{"id":2981,"date":"2013-11-24T03:51:47","date_gmt":"2013-11-23T21:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=2981"},"modified":"2024-01-24T18:44:59","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T00:44:59","slug":"romans-part-48","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=2981","title":{"rendered":"Romans, Part 48"},"content":{"rendered":"

I want to continue with the next item in Paul\u2019s list of 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>\u00a0 If<\/i> [the gift] is leadership<\/i> (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ca\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u0390\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9<\/a>), he must do so with diligence<\/i> (\u03c3\u03c0\u03bf\u03c5\u03b4\u1fc7<\/a>)\u2026[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

I want \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ca\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2 to mean \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03b7\u03b3\u03bf\u03cd\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9 (a form of \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03b7\u03b3\u03ad\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/a>), go first and leave a trail.\u00a0 That\u2019s what the Holy Spirit says to me about leadership.\u00a0 Follow me<\/i>, Jesus said.\u00a0 Paul wrote, Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness<\/i> (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03b7\u03b3\u03bf\u03cd\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, a form of \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03b7\u03b3\u03ad\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9) in honoring one another<\/i>.[6]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 So when Paul used \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03b7\u03b3\u03bf\u03cd\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9 he wanted me to \u201clead the way\u201d in honoring <\/i>others.\u00a0 When he wrote about leadership <\/i>he used the word \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ca\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2 (a form of \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u0390\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9), which seems to imply a less itinerant existence, the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep by living<\/a> among them and protecting them rather than dying for them.<\/p>\n

To overcome my own bias I\u2019ll start with things Paul didn\u2019t mean about \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ca\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2 (leadership<\/i>).\u00a0 He certainly didn\u2019t mean \u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9<\/a>, \u201cto lead astray.\u201d\u00a0 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?\u00a0 <\/i>Paul asked rhetorically.\u00a0 Do not be deceived<\/i> (\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5, a form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9)! \u00a0The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards<\/a>, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not<\/i>[7]<\/sup><\/a> inherit the kingdom of God<\/i>.[8]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 And the implication is that some claiming the gift of leadership were teaching these very things.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t want this to come down disproportionately hard on those who favor the \u201cSide A\u201d position discussed on the Gay Christian Network website<\/a>.[9]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 My reasons can wait for another essay<\/a>.\u00a0 For now I will simply quote Paul\u2019s own words (1 Corinthians 6:11 NET):<\/p>\n

Some of you once lived this way.\u00a0 But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In other words, despite his assertion that such sinners will not inherit the kingdom of God<\/i>, Paul did not dispute that God called, sanctified, <\/i>and justified <\/i>them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God<\/i>.\u00a0 The most anyone can assert about this passage is the Apostle\u2019s fervent belief that sinners who were washed\u2026sanctified<\/i> and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God<\/i> would not continue in sin.<\/p>\n

Do not be deceived<\/i> (\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5, a form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9): \u201cBad company corrupts good morals.\u201d\u00a0 Sober up as you should, and stop sinning!\u00a0 For some have no knowledge of God \u2013 I say this to your shame!<\/i>[10]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Do not be deceived <\/i>(\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5, a form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9).\u00a0 God will not be made a fool.\u00a0 For a person will reap what he sows, because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit<\/i>.[11]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving<\/i> (\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u1ff6\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2, another form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9) others and being deceived<\/i> (\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ce\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, another form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9) themselves<\/i>.[12]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Still, for Paul it was not a simple matter of \u201cwe\u201d the good guys versus \u201cthey\u201d the evil deceivers leading themselves and others astray:\u00a0 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled<\/i> (\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ce\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, another form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9), enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives<\/i> (\u03b4\u03b9\u03ac\u03b3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2, a form of \u03b4\u03b9\u03ac\u03b3\u03c9<\/a>) in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another<\/i>.[14]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Here we are introduced to \u1f04\u03b3\u03c9<\/a>, the primary verb to lead<\/i>.\u00a0 I\u2019ll look at that after I finish with \u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9.<\/p>\n

