or a paragraph of Agatha Christie. Alright, enough of that rant... seriously, good stuff here for ministering within and outside the Church using your gift in a loving way. With that introduction, now the text:

The Text

Greek		Translation
12:31b και ετι καθ υπερβολην οδον υμιν δεικνυμι 1 εαν ταις γλωσσαις των ανθρωπων λαλω και των αγγελων αγαπην δε μη εχω γεγονα χαλκος ηχων η κυμβαλον αλαλαζον 2 καν εχω προφητειαν και ειδω τα μυστηρια παντα και πασαν την γνωσιν καν εχω πασαν την πιστιν ωστε ορη μεθιστανειν αγαπην δε μη εχω ουθεν ειμι 3 καν ψωμισω παντα τα υπαρχοντα μου καν παραδω το σωμα μου ινα καυχησωμαι αγαπην δε μη εχω ουδεν ωφελουμαι 4 η αγαπη μακροθυμει χρηστευεται η αγαπη ου ζηλοι ου περπερευεται ου φυσιουται 5 ουκ ασχημονει ου ζητει τα εαυτης ου παροξυνεται ου λογιζεται το κακον 6 ου χαιρει επι τη αδικια συγχαιρει δε τη αληθεια 7 παντα στεγει παντα πιστευει παντα ελπιζει παντα υπομενει 8 η αγαπη ουδεποτε πιπτει ειτε δε προφητειαι καταργηθησονται ειτε γλωσσαι παυσονται ειτε γνωσις καταργηθησεται 9 εκ μερους γαρ γινωσκομεν και εκ μερους προφητευομεν 10 οταν δε ελθη το τελειον το εκ μερους καταργηθησεται 11 οτε ημην νηπιος ελαλουν ως νηπιος εφρονουν ως νηπιος ελογιζομην ως νηπιος οτε γεγονα ανηρ κατηργηκα τα του νηπιου 12 βλεπομεν γαρ αρτι δι εσοπτρου εν αινιγματι τοτε δε προσωπον προς προσωπον αρτι γινωσκω εκ μερους τοτε δε επιγνωσομαι καθως και επεγνωσθην 13 νυνι δε μενει πιστις ελπις αγαπη τα τρια ταυτα μειζων δε τουτων η αγαπη Read on BibleGateway Research on ZHubert		12:31b And yet I will show you a higher way. 13:1 If i speak with the tongues of mean and of angels but I do not love, I become a clinging ring or a noisy cymbal. 2 And if I have prophecies and I see all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have faith as to move mountains, but I do not have love, I am nothing. 3 Even if I might feed with all my possessions and if I might give over my body to be glorified [burned], but I do not love, I benefit nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous, it is not boastful, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act unbecomingly, it does not enumerate wrongs. 6 It does not rejoice concerning evil, but it fully rejoices with the truth. 7 It endures all things, it believes all things, it hopes all things, it perserveres all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether prophecies, they will be ended. Whether tongues, they will cease. Whether knowledge, it will be ended. 9 For in part we know and in part we prophesy. 10 But when the perfect comes, the part will be ended. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. At the time I have become a man, I have ended the things of a child. 12 For I see presently through a mirror in obscurity, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will fully know just as I am fully known. 13 But now remain these three things: faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is love. Read on BibleGateway

Greek for 9/9/07

This Week's Text

1 Corinthians 12

We will study this text together at Morning Worship on Sunday, September 2, 2007

Introductory Thoughts

Again, nothing terribly controversial here. The hot-n-heavy stuff enters in chapter 14. I would really like to know where (so-called) charismatics are coming from in v10 "to some, tongues" (i.e. not to all, but to some) and v19 "if all were one part, where would the body be?" I call them so-called charismatics because we are all charismatic. That is to say we are all gifted by the Spirit. When they call themselves charismatic, they are really saying they practice the sign gifts (like tongues, prophecy, miracles, etc). With that introduction, now the text:

The Text

Greek		Translation
1 περι δε των πνευματικων αδελφοι ου θελω υμας αγνοειν 2 οιδατε οτι οτε εθνη ητε προς τα ειδωλα τα αφωνα ως αν ηγεσθε απαγομενοι 3 διο γνωριζω υμιν οτι ουδεις εν πνευματι θεου λαλων λεγει αναθεμα ιησους και ουδεις δυναται ειπειν κυριος ιησους ει μη εν πνευματι αγιω 4 διαιρεσεις δε χαρισματων εισιν το δε αυτο πνευμα 5 και διαιρεσεις διακονιων εισιν και ο αυτος κυριος 6 και διαιρεσεις ενεργηματων εισιν και ο αυτος θεος ο ενεργων τα παντα εν πασιν 7 εκαστω δε διδοται η φανερωσις του πνευματος προς το συμφερον 8 ω μεν γαρ δια του πνευματος διδοται λογος σοφιας αλλω δε λογος γνωσεως κατα το αυτο πνευμα 9 ετερω πιστις εν τω αυτω πνευματι αλλω δε χαρισματα ιαματων εν τω ενι πνευματι 10 αλλω δε ενεργηματα δυναμεων αλλω [δε] προφητεια αλλω [δε] διακρισεις πνευματων ετερω γενη γλωσσων αλλω δε ερμηνεια γλωσσων 11 παντα δε ταυτα ενεργει το εν και το αυτο πνευμα διαιρουν ιδια εκαστω καθως βουλεται 12 καθαπερ γαρ το σωμα εν εστιν και μελη πολλα εχει παντα δε τα μελη του σωματος πολλα οντα εν εστιν σωμα ουτως και ο χριστος 13 και γαρ εν ενι πνευματι ημεις παντες εις εν σωμα εβαπτισθημεν ειτε ιουδαιοι ειτε ελληνες ειτε δουλοι ειτε ελευθεροι και παντες εν πνευμα εποτισθημεν 14 και γαρ το σωμα ουκ εστιν εν μελος αλλα πολλα 15 εαν ειπη ο πους οτι ουκ ειμι χειρ ουκ ειμι εκ του σωματος ου παρα τουτο ουκ εστιν εκ του σωματος 16 και εαν ειπη το ους οτι ουκ ειμι οφθαλμος ουκ ειμι εκ του σωματος ου παρα τουτο ουκ εστιν εκ του σωματος 17 ει ολον το σωμα οφθαλμος που η ακοη ει ολον ακοη που η οσφρησις 18 νυν δε ο θεος εθετο τα μελη εν εκαστον αυτων εν τω σωματι καθως ηθελησεν 19 ει δε ην [τα] παντα εν μελος που το σωμα 20 νυν δε πολλα μελη εν δε σωμα 21 ου δυναται [δε] ο οφθαλμος ειπειν τη χειρι χρειαν σου ουκ εχω η παλιν η κεφαλη τοις ποσιν χρειαν υμων ουκ εχω 22 αλλα πολλω μαλλον τα δοκουντα μελη του σωματος ασθενεστερα υπαρχειν αναγκαια εστιν 23 και α δοκουμεν ατιμοτερα ειναι του σωματος τουτοις τιμην περισσοτεραν περιτιθεμεν και τα ασχημονα ημων ευσχημοσυνην περισσοτεραν εχει 24 τα δε ευσχημονα ημων ου χρειαν εχει αλλα ο θεος συνεκερασεν το σωμα τω υστερουμενω περισσοτεραν δους τιμην 25 ινα μη η σχισμα εν τω σωματι αλλα το αυτο υπερ αλληλων μεριμνωσιν τα μελη 26 και ειτε πασχει εν μελος συμπασχει παντα τα μελη ειτε δοξαζεται μελος συγχαιρει παντα τα μελη 27 υμεις δε εστε σωμα χριστου και μελη εκ μερους 28 και ους μεν εθετο ο θεος εν τη εκκλησια πρωτον αποστολους δευτερον προφητας τριτον διδασκαλους επειτα δυναμεις επειτα χαρισματα ιαματων αντιλημψεις κυβερνησεις γενη γλωσσων 29 μη παντες αποστολοι μη παντες προφηται μη παντες διδασκαλοι μη παντες δυναμεις 30 μη παντες χαρισματα εχουσιν ιαματων μη παντες γλωσσαις λαλουσιν μη παντες διερμηνευουσιν 31 ζηλουτε δε τα χαρισματα τα μειζονα και ετι καθ υπερβολην οδον υμιν δεικνυμι Read on BibleGateway Research on ZHubert		1 Now concerning the things of the Spirit, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 Know that at one time you were nations with mute idols, by which you were led astray. 3 Therefore, I make known to you all that no one in the Spirit of God speaks saying "Cursed is Jesus" and no one is empowered to say "Lord Jesus" if it is not in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are diverse gifts but there is one Spirit, 5 and there are diverse ministries and one Lord, 6 and there are diverse works but one God who works all things in all. 7 But each one is given a clear display of the Spirit for the purpose of the commono good. 8 For inded, one through the Spirit is given a word of wisdom, but another a word of knowledge from the same Spirit, 9 still another faith in the same Spirit, but another a gift of healing in the one Spirit, 10 but another a work of power, but another prophecy, but another a discernment of spirits, still another a variety of tongues, but another an interpretation of tongues, 11 but all these works are in one and the same Spirit who divides specially assigned tasks to each one just as He pleases. 12 For even as there is one body and it has many parts, so all the many parts of the body are in one body, so Christ is also. 13 For also in one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jew or whether Greek, whether slave or whether free, and we all are given drink in one Spirit. 14 For also the body is not in one part but many parts. 15 If the foot might say "since I am not a hand, I am not part of the body" from this is it not from the body? 16 And if the ear might say "since I am not an eye, I am not of the body," from this is it not part of the body? 17 If the whole body is an eye, where is hearing? If all hear, where is the sense of smell? 18 But now God destined the members, in each one in the body just as He chooses. 19 Now if all are in one, where is the body? 20 But now, these many are still one body. 21 But the eye is not able to say to the hand, "I do not have need of you." 22 Now those members of the body which are supposedly weaker are necessary. 23 And that which we think to be less honorable of the body to these we bestow a more excessive price and the indecent of us has more excessive honor, 24 but the honorable of us does not have need. But God united the body giving more abundant honor to the one who lacked, 25 in order that there be no schism in the body so that the members might be anxious for one another. 26 And if a member suffers, all suffer with the member, 27 But we are the body of Christ and members out of the whole. 28 And God appointed in the Churh first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, next a gift of healing, helps, leadership, kinds of tongues. 29 Not all are apostles, not all are prophets, not all teach, not all work miracles, 30 not all have a gift of healing, not all speak tongues, not all interpret, 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. Read on BibleGateway

