Bible Question:
Dear Tim, Thanks for the reply. It was a thought. A little convoluted maybe, but still a thought. One important consideration though, is the word 'saved.' My studies have led me to believe that salvation or deliverance is a 3-fold process. I believe that my spirit is saved (delivered from the penalty of sin - spiritual death) at conversion. My human spirit was united with Christ's divine Spirit which is spiritual life. I believe that my soul (mind, will, and emotions) is in a process of being saved (delivered from the power of sin - sanctification). This is where God is renewing my mind with His Word to conform my behavior to the truth of His Spirit in me. And I believe that one day my body will be saved (delivered from the presence of sin - resurrection). It sure needs it. But, my true identity, who I am, is determined by my birth in Christ. That is who I truly am and therefore, if I physically die, I will be absent from my body and present with the Lord. So I am, at the deepest level of my being, truly saved (past tense). I am also, in my behavior, being saved (present tense). And one day (soon I hope), my body will be saved (future tense). Do you feel that any of this might apply to Paul's use of the term "being saved"? In Him, Bill Mc |
Bible Answer: Greetings Bill Mc! I'm not sure! One point that I might use against my exegesis is that "saved" is in v. 2 is actually a present, passive, verb. So, a better translation would be, "you are being saved". What then is the significance of the the present tense in this verse? I have heard some say that this could be a reference to santification rather than salvation. The only problem is that I don't know of any passages where "saved" is used in that way. Another possible "out" would be to question what "belived in vain" means. Does that mean lost or something else? However, from my point of view, the simplest explanation is what it appears to be saying. This would fit well with John 15, where abiding is the issue. Thanks for the thoughts! (Whooper! Groan) :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |