| ABOVE
By Charles H. Welch
ABOVE.
Ano,
Anothen an adverb allied with the preposition
ana
‘up’.
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Ano
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(All references)
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John 2:7.
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‘They filled them up to the
brim’. |
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8:23.
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‘Ye are from beneath; I am from
above’. |
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11:41.
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‘Jesus lifted up His
eyes’. |
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Acts 2:19.
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‘I will shew wonders in heaven
above’. |
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Gal. 4:26.
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‘Jerusalem which is above
is free’. |
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Phil. 3:14.
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‘The prize of the
high calling of God’. |
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Col. 3:1.
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‘Seek those things which are
above’. |
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3:2.
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‘Set your affection on things
above’. |
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Heb. 12:15.
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‘Any root of bitterness springing
up’. |
‘Things above’ are placed in contrast with ‘things on the earth’ and are
associated with that sphere of glory ‘where Christ sitteth at the right hand of
God’ (Col. 3:1,2). This is the third and highest sphere of blessing, the other
two being ‘the earth’ and ‘the heavenly Jerusalem’. This third sphere of
blessing is said to be ‘far above all principality and power’ ‘in the super-heavenlies’
(Eph. 1:20,21). Here the words ‘far above all’ are the translation of
huperano,
and the rendering ‘super-heavenlies’ is an attempt to do justice to the
composition and usage of
en tois epouraniois. For a
fuller examination of these terms, see under
FAR ABOVE ALL, and
HEAVENLY PLACES, both of which are moreover
comprehended in the main article entitled THREE SPHERES. The
passages which concern us, are those in Galatians, Philippians and Colossians.
The dispensational place of the New Jerusalem is discussed under
THREE SPHERES, and the problem of the
employment of ano an adverb in the place
of an adjective is dealt with under The HOPE and
THE PRIZE, where the alternative translations
‘THE HIGH CALLING’ and ‘THE CALLING ON HIGH’, are considered. The subject of the
epistle to the PHILLIPIANS as a whole, and as it is related to
the dispensation of the Mystery should be examined in order that the true value
of these ‘things above’, which should engage our affections, may be estimated
accurately.
The references to ano in Colossians
involve a consideration of three allied themes:
Where is Christ now seated.
What is implied by the fact that He is seated.
What is involved in His position at the right hand of God.
These themes are dealt with under the heading, SEATED.
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