The Notebooks of Schubert Ogden

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An interesting instance of the indicative/imperative distinction is Paul's use of the metaphor of "putting on Christ" in both senses.

In Gal. 3:27, he can say, indicatively, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." On the other hand, he can call the Romans, imperatively, "Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Rom 13:12 ff.).

Werde, der du bist! Christians who have put Christ on through baptism are to put him on by putting on the armor of light, by conducting themselves becomingly as in the day, and so on.

24 June 2009

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