Can someone please inform me if the original word used was 'ABIDE in me', and why is 'REMAIN in me' used in the NIV? Also, and this is really important, HOW does a Christian abide in Jesus?
Last week while on holiday (up a mountain in Andorra) my husband and I met up with a Christian family and Pedro made me stop and really think when he talked about the importance of our relationship with Christ. I don't think it was coincidence that we met - there's something here I really need to understand.
I need a serious
2007-09-20 05:54:19 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What a lovely response! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to answer my question in a serious and contemplative manner.
The circumstances leading up to the meeting with Pedro and his family are quite amazing. We had not booked into an hotel. We were tired, hungry and it was getting late when, after getting lost in Andorra (not an easy thing to do because it basically has one road in from Spain and the same road out to France), I spotted a sign for an hotel and we took this twisty road up a mountain side to an altitude of 1,500 metres. Was there room at the inn? Yes. Then we got into conversation with this Christian family and it turns out that what Pedro said was hugely pertinent to what is going on in our lives right now. He had no way of knowing that his words were especially meaningful. Coincidence? Christians don't believe in coincidences! Providential? I think so.
Will respond on Sunday after checking out all this information and prayerfully searching God's word.
2007-09-20 21:24:18 · update #1
My thanks to Jeancommunicates, Sasi, theBerean and especially to 'slayer' for that really great webpage which goes into the subject of the vine and its branches in great detail. I heartily recommend it to you all.
I prefer ABIDE to remain - it has more depth and passion about it. Thanks, Sasi, for that reminder of the hymn 'Abide with me' and for the rendition in The Message. You are also right to describe the New World Translation rendition as iniquitous.
So many of you have reinforced the same vital message - that disobedience and sin causes separation from Christ and destroys our relationship with him. I have also been encouraged by the advice to run to Christ and to seek him constantly.
2007-09-21 21:41:57 · update #2
I'm not sure about the word used originally, I can only tell you that the NIV is almost entirely an authentic translation.
How do we abide in Jesus? I have found a website that explains.
http://www.thewayonline.org.uk/vinebranch.html
2007-09-20 09:03:59 · answer #1 · answered by good tree 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should read from the KJV or the NKJV, theses books are closer to the original Hebrew and Greek text.
He is the vine and we are the branches, so the branches can not do a thing without him. We wait for him (verse 4), because the branch can not bear fruit without the vine. Meaning that we can not grow in the body of Christ without him. Our church does not grow because we bring people in. It grows or bears fruit, because of him.
Why Jesus died For Us
He is our sacrificial lamb who shed his blood to cover your sins: past, present and future. If not he died at the cross in vain. He full filled (Luke 24: 44) and nailed the 10 commandments to the cross (Colossi ans 2:14). Christ did not die in vain (Galatians 2: 21). The spirit or the works of the law (Galatians 3: 2). Christ is the end of the law (Romans 10: 4). The law is our tutor no more (Galatians 3: 24 – 25). God will remember your sins no more (Hebrews 10:17). You are a sinner for life, there is nothing that you can do not to sin (1 john 1: 7 - 10). You can not go out into the world and do what ever you wish, just because Jesus covered your sins (Romans 6: 1 - 3). Hebrews 8: 7 – 13 (he wrote the laws into their hearts, so that you would know right from wrong.
If you have faith in Jesus and are obedient to God, then you are not under the 10 commandments.
If you do not believe in Jesus, then you are under the 10 commandments, now you need to bring your unblemished goat to the alter every year and sacrifice it to cover your sins but with Jesus, he is our new covenant.
You are justified by faith and not of your works
www.mylordmysavior.com
2007-09-20 06:10:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus explains the divine-human relationships by the analogy of a grapevine. Jesus is like the main vine. The disciples are compared with branches. The ather tends the branches like a gardener. at that time of year, branches of grapevines would be budding in Jerusalem.
In verses 10-17, several results of obedience are indicated here: (1) abiding in His love (v.10); (2) full joy (v.11); (3) love for one another (vv. 12, 13, 17); (4) friends, not servants (vv 14,15); (5) fruit remains (v. 16); and (6) answered prayer (v 16).
