is that the correct quote & what does it mean?
2006-11-20 10:17:23 · 7 answers · asked by Freakgirl 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think you have it right except it would not be a question mark but an exclamation point.
what does it mean? There are a couple different explanations.
One is that it is only God's grace - God's unmerited kindness - that allows you to live well and above sin while others sink in drunkenness, poverty, debauchery ,etc. You see a drunkard in the gutter and you say, There, but for the grace of God, go I!
Another way I have heard people explain it is saying that "but for the grace of God" points to Calvary, the ultimate example of God's kindness in sending Jesus to die for us. With this explanation, you are saying God's grace and help is available to all - even the drunkard in the gutter - and you are simply thankful that God has offered this grace and you have accepted it.
2006-11-20 10:26:28 · answer #1 · answered by happy pilgrim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the quote is a combo of Genesis Chapter 33 verse 10 and Exodus Chapt. 33 verse 16. I believe it means not to look down or judge a person because the reason ,you are not in the same mess is because of God's mercy {Gods Kindness and Compassion} So, it s by His Grace go I
2006-11-20 20:12:00 · answer #2 · answered by Tinkerbelle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Context helps. The quote is "There but for the grace of God go I" and this was said by George Whitfield, an evangelist who lived from 1714 to 1770. Whitfield was a contemporary of Jonathan Edwards and shared the very same Calvinistic theology.
If I remember correctly, Whitfield was looking upon a man who was on his way to execution and when he saw this man sorrow came over him and out of a grateful heart he said, "There but for the grace of God go I." It was a recognition on Whitfield's part not just of God's grace, but it was also a recognition of what Whitfield believed that he deserved, and would have gotten, if it had not been for the grace of God.
This is one of Whitfield's famous quotes, if not the most famous Whitfield quote in existence. For more information on Whitfield check out the website posted in my sources link.
2006-11-20 19:38:39 · answer #3 · answered by The Muskrat 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It means not to look down on people who are in a detestable situation because you received the grace from God not to travel that road and had you not received it you would be right there with that person possibly
2006-11-20 18:32:06 · answer #4 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The quote being correct or not is entirely contextual, so I can't help you there, but it means that you're only as well off as you are because God has let you.
2006-11-20 18:20:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
People usually say that when they see someone in a bad situation, like homeless or an alcoholic. They mean that without God's help and guidance, they might be in the same situation. They're being thankful
2006-11-20 18:25:33 · answer #6 · answered by guitar teacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the way I've heard it said. It means that you shouldn't look down on people who may be less fortunate than you, because you could just as easily be in their shoes. For example, you shouldn't be rude or mean to homeless people because who knows, you could have your identity stolen or your husband could gamble away your bank account or something horrible like that, and there you would be in the shelter right next to them.
2006-11-20 18:20:45 · answer #7 · answered by heehaw 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