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“Five Superlatives of Scripture - Part 1”
Five Superlatives of Scripture - Part 1
Wade Webster
A superlative refers to something of the highest kind, quality, or order; surpassing all else or others; supreme; extreme.” In language, the ascending order would be “good, better, best.” Sometimes, we use adjectives or adverbs to enhance words. I used to get letters from prisoners addressed to the Very Right Reverend Wade Webster. There were definitely some superlatives there, as well as many errors. The Scriptures speak of five superlatives. Five things that are beyond our words or thoughts.
Peace Beyond Understanding
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). The tense of the Greek word translated as surpasses suggests that the peace of God keeps on passing understanding. The peace that Paul has in mind is not dependent on external circumstances. It exists in spite of them. There were some negative circumstances in the lives of the writer and the readers. Paul, the writer, was awaiting trial. He had experienced some shortages. Thankfully, their care had flourished again. He wrote, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:10-12). The Philippians, the readers, were also facing some negative circumstances. Two sisters were evidently divided. Paul wrote, “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2).
In the context, we read not only of the peace of God, but also of the God of peace. Paul wrote, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9). Because the God of peace is with us, we have a peace that keeps our hearts and our minds from anxiety and worry. He will gladly supply all our need. Paul wrote, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). All that we have to do is ask.
It is true that those in the world have some peace – financial, domestic, vocational, national, and social. However, they are missing the peace that passes understanding . They are missing true spiritual peace. This peace comes only through the blood of Jesús. Paul wrote, “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).
