What does this description of Jesus in Hebrews 12:2 actually mean?
"...Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..."
The author and finisher of our faith?
The author and finisher of our faith?
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
"Author" isn't quite the meaning of the Greek word "archāgos". Etymologically, the word means "chief leader." The RSV says, "the pioneer of our faith." I think that would be closer. The words following your quote show in what sense he was the pioneer of our faith.
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, discounting the shame..
By enduring the cross, Jesus not only provided an example for us to endure suffering for the sake of the better thing to come, but He also provided the means by which we can be righteous, and live our lives for Christ. The men and women in Hebrews 11 accomplished great feats by faith. We have a much greater means of doing so through Christ. In dying, He showed the way as the pioneer of our faith:
2 Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
1 Peter 2:24 He himself endured our sins in his body on the stake, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
But in what sense is he the "finisher" or "completer" of our faith? Consider the following:
Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to deliver him out of death, and he was heard for his godly fear.
By being faithful to His Father to the end, and trusting the Father to deliver Him out of death, that is, raising him from the dead, Jesus completed His course of faith, and by his spirit, He can enable us to complete our course and be delivered out of death too.
Instead of "him who was able to deliver him out of death", most translations have "him who was able to save him from death." But that makes no sense in the context of the following clause, "and he was heard for his godly fear." For Jesus was not saved from death, but allowed to go through death. Rather, after having died, he was saved out of death. The Father raised him from the dead.
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, discounting the shame..
By enduring the cross, Jesus not only provided an example for us to endure suffering for the sake of the better thing to come, but He also provided the means by which we can be righteous, and live our lives for Christ. The men and women in Hebrews 11 accomplished great feats by faith. We have a much greater means of doing so through Christ. In dying, He showed the way as the pioneer of our faith:
2 Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
1 Peter 2:24 He himself endured our sins in his body on the stake, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
But in what sense is he the "finisher" or "completer" of our faith? Consider the following:
Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to deliver him out of death, and he was heard for his godly fear.
By being faithful to His Father to the end, and trusting the Father to deliver Him out of death, that is, raising him from the dead, Jesus completed His course of faith, and by his spirit, He can enable us to complete our course and be delivered out of death too.
Instead of "him who was able to deliver him out of death", most translations have "him who was able to save him from death." But that makes no sense in the context of the following clause, "and he was heard for his godly fear." For Jesus was not saved from death, but allowed to go through death. Rather, after having died, he was saved out of death. The Father raised him from the dead.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
Paidion
Avatar --- Age 45
"Not one soul will ever be redeemed from hell but by being saved from his sins, from the evil in him." --- George MacDonald
Avatar --- Age 45
"Not one soul will ever be redeemed from hell but by being saved from his sins, from the evil in him." --- George MacDonald