As Advent begins I was reading the opening of Luke 1 which is addressed to \u201cTheophilus,\u201d as is the opening of Acts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you,\u00a0<\/em>most excellent Theophilus<\/em><\/strong>, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1.3, 4, ESV, emphasis mine)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since there\u2019s no mention of this \u201cTheophilus,\u201d which in Greek means \u201clover of God\u201d anywhere else, we really don\u2019t know if this is someone\u2019s nickname, his actual name, or a generic name that could apply to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Passion Translation takes the position that \u201cTheophilus\u201d is not a person but could refer to anyone who loves God. Here\u2019s the footnote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Greek text can be translated \u201cmost excellent Theophilus.\u201d The name Theophilus means \u201cfriend of God\u201d or \u201clover of God.\u201d The Greek word [for excellent] means \u201cmost honorable\u201d or \u201cmightiest.\u201d Some scholars believe there was no individual named Theophilus mentioned in Luke\u2019s writings.\u00a0This becomes instead a greeting to all the lovers of God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luke\u2019s opening becomes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am writing for you, mighty lover of God, an orderly account of what Jesus, the Anointed One, accomplished and fulfilled among us. (from Luke 1.1 – 4, Passion Translation)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I like that. It reminds me of the angel\u2019s greeting to Gideon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor! (Judges 6.12, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n God called Gideon a mighty man of valor before he was one, and he calls us \u201cmighty lovers of God,\u201d whether we feel that\u2019s true of us or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n …God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. (Romans 4.17, NKV) As Advent begins I was reading the opening of Luke 1 which is addressed to \u201cTheophilus,\u201d as is the opening of Acts. It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you,\u00a0most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you … Continue reading Mighty Lover of God<\/span>
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