what is love?
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● Phil 2:4 . . Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also
to the interests of others.
The "others" in that verse are exclusive. Paul's directive pertains only to the
classification of people to whom he penned his letter; viz: "saints in Christ
Jesus . . together with the overseers and deacons" (Phil 1:1)
Seeing as how The Lord expressly forbids selfish ambition amongst his own;
therefore, before proceeding with your ideas, be very sure to ponder all the
possible ramifications of your actions first.
Stepping on people's toes, and or thwarting their ideas so that yours
prevails, fails to satisfy the law of Christ; which requires believers to love
their fellow believers as Christ loves them (John 15:12). It also fails to
satisfy the Golden Rule which says: So in everything, do to others what you
would have them do to you. (Matt 7:12). Always looking out for No.1 just
simply isn't very nice.
_
● Phil 2:4 . . Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also
to the interests of others.
The "others" in that verse are exclusive. Paul's directive pertains only to the
classification of people to whom he penned his letter; viz: "saints in Christ
Jesus . . together with the overseers and deacons" (Phil 1:1)
Seeing as how The Lord expressly forbids selfish ambition amongst his own;
therefore, before proceeding with your ideas, be very sure to ponder all the
possible ramifications of your actions first.
Stepping on people's toes, and or thwarting their ideas so that yours
prevails, fails to satisfy the law of Christ; which requires believers to love
their fellow believers as Christ loves them (John 15:12). It also fails to
satisfy the Golden Rule which says: So in everything, do to others what you
would have them do to you. (Matt 7:12). Always looking out for No.1 just
simply isn't very nice.
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● Phil 4:5 . . Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The koiné Greek word for "gentleness" is epieikes (ep-ee-i-kace') which
essentially means: mild.
Webster's defines "mild" as gentle in nature or behavior, moderate in action
or effect; not sharp or bitter, i.e. just the opposite of fierce, harsh, rough,
scathing, mean, abrasive, stormy, intemperate, strict, and/or severe.
Though a mild person is affable, they aren't necessarily a wimp; no, they're
just not easy to provoke. The quite opposite would be a thin skinned,
reactive, defensive personality that goes to war at the drop of a hat.
Mild people don't threaten, nor come at you with bared teeth and narrowed
eyes. They're reasonable and rational, rather than emotional and reactive.
Assertive, confrontational people have no clue what it is to be mild; and
those are the very ones losing sleep with evil thoughts as they obsessively
re-wind and re-play a conflict with somebody in their heads over, and over,
and over again rehearsing things they should've said, and would've said, had
they thought of them.
● Matt 5:5 . . Blessed are the meek.
Moses was meek (Num 12:3) and Christ was meek (Matt 11:29, Matt 21:5).
Personally I wouldn't categorize either of those two men as meek. So then,
what really is meekness?
Primarily, to be meek, in the Biblical sense of the word, is to be temperate.
A temperate person isn't eo ipso a cowering milk toast. Anybody who's
studied the life of Moses and Jesus can easily testify that neither of those
men were timid; no, they walked softly but carried a big stick, so to speak.
Never mistake true meekness for a yellow streak.
Jacob and his dad Isaac were temperate men; but could be very strong
when the situation called for it. Temperate people pick their battles carefully,
and never waste anger and energy on trifles.
There are Christians in this world who're simply implacable. They just cannot
live and let live. Turning the other cheek is to them a worn-out cliché that no
one takes seriously anymore.
For them rivalry, conflict, revenge, competition, retaliation, recriminations,
and grudging are a way of life: every disagreement is an act of war-- they're
peevish, emotional, bitter, harsh, unloving, cruel, thoughtless, and reactive;
and they thrive on complaining, criticizing, chafing, carping, finding fault,
tattling, bickering, retort upon retort, rejoinder upon rejoinder, sarcasm,
endless debate, dredging up old unresolved conflicts, gainsaying, and getting
in people's faces and giving them a piece of their mind.
It seems like those people are always getting indignant about some petty
outrage or another. Well; those kinds of Christians are definitely not in the
"gentle" category. They're hellish, toxic demons who relish letting their
wrath be evident to all instead of gentleness because when they're upset;
they want everybody to know it.
_
● Phil 4:5 . . Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The koiné Greek word for "gentleness" is epieikes (ep-ee-i-kace') which
essentially means: mild.