Verses 26,27. The COMFORTER refers to the Advocate beside us as we bear witness to Christ. See also Luke 1:2
Proceedeth: The Holy Spirit like the Son, is God from God. The Son is generated or begotten whereas the Holy Spirit "proceeds" from God. Again, while the Trinitarian relationships are a mystery to us, they are nonetheless very evident in the New Testament. The work of the Holy Spirit is to reprove to point out a fault or an error, or to expose something as it really is. The Holy Spirit reproves concerning three topics (1) Sin (v.9) the Holy Spirit reveals the need of redemption. "Because they believe not on me:" the greatest sin is unbelief. (2) Righteousness. The Holy Spirit reveals the possibility of redemption. Christ goes to the Father after a righteous life and a death that will impute this righteousness to others. (3) Judgment (v.11) The Holy Spirit reveals the reality of redemption. The power of Christ is to judge Satan and to overthrow his kingdom at the cross and at the resurrection. The prince of this world has been judged.
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity - equal with the Father and Son (equal part) in essence, separate in person, and submissive in duties. Since one major aspect of God's nature is that He is a person, it follows that the Holy Spirit is a person.
When we are saved and surrender our life to Christ, He gives us the Holy Spirit who abides inside of us. The Holy Spirit teaches us all things concerning Christ as we read the Word of God. The Holy Spirit proceeds from God and from the Son and the Holy Spirit helps with our prayers so we can be understood. The Holy Spirit causes us to see truth, understand truth and convicts us of sin. The Holy Spirit helps us lay down addictions. I know this one is real.
The Holy Spirit (Christ in me) is the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me.
2007-09-20 06:29:41 · answer #3 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The original Greek word is "meinate", which means "continue to be present". It also implies being steadfast, unchanging. See the source below for more detail.
Read the whole chapter to understand "abiding". It's not thinking about Jesus the person all the time. It simply means live as a Christian would. To abide in the love of Jesus, you obey his command, which is to love one another as he has. Don't try to please the world. Always try to do good, even if it means trouble for you. That's "abiding".
2007-09-20 06:12:01 · answer #4 · answered by skepsis 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The actual word (translilterated) is meno. It is a greek word with the following definition:
to remain, abide
in reference to place
to sojourn, tarry not to depart 1a to continue to be present 1a to be held, kept, continually in reference to time
to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure 1b of persons, to survive, live in reference to state or condition
to remain as one, not to become another or different to wait for, await one
The parable is a good description of abiding. the way a branch abides in a vine. It doesn't ahve to try to be a part of the vine, it simply is. That is how you abide. Come to know your identity, your true identity. You are a child of God. You only need to believe it. Even when you doubt it, you can come back to that settled conviction. What happens when you do that is that you will see fruit born in your life much like a branch attached to the vine has fruit to be born.
If you are not bearing fruit that does not mean you are not abiding. The branch only bears fruit in season. There is a time of growth where fruit is not produced. Energy goes into developing and building up things.
Hope this helps.
2007-09-20 06:04:54 · answer #5 · answered by epaphras_faith 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Abide in Me is almost the same as remain in me. The NIV, which I do not read, has tried to make it easier to read the Bible. I feel that it has taken away from actual meanings. Abiding in Jesus is doing everything with Him. Example: I'm going to the movies tonight. What movie is it? Would the Lord want me to see this movie? How is it going to edify me? Jesus is always with us but, if we sin or upset His Spirit then we lose that fellowship. If we lose that fellowship then we are not abiding in Him. We have to ask for forgiveness for the sin that has broken fellowship and start abiding again. I think it's like being very aware of His presence and that He is always there.
2007-09-20 06:03:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the reason abide was changed to remain is because the use of English language changed. Rarely do we use abide in everyday language.
