My Dear Friends: May 2024
I have always felt that my being raised in the Christian faith, even the particular flavor of that faith, was providential. Theologically we were not perfect. We may have thought so, but there were a number of misinterpretations, or misconceptions. But it was far easier to rectify them, than it would have been to extricate oneself from some truly false religion, or none at all. Thus it was indeed ‘providential.’ This word like much of our language is borrowed from older ancient languages. In this case from the Latin; ‘pro,’ meaning ‘before,’ and ‘videre,’ to ‘have seen.’ In this case for God to “know or see something before it happens.”
So much of how we express things are built on such word constructions, particularly in our Christian faith. Like the unique use of the Greek ‘agape’ by our Christian authors, as they filled the word with the new and more lasting meaning of Christian love. Of William Tyndale’s inspired translations of the Hebrew ‘kaphar’, rather than just saying “to cover,” he will create his own word “Atonement;” we are to be made “at one with” God.
We have the Apostle Paul even creating his own Greek words to describe things for which there were no words. Some of these words remain difficult to translate, but one in particular is a must, the Greek word is ‘hyperentyngchanel.’ It is a word found no-where else in all of ancient Greek literature, so is surely Paul’s own creation. It holds together the idea that the Holy Spirit is at work ‘tyngchano,’ in us ‘en,’ and on our behalf ‘hyper.’ It has been translated as “Intercedes for us” or “makes intercession for us,” but actually it is the “Spirit ‘interceding for us, and in us’ with sighs or groaning which cannot be uttered” (Rm.8:26). Speaking for us, when there may be no words
This verse has always been difficult to fully understand, unless we allow Paul’s unique word to reveal the full meaning, and it has meaning for everything we do as believers. For what Paul is saying is at the very moment when we are lost, in the greatest pain, when our sorrow seems endless, and everything seem to be crashing in on us. It is then God’s Spirit is there, often with no words, but in “groans” or “sighs” which is often the finest expression of intercession. We know the Spirit is there because He has promised so. And His promise is not just to speak on our behalf, but to speak to our innermost being, and speak for us, for that which we are called upon to accomplish in Christ.
God has never given up on any of us, and will never give up. He has made that clear in so many ways. But here He is declaring that His Spirit is working in, through, and by us to bring about what He desires in us. Not just for our own needs, but the needs about us. We must realize that our faith has never been for just us, as individuals, but we are part of a community. A community; that by its very presence has changed everything, and continues to do so. This is not just the assurance of His presence, but the assurance that when we are in pain, when we have a deep sense of loss, then He is especially with us, and for us. We are told in this part of Romans that God works with and through those who love Him, for our good, and the good of the world (8:28).
His Spirit in us, is not just His gift to us, but His gift through us for our wounded world. Jesus is not just Israel’s King, not just their Messiah, but the one sent from God to fulfill Israel’s purpose and to fulfill ours! And He also fulfills His own purpose for Himself. Yes, this all is about God’s desire, and thus His purpose for us all. And His Spirit within us all, is constantly with “sign too deep for words,” “interceding for us and in us,” to bring this all about. What an amazing God we serve.
This is cause to rejoice in this our very special faith,
Thomas Randolf Wyatt
