Re: [FamilyofGod] Does God
SOUNDING OUT:
Thou Shalt Be with Me in Paradise
The second of the seven utterances of Jesus from the cross is recorded in Luke 23:43.
In this second statement we find that Jesus in the most excruciating pain, in the most trying of circumstances after having been beaten by many soldiers for and extended period of time, after being nailed to a cross, derided, and scorned still kept his mind and thoughts in control. While on the cross he uttered some profound statements.
Luke 23:43:
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
This is a controversial scripture because of the placement of one comma. Should the comma come before or after "today"? There was no punctuation in the originals texts of the scripture. Punctuation is part of the interpretation which the translators supply in their work. The translator's theology usually comes through in his translation. Therefore we have learned that punctuation is destitute of divine authority for understanding.
The only three versions I've found with punctuation after today are the Concordant Literal Version, the New World Translation, and the Emphasized Bible by Rotherham. If we decided to agree with and go by what the majority of the translations used we would leave the comma before today as it is in the King James Version. Do we go with the most popular translation or the one by the most distinguished scholar? Is there a better rational for making decisions like these?
Thankfully we have learned to allow the scripture to interpret itself by comparing sections on the same subject with each other. Many times in controversial scriptures we will find the key to the interpretation in the verse itself. The clue to the proper translation of this scripture revolves around the word "paradise." When we understand "paradise" we'll know where to place the comma, if we want to use one at all. Often people read "paradise," but think "heaven," as if the two words are interchangeable. They are not. Paradise and heaven are not identical.
Paradise, paradeisos, occurs in the LXX 35 times. It's translated 16 times 'Eden" and 19 times as "garden." It occurs three times in the New Testament where it is translated paradise. What we find by looking at those occurrences we find that paradise did not exist at the time Jesus spoke these words. It existed in the past and will again in the future.
"To say today" or "to say this day" is a Semitic idiom that is used when one wants to speak something profound or solemn. It is used when what is said is important to the speaker and he wants to emphasize it. (Deuteronomy 6:6; 7:11; 8:1; 9:3; 10:13; etc.)
Reading it with the comma here, as in the King James Version, it says the man would be in paradise the same day he died. Paradise did not exist then; it is something available in the future. It was not available the day Jesus said this. Besides, the Word declares that Jesus was in the grave for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40) so he could not have been with him in paradise. What if you move that comma after "today?" Then it would says, "Verily I say unto thee today, shalt thou be [in the future] with me in paradise..." While Jesus was speaking that day when all looked like it was lost, he said emphatically that the man would be with him in the future in paradise. This malefactor is asleep waiting for the resurrection at which time he will be with Jesus in paradise.
What a difference a comma can make. How simple the accuracy of the scriptures can be upheld by comparing scriptures on the same subject with each other. We need to learn to be careful to not allow punctuation to determine our understanding of scripture. People want to put paradise in there before it is available, just put the comma before "today." Rightly dividing the word of truth requires that we understand that paradise is not yet available. Then we can accurately handle this scripture whether we use a comma or not.
Shirley La Fave
From: Shelley Cartwright <glitter4jesus@yahoo.com>
To: FamilyofGod@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, March 18, 2011 6:39:53 AM
Subject: Re: [FamilyofGod] Does God
Shelley
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My people are not being warned about the seriousness of the Hour. The focus is about building of wealth and resources; the prosperity gospel ; false predictions about future events. My Son is coming and the World need to be warned"...
From: George <george_smith92530@yahoo.com>
To: FamilyofGod@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, March 17, 2011 5:52:13 AM
Subject: Re: [FamilyofGod] Does God
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From: Shelley Cartwright <glitter4jesus@yahoo.com>
To: FamilyofGod@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, March 17, 2011 5:49:52 AM
Subject: [FamilyofGod] Does God
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