Friday, April 01, 2005

Philippians 1:29

Textus Receptus:
οτι υμιν εχαρισθη το υπερ χριστου ου μονον το εις αυτον πιστευειν αλλα και το υπερ αυτου πασχειν

King James:
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Comments:
not only to believe...but also to suffer: Belief (faith) and suffering are associated here not arbitrarily but necessarily. Real faith is only tested when circumstantial ease and confidence evaporate--one point, for instance, of 1 Peter 1:6-7. While believers do not pursue suffering, they do pursue a faith which is both strengthened by suffering. James 1:2-6.

Expanded Paraphrase:
What God has given you then in this world is the responsibility not only to have faith in Christ on account of Christ, but also to suffer on account of Christ.

No comments: