Explore Our King’s Word

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I think I may have been a better writer were I to have been born in ancient times than I am with my native English. I so often get lost in the many ideas and words that I forget proper punctuation and don’t break up my thoughts well. That wouldn’t be such a problem if I were writing in Ancient Greek as the authors of the New Testament did.

As you may be aware, the original Greek of the New Testament doesn’t include any punctuation, as that’s not how they wrote back then. That means that all of the punctuation we have in our English Bibles is added by the translators to help us understand the text. That also means that, depending on your translation, segments of the New Testament can have pretty long sentences, like this one from 2 Timothy 1:

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do.
2 Timothy 1:8-12

Now, if you are like me, reading such a long sentence entails a bit of backtracking to ensure that you are following all of the ideas the Apostle Paul is seeking to convey. It’s not so easy to see the connections between ideas or to remember the thrust of the sentence when I am reading the sixth or seventh line down. However, I think there can be hidden joy in these passages which are so difficult to understand in their entirety. Alongside working to understand the totality of what the Apostle Paul is writing, we can appreciate the smaller truths contained within the sentence and be curious about the things of God.

Look back on that long sentence and see what stands out to you. Personally, I was struck by the language around time which Paul uses, saying that the holy calling we are called to has been given us before the ages began. He also wrote that as Jesus abolished death He ushered in life and immortality for us. That is marvelous and wonderful, so difficult to understand and appreciate. God had a plan to save us before time began! And He gives us the rest of time to spend with Him in our resurrected, changed bodies.

You likely saw something else in the verses, or had another idea or concept jump out at you. Or maybe it made you think of an idea about God and faith that has been on your mind for a while now. I encourage you as you explore our King’s Word, chase down those ideas that catch your attention. Let the Holy Spirit lead you into a deeper understanding as you look into Word of God with curiosity and humility. And please share what He teaches you with someone. God made you uniquely and specifically and has spoken truths to you that are important for your life and for others.

Now, let us pray for our church family, for our brothers and sisters. As you pray, pray that the Holy Spirit will enlighten all of our hearts. Ask Him to speak to us, to guide us, and to teach us His mysteries.

God’s Presence and Love be with you all,
Noah