David’s song continued: Create for me a pure heart, O God!  Renew a resolute spirit within me!  Do not reject me!  Do not take your Holy Spirit away from me! ¹  Whatever Daivid’s understanding of making sins as white as snow, he apparently grasped that creating a pure heart and renewing a resolute spirit was the work of the Holy Spirit rather than his own.  David continued: Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance!  Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey! ²

It was both surprising and encouraging to find this man after Jesus’ own heart in the Old Testament who would say, amen, to Paul’s saying, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort – for the sake of his good pleasure – is God.³ There is however a New Testament corollary to the concept of making sins as white as snow:  And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose…⁴

For all things to work together for good for me, the effect of other people’s sins on my life must be neutralized.  One might say, though their sins are like red, they must be made white as snow in their effect upon me, though they are red like scarlet, they must be made like wool.  Here, on this side of the equation, Jesus provided all kinds of instruction for his followers to be part of the process of gathering with Him rather than scattering.⁵  First and foremost among these is, forgive: if you have anything against anyone, forgive (ἀφίετε, a form of ἀφίημι) him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive (ἀφῇ, another form of ἀφίημι) you your sins (παραπτώματα, a form of παράπτωμα).⁶  This is quite frankly the fastest way to mute the effect of others’ sins on my life. If God is for us, who can be against us?⁷ 

If I thought of this as law instead of love, then I tried to puff up some phony forgiveness like a tea kettle or a “little engine that could,” or else God wouldn’t forgive me my sins.  But when I thought of this is as love rather than law, I realized I could take from the Lord’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that flows like a stream of living water through me, and—knowing that no one is less deserving of forgiveness than I—share the overflow of that mercy, grace and forgiveness and the gift of righteousness as freely with another as I have received it myself.

You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” the Lord Jesus quoted the limits on retribution He had placed in the law He gave to Moses.  But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer.  But whoever strikes you on⁸ the⁹ right cheek, turn the other to him as well.  And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, give him your coat also.  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.¹⁰  Follow me,¹¹ Jesus said.  He wants his followers to join Him in blunting the effectiveness of sin, not as sin eaters per se, but more like sin shock absorbers.  This is the limit, from here the shit stops rolling down hill.

Give¹² to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow¹³ from you, Jesus continued.  You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor” and “hate your enemy.”  But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you [Table], so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.¹⁴

This reminds me of the movie 300.  First the phalanx absorbs the shock of sin’s assault, then comes the push back.  And David continued: Then I will teach rebels your merciful ways, and sinners will turn to you.¹⁵  This teaching is not didactic but a loving demonstration of the very mercy that is its object.  Paul picked up on the militant spirit of overcoming, or conquering, evil with good (Romans 12:9-21 NET).

Love (ἀγάπη) must be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good (ἀγαθῷ, a form of ἀγαθός).  Be devoted to one another with mutual love (φιλόστοργοι, a form of φιλόστοργος), showing eagerness in honoring one another.  Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord.¹⁶  Rejoice (χαίροντες, a form of χαίρω) in hope (ἐλπίδι, a form of ἐλπίς), endure (ὑπομένοντες, a form of ὑπομένω) in suffering (θλίψει, a form of θλίψις), persist in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.  Rejoice (χαίρειν, another form of χαίρω) with those who rejoice (χαιρόντων, another form of χαίρω),¹⁷  weep with those who weep.  Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.  Do not be conceited.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.  Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  Rather,¹⁸  if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals¹⁹ on his head.  Do not be overcome (νικῶ, a form of νικάω) by evil, but overcome (νίκα, another form of νικάω) evil with good (ἀγαθῷ, a form of ἀγαθός).

I couldn’t help but notice how similar these instructions are to the love that fulfills the law (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NET).

Love (ἀγάπη) is patient (μακροθυμεῖ, a form of μακροθυμέω), love is kind, it is not envious.  Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.  It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful.  It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes (πιστεύει, a form of πιστεύω) all things, hopes (ἐλπίζει, a form of ἐλπίζω) all things, endures (ὑπομένει, another form of ὑπομένω) all things.

None of this, however, originates with me.  All of it comes from drinking and continuing to drink from that river of living water²⁰ which is the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23 NET Table).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love (ἀγάπη), joy (χαρά), peace, patience (μακροθυμία), kindness, goodness (ἀγαθωσύνη), faithfulness (πίστις), gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

 

 

Addendum: February 2, 2020
Tables comparing the NET parallel Greek of Jesus’ quotation from Exodus or Leviticus with the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow:

Matthew 5:38b (NET Parallel Greek)	Exodus 21:24a (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 21:24a (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ καὶ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος	ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος	ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ, ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος
Matthew 5:38b (NET)	Exodus 21:24a (NETS)	Exodus 21:24a (English Elpenor)
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.	eye for eye, tooth for tooth,	eye for eye, tooth for tooth,

Matthew 5:38b (NET Parallel Greek)	Leviticus 24:20b (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 24:20b (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ καὶ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος	ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος	ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ, ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος
Matthew 5:38b (NET)	Leviticus 24:20b (NETS)	Leviticus 24:20b (English Elpenor)
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.	eye for eye, tooth for tooth;	eye for eye, tooth for tooth:

A table comparing the NET parallel Greek of Jesus’ quotation from Leviticus (Table) with the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follows:

Matthew 5:43b (NET Parallel Greek)	Leviticus 19:18b (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 19:18b (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου	ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου	ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου
Matthew 5:43b (NET)	Leviticus 19:18b (NETS)	Leviticus 19:18b (English Elpenor)
Love your neighbor	you shall love your neighbor	thou shalt love thy neighbour

It seems possible to me that Paul, given his own proclivity toward vengeance (Acts 9:1-9; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 1 Timothy 1:12-14), shared a personal word from the Lord with believers in Rome, but a table comparing the NET parallel Greek as an allusion to Deuteronomy in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follows:

Romans 12:19b (NET Parallel Greek)	Deuteronomy 32:35a (Septuagint BLB)	Deuteronomy 32:35a (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐμοὶ ἐκδίκησις, ἐγὼ ἀνταποδώσω	ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐκδικήσεως ἀνταποδώσω	ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐκδικήσεως ἀνταποδώσω
Romans 12:19b (NET)	Deuteronomy 32:35a (NETS)	Deuteronomy 32:35a (English Elpenor)
Vengeance is mine, I will repay	In a day of vengeance, I will repay,	In the day of vengeance I will recompense,

A table comparing the NET parallel Greek of Paul’s quotation from Proverbs with the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follows:

Romans 12:20b (NET Parallel Greek)	Proverbs 25:21, 22a (Septuagint BLB)	Proverbs 25:21, 22a (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτόν· ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν· τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ	ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου τρέφε αὐτόν ἐὰν διψᾷ πότιζε αὐτόν τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ	ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτόν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ
Romans 12:20b (NET)	Proverbs 25:21, 22a (NETS)	Proverbs 25:21, 22a (English Elpenor)
if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.	If your enemy is hungry, nourish him; if he is thirsty, give him to drink.  For by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head,	If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head,

Tables comparing Psalm 51:10; Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Psalm 51:13; Deuteronomy 32:35; Proverbs 25:21 and 25:22 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing Psalm 51:10 (50:12); Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Psalm 51:13 (50:15); Deuteronomy 32:35; Proverbs 25:21 and 25:22 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.  Following those are tables comparing Matthew 5:39; 5:42; Romans 12:11; 12:15 and 12:20 in the NET and KJV.