Webster's defines "mild" as gentle in nature or behavior, moderate in action
or effect; not sharp or bitter, i.e. just the opposite of fierce, harsh, rough,
scathing, mean, abrasive, stormy, intemperate, strict, and/or severe.
Though a mild person is affable, they aren't necessarily a wimp; no, they're
just not easy to provoke. The quite opposite would be a thin skinned,
reactive, defensive personality that goes to war at the drop of a hat.
Mild people don't threaten, nor come at you with bared teeth and narrowed
eyes. They're reasonable and rational, rather than emotional and reactive.
Assertive, confrontational people have no clue what it is to be mild; and
those are the very ones losing sleep with evil thoughts as they obsessively
re-wind and re-play a conflict with somebody in their heads over, and over,
and over again rehearsing things they should've said, and would've said, had
they thought of them.
● Matt 5:5 . . Blessed are the meek.
Moses was meek (Num 12:3) and Christ was meek (Matt 11:29, Matt 21:5).
Personally I wouldn't categorize either of those two men as meek. So then,
what really is meekness?
Primarily, to be meek, in the Biblical sense of the word, is to be temperate.
A temperate person isn't eo ipso a cowering milk toast. Anybody who's
studied the life of Moses and Jesus can easily testify that neither of those
men were timid; no, they walked softly but carried a big stick, so to speak.
Never mistake true meekness for a yellow streak.
Jacob and his dad Isaac were temperate men; but could be very strong
when the situation called for it. Temperate people pick their battles carefully,
and never waste anger and energy on trifles.
There are Christians in this world who're simply implacable. They just cannot
live and let live. Turning the other cheek is to them a worn-out cliché that no
one takes seriously anymore.
For them rivalry, conflict, revenge, competition, retaliation, recriminations,
and grudging are a way of life: every disagreement is an act of war-- they're
peevish, emotional, bitter, harsh, unloving, cruel, thoughtless, and reactive;
and they thrive on complaining, criticizing, chafing, carping, finding fault,
tattling, bickering, retort upon retort, rejoinder upon rejoinder, sarcasm,
endless debate, dredging up old unresolved conflicts, gainsaying, and getting
in people's faces and giving them a piece of their mind.
It seems like those people are always getting indignant about some petty
outrage or another. Well; those kinds of Christians are definitely not in the
"gentle" category. They're hellish, toxic demons who relish letting their
wrath be evident to all instead of gentleness because when they're upset;
they want everybody to know it.
_
The word "Meek" is a good example to show how words have lost their true meaning from the beginning and now have different meanings in "pop culture". The word "Meek" most people will say means "weak and timid". They picture someone rather pathetic and helpless or lacking in strength, cowering in the corner.
But the true original meaning of the word "Meek" means "strength withheld" or "those who have power but have sheathed their swords".
A good image in mind of the meaning of the word "Meek" is rather like a stallion that has been broken in - that horse has mighty strength but its strength is under control. It can charge and has more power than the rider, but its strength has been harnessed.
Strange how the languages have been confused and certain words have lost their true meaning. Anyone learning English for the first time takes a while to understand the English expression "Fat Chance" and "Slim Chance" mean the same thing. (how confusing is that....)
But the true original meaning of the word "Meek" means "strength withheld" or "those who have power but have sheathed their swords".
A good image in mind of the meaning of the word "Meek" is rather like a stallion that has been broken in - that horse has mighty strength but its strength is under control. It can charge and has more power than the rider, but its strength has been harnessed.
Strange how the languages have been confused and certain words have lost their true meaning. Anyone learning English for the first time takes a while to understand the English expression "Fat Chance" and "Slim Chance" mean the same thing. (how confusing is that....)
M
We are supposed to aim for Agape? At times I can be very patient. Kind and a good tolerant listener.
But that has become the exception to the rule recently.
A few days ago I really listened to someone. The time they were harassed by police. He really appreciated my attention. I need to do this more often.
But that has become the exception to the rule recently.
A few days ago I really listened to someone. The time they were harassed by police. He really appreciated my attention. I need to do this more often.
