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 Dear
bro. Turner
Please comment on these passages: Rom. 8:28 (All
Things), Eph. 5:23 (as regards “reverence”, and 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim.
1:6 (concerning laying on of Paul’s hands, and what was the gift.
Thanks in Advance. J.M.
Reply:
And
far in advance, I fear. We are far behind on our queries, but
will get to them as soon as possible.
With
Whiteside, it seems to me the “all things” of Rom. 8:28 refers
particularly to the things of the context: Christ our answer, His
promises, our hope, God’s all-encompassing eye and ear, etc. Verse 29
begins “For” from hoti, “so that”. The connection is
clearly to explained the “called” of vs. 28, and I think one would
not be amiss to say that the “all things” were summed up in the
planning, appointment, calling, justification and glorification next
mentioned. “Them that love—” and “the called” are one and the
same, so whatever the promise, it is to true saints only.
The
word translated “reverence” in Eph. 5:33 (1(3) is used in 96
passages in N.T.; translated “fear” or “afraid” in all others.
Sometimes it is used in the sense of reverential fear or respect (Lu.
1:50 Acts 10:2) and applied to God. (It is the Greek word used in the
LXX in Psm. 111:9.) But it may also be used when reverence for a higher
power is absent. In Eph. 5:33 a good compromise translation would be “respect.”
(See Amplified N.T. for 10 other synonyms.) Context may place various
intensities upon a given word as illustrated in this case.
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Let
us look at all three passages which relate to Timothy’s case. In 1
Tim. 1:18 Paul commits a charge to him “according to (kata) the
prophecies which went before on thee.” Then 1 Tim. 4:14 says, “neglect
not the gift in (en) thee, given to thee by (dia, by means of,
through) prophecy, with (meta, accompanied by) the laying on of the
hands of the presbytery (the elders).” (I’m quoting loosely,
giving emphasis to prepositions.) In 2 Tim. 1:6 it is a gift in (en)
thee, by (dia, by means of, through) the laying on of Paul’s
hands.)
Sometime
earlier in Timothy’s career as a Christian, prophecies had been
made re: his role which placed a great responsibility upon him.
Then, or later, these or like prophecies had clearly indicated a
great spiritual gift was to be his, the same being bestowed by the
Apostle Paul, by means of the laying on of his hands. (Thus, the
gift was “by means of” prophecy, “by means of” Paul’s
hands. Compare Acts 13:1-4 where the Holy Spirit said, “Separate
me Saul—” and after this was done, accompanied by fasting,
prayer, and the laying on of hands, we are told Saul — was sent
forth by the Holy Spirit.) Such leads me to conclude that when Paul
had bestowed the gift, in keeping with the prophecy, then the elders
laid hands on Timothy as a sign of approval or sanction and
fellowship of his work. (Cf. Acts 6:6, perhaps 1 Tim. 5:22)
The
gift was “in” Timothy, not some imagined “office” in which
Timothy was placed. I can not identify this gift, but assume it to
be such as are named in 1 Cor. 12:4-11.
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