It's that word, darkness (skotos in the Greek), that really struck me when I read it, as did the images of sight/blindness and light/darkness upon which Sophocles plays between Oedipus the seeing blind man and Teiresias the blind seer. A word quick search on "skotos" turned up 30 uses of the word in the New Testament, and such images of light and darkness should sound very familiar to the Christian. (Hehe...considering my own blog theme...) I'll just list a few here for quick reference:
Speaking of the doom of unbelievers
"I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 8:11-12
Where we were before fellowship with Christ
"Therefore do not associate with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." Ephesians 5:7-10
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14
What We, as Christians, should avoid
"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." Romans 12:12
That out of which we should call others
"But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles- to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'" Acts 26:16-18
What Gods exposes and will expose"Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God." 1 Corinthians 4:5
I think it very beneficial to consider this imagery and tease out what the NT writers might mean by such talk. Perhaps in a succeeding post I will expound more upon these thoughts.
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