As for you, you were dead …
Summary: Understanding the meaning of words is important. When the document we are reading is a matter of life and death, correctly understanding the words becomes even more important. Today we explore the meaning of the word “dead.”
Sometimes translations of the Greek text can be ambiguous. Greek words often have multiple meanings, just like our English words do. But one word that is totally unambiguous is nekros. The Greek word, “nekros,” means dead, as in dead-dead. It is a word that describes those who are lifeless, departed, deceased, and those who are no longer breathing. In short, there is no question about the meaning of the word. That is the word Paul used to describe you and me.
Now, since I am writing this and you are reading these words, it seems presumptuous to say that we are dead. We are not, and neither were the people who first read Paul’s letter when he wrote it.
So what is he talking about?
When Paul writes, “As for you…” he is not writing about “you,” the physical body. The “you” Paul is writing about is our spiritual selves. He is also using the word “dead” in a double sense, both literal and metaphorical.
In Genesis, after God had created the world and everything in it, he made man. The Bible says:
“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)
Making man was a two-step process. The first step was forming man from the dust. God scraped together oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, as well as a few trace elements, and formed them into the bones, muscles, blood vessels, heart, and brain that we call a body.
The second step of making man was very different. The text says God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” It turns out that this “breath of life” (the Greek word is “nᵊšāmâ”) means “spirit.”
The spirit is an invisible thing, yet without it, the body cannot function. It is tempting to assume that if the body cannot function without the spirit, then the spirit cannot function without the body. In one sense, this is true. The spirit can no longer affect the physical world after the body stops working, but that does not mean the spirit ceases to exist. It doesn’t. Once God has given the breath of life, that “nᵊšāmâ,” is eternal.
Cool! Eternal life is a good thing, right? Everyone wants to live forever!
It turns out that living forever is only a good thing if you are in a good place. People who commit suicide are not in a good place. They think that killing their bodies will put an end to the pain. Sadly, they are mistaken. Killing the body puts an end to the body’s pain, but the spiritual pain continues unless we have been reconciled with God.
Which brings us to the question, “What does it mean to be spiritually alive or dead?”
To be continued…
Application: Think of yourself as two bodies, a physical body with a mind of its own and a spiritual body.
Food for Thought: Do you see the world through spiritual eyes or physical eyes? How can you tell the difference?
Your questions bring to mind 1 Corinthians 3:11-20 (I don’t know how to link it – Linked – je).
1 Corinthians 3:12-13 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
When we pass from this world, we will stand before the King and our life will be burned away except for what was done to His Glory, and in obedience to His Will. Our foundation will remain, as that is Jesus Christ Himself! But our works, what we have done to grow closer to God, and further His Kingdom, that is the house we build. You have to ask yourself, what will my house look like on the day of judgement?
Do you see the world through spiritual eyes or physical eyes? How can you tell the difference?
The difference between seeing through physical eyes and spiritual eyes is understanding that everything you see with your physical eyes is not everlasting and eternal. Looking through spiritual eyes means seeing beyond this world and into eternity.
Great closing comment Chris!
Excellent comment, Chris.
Thank you!
03=24-2023, Do you see the world through spiritual eyes or physical eyes? How can you tell the difference?
While our bodies are a temporary dwelling place. Our spirits are eternal and will spend eternity with God, or will exist in eternal separation from God. It is our choice.
I see the world through Spiritual eyes as I walk with the Holy Spirit of God. I do like fast cars, big pick-up trucks and am working on these, as I fight against my pride. Overall I see this world as an evil corrupt place becoming increasingly, openly evil/insane as the people of this world totally reject God and pursue the doctrine of Satan. Their ways are not only ungodly, they are physically ugly, offensive, deadly and I will turn away, close my eyes, rather than look upon them as they praise and encourage others to join then in their death dance.
Ron,
It is interesting how walking with the Lord changes how we see things, isn’t it? 🙂
The comments are very good as usual.
I will only add that when we see though spiritual eyes, it changes how we view difficulties and challenges. We will then realize that our battles are mostly spiritual as opposed to physical. Ephesians 6: 10 – 12, 2 Kings 6: 13 – 18.
Great point, Rich!
We begin to see past the people who get in our face and see the dark forces that motivate them. This allows us to love the people while hating the evil that holds them captive.
Well said brother. Amen
All great comments. Great insight Chris.