20160802 Tuesday, August 2 2016
2 Corinthians 02: The Reading Of The Will

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many ... This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many"

The Greek word of the Holy Scriptures, pronounced dee-ath-ay-kay, is defined as a disposition, as in the act or means of disposing of something, such as in a will. Translators of the Scriptures variably render it as either "covenant" or "testament" - even though they actually differ in applied, but as we will read, related, meanings.

"Covenant" means a written agreement between two or more parties to perform some action. A covenant is about everyone doing something as agreed.

"Testament" means a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die. A testament is about giving something. Note carefully however that although the recipient freely receives something that is bequeathed to them, it's only given because they are acceptable to the one doing the giving (consider why someone is included, or left out, of someone's "last will and testament").

While the Greek word is closer in meaning to the English word "testament," the Biblical usage of it combines "covenant" and "testament" in a way that the full Scriptural meaning is only made clear by the use of both i.e. eternal life is a free gift to those who repent and obey the LORD (see Christ Died For Repentant Sinners and The Identity Of The LORD God).

Notice how the actual Greek word is diversely portrayed, according to a particular translator's preference, even within a single translation of the Holy Scriptures. The original Greek word in Mark 14:24 is translated as "covenant" in the Revised Standard Version (which was based upon the American Standard Version, which was based upon the King James Version) and "new testament" in the King James:

"14:24 And He said to them, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many" (RSV)

"14:24 And He said unto them, This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many." (KJV)

An example of how the original Greek word, dee-ath-ay-kay, is translated as "covenant" in the King James Version:

"8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8:6-12 KJV)

Another example from the King James Version, of the same original Greek word, dee-ath-ay-kay, that was translated as "covenant" in the verses above, translated as "testament" or "new testament" here:

"26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matthew 26:27-28 KJV)

"3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Corinthians 3:6 KJV)

It's no coincidence that many people suffer, actually grieve, at the "reading of the will" of God - not because God can die, but because they must put away something that stands in the way of their eternal life.

"2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2:2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 2:3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

2:5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. 2:6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Corinthians 2:1-11 KJV)

The true Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God (see What Gospel Did Jesus Preach? and The Only Political Party That's Going To Survive) is about the inheritance that awaits all who choose to become "heirs" of God ("8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" Romans 8:16-18 KJV).

"2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 2:13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 2:16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:12-17 KJV)

Fact Finder: What does "born again" truly mean?
See What Was The Lesson Of John 3:16? and Who Can Be Saved?