Funeral, Part 3

A friend asked for the transcript of the prayer I prayed at my mother’s funeral.  I should apologize to my sister.  She asked for the same thing many months ago and I never got around to it.  So, finally, here it is.

It is a prayer that Jesus has taught, and continues to teach, me.  I pray it back to Him every day.  It alludes to, paraphrases or quotes from various Scriptures.  It changes from time to time as He teaches me more.

After I prayed it at Mom’s funeral a man commented on it and invited me to his church.  His church has become my church.  This version is slightly altered from the prayer I prayed at the funeral because the Pastor has been teaching Matthew 6:9-15 for the past three weeks.

Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored[1] as holy by me, by all who believe and by all.  [M]ay your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven[2] in and through me, in and through all who believe and in and through all.  Give us this day our daily bread.[3]  [F]orgive us our debts, as we…have forgiven our debtors.[4]  Lead us not into temptation,[5] but deliver us from the evil[6]  For…the kingdom and the power and the glory [are Yours] forever.[7]

My persistent prayer for justice[8] is for the mercy on which everything depends, for it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on [You] who shows mercy.[9]  And You have consigned all to disobedience, [so] that [You] may have mercy on all.[10]

Grant us according to the wealth of [your] glory…to be strengthened with power [by the Holy] Spirit in the inner person,[11] that Christ [dwells] in [our] hearts through faith, [that we being] rooted and grounded in love,[12] comprehend with all the saints[13] the height, the depth, the length, the breadth, and…know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…that [we] will be filled up to all the fullness of God.[14]

Thank you for this eternal life.

Thank you for people.  I pray for all people, especially those in authority, from the least to the greatest across every field of human endeavor all over the world, that we lead quiet, peaceful lives with all dignity and godliness.[15]  I ask that we know by faith[16] your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control[17] [Table] springing up within us to eternal life from your Holy Spirit.[18]

I ask on behalf of those who have not yet received[19] you, or have wandered off,[20] please open the eyes blinded[21] by the prince of the power of the air.[22]  Please send laborers into your harvest.[23]  Thank you for those who are already there.  Please convince,[24] convict,[25] prove the world wrong concerning sin, righteousness and judgment.[26]  Please return, Lord Jesus.[27]

I am believing you.  Thank you.  Please continue to help my unbelief.[28]  Thank you.

 


[1] Matthew 6:9b (NET)

[2] Matthew 6:10 (NET) Table

[3] Matthew 6:11 (KJV)

[4] Matthew 6:12 (NET) Table

[5] Matthew 6:13a (ESV)

[6] Matthew 6:13b (NET) Table

[7] Matthew 6:13c (NKJV) The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had οτι σου εστιν η βασιλεια και η δυναμις και η δοξα εις τους αιωνας αμην (KJV: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[8] Luke 18:1-8

[9] Romans 9:16 (NET) Table

[10] Romans 11:32 (ESV)

[11] Ephesians 3:16 (NET) Table

[12] Ephesians 3:17 (NET)

[13] Ephesians 3:18b (NET) Table

[14] Ephesians 3:19 (NET)

[15] 1 Timothy 2:1-6

[16] Hebrews 11

[17] Galatians 5:22b, 23a (NET)

[18] John 4:14

[19] John 1:12, 13

[20] 1 Timothy 6:10, 20-21

[21] 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4

[22] Ephesians 2:1-3

[23] Matthew 9:37, 38

[24] John 16:7, 8 (Douay-Rheims)

[25] John 16:7, 8 (ESV)

[26] John 16:8 (NET)

[27] Revelation 22:20

[28] Mark 9:14-24

Believers

I tend to use the word believers for ἐκκλησία primarily because the word church had become a not-for-profit corporation managed and operated by believers.  It helps me study the Bible as if it pertains to me, rather than as a search for bylaws and provisions for the charter of a local not-for-profit corporation.  But suddenly the line I wrote in another essay jumped out at me—“I kneel before the Father, he wrote believers in Ephesus”—and caused me to wonder.

Was I fooling myself?  Did Paul really mean that individual believers may be filled up to all the fullness of God?  Or did he mean the ἐκκλησία corporately?  If so, was that the ἐκκλησία universally or locally?

