Many see the Word of God. . .few observe!

Luke 2:52 (NIV)

52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

This verse was a foundational scripture for the Campus Life meetings that I conducted for so many decades. It was called the balanced life philosophy. It stated that young people needed to grow mentally, physically, socially and spiritually. The spiritual dimension was often neglected by teenagers.

But let’s take a closer look at the word translated grow in the New International Version of the Bible. The focus of the Greek word (prokopto) is more focused on advancement than growth. Strong’s Lexicon lists the following definition:

4621 προκόπτω (prokoptō): vb.; ≡ Str 4298; TDNT 6.703--1. LN 13.57 progress, go ahead, go forward, advance (Lk 2:52; Gal 1:14; 2Ti 3:13+); 2. LN 42.18 accomplish, perform something (2Ti 3:9+); 3. LN 59.64 increase, enlarge a quantity (2Ti 2:16+); 4. LN 67.118 draw to a close, have a time draw near (Ro 13:12+)[1]

Dr. Kenneth Wuest, a linguistics professor, translated this verse in his Expanded Translation as follows:

And Jesus kept on hewing a pioneer path ahead, making steady progress in wisdom and maturity and in favor in the presence of God and with men.[2]

A Greek-English Lexicon by Liddell states the following:                                                                                              

✪ προκόπτω, cut one’s way forward, only metaph., π. διὰ τῆς λεωφόρου advance by the high-road, Anon.ap.Suid.: c. acc. cogn., τὴν ὁδὸν προκεκοφέναι J.AJ2.6.7: without ὁδόν, ἐπὶ πολὺ προκεκοφότες ib.2.16.3; π. τριάκοντα σταδίους ChioEp.4.2:—Pass. in Hdt., advance, prosper, ἀνωτέρω οὐδὲν τῶν πρηγμάτων προκοπτομένων 1.190; ἐς τὸ πρόσω οὐδὲν προεκόπτετο τῶν πρηγμάτων 3.56.[3]

The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament by Balz states:

προκόπτω   prokoptō   go forward, advance*

προκοπή, ῆς, ἡ   prokopē   progress, advancement*

1. Occurrences in the NT — 2. Meaning — 3. Colloquial usage — 4. As a term for education

Lit.: Spicq, Notes II, 752–55. — G. Stählin, TDNT VI, 703–19. — For further bibliography see TWNT X, 1249.

1. Of 9 occurrences in the NT (6 of the vb.: Gal 1:14; Rom 13:12; 2 Tim 2:16; 3:9, 13; Luke 2:52; 3 of the noun: Phil 1:12, 25; 1 Tim 4:15) 4 are in the Pastorals.

2. The vb. was originally a trans. navigational metaphor (“drive forward by means of blows”), but is only intrans. and colloquial in Hellenistic Greek, referring to different varieties of progress (synonymous with αὐξάνω, κραταιόω, περισσεύω, πληθύνω, προάγω, προβαίνω, and τελειόω). It is completely absent in the LXX (only 3 Macc 5:18 A, where it appears to be the result of a scribal error). It acquired a specialized meaning in the philosophical ethics of the Stoics (and in Philo) as a preferred word for the course of education.

The noun, first documented in Polybius, reflects both Hellenistic usages of the vb. There are 2 occurrences in the LXX: colloquial in 2 Macc 8:8: “success [in war]”; philosophical in Sir 51:17, where it is used absolutely as a nomen resultantum for “general progress in instruction.”

3. Phil 1:12: Paul’s incarceration served the advancement (the growing acceptance) of the gospel; Rom 13:12: The night comes to an end (cf. Josephus B.J. iv.298).[4]

This nautical term meant to cut a path forward on water. So despite the waves coming against you. . .you would continue to make progress. I wonder what difficulties Jesus faced as he grew up. Apparently something happened to his earthly father Joseph because he is never mentioned again.

When God the Father said this is my son in whom I am well pleased it was at the beginning of the ministry. Apparently He was pleased at the progress Jesus made during his first thirty years of his life. I suspect he faced numerous difficult circumstances such as the loss of his father. But he continued to progress in a balanced way.

Are you advancing mentally, physically, socially and spiritually? Or do the blows of life stop your progress?


Cathy and Danny Sartin

Deeper Still Missions


Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

Bible Nuggets are written for pastors and missionaries who desire to go deeper still in God’s Word. 

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vb. verb


Str Strong’s Lexicon


TDNT Kittel, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament


LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon


+ I have cited every reference in regard to this lexeme discussed under this definition.


LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon


+ I have cited every reference in regard to this lexeme discussed under this definition.


LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon


+ I have cited every reference in regard to this lexeme discussed under this definition.


LN Louw-Nida Greek-English Lexicon


+ I have cited every reference in regard to this lexeme discussed under this definition.


[1] Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.


[2] Wuest, K. S. (1961). The New Testament: an expanded translation (Lk 2:41–52). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.


✪  = denotes definitions added or revised in accordance with instructions in the Supplement.


metaph metaph. = metaphorically, metaphorical


Anon Anonymus vel Anonymi [Anon.]

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.


ap ap. = apud (quoted in)


Suid Suidas Lexicographus [Suid.]             x a.d.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.


acc acc. = accusative


cogn cogn. = cognate


J Josephus Historicus [J.]              i a.d.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.


AJ Josephus Historicus [J.]           i a.d.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.


ib ib. = ibidem (i.e. in the same work)


Chio  Chio Epistolographus          (iv b.c.)

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.


Ep Chio Epistolographus               (iv b.c.)

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.


Pass Pass. = Passive


Hdt Herodotus Historicus [Hdt.]                v b.c.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.


[3] Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S., & McKenzie, R. (1996). A Greek-English lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press.


* All New Testament occurrences of this word are mentioned in the body of this article.


* All New Testament occurrences of this word are mentioned in the body of this article.


Spicq,  C. Spicq, Notes de lexicographie néo-testamentaire I-II, Supplement (1978-82)


Notes C. Spicq, Notes de lexicographie néo-testamentaire I-II, Supplement (1978-82)


TDNT Theological Dictionary of the NT I-X (ed. G. Kittel and G. Friedrich; 1964-76)


TWNT Theologisches Wörterbuch zum NT I-X (ed. G. Kittel and G. Friedrich; 1933-79)


vb. verb


vb. verb


trans. transitive(ly)


intrans. intransitive(ly)


LXX Septuagint


vb. verb


LXX Septuagint


Josephus  Josephus De Bello Judaico


B.J. Josephus De Bello Judaico


[4] Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. (1990–). Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans.

Wednesday evening with the pastors of Elukwatini was a special climatic moment with this group. I will try and color the background, setting and subject so that you can mentally come in the room with us.

This former township is over twenty kilometers from the small town of Badplaas. Elukwatini is two smaller villages surrounded by several other villages called Nhlazatshe and Honingklip. It is the heart of the Swazi tribe area not far from the boarder of Swaziland. The people speak SiSwati mostly.

We meet in the tribal community center that is steeped in the traditions of the Swazi nation. Cows graze on the grass of the center. In one room we met was the designated chair for the chief. The key leader of the community turned the chair to the wall saying this is for the chief only. I realized that tradition still runs deep in the hearts of the people.

We could only fit in the largest gathering room that is circular in shape. Approximately sixty pastors have gathered weekly for the last three weeks to study the Bible. Using the inductive Bible study method taught at Dallas Theological Seminary we had walked through numerous scriptures focused on Jesus and his disciples. At the same time we have been wrestling with difficult scriptures identified by Jim Jones of the People’s Temple.

Once the sun goes down the large room is lit by one single light bulb. It makes reading difficult after 6:30. But it does not dim the excitement and interest of the crowd. When I asked questions hands go up around the room.

