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'Grace be with all them that love
our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. (in incorruption)
Amen. '
(Ephesians 6:24)
Hello there,
The word 'sincerity' in the verse above, has nothing to do with the English word, 'sincerity', which means 'honest, and without hypocrisy.' . It does not imply that love was to be genuine. It is quite another word altogether. It is Gr. Aphtharsia (G861), and means incorruptibility or uncorruptness. The word is always associated with immortality, and of that which cannot decay or become corrupt.
- The noun 'aphthatos', 'incorruptible',' immortal', is used of God Himself (Romans 1:23; 1 Timothy 1:17).
- The dead are to be raised 'aphtartos' (1 Corinthians 15:52).
- The crown of the child of God is 'aphthartos' (1 Corinthians 9:25).
- Our inheritance is 'aphthartos' (1 Peter 1:4).
- The new nature is 'aphtartos' (1 Peter 3:4).
- The seed from which it is produced (the Word of God) is 'aphthartos' (1 Peter 1:23).
* There can be no doubt therefore of it's meaning. Nor can there be any doubt as to it's application or reference in Ephesians 6:24. It refers not to our love, but to our Lord Jesus Christ as risen from the dead, and as living again in incorruption and immortality.
* We are not lovers of a dead Jesus, but of a risen Christ. We know Him 'no more after the flesh' (2 Corinthians 5:14-17).
* It is natural for us to think of ourselves, and of our love; but this prayer takes us out of ourselves and turns our thoughts to Christ, and the sphere in which our love is to be manifested. It teaches that the character of our love to Him is to be in the sphere in which we regard Him, as risen from the dead.
* The Epistle therefore ends as it began, with Him, and with Him as risen from the dead, and made 'the head over all things to the Church which is His Body' (Ephesians 1:19-21). To love Him in incorruptibility, is to love Him as He is, as our risen Head, not as He was 'in the days of His flesh'. To love Him in 'incorruptibility' is to acknowledge Him, as the risen Head of the body, and ourselves as members of that body. It is not the mere saying, 'I am of Christ' as did many of the Corinthian believers, but the acknowledging of the blessed fact that we are 'in Christ'. 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold all things ware become new', 'raised in incorruption', not merely as a 'living soul' but as, 'a life-giving spirit' (1 Corinthians 15:45); not merely as 'put to death as to his flesh' but as 'quickened' (or made alive) in the spiritual resurrection body (1 Peter 3:18).
Praise God!
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
PS: This is not the product of my study, but is an extract taken from a favourite book of selected writings. When I first read it, it was thought provoking and a blessing, and reading it again today it has proved to be so again. I hope it is for you too.
our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. (in incorruption)
Amen. '
(Ephesians 6:24)
Hello there,
The word 'sincerity' in the verse above, has nothing to do with the English word, 'sincerity', which means 'honest, and without hypocrisy.' . It does not imply that love was to be genuine. It is quite another word altogether. It is Gr. Aphtharsia (G861), and means incorruptibility or uncorruptness. The word is always associated with immortality, and of that which cannot decay or become corrupt.
- The noun 'aphthatos', 'incorruptible',' immortal', is used of God Himself (Romans 1:23; 1 Timothy 1:17).
- The dead are to be raised 'aphtartos' (1 Corinthians 15:52).
- The crown of the child of God is 'aphthartos' (1 Corinthians 9:25).
- Our inheritance is 'aphthartos' (1 Peter 1:4).
- The new nature is 'aphtartos' (1 Peter 3:4).
- The seed from which it is produced (the Word of God) is 'aphthartos' (1 Peter 1:23).
* There can be no doubt therefore of it's meaning. Nor can there be any doubt as to it's application or reference in Ephesians 6:24. It refers not to our love, but to our Lord Jesus Christ as risen from the dead, and as living again in incorruption and immortality.
* We are not lovers of a dead Jesus, but of a risen Christ. We know Him 'no more after the flesh' (2 Corinthians 5:14-17).
* It is natural for us to think of ourselves, and of our love; but this prayer takes us out of ourselves and turns our thoughts to Christ, and the sphere in which our love is to be manifested. It teaches that the character of our love to Him is to be in the sphere in which we regard Him, as risen from the dead.
* The Epistle therefore ends as it began, with Him, and with Him as risen from the dead, and made 'the head over all things to the Church which is His Body' (Ephesians 1:19-21). To love Him in incorruptibility, is to love Him as He is, as our risen Head, not as He was 'in the days of His flesh'. To love Him in 'incorruptibility' is to acknowledge Him, as the risen Head of the body, and ourselves as members of that body. It is not the mere saying, 'I am of Christ' as did many of the Corinthian believers, but the acknowledging of the blessed fact that we are 'in Christ'. 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold all things ware become new', 'raised in incorruption', not merely as a 'living soul' but as, 'a life-giving spirit' (1 Corinthians 15:45); not merely as 'put to death as to his flesh' but as 'quickened' (or made alive) in the spiritual resurrection body (1 Peter 3:18).
Praise God!
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
PS: This is not the product of my study, but is an extract taken from a favourite book of selected writings. When I first read it, it was thought provoking and a blessing, and reading it again today it has proved to be so again. I hope it is for you too.
