On October 6, 2014 12:48 PM, "Stephen Williamson" wrote:
Subject: Reprove (first) and then Rebuke
Hi all
Just been meditating on those two words in 2 Timothy 4:2 - reprove (elegcho) and rebuke (epitimao)
Elegcho (bringing it out, exposing with conviction) is translated as "evidence" in Hebrews 11:1 — received as a gift from God — faith, the substance of things hoped for, exposing (bringing attention to) the "things not seen"
Epitimao (or rebuke) is to superimpose this correct value or prize over the situation, the person, the evil spirit, etc.
So we come to that famous passage in Mark 9:23-29
9:23 Jesus said to him, If you can (dunamis-power) believe (have faith), all things [are] possible to him that believes.
9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help, you, my unbelief (my lack of faith).
9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked (epitimao - superimposed that higher order of values upon) the foul spirit, saying to him, [You] dumb and deaf spirit, I charge (superimpose this tax, this arrangement, upon) you, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
9:26 And [the spirit] cried, and rent (tore) him greatly, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
9:28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why couldn't we cast him out?
9:29 And he said to them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
It's very likely the disciples used the same words, so it was a matter of authority, and it depended on the activity, in this case, the permanent removal of that deaf and dumb, foul, spirit.
As Jesus says, it could only come by prayer (from the heart, like the father expresses), and fasting (that focusing, a going without, a mourning) such as Jesus was undergoing.
Interestingly, it followed his time on the mountain of transfiguration, when God attested to Jesus's authority, yes, no record of them eating and drinking up there, though the disciples did offer to organize tents and stuff
Blessings all Steve
Stephen Williamson Computing Services Pty Ltd
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