“As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it” (II Corinthians 6:1 NLT 2nd Ed.).
I recently purchased a copy of the second edition of the New Living Translation for my personal reading, and when reading II Corinthians came across the above challenging paraphrase. What struck me was the “accept
The NLT is the only translation I could find that used the word “ignore”. The KJV “in vain” is repeated in a majority of translations, and the Greek word means “empty”. The Amplified says “do not receive it to no purpose.” The CEV encourages the reader “to make good use of God’s kindness to you.” The old Good News Bible and God’s Word translations use the phrase “not let it be wasted.” The Message Bible paraphrases it this way, “please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.”
So whichever translation or paraphrase you prefer, it is clear you can become a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17) as a result of God’s grace and provision and not enjoy the blessings it delivers, either through a lack of appreciation for what it is, or through a lack of desire to be everything God has planned for you to be. “Don’t accept it and then ignore it.”
I’m more inspired than ever to keep teaching this wonderful truth, as hundreds of other preachers and teachers have done before me (see their articles on my other site, peterwade.com). I cannot understand how so many know the passage but do not make it foundational to all they teach. The new creation is not just another way at looking at God’s gift of eternal life; it is God’s revelation through Paul as to what actually happened at the moment of the new birth.
“The new has come… and all this is from God” (II Corinthians 5:17-18). So start thanking God for the new life He has placed within you, and read the Word to discover the many diverse ways it can change your way of living.
The NLT version is terrific for just reading for enjoyment! But I was reading along, enjoying my time in the word, I was also struck at that word “ignore”. And it jarred me into to wondering what in heck was so important that I could be distracted from a reality so vast and magnificent! And I guess that is the beauty of reading a different translation or version; it makes you think. And as one great Bible teacher has said, his goal is drive his listeners to Think!
God’s kindness and being open to receiving this has been a wonderful “not ignoring’ for me over the last few years… I give thanks.
It is so good that the new has come upon becoming a believer and for this I am very, very thankful, for now we have both the ability and the desire to put off the old things and put on the new. It is so good to learn what we are now ‘in Christ’ and the love He has given us to share with everyone with whom we come in contact. Thank you for your great teaching which is so helpful ,
Judith
Hi Peter, I was still a teenager when we first met and you shared the positive message of who we are in Christ. Any success I have achieved in my 76 years is due to walking in that revelation and sharing it with others. You and your dear wife are still after all this time among my dearest and most trusted friends. Blessings Peter
Yes. I too read some books in the Bible ignoring the chapters, but paying close attention so new insights I have not noticed. I too have been enjoying The Contemporary English Version of the Bible, and have been delighting in reviewing a chapter of Proverbs a Day. We used to say it keeps the doctor away. God is so new and refreshing every day. More later. Love all, Maxine
Very good point about the chapter divisions. Ignoring what God has done through the new creation hinders the wonderful plans and fulfiling plans that God has for our lives.
Another thing that will further enhance our effectiveness is the sharing our our faith in every good thing that is in us in Christ Jesus, as stated in Philemon 1:6 (KJV).
DON’T IGNORE IT, THESE WORDS MADE ME STOP AND PONDER ON FOR A WHILE.
GODS KINDNESS–HAVE I FORGOT GODS KINDNESS –YES I HAVE AT TIMES.
WHEN I GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE WAY OF THE WORLDS THINKING.
BUT AS I HAVE GROWN IN HIS WORD I FIND THAT I THINK MORE AND MORE OF HIS LOVING KINDNESS.
AND THE GREATEST BEING SENDING HIS SON CHRIST JESUS TO EARTH FOR ME.
THE MORE I SEE, HE IS IN ME AND I AM IN HIM, THE MORE I SEE THE LOVING KINDNESS OF OUR FATHER.
I REALLY LIKE THE STATEMENT ” DON’T IGNORE IT ”
IT’S RIGHT TO THE POINT, IT MAKES YOU STOP AND THINK, HAVE I,
DO I, WHEN?
THANK YOU PETER, THIS IS ANOTHER AMAZING INSIGHT THAT I AM SURE WE HAVE ALL FELL SHORT OF
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR MINISTRY