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NASB | 1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 4:1 So then, let us [who minister] be regarded as servants of Christ and stewards (trustees, administrators) of the mysteries of God [that He chooses to reveal]. |
Bible Question:
Dear JVH0212, Though (isn't it interesting how often we all use 'but,''though,''however,' etc. :-) I agree with the above definitions in a theological sense, I must ask, "Are there (then) no mysteries?" I ask this on behalf of the many Christian believers that don't have the 'faith' to understand all the 'revealed' mystery of God. In other words, these mysteries are revealed in faith, but maybe not in a 'logical' manner. For instance: Jesus is God, but became a man in order to repeal the sin of believers. This is revealed by the Spirit to us, and must be accepted in our hearts by faith, not in our minds. Our minds cannot accept this, being a spiritual concept. Another: Why did God choose some, and not others? The mind rebels and says, "God is unfair!" The heart believes that God is just, and trusts Him. There are many, but one more: When, and under what circumstances will the Lord return? Just like the 'sensationalist press,' YOU want to know! But the Bible states clearly that "...these things are hidden..." We are told, "Wait...for I am coming quickly." These things are all mysteries not revealed to the mind. The world is totally baffled, and the 'pursuit of details' has divided the church for millennia. Many things were meant to be, yea, calculated to be hidden from our minds. Indeed, in faith we trust God, and He blesses us with peace in our hearts. I believe that many (not all) Christian scholars would be better off to stop their 'mind-satisfying' dwelling on details, and focus on the 'primary' things of God. This would make them not only 'knowers' of God, but practitioners of faith, and preachers of the Gospel, which is the calling of all. Being a 'steward of the mysteries of God' would mean (also) that we have the courage to say, "I don't know how or why, but I know that God IS." (my paraphrase of "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12 KJV.) In Jesus' name, charis |
Bible Answer: I think that we need to look at the way mystery is used in the Bible and not try to take our current use of the word and try to fit that definition into the passages. wdc did a great job of explaining how God used the word mystery throughout the NT. Have you noticed at the end of first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation that God states in REV 10:7 "but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets." I see at this time that God goes back to dealing with Israel exclusively, the mystery of God here, like the other mysteries in the NT, is the coming together of two to become one, marriage is spoken of as a mystery and so is the Jew and the Gentile becoming one. |