Tithēmi is also to make one’s own and to appoint for one’s use

We sometimes read and fail to look at the context.

This makes us really stupid.

Reading outside of context is like driving without a steering wheel.

Reading without taking into account the context deceives the pregnable mind.

Why is this important?

Context is important if we want to understand and gain insight.

I was reminded of this again during the week, reading John 15.

In the midst of Jesus comforting and explaining to His disciples (reading from John 14 all the way to John 17) the purpose of Him going to the cross and how that He would never leave us orphans by depositing His omnipotent Spirit inside of us, He says these words:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

This the verse that grabbed my attention: John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Let's start at the start

Jesus starts this sentence by saying in verse 12 that He has a commandment: “That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” … quite an impossible task given the fact that Jesus is the only One capable of perfect love …

So, what is Jesus saying?

First of all, let’s look at what He is not saying.

Jesus is not saying that he is replacing the 10 commandments with this new one.

Jesus is not saying that if you fail in doing this one commandment, you’d reach a point-of-no-return and would be utterly condemned.

In fact, the word that Jesus is using for “commandment” is the Greek word “entolē”. We’ve very narrow-mindedly translated this word into the limiting English word “commandment”.

But, how else?

Time for some Greekonometery and some higher dimensional analogs

The Greek word entolē is much wider and accommodating in its meaning than the English translated word commandment.

entolē can mean an order, command, charge, precept, etc. It comes from a root injunction, denoting an authoritative prescription, the word τέλος télos, tel'-os; from a primary word τέλλω téllō with the following (mind-blowing) meaning (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitely), result (immediate, ultimate or prophetic), purpose); specially, an impost or levy (as paid):— continual, custom, end(-ing), finally, uttermost.

In its extensive form the word means so much more

It is not Jesus commanding.

It is Jesus getting to the point, explaining the goal, the very aim of His suffering and Him presenting His life - settling once and for all the ultimate new covenant (His will and testament)!

The “commandment” is in fact, a free gift up for the taking.

Brace yourself for an even greater higher dimensional analog

The real mind-stopper is to be found in the words that Jesus as we read on. As Jesus states that He would never ever leave us, He presents it clearly that there is no greater love than when He laid down His life for us.

To the narrow-minded reader the statement could at worst be very superficial and at best emotional. But there is more …

Again, the meaning of the Greek helps us to start to comprehend something of his love and the laying down of His life for the benefit of His friends (us).

Now, get this:

Lay down in Greek is tithēmi. It is to set, put, place; to place or lay; to have one put or place; to place for oneself; to place (or posit) for the execution of one's purpose; to put down, lay down; i. e. to bend downward; to lay off or aside, to wear or carry no longer; to set on; to set forth; to make one one's own; to appoint for one's use; to set, fix, establish; to establish, ordain.

Can you see Jesus in this picture?

Can you see yourself in this picture?

Read this in context with what Jesus explains about His abiding Spirit and it starts to make perfect sense.

Jesus is the One Who restores you at so many levels, including dominion.

Truely, a new creations arises when Jesus to make His own and appoints us for His purpose in us!