An Invitation

What is your spiritual gift? How do you use it?

Greek for 9/2/07

This Week's Text

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

We will study this text together at Morning Worship on Sunday, September 2, 2007

Introductory Thoughts

Nothing terribly controversial in this passage, however it is so crucial to our walk with Christ to participate in the Lord's Supper in a proper way. We all know that there are varying views on what exactly "happens" at communion. We are inwardly pursuaded of our own view. Perhaps the question we can talk about is "why are there varying views?" And now, the text:

The Text

Greek		Translation
17 τουτο δε παραγγελλων ουκ επαινω οτι ουκ εις το κρεισσον αλλα εις το ησσον συνερχεσθε 18 πρωτον μεν γαρ συνερχομενων υμων εν εκκλησια ακουω σχισματα εν υμιν υπαρχειν και μερος τι πιστευω 19 δει γαρ και αιρεσεις εν υμιν ειναι ινα [και] οι δοκιμοι φανεροι γενωνται εν υμιν 20 συνερχομενων ουν υμων επι το αυτο ουκ εστιν κυριακον δειπνον φαγειν 21 εκαστος γαρ το ιδιον δειπνον προλαμβανει εν τω φαγειν και ος μεν πεινα ος δε μεθυει 22 μη γαρ οικιας ουκ εχετε εις το εσθιειν και πινειν η της εκκλησιας του θεου καταφρονειτε και καταισχυνετε τους μη εχοντας τι ειπω υμιν επαινεσω υμας εν τουτω ουκ επαινω 23 εγω γαρ παρελαβον απο του κυριου ο και παρεδωκα υμιν οτι ο κυριος ιησους εν τη νυκτι η παρεδιδετο ελαβεν αρτον 24 και ευχαριστησας εκλασεν και ειπεν τουτο μου εστιν το σωμα το υπερ υμων τουτο ποιειτε εις την εμην αναμνησιν 25 ωσαυτως και το ποτηριον μετα το δειπνησαι λεγων τουτο το ποτηριον η καινη διαθηκη εστιν εν τω εμω αιματι τουτο ποιειτε οσακις εαν πινητε εις την εμην αναμνησιν 26 οσακις γαρ εαν εσθιητε τον αρτον τουτον και το ποτηριον πινητε τον θανατον του κυριου καταγγελλετε αχρις ου ελθη 27 ωστε ος αν εσθιη τον αρτον η πινη το ποτηριον του κυριου αναξιως ενοχος εσται του σωματος και του αιματος του κυριου 28 δοκιμαζετω δε ανθρωπος εαυτον και ουτως εκ του αρτου εσθιετω και εκ του ποτηριου πινετω 29 ο γαρ εσθιων και πινων κριμα εαυτω εσθιει και πινει μη διακρινων το σωμα 30 δια τουτο εν υμιν πολλοι ασθενεις και αρρωστοι και κοιμωνται ικανοι 31 ει δε εαυτους διεκρινομεν ουκ αν εκρινομεθα 32 κρινομενοι δε υπο του κυριου παιδευομεθα ινα μη συν τω κοσμω κατακριθωμεν 33 ωστε αδελφοι μου συνερχομενοι εις το φαγειν αλληλους εκδεχεσθε 34 ει τις πεινα εν οικω εσθιετω ινα μη εις κριμα συνερχησθε τα δε λοιπα ως αν ελθω διαταξομαι Read on BibleGateway Research on ZHubert		This is my project for Tuesday morning. I will post it asap. For now, read it in NASB by clicking the link below. Read on BibleGateway