I just grabbed Stong's and here's what it had to say. I'm not sure why the KJV decided to translate the συγχαίρω as "rejoice in" just the one time in 1 Cor 13:6, and "rejoice with" the other six times that συγχαίρω occurs, but that's what they did. Anyway, here's Strong's:
I don't have a problem with either one personally (because I don't perceive any real/meaningful difference between the two English words .. in this case), and when you consider what the lexicon just told us, as well the fact that the body of our translations and paraphrases are basically split down the middle on this one, I guess I'll need to ask you again, what is the difference between the two in your opinion that makes "rejoices in the truth" an acceptable translation, and "rejoices with the truth" an unacceptable one
Thanks again!
~Deut
4796 συγχαίρω [sugchairo /soong·khah·ee·ro/] v. From 4862 and 5463; TDNT 9:359; TDNTA 1298; GK 5176; Seven occurrences; AV translates as “rejoice with” six times, and “rejoice in” once.
1 to rejoice with, take part in another’s joy. 2 to rejoice together, to congratulate. ~Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon
I don't have a problem with either one personally (because I don't perceive any real/meaningful difference between the two English words .. in this case), and when you consider what the lexicon just told us, as well the fact that the body of our translations and paraphrases are basically split down the middle on this one, I guess I'll need to ask you again, what is the difference between the two in your opinion that makes "rejoices in the truth" an acceptable translation, and "rejoices with the truth" an unacceptable one
Thanks again!
~Deut
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● Col 3:9-10 . . Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old
self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed
in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Humanity's original self began its created existence in the image of God
(Gen 1:26-27). In other words; Adam started off as an honest man. Clearly
then; dishonesty does not reflect the image of God, rather, it projects
humanity's own image.
Humanity's original self wasn't created bullet-proof, so to speak. It was
corruptible (Eph 4:22). Were that not true, we'd all be honest men rather
than a pack of liars, deceivers, beguilers, and dissemblers.
The koiné Greek word for "renewed" is anakainoo (an-ak-ahee-no'-o) which
means: to renovate; which Webster's defines as: (1) to restore to a former
better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding), and (2) to restore to
life, vigor, or activity: revive. In other words: regenerate.
NOTE: It's interesting that the Colossian believers were lying to each other,
and no doubt would have continued had not Paul commanded them to stop
it.
_
● Col 3:9-10 . . Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old
self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed
in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Humanity's original self began its created existence in the image of God
(Gen 1:26-27). In other words; Adam started off as an honest man. Clearly
then; dishonesty does not reflect the image of God, rather, it projects
humanity's own image.
Humanity's original self wasn't created bullet-proof, so to speak. It was
corruptible (Eph 4:22). Were that not true, we'd all be honest men rather
than a pack of liars, deceivers, beguilers, and dissemblers.
The koiné Greek word for "renewed" is anakainoo (an-ak-ahee-no'-o) which
means: to renovate; which Webster's defines as: (1) to restore to a former
better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding), and (2) to restore to
life, vigor, or activity: revive. In other words: regenerate.
NOTE: It's interesting that the Colossian believers were lying to each other,
and no doubt would have continued had not Paul commanded them to stop
it.
_
.
Agape love is the easiest of all love to exemplify and you're probably already
practicing it unawares because it's expressed in things like courtesy, acts of
kindness, charity, generosity, and civility.
It's not required to like the people to whom we extend agape love. Even
holding doors open for total strangers counts as agape love because it's
more an act of the will than of the heart; for example John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
The love that God feels for His friends is different than the love He extends
to the world. It's the word phileo; for example John 16:27
"The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have
believed that I came forth from the Father."
Phileo love is a tender, sentimental, heartfelt kind of love consisting of
fondness and affection. There's none of that in John 3:16.
_
Agape love is the easiest of all love to exemplify and you're probably already
practicing it unawares because it's expressed in things like courtesy, acts of
kindness, charity, generosity, and civility.
It's not required to like the people to whom we extend agape love. Even
holding doors open for total strangers counts as agape love because it's
more an act of the will than of the heart; for example John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
The love that God feels for His friends is different than the love He extends
to the world. It's the word phileo; for example John 16:27
"The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have
believed that I came forth from the Father."
Phileo love is a tender, sentimental, heartfelt kind of love consisting of
fondness and affection. There's none of that in John 3:16.
_
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1 John 5:2-3, " 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Matthew 22:37-40, " 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:37-40, " 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
I don;t think so, I think it is defined in GOd;s law, andshown by how Jesus walked in it. BUt since a lot of people are anti-law of God they can;t say this.
Exodus 20:6, “But showing love to thousands who love Me by keeping My Laws.”
John/ 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Easily defined by how Jesus treated others and how Jesus was obedient to GOd.
Exodus 20:6, “But showing love to thousands who love Me by keeping My Laws.”
John/ 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Easily defined by how Jesus treated others and how Jesus was obedient to GOd.
.
This is more or less a reiteration of post No.168, but revised a bit to clarify
some points.
At least three Greek words are translated "love" in the New Testament.
There's agape (ag-ah'-pay) which is love as a noun.
There's agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o) which is love as an expression.
And there's phileo (fil-eh'-o) which is love as an emotion.
Everybody practices agapao to one degree or another. It's an impersonal
kind of love exemplified by things like courtesy, sympathy, kindness,
tolerance, charity, generosity, and civility.
It's not required to like the people to whom we extend agapao. Even holding
doors open for total strangers counts as agapao because it's more an act of
the will than of the heart; for example John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
The love that God feels for His friends is different than the agapao of John
3:16. It's phileo, for example:
"The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have
believed that I came forth from the Father."
Phileo is a personal love; it's tender, sentimental, and close to home;
consisting of things like bonding, fondness and affection. God doesn't feel
phileo for just anybody; only for people close to his heart as in John 16:27.
_
This is more or less a reiteration of post No.168, but revised a bit to clarify
some points.
At least three Greek words are translated "love" in the New Testament.
There's agape (ag-ah'-pay) which is love as a noun.
There's agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o) which is love as an expression.
And there's phileo (fil-eh'-o) which is love as an emotion.
Everybody practices agapao to one degree or another. It's an impersonal
kind of love exemplified by things like courtesy, sympathy, kindness,
tolerance, charity, generosity, and civility.
It's not required to like the people to whom we extend agapao. Even holding
doors open for total strangers counts as agapao because it's more an act of
the will than of the heart; for example John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
The love that God feels for His friends is different than the agapao of John
3:16. It's phileo, for example:
"The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have
believed that I came forth from the Father."
Phileo is a personal love; it's tender, sentimental, and close to home;
consisting of things like bonding, fondness and affection. God doesn't feel
phileo for just anybody; only for people close to his heart as in John 16:27.
_
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Col 3:12 . .Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Apparently the Colossian believers were neither compassionate, nor kind,
nor humble, nor gentle, nor patient, and would have continued to be that
way had not Paul hadn't commanded them otherwise.
Paul's basis for these commands is the Colossians' standing as "God's
chosen people, holy and dearly beloved" I mean: is it appropriate for people
in that kind of a relationship with God to act like devils?
You know, judging from the descriptions of some of the first century
churches, I get the impression that were we to go back in time to visit one,
we'd be walking into a snake pit.
_
Col 3:12 . .Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Apparently the Colossian believers were neither compassionate, nor kind,
nor humble, nor gentle, nor patient, and would have continued to be that
way had not Paul hadn't commanded them otherwise.
Paul's basis for these commands is the Colossians' standing as "God's
chosen people, holy and dearly beloved" I mean: is it appropriate for people
in that kind of a relationship with God to act like devils?
You know, judging from the descriptions of some of the first century
churches, I get the impression that were we to go back in time to visit one,
we'd be walking into a snake pit.
_
In Plato's treatise on love in The Symposium there is a part where he says that love is not an end in itself, but that love is the way to Beauty. It seeks the beautiful. So when we love someone deeply maybe it is because we see beauty in them. The agape love of God could be like this. We have the image of god inside us, and even when it is covered by horrendous things he can see the beautiful sons and daughters we can be in him. He loves us into beauty.
[QUOTE="Dibby53, post: 4036418, member: 289543"]In Plato's treatise on love in The Symposium there is a part where he says that love is not an end in itself, but that love is the way to Beauty. It seeks the beautiful. So when we love someone deeply maybe it is because we see beauty in them. The agape love of God could be like this. We have the image of god inside us, and even when it is covered by horrendous things he can see the beautiful sons and daughters we can be in him. He loves us into beauty.[/QUOTE]
I might be reluctant to take my definition of love from a pagan philosopher when the scripture gives us very good definitions and explanations... right from the originator.
