Take hold (seize) (1949) epilambano

Take hold (1949)(epilambano from epi = upon + lambano = take hold of) means to lay hold of, get a good grip on, take possession of. All NT uses are in the middle voice. Paul uses the aorist imperative which is a command calling for immediate attention. The idea is "just do it." Lay “hold” on eternal life, by "practically appropriating all the benefits, privileges and responsibilities involved in the possession of it." (Vine) Note that by saying take hold of the eternal life Paul is in no way implying that eternal life can be lost, as if it might slip out of Timothy's grip (cp Jn 10:27, 28, 29, 1Jn 5:11, 12). Paul uses the reflexive voice (middle voice) which signifies that Timothy is to initiate the action of taking hold and that he will partake of the results and benefits thereof. Stated another way the reflexive sense of the middle voice depicts the subject as acting in some way upon himself or concerning himself. Wuest adds this note on Paul's use of the aorist imperative in this passage... The verb is in the aorist imperative, referring to a single act rather than a process. It refers to the habitual act of fighting the good fight, but takes no note of the process, rather emphasizing the result. Grammarians call it the culminative aorist, viewing the action from its existing results. Now, when Paul exhorts Timothy to lay hold of eternal life, he does not imply that he does not possess it. Timothy was saved, and possessed eternal life as a gift of God. What Paul was desirous of was that Timothy experience more of what this eternal life is in his life. Epilambano was used as a metaphor by those who participated in the Olympic games, and did what they could first to lay hold of the prize. Paul uses epilambano again in the next section calling on Timothy to... Instruct them (1Ti 6:17 "those who are rich in this present [contrast future] world") to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Ti 6:18-19). Comment: In this context epilambano refers to one's initial taking hold of eternal life by believing in the Messiah as one's Redeemer and Lord. Their performance of good works, etc, does not merit their receipt of eternal life but is evidence that they have taken hold of eternal life by believing the Gospel. (cp the intimate coupling of faith and works in Eph 2:8, 9-note and Eph 2:10-note). Meanings of Epilambano: (1) Literally, to lay hold of, take a firm hold, grasp or to seize upon anything with the hands (most of the NT uses have this meaning). Laying hold or grasping someone could be for help (Mt 14:31, Mk 8:23, Lk 14:4). Take hold, seize, lay hold of someone with hostile intent (Acts 16:19; 18:17; 21:30), in the sense of capture (Acts 21:33) Seize or snatch up someone (Luke 23:26); Epilambano is used of taking hold in the figurative sense in Heb 8:9. (2) Figuratively to take any one in one's speech, i.e. to lay hold of something said by Jesus which can be used against him, Lk. 20:20, 26 = “catch someone in a word” (3) Figuratively, laying hold of another to rescue him from peril, to help, to succor (but see Vine's interpretative thoughts below in verse list). (4) Figuratively, To seize upon, lay hold of eternal life, (1Ti 6:12, 19) - as seeking to experience eternal life (already possessed - but Paul is calling for Timothy to fully experience what is his possession and privilege by virtue of having given the good confession of faith in Christ.) Epilambano - 19x in 18v - catch(2), give help(1), gives help(1), seized(2), take hold(2), taking(1), taking hold(1), took(4), took hold(5). Matthew 14:31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" Mark 8:23 Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?" Luke 9:47 But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, Luke 14:4 But they kept silent. And He took hold of him and healed him, and sent him away. Luke 20:20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor. Robertson explains: Epilambano is an old verb for seizing hold with the hands and uses as here the genitive case. These spies are for the purpose of (hina) catching hold of the talk of Jesus if they can get a grip anywhere. This is their direct purpose and the ultimate purpose or result is also stated, “so as to deliver him up” Luke 20:26 And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent. Luke 23:26 When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. Acts 16:19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, Acts 17:19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming? Acts 18:17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things. Acts 21:30 Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. Acts 21:33 Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. Acts 23:19 The commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, "What is it that you have to report to me?" 