If you use daily bible notes this helps to keep you close to what Jesus wants you to hear, his love for you, his provision, his protection etc. As you learn about the purpose of your life and your significance as a Christian you will grow in spirit and confidence. Abiding means trusting, especially during times of adversity; that in all things God has a purpose to fulfil in you so you keep growing spiritually.
As you invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with his presence you will see situations with a fresh understanding. You are never again alone. All things are designed to draw us closer to him, no matter how hard they seem at the time.
you can get bible notes on line, sent to you free each day; try
cgimail@churchgrowth.org. It is called Prime Time With God.
God bless
ADDED
The vine is the Jesus, the branches are us. The branches only bear the fruit not produce it. The fruit of the Spirit is, love, joy, peace, patience etc. We cannot produce these good qualities ourselves, and often feel guilty when we notice a lack. It is only by abiding, staying close to Jesus and allowing His Spirit to transform us, that we become fruitbearers. This stops us striving to be producers and keeps us hopeful and confident that in all things, God works for good with those who love Him, those whom he called according to His purpose. (Rom.8:28)
2007-09-20 06:10:07 · answer #7 · answered by cairn4lodge 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
as to ABIDE... that would be to "live" in Christ... a strong commitment... to simply "remain" is not as strong a commitment....I do not have a more specific answer... the subject of textual criticisim is a deep and difficult one...and I am not into that... however... what I do know from my own looking into it... The compilers of the NIV tried to dumb down the language and removed much of the strength of the intent of the texts the translations were taken from... also, particularly the NIV, and many "modern" "translations" base their text on the work of two translators of the 19th century(Westcott and Hort) who were less than honerable(in my opinion) and were not (in my opinion) even Christian. So much that pertained to strength in Christ has been watered down...
2007-09-20 06:06:07 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Abide is the greek word "men'-o" it means in english to abide, dwell, endure, tarry, to continue where you are at.
Remain also means to abide. To abide (remain) in Jesus means to stay in His Words.
If you have read the Words of Jesus or heard His Name and understood in your heart who He was, then you will Remember all the Words that He spoke, He is like unto your first love. A person you will never forget.
This is what Jesus was saying to all of us the last time He was on earth. He said, " These things have I Spoken Unto You, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, (and bring all things To Your Remembrance, (whatsoever I have said unto you))".
John 14:25-26
Please abide in Him so that He may live in you.
2007-09-20 06:27:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus, within the true sense of Reality, represented Truth in yourself. As Jesus, spoke many times of seeking the "Father" through him he was constantly reminding each that Spiritual evolution was seeking the truth about oneself and in such the "Father " is found.
The father being that glimpse or essence of "God".
Consider "Christ" the term used to describe that unique Union between God and man; Jesus made that trek making that Union and earning the-"Christ" title; just a term as Jesus would be the first to tell you he was never special in any way as he is-was exactly like you from his beggining.
With that in mind Consider Jesus as a messenger holding a bright light saying "do as I" and all Truth will unfold.
In John 15, again, Jesus was saying "look at the results of growth", can you see your Origins as mine? "Look and you will see, We, You, I and the Father are One from the same seed" as we grow from the same branch...
This analogy is clear, not foggy at all; it further shows "the Father" being the farmer or "husband" of the branch.
Humanity possess what other species do not, a Collective consciousness or "awarness" ad in this is found "the Holy Ghost" or spirit of mankind. Abide in Christ is about following a path to Truth by following the methods Jesus used; forgiveness, turning the other cheek and so on.
In closing, you mentioned your relationship with "Christ"; your words certainly honor Jesus and in this you honor yourself by lineage.
As Jesus spoke of man not following or abiding in Him he spoke of Spiritual declination of any individual whom elected to follow another path of choice, the self serving person might do just that and in that we can see no Spritual growth can become of a branch cast aside by the Father.
In closing I must say that God, Jesus-Christ and so on have never been about "Christians" as this title is held high by Christians as a "faith"; this faith is uneccessary as all religions have seen the same "God" but with different interpretations, and in such, different religions are borne.
2007-09-20 08:25:04 · answer #10 · answered by Adonai 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