Ohhh ok,…
The reason I asked is because my Bible uses the word ‘constraineth” and is defined as ;

to hold together
any whole, lest it fall to pieces or something fall away from it
to hold together with constraint, to compress
to press together with the hand
to hold one's ears, to shut the heavens that it may not rain
to press on every side
of a besieged city
of a strait, that forces a ship into a narrow channel
of a cattle squeeze, that pushing in on each side, forcing the beast into a position where it cannot move so the farmer can administer medication
to hold completely
to hold fast
of a prisoner
metaph.
to be held by, closely occupied with any business
in teaching the word
to constrain, oppress, of ills laying hold of one and distressing him
to be held with, afflicted with, suffering from
to urge, impel
of the soul

So it was odd to me that your translation used the word compels as in the above definition(s) would only be applicable metaphorically-

In any case I do appreciate you offering some pushback 🙏🏻

_________________
Fletcher

I don’t see the difference in context between compels and constrains. Paul is saying the love of Christ forces him (squeezes him) into a certain direction.

I’m not trying to push back. I am pretty sure I agree with what you are saying.

_________________
Todd

Yes it is more clear to me what you were trying to point out and was hoping to clarify my misunderstanding regarding that translations use of the word…

(for me) Sometimes the different translations really help to define a thing and other times certain words are “injected” to promote a particular doctrine- not so much in this case tho in others it is certainly so -
I was simply not “picking up what you were putting down” and very much benefit from your candor and willingness to help :)

*perhaps pushback was a poor choice of words on my part…🤔
Refine or offer an alkali in hopes of causing a separation of the dross, which is of course a bit uncomfortable-

SI is (for me) at times a place of testing, where our understanding can be tested, vetted, refined and polished through the fires of other saints inquiry and as is often the case, one saint my be further along in their development on a particular subject- this is one of the most valuable aspects in practical application of our faith, where it servers as a type of “dojo” where we can spar and have our equipping tested by a loving brother or sister so that when in the fallen world they/we are more prepared to meet the challenges that are inevitable as we seek to reach the lost-
This can’t happen if we lack the willingness to spar and see the efficacy or lack there of regarding our personally held beliefs and positions. Many times I have thought a thing to be a certain way only to read/follow a thread where when under intense pressure/scrutiny that thought collapses and is broken down to its base components. In my experience this serves to buttress the faith of the body as a whole, effectively exercising us unto godliness 😇

We do seem to be, in general, a bit more sensitive these days when compared to times past when former members of this forum got extremely intense in their working out of certain things and it was a huge benefit for me to have witnessed these discussions and took years of study and research off my personal pursuits… effectively equipping me with firm understanding 🙏🏻

My hope, is that tho mild, our discussions here might be doing the same for others all over the world -

_________________
Fletcher

Bro. Fletcher,
I love the discussions.
I love the *depth, of the discussions you hunger and seek after,.. and your wording has such depth!!,… so knowledgeable!


Thank you dear brothers.

———————
elizabeth

Ohhh my sweet sister !!
Your ears must’ve been burning as just last night even after 10pm i and a friend were talking about you and Ginney Rose (Sandra) and how much we missed y’all’s contributions and how much we had gained gleaning in the edges of your fields of faith 😇

It’s oh so good to hear from you and to know you are well 🙏🏻

Thank you for your kind words, tho my life of faith changed forever when you shared that first msg from brother Akanni a few years ago-
In case I never get the opportunity again I want to be completely honest about what happened and share a short testimony of that period…

You had mentioned Luka (also from Nigeria) and Gbile and suggested that I might enjoy his ministry, you stated here on SI that if I was interested you would send it and I responded, of course I always appreciate godly sermons. When I received the email containing the msg, I clicked on it and when it opened I saw it was 3 hours and 40 some odd mins and it was the first of three messages totaling 9+hrs 😳😬
So I sat it aside, that was a Wednesday and after work that Saturday I came home and played basketball with my boys till they were red faced and exhausted. Once we came in from the heat and got a drink of water, they collapsed with me picking at them for being so soft and I retired upstairs to tend to emails, bills and such, that’s when I saw your email and remembered how long it was,… I thought to myself “how can I get out of this since I publicly said I’d listen”…. Then it occurred to me that if I listen to a few minutes I could tell you when you asked, “yes I’ve started it but haven’t finished it yet” and that would help me deflect the responsibility of having to follow thorough and keep my word. So I opened the email and began to listen… after 45 mins or so I was frustrated to have to pause it to come prepare the boys some food as it was like nothing I’ve ever heard. I went back upstairs and finished that msg and began the next in the series. Each hour passed and by the end I was undone! How can this man from Nigeria, a physics professor, preach 3 days - 9hrs on only 4 words ?!!! yet it never got stale, it never slowed, he kept an accessible pace and held my attention with almost baited breath! This man has it! I thought, this is the most remarkable thing I’ve ever seen in regards to preaching, he literally extracted the marrow from the bones of the word like I’d never seen nor heard, and I’m maybe a lil “addicted” to good preaching-
After that, you sent me many messages from him and I devoured many but not all as my life became extremely complicated for a season.
Even as recently as last week I quoted Luka to a client as he posted the truest words I’ve ever read by someone who was alive on planet earth at the same time as me…. “Many Christians today, don’t know how to trade with heaven and instead they do business with the world” 🙌🏻
So I hope you know that your response to Gods divine influence in sending/suggesting this ministry has changed not only my life but my whole family’s and many of my clients whom the Lord has prompted me to share with.
I am truly grateful and hope that others also find the treasure in it that I did ✝️

May great grace and peace be unto you dear sister and know that thanks has been heartily given to heaven for your obedience <\\\><

_________________
Fletcher

Dear Brother Fletcher,
It is a joy to hear from you,..Thank you for the kind words,…

Yes, I also truly appreciate Bro. Gbile Akanni, too.
I have observed him ,and his messages for many years now,.. and came to believe he lives , a life of death to self, and a Life to God, daily.

He does a live Bible Study on Saturday’s, has a staff here in the U.S., who has come and ate at my table.



Bless you ,

——-
elizabeth