Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

NOEMA* - Part 6 - ὑπὸστασις (Strong's #5287)
Mind, thoughts, perceptions, device, purpose

This week is the sixth and final part of our study of the word νὸημα. Νὸημα (Strong's #3540) is a μα-noun of the third declension and is used to express a person's thoughts or perceptions. To date, we have studied two phases of the function of this word. In the first phase, we learned, from 2 Corinthians 2:11; 3:14; 4:4, that Satan is able to perceive every believer's weaknesses and to use that knowledge to devise attacks against each individual. Satan also blinds the perceptions (νὸημα) of those who already are unbelieving so that the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ will not shine upon them. These truths are foundational to the second phase of our study, which centered on Paul's motivation for ministry to believers, as presented from 2 Corinthians 10:5; 11:3. He said that he ministers with the intent of leading every perception of every believer captive into obedience to Christ. Paul expressed his concern that the Corinthian believers' perceptions (νὸημα) will be corrupted away from the simplicity in Christ, just as Eve's had been, through Satan's deceptions.

This week our study considers a third phase concerning the function of νὸημα. This phase centers on the promise, found in Philippians 4:1-7, of protection for the believer's thoughts and perceptions. Fellowship is the theme of Philippians and throughout this letter Paul presents the spiritual conditions that must exist in order for believers to participate together in true Christian unity. In , Paul addresses a particular problem between two women in the church.

Philippians 4:1-7 (Literal Translation)

1)

So then, my beloved and greatly desired brothers, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

This verse is used to transition the theme from that of the previous chapter to the principles governing how each believer is to approach his earthly life. Paul begins by addressing the Philippians as his beloved and greatly desired brothers who are his joy and crown. He then commands them, "in this way stand firm in the Lord." The adverb οὕτως (Strong's #3779) is translated "in this way" referring back to Philippians 3:20 where Paul depicts the standing of believers as citizens of Heaven. Each believer is to approach life as a pilgrim passing through, awaiting the Savior who will take each one with Him to his place in Glory. Therefore, to stand firm as a citizen of Heaven is a principle governing how each believer is to approach his earthly life.

2)

I encourage Euodia and I encourage Syntyche, that they should have the same frame of mind^F1 in the Lord.

Paul now encourages two women in the Church at Philippi "to have the same frame of mind in the Lord." The Greek word translated "frame of mind" is φρονὲω (Strong's #5426). Φρονὲω represents the frame of mind or attitude one takes in approaching something. (See our seven-part study on this word in the archives). Paul is encouraging these two women to have one approach and attitude toward the issue causing disunity between them; they both should want what the Lord wants for their situation. Paul has previously, in Philippians 2:5, introduced the basic principle of "Let this frame of mind (φρονὲω) be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." So Paul is saying here that these two women should have the same attitude and approach to things that Jesus had when He walked the earth. Jesus left the glory of Heaven and took the humble road through His earthly pilgrimage. There is nothing in this earthly life important enough to fight over and cause division to Christian fellowship.

3)

And I ask you also genuine fellow-companion, help these women who struggled together with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

In this verse, Paul asks a person (referred to as the "genuine fellow-companion") to help these two women as well as other believers in the Philippian church. He then lists a series of commands defining the frame of mind necessary for the Christian's approach to earthly things.

4)

rejoice in the Lord at all times, again I will say rejoice.

First, Paul gives commands concerning contentment. The Greek word translated "rejoice" is χαὶρω (Strong's #5463). In Greek, χαὶρω represents "satisfaction." It is used to convey the satisfaction of soldiers participating in warfare. It also represents the satisfaction of athletes competing in a contest. Paul is teaching that the believer is to approach this earthly life with a frame of mind or attitude of satisfaction in the Lord. This is because a believer who finds his satisfaction in the Lord will not cause division when things do not go his way in the church.

5)

Let your yielding become known^F2 to all people, the Lord is near.

Paul's next command concerns "yielding." The King James translation says, "Let your moderation be known unto all men." The believer is to have a reputation for yielding or handling the things of this earthly life with moderation. This is the opposite of being known for indulging in the things of life. Many divisions in the church arise out of someone's inability to relinquish some cherished thing; a favorite program, an opinion on how a project is being done around the church, etc. But a person who finds his satisfaction in the Lord will be yielding when dealing with the issues of earthly things.