Psalm 51:10 (Tanakh)	Psalm 51:10 (KJV)	Psalm 51:10 (NET)
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.	Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.	Create for me a pure heart, O God.  Renew a resolute spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 (Septuagint BLB)	Psalm 50:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καρδίαν καθαρὰν κτίσον ἐν ἐμοί ὁ θεός καὶ πνεῦμα εὐθὲς ἐγκαίνισον ἐν τοῗς ἐγκάτοις μου	καρδίαν καθαρὰν κτίσον ἐν ἐμοί, ὁ Θεός, καὶ πνεῦμα εὐθὲς ἐγκαίνισον ἐν τοῖς ἐγκάτοις μου
Psalm 50:12 (NETS)	Psalm 50:12 (English Elpenor)
A clean heart create in me, O God, and an upright spirit renew wthin me.	Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts.

Exodus 21:24 (Tanakh)	Exodus 21:24 (KJV)	Exodus 21:24 (NET)
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,	Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,	eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Exodus 21:24 (Septuagint BLB)	Exodus 21:24 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος χεῗρα ἀντὶ χειρός πόδα ἀντὶ ποδός	ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ, ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος, χεῖρα ἀντὶ χειρός, πόδα ἀντὶ ποδός
Exodus 21:24 (NETS)	Exodus 21:24 (English Elpenor)
eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,	eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Leviticus 24:20 (Tanakh)	Leviticus 24:20 (KJV)	Leviticus 24:20 (NET)
breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he hath maimed a man, so shall it be rendered unto him.	breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be rendered unto him.	fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth—just as he inflicts an injury on another person that same injury must be inflicted on him.

Leviticus 24:20 (Septuagint BLB)	Leviticus 24:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)
σύντριμμα ἀντὶ συντρίμματος ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος καθότι ἂν δῷ μῶμον τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ οὕτως δοθήσεται αὐτῷ	σύντριμμα ἀντὶ συντρίμματος, ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ, ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος, καθότι ἂν δῷ μῶμον τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ, οὕτω δοθήσεται αὐτῷ
Leviticus 24:20 (NETS)	Leviticus 24:20 (English Elpenor)
fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as one gives a blemish to a person, so shall it be given to him.	bruise for bruise, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as any one may inflict a blemish on a man, so shall it be rendered to him.

Psalm 51:13 (Tanakh)	Psalm 51:13 (KJV)	Psalm 51:13 (NET)
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.	Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.	Then I will teach rebels your merciful ways, and sinners will turn to you.

Psalm 51:13 (Septuagint BLB)	Psalm 50:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)
διδάξω ἀνόμους τὰς ὁδούς σου καὶ ἀσεβεῗς ἐπὶ σὲ ἐπιστρέψουσιν	διδάξω ἀνόμους τὰς ὁδούς σου, καὶ ἀσεβεῖς ἐπὶ σὲ ἐπιστρέψουσι
Psalm 50:15 (NETS)	Psalm 50:15 (English Elpenor)
I will teach lawless one your ways, and impious ones will return to you.	[Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and ungodly men shall turn to thee.

Deuteronomy 32:35 (Tanakh)	Deuteronomy 32:35 (KJV)	Deuteronomy 32:35 (NET)
Vengeance is Mine, and recompense, against the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that are to come upon them shall make haste.	To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.	I will get revenge and pay them back at the time their foot slips; for the day of their disaster is near, and the impending judgment is rushing upon them!”

Deuteronomy 32:35 (Septuagint BLB)	Deuteronomy 32:35 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐκδικήσεως ἀνταποδώσω ἐν καιρῷ ὅταν σφαλῇ ὁ ποὺς αὐτῶν ὅτι ἐγγὺς ἡμέρα ἀπωλείας αὐτῶν καὶ πάρεστιν ἕτοιμα ὑμῗν	ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἐκδικήσεως ἀνταποδώσω, ἐν καιρῷ, ὅταν σφαλῇ ὁ ποῦς αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἐγγὺς ἡμέρα ἀπωλείας αὐτοῖς, καὶ πάρεστιν ἕτοιμα ὑμῖν
Deuteronomy 32:35 (NETS)	Deuteronomy 32:35 (English Elpenor)
In a day of vengeance, I will repay, in a time when their foot slips, because near is the day of their destruction and things prepared for you are at hand.	In the day of vengeance I will recompense, whensoever their foot shall be tripped up; for the day of their destruction [is] near to them, and the judgments at hand are close upon you.

