Editorials -- By: Anonymous

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 107:428 (Oct 1950)
Article: Editorials
Author: Anonymous


Editorials

Adoption

The Bible recognizes the usual meaning of the word adoption, which is the placing of one rightfully outside blood-ties into the position of a legal (not, natural) child in the family. Though not a custom known among Jews at first, adoption was practiced by the Egyptians. Exodus 2:10 records the adoption of Moses by Pharaoh’s daughter (cf. 1 Kings 11:20). The adoption of Esther demonstrates that the custom was practiced by Jews in Babylon (Esther 2:7, 15). Greece and Rome were evidently included among those who followed this custom. The apostle Paul, indeed, uses this terminology only when writing to Gentiles. He speaks to such about the national-placing of Israel above other peoples—”to whom pertaineth the adoption” (Rom 9:4, 5)—as a kind of adopting. This instance bears closely upon the spiritual and New Testament use of the word, but it is evident from Exodus 4:22, Deuteronomy 32:6, Isaiah 64:8, Jeremiah 31:9 and Hosea 11:1 that Israel although called the son of Jehovah is only one by virtue of decree or sovereign act, not by virtue of natural or even spiritual ties in her relationship to the Lord.

In the New Testament there comes a spiritual use of the word adoption (Rom 8:14–17) which signifies the placing of a newborn child into the position of privilege and responsibility attached to an adult son, immediately and without regard to maturity of years. Here an important distinction appears between two Greek works, namely, τεκνίον—used to denote little children who are under the authority of parents, tutors and governors (cf. John 13:33) and υἱός—used to denote an adult son. So Christ spoke of Himself as the Son of man, and by employing the latter Greek term meant that He is one of full maturity. Now, perplexity may arise over why a born—and thus a natural—child should be adopted at

all. For adoption, as usually conceived of, could add nothing to rights which are gained by normal birth. It is here, indeed, that the true spiritual meaning of adoption will appear. The newborn child by his adoption is advanced...

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