Without Offense

The apostle prayed in behalf of the Philippians: “that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment” (Phil. 1:9).  What was his reason for so praying?  Why was it so important that he would pray that their love would abound “in knowledge and in all judgment?”  Before noticing his reasons, we turn our attention to the words knowledge and judgment as used here.

The first word to consider is “knowledge” (Grk. epignosis). It should be of interest to the Bible student that the Greek has a number of words translated know, known, knowledge, and unknown. In all, Vine’s shows fourteen Greek words, which include verbs, adjectives, and nouns.  A Greek verb (ginosko) “signifies to be taking in knowledge” (Vine, p. 637); a second (oida) signifies “to have seen or perceived; hence, to know, to have knowledge of”; a third (proginosko) signifies “to know beforehand” and is used of God in Romans 8:39; a fourth (gnorizo) signifies “to come to know, discover” and is also used in the negative, “not to know” (Phil. 1:22); however, the word used by Paul in Philippians 1:9 is “epignosis” which denotes “exact or full knowledge”  and expresses “a fuller or a full knowledge, a greater participation by the knower in the object known” (Vine, p. 641).  So, Paul’s prayer is that they may have a full knowledge of and a greater participation in love.  It is not just knowing the meaning of the word, but participating in it “more and more.”

The second word of interest is “judgment” (Grk. aesthesis) and here also the Greek has more than one word which is translated “judgment.”  The Greek krisis denotes “a separation, then, a decision, judgment (Vine, p. 621). Second, the Greek krima which “denotes the result of the action” and its general significance is in condemnation (Matt. 7:2). The Greek word used in the text is aesthesis and points to “perception, discernment.”  Therefore, the apostle is praying that the Philippians love “abound yet more and more … in all perception, in discernment.” So, what does that say about love?

The apostle is teaching, and in this case praying, that the Philippians have full knowledge of the teaching of the New Testament on love; such as in 1 Corinthians thirteen: “Charity (love, frw) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things; endureth all things, Charity never faileth …” (v. 4-8).  This requires judgment, the ability to perceive and discern between evil and truth, iniquity and truth.  Love is a long way from the modern thought of “free love” which includes evil and iniquity. It rejoices in such rather than reproving it!

It is here the apostle gives his first reason for the above: “that ye may approve things that are excellent.” The word “excellent” (diaphero) means: “to differ,” pointing to “the excellent things” (Vine, p. 395), in order words, not just the things of normal quality, but things that differ, that reach a higher quality.  His second reason is “that ye may be sincere” (eilikrines) and “signifies unalloyed, pure”  (Vine, p. 913).  It is here used of moral and ethical purity. A full knowledge of love will allow the Christian to discern between the moral and immoral, between the ethical pure and the impure.

What is the reason for all of this? The reason for all the above is so that the Christian may stand “without offence” in the final judgment. The words, “without offence” (aproskopos), expresses the thought of not having occasion of stumbling (The negative “a” plus proskopos, occasion of stumbling.)  The apostle is writing in view of the final judgment and not being found with occasion of stumbling, but standing in judgment “being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ.” There will be no forgiven as one stand before the judgment seat of Christ. At that time every one will receive “according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).

Frank R. Williams

SUNDAY SPEAKERS

Marion Fox

Frank Williams

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Elder Nominations

The following men have been nominated to serve as elders:

Marion Fox • Jerry Gore • Rick Sumner • Frank Williams

Please consider these names and review the qualifications. Please provide any reason why you have concern about any of these men’s qualifications or ability to serve. Please be detailed and clear. Contact Dewayne Ashford or John Bellah who will pursue discussion of any issue you have raised.