A Shadow of the Good Things, Part 7

Then the Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Meeting Tent (Leviticus 1:1-4 NET):

“Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘When someone among you presents an offering to the Lord, you must present your offering from the domesticated animals, either from the herd or from the flock.

“‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he must present it as a flawless male; he must present it at the entrance of the Meeting Tent for its acceptance before the Lord.  He must lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted for him to make atonement on his behalf.

The Hebrew word translated flawless above was תָּמִ֖ים (tāmîm).   But since לִרְצֹנ֖וֹ (rāṣôn) was translated of his own voluntary will in the KJV rather than for its acceptance, I want to consider verses 3 and 4 in a bit more detail.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Leviticus 1:3, 4 (Tanakh) Leviticus 1:3, 4 (NET) Leviticus 1:3, 4 (NETS)

Leviticus 1:3, 4 (English Elpenor)

If his offering be a burnt-offering of the herd, he shall offer it a male without blemish (תָּמִ֖ים); he shall bring it to the door of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted (לִרְצֹנ֖וֹ) before HaShem. “‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he must present it as a flawless (tāmîm, תמים) male; he must present it at the entrance of the Meeting Tent for its acceptance (rāṣôn,  לרצנו) before the Lord. If this gift is a whole burnt offering from the cattle, he shall present a male without blemish (ἄμωμον); he shall bring it to the door of the tent of witness, acceptable (δεκτὸν) before the Lord. If his gift be a whole-burnt-offering, he shall bring an unblemished (ἄμωμον) male of the herd to the door of the tabernacle of witness, he shall bring it as acceptable (δεκτὸν) before the Lord.
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering; and it shall be accepted (וְנִרְצָ֥ה) for him to make atonement for him. He must lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted (rāṣâ, ונרצה) for him to make atonement on his behalf. And he shall lay his hand on the head of the offering, a thing acceptable (δεκτὸν) to him to atone for him. And he shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt-offering as a thing acceptable (δεκτὸν) for him, to make atonement for him.

The rabbis who translated the Septuagint chose δεκτὸν (a form of δεκτός) for both לִרְצֹנ֖וֹ (rāṣôn) and וְנִרְצָ֥ה (rāṣâ).  It encourages me to believe that לִרְצֹנ֖וֹ (rāṣôn) in verse 3 had more to do with adjudicating the flawless quality of the offering before it was offered to the Lord than the free will of the one presenting that offering.  The translation of the Tanakh on chabad.org, however, is more agreeable to the KJV: He shall bring it willingly to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, before the Lord.[1]

This concept of a flawless (NET) sacrifice without blemish (Tanakh), translated ἄμωμον (a form of ἄμωμος) in the Septuagint, carried over into the New Testament (Hebrews 9:13, 14 NET):

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow sprinkled on those who are defiled consecrated them and provided ritual purity, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish (ἄμωμον, a form of ἄμωμος) to God, purify our[2] consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

The power here was never some magical property of blood.  Atonement from the offenses listed in Leviticus 5:1-4, for instance, required first that one must confess how he has sinned.[3]  Then he must bringa female sheep or a female goat, for a sin offering.  So the priest will make atonement on his behalf for his sin.[4]  If that was beyond the sinner’s means, however, two turtledoves or two young pigeons, would suffice, one for a sin offering and one for a burnt offering.[5]  When the sinner was too poor to buy two birds or too infirm to capture them alive, the Lord was willing to accept a tenth of an ephah of choice wheat flour for a sin offering.[6]

So the priest will make atonement on his behalf for his sin which he has committed by doing one of these things, and he will be forgiven.[7]

The power has always been God’s willingness to impute righteousness to those who believe Him (Romans 4:1-5, 23-25 NET).

What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter?  For if Abraham was declared righteous by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God [Table].  For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” [See table below].  Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation [Table].  But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.

But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake, but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.  He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.

[H]ow much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.[8]  Once my attention is diverted here from the “magical properties of blood” to the willingness of God to impute righteousness to those who believe Him, my focus shifts to the second clause.  Jesus offered himself without blemish to God through the eternal Spirit.  He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross![9]

I always need to pause here to consider the word translated obedient (ὑπήκοος).  One of its meanings is “attentive listening.”  [Y]our word is truth,[10] Jesus prayed to his Father.  The boy Jesus listened attentively to what I call the Old Testament and became the man I know in the New Testament.  The man Jesus acknowledged that the Father who dwells in me does his works.[11]  So I have the written word of God and the indwelling Spirit of God effecting Jesus’ becoming obedient to the point of death.  It should be sufficient to overcome my tendency to hear obedient (ὑπήκοος) and obedience as works of my flesh, obeying rules in my own strength.

