Do you think like God? Is that always the case? That is highly unlikely: imperfect humans normally find themselves in the same boat as the apostle Peter, whom Jesus corrected for not thinking God's thoughts but those of men instead (Matthew 16:22-23). Everyone has their "Peter moment" including me. Therefore, what does it take to be a spiritual person or to think like Jehovah thinks? Compare 1 Corinthians 2:10-16.
One definition given for a spiritual person is someone who is "God-oriented." A spiritual person tries to reflect Jehovah's thinking even when there is no explicit law to supply direction, even with no express command. "You must not murder" is an explicit dictate (Exodus 20:13). However, Jehovah doesn't give explicit dictates for every situation in life. So, how can we reflect God's thinking when we don't have clear-cut laws to direct us? How can we possibly sync our thinking with God's if we don't have a law governing our choices (e.g., the law against murder)?
Rather than having clear-cut laws for everything, Jehovah supplies Bible principles. Mature Christians train their perceptive powers (powers of discernment) to distinguish right from wrong based on godly principles (Hebrews 5:14). One Bible principle is that we should do all things for God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31); another principle is that Christians should cleanse themselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1). What will make it possible for us to apply such principles in the proper way?
1) A regular routine of Bible study and 2) We need to do research as the words of King Solomon suggest (Ecclesiastes 12:9-10; cf. Psalm 1:1-3).
Another essential step is prayer. Jehovah promises to direct our paths and make them straight if we rely on him, and look to him in all of our ways (Psalm 62:8; 65:2; Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 John 5:14-15).
Saturday, March 11, 2023
How Can We Make Our Thinking Reflect Jehovah's? (Romans 8:5-6)
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1Corinthians ch.11:1 NIV"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Our brother Paul on the importance of the senior brothers' providing a worthy example to the newer/younger ones.
Thanks, yes that is a great reminder. Over the years, I've tried to think about Paul's mindset when writing those words. Most people want to run away from being a role model or example for others, but Paul welcomed the opportunity though he qualified his counsel by "as I follow the example of Christ" or imitate Christ. Like the WT lesson today pointed out, one should imitate the faith of those who take the lead in the congregation. And, as you note, newer ones can really use the help from more experienced brothers.
1 Cor. 11:1-Greek: μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε, καθὼς κἀγὼ Χριστοῦ.
μιμηταί-nom. pl. sing. μιμητής (imitator, one who mimics with another) and the obj. gen. shows who should be copied. μιμηταί comes from the verb μιμέομαι, which means to imitate, to mimic. The nominal ending identifies the agent (doer) of an act (Rogers and Rogers).
My parents were proud black nationalists. In fact they were involved in our nation's independence struggle. They were bitterly disappointed with my joining this "whiteman's religion" and were not coy in their expressions about the matter but if I lost my parents for the sake of the kingdom I experienced the fulfillment of our Lord's words at
Mark ch.10,:29,30NIV"“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—"
I Certainly appreciate the Fathers and mothers JEHOVAH God put in my life.
That had to be tough: thanks for sharing.
Your comment on Mark 10:29-30 reminds me of Karl Klein's experience in the 1984 WT. He spoke about the many Abigails who shaped his life. I feel the same way about spiritual sisters who helped me.
An interesting verse (which is actually somewhat relevant)
NWt
1 corin 2:16
However, the spiritual man examines all things, but he himself is not examined by any man. 16 For “who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, so that he may instruct him?” But we do have the mind of Christ.”
This ones interesting when you look at it in any interlinear, I find it hard to believe that both occurences having "lord" would not somehow be seen as a contridiction
"if Paul did not in fact use the divine name in his quotation of Isaiah 40:13. In other words, if
Paul did not use the divine name when he here quoted Isaiah
40:13, and if “Christ” (as opposed to “Lord”) is the original
reading for the last part of the verse, then those who accept this
reading are in effect claiming that Paul wrote, “For ‘who has
come to know the mind of the Lord, that we may instruct him?’
But we do have the mind of the Christ,” and that later scribes
changed this to read, “For ‘who has come to know the mind of
the Lord [], that we may instruct him?’ But we do have the
mind of the Lord []”!
