From: Revcraigh (Revcraigh@aol.com)
Date: Mon Dec 22 1997 - 19:12:28 EST
Dear Ted,
In a message dated 12/22/97 9:06:13 PM, you wrote:
>Am I mistaken, or does the verb DEDWKA in Rev.3:8 imply more of a gift
>than is made evident in either the NIV or NASB? ( They translate it "I
>have placed," and "I have put," respectively.) Could it be translated
>something like, "I have set a gift before you, an opened door...." ?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Ted
I suppose that anything given by anyone is, by definition, a gift. Certainly
an open door, whether in the sense of an opportunity to evangelize (as some
interpret it) or as unhindered access (as to the kingdom or the King) or as
escape (as from persecution), would be considered a wonderful gift.
The word DIDWMI is not always used in a sense which one would normally
consider in relation to a gift (i.e., 2 Thess. 1: 8 EN PURI FLOGOS, DIDONTOS
EKDIKHSIN TOIS MH EIDOSIN QEON...) The context seems to say that that which is
given (by way of punishment) to those who neither know God nor harken to the
Gospel is everlasting destruction. While the faithful might consider the
condemnation of unbelievers as a kind of gift, justifying, as it would, their
faith and faithfulness (proving that they were right to believe the Gospel and
that unbelievers were wrong), I doubt that those who actually will receive
such punishment will consider it any kind of a gift.
What I am saying is, I don't think that the idea of (at least what we would
consider) a gift is necessarely implied by the word DIDWMI (as I think it is
in XARIZOMAI). I think the openness of the door is the main idea here, rather
than the idea of giftedness. Just my thoughts on the subject. No doubt there
will be other (dissenting) views.
Have a blessed Christmas,
Rev. Craig R. Harmon.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Sat Apr 20 2002 - 15:38:40 EDT