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. Hebrews 2:16-note For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Vine comments: Epilambanō has more than one meaning. Some understand it here as signifying to help. The context is the guide. The connecting word “For” points back to the fact that Christ partook of flesh and blood, and assumed human nature (not that of angels). Again, the succeeding context speaks of His being “made like unto His brethren,” and suffering temptations as they suffer. The taking hold therefore describes His becoming incarnate. Allen in the New American Commentary has an interesting note: Context is the key to how the verb should be translated. From the early church until the time of the Reformers, this verb was interpreted to mean that the Son took on humanity via the incarnation. However, in the seventeenth century there was a departure from this interpretation to the more general sense of “coming to the aid of.” Since then, many scholars have taken the verb that way. But in the seventeenth century Turretin pointed out that in the more than 40 occurrences of epilambano in the Lxx, it never has the metaphorical sense of aid. Hebrews 8:9-note (epilambano also used in Lxx of Jer 31:32) NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD. Epilambano - 42 uses in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (Lxx)- Gen 25:26; Ex 4:4; Deut 9:17; 25:11; Jdg 12:6; 16:3; 19:25; 2 Sam 13:11; 15:5; 1 Kgs 1:50; 6:6; 11:30; 2 Kgs 2:12; 4:27; Job 8:15; 16:8; 30:18; 38:13; Ps 35:2; 48:7; Pr 4:13; 7:13; Isa 3:6; 4:1; 5:29; 27:4; Jer 31:32; 32:33; 44:23; 49:24; Ezek 29:7; 30:21; 41:6; Dan 13:40; 14:36; Joel 2:9; Zech 8:23; 14:13. Here are a few of the uses of epilambano in the Septuagint (Lxx) - Literally of Jacob taking hold of Esau's heel (Ge 25:26), of Moses told to grasp the snake by its tail (Ex 4:4), Moses taking hold of the Tablets of the 10 Commandments (Dt 9:17). Seizing a concubine (Jdg 19:25) David's son Amnon seizing Tamar (to rape her) (2Sa 13:11) Taking hold of the horns of the altar (1Ki 1:50) Prophet Ahijah takes hold of coat and tears in 12 pieces symbolic of dividing the nation of Israel (1Ki 11:30) Figuratively take hold of instruction (Pr 4:13), of panic seizing men (Ps 48:7) ETERNAL LIFE: OUR FUTURE HOPE OUR PRESENT REALITY The eternal life - To what does this phrase refer? Is it eternal life in the future of which Timothy is to take hold? Or is eternal life in the "here and now?" Is it a future prize one receives at the end of the "race" (cp 2Ti 4:7, 8) or a present possession during the race? While it is a "future prize" to be sure, in context, Paul is calling on Timothy to get a good grip on the eternal life now. Timothy's salvation and his possession of eternal life are secure, but Paul is saying for him (and us) to live today as if we were living in eternity (we are)! The Bible frequently has positional truth and experiential truth. The former is secure because of our position in Christ. The latter is living in the reality of our position (possessors of eternal life). In other words, many times we live as if we are tethered to this passing world and it is reflected in our attitudes and our actions. In short, our experiential reality of the Christian life falls far short of experiencing what Jesus desires for us "to have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10b). Dear reader, perhaps these notes find you positionally saved, but far from the experience of this abundant, eternal life. Well, remember as we have discussed above, Paul commanded Timothy (and by way of application all believers) to "seize the eternal life", and what God commands, He always enables. Jesus said it this way... It is the Spirit Who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (John 6:63) Comment: In view of this truth, what might our responsibility be in regard to taking hold of eternal life? If the words Jesus spoke, and by extension all the Scriptures, are the source of spiritual life, abundant, eternal life, then it behooves us to eat the Word daily and obey the Word faithfully (as enabled by transforming grace and the power of the Spirit). Jesus made it very clear that "man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God." (Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4). Even in the Old Testament, prior to the entrance into the Promised Land, Moses clearly told the people that the Word he had spoken to them "is not an idle (empty, vain, useless) word for you; indeed it (the word) is your life. And by this word you shall prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess." (Dt 32:47) God has already promised them this great life in a great land. All they had to do was possess what they already "owned" so to speak (cp Joshua 1:3, see the relationship of the word and personal obedience in Nu 14:24). And so in the Old Testament God promised Israel a "land," whereas in the New Testament He promised us a "life". He desires that we experience all of the eternal life that is ours in Christ and we do so by imbibing, ingesting, eating, drinking His Word, which as the old hymn says we then "Trust and Obey." The apostle John writes that... And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. (1Jn 5:11, 12) O may my heart be occupied, So wholly, Lord, with Thee, That with Your beauty satisfied, I elsewhere none may see. Teed agrees that... The eternal life that believers enter is not simply a future hope; it is also a present reality. We take hold of this eternal life when we live as God commands us to live. We will not experience the fullness of God's kingdom until Christ returns and reigns over all the earth. However, eternal life is still accessible during our lifetime, and we experience it when we structure each moment in submission to God's will and commands. This new kind of life is what every believer hears calling them to live, and what God makes possible by sending the Holy Spirit to live within us. John MacArthur comments that... Paul is here admonishing Timothy to “get a grip” on the reality of the matters associated with eternal life, so that he would live and minister with a heavenly and eternal perspective (cf. Phil. 3:20-note; Col. 3:2-note) (MacArthur, J.: The MacArthur Study Bible Nashville: Word or Logos) Comment: Dr. MacArthur as usual makes an excellent point. What we are looking for always influences what we are living for and how we are living. If we are eagerly longing and "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus" (Titus 2:13-note), this mindset will enable us, as we are instructed by grace (Titus 2:11-12a-note), to "deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:12b-note). I fear that many believers have lost that sense of wonder and awe and eager anticipation for the Second Coming because they are staring far too intently at the fleeting treasures and trinkets of this world which is passing away! (1Jn 2:17) When we are living godly in the present, looking for Christ's imminent return, we will find ourselves redeeming the time and taking hold of the eternal life to which we were called. Are you living for this world or next? What (Who) are you looking for? Eternal (166)(aionios) describes this life as a life without end! True life forever and ever, amen! That is the "quantity" (quantification) of this life. See definition of zoe for the "quality" of this life! Life (2222)(zoe) describes the very essence of life God intended for His creatures and His creation. Supernatural life. Fullness of life which alone belongs to God the Giver of life and is alone available to His children in the "now" of eternity (Ro 6:4-note, Ep 4:18-note) as well as in eternity future (See Mk 10:30 and note [scroll down] "Eternal life" as described in Titus 1:2). As Wuest so beautifully explains the divine zoe given to Timothy and to all of God's children (Jn 1:12, 13, 1Jn 3:1-note, 1Jn 3:2-note)... Zoe speaks of life in the sense of one who is possessed of vitality and animation. It is used of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God. It is used to designate the life which God gives to the believing sinner, a vital, animating, spiritual, ethical dynamic which transforms his inner being and as a result, his behavior. (In comments on 1John 1:2-note Wuest adds that the) life that God is, is not to be defined as merely animation, but as definitely ethical in its content. God is not the mere reason for the universe, as the Greeks thought, but a Person with the characteristics and qualities of a divine Person. The ethical and spiritual qualities of this life which God is, are communicated to the sinner when the latter places his faith in the Lord Jesus as Saviour, and this becomes the new, animating, energizing, motivating principle which transforms the experience of that individual, and the saint thus lives a Christian life. The message of (the epistle of) John is that since the believer is a partaker of this life, it is an absolute necessity that he show the ethical and spiritual qualities that are part of the essential nature of God, in his own life. If these are entirely absent, John says, that person is devoid of the life of God, and is unsaved. The ethical and spiritual qualities of this life were exhibited to the human race in the earthly life of the Lord Jesus. His life thus becomes the pattern of what our lives should be in holiness, self-sacrifice, humility and love. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos or Wordsearch) Were called (2564)(kaleo from root kal-, whence English “call”) literally means to speak to another in order to attract their attention or to them bring nearer, either physically or in a personal relationship. Kaleo is a major verb in the NT and its specific meaning depends on the the context in which it is used. In this verse kaleo clearly refers to a call in the sense of to choose so that one might receive some special benefit or experience. In this passage, kaleo is Paul's technical term for God's summoning men to salvation and describes God "calling" people into a relationship with Himself, initiating their conversion experience (Is this grand truth mysterious? Absolutely! But it is absolutely true!). And so in this passage, called refers to God's effectual, sovereign call of Timothy to participation in salvation. In his second letter Paul declared that God... has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity (before the world began!), (2Ti 1:9-note). Comment: In light of Timothy's call by God to salvation and eternal glory even before the world began, Timothy was to "preach in the light of the reality that what is eternal is all that matters." (MacArthur) Divine calling, like divine election and predestination, is not a popular teaching, but one which appears to be clearly taught in Scripture. As this term is used by Paul (and Jude and John) "the called" are