… according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
Summary: Words can be tricky! Today’s meditation looks at the word “purposed” to try and understand what the purpose of “purposed” is.
When Moses was on the top of Mt. Sinai talking with God, God gave him Ten Commandments to give to the people of Israel. The tenth one begins with, “You shall not covet…” (Exodus 20:17). Some things are easier to “not covet” than others. I am ashamed to say that I often find myself coveting the smallest little thing. It can be a bit embarrassing. But there is something I don’t covet, and it is easy for me not to covet. I don’t covet the work of a translator.
First of all, translators have to know their grammar. Not just English grammar, mind you. But the intricacies of the grammar of Greek and Hebrew and whatever other languages they are working with. I am not a “grammar guy.” I can’t even figure out where the commas go most of the time, so I make no claims of expertise in this area.
Then there is the work of decoding the ancient text in one language and then trying to find an English equivalent for the ideas behind the words being decoded. That is not easy. English is a wonderful language in many ways, but it is not very precise. Words have multiple meanings, and our culture seems to have taken delight in re-assigning meanings with each new generation. Keeping up with our language is a puzzle at times.
“Purposed” is a word that was commonly used during the 1600s. Since then, it has steadily declined in use, and these days it is seldom used. What was common when the Bible was first translated into English is now rare. The result is a word that technically “fits” the situation but is not commonly understood.
The Greek word “protithēmi” is used three times in the New Testament. One is translated in today’s verse as “purposed.” The other two are Romans 1:13 and Romans 3:25.
In Romans 1:13, “protithēmi” is translated as “I planned to.” (NIV) The King James version still used the word “purposed” here, but most translations use the words “planned” or “intended.”
In Romans 3:25, the translators used English words like “presented” (NIV), “put forward” (ESV), “displayed” (AMP), and “set forth” (ASV). Even the King James version abandoned the word “purposed” here and instead used “set forth.”
The meaning of the Greek “protithēmi” is complex. It can be used to describe a body that is exposed to public view. We do this to honor a person when they “lie in state.” If you have ever been to a funeral service with an open casket, “protithēmi” would describe that, too.
God’s purpose was made known to us when his Son, Jesus, was hung on a cross. “Protithēmi” describes this perfectly. God wrote his love letter to us by hanging Jesus on the cross to pay for our sins.
Application: When you read the word “purposed” in this passage, think about the Gospel message being “set forth” on a cross.
Food for Thought: How has the cross been used to tell, or “set forth,” the story of Jesus?
The symbol of the cross has always been interesting to me. An executioner’s tool that used to convey death and humiliation is now used as jewelry- that is sometimes more a fashion statement than a faith statement.
For believers in Christ, we preach Christ crucified. The cross is now a symbol of payment for our sin, a demonstration of God’s love, and it guarantees our victory through what it accomplished. Colossians 2: 13 – 15.
From a historical viewpoint, no one at the time of Christ would have ever guessed that the cross would become a symbol of life and hope. But our God takes that which is humble and a sign of defeat and turns it on its head to reveal His good intentions for those who love Him. The cross is a surprise, and its beauty is seen in the scandalous love of God for broken humanity.
Thank you, Rich!
Your words put me in mind of the cross as a fashion statement by those who do not understand its meaning. Even then, dangling from an ear or a necklace, it still broadcasts the Gospel message. Amazing!
How has the cross been used to tell, or “set forth,” the story of Jesus?
The cross is now used as the symbol to tell the whole gospel story without using a word. It conveys to the modern Christian a reminder of sacrifice, innocent blood, God’s love, a place for sins to ‘stick’, life, resurrection, hope. We forget that it was a still of torture and humiliation because it has more good to tell us now than ever would’ve been imagined.
It is a visual statement of “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” And “For God so loved that He gave His only begotten son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
T&A,
Nicely said!
02-15-2023, How has the cross been used to tell, or “set forth,” the story of Jesus?
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
My youngest daughter like far too many young people had a problem with alcohol and drugs, and was in the emergency ward of a local hospital for the third time.
She had been with us in church since a baby, I led her to the Lord, Sunday school and AWANA’S, drugs and alcohol were not allowed in our home, but here we were in the hospital emergency room for the 3rd time. Her liver, spleen and pancreas were all failing and my beautiful little girl was dying.
I wore a gold necklace with a cross and Star of David on it, New and Old Testament. I had worn it all her life, she had loved it since she was a little one and wanted to wear it. I would let her wear it occasionally, and she always looked a little sad when I took it back. Eventually she stopped asking to wear it.
Before leaving her emergency room, I took it off and put it on her neck. She said no. no. no. but I told her it was now hers. Told her to tell the hospital it was from her dad if they asked. We prayed and I left sin tears.
That was maybe 20 years ago, she survived emergency and in time the doctors told her, they were amazed because all her failing organs had restored themselves and were as if they had never been damaged. Today there are no drugs of alcohol in her home and we both have necklaces we wear.
There is power in the cross, I know my daughter was dying, I know we prayed and she took my cross to wear, I know today her organs have been restored, The impossibly has been done.
The cross takes us to Jesus. We kneel at the foot of the cross where Jesus gave His life so we may have life. We rely on His power to restore, heal and protect us as we try to give ourselves in service to Him. Maybe my daughters story will help someone turn to Jesus in their time of need.
Thank you sharing! Your testimony touched me very deeply.
Ron,
Thank you! Your daughter’s story touched me, too. Very deeply. It amazes me how God works. Sometimes there are spiritual fireworks, and other times a person is quietly healed from within. The power of our Lord to respond to his children is unlimited.
The symbol of the cross very accurately reminds us of His sacrifice. Not only did He die on that cross, He was made to carry it as well, after being beaten mercilessly. I have a hard time accepting the smallest injustice, I can’t imaging allowing myself to be beaten and killed over something I had not done. Not that I could have stopped it, but Jesus could have, yet He didn’t. Also, the symbol of cross reminds me that it is only part 1. Christ defeated death and rose again. I like the idea of “set forth” because it brings to mind direction and action. God sent Him, “set Him forth.” Jesus came willingly, set forth, and defeated death.