The writer of Hebrews continued to describe Jesus who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God (Hebrews 9:15-17 NET):

And so he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance he has promised, since he died to set them free from the violations committed under the first covenant.  For where there is a will, the death of the one who made it must be proven.  For a will takes effect only at death, since it carries no force while the one who made it is alive.

So the death of Jesus, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God attentively listening to the word of God written in the Old Testament, inaugurated a new covenant of which He is mediator (μεσίτης).  Here I can begin to wrap my mind around how the blood of Christ can purify our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.  But the book of Hebrews was written primarily to Jews who had turned to faith in Jesus.  What were those dead works (νεκρῶν ἔργων)?

Surely the writer of Hebrews didn’t mean Leviticus, this wonderful book I am more and more recognizing as the gospel of the Old Testament.  One word, ἄμωμον (a form of ἄμωμος), from the first four verses led me directly to Jesus.  A few words from the fifth chapter helped illuminate the phrase the blood of Christ (τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ) and guided my mind away from magical thinking toward the power of God.  The Greek word ἀμώμου (another form of ἄμωμος) led me to Peter and some more insight into dead works (1 Peter 1:17-21 NET).

And if you address as Father the one who impartially[12] judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence.  You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed—not by perishable things like silver or gold, but by precious blood like that of an unblemished (ἀμώμου, another form of ἄμωμος) and spotless lamb, namely Christ.  He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last[13] times for your sake.  Through him you now trust[14] in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Here the dead works Jesus’ purifies from our consciences was desribed as an empty way of life inherited from [our] ancestors (τῆς ματαίας ὑμῶν ἀναστροφῆς πατροπαραδότου) that we were ransomed from by his death on a cross.  Peter wrote primarily to Jewish believers in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:1, 2 NET):

From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing (παρεπιδήμοις, a form of παρεπίδημος) abroad (διασπορᾶς, a form of διασπορά)[15] (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia) who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience (ὑπακοὴν, a form of ὑπακοή) and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ’s blood.  May grace and peace be yours in full measure!

Peter made it fairly clear that dead works did not reference the law, but the religious minds’ reactions to God’s law handed down from their ancestors’ religious practice.  That is something I can grasp.

Pain and humiliation are a boy’s constant companions on a ball field, any ball field.  Is there anything more humiliating than chasing into the outfield after a ball that got by you in the infield?  At the crack of a bat, the sight of a hardball careening anywhere near would cause a sane person to hurry off in any direction out of its path.

A boy trained by the humiliation of chasing it into the outfield races to intercept that ball.  He positions his body in front of it in such a way that an unanticipated bounce will strike his ankle, his shin, his knee, his belly, his chest, his arms, even his face if it misses his glove.  A fleshy bruise heals in days; a bone bruise heals in weeks.  The humiliation of chasing a ball that got passed him on an important play in a big game could last a lifetime.  The glory—“good catch,” “nice stop,” “way to hustle”—is as fleeting as the next crack of the bat.  And the boy calls it all fun!

How do you punish such a creature?  Pain and humiliation are his faithful companions.  Punishments that rely on them are likely to be perceived simply as a cost of doing business.  As I wrote in another essay, “Punishment is the currency of childhood.  It’s how one pays for what he wants.”

I think something similar to this had happened in Israel, that the worship described in Leviticus had become little more than a series of commercial transactions.  Jesus found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at tables (John 2:14-16 NET).

So he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, with the sheep and the oxen.  He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.  To those who sold the doves he said, “Take these things away from here!  Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!”

But Paul, writing primarily to Gentiles, explained how Jesus’ death imparts his own blamelessness to those who believe Him (Colossians 1:21-23a NET):

And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds, but now [Jesus] has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish (ἀμώμους, another form of ἄμωμος), and blameless before him—if indeed[16] you remain in the faith (τῇ πίστει), established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard (ἠκούσατε, a form of ἀκούω).

Indeed according to the law almost everything was purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness, the writer of Hebrews continued (Hebrews 9:22-28 NET).

So it was necessary for the sketches of the things in heaven to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves required better sacrifices than these.  For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands—the representation of the true sanctuary—but into heaven itself, and he appears now in God’s presence for us.  And he did not enter to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the sanctuary year after year with blood that is not his own, for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world.  But now he has appeared once for all at the consummation of the ages to put away (ἀθέτησιν, a form of ἀθέτησις) sin by his sacrifice.  And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment, so also,[17] after Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, to those who eagerly await him he will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation [Table].

According to a note (5) in the NET Romans 4:3b was a quotation from Genesis 15:6.  A table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to the Septuagint follows.

Romans 4:3b (NET Parallel Greek) Genesis 15:6 (Septuagint BLB) Table Genesis 15:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐπίστευσεν δὲ Ἀβραὰμ τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἐπίστευσεν Αβραμ τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἐπίστευσεν ῞Αβραμ τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην
Romans 4:3b (NET) Genesis 15:6 (NETS) Genesis 15:6 (English Elpenor)
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. And Abram believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. And Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.

Tables comparing Leviticus 1:1; 1:2; 1:3 and 1:4 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Leviticus 1:1; 1:2 (1:1b, 2); 1:3 and 1:4 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:17; 1:20, 21 and Colossians 1:21-23 in the NET and KJV follow.

Leviticus 1:1 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 1:1 (KJV)

Leviticus 1:1 (NET)

THE HaShem called unto Moses, and spoke unto him out of the tent of meeting, saying: And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Then the Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Meeting Tent:

Leviticus 1:1 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 1:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀνεκάλεσεν Μωυσῆν καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος αὐτῷ ἐκ τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου λέγων ΚΑΙ ἀνεκάλεσε Μωυσῆν, καὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος αὐτῷ ἐκ τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου λέγων

Leviticus 1:1 (NETS)

Leviticus 1:1 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord summoned Moyses and spoke to him from the tent of witness, saying: And the Lord called Moses again and spoke to him out of the tabernacle of witness, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them,

Leviticus 1:2 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 1:2 (KJV)

Leviticus 1:2 (NET)

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When any man of you bringeth an offering unto HaShem, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd or of the flock. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘When someone among you presents an offering to the Lord, you must present your offering from the domesticated animals, either from the herd or from the flock.

Leviticus 1:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 1:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)

λάλησον τοῗς υἱοῗς Ισραηλ καὶ ἐρεῗς πρὸς αὐτούς ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐὰν προσαγάγῃ δῶρα τῷ κυρίῳ ἀπὸ τῶν κτηνῶν ἀπὸ τῶν βοῶν καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν προβάτων προσοίσετε τὰ δῶρα ὑμῶν λάλησον τοῖς υἱοῖς ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς· ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐὰν προσαγάγῃ δῶρα τῷ Κυρίῳ, ἀπὸ τῶν κτηνῶν καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν βοῶν καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν προβάτων προσοίσετε τὰ δῶρα ὑμῶν

Leviticus 1:2 (NETS)

Leviticus 1:1b, 2 (English Elpenor)

Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them: When a person of you brings gifts of livestock to the Lord, you shall bring your gifts from the cattle and from the sheep. Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, (2) If [any] man of you shall bring gifts to the Lord, ye shall bring your gifts of the cattle and of the oxen and of the sheep.

Leviticus 1:3 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 1:3 (KJV)

Leviticus 1:3 (NET)

If his offering be a burnt-offering of the herd, he shall offer it a male without blemish; he shall bring it to the door of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before HaShem. If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. “‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he must present it as a flawless male; he must present it at the entrance of the Meeting Tent for its acceptance before the Lord.

Leviticus 1:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 1:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐὰν ὁλοκαύτωμα τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῶν βοῶν ἄρσεν ἄμωμον προσάξει πρὸς τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου προσοίσει αὐτὸ δεκτὸν ἐναντίον κυρίου ἐὰν ὁλοκαύτωμα τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῶν βοῶν, ἄρσεν ἄμωμον προσάξει· πρὸς τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου προσοίσει αὐτὸ δεκτὸν ἐναντίον Κυρίου

Leviticus 1:3 (NETS)

Leviticus 1:3 (English Elpenor)

If this gift is a whole burnt offering from the cattle, he shall present a male without blemish; he shall bring it to the door of the tent of witness, acceptable before the Lord. If his gift be a whole-burnt-offering, he shall bring an unblemished male of the herd to the door of the tabernacle of witness, he shall bring it as acceptable before the Lord.

Leviticus 1:4 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 1:4 (KJV)

Leviticus 1:4 (NET)

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. He must lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted for him to make atonement on his behalf.

Leviticus 1:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 1:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐπιθήσει τὴν χεῗρα ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν τοῦ καρπώματος δεκτὸν αὐτῷ ἐξιλάσασθαι περὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπιθήσει τὴν χεῖρα ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν τοῦ καρπώματος, δεκτὸν αὐτῷ ἐξιλάσασθαι περὶ αὐτοῦ

Leviticus 1:4 (NETS)

Leviticus 1:4 (English Elpenor)

And he shall lay his hand on the head of the offering, a thing acceptable to him to atone for him. And he shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt-offering as a thing acceptable for him, to make atonement for him.

