Fade not (263) amarantos by Greek Word Studies

Will not fade away (263) (amarantos from a = negates what follows + maraíno = to fade, dry up, wither) and thus literally "unfading". It was a word found on several tombstone inscriptions, which will fade away, but not our inheritance in Christ. Our inheritance will not lose its pristine quality or character. Fading was often used of flowers that wither and decay (cf 1Pe 1:24, 25-note) and the "amaranth" was the name of an unfading flower, a symbol of perpetuity. Our inheritance is like that flower and cannot wither, is always in bloom and never loses its hue or fragrance! Amarantos describes "the loveliness of the heavenly inheritance... as exempt from the blight which attaches to earthly bloom." (Vincent) Vincent goes on to add regarding the difference between aphthartos, incorruptible, and amarantos, unwithering, the former emphasizes the indestructibility of substance, and the latter of grace, and beauty. The latter adjective appears in the familiar botanical name amaranth. It will be observed that all of these three epithets are compounded with the negative particle alpha ("a" which means" not. Archbishop Trench aptly remarks that “it is a remarkable testimony to the reign of sin, and therefore of imperfection, of decay, of death throughout this whole fallen world, that as often as we desire to set forth the glory, purity, and perfection of that other, higher world toward which we strive, we are almost inevitably compelled to do this by the aid of negatives; by the denying to that higher order of things the leading features and characteristics of this.” (Re 21:1, 4" class="scriptRef">4, 22, 23, 27" class="scriptRef">27, 22:3, 5" class="scriptRef">22:5-See notes on Re 21:1; 4; 22; 23; 27; 22:3; 5" (Vincent) Our inheritance can never suffer variation in value, glory or beauty. It is "time proof". Or as your investment advisor might say this inheritance is the perfect "diversified portfolio". You don't have to fear... the market will never "crash" regarding this inheritance. Though earthly inheritances eventually fade away & the stock market make take a major nosedive destroying billions of dollars of wealth in seconds, the eternal inheritance of a Christian has no decaying elements. It will never grow old because it is eternal. It cannot wear out nor can it disappoint us in any way. Matthew Henry writes that our inheritance fadeth not away, but always retains its vigour and beauty, and remains immarcescible (unfading, lasting), ever entertaining and pleasing the saints who possess it, without the least weariness or distaste. Barnes adds that amarantos is properly applied to that which does not fade or wither, in contradistinction from a flower that fades. It may then denote anything that is enduring, and is applied to the future inheritance of the saints to describe its perpetuity in all its brilliance and splendor, in contrast with the fading nature of all that is earthly. The idea here, therefore, is not precisely the same as is expressed by the word “incorruptible.” Both words indeed denote perpetuity, but that refers to perpetuity in contrast with decay; this denotes perpetuity in the sense that everything there will be kept in its original brightness and beauty. The crown of glory, though worn for millions of ages, will not be dimmed; the golden streets will lose none of their luster; the flowers that bloom on the banks of the river of life will always be as rich in color, and as fragrant, as when we first beheld them. (Barnes' Notes on the Bible) All of this glorious truth begs the question: Am I really living as if I truly believe this "precious & magnificent promise"? What do I need to do to order or re-order my priorities so that they are set on ever lasting rather than ever passing? (cf Mt 6:21-note) Amarantos has been found in several inscriptions on ancient tombs. These inscriptions will fade away, but not this inheritance in Christ. It will not be like a faded rose, but like the "Rose of Sharon" (Song 2:1) Rienecker & Rogers add that Amárantos was used of flowers and suggests a supernatural beauty that time does not impair. The 3 verbal adjectives (modifying "inheritance") indicate that the inheritance is untouched by death, unstained by evil, unimpaired by time. It is composed of immortality, purity and beauty. RESERVED FOR YOU IN HEAVEN: teteremenen (RPPFSA) en ouranois eis humas: (Ps 31:19; Col 1:5; Col 3:3; 2Ti 4:8)

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Fade not (263) amarantos

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