Bible Question:
Greek study ... perfect passive participle ... Kathy, I had help from AT Robertson ... and then checked out if what he said was so. It is not just "passive voice" ... is it perfect passive participle of sunagw. Plus, this does not mean It was "of divine initiative" ... Romans 7:14 says "Sold under sin (pepramenos hupo ten hamartian). Perfect passive participle of pipraskw, old verb, to sell. Moreover, are you saying if it is an "active participle" ... or anything that is not in the passive voice ... it is not "of divine initiative" |
Bible Answer: I think that Kathy indicated she was quoting from a commentary when she used that terminology. I do not think she should be asked to explain or defend it. The commentary: Should Christians Keep the Sabbath? by Wayne Jackson Christian Courier: Archives Wednesday, January 17, 2001 ……… The disciples at Troas “were gathered together” [passive voice] upon “the first day of the week” to break bread, i.e., to worship, (Acts 20:7). The specific day of meeting was no accident. Though Paul was anxious to get to Jerusalem (20:16), he waited seven days for the opportunity to assemble with the church. Moreover, the passive voice (see above) indicates that the assemblage was orchestrated by someone other than the disciples; it was of divine initiative. ...... I am here to say that author was trying too hard. “Were gathered” is not any more passive than “had gathered”. The phrase does not imply that those gathering were doing so under anything but their free will or social pressure. The suggestion that those people gathering were doing so under the direction of God is not warranted. Moreover, the whole argument for making Sunday a special day is not warranted. Some choose to meet and worship on the day of the resurrection, and they are free to do so. God has not asked us to do that. It may be that the early disciples met on that day, but we have not been asked to follow their example. But we may feel free to follow their example. Romans 14:5,6 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. I think every day is for worship and I wish we could be gathered for worship every day. Do you have a problem with that? Then gather and worship when you see fit. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way (Romans 14:10ff). Judge this, that is our job to love, to help, to encourage, to share. Judge this, that it is not our job to judge another. And let no man judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days. |