Translating New Testament Greek into English on occasion leaves us with a text that is difficult to understand. Such a verse is Luke 7:47 in the King James Version. Jesus is being feted by Simon, the Pharisee, when a woman with a forgiven past bathes Jesus’ feet with her tears of love. “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: . .” Because we sometimes use the word “for” for “because” the verse can leave us with the idea that her love gave her merit, thus qualifying her for forgiveness. The error here is that nothing we can do can merit God’s grace. If so then grace would no longer be grace but wages. The wages we have earned is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6. It is a gift from the beginning to the end. Ephesians 2.
The New English translation makes Luke 7:47 more understandable. “. . . her great love proves that her many sins have been forgiven.” Her love was the fruit of her experience with Jesus not the cause. He loves us before we love Him. While we were yet sinners He died for us. Romans 5:8. We are saints because He declares us so.
Not all adages are true. Remember “birds of a feather flock together.” Of course you do. Jesus defies that supposed truth. The religious elite wanted it to be true so they could fault Him. He spent His time with anyone from the elite Nicodemus, to the dregs of society, the woman who wiped her tears from His feet with her hair. If we so desire He will even spend time with us; not because we merit it, but because He wants to.
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 24, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org