Chapter 18
| 1 Καὶ ἡμεῖς οὖν γενώμεθα ἐκ τῶν εὐχαριστούντων, δεδουλευκότων τῷ θεῷ, καὶ μὴ ἐκ τῶν κρινομένων ἀσεβῶν. | Therefore let us also be among those who give thanks, among those who have served God, and not among the ungodly who are judged. |
| 2 καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς πανθαμαρτωλὸς ὢν καὶ μήπω φυγὼν τὸν πειρασμόν, ἀλλ' ἔτι ὢν ἐν μέσοις τοῖς ὀργάνοις τοῦ διαβόλου σπουδάζω τὴν δικαιοσύνην διώκειν, ὅπως ἰσχύσω κἂν ἐγγὺς αὐτῆς γενέσθαι, φοβούμενος τὴν κρίσιν τὴν μέλλουσαν. | For I myself am also utterly sinful and have not yet escaped from temptation, but even though I am in the midst of the tools of the devil, I am eager to pursue righteousness, so that I may succeed in at least becoming close to it, because I fear the coming judgment. |
Summary
In this remarkably personal and humble passage, the speaker pauses his exhortations to place himself on the same level as his listeners.Acknowledging his own vulnerability to sin and ongoing spiritual struggle, he reveals that his urgent calls to repentance and righteousness are driven by personal humility and a healthy fear of coming divine judgment.
Rather than claiming moral perfection, he presents himself as a fellow traveler striving to get as close as possible to true righteousness amid the traps of the adversary.
Significant Greek Expressions
ἐκ τῶν εὐχαριστούντων ("belong to those who give thanks"):
The author frames true faith as rooted in thanksgiving (εὐχαριστέω). Believers are characterized by lived gratitude toward God, contrasting sharply with the impious (ἀσεβεῖς) who face judgment.
πανθαμαρτωλὸς ὤν ("being altogether a sinner"): A striking self-description using the intensive compound adjective πανθαμαρτωλός (pan-hamartōlos, "all-sinful" or "utterly a sinner"). The preacher models deep Christian humility, avoiding any pretense of moral superiority over his congregation.
ἐν μέσοις τοῖς ὀργάνοις τοῦ διαβόλου ("in the midst of the engines/tools of the devil"): The noun ὄργανον can mean instrument, tool, engine, or trap. The author paints a vivid picture of the world as a battlefield filled with demonic machinery or traps designed to bring about spiritual downfall.
σπουδάζω... διώκειν ("I make every effort... to pursue"): Combines two strong verbs of intentional effort: σπουδάζω (to be eager, endeavor, make every effort) and διώκω (to pursue or press on). Sanctification is presented as an active, energetic pursuit rather than passive compliance.
κἂν ἐγγὺς αὐτῆς γενέσθαι ("to get at least near it"): Echoes the athletic imagery introduced in chapter 7 (κἂν ἐγγὺς τοῦ στεφάνου γενώμεθα). The preacher humbly aims to even get close (ἐγγύς) to true righteousness, recognizing that complete perfection remains a lifelong struggle.