IN FOR THE LONG RUN? #1

Ron Simkins – January 14, 2025 2 Comments

Nuances of Biblical conversations are often lost in the translation gap from Greek to English. In the following passage, Ron Simkins highlights a wordplay in Jesus’ interaction with a Biblical scholar that has important implications for our faith journeys. May we seek the ongoing transformation that Jesus invites in the coming year. -Renée

I am tempted to blame American culture for our (and my) tendency to want a one-time solution to realities that demand an ongoing process. But a grammatical word play in Luke’s Gospel indicates that it has probably always been a human tendency.

Unfortunately, Luke’s word play is one of those word plays that is a bit difficult to bring over into English smoothly. In Koine Greek, the aorist tense focuses mainly on one-time acts, and the present tense focuses more on ongoing patterns of behavior. With that in mind, think about the implications of the following well-known interaction between Jesus and a church leader/theologian of his day (Luke 10:25-37).

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do (aorist tense- one time action) to inherit the life of the age to come?”

26 “What is written in the Torah?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘You shall love (hesed/agape—future tense implying “always”) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, your neighbor as yourself.’”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Keep doing (present tense—ongoing pattern of behavior) this and you will live (future tense implying ‘always’).”

29 But he wanted to justify (aorist tense—one time action) himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is (present tense-ongoing reality) my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.  35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think became (perfect tense—in the past event with continuing results) a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the Torah replied, “The one who had (aorist tense-one time act) mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go (present-ongoing behavior)and keep doing (present tense-ongoing behavior) likewise.”

The nuances of these verbal changes in tense indicate that the theologian wanted an immediate one-time act that would make things right between himself and God. In contrast, Jesus pushes for a pattern of living daily life that seeks the good of others as we relate to God and to other humans.

What growth might occur if I, if you, if we together, moved away from wanting one-time
solutions to life’s big questions, and instead “keep on asking” God to help us grow in patterns of behavior that please God and bless others? Ongoing experience is teaching me that one time prayer for needed transformation is rarely enough—no matter how sincere. But an ongoing pattern of presenting oneself before God’s transforming presence will keep on bringing growth. And that growth will include being more aware of how to respond to our fellow humans in a more godly manner.

Will you join me in 2025 in the ongoing prayer for transformation by God rather than the default of being conformed to the present culture (Romans 12:1-2)?  -Ron Simkins 1/25