Likeminded
Over the course of the last month we have looked at the book of Philippians. One thing that was stressed in Philippians was to be like minded and it made me curious about that word likeminded so I thought we would look at it a bit more.
The first usage occurs in Matthew 16. The KLV translates it:
Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
The word savourest is one of the words that gets translated likeminded. it is the Greek word phroneō. The word phroneō is translated: Think 5x, regard 4x, mind 3x with the Greek word autos translated be of the same with which happens twice, as well as 8 miscellaneous translations such as savourest twice.
Youngs Literal Translation translates it as mind, as does the ESV, the NIV translates it as concerns Lamsa translates it as thinking, and finally regardest is how Bullinger Now I won't go through all of this for every scripture if you want to see how others translates it you can go to biblegateway.com to see how it gets translated.
In any case you can see how it always means thinking here in Matthew Jesus is saying that Satan does not think as God would have him think. Which shows God is not in control of everything. Satan or the devil controls how he thinks. Does this mean the Devil is unable to repent or can he could change? I am not sure I have heard this given as a theory on why he would be let loose after being chained for a thousand years that God is giving him a last chance. I have never read anything from the word that would confirm or disprove this particular point of view. You will have to figure that one out for yourself.
we go to Acts
The second usage is in Mark and deals with the same situation.
Mark8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
At least all the translations remained consistent on how they translated it.
So moving on we go to Acts.
Acts 28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
Here KJV translates this word as thou thinkest. Here Paul has gotten to Rome and he has asked some of the Jews in Rome to come see him and they do. Now they did come in with some preconceived ideas because they knew of what Paul taught they wanted to know what Paul's thinking was. I believe the clearest version is the ESV.
Acts 28:22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
I am not sure Greek wise since I do not speak Greek bur in English to me this seems clear they knew about Christianity or had heard about it they they wanted to hear what Paul thought about the whole thing. Ever notice that human nature is if everyone is against something we seem to have a need to check it out just to see what all the fuss is about. Maybe that desire got you to listen when someone started speaking to you about God and grace and love and what Jesus Christ did for you!
I find it interesting as well the Jews seemed to want to know if Paul really thought the way he had taught the people to think. If you had the chance to sit down and talk to a Joel Olsteen, Creflo Dollar, Joesph Prince, or Joyce Myers etc would you? I imagine if you get the chance most of us would take it. Just to see if all the hype was true or if there was something more there. After all we had that God hungry nature to begin with.
Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh, the things of the flesh do mind; and those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit;
The word mind is the Greek word phroneō. This verse expresses a simple truth those who are of the flesh think about the things of the flesh. Those of us who are concerned with the spirit mind the things of the spirit.
So here is the question we need to answer are we going to mind the things of the flesh or are we going to mind the things of the spirit? There are many who are christian yet they mind the things of the flesh. They have no concern about the things of the Spirit. The hour a week christian or those who never act upon the things talked about in the word. They may have a parking place in paradise but it is way back in the parking lot.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith
This verse is taken out of context and twisted around to say exactly the opposite of what it is talking about. Lets look at it in context.
We are to not think of ourselves as God but as his ambassadors sent into this world to bring his message not only in word but in our actions.
Again it is the word think.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Here it is both usages of the word mind. That makes it very powerful the number 2 has two meanings the first is things in opposition to each other the second is it establishes something. We use this figure of speech in English we say something twice to emphasize it. We repeat it so people will know it is important. Sorry I could not resist.
When it comes to God's word we speak the same thing I don't teach something and you teach the opposite thing when it comes to the word we agree on it. Now if you are a baseball fan you might support those bums from the Bronx where I happen to be a Red Sox fan. Not a member of the nation but I have rooted for the Red Sox since I was about 8 years old and got interested in Pro Baseball I lived on Cape Cod so I rooted for the local team and for years had my heartbroken by that team many times before 2004. With the word I can be like minded with someone from New York or Cleveland, or Detroit, or Tampa, or any of the other places that have baseball teams.
Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
The word regardeth is the word we are studying. All five usages of this word are included. Now there are five usages of of this word I'd like to show you something in Numbers from the scriptures. This is from Appendixes to The Companion Bible No. 10 The Spiritual Significance of Numbers:
Five. Denotes Divine grace. It is 4+1. It is God adding His gifts and blessing to the works of His hands. The Heb. Ha'aretz (the earth), by "Gematria" (i.e. the addition of the numerical value of the letters together) is a multiple of four, while Hashamayim (the heavens) is a multiple of five. The Gematria of Caris (charis), the Greek for Grace, is also a multiple of five. It is the leading factor in the Tabernacle measurements.
The first usage occurs in Matthew 16. The KLV translates it:
Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
The word savourest is one of the words that gets translated likeminded. it is the Greek word phroneō. The word phroneō is translated: Think 5x, regard 4x, mind 3x with the Greek word autos translated be of the same with which happens twice, as well as 8 miscellaneous translations such as savourest twice.
Youngs Literal Translation translates it as mind, as does the ESV, the NIV translates it as concerns Lamsa translates it as thinking, and finally regardest is how Bullinger Now I won't go through all of this for every scripture if you want to see how others translates it you can go to biblegateway.com to see how it gets translated.
In any case you can see how it always means thinking here in Matthew Jesus is saying that Satan does not think as God would have him think. Which shows God is not in control of everything. Satan or the devil controls how he thinks. Does this mean the Devil is unable to repent or can he could change? I am not sure I have heard this given as a theory on why he would be let loose after being chained for a thousand years that God is giving him a last chance. I have never read anything from the word that would confirm or disprove this particular point of view. You will have to figure that one out for yourself.
we go to Acts
The second usage is in Mark and deals with the same situation.
Mark8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
At least all the translations remained consistent on how they translated it.
So moving on we go to Acts.
Acts 28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
Here KJV translates this word as thou thinkest. Here Paul has gotten to Rome and he has asked some of the Jews in Rome to come see him and they do. Now they did come in with some preconceived ideas because they knew of what Paul taught they wanted to know what Paul's thinking was. I believe the clearest version is the ESV.
Acts 28:22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
I am not sure Greek wise since I do not speak Greek bur in English to me this seems clear they knew about Christianity or had heard about it they they wanted to hear what Paul thought about the whole thing. Ever notice that human nature is if everyone is against something we seem to have a need to check it out just to see what all the fuss is about. Maybe that desire got you to listen when someone started speaking to you about God and grace and love and what Jesus Christ did for you!
I find it interesting as well the Jews seemed to want to know if Paul really thought the way he had taught the people to think. If you had the chance to sit down and talk to a Joel Olsteen, Creflo Dollar, Joesph Prince, or Joyce Myers etc would you? I imagine if you get the chance most of us would take it. Just to see if all the hype was true or if there was something more there. After all we had that God hungry nature to begin with.
Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh, the things of the flesh do mind; and those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit;
The word mind is the Greek word phroneō. This verse expresses a simple truth those who are of the flesh think about the things of the flesh. Those of us who are concerned with the spirit mind the things of the spirit.
So here is the question we need to answer are we going to mind the things of the flesh or are we going to mind the things of the spirit? There are many who are christian yet they mind the things of the flesh. They have no concern about the things of the Spirit. The hour a week christian or those who never act upon the things talked about in the word. They may have a parking place in paradise but it is way back in the parking lot.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith
This verse is taken out of context and twisted around to say exactly the opposite of what it is talking about. Lets look at it in context.
Romans 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
What is it that the world (the devil and all those on his side) will say. Oh don't get so puffed up you are no better than anyone else keep your thinking in check. I have heard all those and more. The question is not what people say about it what does the word of God say about us? We know we have been justified, we have been made righteous, we are spirit filled and we have it by birth, Jesus said the same things I do ye shall do also and greater works because I go unto my father. Yes I know that the word says we are to be humble. The word humble means we understand that there is something that is greater than ourselves and I fully acknowledge that without God I am nothing but working with him there is a great deal we can do.
Look at the ESV and what verse 3 says.
Romans 12: 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
We are to not think of ourselves as God but as his ambassadors sent into this world to bring his message not only in word but in our actions.
Again it is the word think.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Here it is both usages of the word mind. That makes it very powerful the number 2 has two meanings the first is things in opposition to each other the second is it establishes something. We use this figure of speech in English we say something twice to emphasize it. We repeat it so people will know it is important. Sorry I could not resist.
