It's funny how different words hit you when you read a verse and you think, "hmmm...now just why was that word used?" I did that with the word "through" in this verse and it made me wonder what the original text was and what the intent was of using that particular word in this particular verse. For I believe that the Bible is very intentional, and that when we dig, sometimes we come up with real treasures of insight.
So let's just look at "through" in this week's verse...first step is going to www.biblestudytools.com and looking up the verse in the King James Version and making sure that we have checked the box next to Strong's Numbers so that we will be able to find the actual Greek word used.
First off, you'll notice that in the KJV "through" isn't used as the translated word. In KJV the text reads, "no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." When you click on "by" to go to the Strong's translation, you find that it was translated from the Greek word, "dia", which could be translated in several different ways:
through, of place, with, in, of time, throughout, during, of means, by, by the means of, the ground or reason by which something is or is not done, by reason of, on account of, because of, for this reason, therefore, on this account.
Personally, I think "because of" would be a very good translation of "dia" into our language in the context of the verse..."No one comes to the Father except because of Me." Except because of Jesus, we are unable to approach God the Father. Except because of Jesus, we have no legitimate claim to be called children of God. Except because of Jesus, there would be no way, we would have never heard the truth, and we would have no hope for eternal life. Except because of Jesus, we are doomed.
Jesus, our Savior, name above all names...He IS the "because of" that makes all the difference for mankind. I am so glad that I can say, "Because of Jesus, I am saved. Because of Jesus, I am no longer standing in my ability to please God, He has done everything to please God on my behalf. But because of Jesus, I want to do everything in my Spirit-powered ability to please my God, who loves me so."
Because of Jesus, I pray that you will examine His words and hear His call.
1 comment:
Because of Jesus Christ we are forgiven of our sins. It is because of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, we too can live, die and live in again. Our belief in Christ is our path to God. Your resources bring such great insight to these verses we are studying. Thanks again for your efforts. Looks like you are back to your late night hours.
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