1st. Study: ‘The Mind’
This is a study I have made on the use of the word ‘Mind’ (starting with ‘Nous’- G3568) in scripture, having started it some time ago.
First of all there are several Greek words translated ‘mind’ -
The one that I am starting with is 'Nous' (Strongs No. G3563)
Definition:' That, which perceives, thinks, wills etc., the mind, or intellect.'
* I began with Luke 24:45 (the 1st reference in the NT)
“Then opened He (Christ) their understanding,
that they might understand the scriptures.”
What a good place to start a study, at the acknowledgement that without the operation of the Holy Spirit in enlightening our minds we would have no understanding of the things of God at all. Here on the road to Emmaus, after the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord, He met with two disciples and opened their understanding that they may recognize in the law and the prophets those scriptures which spoke of Himself. Only He could do this for them, and it was necessary, because the natural man cannot understand the things of God.
* The second reference is Romans 1:28 - this is a contrast to the previous one, yet also a good verse with which to begin this study, because we see 'the rock from whence we were hewn'(Isa. 51:1)., and acknowledge what we have been saved from by the grace of God - 'a reprobate mind.'
'And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,
God gave them over to a reprobate mind,
to do those things which are not convenient (not seemly);'
How solemn this is! The word reprobate (G96 - adokimos = means, failing to pass the test ie., rejected, worthless, castaway). These are the references where it is used elsewhere:-
‘gave them over to a reprobate mind’ - Rom 1:28
'I myself should be a castaway' - 1 Cor. 9:27
'Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?' - 2 Cor.13:5-7
‘That ye be not reprobates' - 2 Cor.13:5-7
‘Though we be as reprobates' - 2 Cor.13:5-7
' Reprobate concerning the faith' - 2 Timothy 3:8
'Unto every good work reprobates' - Titus1:16
‘bearing thorns and briars (is) rejected.' - Hebrews 6:8
In the first one (our initial verse) we are told that those whom God gave up to a reprobate mind did not want to retain God in their knowledge, it was as simple as that - although creation shouted loudly of the existence of God, they did not want to acknowledge Him. Sounds familiar doesn't it? That spirit is all around us in this day. and we see the outcome of that reprobate mind working out in peoples lives, as the symptoms there in Romans are manifested about us and even evidenced within us in the old man, whom we have to reckon as having died with Christ, in order to walk in newness of spirit before the Father.
This is an interesting list of references which would profit us to follow through, but it will take me away from the subject in hand, I will leave them with you.
* This next verse in the concordance is Romans 7:23,
'But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind,
and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.'
This links up with what was said concerning the previous verse doesn't it? Here we see the conflict between the old nature and the new, which God gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord. The old nature which we inherited from Adam seeks always to take captive the law of the mind (the new nature) which operates within us. But praise God we are no longer under the dominion of the law of sin and death, and have the choice now to walk in newness of life and reckon as dead the old nature in Adam. There is a new law operating within us - the law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus. We have a renewed mind. What an encouragement it is to us, once we understand what is happening. This is something only a believer can experience, something which cannot be counterfeited - the conflict between the two natures. Praise God for it - We are alive in Christ!!
* Romans 11:34
"For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or Who hath been His councillor?"
The word 'mind' here has the meaning of 'council or purpose'. Looking at the context in which this verse comes, in chapter eleven, we see the wisdom of God revealed, showing how He in His mercy has laid aside Israel in unbelief - that we, as Gentiles, may find grace and salvation. In so doing they too have found mercy through the grace of God, even as we, as we see in verse 32,
"For God hath concluded them all in unbelief that He might have mercy upon all."
We can cry, like Paul did in v.33
"Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!"
How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out. For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things! To whom be glory for ever. Amen.
But, I am going away from my purpose in my enthusiasm here, but the next verse in the list brings us back to the point, for in *Romans 12:2, we come to His council and purpose again.
"And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (council and purpose),
that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God".
The idea of 'council and purpose' in the 'renewing of your mind' has helped me to see more clearly how this is achieved. For what is being transformed is the 'council and purpose' by which our actions are governed. We walk at the impulse of His will rather than of our own. We have his 'council and purpose' in the written Word, and as we read 'His Council' our minds become renewed in 'Purpose'. This leads to the following,
"I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service,"
Praise God!
