Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, and bow down their back always."
Truth to Learn
Whether blinded or obedient, we will all bow before Him.
Behind the Words
“Eyes” is translated from ophthalmos, which refers to the eyes either literally or figuratively. From this Greek word we get our English word ophthalmologist, referring to an eye doctor.
The word “darkened” is from skotidzō, meaning “to darken” or “to deprive of light.”
“See” is from the Greek word blepō, Which can refer either to the physical sense of sight or the mental ability to perceive or understand. We use the word “see” in the same way today.
The words “bow down” are translated from the verb sunkamptō, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and kamptō, meaning “to bend the back” or “to bow.” Thus, we see that sunkamptō literally means “to bend down together.” It is a picture of captive slaves whose backs are all bent under the weight of burdens.
Meaning Explained
This is the second half of the quotation Paul is making from the Psalm of David, Psalms 69:22, 23. In our discussion of the previous verse, we noted that this is a condemnation by David of the Jews at the time of Christ. They were living in ease and luxury while they crucified Jesus as a common criminal. The second half of this quotation from the Psalms is really covering the point that Paul is making in this part of Romans.
This is an imprecatory declaration by David. That is, he is calling down evil on these proud and ignorant Jews. David was asking God to blind them from the truth as retribution for their lack of faith. In other words, David is saying, “Lord, because they refuse to believe, don’t let them see the truth.” Because they gave Him vinegar to drink while they ate richly from the blessings that were being provided by the very One whom they were torturing, God has responded to David’s request and has blinded them from any future faith. And that is precisely what Paul is saying that God has done to the non-elect today.
While these few verses are specifically talking about the Jews, Paul will make the point that God deals the same way with the Gentiles, which makes this a cautionary warning that we all will be held accountable for our decisions regarding the Savior. Paul will show us that it was primarily because of this blindness of the Jews that the gospel message has come to the Gentiles, but he also warns us not to take this message lightly.
Application
When we look around us and see unsaved people enjoying the riches of this world, we are prone to think they are enjoying the blessings of God in spite of their overt sinfulness. However, because of their blindness to the truth, one day they will bow before their Judge as He condemns them to eternal torment. Likewise, we see many Christians prospering in spite of their unwillingness to submit to God as their Lord and Master. One day they, too, will stand before their Savior and watch as all their deeds go up in smoke, while the faithful few receive rewards for their humble obedient service.
As saved Christians we need to recognize that God is our Lord and Master, so we need to be bowing to Him, submitting our will to His, not the other way around.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved
