Showing (1731) (endeÃknumi from preposition en = in, to + deÃknumi = to show) means to point out, to demonstrate, to put on display, to prove, to show proof, to show forth, to show oneself, to give visible proof, to show in anything and implies an appeal to facts. The preposition (in) in the compound suggests more than the simplest demonstration. It is like laying the index finger, as it were, on the object. It means to to show something in someone. It can mean to do something to someone, as Alexander the coppersmith did (endeÃknumi) Paul much harm (see 2 Timothy 4:14- note). In the papyri it could have a quasi-legal sense of proving a petition or charge or of proving that a charge was wrong. Josephus used endeÃknumi to describe Herod Agrippa’s display of generosity to those of other nations (Josephus, Antiquities, 19:330). EndeÃknumi -12x in the NT -- Ro 2:15; Ro 9:17, Ro 9:22; 2Co 8:24; Ep 2:7; 1Ti 1:16; 2Ti 4:14; Titus 2:10; Titus 3:2; Heb 6:10, Heb 6:11 NAS = demonstrate, 4; did, 1; show, 4; showing, 2; shown, 1) Here are the uses in the Septuagint - Ge 50:15, 17; Ex 9:16; Joshua 7:15, 16, 17, 18 The verbs is in the present tense which calls for the Cretan saints to continually demonstrate gentleness or power under control (prautes) an essential trait of Christian character. In Romans Paul writes that the Gentiles are guilty before God in that they (present tense = continually) show (endeÃknumi - demonstrate, prove) the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience (instinctive sense of right and wrong that produces guilt when violated) bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them. (Ro 2:15-note). The work which the Law of Moses was designed to do in the lives of Israel is seen in some measure in the lives of Gentiles. They know that certain acts are basically right and basically wrong. Paul concludes with a warm appeal asking the Corinthians for proof of their love writing that they therefore openly before the churches show them the proof (endeÃknumi - demonstrate, prove) of your love and of our reason for boasting about you. (2Cor 8:24) Phillips translates the verse “So do let them, and all the Churches, see how genuine is your love, and justify all the nice things we have said about you!” In explaining salvation to the Ephesians Paul wrote that God raised us up with Him (Christ), and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come (literally “in the ages that are coming one upon another”) He might show (endeÃknumi - demonstrate, point out) the surpassing (extraordinary, outstanding) riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (see notes Ephesians 2:6; 7) God’s ultimate purpose is to glorify Himself and through all eternity God will use the regeneration of believers to demonstrate the wealth and richness of His grace. Wuest adds that endeÃknumi is in the middle voice, which voice indicates that the subject of the verb acts in his own interest. God will exhibit His kindness to the saints for His own glory, in order that He may be glorified. And the spectators will be the angels. We saints will be the objects of this kindness. We will be on display before the angelic world, basking in the sunshine of God’s smile, enjoying the riches of His blessings, all, in order that He might be glorified by the angelic hosts. (Bolding added) (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans) In a very illustrative use of the verb endeÃknumi, Paul in a self testimony writes that even in face of the fact that he was the foremost of sinners yet...I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. (1Ti 1:16) Paul who had been the chief of sinners, is now the chief display of the untiring mercy and grace of the Lord. It is as if the Lord Jesus demonstrated Paul as “Exhibit A,” so to speak, living proof as William Kelly puts it of “divine love rising above the most active hostility, of divine longsuffering exhausting the most varied and persistent antagonism. Paul gives another useful illustration of endeÃknumi, urging Cretan Christians who were bondslaves to continually (voluntarily) submit themselves to their masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative (continually back talking), not pilfering (not constantly stealing by taking things of small value), but (continually) showing (proving they were entirely trustworthy and good) all good faith (that they can be fully trusted) so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. (see notes Titus 2:9; 10) When the Christian slaves demonstrated such trustworthy behavior, their action were like "ornaments" testifying of the life changing truth of the gospel and brought credit and verification to the teaching concerning God the Savior of all men. How effective was their demonstration? Although, we cannot answer specifically in regard to the isle of Crete, it is known that many slaves had the privilege of leading their masters to the Lord Jesus their Savior in the early days of Christianity, largely because the difference between pagan slaves and themselves was so glaring. The supreme purpose of a virtuous life is to demonstrate and make attractive (adorn) the teaching that God saves sinners. The writer of Hebrews uses endeÃknumi twice in a short section writing that God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown (endeÃknumi - demonstrated, proved - the following effects reflecting salvation are true of them) toward His name, in having ministered (aorist tense - completed action in past) and in still (present tense - continually) ministering to the saints. (see note Hebrews 6:10) Their coming to the assistance of their brethren was demonstration or proof of their willingness to identify themselves with the stigma associated with the Name of Jesus and their love for His people showed the genuineness of their love for Him. The writer goes on to say And we (have a strong, earnest) desire that each one of you show (endeÃknumi) the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (see notes Hebrews 6:11; 12) The writer wants his readers to go on steadfastly for Christ until the final hope of the Christian is realized in heaven. This is a proof of reality. EndeÃknumi is used 7 times in the Septuagint (LXX = Greek of the Hebrew OT), the following being a verse quoted by Paul in Romans 9:17(see note), But, indeed, for this cause I have allowed you to remain, in order to show (LXX = endeÃknumi) you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. (Ex 9:16) MacDonald writes that There is no suggestion here that the Egyptian monarch was doomed from the time of his birth. What happened was this. In adult life he proved to be wicked, cruel, and extremely stubborn. In spite of the most solemn warnings he kept hardening his heart. God could have destroyed him instantly, but He didn’t. Instead, God preserved him alive in order that He might display (thus the verb endeÃknumi) His power in him, and that through him God’s name might be known worldwide. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. 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