Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

NOEMA - Part 2 - ὑπὸστασις (Strong's #5287)
Mind, thoughts, perceptions, device, purpose

We continue this week with our study of the word νὸημα (Strong's #3540). Νὸημα is derived from the verb νοὲω (Strong's #3539), which means "to think, to perceive." Νὸημα represents, not just the perceptive process, but the perceptions and thoughts themselves. Paul presents Νὸημα, or perception, as the very function of the mind necessary for understanding the things of the Lord. Indeed, the Bible teaches that no person is able to perceive the things of the Lord without the Holy Spirit giving him the actual ability to perceive spiritual things. Paul, in chapters 2-4 of 2Corinthians, is bringing out this truth.

Last week we began our study of νὸημα from where Paul teaches that Satan has the ability to formulate his perceptions to arrive at a systematic or methodical attack against a believer. This week's study is taken from the next chapter of the same book () and centers on the continuation of Paul's explanation of the ways in which people are blinded to the truth of Christ, while others, at the same time, are enlightened to see His truth.

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, Paul expresses a confidence that his ministry is the fragrance of the knowledge of God being revealed in every place. He then describes two effects his ministry has upon people; to one it is the fragrance of death unto death and to another life unto life. He then asks the question: "and pertaining to these things, who is sufficient?" (2 Corinthians 2:16 Literal Translation) He is asking them to think of who would be able to bring life to some and death to others through the preaching of Christ. He then asks, referring to his statements in 2:14-17, "Are we beginning again to commend ourselves to you or do we have need of recommendation letters to you or recommendation letters from you?" (2Corinthians 3:1Literal Translation) Then Paul points out that they themselves are the proof of his ministry, because God saved them through his ministry, and they have become the Letters of Christ, which are "being known and read by all men."

The insight expressed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 14-3:3, is the basis for his confident expression that they, the Corinthian believers, have become his credentials from Christ. Then Paul proceeds to list the source of his confidence. His sufficiency does not come from himself (v5), but God gives the sufficiency for ministry (v6) and the manifested glory of His ministry is displayed permanently and continuously in comparison with the temporary glory of the ministry of the Old Covenant (7-11).

Paul then continues his main argument in 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (Literal Translation).

12)

Therefore having such hope, we use much confidence;

Because of Paul's confidence in God's sufficiency and the abiding glory that is the fruit of God's Spirit, Paul speaks with confidence in his main argument.

13)

and not according as Moses was putting a veil over his face, in order that the sons of Israel might not look intently ^F1 at the end of the thing fading away;

Paul's confidence to preach the Gospel of Christ is not like that of Moses. When Moses spoke with the Lord, the glory of the Lord was reflected on his face; but that glory was not permanent, it faded with time. Therefore, Moses veiled his face so that the sons of Israel were prevented from seeing the fading of this glory.

14)

but their thoughts (plural of νὸημα) were hardened; for until today the same veil remains over the reading of the Old Covenant, not being unveiled, that it is being removed in Christ.

Here Paul states that the Israelites were unable to perceive (νὸημα) that the fading glory on
Moses' face meant the glory of the Old Covenant also was temporary and fading. In addition, he says that their thoughts (νὸημα) or perceptions were hardened to the fact that the Old Covenant is passing away in Christ. They also could not perceive the true meaning of the Old Covenant, seen in the fact that the same veil remains today.

Paul uses the word νὸημα, perception, because only the Spirit of Christ can enable a person to perceive the truth about the Old Covenant and the truth in Christ. Paul also teaches that the things of the Lord cannot be researched and pursued through human ability. Of his own ministry, he says, in Ephesians 3:7-8, that he became "a minister according to the gift of the grace of God which had been given to me according to the working of His power. To me less than the least of all the saints this grace was given, to proclaim among the nations the untraceable riches of Christ." Paul uses the word ἀνεξιχνὶαστος (Strong's #421) which we translate "untraceable." The word means that the riches of Christ cannot be tracked or explored by the human abilities of the mind. Paul also says in Romans 11:33, "O the depth of the wealth both of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways untraceable." The word translated "unsearchable" is the Greek word ἀνεξεραὺνητος (Strong's #419) which means, "that which cannot be searched out or investigated."

15)

But until today, whenever Moses should be read, ^F2 a veil lies over their heart.

16)

But whenever one should turn to the Lord, the veil is being removed.

Paul teaches that the same veil is active today, only not on Moses' face, but now on the hearts of people whenever the Law is read. The veil is not over the Law but rather over the heart of the person listening. However, when a person turns to the Lord for salvation, the veil is being removed from that person's heart. These are great verses that describe the salvation process as it takes place in the heart of the Jewish listener.

In verses 17,18, Paul summarizes his teaching on the nature of true glory for the believer. He then explains, in two of the most important scripture verses expressing the divinity of Christ, that the Spirit of Christ is the One imparting freedom through salvation to the one who is turning to the Lord.

17)

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

18)

And we ourselves all, while seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror with face having been unveiled, are being transformed into the same image from glory unto glory, according as indeed from the Lord Spirit. (F3)

He also teaches that the one who has been regenerated by the Spirit of Christ is continually being transformed into the same image that he is seeing in the mirror, from glory to succeeding glory. The one in Christ now has God's permanent glory reflecting upon him, not a glory that is temporary and fading. Paul finishes by saying that this glory is from the Lord Spirit.

In these verses, Paul explains why some people remain in disbelief, as well as the process a person goes through to come to belief in Christ. He teaches that a person must be able to perceive the truth in Christ because the things of the Lord are beyond the searching and researching abilities of man. A person must turn to the Lord to have the veil lifted from his heart. The Lord Spirit, Jesus Christ, must remove the veil that hinders one from perceiving the truth in Christ; this is the circumcision of the heart referred to in Romans 2:29.

Next week we will continue our study from 2Corinthians chapter 4.

Technical Notes:

F1 The prepositional phrase with the articular infinitve of purpose πρὸς͂τὸ͂μὴ͂ἀτενὶσαῖτοὺς͂υἱοὺς͂̓Ισραὴλ, "pertaining to the sons of Israel not to intently look," is translated διὰ͂νὰ͂μὴ͂ἀτενὶσωσιν͂οἷυἱοὶ͂̓Ισραὴλ, "in order that the Sons of Israel might not look intently."

F2 The phrase ἡνὶκᾶἀναγινὼσκεταῖΜωϋσῆς, "when Moses is being read," is translated ὃταν͂ἀναγινὼσκηταῖὁ͂Μωϋσῆς, "whenever Moses should be read."

F3 The literal Greek phrase ἀπὸ͂ΚυρὶοῦΠνεὺματος is a title: from the Lord Spirit. It is presenting the same truth as in 3:17 that says, "the Lord is the Spirit." Here the same truth is expressed to convey the Lord's divinity in the same way that the phrase, "The Lord God" does.

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