Tag: optative

Romans 15:5 – Brotherly Patience

Posted on by Will

Romans 15:5 – Brotherly Patience

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,

Truth to Learn

Christians need to be patiently forbearing of each other.

Behind the Words

The word “grant” (actually, “may … grant”) is translated from the verb didomi, meaning “to give.” It is expressed here in the rare optative mood. To put it simplistically, the “mood” of a Greek verb can be seen as representing the distance from reality. The indicative mood indicates action that actually takes place, the subjunctive mood indicates action that could possibly take place, the optative mood indicates action that is probably not taking place, but is wished for or hoped for, and the imperative mood (typically a command) indicates action that is most likely not taking place, but which needs to. Thus, we see from the optative mood of this verb that Paul is expressing hope that God will give to believers the quality of Christ-likeness in our attitudes toward each other.

Meaning Explained

Remember how this current topic of discussion started? It started back in Romans 14:1 where Paul said:

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

Paul’s argument has been that we need to accept brothers and sisters in the faith who are not necessarily as spiritually mature as we are. However, our purpose in admitting them should not be to argue with them about spiritual matters of small importance. Paul went on to tell us that some Christians are convicted about strictly following the dietary restrictions of the Old Testament while others feel the freedom in Christ to eat all kinds of foods.

And, rather than brow-beat each other to conform to the same spiritual convictions that we have, we should be tolerant of others and we should not flaunt our freedom in front of them. Instead, we should be forbearing and understanding. We should patiently wait until God convicts them about these minor spiritual truths.

Let me step aside for a moment and caution us that Paul is not talking about matters of central doctrine like the deity of Christ, His virgin birth, the physical reality of the resurrection, or the gift of salvation by grace through faith. These are spiritual truths on which we need to stand firm without accepting any compromise. But, regarding issues of minor spiritual importance, like whether or not we should abstain from certain foods as a matter of religious obedience, or whether we should treat Sundays differently from other days of the week, we need to be patient and forbearing of one another.

As a result, Paul now prays that the very God who is the epitome of patience and forbearance might grant to each of us that same patience when it comes to our dealing with our Christian brothers and sisters. After all, if God through Jesus Christ has been patiently bearing with our spiritual immaturity and stubbornness, then we should exhibit the same thoughts and actions towards other Christians.

Application

We are behaving more Christ-like when we are patient and forgiving of our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially when they have different convictions than we do. Is that how you behave toward your Christian brothers and sisters?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 14:8 – Still On The Altar?

Posted on by Will

Romans 14:8 – Still On The Altar?

For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

Truth to Learn

Living to the Lord is submission to His will.

Behind the Words

The subtlety of this verse is in the mood of the verbs in the translated phrases, “if we live” and “if we die.” Greek verbs can be expressed in four different moods. In the indicative mood the action is conceived of as fact. The subjunctive mood expresses action that is possible or probable (one step away from actually happening). The optative mood expresses action that is wished for or questioned (two steps away from actually happening). Finally, the imperative mood expresses a command, indicating action that is not a fact but that needs to be.

The word translated “if” is the Greek word ean, which is a conditional particle, and the words translated “we live” and “we die” are in the subjunctive mood. As explained above, the subjunctive mood in Greek expresses the notion of possibility. Therefore, in this verse Paul is stating that it is possible that we will continue to live, but it is also possible that we will die; however, we don’t know which will happen to us.

Meaning Explained

What Paul is saying is, “If we should continue to live, it is our Lord’s doing; therefore, we live in relation to Him, at His discretion. If we should die, it is our Lord’s doing; therefore, we will die at His discretion. Either way it is the Lord who controls when we will die. We are not in control, He is!

Now, tie this in with what Paul has been talking about: whether or not to eat certain foods and whether or not to hold a particular day of the week more sacred than the rest. It doesn’t really matter whether we believe some foods are forbidden or not, and it doesn’t matter whether we hold one day more sacred than the others, as long as we hold these beliefs because God has convicted us about them. Notice I said, because God has convicted us about them. We do not have the freedom to behave however we please. Our convictions have to be based on what God’s Word teaches us. These convictions must be based on a continual study of the Bible and a close daily walk with Almighty God. An immature Christian who doesn’t yet have a firm understanding of God or a close intimate relationship with God will not have the same convictions that a mature Christian has.

Therefore, since this is a matter of conviction and not of doctrine, we should not judge our brother or sister in Christ for acting differently than we do. If we live to the Lord, we will follow what He wants for us and not be concerned about what a brother or sister is eating or how they treat a certain day of the week. Only when we are completely submitted to Him can we be completely living, or dying, for Him.

Application

The important matter is whether or not we are submitted to God’s lordship over us and committed to doing His will, not what kind of food we eat or how we treat days of the week. If we have our gaze fixed on our fellow Christians and are judging what they do or don’t do, then we don’t have our gaze where it should be: fixed on our Lord and Master. If we are a living sacrifice, we are living for Him and we are submitted to His will. Are you still on the altar or have you climbed off?

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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