Hebrews 9:14 (NET)

Hebrews 9:14 (KJV)

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our consciences from dead works to worship the living God. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

πόσῳ μᾶλλον τὸ αἷμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὃς διὰ πνεύματος αἰωνίου ἑαυτὸν προσήνεγκεν ἄμωμον τῷ θεῷ, καθαριεῖ τὴν συνείδησιν ἡμῶν ἀπὸ νεκρῶν ἔργων εἰς τὸ λατρεύειν θεῷ ζῶντι ποσω μαλλον το αιμα του χριστου ος δια πνευματος αιωνιου εαυτον προσηνεγκεν αμωμον τω θεω καθαριει την συνειδησιν υμων απο νεκρων εργων εις το λατρευειν θεω ζωντι ποσω μαλλον το αιμα του χριστου ος δια πνευματος αιωνιου εαυτον προσηνεγκεν αμωμον τω θεω καθαριει την συνειδησιν υμων απο νεκρων εργων εις το λατρευειν θεω ζωντι

1 Peter 1:17 (NET)

1 Peter 1:17 (KJV)

And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ εἰ πατέρα ἐπικαλεῖσθε τὸν ἀπροσωπολήμπτως κρίνοντα κατὰ τὸ ἑκάστου ἔργον, ἐν φόβῳ τὸν τῆς παροικίας ὑμῶν χρόνον ἀναστράφητε και ει πατερα επικαλεισθε τον απροσωποληπτως κρινοντα κατα το εκαστου εργον εν φοβω τον της παροικιας υμων χρονον αναστραφητε και ει πατερα επικαλεισθε τον απροσωπολημπτως κρινοντα κατα το εκαστου εργον εν φοβω τον της παροικιας υμων χρονον αναστραφητε
1 Peter 1:20, 21 (NET) 1 Peter 1:20, 21 (KJV)
He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

προεγνωσμένου μὲν πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου φανερωθέντος δὲ ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτου τῶν χρόνων δι᾿ ὑμᾶς προεγνωσμενου μεν προ καταβολης κοσμου φανερωθεντος δε επ εσχατων των χρονων δι υμας προεγνωσμενου μεν προ καταβολης κοσμου φανερωθεντος δε επ εσχατων των χρονων δι υμας
Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τοὺς δι᾿ αὐτοῦ πιστοὺς εἰς θεὸν τὸν ἐγείραντα αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν καὶ δόξαν αὐτῷ δόντα, ὥστε τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν καὶ ἐλπίδα εἶναι εἰς θεόν τους δι αυτου πιστευοντας εις θεον τον εγειραντα αυτον εκ νεκρων και δοξαν αυτω δοντα ωστε την πιστιν υμων και ελπιδα ειναι εις θεον τους δι αυτου πιστευοντας εις θεον τον εγειραντα αυτον εκ νεκρων και δοξαν αυτω δοντα ωστε την πιστιν υμων και ελπιδα ειναι εις θεον

Colossians 1:21-23 (NET)

Colossians 1:21-23 (KJV)

And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds, And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ ὑμᾶς ποτε ὄντας ἀπηλλοτριωμένους καὶ ἐχθροὺς τῇ διανοίᾳ ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς πονηροῖς και υμας ποτε οντας απηλλοτριωμενους και εχθρους τη διανοια εν τοις εργοις τοις πονηροις νυνι δε αποκατηλλαξεν και υμας ποτε οντας απηλλοτριωμενους και εχθρους τη διανοια εν τοις εργοις τοις πονηροις νυνι δε αποκατηλλαξεν
but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him— In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

νυνὶ δὲ ἀποκατήλλαξεν ἐν τῷ σώματι τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ διὰ τοῦ θανάτου παραστῆσαι ὑμᾶς ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους καὶ ἀνεγκλήτους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ εν τω σωματι της σαρκος αυτου δια του θανατου παραστησαι υμας αγιους και αμωμους και ανεγκλητους κατενωπιον αυτου εν τω σωματι της σαρκος αυτου δια του θανατου παραστησαι υμας αγιους και αμωμους και ανεγκλητους κατενωπιον αυτου
if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.  This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

εἴ γε ἐπιμένετε τῇ πίστει τεθεμελιωμένοι καὶ ἑδραῖοι καὶ μὴ μετακινούμενοι ἀπὸ τῆς ἐλπίδος τοῦ εὐαγγελίου οὗ ἠκούσατε, τοῦ κηρυχθέντος ἐν πάσῃ κτίσει τῇ ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν, οὗ ἐγενόμην ἐγὼ Παῦλος διάκονος ειγε επιμενετε τη πιστει τεθεμελιωμενοι και εδραιοι και μη μετακινουμενοι απο της ελπιδος του ευαγγελιου ου ηκουσατε του κηρυχθεντος εν παση τη κτισει τη υπο τον ουρανον ου εγενομην εγω παυλος διακονος ειγε επιμενετε τη πιστει τεθεμελιωμενοι και εδραιοι και μη μετακινουμενοι απο της ελπιδος του ευαγγελιου ου ηκουσατε του κηρυχθεντος εν παση τη κτισει τη υπο τον ουρανον ου εγενομην εγω παυλος διακονος

[1] Leviticus 1:3b (Tanakh chabad.org)

[2] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἡμῶν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had υμων (KJV: your).

[3] Leviticus 5:5b (NET) Table

[4] Leviticus 5:6 (NET) Table

[5] Leviticus 5:7b (NET) Table

[6] Leviticus 5:11b (NET) Table

[7] Leviticus 5:13a (NET) Table

[8] Hebrews 9:14 (NET)

[9] Philippians 2:8 (NET)

[10] John 17:17b (NET) Table

[11] John 14:10b (ESV) Table

[12] The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had ἀπροσωπολήμπτως here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had απροσωποληπτως (KJV: without respect of persons).

[13] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐσχάτου here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εσχατων.

[14] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had πιστοὺς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had πιστευοντας (KJV: do believe).

[15] From “1 Peter and the Diaspora” by Phillip J. Long on readingacts.com

1 Peter 1:1 addresses “the elect” who are “scatted” [sic] (1:1, NIV).  Both words are significant in that they point to a Jewish audience.  The “Elect” is a common self-designation in Judaism.  They are the nation which God chose (via Abraham, or in the prophets, when he rescued the nation out of Egypt).   “Scattered” is the Greek diaspora, the Diaspora.  This was a word used frequently to describe Jews loving [sic] outside of the Land, including those regions addressed in 1 Peter 1:1.

[16] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had εἴ γε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ειγε (KJV: If).

[17] The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had καὶ here.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

Romans, Part 21

Against hope (ἐλπίδα, a form of ἐλπίς) Abraham believed (ἐπίστευσεν, a form of πιστεύω) in hope (ἐλπίδι, another form of ἐλπίς),1 Paul continued.  At ninety-nine-years old Abraham had plenty of empirical proof that his wife Sarah could not have a child.  He had no reason to hope in any natural sense of the word (i.e., against hope).  But Paul had this to say about hope in the next chapter (Romans 5:3, 4 NET):

Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance (ὑπομονὴν, a form of ὑπομονή), and endurance (ὑπομονὴ), character, and character, hope (ἐλπίδα, a form of ἐλπίς).  And hope (ἐλπὶς) does not disappoint, because the love (ἀγάπη) of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Now suffering in and of itself does not necessarily produce endurance in a person, and endurance in and of itself does not necessarily produce godly character.  The reason suffering produces endurance and endurance, godly character and godly character, hope is God’s love poured out in the heart of a man or woman.  This is the love that bears all things, believes (πιστεύει, another form of πιστεύω) all things, hopes (ἐλπίζει, a form of ἐλπίζω) all things, endures (ὑπομένει, a form of ὑπομένω) all things.2  And so Abraham believed in God in hope, rather than believing in hope itself.  This is clearer in verse 21, He was fully convinced that what God promised (ἐπήγγελται, a form of ἐπαγγέλλω) he was also able to do (ποιῆσαι, a form of ποιέω).3

The result for Abraham of believing God in hope against hope was that he became the father of many nations according to the pronouncement,so will your descendants be.”4  What follows is a special revelation: Without being weak in faith (πίστει, a form of πίστις), he considered his own body as dead (because he was about one hundred years old) and the deadness of Sarah’s womb [Table].  He did not waver in unbelief (ἀπιστία) about the promise (ἐπαγγελίαν, a form of ἐπαγγελία) of God but was strengthened (ἐνεδυναμώθη, a form of ἐνδυναμόω) in faith (πίστει, a form of πίστις), giving glory to God.5

From the time God confirmed that Abraham would have a son by Sarah in Genesis 17:19-22 until Isaac was born in Genesis 21:1-5 there is nothing in the narrative that helps me see that this faith Paul revealed in Romans 4:19 and 20 was working together with Abraham’s works.6  In fact, I’m not even able to imagine what works Abraham could have done to indicate that he was fully convinced that what God promised he was also able to do7 in reference to Sarah having a son.