The difference between Paul in his past as Saul along with others who were led astray, and Paul in his present as an Apostle of Christ, was\u00a0the Father\u2019s call through the resurrected Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit, God, in a word and not something intrinsic in Paul himself.\u00a0 For the appeal we make does not come from error<\/i> (\u03c0\u03bb\u03ac\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03ac\u03bd\u03b7<\/a>) 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<\/i>.[17]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

For Paul the word \u03c0\u03bb\u03ac\u03bd\u03b7 (one led astray) not only described his former life but the natural state of all humanity.\u00a0 \u00a0Hear, for instance, how he described God\u2019s wrath<\/i>[18]<\/sup><\/a> on those who worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator<\/i>:[19]<\/sup><\/a> God gave them over to dishonorable passions.<\/i>\u00a0 For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, and likewise the men<\/a> also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another.\u00a0 Men committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error<\/i> (\u03c0\u03bb\u03ac\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u03bb\u03ac\u03bd\u03b7) [Table<\/a>].[20]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

But in Christ we are all empowered to overcome our natural state: So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful<\/i> schemes <\/i>(\u03bc\u03b5\u03b8\u03bf\u03b4\u03b5\u03af\u03b1\u03bd<\/a> \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c0\u03bb\u03ac\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2).[22]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 While there is nothing particularly wrong with translating \u03c0\u03bb\u03ac\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2 error<\/i> or deceitful<\/i>, it implies awareness and ill-purpose. \u00a0And we might be led astray by the earnest sincerity of one led astray, one who does not know that his method or way leads others astray, one who wasn\u2019t gifted with leadership (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ca\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u0390\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9).<\/p>\n

Paul also wrote (2 Corinthians 2:4-11 NET Table1<\/a> Table2<\/a>):<\/p>\n

For out of great distress and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not to make you sad, but to let you know the love (\u1f00\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0\u03b7\u03bd, a form of \u1f00\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0\u03b7<\/a>) <\/em>that I have especially for you. \u00a0But if anyone has caused sadness, he has not saddened me alone, but<\/a> to some extent (not to exaggerate) he has saddened all of you as well. \u00a0This punishment on such an individual by the majority is enough for him, so that now instead you should rather forgive (\u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b1\u03c3\u03b8\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03af\u03b6\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/a>) <\/em>and comfort (\u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>) <\/em>him<\/a>. \u00a0This will keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive grief to the point of despair. \u00a0Therefore I urge (\u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u1ff6, a form of \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9)<\/em> you to reaffirm your love (\u1f00\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0\u03b7\u03bd, a form of \u1f00\u03b3\u03ac\u03c0\u03b7)<\/em> for him. \u00a0For this reason also I wrote you: to test you to see if you are obedient in everything. \u00a0If you forgive (\u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03af\u03b6\u03b5\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5, a form of \u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03af\u03b6\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9)<\/em> anyone for anything, I also forgive him \u2013 for indeed what<\/a> I have forgiven (\u03ba\u03b5\u03c7\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03af\u03b6\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9)<\/em> (if I have forgiven [\u03ba\u03b5\u03c7\u03ac\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03af\u03b6\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9]<\/em> anything) I did so for you in the presence of Christ, so that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes [\u03bd\u03bf\u03ae\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1, a form of \u03bd\u03cc\u03b7\u03bc\u03b1<\/a>]<\/em>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I can\u2019t help but think that the forgiveness, comfort and love that played such an important role in keeping the Corinthians from being exploited by Satan\u2019s schemes might be key as well to thwarting people\u2019s methods or ways that lead astray (\u03bc\u03b5\u03b8\u03bf\u03b4\u03b5\u03af\u03b1\u03bd \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c0\u03bb\u03ac\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2).<\/p>\n

