Except-you have to admit human volition
@Kermos--
Romans 6:16 – Presentation of members to sin or obedience
Text:
“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (ESV)
Greek:
οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ᾧ παριστάνετε ἑαυτοὺς δούλους εἰς ὑπακοήν, δοῦλοί ἐστε ᾧ ὑπακούετε
The verb παριστάνετε (present active indicative, 2nd person plural) is used here in an active form implying agency and deliberation. The audience is being addressed as morally responsible agents who choose whom to serve. This reflects a dichotomous moral decision—obedience unto righteousness or sin unto death.
2. Galatians 5:16–25 – Walk by the Spirit vs. Gratify the Flesh
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (v.16) Clear as a bell
@Kermos
Greek:
λέγω δέ, Πνεύματι περιπατεῖτε καὶ ἐπιθυμίαν σαρκὸς οὐ μὴ τελέσητε.
Περιπατεῖτε is a present active imperative (2nd person plural), explicitly issuing a command. This assumes the addressees have the moral ability and obligation to respond. The whole passage (vv. 16–25) contrasts “works of the flesh” with “fruit of the Spirit,” and concludes with “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (v.25, στοιχῶμεν = present active subjunctive), reinforcing the notion of volitional alignment.
3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – The Way of Escape and Choosing It
Text:
“God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Greek:
ποιήσει σὺν τῷ πειρασμῷ καὶ τὴν ἔκβασιν τοῦ δύνασθαι ὑπενεγκεῖν
While the escape (ἔκβασις) is divinely provided, the implication is that believers must take it. The verb ὑπενεγκεῖν (to endure) is an aorist active infinitive, denoting the purpose of the escape—so that they might be able to bear it. The availability of escape assumes an act of the will to choose the godly path.
4. Philippians 2:12–13 – Work Out Your Salvation
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
God is not working out your salvation brother
Greek:
μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν κατεργάζεσθε
θεὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ ἐνεργῶν ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ τὸ θέλειν καὶ τὸ ἐνεργεῖν
Κατεργάζεσθε is a present middle imperative (2nd person plural), calling for deliberate effort and participation in God’s saving work. While v.13 emphasizes divine enablement (ἐνεργῶν, present active participle), v.12 assumes human response. The balance assumes synergy, not coercion.
5. Romans 12:1–2 – Presenting Bodies as Living Sacrifice
“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice…” Who is doing the presenting brother?
Greek:
παραστῆσαι τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν θυσίαν ζῶσαν
Παραστῆσαι is the aorist active infinitive used after παρακαλῶ (I urge), indicating an intentional, once-for-all act. This is a moral and volitional appeal grounded in “the mercies of God,” appealing to the will of believers to choose consecration over conformity to the world.
6. 2 Corinthians 6:17 – Come Out from Among Them
“Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord…” Human volition.
Greek:
ἐξέλθετε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε
Both ἐξέλθετε and ἀφορίσθητε are aorist imperatives, issuing divine commands through Paul to separate from idolatrous or immoral company. This presumes the will is engaged and responsible for obedience or defiance.
7. Colossians 3:1–2 – Seek the Things Above
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above…” Who are those seeking?
Greek:
εἰ οὖν συνηγέρθητε τῷ Χριστῷ, τὰ ἄνω ζητεῖτε
Ζητεῖτε is a present active imperative. The word ζητέω denotes earnest seeking and is used frequently to denote volitional and purposeful pursuit (cf. Matthew 6:33). The imperative assumes moral responsibility and the capacity to act accordingly.
8. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Test Everything; Hold Fast What is Good
“Test everything; hold fast what is good.” Who is doing the testing brother?
Greek:
πάντα δὲ δοκιμάζετε, τὸ καλὸν κατέχετε
Both verbs are present active imperatives (δοκιμάζετε, κατέχετε), addressed to the whole congregation. These exhortations rest on the assumption that believers can, and must, make discerning judgments and retain what is good, rejecting what is evil.
9. Ephesians 4:22–24 – Put Off the Old Man; Put On the New
“Put off your old self… be renewed… put on the new self…” Is God doing this for you brother?
Greek:
ἀποθέσθαι ὑμᾶς… ἀνανεοῦσθαι… ἐνδύσασθαι τὸν καινὸν ἄνθρωπον
These are infinitives used after the verb ἐδιδάχθητε (you were taught), implying moral instruction with volitional response. The middle voice (ἀποθέσθαι, ἐνδύσασθαι) emphasizes the subject’s involvement in the action—casting off and clothing oneself is a deliberate act.
10. 2 Corinthians 8:3 – They Gave of Their Own Accord
Text:
“They gave voluntarily of their own accord.”
Greek:
κατὰ δύναμιν καὶ παρὰ δύναμιν ἔδωκαν αὐθαίρετοι
Αὐθαίρετοι is an adjective meaning “of their own free will,” used to describe the Macedonian churches’ generosity. It confirms volitional agency in giving and contradicts deterministic views of human action. Their generosity is neither coerced nor externally imposed but proceeds from personal choice.
How much clearer could the Scripture possibly be? And correct you are--to Christ Jesus be all the glory, honor and praise!
Shalom.
J.
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