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians[1] was addressed to the saints (ἁγίοις, a form of ἅγιος).[2]  These were individuals designated by two plural adjectives, holy and faithful (πιστοῖς, a form of πιστός) in Jesus Christ.  But it was through the singular church (ἐκκλησίας,[3] a form of ἐκκλησία) that the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms.[4]

Ephesians 3:10-12 (NET)

Ephesians 3:10-12 (KJV)

The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God…
This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord… According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
…in whom we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christ’s faithfulness. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ προσαγωγὴν ἐν πεποιθήσει διὰ τῆς πίστεως αὐτοῦ. εν ω εχομεν την παρρησιαν και την προσαγωγην εν πεποιθησει δια της πιστεως αυτου εν ω εχομεν την παρρησιαν και την προσαγωγην εν πεποιθησει δια της πιστεως αυτου

The Greek word πίστεως (a form of πίστις), translated faithfulness (NET) and faith (KJV), is a genitive singular feminine noun according to the Koine Greek Lexicon online.  The Greek word αὐτοῦ (a form of αὐτός), translated of Christ’s (NET) and of him (KJV), is a genitive singular masculine / neuter personal pronoun according to the same lexicon.  I assume the NET translators assumed that his faith (or, faithfulness) meant Christ’s faith or faithfulness because Christ Jesus our Lord (τῷ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν) is the nearest antecedent.  But the fruit of the Spirit is… πίστις,[5] translated faithfulness (NET) and faith (KJV), a nominative singular feminine noun according to the Koine Greek Lexicon.

This faith or faithfulness is not my doing but neither is it so alien to me that I can ignore it to pursue my fleshly desires as if it weren’t given to me.  It is an aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit given to those who are led by the Spirit, the children of God, the holy and faithful (πιστοῖς, a form of πιστός) in Jesus ChristFor by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.  For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.[6]

Ephesians 3:13 (NET)

Ephesians 3:13 (KJV)

For this reason I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

διὸ αἰτοῦμαι μὴ ἐγκακεῖν ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσιν μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ἥτις ἐστὶν δόξα ὑμῶν. διο αιτουμαι μη εκκακειν εν ταις θλιψεσιν μου υπερ υμων ητις εστιν δοξα υμων διο αιτουμαι μη εκκακειν εν ταις θλιψεσιν μου υπερ υμων ητις εστιν δοξα υμων

So was Paul addressing a singular church or plural individuals?  The first you (NET) and ye (KJV) were implied by the verbs ἐγκακεῖν (a form of ἐκκακέω) or εκκακειν (another form of ἐκκακέω) both of which are infinitives according to the Koine Greek Lexicon, not clearly singular or plural.  But Paul was suffering for individuals: ὑμῶν (a form of ὑμείς), translated you and your (NET, KJV), is plural.

Ephesians 3:14 (NET)

Ephesians 3:14 (KJV)

For this reason I kneel before the Father… For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Τούτου χάριν κάμπτω τὰ γόνατα μου πρὸς τὸν πατέρα τουτου χαριν καμπτω τα γονατα μου προς τον πατερα του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου τουτου χαριν καμπτω τα γονατα μου προς τον πατερα του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου

Ephesians 3:15, 16 (NET)

Ephesians 3:15, 16 (KJV)

…from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named…
I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person… That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἵνα δῷ ὑμῖν κατὰ τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ δυνάμει κραταιωθῆναι διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον ινα δωη υμιν κατα τον πλουτον της δοξης αυτου δυναμει κραταιωθηναι δια του πνευματος αυτου εις τον εσω ανθρωπον ινα δωη υμιν κατα τον πλουτον της δοξης αυτου δυναμει κραταιωθηναι δια του πνευματος αυτου εις τον εσω ανθρωπον

Paul prayed for individuals: ὑμῖν is also plural.  The Greek word δῷ (a form of δίδωμι) is a verb in the subjunctive mood according to the lexicon, hence the translation he may grant (NET).  But since it was a result[7] of Paul’s prayer and the wealth of God’s glory I wonder if the may might be dropped.  The word translated he would grant (KJV) δωη (another form of δίδωμι), however, could be in the optative or subjunctive moods depending on diacritical marks that are absent from the texts of the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text I’m using.

Ephesians 3:17 (NET)

Ephesians 3:17 (KJV)

…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love… That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love…

The verb translated may dwell, κατοικῆσαι (a form of κατοικέω), is an aorist active infinitive verb so I assume the word may is stylistic.  The words your hearts are clear and accurate in English translation.  The verb ἐρριζωμένοι (a form of ῥιζόω), translated you have been rooted (NET) or being rooted (KJV), is plural as is τεθεμελιωμένοι (a form of θεμελιόω), translated grounded.

Ephesians 3:18 (NET)

Ephesians 3:18 (KJV)

…you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth… May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height…

The verb translated you may be able (NET) or May be able (KJV) is ἐξισχύσητε the second person plural form of ἐξισχύω.  It is subjunctive but as a result clause preceded by ἵνα the word may is more stylistic than accurate.  The verb καταλαβέσθαι (a form of καταλαμβάνω), translated to comprehend, is an infinitive.  This ability to comprehend is the birthright of all the saints (πᾶσιν τοῖς ἁγίοις).

Ephesians 3:19 (NET)

Ephesians 3:19 (KJV)

…and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. …to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

The verb translated to know is γνῶναι the infinitive form of γινώσκω.  But πληρωθῆτε (a form of πληρόω), translated you may be filled (NET) or ye might be filled (KJV), is definitely plural.  It is also subjunctive but again preceded by ἵνα.  It is a result clause.  One could argue that this entire passage should be translated with more conviction.  As one of the believers who has found it difficult to “understand or experience…the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their lives,”[8] I suppose I can understand why it was not.

Even now, knowing that Paul addressed individual believers and that all the fullness of God (πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ θεοῦ) was limited here to knowledge and love, I still have some incredulity.  It’s time to drown out that incredulity in the praise of Him who is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20, 21 (NET)

Ephesians 3:20, 21 (KJV)

Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think… Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…
…to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.  Amen.

When Paul wrote of the ἀγάπην τοῦ Χριστοῦ (love of Christ) I think the Holy Spirit meant the fruit of the Spirit since the definition of God’s love entails every aspect of the fruit of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NET)

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (KJV)

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious.  Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Love never ends. Charity never faileth:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἡ ἀγάπη οὐδέποτε πίπτει η αγαπη ουδεποτε εκπιπτει η αγαπη ουδεποτε εκπιπτει

The iffy part of Paul’s prayer is not the wealth of God’s glory, the power of the Holy Spirit or the love of Christ.  The iffy part is my faith.  But then I don’t want to rely on my faith.  I want the faith that comes from the fruit of the Spirit, the faith of Jesus Christ, because He “had the faith to stand on the water and hold Peter (Matthew 14:25-33) up as well.”  And Peter wrote:

2 Peter 1:2, 3 (NET)

2 Peter 1:2, 3 (KJV)

May grace and peace be lavished on you as you grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord! Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ὡς πάντα ἡμῖν τῆς θείας δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ τὰ πρὸς ζωὴν καὶ εὐσέβειαν δεδωρημένης διὰ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ καλέσαντος ἡμᾶς |ἰδίᾳ δόξῃ | καὶ |ἀρετῇ| ως παντα ημιν της θειας δυναμεως αυτου τα προς ζωην και ευσεβειαν δεδωρημενης δια της επιγνωσεως του καλεσαντος ημας δια δοξης και αρετης ως παντα ημιν της θειας δυναμεως αυτου τα προς ζωην και ευσεβειαν δεδωρημενης δια της επιγνωσεως του καλεσαντος ημας δια δοξης και αρετης

2 Peter 1:4 (NET)

2 Peter 1:4 (KJV)

Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

δι᾿ ὧν τὰ τίμια καὶ μέγιστα ἡμῖν ἐπαγγέλματα δεδώρηται, ἵνα διὰ τούτων γένησθε θείας κοινωνοὶ φύσεως ἀποφυγόντες τῆς ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ φθορᾶς. δι ων τα μεγιστα ημιν και τιμια επαγγελματα δεδωρηται ινα δια τουτων γενησθε θειας κοινωνοι φυσεως αποφυγοντες της εν κοσμω εν επιθυμια φθορας δι ων τα τιμια ημιν και μεγιστα επαγγελματα δεδωρηται ινα δια τουτων γενησθε θειας κοινωνοι φυσεως αποφυγοντες της εν κοσμω εν επιθυμια φθορας

To know (γινώσκωσιν, another form of γινώσκω) the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He] sent[9] is eternal life.  To know his love to be filled up to all the fullness of God may require some patience as well.  Fortunately, love is patient (μακροθυμεῖ, a form of μακροθυμέω) and the fruit of the Spirit is…patience (μακροθυμία).

