And I pray this
that your love might yet abound more and more
in knowledge
and discernment in every situation
so that you would approve things which are superior
in order that you will be pure and blameless
for the day of Christ,
having been filled with the fruit of righteousness
through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.
Grant, Lord,
that we may hold to you without parting,
worship you without wearying,
serve you without failing;
faithfully seek you,
happily find you,
and forever possess you,
the only God,blessed now and for ever.
Amen
St Anselm
2 responses to “Philippians 1:9-11”
I found this a-lovely passage and quite inspiring, especially your interpretation of turning ‘glory and praise’ too oneself. This is not how the 1961 NEB words it. I also was struck by one word in the NEB ‘discrimination’ and could happily seed that into my mind but I see it is ‘discernment ’ in your text. Now I have not done a Wikipedia, or Roget’s Theasaurus search, however I see it is in the section “general social volition, exercise of the will”: so is there a subtle distinction, any comments by anyone else?
Moya
δοκιμαζειν has twin meanings in the standard lexicon:
a. make a critical examination of something (examine)
b. draw a conclusion about worth on the basis of testing (approve/ discern)
I think b. is more in keeping with the flow of Paul here.
NEB’s ‘discrimination’ is similar too, but too a modern ear sounds rather harsh?