An Invitation

There are four views on what happens at communion.

1. Transubstantiation: the prayer of communion actually turns the bread into Jesus' physical body and the wine into the physical blood of Jesus so that the participant eats Jesus.
2. Consubstantiation: the prayer of communion brings the spiritual presence of Christ to be with the bread and wine so that the participant eats the elements and receives the spirit of Jesus.
3. Memorial: the prayer of communion beseeches God to strengthen the union between Him and the participant so that the participant remembers the cross and commits anew.
4. Spiritual Nourishment: Jesus isnt the element nor is He with the element, but communion isnt just a history lesson either. This would be a step between Consubstantiation and Memorial in which the worthy participant does "feed upon Christ to their spiritual nourishment."

Which one are you and why?

Greek for 8/26/07

This Week's Text

1 Corinthians 11:1-16

We will study this text together at Morning Worship on Sunday, August 26, 2007

Introductory Thoughts

Some interesting things to say about men and women... more accurately: husbands and their own wives. Don't get caught up in the external manifestation of headship and submission. Wrestle with the heart of the issue. A woman that wear head coverings could have no respect for her husband. A woman that does not wear one could have immense respect for her husband. So before we obey or discard Scripture based on a behavior, wrestle with the heart of the matter. In our present culture, a respectful wife is ten times more noticeable than a covered wife. That being said, I'm cool with a woman if she chooses to OR if chooses not to wear a head covering. Let's be completely honest here: women have stopped respecting their husbands and men have stopped being respectable. And now, the text:

The Text

Greek		Translation
1 μιμηται μου γινεσθε καθως καγω χριστου 2 επαινω δε υμας οτι παντα μου μεμνησθε και καθως παρεδωκα υμιν τας παραδοσεις κατεχετε 3 θελω δε υμας ειδεναι οτι παντος ανδρος η κεφαλη ο χριστος εστιν κεφαλη δε γυναικος ο ανηρ κεφαλη δε του χριστου ο θεος 4 πας ανηρ προσευχομενος η προφητευων κατα κεφαλης εχων καταισχυνει την κεφαλην αυτου 5 πασα δε γυνη προσευχομενη η προφητευουσα ακατακαλυπτω τη κεφαλη καταισχυνει την κεφαλην αυτης εν γαρ εστιν και το αυτο τη εξυρημενη 6 ει γαρ ου κατακαλυπτεται γυνη και κειρασθω ει δε αισχρον γυναικι το κειρασθαι η ξυρασθαι κατακαλυπτεσθω 7 ανηρ μεν γαρ ουκ οφειλει κατακαλυπτεσθαι την κεφαλην εικων και δοξα θεου υπαρχων η γυνη δε δοξα ανδρος εστιν 8 ου γαρ εστιν ανηρ εκ γυναικος αλλα γυνη εξ ανδρος 9 και γαρ ουκ εκτισθη ανηρ δια την γυναικα αλλα γυνη δια τον ανδρα 10 δια τουτο οφειλει η γυνη εξουσιαν εχειν επι της κεφαλης δια τους αγγελους 11 πλην ουτε γυνη χωρις ανδρος ουτε ανηρ χωρις γυναικος εν κυριω 12 ωσπερ γαρ η γυνη εκ του ανδρος ουτως και ο ανηρ δια της γυναικος τα δε παντα εκ του θεου 13 εν υμιν αυτοις κρινατε πρεπον εστιν γυναικα ακατακαλυπτον τω θεω προσευχεσθαι 14 ουδε η φυσις αυτη διδασκει υμας οτι ανηρ μεν εαν κομα ατιμια αυτω εστιν 15 γυνη δε εαν κομα δοξα αυτη εστιν οτι η κομη αντι περιβολαιου δεδοται αυτη 16 ει δε τις δοκει φιλονεικος ειναι ημεις τοιαυτην συνηθειαν ουκ εχομεν ουδε αι εκκλησιαι του θεου. Read on BibleGateway Research on ZHubert		1 Become an imitator of me just as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you all that you all remember me also, since I commend you all, you hold fast to the traditions. 3 But I wish you all to know that Christ is the head of all men, so the man is the head of the woman, so God is the head of Christ. 4 Every man while praying or prophesying having down from a head dishonors his head. 5 and every woman while praying or prophesying [with] an uncovered head dishonors her head. For in the same way also is the one having been shaved. 6 For if a woman is not covered, also she should shave herself. But if it is dishonorable to shave or shear a woman, she should be covered. 7 For a man on the contrary is not bound to cover the head being a representation and a glory of God. But a woman is a glory of man. 8 For man is not from a woman but a woman from a man. 9 For also man was not made through the woman, but a woman through the man. 10 Because of this a woman is bound to have an authority upon the head because of the angels. 11 However, neither a woman [is] apart from a man nor [is] an man apart from a woman in the Lord. 12 For just as a woman is from the man so also the man is through the woman. But all are from God. 13 In these things you all judge. Is it proper for a woman to be uncovered while praying to God? 14 Does not even nature itself teach us that, on one side, if a man should have hair it is a dishonor to him? 15 And on the other, if a woman should have hair it is a glory to her? Since hair has been given to her as a covering. 16 But if a certain one thinks to be contentious, we have no other custom, nor the churches of God. Read on BibleGateway

An Invitation

You would be shocked to know how many people at my church have asked me or my wife: "what is Tim going to say when you get to this section?" Well before I say anything, what do you think about men, women, head coverings, and headship?

Greek of the Week

Philippians 4:2-9

Peace, joy, and godly attitudes are the themes of this passage.

Greek		Translation
2 Εὐοδίαν παρακαλῶ καὶ Συντύχην παρακαλῶ τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν κυρίῳ 3 ναὶ ἐρωτῶ καὶ σέ γνήσιε σύζυγε συλλαμβάνου αὐταῖς αἵτινες ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ συνήθλησάν μοι μετὰ καὶ Κλήμεντος καὶ τῶν λοιπῶν συνεργῶν μου ὧν τὰ ὀνόματα ἐν βίβλῳ ζωῆς 4 χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ πάντοτε πάλιν ἐρῶ χαίρετε 5 τὸ ἐπιεικὲς ὑμῶν γνωσθήτω πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις ὁ κύριος ἐγγύς 6 μηδὲν μεριμνᾶτε ἀλλ' ἐν παντὶ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας τὰ αἰτήματα ὑμῶν γνωριζέσθω πρὸς τὸν θεόν 7 καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ ὑπερέχουσα πάντα νοῦν φρουρήσει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ νοήματα ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ 8 τὸ λοιπόν ἀδελφοί ὅσα ἐστὶν ἀληθῆ ὅσα σεμνά ὅσα δίκαια ὅσα ἁγνά ὅσα προσφιλῆ ὅσα εὔφημα εἴ τις ἀρετὴ καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος ταῦτα λογίζεσθε 9 ἃ καὶ ἐμάθετε καὶ παρελάβετε καὶ ἠκούσατε καὶ εἴδετε ἐν ἐμοί ταῦτα πράσσετε καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθ' ὑμῶν		I call for Euodia and Syntuche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Truly I ask you also, sincere lfellow-laborer, assist them, whoever in the gospel works together with me in company also with Clement and the rest of those who work with me, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always! Again i say, Rejoice! The gentle one among you all, let him be known by all men. The Lord is close at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in all prayers and supplications with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God surpassing all understanding will keep watch of your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. To the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is innocent, whatever is lovely, whatever is reputable, if anything is of good quality, and if anything is worthy of praise, enumerate these things! Which also you discovered and receieved and heard and saw in me, these things practice! Also the God of peace will be with you all.

Greek of the Week

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Paul urges us to think about the way we walk. Many, many Christians think just about doctrine and knowledge and facts. These are important, but the Bible is not merely a book of facts, rather, it is a book of lives. It teaches us what things are on the heart of God and what we should pursue for the betterment our character. Notice the two kinds of walks in the text.

