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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
The rich perpetually persecuted believers; it had been that way from ages of old and it was still that way during the early days of the New Testament church. In word and in deed, the rich proved to be adversarial to believers at every turn. This background prompted James to ask the third of his rapid-fire rhetorical questions. “Do they [the rich] not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?” (James 2.7).
First, we need to understand the word blaspheme. Literally the word simply means “to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile…” (On-Line Bible Greek Lexicon). An example of how the word was commonly used can be seen from Luke’s usage of it in describing the injurious actions taken upon Jesus during the night prior to His crucifixion. Here are Luke’s words: “Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, ‘Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You? And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.” (Luke 22.63-65; emphasis mine, jb). There is no mystery to this word; it just means what the lexicons say; it conveys the idea of strong contempt and willful disrespect!
James referred to the name by which believers were called as “that noble name.” Citing the same source just noted, the word noble means “beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable...” A. T. Robertson suggests that it would have been totally correct to have referred to it simply as “the beautiful name.” The beautiful name by which believers were called has reference to the only name that was worth blaspheming to the heathen, namely the name Christian. This particular moniker is used but three times in the New Testament (see Acts 11.26, Acts 26.28, and 1 Peter 4.16), but its significance rings throughout the ages! According to the online MSN Encarta Dictionary, the suffix ian means, “…belonging to, coming from, being involved in, or being like something.” Strangely enough, all of these possible meanings fit the idea of Christian. Believers belong to, come from, are involved with, and are like Jesus! Hence to blaspheme the beautiful name of Jesus was to speak evil concerning the very heart and soul of the believer!
Young’s Literal Translation refers to this noble name that was being blasphemed as the name that “…was called upon you.” The name Christian was not one taken upon the believer by their own actions; the verbs here are passive indicating that some one else gave this name, not the Christians themselves. Luke recorded that “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11.26). Isaiah had prophesied, “You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name.” (Isaiah 62.2). Reading the context of Isaiah 62 and noting the actions that had taken place in Antioch, it is little wonder that God chose that time and place to bestow this new name. Gentiles had obeyed the gospel and were worshipping together with Jews. In fact they were one in doctrine and in deed! The name was appropriate! No longer Jew and no longer Gentile – both and all simply Christian.
Going back to James’ overall theme in the early verses of James 2, he is appalled that his brethren had fallen prey to the sin of partiality. But, of greater significance was the fact that they were favoring the rich! This was a double blow! First, they should have never dreamed of showing favoritism, and secondly, of all people to which to be partial, why would they choose the rich? Common sense should have told them that this simply could not be right! Such lessons are difficult to learn, but once learned, tend to stay for a lifetime!
Questions:
1. Name some of the rich that had persecuted poor believers in the Old Testament.
2. Did all the rich persecute believers?
2. How many times is the word Christian used in the New Testament?
4. What Old Testament prophet foretold a new name for God’s elect? Why was it particularly appropriate to call them by this name in Antioch?
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