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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How does this vs fit your view of love? | Luke 11:43 | Morant61 | 105271 | ||
Greetings Kathy! Excellent questions! I have heard two different takes on John 21:15-17. One makes a big difference between the two words and understands the last question of Jesus to be a lowering of the question so to speak. They would generally take Peter's response to be equivalent to 'Lord, I'm your friend', rather than 'Lord, I love you.' Thus, when Jesus asks in Peter for the third time, He is in essence saying, "Are you really even my friend?" The problem with this approach is that there doesn't seem to be such a cut and dried distinction between the two words. For instance, both are used of Jesus' love for Lazarus in John 11:3 and 11:5. So, the best approach seems to be the second. It basically says that the two terms are simply synonyms and Jesus uses them for variety only. Under this approach, Peter is grieved because Jesus has asked him the same question three times. Doesn't Jesus believe that he loves Him? On interesting fact in support of this view is found in v. 17. The beginning of the verse says, 'He said to him a third time...'. Yet, if the two terms are not synonymous then Jesus only asked the last question once, not three times. Most see a parallel here between Peter's three denials of Christ. It is as if Jesus is giving him the same opportunity again. I would not have any problem with either approach, though I do think that the first if a major reach based on the linguistic evidence. I hope this helps! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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2 | How does this vs fit your view of love? | Luke 11:43 | EdB | 105288 | ||
Tim MacArthur, which I quote below, seems to feel the word agapeo implies total committment over phileo which means love but not necessarily total commitment. Do you see anything in the Greek to justify this or is this another play on words that you gave in you first example? The meaning of this section hinges upon the usage of two synonyms for love. In terms of interpretation, when two synonyms are placed in close proximity in context, a difference in meaning, however slight, is emphasized. When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, He used a word for love that signified total commitment. Peter responded with a word for love that signified his love for Jesus, but not necessarily His total commitment. This was not because he was reluctant to express that greater love, but because he had been disobedient and denied the Lord in the past. He was, perhaps, now reluctant to make a claim of supreme devotion when, in the past, his life did not support such a claim. Jesus pressed home to Peter the need for unswerving devotion by repeatedly asking Peter if He loved Him supremely. The essential message here is that Jesus demands total commitment from His followers. Their love for Him must place Him above their love for all else. Jesus confronted Peter with love because He wanted Peter to lead the apostles (Matt. 16:18), but in order for Peter to be an effective shepherd, his overwhelming drive must exemplify supreme love for his Lord. MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jn 21:15). Nashville: Word Pub. EdB |
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3 | How does this vs fit your view of love? | Luke 11:43 | Morant61 | 105292 | ||
Greetings EdB! As I mentioned to Kathy, I don't see any hard evidence that there is a strong difference in meaning between these two words. A.T. Robertson sees the verse as MacArthur does, but Richard Trench (an expert on Greek synonyms) sees it the opposite way. He claims that 'phileo' is the stronger term. Either one could be true, but I just don't see any hard evidence either way. The terms are usually used interchageably in Scripture. Further, John 21:17 seems to indicate that Peter was not upset that Jesus used a different word, but that He had asked the question for a third time. Yet, the question was only asked three times if one counts the two words used as synonymous. :) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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4 | How does this vs fit your view of love? | Luke 11:43 | EdB | 105293 | ||
Tim Thanks! And already noted in my Bible as another not totally exact teaching, that is repeated so often it is accepted. Let this also bit the dust. Thanks to Seacher56 for opening the gates of factuality to us all. EdB |
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