RD 101 - When and Where
/By Jack Eberle
The truth of the mystery is found only in Paul’s seven later epistles. Paul was in prison part of these times. Some say “all”. These epistles are written after the events of Acts 28:28. This juncture is often called “the great divide”. This indicates when Paul was given the commission of Eph. 3:9. It is important to understand that the truth proclaimed from this commission forward had not been prophesied or known before this time. It was “hidden in God”. Even the greatly intelligent Satan had no inkling of this purpose or plan of God. Further, the message was directed to gentiles. No longer did Paul enter into the synagogues first. Jewish people could enjoy the blessing of body membership on the same basis as Gentile believers. Read Eph. 3:5-9.
God had made the decision to make the body part of His plan before the seven day creation of Genesis. Translators erroneously translate the Greek word, KATABOLE, as FOUNDATION. This is due partly to ignorance and partly to lack of devotion to His WORDS. The Greek word for “foundation” is THEMELIOS as witnessed by the 16 translations of that word as such. Conversely, the word KATABOLE is made up of two Greek words “KATA” meaning “against”, “according to”, or expressing location. In this context the often used translation is “down”. BOLE is the word derived from the meaning “throw, cast”. Therefore, “casting down” seems to be the most accurate translation of the word. Notice II Corinthians 4:9 and Revelation 12:9. In Hebrews 6:1, we have the rare occurrence of both words used in one verse. THEMELION KATABALLOMENOI which is translated here “laying foundation”. “Casting down a foundation” would be even more accurate. Therefore we must conclude that the most accurate translation for the word KATABOLE in Ephesians 1:4 is “Casting down”
Our next understanding must be the words found in Genesis 1:1-2. Gen. 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” So far, so good. Now in verse 2 we must take issue with the translators again. They state, “And the earth WAS without form and void…” Yet, we understand that the same word is translated, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man BECAME a living soul” in Genesis 2:7. The very next place it is found (Genesis 4:3) it is “…in the process of time it CAME TO PASS…” The next place it is found is in Genesis 9:15 where it is, “…the waters shall no more BECOME a flood.” Going back to Genesis 1:2, we see that the accurate translation is “and the earth BECAME without form and void.”
More on this next time.