This particular aspect of Abraham’s faith is a good object lesson for Paul’s declaration to the Corinthians: So then, do not judge anything before the time.  Wait until the Lord comes.  He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts.  Then each will receive recognition from God.8  Apart from the Lord’s revelation of Abraham’s heart through Paul I would not know this particular aspect of Abraham’s faith from reading Genesis alone.  There is, however, a story where I can see the outworking of Abraham’s credited righteousness, and his faith working together with his works, as James highlighted in his letter.9  In the letter to the Hebrews more of Abraham’s heart was revealed (Hebrews 11:17-19 NET).

By faith (Πίστει, a form of πίστις) Abraham, when he was tested (πειραζόμενος, a form of πειράζω), offered up Isaac.  He had received the promises (ἐπαγγελίας, another form of ἐπαγγελία), yet he was ready to offer up his only son.  God had told him, “Through Isaac descendants will carry on your name,” and he reasoned (λογισάμενος, a form of λογίζομαι) that God could even raise him from the dead, and in a sense he received him back from there.

God said to Abraham, Take your son – your only son, whom you love, Isaac – and go to the land of Moriah!  Offer him up there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will indicate to you.10  The first work I see working together with Abraham’s revealed faith that God could even raise Isaac from the dead is more Zen than Hebrew, a not-work, if you will.  There are no George C. Scott histrionics from the John Huston film The Bible, an aesthetic choice presumably to make Abraham more believable to unbelievers.  Early in the morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey.  He took two of his young servants with him, along with his son Isaac.  When he had cut the wood for the burnt offering, he started out for the place God had spoken to him about.11

The next work I see working together with Abraham’s revealed faith that God could even raise Isaac from the dead is Abraham’s answer to Isaac’s question, where is the lamb?  “God will provide for himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham replied.  The two of them continued on together.12  And the final work is that mentioned by James (Genesis 22:9, 10 NET):

When they came to the place God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood on it.  Next he tied up his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood.  Then Abraham reached out his hand, took the knife, and prepared to slaughter his son.

But the Lord’s angel called to him from heaven…“Do not harm the boy!…Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me.13  Then Abraham’s prophetic word to Isaac was fulfilled.  Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram caught in the bushes by its horns.  So he went over and got the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.14

Abraham was fully convinced that what God promised (ἐπήγγελται, a form of ἐπαγγέλλω) he was also able to do (ποιῆσαι, a form of ποιέω), Paul wrote the Romans.  So indeed it was credited (ἐλογίσθη, another form of λογίζομαι) to Abraham as righteousness (δικαιοσύνην, a form of δικαιοσύνη).15  Paul’s interest was not merely historical, the statement it was credited (ἐλογίσθη, another form of λογίζομαι) to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake, but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited (λογίζεσθαι, another form of λογίζομαι), those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.  He was given over (παρεδόθη, a form of παραδίδωμι) because of our transgressions (παραπτώματα, a form of παράπτωμα) and was raised for the sake of our justification (δικαίωσιν, a form of δικαίωσις).16

I think it is important to remember who Paul referred to when he said our sake, our transgressions and our justification.  …it is by faith (πίστεως, another form of πίστις) so that it may be by grace (χάριν, a form of χάρις), with the result that the promise (ἐπαγγελίαν, a form of ἐπαγγελία) may be certain to all the descendants – not only to those who are under the law (νόμου, a form of νόμος), but also to those who have the faith (πίστεως, another form of πίστις) of Abraham, who is the father of us all17

 

Addendum: February 29, 2024
According to a note (33) in the NET Paul quoted from Genesis 17:5 in Romans 4:18a. A table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation with that of the Septuagint follows.

Romans 4:18a (NET Parallel Greek)

Genesis 17:5b (Septuagint BLB) Table

Genesis 17:5b (Septuagint Elpenor)

πατέρα πολλῶν ἐθνῶν πατέρα πολλῶν ἐθνῶν πατέρα πολλῶν ἐθνῶν

Romans 4:18a (NET)

Genesis 17:5b (NETS)

Genesis 17:5b (English Elpenor)

the father of many nations an ancestor of many nations a father of many nations

According to a note (35) in the NET Paul quoted from Genesis 15:5 in Romans 4:18b. A table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation with that of the Septuagint follows.

