We are looking into the glory of GOD likeness re-genesis, along with grace within us, as we learn more of him who brought it into restorations working by his and our co-resurrection and co-ascension to the very place of our beginning, that being seated with GOD the Spirit and the LORD, as seen in Genesis 1:26-78. Where we find this in the ESV, "Then God (being of the Spirit and calls those things that be not as though they already are) said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (without form, invisible spirits of the word/promise, as of yet). And God blessed them. And God said to them (of His Spirit), 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" Okay, now we can get into our study and notice once again the term Paul uses when speaking of his followers.
2Corinthians 9:6-15 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth(G4255) in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful(G2431) giver. And God is able(G1415) to make all grace abound(G4052, G3956, G5485) toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency(G841) in all things, may abound(G4052) to every good work: (As it is written [by David in Psalm 112:9], "He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever." Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness(G572), which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution(G2842) unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (KJV)
2Corinthians 9:6-15 "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided(G4255) in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful(G2431) giver. And God is able(G1415) to make all grace abound(G4052, G3956, G5485) to you, so that having all sufficiency(G841) in all things at all times, you may abound(G4052) in every good work. As it is written[by David in Psalm 112:9], "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous(G572) in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution(G2844) for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" (ESV)
2Corinthians 9:6-15 "We are all familiar with the natural law that says, "Stingy sowing will always reflect in the harvest; so does liberal sowing!" Every individual must [1,G4255]thoroughly think this through in their own heart, not with thoughts of possible regret or out of a legalistic sense of duty! The agape-love of GOD inspires extravagance of [2,G2431]hilarious proportions! (The word, [1,G4255 from G4253 and G138] proaireomai, means to take full inventory; the Greek word [2,G2431 from the same as G2436] hilaros in from the stem word (G2436) hileos which means cheerful, attractive.) It is impossible to exaggerate the [1,G4052, G3956, G5485 ]dimension and detail of the grace of GOD! Plunge into the [2,G4052]extravagance of grace where he exhibits the extreme [3,G1415]dynamics of his bountiful dealings with us! We are already advantaged [2]far beyond any calculation of personal merit to be completely [4,G841]self sufficient at all times in every possible situation that we may face! The overflowing thereof amply supplies the needs of others in many creative ways to do good! (In Paul's estimate, grace and glory though not mentioned, cannot be exaggerated! He bursts into eloquent grace and glory language in an attempt to explain the extremities of GOD's goodness. He strings together one superlative after the other in order to reinforce the all-inclusive and conclusive workings of grace and glory evidenced within us! With the word [3,G1415 from G1410] dunatei, he speaks of the powerful dynamic of GOD, which is a word and a late tense that Paul inverts from the word dunamos! Only he uses it and repeats it 3 times in his Epistles. In the word, [1,G4052, G3956, G5485 ] pasan charin, Paul includes every detailed aspect of grace (G4052 perisseuō, means to superabound, from G4053 from G4012; G3956 pas, means whole; G5485 charis, is from G5463 means exceeding graciousness, with great joy); then he uses the verb, [2,G4052 from G4053] perisseuo, which means to exceed some number, measure, rank or need; to go over the limits, beyond and above, more than is necessary. Paul employs this verb in the Aorist Infinitive tense, of perisseusai, which indicates prior completion of an action in a relationship to a point in time. Greek infinitives could have either a present or an Aorist form. The contrast between the two forms have nothing to do with time. It is a difference of aspect. The present Infinitive was used to express progressive or imperfective aspect. It pictures the action expressed by the verb as being in progress. It presents the action expressed by the verb as a completed unit with a beginning and end. This is an important point since many translations of this verse suggest that GOD's ability to make all grace abound towards us can only be in response to something we must first do in order to trigger GOD into action! Our doing good is simply the overflow of his good work within us! The word, [4,G841 from G842, from G846 and G714] autarkes, is translated self sufficient; it is the feeling you have when you are completely satisfied with yourself. This word is only used here, and in Philippians 4:11 and in 1Timothy 6:6. the use of this word shows Paul's acquaintance with Stoicism. he takes this word from Greek philosophy and applies it to the revelation of our completeness of the life of our design restored in us! Paul lived his life in touch with this place within himself! He discovered that the same I-am-ness that Jesus walked in, was mirrored in him as well! I am what I am by the grace (ability) of GOD!) Here is David's take on liberty and extravagant giving: in Psalm 112:9 he says, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness consistently triumphs even in challenging times." The inventor of seed and bread is also the one who supplies and multiplies your resources and increases the harvest of yor righteousness! (Here Paul reminds us of Isaiah 55:10-11, "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so will my word (promises) be that goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish that which i have purposed, and it will prosper in the thing for which i sent it." ) You are mutually enriched in every possible sense of the word and [1,G572]inseparably joined to one another in an undivided heart, without any hidden agendas. And together we, the conduit of your gifts, will set the stage for a joyous grace celebration to GOD! (The word, [1,G572 from G573 from G1 and the base of G4120] haplotes, is from (G1) hama, which is a particle of union and(G4120) pleko, braided or entwined, suggests an undivided heart.) This is such a win-win situation: not only are the Saints endorsed in their "I-am-ness" through this most practical translation of your generousity, but it also causes an aboundant overflow of great gratitude to GOD as the testimony of his goodness finds tangible expression in your gifts! And so the ripple effect continuses! The gospel you communicate has found a very articulate voice in your giving and produces a rich harvest of glory to GOD. Your union with them further communicates the all-in-clusive nature of the [1,G2842] koinonia we all participate in. (The word, [1,G2842 from G2844] koinonia means to participate in, to fellowship.) Can you imagine how your aboundant generosity to them has tied them to you with deep affection in their prayers for you! Gratitude is the language of grace! Your giving has given a voice to his gift, beyond words!" (The Mirror)
With our next visit, the LORD willing we shall begin a look into chapter 10. And again may the LORD increase your insight of understanding of his grace and glory in you and yours.
No comments:
Post a Comment