Patterns
By Jonathan Mitchell
A Short Investigation into their Scriptural Occurrences and Uses
The writer of the book of Hebrews cites Ex. 25, where Yahweh instructs Moses about how he was to construct the Tabernacle so that He would have a dwelling place among the encampment of Israel during their wilderness journey. Here, in Heb. 8:4-5a, he includes the old covenant priesthood as part of the Pattern for the new covenant arrangement which, in Heb. 6:20, is called "the order of Melchizedek." Now, the Pattern was not that which was to be created. It functioned like a blueprint. So, let us examine this passage in Heb. 8:
4. Indeed therefore, if He were upon earth, He would not even have been a priest, there constantly being those folks who keep on offering the gifts according to the Law (or: in line with custom, or [Torah]),
5. who are constantly rendering service for (or: in; by) an example (underlying copy; the effect of something shown from under; a delineating, suggestive outline -- Wuest) and by (or: in; with) a shadow (imperfect portrayal by shade, which has no substance - Wuest) of the fully heavenly people (or: of the heavenly-imposed folks; or: from the things pertaining to completely superimposed, heavenly places and things; or: of things or situations from the One [resident] upon the atmosphere),just as Moses had been being managed (or: instructed), when being about to fully finish (successfully complete; adequately perfect) the Tabernacle.
For He continues to bring to light by a declaration,
"Continue to observe so as to see that you make (or: construct) all things down from and in accord with the Pattern (or: corresponding to this plan, in line with the type, and in the sphere of the model) being shown to you (pointed out and exhibited for you; presented to your sight) on (or: in the midst of) the (or: this) mountain." [Ex. 25:40]
The OT Pattern is also called a "shadow" in Col. 2:17, following a list of cultic practices which illustrate the Pattern (in vs. 16):
"which things (= cultic markers) are (exist being) a shadow of the things being about to be (or: in regard to [what had been] the impending existence), [which is] now, the [actual] body of the Christ (or: and now the physical form is from, and belongs to, the [Messiah]; or: Yet the corporeal reality has the qualities of the Anointing; or: Whereas the corresponding embodiment of the idea, its mass, and its substance, [is] Christ; or: So then the body pertains to the [Messiah];[note: A.T. Robertson views this construction, "the body," as the object which is casting the shadow; Vincent is similar; cf TDNT, VII, p 1039-40]).
There are many Christians, today, who wish to incorporate the Pattern, the "shadow" which has no substance, into the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn. 14:6). They forget the announcement made by Paul, in 2 Cor. 5:17-18,
"Consequently, since someone [is] within Christ (or: So that if anyone [is] in union with, and in the sphere of, [the] Anointed One, and the Anointing; or: And as since a Certain One [was] in Christ; [cf 12:2, below]), [there is] a new creation (or: [it is] a framing and founding of an essentially different kind; or: [he or she is] an act of creation having a fresh character and a new quality): the original things (the beginning [situations]; the archaic and primitive [arrangements]) passed by (or: went to the side). Consider! New, essentially different things have come into existence (have occurred and been birthed; or: It has become new things that are essentially different from what was habitual, before; or: He has been birthed and now exists being ones of a different kind, character and quality). [cf Wis. 19:6-8; Rev. 21:5]
Yet further, all things [are] (or: the Whole [is]; = all the things that exist [are]; [cf Rom. 11:36]) forth from out of the midst of God - the One transforming us to be completely other [than we were] (or: bringing us into another place or state of being; changing us to correspond with other [perceptions and conceptions]; altering us to be conformed to another [person]; changing us from enmity to friendship; reconciling us) in Himself (or: with Himself; by Himself; to Himself; for Himself), through Christ, and giving to us the attending service of, and the dispensing from, the complete transformation [for folks] to be other [than before] (or: the change into another [position]; the changing to correspond with other [situations; perceptions]; the alteration to be another [person]; the change from enmity to friendship; the reconciliation), [cf Rom. 8:19-21]
We can still learn from the Pattern (just as Jesus used it with the disciples, on the road to Emmaus - Lu. 24:27), but it is "the original things (the archaic and primitive [arrangements])" which "passed by" and "went to the side." This is why Paul cautioned folks about incorporating the old into the new:
"Therefore, do not let anyone habitually pass judgment on you (or: make decisions for you) in [matters of] eating and drinking, nor in a part (division; category) of a festival, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths = concerning [identity markers] or things that are of a religious nature or cultus)."
We can observe the old as contrasted to the new, in Rom. 6:17,
"But Grace [is] by God (or: Now [this is] happiness granted as Favor in God): that you folks were existing, continuing to be slaves of the Sin (slaves from that Failure; slaves belonging to The Missing the target), yet now you submissively hear and pay attention, so as to obey - from out of heart! - [the] type of instruction (or: chiseled form, and imprinted PATTERN, of teaching) into the midst of which you folks are (or: at one point were) given over (transferred; delivered; committed; passed on)."
We are now following a different "pattern," or "type," into which we have been transferred and committed.
The OT experiences were also negative patterns, illustrating for us what we should NOT do, as Paul informs us in 1 Cor. 10:6.
