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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Scriptural Support for you position? | 1 Cor 8:5 | pcdarcan | 135072 | ||
I wanted to include some concluding remarks about "the god of this world" being identified as "Satan"... When I quoted The Living Bible, I honestly never thought anyone would disagree with The Living Bible translators' inclusion of Satan in this verse. Why? Becuase when I read it in translations, I know from supporting scriptures (already mentioned in other threads) that when the Author of the Bible uses "the god of this world", He knew this to be Satan. And, I honestly never met any modern-day Christian organization that didn't believe this to be so. No deception meant here either - if I mispoke (wrote) to give this impression, it was unintentional. I do believe that purposely attempting to carry this conversation into a different direction may cause readers to not see the obvious: To say that Satan is not "the god of this world" because Satan isn't identified in the immediate verse is the same as saying "the serpent" mentioned in Genesis 3:1 is not Satan because "Satan" isn't specifically mentioned in that same verse in Bible translations. Yet, all those that know the Bible realize it is all the way in Revelation that "the serpent" and "Satan" appears together in the same verse, unequivocally showing Satan to be the serpent. Revelation 12:9 (The Amplied Bible) states in part: "And the huge dragon was cast down and out, the ages-old SERPENT, who is called the Devil and SATAN..." When you understand Satan to be "the god of this world", it makes the verses from Mt 4:8-10 (The Amplied Bible) crystal clear and straightforward as to their meaning: "Again the devil took Him [Jesus] up on a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory - the splendor, magnificence, preeminence and excellence - of them." "And he said to Him [Jesus], These things all taken together I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me." "Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan! for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and Him alone shall you serve." [Jesus'cross-ref'd: Deut 6:13] Jesus wasn't tempted to worship "the god of this world", no-way... no-how, no matter what Satan offered him. What a sterling example for us today! No wonder one of God's secretaries clearly warned: 1 Cor 8:5 "...there are many gods and many lords" NASB. Amen. |
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2 | Scriptural Support for you position? | 1 Cor 8:5 | pcdarcan | 135115 | ||
The context of 2 Cor 4:4 may actually help one to draw the conclusion that Satan is "the god of this world". How? Early in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians he mentions "Satan" by name in 2 Cor 2:11 (The Amplied Bible), warning: "To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions." It is evident in this letter that the apostle Paul and early Christians understood Satan by many terms; each of these terms are qualified by similar character traits - a cunning lier with the sole objective of misleading people from serving the Creator. Thus with Satan's name already mentioned early in the letter - not too much later - 2 Cor 4:4 says "For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers minds (that they should not discern the truth), preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of the Christ..." The qualifying remarks about "the god of this world" in 2 Cor 4:4 namely, "has blinded the unbelievers' minds" is an expansion of Satan description found earlier in 2 Cor 2:11 "we are not ignorant of his wiles AND INTENTIONS". However, Paul calls him "the god of this world" in 2 Cor 4:4. Supporting this thought that the apostle Paul did not have to keep re-introducing Satan's "name" everytime he refered to him in his letter is this verse - later in the letter - 2 Cor 11:3 "But [now] I am fearful lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ". In the contextual reading of 2 Corinthians, it's not difficult to understand why the translators of The Living Bible found no issue with including Satan in 2 Cor 4:4 ("Satan, who is the god of this evil world...".) So "Satan", "the god of this world", and "the serpent" all with the same motive (to mislead, blind, seduce, etc.) are the same and the fact that the apostle Paul doesn't attempt to show them as different also leads one to this conclusion. Lastly, the other verses from other parts of the Christian scriptures mentioned in the other threads harmonize with this conclusion. Sincerely hope this helps... |
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3 | Scriptural Support for you position? | 1 Cor 8:5 | Hank | 135146 | ||
pcdarcan - As I was reading this long thread this evening about Satan and "the god of this world" a question came to my mind that you might be able to help me with. Most translations of John 1:1 say "the Word was God" but the New World Translation says "the word was a god." This has always seemed puzzling to me. Which rendering do you prefer and why? --Hank | ||||||
4 | Scriptural Support for you position? | 1 Cor 8:5 | pcdarcan | 135853 | ||
The Emphatic Diaglott - Interlineary Word for Word English Translation of the Original Greek Text - is a favourite of mine! It says (word-for-word): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and a god was the Word." So, John 1:1 in the interlinear (and most importantly, without any interpretation says): The Word had a beginning, and is "with" God (capital "G"), and was called "a god". I really appreciate your sincere question Hank and honestly hope this answer helps. |
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