Epiousios

I’ve seen a discussion on this word in a book. It mentions that some scholars have tried to analyze its potential etymology and have offered alternative renderings, including the following:

“Give us this day our continuous bread.”
“Give us this day our supersubstantial bread.”
“Give us this day bread for our sustenance.”
“Give us this day our bread for this day [i.e., “our daily bread”].”

It then adds, “Each of these renderings has its supporters, each makes sense in the context, and each was derived from the limited information that is available.”

I, too, have wondered how Tim was going to render it in Matthew 6:11, so I’m glad I’m not the only one!

Michael,

As you pointed out this word appears nowhere else than in the “Lord’s prayer.” The etymology is a compound of two words, the preposition “epi” (over, super) and “ousios” (essential). This term in conjunction with the word “bread” and “give us today” is undoubtedly a reference to the manna in the wilderness. IMO Jesus was drawing a parallel between the wilderness wandering and the Christian life, something Paul elaborated upon further in 1 Cor. 10.

The Israelites were absolutely dependent upon God for their food for 40 years in the wilderness, and God was faithful to supply the manna. This parallel was intended to show us that God is just as faithful today for His servants’ needs. So IMO “epiousios” points to our absolutely essential dependence upon God’s provision each day. Just as the Israelites would not survive without the manna, likewise we cannot survive without God’s provision.

Also, the prayer requires a daily repetition as “give us today” shows. Just as the Israelites could only gather a single day’s amount of manna, and it was given to them in small daily portions only. We must view God’s provision in exactly the same way. It cannot be stored up or horded, or it will rot and stink.

In Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, this prayer was followed by Jesus’ own explanations, especially Matt. 6:19-21 which concerns not storing up treasures on earth (just as the Israelites could not horde more than one day’s worth of manna), and Matt. 6:24-34 which concerns God’s continuous provision IF our first priority is seeking to advance His Kingdom AND pursuing the righteousness of God (personal holiness). IMO, these verses illuminate the word in question.

IMO, the Sermon on the Mount is THE KEY to both surviving and even prospering in the end-times, as its conclusion parable proves — the man who built his house on the rock vs. the one who built his house on sand.