those who have heard the good news and responded to it by exercising saving faith. In this understanding "the called" are virtually synonymous with "the elect". If you "wrestle" with this doctrine (and that is not a sin in my opinion, for this is a difficult doctrine for finite man to comprehend), instead of reading what others have to say about "calling" (including the notes that follow which expand somewhat on this topic), you might want to read what God has to say about the subject. Here are a few representative passages to study. Ask the Spirit to lead you into all truth for His Name's sake. - Ro 8:28-note, Ro 8:29-note, Ro 9:11, 1Cor 1:9, Gal 1:6, 15, 1Th 2:12, 2Ti 1:9-note, Hebrews 9:15, 1Peter 1:15-note, 1Peter 2:9-note, 2Pe 1:3.) Vincent writes that... Calling, in the writings of the apostles, is habitually represented as God’s work. Calvin on our calling... Because men would run at random (Ed: Compare Ge 3:9 - where Adam has just sinned and is hiding in shame trying vainly to cover his sin with "fig leaves", while God is calling "Adam, where are you?"! Fallen mankind runs from God, not to God!), and to no purpose, if they had not God as the Director of their course, for the purpose of promoting their cheerful activity, (Paul) mentions also the calling; for there is nothing that ought to animate us with greater courage than to learn that we have been “called” by God; for we conclude from this, that our labor, which God directs, and in which He stretches out His hand to us, will not be fruitless. Besides, to have rejected the calling of God would be a disgraceful reproach; and, therefore, this ought to be a very powerful excitement: “God calls thee to eternal life; beware of being drawn aside to anything else, or of falling short in any way, before thou hast attained it.” (Ed: Notice that in Calvin's last statement we see the juxtaposition of divine calling and human response/responsibility. Oh, the deep, deep mystery of it all, should make all of God's children bow low in humble adoration and praise to the one Who is Holy, Holy, Holy.) The called are those who have been summoned by God...called... by grace (Kaleo - Gal 1:6) through the "gospel" that we "may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Kaleo - 2Th 2:14) to salvation (Kaleo - Ro 8:30-note) saints by calling (Kletos - 1Co 1:2) brought "into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (Kaleo - 1Co 1:9) both Jews and Greeks (Kletos - 1Co 1:24) not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles (Kaleo - Ro 9:24-note) according to His purpose (Kletos - Ro 8:28-note) to walk worthy (Kaleo - Ep 4:1- note) (to proclaim His excellencies) out of darkness into His marvelous light (Kaleo - 1Pe 2:9-note) for this purpose (to suffer...follow in His steps) - (Kaleo - 1Pe 2:21-note) heavenly calling (klesis) (Heb 3:1-note) (a holy calling) having been called (kaleo) "with a holy" calling (klesis) (2Ti 1:9-note) to be holy yourselves in all your behavior - (Kaleo - 1Pe 1:15-note) to inherit a blessing (following Christ's example) - (Kaleo -1Pe 3:9-note) to His eternal glory in Christ (Kaleo - 1Pe 5:10-note) and return in triumph "with Him" at the end of this age (Kletos - Re 17:14-note). These magnificent Biblical truths on "calling" should cause all the "called of Jesus Christ" to cry out "Glory!", and not to argue with Him, but to adore Him all the more. May our Father grant each of us the inner strengthening by His Spirit that we might be enabled to supernaturally "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which (we) have been called" (Eph 4:1- note) in Christ! Amen ><>><>><> What Are We Holding On To? - Tolkien’s classic The Lord of the Rings trilogy came to life in recent years on film. In the second epic story, the hero, Frodo, reached a point of despair and wearily confided to his friend, “I can’t do this, Sam.” As a good friend, Sam gave a rousing speech: “It’s like in the great stories . . . . Full of darkness and danger they were. . . . Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.” Which prompted Frodo to ask: “What are we holding on to, Sam?” It’s a significant question, one that we all need to ask ourselves. Living in a fallen, broken world, it’s no wonder that sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the powers of darkness. When we are at the point of despair, ready to throw in the towel, we do well to follow Paul’s advice to Timothy: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:12). In life’s battles, let’s hold on to the fact that good will triumph over evil in the end, that one day we will see our Master and Leader face-to-face, and we will reign with Him forever. You can be part of this great story, knowing that if you have trusted Jesus for salvation you are guaranteed a victorious ending! Though weak and helpless in life’s fray, God’s mighty power shall be my stay; Without, within, He gives to me The strength to gain the victory. —D. De Haan The trials of earth are small compared with the triumphs of heaven. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/1timothy_612_commentary.htm#th

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Take hold (seize) (1949) epilambano

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