LGV Note 25 for Romans 1:17
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LGV Note 25 for Romans 1:17 says,
>> 25 Many translations have translated the Greek verb as “shall live,” which could imply day-to-day living. However, here the verb ζήσεται is middle voice not active voice. In this form it never refers to a continuous state of “living,” (which is always in the active voice), but rather the act of becoming alive through resurrection. (See: Matt. 9:18; Mark 5:23; John 5:25; John 11:25; John 14:19; Rom. 8:13; 2 Cor. 13:4). The hope of resurrection for “the just one” is based on the Anointed’s own tangible demonstration of resurrection (vs. 4).
Mat 4:4 and Luke 4:4 doesn’t seem to fit. Doesn’t “man shall not live by bread alone” refer to day-to-day living? The Greek shows ζήσεται there. Also, is it future resurrection life in Rom 10:5 and Gal 3:12?
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Pramod,
The word ζήσεται (translated “shall live”) means to be physically ALIVE. In the future tense (as here) it refers to BECOMING ALIVE in the future (cf. Matt. 9:18; Jn. 11:25). In the NT it implies the resurrection, thus “eternal life.” The LGV note was intended to distinguish the English word “LIVE” from how it is commonly understood, — one’s MANNER of living. In other words, one might suppose that LIVING by God’s words, or LIVING by faith, simply means conducting ourselves in this age. But that is not the meaning. In Matt. 4:4 and Lk. 4:4 Jesus’ statement refers to eternal life in the coming age, not to one’s day-to-day manner of living in this age. Translate the word “live” as to “be alive” and you will have the proper sense. Jesus was saying that “bread” may provide LIFE now in this age, but LIFE in the age to come is provided by adherence to God’s words. God’s words do not necessarily provide “LIFE” in this age, as we all grow old and die. But God’s words heeded now in this age will provide LIFE in the resurrection and the coming age. In the same way, the statement, “the just shall LIVE by faith,” means the “just” who have “faith” now will BE ALIVE in the resurrection (eternal life).
Grace & Peace, Tim
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Thank you for the explanation. How do you understand the word only/alone in Mat 4:4? “…not by bread alone will man [be alive]/[live]”. Doesn’t it show that you need bread and Word of God to be alive/to live, and perhaps that may be why it is commonly viewed as referring to living in this age?
Also, in Rom 10:5 and Gal 3:12, which refers to the Mosaic law giving life. That also is resurrection life in the age to come, right?
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Bread gives physical “life” in this age, but God’s words in the Gospel gives “life” for the age to come. Those who live (remain alive) “by bread alone” have a temporary life for this age only. But those who obey God’s Words (now) have “life” that will continue again after death in the resurrection. John wrote: “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 Jn. 5:12 NKJ). John spoke of our having “life” (eternal) both now and in the future (cf. 1 Jn. 2:25). The reason for this is because we have the Spirit, which is the deposit on eternal life, the resurrection to immortality (Rom. 6:1-14; Eph. 1:14)
Yes, regarding statements in the Law which are quoted in the NT, the reference is to “life” in the age to come via resurrection. Consider Rom. 7:10 where Paul refers to the Law which was supposed to being “life” instead brought “death” to Paul. Again, the reference is to “life” in the age to come vs. literal “death.” Paul found the Law, which states that those who keep it will have “life” through the Law, Paul found that because he could not keep it, the Law was a “death” sentence for him. Again, keep in mind the juxtaposition of ideas, “life” vs. “death.” Paul did not DIE at the time, nor was he thinking that the Law brought some sort of “spiritual” death. For Paul, since the path to “life” (immortality) was through keeping the Law of Moses, his own failures to keep it meant he had no hope of the resurrection to immortality. This is where grace stepped in and the New Covenant solved the problem.
Grace & Peace, Tim
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