Romans 4:18b (NET Parallel Greek)

Genesis 15:5b (Septuagint BLB) Table

Genesis 15:5b (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὕτως ἔσται τὸ σπέρμα σου οὕτως ἔσται τὸ σπέρμα σου οὕτως ἔσται τὸ σπέρμα σου

Romans 4:18b (NET)

Genesis 15:5b (NETS)

Genesis 15:5b (English Elpenor)

so will your descendants be So shall your offspring be. Thus shall thy seed be.

According to a note (22) in the NET the author of Hebrews quoted from Genesis 21:12 in Hebrews 11:18b. A table comparing the Greek of that quotation with that of the Septuagint follows.

Hebrews 11:18b (NET Parallel Greek)

Genesis 21:12b (Septuagint BLB) Table

Genesis 21:12b (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐν Ἰσαὰκ κληθήσεται σοι σπέρμα ἐν Ισαακ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα ἐν ᾿Ισαὰκ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα

Hebrews 11:18b (NET)

Genesis 21:12b (NETS)

Genesis 21:12b (English Elpenor)

Through Isaac descendants will carry on your name in Isaak offspring shall be named for you in Isaac shall thy seed be called

According to a note (42) in the NET Paul quoted from Genesis 15:6 in Romans 4:23. A table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation with that of the Septuagint follows.

Romans 4:23b (NET Parallel Greek)

Genesis 15:6b (Septuagint BLB) Table

Genesis 15:6b (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ

Romans 4:23b (NET)

Genesis 15:6b (NETS)

Genesis 15:6b (English Elpenor)

it was credited to him it was reckoned to him it was counted to him

Tables comparing Genesis 22:3; 22:8; 22:11; 22:12 and 22:13 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Genesis 22:3; 22:8; 22:11; 22:12 and 22:13 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

Genesis 22:3 (Tanakh)

Genesis 22:3 (KJV)

Genesis 22:3 (NET)

And Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he cleaved the wood for the burnt-offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which G-d had told him. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Early in the morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took two of his young servants with him, along with his son Isaac. When he had cut the wood for the burnt offering, he started out for the place God had spoken to him about.

Genesis 22:3, 4a (BLB Septuagint)

Genesis 22:3 (Elpenor Septuagint)

ἀναστὰς δὲ Αβρααμ τὸ πρωὶ ἐπέσαξεν τὴν ὄνον αὐτοῦ παρέλαβεν δὲ μεθ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ δύο παῖδας καὶ Ισαακ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ σχίσας ξύλα εἰς ὁλοκάρπωσιν ἀναστὰς ἐπορεύθη καὶ ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον ὃν εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεός (4) τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ ἀναστὰς δὲ ῾Αβραὰμ τὸ πρωῒ ἐπέσαξε τὴν ὄνον αὐτοῦ· παρέλαβε δὲ μεθ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ δύο παῖδας καὶ ᾿Ισαὰκ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ σχίσας ξύλα εἰς ὁλοκάρπωσιν, ἀναστὰς ἐπορεύθη καὶ ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον, ὃν εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Θεός, τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ

Genesis 22:3, 4a (NETS)

Genesis 22:3, 4a (English Elpenor)

And when Abraam had risen in the morning, he saddled his donkey. Now he took along with himself two servants and his son Isaak, and after he had split wood for a whole burnt offering and risen, he went and came to the place that God had mentioned to him, (4) on the third day And Abraam rose up in the morning and saddled his ass, and he took with him two servants, and Isaac his son, and having split wood for a whole-burnt-offering, he arose and departed, and came to the place of which God spoke to him, (4) on the third day;

Genesis 22:8 (Tanakh)

Genesis 22:8 (KJV)

Genesis 22:8 (NET)

And Abraham said: ‘G-d will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son.’ So they went both of them together. And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. “God will provide for himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham replied. The two of them continued on together.

Genesis 22:8 (BLB Septuagint)

Genesis 22:8 (Elpenor Septuagint)

εἶπεν δὲ Αβρααμ ὁ θεὸς ὄψεται ἑαυτῷ πρόβατον εἰς ὁλοκάρπωσιν τέκνον πορευθέντες δὲ ἀμφότεροι ἅμα εἶπε δὲ ῾Αβραάμ· ὁ Θεὸς ὄψεται ἑαυτῷ πρόβατον εἰς ὁλοκάρπωσιν, τέκνον. πορευθέντες δὲ ἀμφότεροι ἅμα

Genesis 22:8 (NETS)

Genesis 22:8 (English Elpenor)

And Abraam said, “God will see to a sheep as a whole burnt offering for himself, child.” And as both walked on together And Abraam said, God will provide himself a sheep for a whole-burnt-offering, [my] son. And both having gone together,

Genesis 22:11 (Tanakh)

Genesis 22:11 (KJV)

Genesis 22:11 (NET)

And the angel of HaShem called unto him out of heaven, and said: ‘Abraham, Abraham.’ And he said: ‘Here am I.’ And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered.

