'Grace be with all them
that love our Lord Jesus Christ
in sincerity (ie., genuineness).
Amen. '
(Eph 6:24)
Hello there,
This little verse at the very end of Ephesians does not look as though it warrants a thread to be started in relation to it: but I would like to share something I learned in connection with it's wording.
The English word 'sincerity' has the meaning of 'honesty' and 'without hypocrisy', and if that were the meaning intended there are other words that would have been used, eg., 'eilikrineia' (G1505) meaning clearness, pureness, as judged of in the sunlight (1 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 1:12 & 2:17); or, 'eilikrines' (G1506) - meaning 'tested as geniune' (Philippians 1:10, 2 Peter 3:1); or, 'gnesios' meaning 'genuine' (G1103) ( 2 Corinthians 8:8 & Philippians 4:3) translated 'sincerity' and 'true'.
The Greek word translated, 'sincerity' in Ephesians 6:24, is 'aphtharsia' (G861): meaning 'incorruptibility'; generally 'unending existence'; and only figuratively does it have the meaning of genuineness; and as both a noun and an adjective it is translated. 'immortality', 'incorruption' and 'sincerity'. It is translated 'sincerity' also in Titus 2:7:-
'Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works:
in doctrine shewing -
.. uncorruptness (ie., purity of doctrine),
.... gravity (ie., integrity),
...... sincerity (ie., geniuneness )
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; (ref: 2 Timothy 1:13)
that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed,
having no evil thing to say of you.'
(Titus 2:6-7)
* Looking at the meaning of each of these, it would seem that the word 'sincerity' in both Ephesians 6:24 and Titus 2:7 is intended to impart the meaning of 'uncorruptness': not in a moral sense, but in regard to the life which is from above; which is unending, or eternal not subject to death or corruption, because not of the flesh but of the Spirit. That is the quality of love that we are to manifest in regard to the Lord Jesus Christ. A love that is from above and not of ourselves, which is genuine in the sense of being un-corruptible and eternal, as He Himself is.
* This is the love (Eph. 6) and doctrine (Titus 2) of one who has died with Christ, been buried and quickened into life with Christ, and raised with Him to walk in newness of life before the Father. It is the love of Christ reflecting back to Himself, from one who is in Him, where He is, in spirit. As near to the Father as He is. - Praise God!
* Our Lord, our Saviour, risen and glorified, and sat at God's right hand, Head of the Church which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all; awaiting His manifestation in glory, when the Church which is His body will be manifested there with Him, prior to His return.
* This is resurrection ground!
Praise God!
In Christ Jesus
Chris
that love our Lord Jesus Christ
in sincerity (ie., genuineness).
Amen. '
(Eph 6:24)
Hello there,
This little verse at the very end of Ephesians does not look as though it warrants a thread to be started in relation to it: but I would like to share something I learned in connection with it's wording.
The English word 'sincerity' has the meaning of 'honesty' and 'without hypocrisy', and if that were the meaning intended there are other words that would have been used, eg., 'eilikrineia' (G1505) meaning clearness, pureness, as judged of in the sunlight (1 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 1:12 & 2:17); or, 'eilikrines' (G1506) - meaning 'tested as geniune' (Philippians 1:10, 2 Peter 3:1); or, 'gnesios' meaning 'genuine' (G1103) ( 2 Corinthians 8:8 & Philippians 4:3) translated 'sincerity' and 'true'.
The Greek word translated, 'sincerity' in Ephesians 6:24, is 'aphtharsia' (G861): meaning 'incorruptibility'; generally 'unending existence'; and only figuratively does it have the meaning of genuineness; and as both a noun and an adjective it is translated. 'immortality', 'incorruption' and 'sincerity'. It is translated 'sincerity' also in Titus 2:7:-
'Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works:
in doctrine shewing -
.. uncorruptness (ie., purity of doctrine),
.... gravity (ie., integrity),
...... sincerity (ie., geniuneness )
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; (ref: 2 Timothy 1:13)
that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed,
having no evil thing to say of you.'
(Titus 2:6-7)
* Looking at the meaning of each of these, it would seem that the word 'sincerity' in both Ephesians 6:24 and Titus 2:7 is intended to impart the meaning of 'uncorruptness': not in a moral sense, but in regard to the life which is from above; which is unending, or eternal not subject to death or corruption, because not of the flesh but of the Spirit. That is the quality of love that we are to manifest in regard to the Lord Jesus Christ. A love that is from above and not of ourselves, which is genuine in the sense of being un-corruptible and eternal, as He Himself is.
* This is the love (Eph. 6) and doctrine (Titus 2) of one who has died with Christ, been buried and quickened into life with Christ, and raised with Him to walk in newness of life before the Father. It is the love of Christ reflecting back to Himself, from one who is in Him, where He is, in spirit. As near to the Father as He is. - Praise God!
* Our Lord, our Saviour, risen and glorified, and sat at God's right hand, Head of the Church which is His Body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all; awaiting His manifestation in glory, when the Church which is His body will be manifested there with Him, prior to His return.
* This is resurrection ground!
Praise God!
In Christ Jesus
Chris
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