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Philippians 2:6: Existence and being
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Existence is not is existence
That simple English word "is" has many meanings - more than in, say, Greek.

The English meaning of "is" can be relating two things such as "a" is "b" for equality which is different than "a" is a "b" as in a subset. Greek requires the word for "equal" if "a" and "b" are "equal" and that "equal" cannot be inferred from context. (future topic) For time it may involve a before and after.

The meaning of "is" can be that "a" exists without anything with which to compare it to for some sense of equality. Greek has a separate word for this idea. When this word is used in the GNT (Greek New Testament), preaching a sermon on "is" using the English meaning of "equals" can result in a changed meaning.

Information sign More: Existence is not is existence

2. Existence of citizenship
Paul uses the Greek word for "citizenship" twice in Philippians. In the first verse, the "is" or "be" is inferred and not explicitly in the Greek.

Verse routePhilippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: … [kjv]
Verse routeμονον αξιως του ευαγγελιου του χριστου πολιτευεσθε ινα ειτε ελθων και ιδων υμας ειτε απων ακουω τα περι υμων οτι στηκετε εν ενι πνευματι μια ψυχη συναθλουντες τη πιστει του ευαγγελιου [gnt]

Verse route3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [kjv]
Verse routeημων γαρ το πολιτευμα εν ουρανοις υπαρχει εξ ου και σωτηρα απεκδεχομεθα κυριον ιησουν χριστον [gnt]

In the second verse, that citizenship "exists" in heaven.

Information sign More: Existence is not is existence

3. Philippians 2:6: Existence and being
Verse routePhilippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [kjv]
Verse routeος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω [gnt]

Verse route3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [kjv]
Verse routeημων γαρ το πολιτευμα εν ουρανοις υπαρχει εξ ου και σωτηρα απεκδεχομεθα κυριον ιησουν χριστον [gnt]

Here we look at the other place in Philippians where Paul uses the Greek word for "existence". I the same verse, Paul uses the Greek word for "is" with a qualification of "equals" - necessary if in the context that equality is not obvious.

4. Philippians 2:6
 All 
KJV: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Greek: ος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω

5. Perhaps equality
The neuter plural is «τὰ ἴσα». It is not clear why the neuter plural is used by Paul in this verse.

The ancient Greek phrase "ἴσα πρὸς ἴσα""tit for tat". The game theory strategy of "tit for tat" appears often in practice (in good ways and not so good ways).

Future topic Details are left as a future topic.


6. Strongs - equal

7. Usage - equal
Word usage per chapter Words: ισα=3 ισαι ιση ισην ισον ισους


8. Second part: equality
Verse routePhilippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [kjv]
Verse routeος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω [gnt]

The second part of the verse is repeated as follows. The Greek "equals" with "is" implies that there are two parts (sides) being compared whereas "exists" has only one part (side).

This part appears clear as to implied meaning.

9. First part: existence
Verse routePhilippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [kjv]
Verse routeος εν μορφη θεου υπαρχων ουχ αρπαγμον ηγησατο το ειναι ισα θεω [gnt]

The first part of the verse is paraphrased as follows. The Greek for "existence" is used when there is nothing else with which to compare this entity. That is, there "exists" only one part (side) whereas "is" has two parts (sides).

Does this make sense with only one part (side)?

10. Philippians
Verse routePhilippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [kjv]
Verse routeημων γαρ το πολιτευμα εν ουρανοις υπαρχει εξ ου και σωτηρα απεκδεχομεθα κυριον ιησουν χριστον [gnt]

Paul uses the same word again in chapter 3.

Our "citizenship" "exists" in heaven.

11. Philippians 3:20
 All 
KJV: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Greek: ημων γαρ το πολιτευμα εν ουρανοις υπαρχει εξ ου και σωτηρα απεκδεχομεθα κυριον ιησουν χριστον

12. Perhaps
Verse routeLuke 20:13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. [kjv]
Verse routeειπεν δε ο κυριος του αμπελωνος τι ποιησω πεμψω τον υιον μου τον αγαπητον ισως τουτον εντραπησονται [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ἴσως""equal, probably, perhaps, maybe" appears once in the GNT.

13. Luke 20:13
   Luke 20:13 
 All 
KJV: Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
Greek: ειπεν δε ο κυριος του αμπελωνος τι ποιησω πεμψω τον υιον μου τον αγαπητον ισως τουτον ιδοντες εντραπησονται

14. Jeremiah
Verse routeJeremiah 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. [kjv]
Verse routeισως ακουσεται ο οικος ιουδα παντα τα κακα α εγω λογιζομαι ποιησαι αυτοις ινα αποστρεψωσιν απο οδου αυτων της πονηρας και ιλεως εσομαι ταις αδικιαις αυτων και ταις αμαρτιαις αυτων [lxx]


15. Jeremiah 36:3
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KJV: It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Hebrew: אולי ישמעו בית יהודה את כל הרעה אשר אנכי חשב לעשות להם למען ישובו איש מדרכו הרעה וסלחתי לעונם ולחטאתם׃
Greek: ισως ακουσεται ο οικος ιουδα παντα τα κακα α εγω λογιζομαι ποιησαι αυτοις ινα αποστρεψωσιν απο οδου αυτων της πονηρας και ιλεως εσομαι ταις αδικιαις αυτων και ταις αμαρτιαις αυτων

16. Daniel
Verse routeDaniel 4:27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. [kjv]
Verse routeδια τουτο βασιλευ η βουλη μου αρεσατω σοι και τας αμαρτιας σου εν ελεημοσυναις λυτρωσαι και τας αδικιας σου εν οικτιρμοις πενητων ισως εσται μακροθυμος τοις παραπτωμασιν σου ο θεος [lxx]


17. Daniel 4:27
   Daniel 4:27 
 All 
KJV: Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.
Hebrew: להן מלכא מלכי ישפר עליך וחטיך בצדקה פרק ועויתך במחן ענין הן תהוא ארכה לשלותך׃
Greek: δια τουτο βασιλευ η βουλη μου αρεσατω σοι και τας αμαρτιας σου εν ελεημοσυναις λυτρωσαι και τας αδικιας σου εν οικτιρμοις πενητων ισως εσται μακροθυμος τοις παραπτωμασιν σου ο θεος

18. Jesus
Verse routeJohn 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. [kjv]
Verse routeειπεν αυτοις ιησους αμην αμην λεγω υμιν πριν αβρααμ γενεσθαι εγω ειμι [gnt]
Verse routeego sum [v]

Jesus gets the religious establishment very upset when he says that "Before Abraham was, I am".

Discuss: How does what Jesus says fit with what Paul says about the "existence" of Jesus in Philippians 2:6?

Future topic Details are left as a future topic.


19. John 8:58
   John 8:58 
 All 
KJV: Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Greek: ειπεν αυτοις ο ιησους αμην αμην λεγω υμιν πριν αβρααμ γενεσθαι εγω ειμι
Latin: dixit eis Iesus amen amen dico vobis antequam Abraham fieret ego sum

20. End of page

by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640