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Full Version: Feed the flock "spiritually"
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Shlama,

I found another nugget in 1st Peter, this time in chapter 5, verse 2. Let's have a look at it from the Apostolic Bible Polyglot with Strong's numbers...

1Pe 5:2 tendG4165 theG3588 [3amongG1722 4youG1473 1flockG4168 G3588 2of God]!G2316 overseeing,G1983 notG3361 by compelling,G317 butG235 voluntarily;G1596 norG3366 sordidly,G147 butG235 eagerly;G4290

Now let's look at James Murdock's translation of the Aramaic Peshitta Text....

Feed ye the flock of God which is committed to you: have care [for it], spiritually; not from compulsion, but voluntarily; not for base gain, but with all your heart;

I suppose "eagerly" of the Greek and "with all your heart" are on a par with one another but let's consider the full weight of the word "heart" from a Semitic perspective.
I'd like to put William Wilson on the "witness stand." <!-- sSmile --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- sSmile --> Among his many statements on the term "heart," these are quite thought-provoking........

Quote: The heart is the seat of feelings and the affections, and takes those epithets and verbs which designate the affections themselves. But the Hebrews regard it more generally as likewise the seat of intellect; hence, (1) mind, purpose, intention; (2) understanding, knowledge, insight; (3) courage, spirit.

The Greek text leaves off the thought of "caring for the flock SPIRITUALLY" as found in the Peshitta and the final expression "WITH ALL YOUR HEART" adds considerably to the tenor of this verse particularly when considering Wilson's comment.

Shlama w'Burkate, Bro. Larry