What was the original greek word for the
word "form" that was translated there?
I believe the word "body" is what you want to clarify...from the Greek word : "Soma" . Jesus identifies himself with "God" , and the Kingdom of God , therefore he is risen into the body of that eternal kingdom , or enwrapt in the arms (eternal being) of the Father . Paul's word for "body" was soma. In those times the extended concepts & meanings of "body " had just begun to filter in to man's reckonings , as with the later references to a body of thought , body of ethics , body of the Law, body of axioms , body of wisdom , body of the sublime etc . The earlier Greek usage of the word dealt more with the actual physicalness and the corporeal, though Paul might have had a glimmering of a new usage in regards to the "Christ", which must have been thrilling in and of itself. Language and the concepts behind language evolve as our own self-understanding unfolds, and the metaphors deepen as we ripen .
Paul's word that was used for the risen body-of-christ , was the greek "'soma"...the use of soma in other literature of the period and shows that it refers to the physical "thingness" of a body. It is often used in a sense that we would say, "We need a body over here" with reference to slaves who are used as tools; to soldiers who are on the verge of death, to passengers on a boat, and to people in a census. In other places it is used to refer to a corpse (and so cannot refer by itself to the "whole person" as some influenced by Bultmann have suggested). Xenophon (Anabasis 1.9.12) refers to the people entrusting Cyrus with their possessions, their cites, and their "bodies" (somata). Plato refers to the act of habeus corpus in terms of producing a soma. Aristophanes refers to the throwing of a soma to dogs. It is used by Euripides and Demosthenes to refer to corpses.
* Soma also has an older meaning that is from over in India referencing to the pressing of the nectar of God and as an offering to God , and in return recieving the experience of that divine radiance , or divine love...being freed from the bond of ignorance and attachments. They also had developed the idea of the "Avatara" , or God incarnating in human form to guide teach and restore balance. This is centuries before Roman Christianity.
I believe you are needing to advance in your interpretation today , of that "body" being one of a state of "enlightenment" or an "at Onement" , or you will forever be lost to understanding the message. Jesus does state it very clearly for you more than several times in many different places ...of the "Oneness of God" etc.
God is One
"hear oh Israel , the Lord God is one"
I am That , I am Exo 3:14
Jesus is in the Body of God
" I and the Father are one " John 10:30
Be still and know that I am God Psa 46:10
You are my Son ; today I have become your Father Psa 2:7
God is within you
I am in my Father , and you are in me , and I am in you John 14:20
The Kingdom of God is within you Luke17:21
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you ? Cor 3:16
No , the word is very near you ; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it Deu 30:14
The LOrd your God is with you , he is mighty to save Zef 3:17
Live your Divinity
Be perfect , therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect Mat 5:48
Only thru God
I am the way and the truth and the life Joh 14:6
By myself I can do nothing Joh5:30
All Religions and Races of Men (and Women) are Valuable
I now realize how true it is that God shows no favoritism but accepts men from every nationwho hear him and do what is right. Act 10:34
There is neither Jew or Greek , slave or free , male or female , for you are all one in Christ Jesus . Gal 3:28
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you , the one true God , and Jesus Christ you have sent Joh 17:3
and , blessed be the peacmakers , may they find peace in
becoming at one with the "soma" of the "Christ " Jesus .
;-)
PS: Paul's word "soma" , not mine . |