[1] According to a note (2) in the NET this “was an encyclical letter, intended for more than one audience.”  In other words there was a blank space to be filled in by the receiving church: “this letter would first come to Ephesus, the port of entry, then to Laodicea, then Colossae.”

[2] Ephesians 1:1 (NET)

[3] Here ἐκκλησίας would be genitive and singular rather than accusative and plural.

[4] Ephesians 3:10 (NET)

[5] Galatians 5:22 (NET)

[6] Ephesians 2:8-10 (NET)  John Piper probably explained these verses the best I have heard in his essay, “A Whole World Hangs on a Word,” on Desiring God online.

[7] “However if the subjunctive mood is used in a purpose or result clause, then the action should not be thought of as a possible result, but should be viewed as a definite outcome that will happen as a result of another stated action.” From Resources for Learning New Testament Greek

[8] Fear – Deuteronomy, Part 3

[9] John 17:3 (NET)

Romans, Part 51

Love must be without hypocrisy.[1]  A note in the NET explained that must be “is understood in the Greek text”  Ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος.  I am inclined to see it more as a subject heading: The love unfeigned,[2] as Robert Young[3] translated it.  I think Paul’s thinking shifted naturally from the gifts of the Spirit in Romans 12:3-8 to the fruit of the Spirit in Romans 12:9-21, this unfeignedwithout hypocrisygenuine[4]sincere[5] love.  I don’t know Greek so I thought it best to study the translation of the words ἀγάπη and ἀνυπόκριτος to see if the NET translators had a good reason for regarding Ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος as a rule rather than a subject heading.

James used ἀνυπόκριτος in exactly this form, the wisdom from above is (ἐστιν, a form of εἰμί)[6] first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical (ἀνυπόκριτος).[7]  The verb of being ἐστιν (is) occurs in this sentence, while no verb occurs in Ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος.  The mere presence of ἀνυπόκριτος, however, did not persuade the NET translators to supply must be here: the wisdom from above [must be] first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.  I found over sixty occurrences of ἀγάπη in the New Testament (listed at the end of this essay).  I’ll only comment on those where a verb was supplied by the translators.

There is no verb in, But the greatest of these is love,[8] μείζων δὲ τούτων ἡ ἀγάπη.  Is was supplied here and in Robert Young’s translation, and the greatest of these is love.[9]  Love [is] without hypocrisy would still be definitional rather than a rule if is had been supplied rather than must be.  In, My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus,[10] the preposition μετὰ[11] was translated be with, as in, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with (μετὰ) you all.[12]  Young supplied is in both instances, my love is with you all in Christ Jesus,[13] and, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, is with you all.[14]

The clause in English—so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love,[15] which seems more like a phrase in Greek, ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἐρριζωμένοι καὶ τεθεμελιωμένοι—is interesting.  Consider, Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted (ἐρριζωμένοι, a form of ῥιζόω)[16] and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.[17]  Here ἐρριζωμένοι was translated simply rooted.  Young translated it being rooted: as, then, ye did receive Christ Jesus the Lord, in him walk ye, being rooted and built up in him, and confirmed in the faith[18]  At first glance I thought the NET translators described something that happened in the past while Young described ongoing action.  On closer inspection it seemed that the NET translators tried to accommodate the sense of ongoing action with the word continue.  They translated περιπατεῖτε (a form of περιπατέω)[19] continue to live, where Young translated it simply walk.

It is the same in, And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds, but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him – if indeed you remain in the faith, established (τεθεμελιωμένοι, a form of θεμελιόω)[20] and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.[21]  Here τεθεμελιωμένοι was translated simply established, while Young translated it being founded: if also ye remain in the faith, being founded and settled, and not moved away from the hope of the good news[22]

So I wondered why ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἐρριζωμένοι καὶ τεθεμελιωμένοι wasn’t translated “in love rooted and established” in the NET rather than, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:14-19 NET).

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named.  I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, [in love rooted and established] so that…you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Young’s translation reads, that the Christ may dwell through the faith in your hearts, in love having been rooted and founded[23]  Obviously there is something more than the word ending that determines the tense of the verb, whether it indicates something that happened in the past or something ongoing.  This exercise however has made it much clearer to me how intricately faith and love are intertwined in God’s action and mine.  He strengthens me in the inner person with power through his Spirit that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith, or, that the Christ may dwell through the faith in my heart, in love having been rooted and founded, established, grounded.  I for my part continue to live my life in Him just as I received Christ Jesus as Lord; that is, by faith, being rooted and built up in him, and confirmed in the faith.  And so I remain in the faith, being founded and settled, and not moved away from the hope of the good news.

