Wednesday, November 2, 2011

What does the word "all" mean?

One cannot help but to realize the importance of words in communication. When writing, word selection takes on an increased importance. The words of legal documents must be precise. Imagine the importance of a single word in a prescription written by your doctor. I submit to you that there is no written word more important or precisely written than the Word of God!


We must always bear in mind that the Word of God was inspired and written in Hebrew, Chaldee and Greek. Unfortunately the scriptures were not inspired nor penned in English. The proof of this is not only found in faulty translation by fallible human minds but also by the mistakes of copyists or scribes. Yes, the manuscripts that the bible was translated from contain revisions by editors to correct the mistakes of copyists. Knowing that, how do you know that you can trust the Word of God? Because God said that he would preserve His Word! In future posts I will discuss the three great witnesses of the Greek scriptures.


I recently commented to a dear friend that we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men. She replied that the word all is one of those words that can have other meanings. When there is a question about an English translation in the scriptures, by all means, check the scriptures in their original tongue.


According to Strong's Greek Dictionary the Greek word paV (pas) is translated all. It means: all, any, every and the whole. 


God's Word will also define for us what all means. 1Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (KJV)


The all in both parts of that verse are the same all, all of humanity. Yes Jonah, even the Ninevites! Are we all sons and daughters of Adam? Yes we are. Are we being judged (dying) because of Adam's sin? Yes we are. Did Christ provide the free gift of GRACE to all men so that we shall be made alive? Yes, God's Word says so.


Here is a second witness as to who the all is: Romans 5:18: Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (KJV) 


Brothers and sisters all means all. Give all glory and thanksgiving to God. His Word as recorded in the Holy Scriptures will reveal his eonian purpose. With just those two verses we learn that the ALL in Timothy 4:10 is all of mankind. We also learn that through Christ we are justified and made alive (vivified).


Paul felt so strongly about the matter he said it was a faithful saying worthy of all accepting it. Then he told Timothy to command and teach these things. 


1Timothy 4:9-11 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach.


Grace be with you!

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