WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN

 

WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN

 

In the literal translation of 1Cor13:11 Paul briefly describes the maturation process:

“When I was a CHILD

I was speaking like a CHILD

I was thinking like a CHILD

I was reasoning like a CHILD

When I became a man

I did away with the things of the CHILD.”

 

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.” (2Cor5:17KJV)

 

As in any process of growth, the old things are in the continual process of passing away… our paradigms, our old filters… our old way of speaking, thinking, and reasoning… ALL THINGS are in the perpetual process of becoming new… because the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead dwells in us and revitalizes every fiber of our mortal body (Rom8:11)… transfiguring… molding… shaping… conforming us  into the likeness and image of Christ (Rom8:29-30)… INTO HIS WAY OF THINKING…

…having “the mind of Christ.” (1Cor2:16NKJV)

 

The Greek word translated “CHILD” in the above verse is “nepios”

It is defined as: Infant, child, immature, simple-minded, not speaking.

 

CHILDREN, in this instance would have no speech… a baby… with no ability to speak the language of their father… let alone have any authority or power in the voice.

 

Gal4:1NKJV says that “the heir, as long AS LONG AS HE IS A CHILD (nepios), does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all.”

                  They don't know who they are yet.

 

SINCE HE IS A CHILD, he is “unskilled in the word of righteousness” (Heb5:13NKJV)

…with no ability to comprehend nor convey…

                  …that he HAS BEEN “MADE the righteousness of God” in Christ Jesus (2Cor5:21KJV)

                  …that “ALL the promises of God are yes, and amen” to him (2Cor1:20)

                  …that he HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN “ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness” (2Pet1:3NKJV)

 

Eph4:14NKJV urges “that we should NO LONGER BE CHILDREN (nepios), tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine”

 

CHILDREN are very susceptible to deception… persuadable… vulnerable to the snare of the devil and “are taken captive by him at his will” (2Tim2:26KJV)

 

Gal4:3NKJV “Even so we, WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN (nepios)

were IN BONDAGE (ENSLAVED) under the elements of the world.”

 

 BUT… “Beloved, NOW are we the SONS of God” (1Jn3:2KJV)

                  SON: “teknon” – one as produced by a seed

 

 Gal4:7NASB95 “Therefore, you are NO LONGER A SLAVE (IN BONDAGE)

but a SON [huios – a son sharing the same nature as their father];

and if a SON [huios],

then an heir through God.