6)

Be not anxious concerning one thing^F3, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests become known to God.

The next command given by Paul is to "be not anxious concerning one thing." The Greek word translated "anxious" is μεριμνὰω (Strong's #3309) which more literally means, "to have the attention of the mind occupied" with something. As presented in the eight part series on this word (see the archives), Satan's only weapon against a Christian is the occupation of the attention of the believer's mind so that he will not be able to hear or study God's word and thereby "be transformed with the renewing of the mind" (Romans 12:2). Paul is commanding that a believer should not have the attention of his mind diverted from Christ by even one thing. Instead, he is to submit and surrender to the Lord, through prayer, the things that could occupy his mind.

7)

And the peace of God, which is^F4 surpassing all ability to perceive (νοῦς), shall guard your hearts and your perceptions (plural of νὸημα), in Christ Jesus.

Now Paul presents the promise given to each one who is a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven; the one who finds his satisfaction in the Lord and is yielding in the things pertaining to this earthly life; the one who is not allowing the attention of his mind to be occupied with his own desires and wants, but instead is surrendering and committing all things to the Lord in order that His will be done. To this person the promise is: "The peace of God, which is surpassing all ability to perceive, shall guard your heart and your perceptions in Christ Jesus."

The word translated "peace" is εἰρὴνη (Strong's #1515). Εἰρὴνη comes from a root word meaning "unity." Peace, as presented in the Bible, is not a tranquil feeling, but rather is the person of Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 2:14, Paul says, "For He Himself is our peace, Who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of the partition;" In this verse, the word "peace" has the definite article and reads, "the peace of us." When a Christian prays, he not only surrenders himself to Christ, but his circumstances as well. The result is that the believer is occupied with Christ; he is aligned with Christ; he experiences peace with Christ.

The peace of God is described in this verse as "surpassing all ability to perceive." The Greek word for "ability to perceive" is the noun νοῦς (Strong's #3563). Νοῦς is derived from the same root as νὸημα and represents the ability to perceive. Many times we do not experience peace with the Lord because we demand to understand everything first. Paul is saying that the Lord's peace is beyond a person's ability to perceive. According to the teaching of Scripture, a person does not need to know or understand in order to experience peace, or unity, with the Lord. Peace is experienced in submission and surrender to the Lord and His will.

This verse indicates that the peace of God also "will guard your hearts and perceptions (plural of νὸημα) in Christ Jesus." The Greek word for guard is φρουρὲω (Strong's #5432), which has to do with guarding something by surrounding it. This word is used in reference to a garrison surrounding the city of Damascus in order to apprehend Paul (2 Corinthians 11:32). Therefore, when we are united with and focused on the Lord, the peace of God surrounds our hearts and perceptions.

Neither the wisdom nor the strength of a believer can keep his perceptions from being deceived. It is a Christian's relationship with the things of this world that determines whether or not he can be deceived about the things of the Lord. For example, if the things of this life and the flesh mean a great deal to a believer, he will not be open to scriptural truths about trials and suffering. If a believer's ego and desires mean something to him, he will not be yielding in order to preserve the unity of fellowship among believers. Only when a Christian has surrendered both himself and his life circumstances to the Lord can his perceptions be protected from the deceptions of a false gospel.

* Noema is the English font spelling of the Greek for this word.

Technical Notes:

F1: The infinitive φρονεῖν, "to think," or, "to have a frame of mind," is translated νὰ͂φρονῶσι, "that you should have a frame of mind."

F2: The translation of the imperative γνωσθὴτω, "let known," is translated by ἂς͂γεὶνῇγνωστὴ "let become known."

F3: The imperative μεριμνᾶτε, "be anxious" with the accusative μηδὲν, "not one thing," is translated μὴ͂μεριμνᾶτε͂περὶ͂μηδενὸς, "do not be anxious concerning one thing."

F4: The second article in the attributive position ἡ, "the one," is translated ποῦεἶναι, "which is."

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