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NASB | 2 Corinthians 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 4:4 among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. |
Subject: 2 Cor 4:4 |
Bible Note: Hello Tim, welcome back. T.M.: The term 'world' is used in many different ways in Scripture. Sometimes, it refers to the physical earth. Sometimes, it refers to the 'system' of fallen men who oppose God. Pcdarcan: While this is true, thankfully the scriptures themselves can provide a great help without always having to understand the Greek. In this case, earlier in John 15:18 Jesus said to his disciples: "If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first." In this case, I don’t have to know the Greek in this verse to understand that the "world" spoken of is not the "physical earth" because how can the literal earth hate - and even if it could - why would it hate Jesus? ;) So, the second definition above is closer to the understanding, the world of mankind that hated Jesus and his disciples – which btw is another argument to prove that the Creator is not "the god of this world" that promotes hatred of Jesus and his disciples. Again, one doesn’t need to dissect the Greek word in 2 Cor 4:4 to see if it’s the same Greek word in John. The Emphatic Diaglott uses "age" instead of "world", but the Bible's internal evidences is pretty clear about the identity of "the god of this world/age" as displayed in these posts. As a matter of fact, the evidence is overwhelming, if we allow the Bible to speak for itself. T.M.: However, even if the same word were used, your case does not logically follow. Scripture also tells us that God loves the world, that God created the world, that God sent His Son to save the world. Is He not also the God of this world that He created, loves, and saves? :-) He is God of all, whether they want to admit it or not! ;-) Pcdarcan: Ah, but you just said "world" is used in many different ways in Scripture. Jesus died for the 'world of mankind', but John 3:16 shows that the benefits of that sacrifice are conditional – belief is necessary, that’s what the Bible states. And, yes God created the 'world of mankind' and the physical world (a.k.a. earth); however, He is not the God of this world of unbelievers who allow Satan to blind their minds. No, just because He is the Creator doesn't mean He is their God – their way of life belies that statement. 1 Cor 10:20 states "...the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God." So, I just don't agree with the statement "He is God of all, whether they want to admit it or not". I believe it to be a stretch to say that just because He created the world of mankind and provided his Son's life for anyone in the world who would avail themselves of the value of that sacrifice, that He is consequently their God. The Creator is certainly not the God of Satan and the demons. Jesus knew that most of 'the world of sinful mankind' would not accept his ransom sacrifice: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13,14 |