INNOCENCE AND SINCERITY OR WEAKNESS AND DEPENDENCE? THE ESSENCE OF TERTIUM COMPARATIONIS OF THE CONDITION “UNLESS YOU BECOME LIKE CHILDREN” (MATT 18:3)
This article presents a New Testament terminology for children. Matt. 18:3-5 uses the noun paidion meaning a little child, baby, infant. The authors of the New Testament were using this term with reference to a immaturity, weakness, dependence, powerless and subjection to authority. In the first century of the Christian era children were marginal figures in the society of the ancient world. They were completely under the father’s authority. In the teaching of Jesus children were models of and for his followers which should submit to the sovereign will of God. The childhood is only a initial stage on the road to Christian mature manhood.
Chrześcijańska Akademia Teologiczna w Warszawie, Wydział Teologiczny, ul. Miodowa 21c, 00-246 Warszawa, Poland
Publication order reference