Remember! When I refer to person in the Godhead in any blog, I am referring either to singular person (one-of-three) or to the collective person (three-in-one) of the Triune.
The last feature of soul on our itinerary, hardy tour companion, today will take us into the great landscape of life in the Godhead. This is a landscape teeming with promise—promise to and for us all. Therefore, let us begin, and let us begin with the basics:
The 5th feature of soul in the Godhead is life:
Scripture proposes several great basics concerning life in the Godhead (next blog we will look at #2, 3 & 4 great basics). First, life in the Godhead is a compound condition. By that I mean that life in the Godhead is not simply a matter of existence, it is a state of active consciousness formed by a duality composed of both good character and existence. There is no other type of existence attributable to the Godhead. Existence for God is only “good” existence. Vine’s describes this state in the definition of zoe below.
Definition: Vine’s has this to say about life: Zoe (Strong’s #2222, p.367-368. ©1985). Zoe is used in the NT “of life as a principle, life in the absolute sense, life as God has it, that which the Father has in Himself, and which He gave to the Incarnate Son to have in Himself, John 5:26, and which the Son manifested in the world, 1 John 1:2 . . . This life is not merely a principle of power and mobility, however, for it has moral associations which are inseparable from it, as of holiness and righteousness. Death and sin, life and holiness, are frequently contrasted in the Scriptures."
For example: 1 Timothy 6:12 “. . . Lay hold on eternal life (zoe), to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
Here we see God’s life as the recommended life for humankind.
Faculty: Godliness
Definition: Fit for or having the divine qualities of God (Encarta). The correct purpose and exercise of vitality/animation.
Operation: a value-driven existence
For example: 1 Timothy 4:8
“For bodily exercise profits a little but godliness (ěusěběia) is profitable for all things, having promise of the life (zoe) that now is and of that which is to come.”
Greek, N. ěusěběia (Strong’s #2150 ) from #2152 (devout, godly); . . . godliness, holiness.
Truth-in-Action in the Spirit Filled Life Bible elaborates on 1 Timothy 4:8 by saying, “Recognize that godliness is necessary to this life (zoe) and to life (zoe) eternal. Be disciplined in body, soul, and spirit.” (p.1849)
Product: Existence. Right living. Right existence.
To be continued . . .
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