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The IMAGE and LIKENESS of GOD


The Relationship between GOD, JESUS CHRIST and MAN




9. Words related to isos



[9A] G2470 - ἴσος (isos)


A. Thayer Definition

 

1) equal, in quantity or quality


B. Verses with this word

 

Matthew 20:12; Mark 14:56, 59; Luke 6:34; John 5:18; Acts 11:17; Philippians 2:6; Revelation 21:16


C. Outline

 

       1.    Equal in size.

              a.    Revelation 21:16 - The length / width / height of the New Jerusalem are equal.

 

       2.    Equal in how treated.

              a.    Matthew 20:12 - Those who worked one hour were treated equal to those who worked the entire day. [The group that worked all day had worked for an agreed amount of money; the group that worked one hour worked without being told what to expect.]

              b.    Luke 6:34 - Even pagans expect to be paid back when they loan money to others [= to be paid back "equal" to what they loaned].

              c.    Acts 11:17 - God gave an "equal" gift (i.e., the Holy Spirit) to both Jew and non-Jew. [This indicated that he was bringing salvation to both groups.]

 

       3.    Consistent ("equal") testimony between witnesses - in these verses, it was not this way!

              a.    Mark 14:56 - (general statement) - Many people falsely accused Jesus, but their statements did not agree (were not "equal" to each other).

              b.    Mark 14:59 - (specific example) - The testimony of those who accused Jesus (claiming he was going to destroy the temple) was not consistent (was not "equal" to each other).

 

       4.    Equality with God: Jesus.

              a.    John 5:18 - When Jesus called God his own "Father," this indicated (according to the apostle John) that he was claiming equality with God. [Note the context: This was not intended to have the same significance as when we call God our "Father."]

              b.    Philippians 2:6 - Jesus decided that his equality with God, wasn't something he would cling to, but he was going to lower himself to our level, to become like one of us. He "let go" of this equality, by "emptying" himself of it.


[9A-1] Note about Jesus "emptying" himself:

G2758 - κενόω (kenoō)

Thayer Definition:

       1) to empty, make empty

              1a) of Christ, he laid aside equality with or the form of God

       2) to make void

              2a) deprive of force, render vain, useless, of no effect

       3) to make void

              3b) cause a thing to be seen to be empty, hollow, false

Jesus "emptied" himself of rights of equality.



D. Summary

 

Jesus claimed an equality to God that surpassed that of the people around him. (See the context of John 5:18.) The apostle Paul acknowledges this equality (in Philippians 2:6), when he describes what took place when Jesus came to earth.

 

Nevertheless, Jesus chose to "empty" himself of that equality, so that he could become like us... to save us from our sins!






Related words, but not relevant to our current study:


G2471 - ἰσότης (isotēs)

Thayer Definition: 1) equality; 2) equity, fairness, what is equitable

2 Corinthians 8:13-14 - helping each other in their needs (us helping them; them helping us), so there will be equality;

Colossians 4:1 - masters being "fair" to their slaves


G2472 - ἰσότιμος (isotimos)

Thayer Definition: 1) equally precious; 2) equally honoured, to be esteemed equal to

2 Peter 1:1 - an "equally precious" faith - your's and our's


G2473 - ἰσόψυχος (isopsuchos)

Thayer Definition: 1) equal in soul

Philippians 2:20 - being likeminded or having a "kindred spirit"


Dennis Hinks © 1983, 2006

060218

 

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