When it comes to God's word we speak the same thing I don't teach something and you teach the opposite thing when it comes to the word we agree on it. Now if you are a baseball fan you might support those bums from the Bronx where I happen to be a Red Sox fan. Not a member of the nation but I have rooted for the Red Sox since I was about 8 years old and got interested in Pro Baseball I lived on Cape Cod so I rooted for the local team and for years had my heartbroken by that team many times before 2004. With the word I can be like minded with someone from New York or Cleveland, or Detroit, or Tampa, or any of the other places that have baseball teams.
Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
The word regardeth is the word we are studying. All five usages of this word are included. Now there are five usages of of this word I'd like to show you something in Numbers from the scriptures. This is from Appendixes to The Companion Bible No. 10 The Spiritual Significance of Numbers:
Five. Denotes Divine grace. It is 4+1. It is God adding His gifts and blessing to the works of His hands. The Heb. Ha'aretz (the earth), by "Gematria" (i.e. the addition of the numerical value of the letters together) is a multiple of four, while Hashamayim (the heavens) is a multiple of five. The Gematria of Caris (charis), the Greek for Grace, is also a multiple of five. It is the leading factor in the Tabernacle measurements.
This verse gets used when talking about celebrating holiday. It is just a double way of showing how much grace we have. In the Hebrew scriptures it was not allowed to eat meat (food) offered to and Idol and many holidays that were celebrated were based in witchcraft the new moon Sabbath's for instance. God asked people not to celebrate them. Now in this administration if you regard a day you do it unto God . This is all contingent on if you are walking on the word if you are not walking the word you are just plain wrong if you are putting God first the rest should all fall into place anyway.
Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
God wants us to be likeminded towards each other. When I look at someone who is a Christian and endeavoring to walk the word I only see what the word says about that person. I don't get involved in the things of this world (Beauty, brains, and bucks) When I see those from this fellowship I see someone who wants to move the word just like I do and is willing to work with me to that end.
1 Corinthians 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
This can be a tough one to understand so I will also put the ESV here which I believe is somewhat clearer.
(ESV)1 Corinthians 4:6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers,that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
To understand this you will have to check out the context I will say the word we are concerned with is think from the KJV. We are not to think more of or elevate leaders to a higher position they are people who are willing to go first.
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
The word understood. This is talking about the manifestations and comparing them to a child's toy and our understanding is that of a child because we have not given up the manifestations as yet. In verse 10 it says when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away with. It can only be talking about the return of Jesus Christ or the gathering of the church of the body. At that point we will know even as we are known. We see through a glass darkly means we don't see all the detail it all looks like smoky looking mirror. We have that child like quality of understanding.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
One mind Paul admonishes us to have that one mind. that is part of being perfect that we all think the same thing about God we should be doing that now of course that is not the reality Did you know that the Lutheran Church has various groups that have different beliefs? There are seven distinct groups within the Lutheran Church. I know about this because I was was raised as a member of the The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The word talks of having one mind and these people all within the same Church supposedly can't even agree. They are divided by should women be ordained, with Communion dose the bread and wine literally become the body and blood? That borders on a form of cannibalism. We need to do a check up from the neck up.
Galatians 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Here it is the word minded. I really like how the NIV handels this verse.
Galatians 5:10 I am confidentin the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion,whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
Someone was apparently teaching some sort of false doctrine and there was some sort of confusion being caused but Paul trusted that they knew the word well enough so he didn't have to be concerned about their falling into the trap that had been laid for them.
Philippians 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Galatians 5:10 I am confidentin the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion,whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
Someone was apparently teaching some sort of false doctrine and there was some sort of confusion being caused but Paul trusted that they knew the word well enough so he didn't have to be concerned about their falling into the trap that had been laid for them.
Philippians 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Here it is the word think. In context this a part of a prayer that Paul was praying he was thankful for their partnership and he had confidence that the work that had been started God would make sure it was finished
and that it was fine for him to feel and think this way.
Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Here it is used twice it opens with the likemind and then closes with having one mind. I believe this is the figure of speech called amplification. it repeats to amplify the point. It it used to draw attention to the point being made.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
We are to become Christ like even to the point of thinking like he did always putting God first in all that we do.
