Bible Question:
Dear Tim, I think I understand what you are saying about vs 9-11, that Jesus puts all BELIEVERS, the rich and poor alike on equal footing so to speak because of their positions in Jesus. So don't trust in your social position or wealth. But I still don’t get what these verses are saying. Vs 9 - Is the high position of the poor brother his position in Christ? Vs 10 - Is the rich man saved? If so, is his low position the fact that he is not saved? Also it seems to be saying that HE, himself, will pass away not his stuff. I noticed that the NIV translates verse 10 very differently from the NASB. The NASB translates the verb as “Let” rather than “should”. NIV “But the one who is rich SHOULD take pride in his low position, because HE will pass away like a wild flower.” NASB “and LET the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like the flowering grass HE will pass away.” Does the translation make a difference in how we should understand this verse? Also, I'm not sure I get what you mean by a "Symbol of victory". Crowns are rewards for our service to Jesus, right? Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Blessings, Pam |
Bible Answer: Greetings Pam! Sorry it took me awhile to get back to you. Our church is having revival services right now, so I have been busy. :-) May I say that you ask excellent questions? 1) I would say that you are right about v. 9. The poor is 'high' in Christ. In v. 10 though, I don't see that the rich man is unsaved, but simply that he is being reminded that in the end, he will go before Christ just as a poor man. As you put it, 'on equal footing'. So, I would say that his 'low' position is his human fraility. By the way, you were correct and I mistyped. He himself will pass away, not just his stuff. :-) 2) The 'let' vs. 'should' question is a little tricky. The imperative in v. 9 is a 3rd person imperative. In English, we really only have a 2nd person imperative. 'Go', really means 'You go'. So, how does one translate a 3rd person imperative which would literally be 'He go'? Most Greek grammars would side with the NASB on this one. I was always taught to translate a 3rd person imperative as 'let...'. But, the problem is that there is no set way to translate it into English. 3) I knew the crown point was not stated very clearly. I tried all evening to come up with a suitable illustration and the best I could think of was a college education and a degree. When one goes to college, one goes for an education (presumably). The education itself is gained over the years that one is in class. But, at the end of the course of study, one is awarded a degree. The degree is not the education, but a symbol recognizing that one has in fact been educated. In the same way, the crown of life is not 'eternal life'. One receives that the moment one places his or her faith in Christ (See John 5:24). Rather, the crown of life is a reward which those who have already received eternal life get when they get to the finish line of their lives (having finished the course of study so to speak). I don't know if that makes more sense or not! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |