Grace - The Dunamis of Jesus Sometimes the correct definition of Scripture words and their most appropriate meanings can only be discovered by examining them in the context in which they are used. Where the meaning of grace that Paul was communicating to the Corinthians in his second letter is concerned, this is absolutely true. In that passage from II Corinthians 12, both Jesus and Paul reveal a meaning for grace that is not always considered. If we simply take note of the single sentence Jesus spoke to Paul about His grace, we can gain an wonderful understanding and profound insight into what grace that Jesus spoke to Paul about actually is. — Gar — “My grace is sufficient for thee, for [gar] my strength [dunamis] is made perfect in weakness.” II Corinthians 12:9 It is important to note that in His message to Paul about grace, Jesus used the word “for” to connect His words, “My grace is sufficient for you,” with His words, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” The word “for” comes from the Greek conjunction “gar.” The word gar is frequently used to connect a declaration with a further explanation or an affirmation of the declaration. Positioned between two related statements, “gar” aids both in directing the reader ahead to the explanation of the declaration and in directing the reader back to the preceding declaration. In II Corinthians 12:9, the word “gar” aids in bringing illumination to what Jesus meant when He told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.” It informs the reader, in fact, that, “My strength [dunamis] is made perfect in weakness,” is precisely what Jesus meant when He declared, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Notice that Jesus did not tell Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My unmerited favor will help you.” Notice He did not tell Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my divine influence manifests in your weakness.” Notice Jesus did not tell Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my mercy and love are always there to comfort you.” NO. Jesus made it very clear that the grace He was revealing to Paul was, in fact, His dunamis! It is helpful to note that the English word “for” which translates “gar” in the King James Bible functions similarly to “gar” — it is a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are employed in sentences to indicate that the two statements they join are, indeed, connected and that they share an equality in importance and in structure. In the specific context of II Corinthians 12:9, the use of “for” reveals that Jesus’ words, “My grace is sufficient,” and His words, “My strength is made perfect,” are not only intimately connected, but communicate the same essential truth. Both the Greek word “gar” and the English word “for” do a wonderful service in revealing what Jesus was talking about when He referred to His Grace that was sufficient. In our current church culture, there are many definitions of grace. But Jesus Himself, Who is full of grace and Who gives grace, offered one of the clearest and most significant definitions of New Testament grace! According to Jesus, grace is His strength, His dunamis, His divine power, that can be shared with believers and add power and strength to their inner man. This sharing of His grace brings believers to a fullness of strength and enables them to deal with whatever comes; especially in their times of weakness!
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 10:53:41 +0000
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