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The IMAGE and LIKENESS of GOD


The Relationship between GOD, JESUS CHRIST and MAN




4. Words related to schēma



[4A] G4976 - σχημα (schēma)


A. Thayer Definition

 

1) the habitus, as comprising everything in a person which strikes the senses, the figure, bearing, discourse, actions, manner of life etc.


B. Verses with this word

 

1 Corinthians 7:31; Philippians 2:8 (or 2:7, according to the way some translators number the verses)


C. Outline

 

       1.    Christ, in outward form.

              a.    Philippians 2:8 - Having taken on the nature of a servant (and having been made in human likeness), his appearance was like that of a man.

 

       2.    The world, in outward form.

              a.    1 Corinthians 7:31 - The world, the way it presently appears, is in the process of passing away.


D. Summary

 

The outward appearance does not always tell the full story. When Christ took on the outward appearance of a man, it was during the time of his "humiliation," in which visible expressions of his glory were concealed. In contrast, though the world may present itself in a glorious manner right now, we need to remember that what we see is not what will remain.







[4B] G3345 - μετασχηματίζω (metaschēmatizō)


A. Thayer Definition


       1) to change the figure of, to transform


B. Verses with this word

 

1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Philippians 3:21


C. Outline

 

       1.    A bad change in appearance - a disguise or masquerade.

              a.    2 Corinthians 11:13 - False teachers disguise themselves as apostles of Christ.

              b.    2 Corinthians 11:14 - Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

              c.    2 Corinthians 11:15 - Satan's servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

 

       2.    A change in the appearance of a logical argument, for teaching purposes.

              a.    1 Corinthians 4:6 - I figuratively applied / transferred these arguments (or principles) to myself and Apollos (so that you might learn from them).

 

       3.    A change in the nature of our bodies.

              a.    Philippians 3:21 - Jesus will change our "lowly" bodies, so they will become like his glorious body.


D. Summary

 

Change can be good or evil. The devil and his servants change themselves so that they look good. People can change the way issues are being presented (such as applying them to a different situation), in order to help a person understand what is being said. For our present study, the main point to remember is that we (Jesus' followers) will undergo a future change that involves even our physical bodies.







[4C] G4964 - συσχηματίζω (suschēmatizō)


A. Thayer Definition

 

1) to conform one’s self (i.e. one’s mind and character) to another’s pattern, (fashion one’s self according to)


B. Verses with this word

 

Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 1:14


C. Outline

 

       1.    Do not conform or pattern your lives after these ways:

              a.    The ways of the world.

                     i.     Romans 12:2 - Be transformed to God's ways, rather than conformed to the world's ways.

              b.    The ways of your past cravings.

                     i.     1 Peter 1:14 - Pursue holiness, rather than conforming to the evil desires you used to follow.


D. Summary

 

As followers of Jesus, we are to be changed or transformed into something new, not conformed to the world and to our old ways. (Don't let either of these decide for you how you are going to live.)







Note: There are several other related words, which focus on various ways a person (or thing) may "appear" - such as being respectable, having physical beauty, being unpresentable, etc. These did not seem to have any relevance to our current study.


Dennis Hinks © 1983, 2006

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