From: David L. Moore (dvdmoore@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Tue Jul 23 1996 - 14:41:48 EDT
While studying a somewhat odd expression in 1Cor. 14:18, I came
across something in 1Tim. that seems significant.
I did a Gramcord search on the expression PAS...MALLON and came
up with only one reference besides 1Cor. 14:18. It is the statement in
1Tim. 4:10 which reads, in part, hOS ESTIN SWTHR PANTWN ANQRWPWN MALISTA
PISTWN. This had also always seemed a puzzling passage, so I wondered if
by comparing notes between the two instances of this expression, some
additional light on their interpretation might be forthcoming.
I found that, by applying the interpretation of PAS...MALLON from
1Cor. 14:18 to 1Tim. 4:10, the latter made a great deal more sense. If,
for instance we understand 1Tim. 4:10b as "who, in preference to all
humanity, is Savior of those who believe," the first part of this verse
suddenly comes into focus as an explanation of why Christians live
differently from the rest of humanity.
Commentators have traditionally taken hOS ESTIN SWTHR PANTWN
ANQRWPWN as a clause apart, understanding MALISTA PISTWN as an adjunct,
explanatory phrase, if not an afterthought. The opinion among some is
that the emphasis this interpretation places on the universality of God's
salvation is a post-Pauline development which originated when it was
realized that actual believers were only a fraction of mankind (J. N. D.
Kelly, _The Pastoral Epistles_ [Peabody, Mass.: Hendirckson, 1960] p.
102).
Interpreting PAS MALLON as analogous in meaning to its sense in
1Cor. 14:18 makes PANTWN ANQRWPWN a subordinate rather than dominant
phrase and focuses on MALISTA PISTWN as the main referent as is Paul
himself (EGW [understood]) in 1Cor. 14:18. Also, MALISTA PISTWN is no
longer tacked onto the previous phrase as an afterthought, but is an
integral part of the thought with the first part of the clause in 1Tim.
4:10b.
Understanding the passage in this way gives an unbroken train
of thought from v. 7b through the end of v. 10 and also provides a valid
reason for the inclusion of Paul's dramatic and solemn statement of v. 9
prefacing v. 10. A translation of this passage could read as follows:
"Exercise yourself toward godliness. For physical execise is
helpful for only a short while; but godliness is always helpful, having a
promise for both the present life and for that to come. Faithful is this
saying and worthy of full acceptance, 'This is why we labor and struggle:
because we have fixed our hope upon the living God who, in preference to
all of humanity, is the Savior of those that believe.'"
Continuing to live by faith is spiritual execise, compared in vv.
7b-8 to rigorous physical training. Paul uses the apologetic saying of
v. 10 to explain why this work and struggle (AGWNIZOMEQA) of the
Christian life of faith is a worthwhile endeavor.
-- David L. Moore Director Miami, Florida, USA Department of Education dvdmoore@ix.netcom.com Southeastern Spanish District http://www.netcom.com/~dvdmoore of the Assemblies of God
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Sat Apr 20 2002 - 15:37:46 EDT