The word hupomonē (G5281) is also described by James Strong as being cheerful (or hopeful) endurance as well as patient continuance (waiting). The concept of cheerful endurance in found in Colossians 1:11 - where it is expressed as all patience and longsuffering with joy. See Colossians 1:9-12.
Colossians 1:10 re-enforces the concept of hupomonē (G5281) - patience being the power from God that we need in order to commit to action. The Bible often uses the term walk in relation to a person’s lifestyle, so this verse implies that a person’s behaviour is affected by hupomonē (G5281).
The Bible says that we ought to do all things, that means everything - without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:12-14 NKJV. Philippians 2:12-14 NLT.
Vincent’s Word Studies has the following to say about verse 14:
Murmurings (γογγυσμῶν)
See on Jude 1:16; see on John 6:41. Compare 1 Corinthians 10:10.
Disputings (διαλογισμῶν)
See on Mark 7:21. It is doubtful whether disputings is a legitimate meaning. The kindred verb διαλογίζομαι is invariably used in the sense of to reason or discuss, either with another or in one's own mind, Matthew 16:7; Matthew 21:25; Mark 2:6; Luke 12:17. The noun is sometimes rendered thoughts, as Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21; but with the same idea underlying it, of a suspicion or doubt, causing inward discussion. See 1 Timothy 2:8. Better here questionings or doubtings. See on Romans 14:1. The murmuring is the moral, the doubting the intellectual rebellion against God.
The Greek word goggusmos appears a total of 4 times in the King James Version of the Bible. It is translated as murmuring 2 times, grudging 1 time and murmurings 1 time.
According to Thayer’s Greek Definitions, this Greek word means:
1) a murmur, murmuring, muttering
1a) a secret debate
1b) a secret displeasure not openly avowed
The Greek word dialogismos appears a total of 14 times in the King James Version of the Bible. It is translated as thoughts 8 times, disputings, doubtful, doubting, imaginations, reasoning and thought - all once.
According to Thayer’s Greek Definitions, this Greek word means:
1) the thinking of a man deliberating with himself
1a) a thought, inward reasoning
1b) purpose, design
2) a deliberating, questioning about what is true
2a) hesitation, doubting
2b) disputing, arguing
Marvin R. Vincent suggests that the “murmuring” is the moral, the “doubting” the intellectual rebellion against God. Putting these two words together in relation to the things you do in everyday life: we are not to express our displeasure in what we do and to reason in our minds why we must do those things. We are God’s servants, after all, and everything we do is to be done in the will of God – by Him and for Him.
It has been suggested that hupomonē (G5281), the God-kind of endurance protects a person from despair. Perhaps the despair that it protects a person from is the murmuring, doubting, complaining, reasoning and debating that constitutes rebellion towards God?
We are to avoid thinking, murmuring and saying to ourselves and others, things like:
- “I hate doing this – it’s so boring!”
- “I can’t do this, it’s just too difficult. Perhaps I’m meant to do something else?”
- “I don’t know why I do this; nobody seems to appreciate anything I do in this place.”
- “Where is this getting me? Will this ever achieve anything? Will this ever change for the better?”
In relation to the message of grace – we are brought back to the argument as to whether or not an effort is required upon hearing the Gospel being preached – that effort being the need to think positively.
Adherents to the radical message of grace would argue that no action or effort is required on behalf of the believer – all that is required is to listen to the message of pure grace – which itself brings the power of God to enable the believer to think and act in accordance with God’s will.
It is true that being set free from guilt, releases a believer from the accumulated mental and emotional garbage that has been controlling their lives - but to what extent I wonder? Does this mean that we do not have to do anything to change our thinking? Perhaps this is where the Liberty Savard style of loosing and binding prayers can come into effective use? For more details on this - see my previous post on this subject: http://thedivinenature.blogspot.com/2009/05/liberty-savard-and-keys-to-kingdom.html
Whatever the case may be - it is this inner dialogue, this worrying and reasoning and complaining which constitutes unbelief - which is wrong belief.
Some Christians would say that God will bless believers even when they sin. I’m inclined to agree with this to an extent. But I believe that Christians limit, or even forfeit, their blessings when their thinking, and therefore believing, is not right.
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