Tuesday, May 26, 2009

THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY #12

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"...I tell you that anyone who is angry with
his brother will be subject to judgement"
Matt. 5:22
In I Cor. 13:5 Paul says of love "...ou paroxunetai..."

The Interlinear says of this: "...Love..." "...is not provoked..."(I Cor. 13:4-5)

The N.I.V. reads:"...is not easily angered..."

The Amplified says: "...is not touchy or fretful or resentful..."

The Greek word here is paroxuno. It means "to sharpen" "to incite" "to irritate" "arouse to anger or indignation" according to Zodhiates.

Love then is not fretful, resentful, irritated, indignant or provoked.

Synonyms mean "to stir to anger."

Paul and Barnabas were going on the second missionary journey. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark. Paul did not. Acts 15:39 tells us "There was such a sharp disagreement(paroxusmos) that they parted company..."

This was over a practical matter. But what about circumstances where Christian fellowship is endangered? What about times when deep soul affecting decisions must be made? What about the weaknesses and errors in the lives of our brothers? It is here that what Paul said is so important. "...Love..." "...is not provoked..."

Matthew Henry commented about love: "It corrects sharpness of temper, sweetens and softens the mind....." "When the fire of love is kept in, the flames of wrath will not easily kindle..." "It is hard to be angry with those we love, but very easy to drop our resentments and be reconciled."

1 comment:

alma said...

You were fast with the second post.
I believe it sums it all up, "the greatest of these is love". The quote from Matthew Henry "...it corrects sharpness of temper...it sweetnes and softens the mind" is a lesson well learned. When we are tempted to be angry with and provoke someone, we thought of all the reasons we love them (if the only reason is because Jesus tells us to, so be it)we could shine God's love to the world. Not be viewed as self righteous by the world.
Thanks for showing other translations also.