Greek		Translation
17 συμμιμηταί μου γίνεσθε ἀδελφοί καὶ σκοπεῖτε τοὺς οὕτω περιπατοῦντας καθὼς ἔχετε τύπον ἡμᾶς 18 πολλοὶ γὰρ περιπατοῦσιν οὓς πολλάκις ἔλεγον ὑμῖν νῦν δὲ καὶ κλαίων λέγω τοὺς ἐχθροὺς τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῦ Χριστοῦ 19 ὧν τὸ τέλος ἀπώλεια ὧν ὁ θεὸς ἡ κοιλία καὶ ἡ δόξα ἐν τῇ αἰσχύνῃ αὐτῶν οἱ τὰ ἐπίγεια φρονοῦντες 20 ἡμῶν γὰρ τὸ πολίτευμα ἐν οὐρανοῖς ὑπάρχει ἐξ οὗ καὶ σωτῆρα ἀπεκδεχόμεθα κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν 21 ὃς μετασχηματίσει τὸ σῶμα τῆς ταπεινώσεως ἡμῶν σύμμορφον τῷ σώματι τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τοῦ δύνασθαι αὐτὸν καὶ ὑποτάξαι αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα 4:1 ὥστε ἀδελφοί μου ἀγαπητοὶ καὶ ἐπιπόθητοι χαρὰ καὶ στέφανός μου οὕτως στήκετε ἐν κυρίῳ ἀγαπητοί		Become my imitators, brothers, and be careful of the way in which you walk around since you have a pattern in us. For many walk of which I was saying many times to you, but now also weeping i say, these are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is the stomach and glory in their shame, thinking earthly. For our citizenship is in heaven, out from where also we receive a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our low estate conformed to the body of His glory according to the energy of His power and submission of all things to Him. So that, my beloved and longed for brothers, my joy and crown, in this way stand in the Lord, beloved.

Greek of the Week

Philippians 3:1-11

Paul is concerned for the humility of his brothers in Philippi. Here he urges them to put the old self aside and focus on the Lord. What do you and I take satisfaction in? Our own accomplishments or Jesus work on the cross?

Greek		Translation
1 τὸ λοιπόν ἀδελφοί μου χαίρετε ἐν κυρίῳ τὰ αὐτὰ γράφειν ὑμῖν ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐκ ὀκνηρόν ὑμῖν δὲ ἀσφαλές 2 βλέπετε τοὺς κύνας βλέπετε τοὺς κακοὺς ἐργάτας βλέπετε τὴν κατατομήν 3 ἡμεῖς γάρ ἐσμεν ἡ περιτομή οἱ πνεύματι θεοῦ λατρεύοντες καὶ καυχώμενοι ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐν σαρκὶ πεποιθότες 4 καίπερ ἐγὼ ἔχων πεποίθησιν καὶ ἐν σαρκί εἴ τις δοκεῖ ἄλλος πεποιθέναι ἐν σαρκί ἐγὼ μᾶλλον 5 περιτομῇ ὀκταήμερος ἐκ γένους Ἰσραήλ φυλῆς Βενιαμίν Ἑβραῖος ἐξ Ἑβραίων κατὰ νόμον Φαρισαῖος 6 κατὰ ζῆλος διώκων τὴν ἐκκλησίαν κατὰ δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐν νόμῳ γενόμενος ἄμεμπτος 7 ἀλλὰ ἅτινα ἦν μοι κέρδη ταῦτα ἥγημαι διὰ τὸν Χριστὸν ζημίαν 8 ἀλλὰ μενοῦνγε καὶ ἡγοῦμαι πάντα ζημίαν εἶναι διὰ τὸ ὑπερέχον τῆς γνώσεως Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ κυρίου μου δι' ὃν τὰ πάντα ἐζημιώθην καὶ ἡγοῦμαι σκύβαλα ἵνα Χριστὸν κερδήσω 9 καὶ εὑρεθῶ ἐν αὐτῷ μὴ ἔχων ἐμὴν δικαιοσύνην τὴν ἐκ νόμου ἀλλὰ τὴν διὰ πίστεως Χριστοῦ τὴν ἐκ θεοῦ δικαιοσύνην ἐπὶ τῇ πίστει 10 τοῦ γνῶναι αὐτὸν καὶ τὴν δύναμιν τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν κοινωνίαν τῶν παθημάτων αὐτοῦ συμμορφιζόμενος τῷ θανάτῳ αὐτοῦ 11 εἴ πως καταντήσω εἰς τὴν ἐξανάστασιν τὴν ἐκ νεκρῶν		1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.