Here is a good example of how translation can impact how we
understand a verse. This came up in The
Pursuit College class a couple of Sunday mornings ago.
When you read Ephesians 3:16 in the NIV it says: “I pray
that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his
Spirit in your inner being”
The NIV is a “dynamic equivalence” translation, which means
it is not a strict word for word but tries to convey the meaning or “thought
for thought” concept. But this is an
example where that effort misses the mark.
Many other translations render this phrase: “according to
the riches of his glory”
Now the English grammar nerd comes out to analyze the
sentences—and it makes a difference.
·
His Glorious Riches
o
Modifier: Glorious
o
Object: Riches
·
Richness of His Glory
o
Modifier: richness
o
Object: Glory
In the NIV translation the focus is more on riches to which
we tend to focus more on the value or the wealth connected with the word
“riches” since it is the primary noun. Some
have abused this and similar passages to talk about God’s blessing in material
terms—riches here on earth. His blessing
is for us here on earth, but it is His Glory that is the blessing—it is His
presence in our lives that brings an abundance and power to overcome.
But the more literal translation has the focus of the
sentence on God’s Glory. God’s glory has
no limits, His glory radiates from Him.
His Glory carries with it a rich understanding from
Scripture and in the minds of Paul’s readers.
His glory shines from the burning bush—without consuming or destroying
it. His glory descends on to Mt.
Sinai in cloud and fire and is
awe-inspiring to the point that the Israelites are afraid to set foot on the
mountain (Exodus 19:16-19, 20:18-21).
God’s glory is too much for us to behold (Exodus 33:19-23).
Not even Moses was able to look at God’s glory head-on less
it overwhelm and kill him. Hidden in the
cleft of the rock, I’m sure Moses had enough of an awareness to know not to
press his luck—I’m sure peeking was not an option. Not even Raiders of the Lost Ark could do
this dangerous glory justice.
Moses was able to see God’s glory as it “passed by” or was
receding from him. His glory is awesome,
inspiring, overwhelming. Just the
presence of God was able to change Moses complexion to the point that it
disturbed people. They requested that he
wear a veil until that glory faded (Exodus 34:29-35 & 2 Corinthians 3:7-18)
God’s Glory shines forth—God is light in Him there is no
darkness at all. In the end of time, not
even the Sun or the Moon will be necessary because God’s glory will be enough
to live by—there will be no more night (Revelation 21:22-26)
In our understanding, anything that gives off light (glory)
requires some sort of power source or fuel.
If the fuel/power runs out, so will the light. But since this is God’s glory—He is the
source—He is the power and it is a power that will never fade or diminish—it
will be forever shining—there is no end to the power that makes it shine—so too
there is no limit or end to the power that is available to you and me as
believers in Jesus. The strength that
God desires to pour in our hearts, based on His love, to make us more like Him
is limitless.
The power pours out of His Glory, not His Riches. Since His glory is limitless, we have no
limit to the power available to us, thus no real excuse to live as we are
called to live. This power is out of His
glory, For His glory.
How firm a foundation—we are rooted and firmly
established in love and empowered to live for Him and to Know Him. Though He cannot be measured or quantified
beyond our comprehension—He still desires us to Know Him and fill us with His
presence. His Glory is in our inner being.
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