For when we were yet Without Strength

In due time Christ died for the unGodly

While we were yet Sinners

When we were Enemies

We commend this study to all true Bereans, praying that the method

suggested in investigating the word asham may stimulate others to search out

similar phenomena in connection with the remaining words.

If it is to be truly profitable, all true ministry must be 'a word in

season', and it is not possible nor expedient to attempt to teach all the

truth, or witness to every doctrine, at any other time.

The fact that within a week we have received more than one inquiry

concerning the teaching of Scripture regarding death as a sleep, leads us to

see that it would be a word in season to devote some of our limited space to

a consideration of this subject.  In the first place let us turn to John

11:14, 'Jesus said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead' (Lazaros apethanen).

The Greek verb here translated 'is dead' is from apothnesko.  As John 11:21

and 41 will show, the word thnesko means 'to die'.  The addition of the

prefix apo intensifies the conception representing the actions of the simple

verb as consummated and finished, 'to die out, expire, become quite dead'

(Dr. E. W. Bullinger's Lexicon).  In John 8:52 we read: 'Abraham is dead'

(Abraham apethanen).  Here, therefore, is fact one.  Lazarus was dead, as

literally and completely as Abraham.

In the second place let us turn to Luke 8:52.  There we read: 'She is

not dead' (Greek ouk apethanen).  Here we have the negative 'not', which sets

before us the exact opposite of the proposition made in John 11.  Here,

therefore, is fact two.  'She is not dead'.

Now we find that many use the words of Luke 8:52 to deny or belittle

the language of John 11:14, but by so doing they are making Christ contradict

Christ, which is impossible.  The third fact, therefore, which emerges, and

which demands acceptance, is, that Lazarus was dead and the little maid was

not; both statements must be accepted, and neither contradicts the other.

In the fourth place, we are reminded that in both passages the word

'sleep' occurs, and this is brought forward as a proof that Lazarus was not

really dead.  But when we 'open the Book' and 'search and see' we discover

that this 'proof' is based on the supposition that the Greek word for 'sleep'

in both passages is identical.  This, however, is not the case:

'Our friend Lazarus sleepeth', Greek koimaomai (John 11:11).

'She is not dead, but sleepeth', Greek katheudo (Luke 8:52).

These two words represent two distinct thoughts; they are used with

purpose, and recorded by inspiration of God.  Those who desire the truth will

adhere to the words that the Lord chose; those who wish otherwise will

probably pay little or no attention to the essential difference between them.

The word in John 11:11 is used in the passive and means 'to fall asleep