{"id":2767,"date":"2013-10-11T05:09:05","date_gmt":"2013-10-10T23:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=2767"},"modified":"2020-02-17T22:15:07","modified_gmt":"2020-02-17T16:15:07","slug":"romans-part-47","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=2767","title":{"rendered":"Romans, Part 47"},"content":{"rendered":"

If [the gift] is contributing<\/i> (\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03b9\u03b4\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2, a form of \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9),[1]<\/sup><\/a> Paul continued to list the different gifts<\/i> (\u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1, a form of \u03c7\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1<\/a>) we have according to the grace given to us<\/i>,[2]<\/sup><\/a> he must do so with sincerity<\/i> (\u1f01\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b9, a form of \u1f01\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c2<\/a>).[3]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar<\/i>,[4]<\/sup><\/a> Luke recounted in his Gospel narrative, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. \u00a0He went into all the region around the Jordan River, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins<\/i>.[5]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 He included what seems like a sample of John\u2019s preaching to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him<\/i>[6]<\/sup><\/a> (Luke 3:7-9 NET):<\/p>\n

\u201cYou offspring of vipers! \u00a0Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? \u00a0Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, and don\u2019t begin to say to yourselves, \u2018We have Abraham as our father.\u2019 \u00a0For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! \u00a0Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Mathew\u2019s Gospel account however this tirade was ignited when John saw many Pharisees<\/i>[7]<\/sup><\/a> and Sadducees<\/i>[8]<\/sup><\/a> coming to his baptism<\/i>,[9]<\/sup><\/a> the religious and political leaders at the time Jesus began his earthly ministry.\u00a0 For I can testify that they are zealous for God<\/i>, Paul wrote of at least his fellow Pharisees, but their zeal is not in line with the truth. \u00a0For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God\u2019s righteousness. \u00a0For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes<\/i>.[10]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

So the crowds were asking<\/i>, Luke\u2019s Gospel narrative continued, \u201cWhat then should we do?\u201d \u00a0John answered them, \u201cThe person who has two tunics must share<\/i> (\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03cc\u03c4\u03c9, another form of \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9) with the person who has none, and the person who has food must do likewise.\u201d<\/i>[11]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 It is a beautiful contrast.\u00a0 Those who ignored the righteousness that comes from God<\/i> and sought instead to establish their own righteousness<\/i> were given a rule and an ultimatum, \u201cShare or be cut down and thrown into the fire!\u201d\u00a0 Those who receive the Lord Jesus, the righteousness that comes from God<\/i>, are given a gift of contributing, to make Israel jealous<\/i>.[12]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The one who steals must steal no longer<\/i>, Paul wrote the church at Ephesus, rather he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share<\/i> (\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03b9\u03b4\u03cc\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9, another form of \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9) with the one who has need<\/i>.[13]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 There is an implicit assumption here that the believing thief in Ephesus would have the gift of contributing, and that he should acquire something to satisfy that God-given desire to share by doing good with his own hands<\/i> rather than stealing from others.\u00a0 <\/a>That this gift of contributing comes from God was very important to Paul (1 Thessalonians 2:3-5 NET).<\/p>\n

For the appeal (\u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac\u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a>)[14]<\/sup><\/a> <\/em>we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts. \u00a0For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed \u2013 God is our witness\u2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This appeal<\/i> Paul mentioned (literally, exhortation<\/i>) is nothing less than the ministry of reconciliation: all these things are from God<\/i>, Paul wrote the Corinthians, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. \u00a0In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people\u2019s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. \u00a0Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. \u00a0We plead with you on Christ\u2019s behalf, \u201cBe reconciled to God!\u201d<\/i>[15]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

For Paul to accept financial support (even food and shelter) from anyone, he needed to know that that gift came from God through the gift of contributing.\u00a0 There could be no suspicion that the giver was attempting to pay, or felt obligated to pay, Paul for salvation, reconciliation to God through Christ.\u00a0 This idea of a man standing before a congregation saying, \u201cGive money to me and God will give money to you,\u201d is a pyramid scam, a crime and a lie that has no place in the ministry of reconciliation, all \u201csuccess stories\u201d notwithstanding.\u00a0 In fact, the \u201csuccess stories\u201d shill for the scam artist not for God, and bring equal shame to the ministry.\u00a0 But I suspect that those who fall for such things also care more for money than they do for reconciliation with God.<\/p>\n

