On Hebrews 4: 15
Mark Wilson
emory2oo2 at hotmail.com
Sun Jun 23 12:10:32 EDT 2002
Waldo:
You wrote:
---------
>OU GAR ECOMEN ARCIEREA MH DUNAMENON SUNPAQHSAI TAIS
>ASQENEIAIS hHMWN, PEPEIRASMENON DE KATA PANTA KAQ'
>hOIMOIOTHTA CWRIS hARMARTIAS
>
>With the use of the final preposition phrase here,
>CWRIS hARMARTIAS, are we to understand that this use
>of sin IN THE SINGULAR means something similar to
>John's use of sin in his epistle ( EAN EIPWMEN hOTI
>hARMARIAN OUK ECOMEN ). Here is my question: Can we
>understand this preposition phrase as either
>
>1] the principle of sin, sin principle
>2] the act of sin, sinning
>
--------
There are many verses of scripture that DRAW OUT our
theological presuppositions, and this is one of those verses.
In my humble opinion, you will not DERIVE any theological
insight from this verse. All one is able to do is to demonstrate
how this verse supports their already-accepted theological position.
This is true of me as well as anyone else.
That said, I will reveal my theological presuppositons with the
following observations on this verse.
CWRIS hARMATIAS can only mean something close to your #1. And it
can not in any sense mean anything even close to your #2.
(One of the presuppositions I hold is that the entire GNT is a unit,
written by God, through man, for a specific purpose. I am
equally comfortable comparing something Paul wrote with something
Peter wrote EQUALLY as I would be comparing two verses in the same
letter.)
The behavior/actions of this verse are in verbal forms:
SUNPAQHSAI and PEPEIRASMENON
CWRIS hARMATIAS simply means that the sufferings/temptations that Jesus
experienced had no relationship to sin. In other words, the hosts of
heaven were not waiting with bated breath to see if Jesus could somehow
pull through. Our temptations are related to sin, not Jesus'.
His were of a completely different nature, a nature I suspect we
as mortals do not possess the capacity to comprehend.
However, I do acknowledge, that this same verse can be used to
support the polar opposite view that I have just stated.
My thoughts,
Mark Wilson
(If knowing Greek clears up our theology, what about
the Corinthians! :o )
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