"Now these things were made to be types of us (or: were birthed to be examples for, and typological figures and PATTERNS pertaining to, us), [directed] into this [goal]: [for] us not to habitually be those who set their strong passions (rushing emotions; ardor; cravings) upon worthless things (ugly things of bad quality), just (correspondingly; along the same lines) as those also set their passionate emotions and cravings on [such things]."
He repeats this same idea in vs. 11,
"Now all these things went on progressively (or: from time to time) stepping together among (or: to; with) those folks by way of types (as examples; figuratively; for patterns), and it was written with a view toward a placing [of them] into the minds of us: ones unto whom (directed into the midst of whom) the ends (= conjunctions; or: consummations; goals) of the (or: these) ages have come down to (or: arrived at and meet) and are now face to face [with us]."
[note: "the ends," plural, may describe a picture of a succession, where "one end" meets "another end," this latter being really the beginning of another indefinite time-period, stretched out like a rope; each rope in the time-line having "two ends."]
Paul gave himself and his companions as patterns for those to whom he wrote in Philippi:
"Brothers (Folks from the same womb; Family; Siblings), be progressively birthed to be joint-imitators from, and of, me (or: unite in becoming my co-imitators), and continually keep a watchful eye on, attentively observe, and take note of, those habitually walking about thus (i.e., those who live their lives in this manner), in the same line as (or: just as; according as) you folks continue having US as a pattern (model; example; type). (Phil. 3:17; [cf 1 Pet. 5:3]
This is what we, who are following Christ and Paul as patterns, are also called to be. Our lives in Christ are meant to be patterns for others. When they see us, they should also see the Father (Jn. 14:6-12). If we have been joined unto the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17), we have become a part of the Way, the Truth and the Life.
The same Greek word is used in 1 Thes.1:7, and it is instructive to observe this passage:
7. so that you folks became a pattern for, and in (or: a model [other MSS: models] to), all those constantly trusting, habitually being loyal, progressively believing, and continuing faithful, within Macedonia and in Achaia.
8. You see, from you people, the Word of the Lord (or: the Logos from [Yahweh]; or: the Lord's Blueprint and Pattern-forming flow of Information; this Idea, Reason, and the conveyance of this Meaning-bearing Information, which is the Master)has been loudly sounded forth, and it continues ringing out, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but even more, within every place, your faith, faithfulness, and trust, toward God (or: the faith and this loyalty from you, face to face with God) have gone forth, and these continue going out, so that we have no need to be speaking anything!
What an incentive for us! Their lives had done this, and it was so unusual (compared to the customary standards of that time and place), that the word about them spread, and people responded! Paul gave us Timothy as an individual example of what a Pattern should look like:
"Let no one continue despising (or: Stop allowing anyone to be thinking down on, having a negative opinion of, or showing contempt for) your youth. On the contrary, continue coming to be a model (pattern; example; an impression made by a blow) of (or: pertaining to) those full of faith (of the faithful ones; for believers): within a Meaning-bearing Flow of Information that is a Pattern-forming Influence (or: in Reason, Word, Logos, a message, a thought, or an idea), in the sphere of conduct (behavior; manner of living), in union with Love (centered in an accepting urge to union), centered in faith (or: trust and faithfulness), in the sphere of purity (or: propriety; chastity; virginity; (1 Tim. 4:12; [cf Rev. 14:4]).
He repeats a similar admonition to Titus, in Titus 2:
7. [while] constantly holding yourself at [their] side, offering (tendering; presenting; exhibiting) yourself [as] a model (example; PATTERN; an impression) of beautiful actions (fine deeds and ideal works), [exhibiting] incorruptness (absence of spoil or ruin; incapability of decay) [and] seriousness (gravity; dignity) [p32 & other MSS add: freedom from envy; willingness] within the teaching (centered in union with the instruction):
8. [presenting] a healthful message and blueprint (a sound word; a thought or idea full of, and promoting, health; a well logos): one without down-oriented knowledge and not bringing a downward, dominated experience, thus being unworthy of - and not containing any - condemnation (or: being un-censurable), so that the person in the contrary and opposing position (or: [acting] out of contrariness) can (may; would) be turned back within himself (or: be put to shame and be made to show reverence and regard), continuing having nothing slight or mean (cheap; paltry; ill; sorry; good-for-nothing; thoughtless) to be saying about us.
Then Peter uses this term, in 1 Pet. 5:3, "progressively becoming beaten models (types from the strike of a hammer; patterns; examples) for, and with a view to, the little flock." The literal meaning of the word sounds harsh, but all too often, life is harsh. The forging of a sword involves a lot of heat and beating by a hammer. Many can relate to this metaphor as describing the experiences in their lives.
So, we have traced the metaphorical and spiritual uses of the term, "patterns," and now have seen how two NT writers applied it to both Christ and to the members of His body. In our natural lives, we often observe patterns in creation. Many times, we have seen how growth occurs in patterns. We also have noted that addictive behaviors often follow a pattern. These insights are often due to our experiential knowledge of the fruit of "good and evil" (Gen. 3:22). May we all learn and grow from what we have learned and experienced.
Jonathan
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