Proverbs 25:21 (Tanakh)	Proverbs 25:21 (KJV)	Proverbs 25:21 (NET)
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:	If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:	If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

Proverbs 25:21 (Septuagint BLB)	Proverbs 25:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου τρέφε αὐτόν ἐὰν διψᾷ πότιζε αὐτόν	ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτόν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν
Proverbs 25:21 (NETS)	Proverbs 25:21 (English Elpenor)
If your enemy is hungry, nourish him; if he is thirsty, give him to drink.	If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;

Proverbs 25:22 (Tanakh)	Proverbs 25:22 (KJV)	Proverbs 25:22 (NET)
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.	For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.	for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Proverbs 25:22 (Septuagint BLB)	Proverbs 25:22 (Septuagint Elpenor)
τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ ὁ δὲ κύριος ἀνταποδώσει σοι ἀγαθά	τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἀνταποδώσει σοι ἀγαθά
Proverbs 25:22 (NETS)	Proverbs 25:22 (English Elpenor)
For by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you with good things.	for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee [with] good.

Matthew 5:39 (NET)	Matthew 5:39 (KJV)
But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer.  But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.	But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

NET Parallel Greek	Stephanus Textus Receptus	Byzantine Majority Text
ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν μὴ ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ· ἀλλ᾿ ὅστις σε ραπίζει εἰς τὴν δεξιὰν σιαγόνα,  στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην	εγω δε λεγω υμιν μη αντιστηναι τω πονηρω αλλ οστις σε ραπισει επι την δεξιαν σου σιαγονα στρεψον αυτω και την αλλην	εγω δε λεγω υμιν μη αντιστηναι τω πονηρω αλλ οστις σε ραπισει επι την δεξιαν σου σιαγονα στρεψον αυτω και την αλλην

Matthew 5:42 (NET)	Matthew 5:42 (KJV)
Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.	Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

NET Parallel Greek	Stephanus Textus Receptus	Byzantine Majority Text
τῷ αἰτοῦντι σε δός, καὶ τὸν θέλοντα ἀπὸ σοῦ δανίσασθαι μὴ ἀποστραφῇς	τω αιτουντι σε διδου και τον θελοντα απο σου δανεισασθαι μη αποστραφης	τω αιτουντι σε διδου και τον θελοντα απο σου δανεισασθαι μη αποστραφης

Romans 12:11 (NET)	Romans 12:11 (KJV)
Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord.	Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

NET Parallel Greek	Stephanus Textus Receptus	Byzantine Majority Text
τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί, τῷ πνεύματι ζέοντες, τῷ κυρίῳ δουλεύοντες	τη σπουδη μη οκνηροι τω πνευματι ζεοντες τω καιρω δουλευοντες	τη σπουδη μη οκνηροι τω πνευματι ζεοντες τω κυριω δουλευοντες

Romans 12:15 (NET)	Romans 12:15 (KJV)
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.	Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

NET Parallel Greek	Stephanus Textus Receptus	Byzantine Majority Text
χαίρειν μετὰ χαιρόντων, κλαίειν μετὰ κλαιόντων	χαιρειν μετα χαιροντων και κλαιειν μετα κλαιοντων	χαιρειν μετα χαιροντων και κλαιειν μετα κλαιοντων

Romans 12:20 (NET)	Romans 12:20 (KJV)
Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head.	Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

NET Parallel Greek	Stephanus Textus Receptus	Byzantine Majority Text
ἀλλὰ ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτόν· ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν· τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ	εαν ουν πεινα ο εχθρος σου ψωμιζε αυτον εαν διψα ποτιζε αυτον τουτο γαρ ποιων ανθρακας πυρος σωρευσεις επι την κεφαλην αυτου	εαν ουν πεινα ο εχθρος σου ψωμιζε αυτον εαν διψα ποτιζε αυτον τουτο γαρ ποιων ανθρακας πυρος σωρευσεις επι την κεφαλην αυτου