Happy Christmas

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (CSB)

Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words! (CEV)

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (ESV)

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (NIV)

Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! (NLT)

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!(NRSVUE)

2 Corinthians 9:15 

This sentence has a slightly puzzling context. To that I may return. The preceding lines are about a collection being taken up to assist poor in Jerusalem. The Corinthians are urged to be generous. Give generously. Like God... The thought of God's fantastic generosity arises.

Incidentally, I wonder how many believers in Jesus there were in Jerusalem? Reading the book we call "Acts", I gain an impression of a significant number. It would be unsurprising if they were economically disadvantaged because they believed in Jesus. (He had warned about the costs involved in being a disciple.) Quite early on in Jerusalem there was a daily distribution of food, with special attention arising for widows who did not speak the local language (see Acts chapter 6). I do not suppose they were homeless, but that is not stated. They needed generous support, given by others at their own cost. 

However, the unique word used in the sentence above surely applies to Jesus himself; to his coming; to his giving of himself. The best of human effort falls short in portraying the person we know of as Jesus the Christ. There is more there than can be brought out in words. (I see that not everyone agrees that the word is intended to be applied to Jesus - what do you think?)

He is too wonderful for words; the truth is inexpressible; it is not possible to truly describe Jesus, Lord and Saviour and his completed work of salvation. Language is inadequate but we must use it. We just do the best we can, asking God by his Spirit to guide us, but remaining humble in estimating our success. I say it is best to stick with the plain words of Scripture.

May God give you his blessing.

Allen Hampton

PS: I have previously posted several times to this blog on the actual event supposedly celebrated about this time - the coming into this world of the Son of God.  A search on Nativity will bring up, for example:

https://jesussaviour4unme.blogspot.com/2016/12/nativity.html

Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations marked (CSB) are from the Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NRSVUE) are from the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.