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NASB | Romans 15:5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 15:5 Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, |
Subject: Two ways of thinking! |
Bible Note: 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 |