- Apr 2, 2003
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Not so quick. The reason they used "sorcery" and "witchcraft" is that pharmakeus refers to the making and administering of potions. Hence, it was thought of potions used in sorcery and witchcraft. However, there is good reason to believe that Paul and John were referring specifically to abortion. There is biblical and extra-biblical support which would suggest that that is what was meant.Cornelius said:That is certainly true, because they were too afraid to translate the word for what it means. They simply should have translated it "medications" because that is the meaning of the word.
So yes I agree with you. Sorcery is unclear, the verse should have read:
Gal 5:20 idolatry, medication , enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties
Take the following for example:
Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." (ESV)
Notice that "sorcerers" immediately follows "the sexually immoral". It was a widespread, common practice in those days to have an abortion by means of consuming a potion.
To say that it refers to medication in general is to go beyond what the text is saying, especially given Vic's arguments above.
You know what I meant. To say that our faith is at fault is utterly destructive and wrong.Cornelius said:You are right, he has not promised to heal us in the future, His promise is that in Christ we were already healed at the cross . Its only our faith that keeps us from it.