In Christ Jesus
Chris
This is a study I have made on the use of the word ‘Mind’ (starting with ‘Nous’- G3568) in scripture, having started it some time ago.
First of all there are several Greek words translated ‘mind’ -
The one that I am starting with is 'Nous' (Strongs No. G3563)
Definition:' That, which perceives, thinks, wills etc., the mind, or intellect.'
* I began with Luke 24:45 (the 1st reference in the NT)
“Then opened He (Christ) their understanding,
that they might understand the scriptures.”
What a good place to start a study, at the acknowledgement that without the operation of the Holy Spirit in enlightening our minds we would have no understanding of the things of God at all. Here on the road to Emmaus, after the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord, He met with two disciples and opened their understanding that they may recognize in the law and the prophets those scriptures which spoke of Himself. Only He could do this for them, and it was necessary, because the natural man cannot understand the things of God.
* The second reference is Romans 1:28 - this is a contrast to the previous one, yet also a good verse with which to begin this study, because we see 'the rock from whence we were hewn'(Isa. 51:1)., and acknowledge what we have been saved from by the grace of God - 'a reprobate mind.'
'And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,
God gave them over to a reprobate mind,
to do those things which are not convenient (not seemly);'
How solemn this is! The word reprobate (G96 - adokimos = means, failing to pass the test ie., rejected, worthless, castaway). These are the references where it is used elsewhere:-
‘gave them over to a reprobate mind’ - Rom 1:28
'I myself should be a castaway' - 1 Cor. 9:27
'Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?' - 2 Cor.13:5-7
‘That ye be not reprobates' - 2 Cor.13:5-7
‘Though we be as reprobates' - 2 Cor.13:5-7
' Reprobate concerning the faith' - 2 Timothy 3:8
'Unto every good work reprobates' - Titus1:16
‘bearing thorns and briars (is) rejected.' - Hebrews 6:8
In the first one (our initial verse) we are told that those whom God gave up to a reprobate mind did not want to retain God in their knowledge, it was as simple as that - although creation shouted loudly of the existence of God, they did not want to acknowledge Him. Sounds familiar doesn't it? That spirit is all around us in this day. and we see the outcome of that reprobate mind working out in peoples lives, as the symptoms there in Romans are manifested about us and even evidenced within us in the old man, whom we have to reckon as having died with Christ, in order to walk in newness of spirit before the Father.
This is an interesting list of references which would profit us to follow through, but it will take me away from the subject in hand, I will leave them with you.
* This next verse in the concordance is Romans 7:23,
'But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind,
and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.'
This links up with what was said concerning the previous verse doesn't it? Here we see the conflict between the old nature and the new, which God gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord. The old nature which we inherited from Adam seeks always to take captive the law of the mind (the new nature) which operates within us. But praise God we are no longer under the dominion of the law of sin and death, and have the choice now to walk in newness of life and reckon as dead the old nature in Adam. There is a new law operating within us - the law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus. We have a renewed mind. What an encouragement it is to us, once we understand what is happening. This is something only a believer can experience, something which cannot be counterfeited - the conflict between the two natures. Praise God for it - We are alive in Christ!!
* Romans 11:34
"For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or Who hath been His councillor?"
The word 'mind' here has the meaning of 'council or purpose'. Looking at the context in which this verse comes, in chapter eleven, we see the wisdom of God revealed, showing how He in His mercy has laid aside Israel in unbelief - that we, as Gentiles, may find grace and salvation. In so doing they too have found mercy through the grace of God, even as we, as we see in verse 32,
"For God hath concluded them all in unbelief that He might have mercy upon all."
We can cry, like Paul did in v.33
"Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!"
How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out. For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things! To whom be glory for ever. Amen.
But, I am going away from my purpose in my enthusiasm here, but the next verse in the list brings us back to the point, for in *Romans 12:2, we come to His council and purpose again.
"And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (council and purpose),
that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God".
The idea of 'council and purpose' in the 'renewing of your mind' has helped me to see more clearly how this is achieved. For what is being transformed is the 'council and purpose' by which our actions are governed. We walk at the impulse of His will rather than of our own. We have his 'council and purpose' in the written Word, and as we read 'His Council' our minds become renewed in 'Purpose'. This leads to the following,
"I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service,"
Praise God!
In Christ Jesus
Chris
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