So That

by Doy Moyer

Have you noticed how often the purpose of something is stated? This is often done by using the term ἵνα in the New Testament (often translated as “that” or “so that”), which is meant to denote purpose. It’s used quite a lot, and I believe we ought to pay attention to it so that we can better understand the purpose of what’s under discussion. For example…

• "My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power" (I Corinthians 2:4-5).
• "Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead" (II Corinthians 1:9).
• "Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us" (II Corinthians 4:7).
• "And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised" (II Corinthians 5:15).

Look for it.