Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Kobbersmeden Aleksander har gjort meg mye vondt, men Gud vil straffe ham for det onde han har gjort! Du burde også passe deg for ham, for han gikk kraftig ut mot det vi forkynte. Første gang jeg skulle forsvare meg, var det ingen som sto sammen med meg, for alle stakk av. Måtte Herren ikke klandre dem for det! Men Herren selv var med meg, og Han ga meg kraft. Derfor har jeg fortsatt å forkynne det hele og fulle evangeliet slik at de som ikke kjente Gud, kunne få høre om Ham. Jeg ble også befridd fra løvens gap. Herren har passet på meg, og Han skal befri meg fra alt som er ondt. Han vil frelse meg og føre meg inn i sitt Himmelske rike, der Han regjerer. Han skal ha ære i all evighet! Amen. Farvel!
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, Paul is talking about a person named Alexander who caused him trouble and did evil things. Paul says that the Lord will give Alexander what he deserves for his actions.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a friend who keeps being mean to you, like pushing you on the playground or not sharing toys. You tell your parents about it, and they say, 'We'll see how this turns out.' That's kind of like what Paul is saying here—he’s telling us that God will take care of Alexander for being unkind.
Historical Background
This verse comes from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to his young protégé Timothy. The letter was written towards the end of Paul's life, when he was imprisoned in Rome around 67 AD. It reflects on challenges and betrayals within the early Christian community, emphasizing steadfast faith.
Living It Out Today
In today’s world, we might encounter colleagues at work who sabotage our efforts or friends who gossip about us behind our backs. This verse reminds us to trust that God will handle their actions and that we should focus on doing good, regardless of others' intentions.
Topics
justicevengeancefaithfulnessadversitytrust in Godbetrayal
Alexander was a person who caused trouble for Paul. He's likely someone involved in the early Christian community who turned against Paul.
What does it mean that God will 'reward' him according to his works?
It means that Alexander’s actions, whether good or bad, will be judged by God and he will face the consequences of those actions, reflecting divine justice.
Is this verse encouraging us to seek revenge on our enemies?
No, it's not about seeking personal vengeance. It emphasizes leaving judgment to God while focusing on living righteously ourselves.
How can I apply this verse when facing difficulties or betrayal from others?
When faced with adversity, remember to trust in God’s justice and focus on doing what is right, rather than retaliating, trusting that God will handle the situation justly.