The evidence to me suggests that it is highly unlikely that a
scribe would fail to see this as a great oddity and even as a
contradiction. It is much easier to explain the occurrence of the
first “Lord” by arguing based on good reasons that the divine
name was originally used in the NT in this quoted OT text in
reference to God the Father. If “Lord” in the latter part of the
verse (used for Jesus) is the original reading, then, at some point
in the transmission of this document the divine name in the OT
quotation appears to have been removed, just as it was taken out
of the Greek OT during the second and later centuries CE when it
was replaced with “Lord” in its full form or as an abbreviation
(nomen sacrum, ). Once this adjustment occurred, “Lord” in
the latter part of the verse (for Jesus) was changed to “Christ” (as
we see in P46) so that the text now makes better sense, “For ‘who
has come to know the mind of the Lord, that we may instruct
him?’ But we do have the mind of the Christ.”
(Jehovahs Witnesses Defended: An Answer to scholars and critics 2nd Edition 3rd edition pg: 101-102)
All I'll say is that it mystifies me why the divine name does not appear in the GNT, and I believe it's probable that someone tinkered with the text. However, regarding these verses in Corinthians, yes, I think it's reasonable to believe the divine name occurred in the quote from the LXX although I don't think we can say with 100% certainty. At any rate, it seems that the referent was YHWH even if the name did not appear.
Secondly, there has been extensive textual work undertaken on 1 Corinthians. See https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/296/
I have both volumes of this study.
I also see what Greg is saying about a contradiction and how this would impinge on the DN. Time does not permit me to devote sufficient time to this problem, but I find the STEP Bible apparatus criticus to be somewhat helpful:
Χριστοῦ] p46 א A C D L P Ψ 048 0150 6 33 81 104 256 263 365 424 436 459 1175 1241 1319 1506 1573 1739 1852 1881 1912 1962 2127 2200 2464 Byz Lect itd vg syrp syrh copsa copbo copfay arm eth geo slav Origengr Origenlat Athanasius Gregory-Nazianzus Apollinaris Ambrose Didymus Didymusdub Macarius/Symeon Ps-Justin Ps-Vigilius Epiphanius Chrysostom Severian Cyril Hesychius Theodoret John-Damascus ς WH
κυρίου] B D* F G itar itb itf itg ito itr Ambrosiaster Pelagius Augustine Sedulius-Scotus
Seems like overwhelming support for Χριστοῦ being original, but I have not consulted Metzger and others.
Please don't get me wrong Edgar, I'm not going into that subject... that verse is one I just find especially funny
Understood, my friend. BTW, I read the study notes for 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 today in view of the WT lesson. It talked about similar issues but I was really wanted to know how the "spiritual man" examines "all things."
But it's interesting how LXX handles Isa. 40:13 when you compare what the Hebrew states.
" Time does not permit me to devote sufficient time to this problem" - are you considered a "scholar" like I'm pretty sure Greg is (i disagree on some of his opinions however)
I wouldn't ask you too do much more for me ("refuting" Allins paper is big enough), I need to learn to do it myself, so hard with nothing but trinitarian information though.
"spiritual man" referring to the "new personality" referenced in this weeks watchtower?
I'm sure you know this "all things" may be misleading and could be a hyperbole
accouple of things I found:
1 Corinthians 2:15. Ὁ) There is great beauty here in the addition of the article [the spiritual man]; ψυχικὸς [a natural man] is without the article.—πάντα, all things) The neuter plural, as 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, all things of all men, and therefore also [he judges] all men. The Masc. is comprehended in the Neut. as Matthew 11:27.—αὐτὸς) he himself.—ὑπʼ οὐδενὸς, by no) natural man.
(bengal gnomen)
"All things - Not absolutely all things; or not that he is omniscient; but that he has a view of those things to which the apostle had reference - that is, to the things which are revealed to man by the Holy Spirit."
(Barnes)
Looking at how Goodspeed rendered it, may also convey a different meaning for panta he puts all [true values]
Interesting topic though
Thanks: these explanations make sense. I was thinking along similar lines about "all things."
I focused on early church history in graduate school and I currently work in academia. My CV is posted here somewhere. So I'm technically a scholar in my field, but I study the OT and NT because I love them. I'm not a professional Bible scholar or exegete. My focus as an undergraduate was Latin, Greek and philosophy.
In terms of my Witness life, I'm just trying to help my brothers and defend Jehovah's glory.
The bible might just be the greatest mystery in some cases (more linguistically than mysterious Godhead)..
Are you the Edgar Foster a Watchtower cites for good comments on the NWT?
I'm self taught in both Greek and Hebrew... not very good, but self taught non the less
I'm always glad to see people putting forth the effort to learn Hebrew or Greek, even if one is self-taught. That is how I started out before being taught by others. A good thing about Greek or Hebrew is that you can self your own goals for learning; no real pressure when you're studying on your own.
I'm not sure if a Watchtower cites me, but I think I know the comments you have in mind. Yes, I'm that Edgar.
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