As I turn here to \u1f04\u03b3\u03c9 it is possible to glean what the gift of leadership (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ca\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u0390\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9) is like.\u00a0 God\u2019s kindness<\/a> leads <\/i>(\u1f04\u03b3\u03b5\u03b9, a form of \u1f04\u03b3\u03c9) you to repentance<\/i>.[27]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 It is not too much to expect one with the gift of leadership to exhibit God\u2019s kindness, forbearance, and patience<\/i>.\u00a0 The gifted leader exhorts us with: all who are led<\/a><\/i> (\u1f04\u03b3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u1f04\u03b3\u03c9) by the Spirit of God are the sons of God<\/i>,[28]<\/sup><\/a> and teaches us: if you are led<\/i> (\u1f04\u03b3\u03b5\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5, a form of \u1f04\u03b3\u03c9) by the Spirit, you are not under the law<\/i>.[29]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 The gifted leader is not overly interested in money.\u00a0 For the love of money<\/a> is the root of all evils.\u00a0 Some people in reaching for it have strayed<\/i> (\u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ae\u03b8\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd, a form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03c0\u03bb\u03b1\u03bd\u03ac\u03c9<\/a>) from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains<\/i>.[31]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters<\/i>, Paul wrote the Thessalonians, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over<\/i> (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ca\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03bc\u03ad\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2, another form of \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u0390\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9) you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work<\/i>.[32]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 [The overseer] must manage<\/i> (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ca\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03bd, another form of \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u0390\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9) his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity<\/i>.[33]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Though the overseer may be an itinerant position, one must exhibit that lay-down-his-life leadership at home first with his family.<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s exhortation, Do not lag <\/em>(\u03c3\u03c0\u03bf\u03c5\u03b4\u1fc7) in z<\/em>eal<\/em>, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord<\/a><\/i>,[34]<\/sup><\/a> gives me a picture of the diligence (\u03c3\u03c0\u03bf\u03c5\u03b4\u1fc7) one should demonstrate in the exercise of God\u2019s gift of leadership.\u00a0\u00a0 It is translated eagerness<\/i> in, But as you excel in everything \u2013 in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness<\/i> (\u03c3\u03c0\u03bf\u03c5\u03b4\u1fc7) and in the love from us that is in you \u2013 make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too<\/i>.[35]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Romans, Part 49<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Back to My Reasons and My Reason, Part 1<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n

<\/a>[2]<\/sup> Romans 12:6a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[4]<\/sup> Romans 12:8 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[6]<\/sup> Romans 12:10 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[7]<\/sup> The Stephanus Textus Receptus<\/a> and Byzantine Majority Text<\/a> had \u03bf\u1f50<\/a> here.\u00a0 The NET parallel Greek<\/a> text and NA28<\/sup><\/a> did not.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[8]<\/sup> 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[9]<\/sup> http:\/\/www.gaychristian.net\/greatdebate.php<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[10]<\/sup> 1 Corinthians 15:33, 34 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[11]<\/sup> Galatians 6:7, 8 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[12]<\/sup> 2 Timothy 3:13 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[14]<\/sup> Titus 3:3 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[17]<\/sup> 1 Thessalonians 2:3, 4 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[18]<\/sup> Romans 1:18 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[19]<\/sup> Romans 1:25 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[20]<\/sup> Romans 1:26, 27 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[22]<\/sup> Ephesians 4:14 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[27]<\/sup> Romans 2:4b (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[28]<\/sup> Romans 8:14 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[29]<\/sup> Galatians 5:18 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[31]<\/sup> 1 Timothy 6:10 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[32]<\/sup> 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[33]<\/sup> 1 Timothy 3:4 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[34]<\/sup> Romans 12:11 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/a>[35]<\/sup> 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I want to continue with the next item in Paul\u2019s list of 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]\u00a0 If [the gift] is leadership (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03ca\u03c3\u03c4\u03ac\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2, a form of \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u0390\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bc\u03b9), he … 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":[2057,2056,363,2061,2065,2066,2064,2062,2068,2059,292,2063,2058,736,763,737,2055,2067,834,1136,2060],"class_list":["post-2981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-12","category-gifts-of-the-spirit","category-romans","category-section-three","tag-1-corinthians-1533-34","tag-1-corinthians-611","tag-1-corinthians-69-10","tag-1-thessalonians-23-4","tag-1-thessalonians-512-13","tag-1-timothy-34","tag-1-timothy-610","tag-2-corinthians-24-11","tag-2-corinthians-87","tag-2-timothy-313","tag-ephesians-414","tag-galatians-518","tag-galatians-67-8","tag-romans-126","tag-romans-126-27","tag-romans-128","tag-romans-1210","tag-romans-1211","tag-romans-24","tag-romans-814","tag-titus-33"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2981","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=2981"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2981\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22658,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2981\/revisions\/22658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}