Genesis 22:11 (BLB Septuagint)

Genesis 22:11 (Elpenor Septuagint)

καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτὸν ἄγγελος κυρίου ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Αβρααμ Αβρααμ ὁ δὲ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ ἐγώ καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτὸν ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ εἶπεν· ῾Αβραάμ, ῾Αβραάμ. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ ἐγώ

Genesis 22:11 (NETS)

Genesis 22:11 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord’s angel him from the sky and said to him, “Abraam, Abraam!” And he said, “Here I am.” And an angel of the Lord called him out of heaven, and said, Abraam, Abraam. And he said, Behold, I [am here].

Genesis 22:12 (Tanakh)

Genesis 22:12 (KJV)

Genesis 22:12 (NET)

And he said: ‘Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him; for now I know that thou art a G-d-fearing man, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me.’ And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. “Do not harm the boy!” the angel said. “Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me.”

Genesis 22:12 (BLB Septuagint)

Genesis 22:12 (Elpenor Septuagint)

καὶ εἶπεν μὴ ἐπιβάλῃς τὴν χεῖρά σου ἐπὶ τὸ παιδάριον μηδὲ ποιήσῃς αὐτῷ μηδέν νῦν γὰρ ἔγνων ὅτι φοβῇ τὸν θεὸν σὺ καὶ οὐκ ἐφείσω τοῦ υἱοῦ σου τοῦ ἀγαπητοῦ δι᾽ ἐμέ καὶ εἶπε· μὴ ἐπιβάλῃς τὴν χεῖρά σου ἐπὶ τὸ παιδάριον μηδὲ ποιήσῃς αὐτῷ μηδέν· νῦν γὰρ ἔγνων, ὅτι φοβῇ σὺ τὸν Θεὸν καὶ οὐκ ἐφείσω τοῦ υἱοῦ σου τοῦ ἀγαπητοῦ δι᾿ ἐμέ

Genesis 22:12 (NETS)

Genesis 22:12 (English Elpenor)

And he said, “Do not lay your hand on the youngster nor do anything to him. For now I know that you do fear God, and for my sake you have not spared your beloved son.” And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the child, neither do anything to him, for now I know that thou fearest God, and for my sake thou hast not spared thy beloved son.

Genesis 22:13 (Tanakh)

Genesis 22:13 (KJV)

Genesis 22:13 (NET)

And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram caught in the bushes by its horns. So he went over and got the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Genesis 22:13 (BLB Septuagint)

Genesis 22:13 (Elpenor Septuagint)

καὶ ἀναβλέψας Αβρααμ τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ εἶδεν καὶ ἰδοὺ κριὸς εἷς κατεχόμενος ἐν φυτῷ σαβεκ τῶν κεράτων καὶ ἐπορεύθη Αβρααμ καὶ ἔλαβεν τὸν κριὸν καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν αὐτὸν εἰς ὁλοκάρπωσιν ἀντὶ Ισαακ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναβλέψας ῾Αβραὰμ τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ εἶδε, καὶ ἰδοὺ κριὸς εἷς κατεχόμενος ἐν φυτῷ Σαβὲκ τῶν κεράτων· καὶ ἐπορεύθη ῾Αβραὰμ καὶ ἔλαβε τὸν κριὸν καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν αὐτὸν εἰς ὁλοκάρπωσιν ἀντὶ ᾿Ισαὰκ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ

Genesis 22:13 (NETS)

Genesis 22:13 (English Elpenor)

And as Abraam looked up with his eyes he saw, and see, a ram held fast in a sabek plant by the horns. And Abraam went and took the ram and offered it up as a whole burnt offering instead of his son Isaak. And Abraam lifted up his eyes and beheld, and lo! a ram caught by his horns in a plant of Sabec; and Abraam went and took the ram, and offered him up for a whole-burnt-offering in the place of Isaac his son.

1 Romans 4:18a (NET)

2 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NET)

3 Romans 4:21 (NET)

4 Romans 4:18b (NET)

5 Romans 4:19, 20 (NET)

7 Romans 4:21 (NET)

8 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NET)

10 Genesis 22:2 (NET) Table

11 Genesis 22:3 (NET)

12 Genesis 22:8 (NET)

13 Genesis 22:11, 12 (NET)

14 Genesis 22:13 (NET)

15 Romans 4:21, 22 (NET)

16 Romans 4:23-25 (NET)

17 Romans 4:16 (NET)