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NASB | Luke 8:13 "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 8:13 "Those on the rocky soil are the people who, when they hear, receive and welcome the word with joy; but these have no firmly grounded root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation they fall away [from Me and abandon their faith]. |
Bible Question: Thank you for your answer Doc. This passage of Scripture has always puzzled me. Do you believe that a person who does "fall away" reaches a point where their conscience is seared and they turn to a reprobate mind, unable to be reached and that this is why it's impossible to renew them? If one is in a backsliden condition isn't the door for renewal and repentance open to them all the time? Isn't it just a matter of turning from their lifestyle and repenting? We know that the Lord is faithful and just to forgive. So am I correct in understanding that falling away and backsliding are not necessarily the same thing? |
Bible Answer: Hello budderfligh, I'll interject with a response, if you don't mind:-) Interestingly, the NT does not use the term "backslide(r)". I only find 2 uses in the OT (NASB): Prov. 14:14, Jer. 49:4. Since there is no NT usage- and limited OT- I think it difficult say with certainty that they mean the same thing. The verb "fall away" in Luke 8:13 is aphistemi (Gr.) and is used some 15 times in the NT. It's basic meaning is 'to make stand off', 'cause to withdraw', 'to remove' as well as 'fall away', 'become faithless'. Obviously, in fully considering it's meaning here we want to take into consideration the context with the parable of the sower and purpose of the parables given. I think the key verses here are vs 12 and 15- "Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved" (NASB) "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance" (NASB) The Bible Knowledge Commentary says this: "The second group are those who listen and rejoice but then do not stick with the truth of the message for they have no root (v. 13). The fact that they believe for a while but . . . fall away means that they only accept the facts of the Word mentally and then reject it when “the going gets rough.” It does not mean they lose their salvation, for they had none to lose." Word Pictures in the NT offers this perspective: "Which for a while believe [hoi pros kairon pisteuousin]. Ostensibly they are sincere and have made a real start in the life of faith. They fall away [aphistantai]. Present middle indicative. They stand off, lose interest, stop coming to church, drop out of sight. It is positively amazing the number of new church members who “stumble” as Mark 4:17 has it [skandalizontai], do not like the pastor, take offence at something said or done by somebody, object to the appeals for money, feel slighted. The “season of trial” becomes a “season of temptation” [en kairoi peirasmou] for these superficial, emotional people who have to be periodically rounded up if kept within the fold." I hope this helps, BradK |