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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Two ways of thinking! | Rom 15:5 | Morant61 | 216506 | ||
Greetings All! There was an interesting discussion the other day about Rom. 15:5. That verse contained an interesting phrase, “May He give you the same to think among one another according to Christ Jesus”. The verb 'Phroneo – I think' is what struck my interest. As I did a little more research on this verb, it seems to be used in four primary ways in the New Testament. The first one is obvious, it simply means to think. But, in Rom. 15:5, it is used as an indication of unity of thought among believers. Thinking the same This meaning is also found in several other passages. I will list the NIV of each verse and then the literal translation of the phrase in question. Rom. 12:16 - “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” Literally - “thinking the same among one another...” 2 Cor. 13:11 - “ Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” Literally - “the same think” Phil. 2:2 - “ then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Literally - “the same may you think” and “thinking one” Phil. 2:5 - “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:” Literally - “think this among you that also in Christ Jesus” Phil. 4:2 - “ I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.” Literally - “the same to think in Lord” Thinking more highly of yourself A third way in which this verb is used is to indicate a humble way of thinking about one's self. Rom. 11:20 - “Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.” Literally - “stop thinking more highly, but be afraid” See also Rom. 12:3 and 12:16. Thinking the things of God Matt. 16:23 - “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Literally - “because not you are thinking the things of God, but the things of men” See also Mark 8:33 This dichotomy is also expressed in Rom. 8:5 - “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Literally - “For those who are according to the flesh, they are thinking the things of the flesh, but those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Phil. 3:19 - “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.” Literally - “they the things of the earth are thinking” Summary Pulling all of this together, we find that there are two ways that we can think. We can engage in Godly thinking or worldly thinking. Godly thinking consists of holy living and unity amongst believers. Worldly thinking consists of fleshly living and arrogance. How are we going to think? Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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2 | Two ways of thinking! | Rom 15:5 | DocTrinsograce | 216544 | ||
Dear Tim, Although I cannot find fault with your general conclusions, I cannot quite exegete them from this passage -- certainly there are other passages that can support those conclusions, yet in their proper context. I can see why it may seem that there is the particular dichotomy you suggest. The actual dichotomy is quite similar to it. Looking at the verse in context: We are to bear up brethren as opposed to pleasing our selves (v1). We are to exert efforts to please our neighbor, for purposes of edification (v2). Thus the example of Christ (v3), as admonished through the Scriptures, revealing Him for the purpose that all of us (believers) persevere and are encouraged (v4). What is juxtaposed is a self-centered attitude and a Christ-like attitude. Certainly "worldly thinking" is self-centered; but the word we find is self, not world. Certainly "Godly thinking" is Christ-like; but the example we find is Christ. We have already seen in this book how the apostle explains God's purpose. We might boil it all down to His work of redemption of the church for the glory of God. The kingdom of God is all about the sanctification of the redeemed (v14:17), to which end the Holy Spirit empowers (cf v15:13). Our work in a local congregation is to reflect the selfless mind, work, and attitude of Christ. If we are to look elsewhere, this is expanded even further by Paul in places like Colossians 3, Philippians 2, and... well the whole of Ephesians! The relationship we have with God -- implemented solely by Him, solely through Christ's atonement, by the regeneration of dead men, solely through the power of the Holy Spirit -- is reflected in our relationship with others, for whom He has done the same. Because He has achieved all these things Romans 1-11, we walk out those truths in the practical instruction of Romans 12-15. We value what He values, because He knows the true value of all things, and has created new creatures who were formerly unable to value anything rightly. I do not intend to quibble, but simply to encourage a sound, contextual exegesis, that we all might be edified (vv15:14-16). Thank you for bringing this up, without which I would not have examined this passage more closely at this time. In Him, Doc |
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3 | Two ways of thinking! | Rom 15:5 | Morant61 | 216552 | ||
Greetings Doc! Thanks for your comments my friend! However, my summary was not intended to be an exegesis of Romans 15, but a summary of how the verb 'phroneo' is used throughout the New Testament. This is why I discussed 12 of the verses where the verb is used. In light of Rom. 15 though, verse 4 is very interesting in that our hope comes from Scripture. Praise God for both His grace and His word. :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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4 | Two ways of thinking! | Rom 15:5 | stjohn | 216556 | ||
Tim, I hadn't ever noticed that in verse 4 of Romans 15 before. What a powerful illustration of the power in God's Holy Word! Speaking of Romans 15, I really enjoyed out discussion on verse 5, It caused me to dig a little deeper, and I must say I learned a thing or two, too. Thanks! :-) John |
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