I would seek their observations and questions on each word, phrase and situation presented in each Biblical story. Mostly they would inject spiritual thinking into most of their comments. I would say, great thought but it is not in this story. They would laugh as they recognized the well worn mental path to seeing God’s Word. Often they would not let the Word speak for itself. They had other spiritual conclusions to blanket the story.

We were reading the story of Jesus healing the blind man to a blur in Mark 8:22-26. (read the story yourself and get a feel of their thinking) This one of a kind story is the only time where Jesus heals someone in two stages. It was done for the benefit of the disciples and it had a powerful message. Gentlemen, you do not see me clearly! You may walk with me but you don’t understand who I am. It wasn’t until the blind man looked intently at Jesus that his sight was restored.

The critical question that came from the crowd was, why did Jesus spit on his eyes? I explained how spittle was considered a traditional healing element during the time of Jesus. One of the pastors gasped and said the traditional healing methods of the Swazi Tribe came through the Sangoma (witch doctor) and Inyanga (medicine man). Maybe Christ is saying traditional methods of healing are not as effective as looking to Jesus!

The rustle in the crowd made me realize we touched a nerve in the group. Unknown to me were the large number of ZCC (Zion Christian Church) pastors in the assembly. That major church in Africa is not only the largest but it mixes Christianity with the Bantu ancestral worship. They will use the Bible only to support their Bantu practices.

For the first time some pastors were being pricked by the Holy Spirit to question the practices of their traditional faith. Naively I stepped right on top of the issue that keeps Africa trapped in a dark world of deceit. I didn’t even see it coming, but the Lord did.

I so wish you could have been there for that moment. Pastors lamented that only one session was left for next Wednesday. One pastor asked if I would come preach in his church this Sunday. Sadly I had to decline since I was scheduled to preach in another section of Mpumalanga this weekend. Another wanted to know when we can come back and do more studies. A third spoke of his dream that haunts his heart and mind. He wants a pastoral training center for all the pastors. He wants to build a library that could be used by the community leaders.

Those closing conversations felt like mental fireworks were going off. Thank you for coming with us to this remote spot in the world and watching the Holy Spirit move.

Cathy and Danny Sartin


www.deeperstillmissions.com

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention.

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These last few weeks have been busy and very enjoyable. God has been very gracious to us and found us useful in many ways.

Each Wednesday for the last three weeks I have traveled with missionary Darryl Mather-Pike to work with pastors in the rural area of Ehlukwatini. It is a two hour drive from where Cathy and I are staying in White River.

We are walking through inductive Bible study methods with a large group of pastors from several villages. The first week had an attendance of forty, the second fifty and last Wednesday we had sixty people in attendance. It is growing each week and we have two more Wednesdays to go. Very few of them have had any formal Bible training at any time. This is a new experience for them.

We meet in the tribal community center for three hours each time. I have been amazed at the hunger of these pastors. I give them assignments and they do them. They ask great questions and are learning how to observe and question the scriptures. Each week I have been surprised that so many come back and more join us.

I have given them difficult scriptures from Jim Jones book on Eighty-eight Errors in the Bible. It has been fascinating to walk through those complicated stories and wrestle with them together. I break them into groups and give them a story in the Bible and have them spend thirty minutes observing and writing down what they see. Then they formulate questions and we share as a large group.

By the time we are finished it is dark. One single light bulb has been used to light the room for all these people. I found myself struggling to read my own Bible when guiding their thinking and discussion. But what a joy to teach people who can’t get enough of God’s Word.

Most of them speak Siswati and I have to work through an interpreter. It is fascinating to capture their thinking on specific English words. Very often they describe their understanding of a word and I discover significant differences and amazing similarities. They cheer each other when good observations are made.

I wish you could come with us one day and see their hunger and love for God’s Word. This week the hosting pastor spoke of his dream to develop a pastoral training center with resources for study. He has even gotten the chief to approve the use of a plot of land. Their appetites warm our hearts and souls.

