digger said:
Of course MACAIRA was an instrument used for military purposes. But just because modern soldiers carry knives doesn't mean the primary purpose of a knife is military. Peace, Brent
Well I see it is NOT "
impossible" to prove it, is it? The Greek can prove it, the context of the Scripture proves it, and even, the translators (NIV, NAS, Message, Amplified, NLT, KJV, ESV, CEV, NKJV, ASV, Youngs, Darby, NLV, Holman, NIRV, WENT, etc.) go so far as to NOT to translate this term simply as a "knife," but a "sword" (indeed, because that is what it is). However, it is more like a multi-purpose sword, not one for just crushing Armour. While it is true that Jesus was not training His subjects to be theonomists <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/evilgrin.gif" alt="" /> (thus, it would have been wiser to be armed with a larger sword), IMO He was revealing a couple of things, as I attempted to point out in a previous post:
1. Mentally, I believe Jesus is saying prepare for hard days ahead. Times of peace are disappearing.
2. Yes, the sword can be used for provisional things such as food, hunting, etc., thus a multi-purpose tool. Not everyone is going to fend for you now, you have to do it for yourself at times ...
3. Yes, it may also be used for self-defense--which is not negated in Scripture, as I (and others) have shown in other posts. Indeed, this sword was one used for precision maneuvers, like dissecting ears (and Peter would
not have been rebuked, if his purpose would have been self-defense and not the stopping of the bringing in of the Kingdom). While Christ told Peter to "put your sword in its place,"
He clearly did not say get rid of it forever. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/idea.gif" alt="" /> That would have contradicted what He had told the disciples only hours before!
In the OT they were to have judges rule in cases involving bloodshed (Deut 17:8), which suggests not all bloodshed was to be punished. This seems to allow use of deadly force in defense. If a thief was caught breaking into a home at night, the homeowner had the right to kill the intruder in protection of his family and property. But if the incident occurred during the day, presumably when the homeowner could properly judge the intruder's intentions and the intruder could see the homeowner was present and willing to defend his household, the homeowner could not kill in defense of his household (Exod 22:2-3).
And just who is the One who trains us for war?
Psa 144:1 Blessed be Jehovah my rock, Who teacheth my hands to war, And my fingers to fight:
However, let us not stay within the realm of the OT, for the NT has some revelations of its own as well.
Years after Pentecost, Paul wrote in a letter to Timothy: "But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Tim 5:8). This passage applies to our subject because it would be absurd to buy a house, furnish it with food and facilities for one’s family, and then refuse to install locks and provide the means to protect the family and the property. Likewise, it would be absurd not to take,
if necessary, the life of a thief to protect the members of the family (Exod 22:2-3).
At I will end this with the WLC;
What Are the Duties Required In the Sixth Commandment?
Answer: The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves and others by resisting all thoughts and purposes, subduing all passions, and avoiding, all occasions, temptations, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any; by just defense thereof against violence, patient bearing of the hand of God, quietness of mind, cheerfulness of spirit; a sober use of meat, drink, physical, sleep, labour, and recreations; by charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, kindness; peaceable, mild and courteous speeches and behaviour; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil; comforting and succouring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent.
