Subject: NIV bible |
Bible Note: Greetings CDBJ! Do you mind if I jump in to this discussion? :-) First of all, I agree that no translation should add the word 'God' to a verse without strong reason. Secondly, I do believe though that Luke 21:22 is talking about God's vengence upon the wicked. Why? Simple, this word ('ekdikesis') carries with it the thought of justice being done, not just simple wrath. The Devil will not and cannot act out of justice. Further, this word is used 2 more times in Luke and it explicitly refers to God in both cases. The word is also used 6 times outside of Luke, and it always refers to justice being done and usually has God as it's subject. Allow me to list them: 1) Luke 18:7 - "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?" 2) Luke 18:8 - "I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" 3) Luke 21:22 - "For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written." 4) Acts 7:24 - "He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian." 5) Romans 12:9 - "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.'" 6) 2 Cor. 7:11 - "See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter." 7) 2 Thess. 1:8 - "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." 8) Heb. 10:30 - "For we know him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again, 'The Lord will judge his people.'" 9) 1 Pet. 2:14 - "or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right." For our purposes, the verse in Luke are most important. What did Luke mean by this term in Luke 21:22? The best answer is to look at what he meant by this term in the other places where he uses it. It is clear in Luke 18 that Luke saw this word in reference to the justice God will accomplish when Christ returns. Outside of Luke, 2 Thess. 1:8 is probably the clearest. So, I would have no problem with interpreting Luke 21:22 as a reference the the justice God will exact on the world, but I would not 'add' the word 'God' to the translation. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |