http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:%2025-32&version=NKJV
Today, I was reading in my quiet time about not grieving the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:25-32). I began to think about my idea of grieving and if that is what we do to the Holy Spirit when we speak unkindly to or about a fellow believer. The only thing I could think of was grieving over a lost loved one, and so.. I had to do a search for the meanings of grieve.
[greev] verb, grieved, griev·ing.
–verb (used without object)
1. to feel grief or great sorrow: She has grieved over his death for nearly three years.
–verb (used with object)
2. to distress mentally; cause to feel grief or sorrow: It grieves me to see you so unhappy.
3. Archaic . to oppress or wrong.
And, as I read through the passage, I reached another verse that got my mind wondering..
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." -Ephesians 4:29
The bit about "impart grace to the hearers".. which definition of grace is being referenced?
/greɪs/ noun, verb, graced, grac·ing.
–noun
1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
2. a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
3. favor or good will.
4. a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior: It was only through the dean's grace that I wasn't expelled from school.
5. mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.
6. favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.
7. an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against him or her or a penalty applied: The life insurance premium is due today, but we have 31 days' grace before the policy lapses. Compare grace period.
8. Theology .
a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of god.
b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
c. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
d. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.
9. moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.
10. a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given.
11. ( usually initial capital letter ) a formal title used in addressing or mentioning a duke, duchess, or archbishop, and formerly also a sovereign (usually prec. by your, his, etc.).
12. Graces, Classical Mythology . the goddesses of beauty, daughters of Zeus and Eurynome, worshiped in Greece as the Charities and in Rome as the Gratiae. 13. Music . grace note.
–verb (used with object)
14. to lend or add grace to; adorn: Many fine paintings graced the rooms of the house.
15. to favor or honor: to grace an occasion with one's presence.
Which definition do you think they were referencing?
I would have to say that my experience of doing a paper on Ephesians would point me to this definition... "Paul’s understanding of grace was taken in the context of Christ and only found in Him. For the Ephesian audience, Paul is stressing that salvation comes to the undeserving only through Christ, because He is the only one who could extend righteous grace that would cover their transgressions. Only through Christ was God’s grace extended to all, allowing those who accepted His grace a new life."
ReplyDeleteThat is a direct opinion out of my paper. hope this helps..
-Cameron W.