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NASB | 2 Corinthians 11:24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 11:24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. [Deut 25:3] |
Subject: marks of Jesus? |
Bible Note: Dear Seedling, Yes, the modern use of the word refers to the superstitious belief in a supernatural duplication of the wounds Jesus received at the Crucifiction -- at least, in the palms. The word Paul uses Galatians 6:17 is the origin of our English word "stigma." The ancients used it to mean a "mark of service." Not only do we find in secular writings this word used to refer to a brand of ownership on slaves, but we also find it used in reference to brands of religious significance. Apparently in some pagan religions devotees of a particular god or cult would receive marks or brands of their god's name. Given the context of Galatians 6 where Paul is speaking against the belief that an external marking in the body (circumcision in this case) has any power to create obedience (see Galatians 6:13, 15), it strains credibility that Paul would be pointing to something like the superstitious form of the stigmata as evidence of his service to God. This is especially true in his assertion in verse 14 in which he personally identifies with Crucifiction of Christ. The evidence of the internal reality accomplished by God in regeneration is obedience. The false teachers had the whole thing turned on its ear. Paul was scourged five times (2 Corinthians 11:24-25). One can only imagine the scars on the body of someone having suffered through such incredible persecution. In Him, Doc |