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I might be reluctant to take my definition of love from a pagan philosopher when the scripture gives us very good definitions and explanations... right from the originator.
.
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● Col 3:13-14 . . Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you
may have against one another. Forgive as The Lord forgave you. And over
all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
One of The Lord's constant rubs with his religious opponents was their
virtually 100% lack of kindness; which effectively invalidated their rituals.
● Matt 9:13 . . Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not
sacrifice.
Some folk honestly believe that Christ's statement, taken from Hosea 6:6,
practically repealed the entire God-given book of Leviticus. But that's not
what either Hosea or Jesus were saying. They meant that God much prefers
that people be civil to each other rather than religious to their fingertips.
In other words; an ungracious person's lack of things like sympathy,
patience, tolerance, lenience, helpfulness, pity, and common courtesy
causes God to reject their worship just as thoroughly and bluntly as He
rejected Cain's. I really think that God is insulted when people lacking
humanity come to church actually thinking He's glad to see them show up
for some quality time together.
_
● Col 3:13-14 . . Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you
may have against one another. Forgive as The Lord forgave you. And over
all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
One of The Lord's constant rubs with his religious opponents was their
virtually 100% lack of kindness; which effectively invalidated their rituals.
● Matt 9:13 . . Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not
sacrifice.
Some folk honestly believe that Christ's statement, taken from Hosea 6:6,
practically repealed the entire God-given book of Leviticus. But that's not
what either Hosea or Jesus were saying. They meant that God much prefers
that people be civil to each other rather than religious to their fingertips.
In other words; an ungracious person's lack of things like sympathy,
patience, tolerance, lenience, helpfulness, pity, and common courtesy
causes God to reject their worship just as thoroughly and bluntly as He
rejected Cain's. I really think that God is insulted when people lacking
humanity come to church actually thinking He's glad to see them show up
for some quality time together.
_
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● Col 3:18 . .Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in The Lord.
NOTE: Here's a new word for your vocabulary: Womxn. You know what that
is? It's the latest desperate attempt by man-hating women to avoid
identifying themselves with men in every way possible. I suppose they'll
next revise the spelling of their gender to look like this: femxle.
Anyway: in a nutshell; the submission we're talking about here is entirely
positional.
For example; we ought to respect senior citizens not because they
themselves have done anything to earn it, rather, because it's a respect that
their age deserves. (cf. Lev 19:32)
Back when Queen Elizabeth II became monarch, her husband Philip felt
humiliated to have to kneel to his own wife till she explained to him that he
wouldn't be kneeling to her, rather, to the crown.
In other words: it's the position that deserves the respect rather than the
person in it. So, wives give your husbands the respect due to their position
in the home rather than the blokes they are.
"Wives, submit to your husbands as to The Lord." (Eph 5:22)
That's a pretty tall order for Christian wives in a modern culture that
constantly pressures them to be strong and masculine rather than soft and
feminine; to be superiors rather than subordinates; and to be assertive,
confrontational, and defiant rather than reasonable, peaceable, and
cooperative.
_
● Col 3:18 . .Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in The Lord.
NOTE: Here's a new word for your vocabulary: Womxn. You know what that
is? It's the latest desperate attempt by man-hating women to avoid
identifying themselves with men in every way possible. I suppose they'll
next revise the spelling of their gender to look like this: femxle.
Anyway: in a nutshell; the submission we're talking about here is entirely
positional.
For example; we ought to respect senior citizens not because they
themselves have done anything to earn it, rather, because it's a respect that
their age deserves. (cf. Lev 19:32)
Back when Queen Elizabeth II became monarch, her husband Philip felt
humiliated to have to kneel to his own wife till she explained to him that he
wouldn't be kneeling to her, rather, to the crown.
In other words: it's the position that deserves the respect rather than the
person in it. So, wives give your husbands the respect due to their position
in the home rather than the blokes they are.
"Wives, submit to your husbands as to The Lord." (Eph 5:22)
That's a pretty tall order for Christian wives in a modern culture that
constantly pressures them to be strong and masculine rather than soft and
feminine; to be superiors rather than subordinates; and to be assertive,
confrontational, and defiant rather than reasonable, peaceable, and
cooperative.
_