This is why I want  Ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος to be a subject heading—“This love without hypocrisy”—rather than a rule—Love must be without hypocrisy.  And I’m not deaf.  I hear how ridiculously pedantic that sounds.  But for me it is a matter of life and death.  I used to rush through Paul’s “jibber-jabber” to get to his rules, to honor my contract with God, as if the man who wrote of God’s law—For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin[24]—believed that adherence to his own rules could make anyone righteous.

In the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul described God’s love, the love that is the fruit of his Spirit, the love that is the fulfillment of the law.  I believe he described that same love here in Romans 12:9-21.  Abhor what is evil, he wrote, cling to what is good.[25]  In the past this “rule” only confirmed me in my folly.  It was up to me, I thought, to abhor sin and keep the law, or Paul’s definition of love as if it were a law.  But the word translated evil is πονηρόν, a form of πονηρός.[26]

Frankly, I can think of nothing more “1) full of labours, annoyances, hardships 1a) pressed and harassed by labours 1b) bringing toils, annoyances, perils; of a time full of peril to Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble 2) bad, of a bad nature or condition 2a) in a physical sense: diseased or blind 2b) in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad” than the belief that I should or could make myself righteous by obeying the law or Paul’s definition of love as if it were a law.

Whenever I attempted it I wasn’t living my life in Him just as I received Christ Jesus as Lord.  I wasn’t remaining in the faith, being founded and settled, and not moved away from the hope of the good news.  I wasn’t even clinging to what is good (ἀγαθῷ, a form of ἀγαθός).[27]

No one is good (ἀγαθὸς) except God alone,[28] Jesus said.

 

Translation in NET

Greek Text

Verb

…the love of many will grow cold.

Matthew 24:12 (NET)

ψυγήσεται ἡ ἀγάπη τῶν πολλῶν ψυγήσεται (will grow cold)
…remain in my love.

John 15:9 (NET)

μείνατε ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ τῇ ἐμῇ μείνατε (remain)
…you will remain in my love…

John 15:10 (NET)

μενεῖτε ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ μου μενεῖτε (you will remain)
…and remain in his love.

John 15:10 (NET)

καὶ μένω αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ μένω (remain)
…so that the love you have loved me with may be in them…

John 17:26 (NET)

ἵνα ἡ ἀγάπη ἣν ἠγάπησας με ἐν αὐτοῖς ἠγάπησας (you have loved)
…because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts…

Romans 5:5 (NET)

ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ ἐκκέχυται ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν ἐκκέχυται (has been poured out)
Love does no wrong to a neighbor.

Romans 13:10 (NET)

ἡ ἀγάπη τῷ πλησίον κακὸν οὐκ ἐργάζεται ἐργάζεται (does)
Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13:10 (NET)

πλήρωμα οὖν νόμου ἡ ἀγάπη πλήρωμα (is the fulfillment)
Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

1 Corinthians 4:21 (NET)

ἐν ράβδῳ ἔλθω πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἢ ἐν ἀγάπῃ πνεύματι τε πραΰτητος ἔλθω (Shall I come)
…but love builds up.

1 Corinthians 8:1 (NET)

ἡ δὲ ἀγάπη οἰκοδομεῖ οἰκοδομεῖ (builds up)
Love is patient…

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NET)

Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ μακροθυμεῖ (is patient, i.e., perseveres)
…love is kind…

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NET)

χρηστεύεται ἡ ἀγάπη χρηστεύεται (is kind, i.e., full of service to others)
Love never ends.

1 Corinthians 13:8 (NET)

Ἡ ἀγάπη οὐδέποτε πίπτει πίπτει (ends)
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET)

Νυνὶ δὲ μένει πίστις, ἐλπίς, ἀγάπη, τὰ τρία ταῦτα μένει (remain)
But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET)

μείζων δὲ τούτων ἡ ἀγάπη None (is was supplied)
Everything you do should be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14 (NET)

πάντα ὑμῶν ἐν ἀγάπῃ γινέσθω γινέσθω (do should be done)
My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 16:24 (NET)

ἡ ἀγάπη μου μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ None (be was supplied)
For the love of Christ controls us…

2 Corinthians 5:14 (NET)

ἡ γὰρ ἀγάπη τοῦ Χριστοῦ συνέχει ἡμᾶς συνέχει (controls)
…by genuine love…

2 Corinthians 6:6 (NET)

ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἀνυποκρίτῳ None
…and in the love from us that is in you…

2 Corinthians 8:7 (NET)

καὶ τῇ ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀγάπῃ None
…and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:13 (NET)

καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἡ κοινωνία τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν None (be was supplied)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love…

Galatians 5:22 (NET)

ὁ δὲ καρπὸς τοῦ πνεύματος ἐστιν ἀγάπη ἐστιν (is)
…that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love.

Ephesians 1:4 (NET)

εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ εἶναι (may be)
…so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love…

Ephesians 3:17 (NET)

ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἐρριζωμένοι καὶ τεθεμελιωμένοι ἐρριζωμένοι καὶ τεθεμελιωμένοι (rooted and grounded; so that [ἵνα v. 18], because you have been was supplied)  In Colossians 2:7 (NET) ἐρριζωμένοι is   translated rooted.  In Colossians 1:23 (NET) τεθεμελιωμένοι is translated simply established.
…bearing with one another in love…

Ephesians 4:2 (NET)

ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἀνεχόμενοι (bearing, i.e., to hold up, to sustain, to endure)
But practicing the truth in love…

Ephesians 4:15 (NET)

ἀληθεύοντες δὲ ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἀληθεύοντες (practicing the truth, i.e., speaking, teaching, professing truth)
As each one does its part, the body grows in love.

Ephesians 4:16 (NET)

ἑνὸς ἑκάστου μέρους τὴν αὔξησιν τοῦ σώματος ποιεῖται εἰς οἰκοδομὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ (as each one its part grows the body does into building up himself in love)
…and live in love…

Ephesians 5:2 (NET)

καὶ περιπατεῖτε ἐν ἀγάπῃ περιπατεῖτε (live, lit. to walk)
…and love with faith…

Ephesians 6:23 (NET)

καὶ ἀγάπη μετὰ πίστεως None (nothing supplied)
…that your love may abound even more and more…

Philippians 1:9 (NET)

ἵνα ἡ ἀγάπη ὑμῶν ἔτι μᾶλλον καὶ μᾶλλον περισσεύῃ περισσεύῃ (may abound)
…having been knit together in love…

Colossians 2:2 (NET)

συμβιβασθέντες ἐν ἀγάπῃ συμβιβασθέντες (having been knit together)
And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love…

1 Thessalonians 3:12

ὑμᾶς δὲ ὁ κύριος πλεονάσαι καὶ περισσεύσαι τῇ ἀγάπῃ πλεονάσαι καὶ περισσεύσαι (cause to increase and abound)
…and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work.

1 Thessalonians 5:13 (NET)

καὶ ἡγεῖσθαι αὐτοὺς ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ διὰ τὸ ἔργον αὐτῶν ἡγεῖσθαι (to esteem)
…and the love of each one of you all for one another is ever greater.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NET)

καὶ πλεονάζει ἡ ἀγάπη ἑνὸς ἑκάστου πάντων ὑμῶν εἰς ἀλλήλους πλεονάζει (is ever greater)
But the aim of our instruction is love…

1 Timothy 1:5 (NET)

τὸ δὲ τέλος τῆς παραγγελίας ἐστὶν ἀγάπη ἐστὶν (is)
…if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

1 Timothy 2:15 (NET)

ἐὰν μείνωσιν ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀγάπῃ καὶ ἁγιασμῷ μετὰ σωφροσύνης μείνωσιν (she continues, literally, they continue)
…but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NET)

ἀλλὰ τύπος γίνου τῶν πιστῶν ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἀναστροφῇ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ, ἐν πίστει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ γίνου (set, literally, to become – τύπος γίνου: become the mark or image)
Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:13 (NET)

῾Υποτύπωσιν ἔχε ὑγιαινόντων λόγων ὧν παρ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἤκουσας ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀγάπῃ τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἔχε (hold, literally to have)
You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance…

2 Timothy 3:10 (NET)

Σὺ δὲ παρηκολούθησας μου τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, τῇ ἀγωγῇ, τῇ προθέσει, τῇ πίστει, τῇ μακροθυμίᾳ, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ παρηκολούθησας (have followed)
Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

Titus 2:2 (NET)

Πρεσβύτας νηφαλίους εἶναι, σεμνούς, σώφρονας, ὑγιαίνοντας τῇ πίστει, τῇ ἀγάπῃ, τῇ ὑπομονῇ εἶναι (are to be)
I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love…

Philemon 1:7 (NET)

χαρὰν γὰρ πολλὴν ἔσχον καὶ παράκλησιν ἐπὶ τῇ ἀγάπῃ σου ἔσχον (I have had)
…because love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8 (NET)

ὅτι ἀγάπη καλύπτει πλῆθος ἁμαρτιῶνSeptuagint: δὲ τοὺς μὴ   φιλονεικοῦντας καλύπτει φιλία (Proverbs 10:12) καλύπτει (covers)
…truly in this person the love of God has been perfected.

1 John 2:5 (NET)

ἀληθῶς ἐν τούτῳ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ τετελείωται τετελείωται (has been perfected)
…the love of the Father is not in him…

1 John 2:15 (NET)

οὐκ ἔστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ πατρὸς ἐν αὐτῷ ἔστιν (is)
…how can the love of God reside in such a person?

1 John 3:17 (NET)

πῶς ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ μένει ἐν αὐτῷ μένει (can reside)
…because love is from God…

1 John 4:7 (NET)

ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν ἐστιν (is)
…because God is love.

1 John 4:8 (NET)

ὅτι ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν ἐστιν (is)
By this the love of God is revealed in us…

1 John 4:9 (NET)

ἐν τούτῳ ἐφανερώθη ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν ἐφανερώθη (is revealed)
In this is love…

1 John 4:10 (NET)

ἐν τούτῳ ἐστὶν ἡ ἀγάπη ἐστιν (is)
…and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:12 (NET)

καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη αὐτοῦ |ἐν ἡμῖν| τετελειωμένη ἐστίν τετελειωμένη ἐστίν (is perfected)
God is love…

1 John 4:16 (NET)

Ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν ἐστιν (is)
…and the one who resides in love resides in God…

1 John 4:16 (NET)

καὶ ὁ μένων ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἐν τῷ θεῷ μένει μένων (resides); μένει (resides)
By this love is perfected with us…

1 John 4:17 (NET)

Ἐν τούτῳ τετελείωται ἡ ἀγάπη μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν τετελείωται (is perfected)
There is no fear in love…

1 John 4:18 (NET)

φόβος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἔστιν (is, literally, “fear is not in love”)
…but perfect love drives out fear…

1 John 4:18 (NET)

ἀλλ᾿ ἡ τελεία ἀγάπη ἔξω βάλλει τὸν φόβον βάλλει (drives; i.e., “to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls”)
The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.

1 John 4:18 (NET)

ὁ δὲ φοβούμενος οὐ τετελείωται ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ τετελείωται (has been perfected); οὐ τετελείωται (has not been perfected)
For this is the love of God…

1 John 5:3 (NET)

αὕτη γάρ ἐστιν ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν (is)
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us … in truth and love.

2 John 1:3 (NET)

ἔσται μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν χάρις ἔλεος εἰρήνη … ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ ἀγάπῃ ἔσται (will be)
Now this is love…

2 John 1:6 (NET)

καὶ αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἀγάπη ἐστὶν (is)
They have testified to your love before the church.

3 John 1:6 (NET)

οἳ ἐμαρτύρησαν σου τῇ ἀγάπῃ ἐνώπιον ἐκκλησίας ἐμαρτύρησαν (They have testified)
May mercy, peace, and love be lavished on you!

Jude 1:2 (NET)

ἔλεος ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη καὶ ἀγάπη πληθυνθείη πληθυνθείη (May be lavished)
…maintain yourselves in the love of God…

Jude 1:21 (NET)

ἑαυτοὺς ἐν ἀγάπῃ θεοῦ τηρήσατε τηρήσατε (maintain, i.e., “1) to attend to carefully, take care of 1a) to guard 1b) metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is 1c) to observe 1d) to reserve: to undergo”

Romans, Part 52

Back to Romans, Part 68

Back to Romans, Part 77


[1] Romans 12:9a (NET)

[7] James 3:17 (NET)

[8] 1 Corinthians 13:13b (NET)

[10] 1 Corinthians 16:24 (NET)

[12] 2 Corinthians 13:13b (NET)

[15] Ephesians 3:17b (NET)

[17] Colossians 2:6, 7 (NET)

[21] Colossians 1:21-23a (NET)

[24] Romans 3:20 (NET)

[25] Romans 12:9b (NET)

[28] Luke 18:19b (NET)