Jesus said, \u201cdon\u2019t worry saying, \u2018What will we eat?\u2019 or \u2018What will we drink?\u2019 or \u2018What will we wear?\u2019 \u00a0For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. \u00a0But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.\u201d<\/i>[16]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0I notice that Jesus did not say above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness<\/i> and give money to a religious scam artist and all these things will be given to you as well<\/i>.\u00a0 So I trust Jesus rather than religious scam artists.<\/p>\n

My point is certainly not that all clergy are scam artists or that all giving is a religious work to be assiduously avoided.\u00a0 So it\u2019s probably only fair to comment how I decide to give.\u00a0 How do I distinguish between a desire to pay, or payback, and the gift of contributing?\u00a0 First, I pay for many things.\u00a0 That is much more on the path of righteousness than stealing them, for instance.\u00a0 And I pay back many things.\u00a0 If a coworker takes me to lunch I pick up the check next time.\u00a0 But I don\u2019t consider these activities as giving or contributing.\u00a0 I don\u2019t even consider giving to causes or ministries contributing<\/i> in this sense.\u00a0 I care about certain things, I give money to those things I care about.\u00a0 It is a matter of self-interest.\u00a0 The real issue for me was alms-giving.<\/p>\n

<\/a>I travel quite a bit into urban areas where there are many people seeking alms.\u00a0 (I\u2019m using this archaic term deliberately because beggar<\/i> has such a nasty derogatory connotation.)\u00a0 Actually, the problem became more acute when I moved into an urban area.\u00a0 I carry cash for tips when I travel but generally do not at home.\u00a0 I quickly learned to carry some but often faced the very same people on the same corner of the street.<\/p>\n

Give<\/a> to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow<\/a> from you<\/i>,[17]<\/sup><\/a> Jesus said.\u00a0 Given all we\u2019d been through together, I didn\u2019t want to turn that into a law I obeyed without thought or spiritual input.\u00a0 But neither did I want to become one of the judges with evil motives<\/i>[18]<\/sup><\/a> James warned about.\u00a0 Paul\u2019s attitude helped me out here.\u00a0 The gift of contributing is apparently not limited to financial giving. \u00a0Like a nursing mother caring for her own children, with such affection for you we were happy to share<\/i> (\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03bf\u1fe6\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9, another form of \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9) with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us<\/i>.[19]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Though here Paul was happy to share\u2026the gospel of God<\/i> with the Thessalonians, I was familiar with a different take on this subject that I related to the gift of contributing:\u00a0 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I am compelled to do this.<\/i>[20]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0So, if I can walk by someone on the street without giving alms, I do so.\u00a0 If I can\u2019t, I give.\u00a0 If I have a moment\u2019s doubt about it, I err on the side of giving.\u00a0 Maybe I just bought someone more drugs or alcohol, but if I passed by without contributing I might have deprived someone (or their child) of a meal.\u00a0 And more often than not the recipient\u2014no matter how shabbily dressed, dirty or smelly\u2014has prayed aloud that God would bless me for the relative pittance I handed him or her.<\/p>\n

For I long to see you<\/i>, Paul wrote the Romans before he had been to Rome, so that I may impart<\/i> (\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u1ff6, another form of \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9) to you some spiritual gift<\/i> (\u03c7\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1) to strengthen you<\/i>\u2026[21]<\/sup><\/a> I included this because it shocked me at first, as if Paul were claiming authority to give \u03c7\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1 to people.\u00a0 But he went on to explain, that is, that we may be mutually comforted<\/i> (\u03c3\u03c5\u03bc\u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03b8\u1fc6\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03c3\u03c5\u03bc\u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9)[22]<\/sup><\/a> by one another\u2019s faith, both yours and mine<\/i>.[23]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 So I saw it as a further expansion of the meaning of the gift of contributing.\u00a0 Even that desire to be with others of faith, to encourage them and be encouraged by them, comes from God\u2019s \u03c7\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1.<\/p>\n

Through the evidence of this service<\/i> (\u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03af\u03b1\u03c2, a form of \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03af\u03b1),[24]<\/sup><\/a> Paul wrote the Corinthians, they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity<\/i> (\u1f01\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b9, a form of \u1f01\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c2) of your sharing with them and with everyone<\/i>.[25]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 I included this to begin to look at \u1f01\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b9, translated sincerity<\/i> in\u2014if<\/i> [the gift] is contributing, he must do so with sincerity<\/i>[26]<\/sup><\/a>\u2014and generosity<\/i> here.\u00a0 At first I wondered why \u1f01\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b9 wasn\u2019t translated generosity<\/i> in Romans, but as I studied the ninth chapter of 2 Corinthians that question reversed.<\/p>\n

For it is not necessary for me to write you about this service<\/i> (\u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03af\u03b1\u03c2, another form of \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03af\u03b1<\/a>) to the saints<\/i>,[27]<\/sup><\/a> Paul began this portion of his letter to the Corinthians. \u00a0And, the service<\/i> (\u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03af\u03b1) of this ministry<\/i> (\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u03af\u03b1\u03c2, a form of \u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c1\u03b3\u03af\u03b1,[28]<\/sup><\/a> literally \u201ca public office which a citizen undertakes to administer at his own expense\u201d) is not only providing for the needs of the saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God<\/i>.[29]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Three times (in 2 Corinthians 9:1<\/a>, 12<\/a>, 13 NET<\/a>) he described the gift of contributing as a ministry not unlike the ministry<\/i> (\u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03af\u03b1\u03bd, another form of \u03b4\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03af\u03b1) of reconciliation<\/i>.[30]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 In other words, it should be taken seriously.<\/p>\n

I know your eagerness to help<\/i> (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03b8\u03c5\u03bc\u03af\u03b1\u03bd, a form of \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03b8\u03c5\u03bc\u03af\u03b1<\/a>),[31]<\/sup><\/a> he wrote again about that inner compulsion from God.\u00a0 Paul had boasted about them to the Macedonians, and your zeal to participate<\/i> (\u03b6\u1fc6\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2)[32]<\/sup><\/a> has stirred up most of them<\/i>.[33]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 But he was concerned if some from Macedonia accompanied him to Corinth whether the boast would prove to be true.\u00a0 Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance<\/i> and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution<\/i> (\u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1\u03bd, a form of \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1)[34]<\/sup><\/a> you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift<\/i> (\u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1\u03bd, a form of\u00a0\u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1) and not as something you feel forced to do<\/i> (\u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03be\u03af\u03b1\u03bd, a form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03be\u03af\u03b1<\/a>).[35]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>The Greek word \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1\u03bd was translated generous contribution<\/i> and generous gift<\/i>.\u00a0 Paul was surely talking about the money the Corinthians were gathering, or wanted to gather, to contribute to others.\u00a0\u00a0 But he used a word that meant praise<\/i>, commendation<\/i> or adoration<\/i>.\u00a0 It is the root of our word eulogy<\/i>.\u00a0 He said this because his eye was fixed on the thanksgiving to God<\/i> (v. 11<\/a>) resulting from their promised gift, which was overflowing with many thanks to God<\/i> (v. 12<\/a>), and through which they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ<\/i> (v. 13<\/a>).\u00a0 Even with that in view, especially with that in view, he desired that their giving flowed out from God\u2019s gift of contributing rather than a sense of greediness (\u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03be\u03af\u03b1\u03bd, a form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03b5\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03be\u03af\u03b1), not the greediness of others nor their own.<\/p>\n

My point is this<\/i>, Paul continued, The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously<\/i> (\u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1\u03b9\u03c2, another form of \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1) will also reap generously<\/i> (\u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1\u03b9\u03c2, another form of \u03b5\u1f50\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1).[36]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 In other words, one who sows with a view toward the praise<\/i>, commendation<\/i> or adoration<\/i> of God will reap the same from God.\u00a0 Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart<\/i> [as compelled by the gift of contributing], not reluctantly<\/i> (\u03bb\u03cd\u03c0\u03b7\u03c2, a form of \u03bb\u03cd\u03c0\u03b7)[37]<\/sup><\/a> or under compulsion<\/i> (\u1f00\u03bd\u03ac\u03b3\u03ba\u03b7\u03c2, a form of \u1f00\u03bd\u03b1\u03b3\u03ba\u03ae),[38]<\/sup><\/a> because God loves a cheerful giver.\u00a0 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work<\/i>.[39]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

So giving out of that inner compulsion from the Holy Spirit, the gift of contributing, is good.\u00a0 But giving out of the compulsion of \u201c1) necessity, imposed either by the circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one’s advantage, custom, argument 2) calamity, distress, straits\u201d with \u201csorrow, pain, grief, or annoyance\u201d was not what Paul was seeking from the Corinthians.\u00a0 The latter would be merely money.\u00a0 Perhaps it would provide for some of the needs of the saints<\/i>, but it would never be the obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity <\/i>(\u1f01\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b9, a form of \u1f01\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c2) of your sharing with them and with everyone<\/i> that would glorify God.\u00a0 So, I now think sincerity<\/i> would have been a better translation here as well.\u00a0 For it is that sincerity<\/i> of giving out of God\u2019s gift of contributing that secures the promise (2 Corinthians 9:10 NET):<\/p>\n

Now God who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n
Romans, Part 48<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Throwing Their Weight Around<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Romans, Part 69<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Sowing to the Flesh, Part 2<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Romans, Part 89<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Romans, Part 90<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Believers<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Father, Forgive Them – Part 6<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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<\/a>[2]<\/sup> Romans 12:6 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[3]<\/sup> Romans 12:8 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[4]<\/sup> Luke 3:1 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[5]<\/sup> Luke 3:2, 3 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[6]<\/sup> Luke 3:7 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[7]<\/sup> NET note 10<\/a>: \u201cPharisees <\/i>were members of one of the most important and influential religious and political parties of Judaism in the time of Jesus. There were more Pharisees than Sadducees (according to Josephus, Ant.<\/i> 17.2.4 [17.42] there were more than 6,000 Pharisees at about this time). Pharisees differed with Sadducees on certain doctrines and patterns of behavior. The Pharisees were strict and zealous adherents to the laws of the OT and to numerous additional traditions such as angels and bodily resurrection.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[8]<\/sup> NET note 11<\/a>: \u201cThe Sadducees <\/i>controlled the official political structures of Judaism at this time, being the majority members of the Sanhedrin. They were known as extremely strict on law and order issues (Josephus, J. W.<\/i> 2.8.2 [2.119], 2.8.14 [2.164-166]; Ant.<\/i> 13.5.9 [13.171-173], 13.10.6 [13.293-298], 18.1.2 [18.11], 18.1.4 [18.16-17], 20.9.1 [20.199]; Life<\/i> 2 [10-11]). See also Matt 16:1-12; 22:23-34; Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-38; Acts 5:17; 23:6-8.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[9]<\/sup> Matthew 3:7 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[10]<\/sup> Romans 10:2-4 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[11]<\/sup> Luke 3:10, 11 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[12]<\/sup> Romans 11:11 (NET)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[13]<\/sup> Ephesians 4:28 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[15]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[16]<\/sup> Matthew 6:31-33 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[17]<\/sup> Matthew 5:42 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[18]<\/sup> James 2:1-10 (NET)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[19]<\/sup> 1 Thessalonians 2:7b, 8 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[20]<\/sup> 1 Corinthians 9:16a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[21]<\/sup> Romans 1:11 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[23]<\/sup> Romans 1:12 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[25]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[26]<\/sup> Romans 12:8 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[27]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 9:1 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[29]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 9:12 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[30]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[31]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 9:2a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[33]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 9:2b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[35]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 9:5 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a>[36]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[39]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 9:7, 8 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If [the gift] is contributing (\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03b9\u03b4\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2, a form of \u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b4\u03af\u03b4\u03c9\u03bc\u03b9),[1] Paul continued to list the different gifts (\u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1, a form of \u03c7\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1) we have according to the grace given to us,[2] he must do so with sincerity (\u1f01\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03b9, a form … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1736,3115,20,2719],"tags":[1937,1935,1930,1934,1931,1938,1944,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1929,1923,1928,1924,1925,1926,1933,1932,1936,736,737,1927,1690,1526],"class_list":["post-2767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-12","category-gifts-of-the-spirit","category-romans","category-section-three","tag-1-corinthians-913","tag-1-corinthians-916","tag-1-thessalonians-23-5","tag-1-thessalonians-27-8","tag-2-corinthians-518-20","tag-2-corinthians-91","tag-2-corinthians-910","tag-2-corinthians-912","tag-2-corinthians-92","tag-2-corinthians-95","tag-2-corinthians-96","tag-2-corinthians-97-8","tag-ephesians-428","tag-luke-31","tag-luke-310-11","tag-luke-32-3","tag-luke-37-9","tag-matthew-37","tag-matthew-542","tag-matthew-631-33","tag-romans-112","tag-romans-126","tag-romans-128","tag-romans-102-4","tag-romans-111","tag-romans-1111"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2767"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2767\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13711,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2767\/revisions\/13711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}