A few weeks ago we were having a meeting called a webinar and I got to see how a true leader acts when under pressure. I had been asked to help with the meeting and was trying to help when this meeting in the webex came to an abrupt end because it crashed. The person who was teaching the meeting John Lynn called me on the phone and we were going to try to figure out how to get the meeting going again. The first thing that happened was John prayed we would find it quickly. I have more time in running webex meetings than most anyone else who was involved that night yet it was John who prayed for us to find the solution quickly. The very first thing John did was put God first. He had me on the phone because I have run more webex's than anyone else in the ministry yet he found the solution after he put God first. That is how a leader acts. They aren't meaningless words they are their life. I trust I will become as good as leader as is John.
Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you
Many might say well I'm not perfect. Well within our spirit we are perfect. The Greek is the word teleios which means the end like a dog's tail. In the end we are perfect. Now NIV translated it as mature which is a very good way to translate it. In context Paul had just said let the past go. Don't let it weigh you down. He also said if you went off the path God will let you know.
So the next verse is the next verse.
Philippians 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Where ever you are with God Paul said to walk by the same rule. We are to have the mind of Christ in all that we do.
Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
These people have their minds on earthly things. We don't have the time to dwell on earthly stuff. Yes I do it but I am getting better at holding onto the spiritual and making it the priority. If we are concentrating on the things of the earth or the flesh or whatever you want to call it then we need to change our thinking. That is the very definition of remission.
Don't be a hour a week Christian when you put on the mind of Christ life gets a true new meaning. You are no longer party of the first part so you have things you can let go of because the promises of God take a whole new meaning. It's God in Christ in you and there isn't anything you cannot do for God.
Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
It seems these two women were having a problem of not thinking the same thing and they are being told to get it together.
Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
The words care and careful are both the Greek word phroneō They were thinking about Paul You cannot see it in the English but it is used 3 times. The word careful is really two usages of the Greek word which is a figure and shows emphasis or amplification.
Colosians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
So as you can see it is all about the thought we hold onto and ponder. Then become part of us and finally when we get togther with the lord we get to have that mind of Christ.
Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Here it is used twice it opens with the likemind and then closes with having one mind. I believe this is the figure of speech called amplification. it repeats to amplify the point. It it used to draw attention to the point being made.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
We are to become Christ like even to the point of thinking like he did always putting God first in all that we do.
A few weeks ago we were having a meeting called a webinar and I got to see how a true leader acts when under pressure. I had been asked to help with the meeting and was trying to help when this meeting in the webex came to an abrupt end because it crashed. The person who was teaching the meeting John Lynn called me on the phone and we were going to try to figure out how to get the meeting going again. The first thing that happened was John prayed we would find it quickly. I have more time in running webex meetings than most anyone else who was involved that night yet it was John who prayed for us to find the solution quickly. The very first thing John did was put God first. He had me on the phone because I have run more webex's than anyone else in the ministry yet he found the solution after he put God first. That is how a leader acts. They aren't meaningless words they are their life. I trust I will become as good as leader as is John.
Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you
Many might say well I'm not perfect. Well within our spirit we are perfect. The Greek is the word teleios which means the end like a dog's tail. In the end we are perfect. Now NIV translated it as mature which is a very good way to translate it. In context Paul had just said let the past go. Don't let it weigh you down. He also said if you went off the path God will let you know.
So the next verse is the next verse.
Philippians 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Where ever you are with God Paul said to walk by the same rule. We are to have the mind of Christ in all that we do.
Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
These people have their minds on earthly things. We don't have the time to dwell on earthly stuff. Yes I do it but I am getting better at holding onto the spiritual and making it the priority. If we are concentrating on the things of the earth or the flesh or whatever you want to call it then we need to change our thinking. That is the very definition of remission.
Don't be a hour a week Christian when you put on the mind of Christ life gets a true new meaning. You are no longer party of the first part so you have things you can let go of because the promises of God take a whole new meaning. It's God in Christ in you and there isn't anything you cannot do for God.
Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
It seems these two women were having a problem of not thinking the same thing and they are being told to get it together.
Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
The words care and careful are both the Greek word phroneō They were thinking about Paul You cannot see it in the English but it is used 3 times. The word careful is really two usages of the Greek word which is a figure and shows emphasis or amplification.
Colosians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
So as you can see it is all about the thought we hold onto and ponder. Then become part of us and finally when we get togther with the lord we get to have that mind of Christ.
Comments
Post a Comment