Thank you for praying as we finish the last few weeks of our African mission trip. Soon we will have been here for eight months. Words seem so useless when we try to describe all of the experiences, people and communities we have visited. God has been more than gracious.

Cathy and Danny Sartin


www.deeperstillmissions.com

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention.

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I arrived at the church this morning to share God’s Word and heard the story of the storm that lifted the new roof. Cathy and I experienced the storm in White River on Thursday evening. Hail boomed on the roof as the heavy thunderstorm passed overhead. When the storm reached the village of Shabalale the high winds lifted and blew away one half of the new roof.

My prayer for this morning service continued to bring me to John the disciple. Apparently that was the path the Holy Spirit was directing me. What I didn’t know was how God would knit that sermon to touch the hearts of the people. The roof became an example of change in the hearts of the people.

John is usually called the disciple of love or the disciple whom Jesus loved. But the nickname for John was Boanerges, son of thunder. That name was given to him and his brother James by Jesus. That Greek word means stormy, uncontrolled, emotional and passionate.

Here I looked at the open roof and understood the feelings that gripped the crowd when they lamented about their new church building. I had been at their church several years before when it was only a tent. The next time I came it was a shack. A rooster jumped on the open window and crowed while I preached. One of the men in the crowd laughingly reminded me of that moment in the past.

Now they had come to the point of building a brick building and the new tin roof was ripped from the metal braces. That became the illustration of change. Jesus wanted to see change in the heart and mind of John. He was selfish, demanding, bigoted and pushy disciple. He wanted to call fire from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village. He wanted to sit on Christ’s right or left hand. He told another that he was not one of the disciples so he shouldn’t heal in Christ’s name.

How did he become the disciple of love? Apparently Jesus asked his mother to treat him like her own son. After Christ died and rose from the dead John brought Mary into his home until her passing. I suspect that Mary assisted in the changes needed in the heart and mind of the stormy disciple.

What changes needed to happen in each person’s heart and mind? John and that storm damaged roof became the reminder of changes which needed attention in each heart.

I am always amazed at the unique ways that God provides. He can use a storm to breathe life into His Word.

Thank you for praying for us as serve Him with you.

Cathy and Danny Sartin


www.deeperstillmissions.com

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved.

This on the field report is written for those who support Deeper Still Missions and our goal of missionary retention.

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A Kingdom Leader can often find himself in a tight spot. Balaam had a donkey that reached that point and just sat down. Balaam beat his donkey for the third time until God opened the mouth of the animal to speak. Surprisingly Balaam talks back. His anger is so overwhelming that he doesn’t see the miracle directly in front of him. His desire to get money washed over his rational thinking and he lost sight of the most important issues requested by God. God finally opens his eyes so he could also see the angel poised to kill him.

The normal troubles of leadership can put you in a place where you see no way out. Some will give up and abandon their position while others will fight no matter what the odds. At that time the motives of your heart will become visible. What is the intention of your heart? Are you more concerned about your call than His Kingdom? Are you more anxious to accomplish the goals of your heart than His clearly defined directions? Do you have eyes to see Him in the midst of your activity? Expect to be the placed in a position that will press you like grapes.

Matthew 7:14 (NIV)

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Jesus uses the same Greek word for narrow in the above verse that is also used by Paul to depict the hard pressure of leadership in 2 Corinthians 4:8. Narrow is the way. Normal troubles make the path of following Christ difficult. Our impure motives can prevent us from seeing ourselves and God’s clear guidance.

Pray for our hearts as we pray for yours. Keep your eyes on Him.

Cathy and Danny Sartin

(1) The Holy Bible: New International Version. Electronic ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Matthew 7:14

Copyright © Danny Sartin and Deeper Still Missions. All Rights Reserved. Photos taken by Cathy and Danny Sartin in Africa.

Kingdom Leadership is written for missionaries and ministers serving our Lord in various parts of the world.

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To unsubscribe just reply to this email with the subject unsubscribe. You can contact Deeper Still Missions at P.O. Box 343370 Bartlett, TN 38134.