Token
Token
This word occurs three times in the Pauline Epistles, and nowhere else in the English Versions of the apostolic writings. The passages are 2Th 1:5, Php 1:28, 2Th 3:17, Authorized Version and Revised Version giving identical renderings in each. In 2Th 1:5 the Greek is translated by manifest token; in Php 1:28 is translated by evident token; in 2Th 3:17 token renders . The two first passages may conveniently be taken together, both because of their general resemblance and because the two Greek words which token represents are closely related. In 2Th 3:17 it represents a different word, occurring in a totally different context.
1. In 2Th 1:5, St. Paul, speaking for himself and his associates, says to the Thessalonians: We ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure; which is a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God. The word (manifest token) occurs only here in the Greek Bible; its general significance is proof or evidence (not exemplum as the Vulgate, but rather indicium as Beza). The interpretation of the passage involves a two-fold question: (a) What is meant by the righteous judgement of God? (b) What is the manifest token () of it? of it? The righteous judgement is the future and final judgment referred to in 2Th 1:6-10, based on the principle of compensation laid down by our Lord in Luk 16:25, that the sufferers of this world shall rest hereafter, and the persecutors shall suffer. It is not, however, suffering per se that can look forward to this future rest and joy but suffering that comes of faith, and is endured for the Kingdom of God (Luk 16:5). This suffering, inspired by faith in God and endured with the conviction that He reigns and will ultimately exhibit His righteous judgement, is itself the evidence, the manifest token of the coming of that judgment.
The word as related to indicates strictly the concrete result in contrast with the process. In meaning, however, the two words are practically indistinguishable. This becomes apparent from a consideration of the passage in which the latter word occurs.
2. In Php 1:28, St. Paul bids his converts be nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token () of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God; i.e. if the Philippians do not waver before the attacks of the adversaries, but maintain their ground, this steadfast attitude in itself will be an evident token, a proof that the adversaries will suffer defeat, while the Philippians will enjoy the Divine salvation. , like , is a Pauline word, and does not occur in the Greek Bible apart from his Epistles. It is an Attic law term and appears to mean, more distinctively, proof that rests on an appeal to facts, as contrasted with mere logical demonstration. Token coupled with the adjectives manifest or evident is an adequate rendering of either or .
3. In 2Th 3:17, St. Paul, referring to the concluding salutation written by his own hand, says that it is the token () in every epistle. An exhaustive account of these interesting words would require a general examination of the epistolary methods of the contemporary Graeco-Roman world. It must suffice here to say that St. Paul, in accordance with the common practice of his age, probably dictated his Epistles to an amanuensis (cf. Rom 16:22), adding a few words at the end, in his own writing, to vouch for the authenticity of the document. These authenticating words might consist of the bare salutation, as in the present passage, or might contain other words in addition (cf. 1Co 16:22, Col 4:18, Gal 6:11-17; Deissmann goes so far as to hold that in 2 Cor. the apostolic autograph begins at 2Co 10:1). The probability is that the Apostle would authenticate every Epistle by his autograph greeting at the end. In the cases where he calls special attention to the fact (1Co 16:21, Col 4:18, and the present passage; cf. too Gal 6:11) he may have been anxious to certify the letter, as against any forgeries that might be circulating in his name. The use of the word here, followed by the elucidating (almost like our English signed) is closely parallel to the (generally contracted into .) with which many papyri and ostraca close. An alternative method of certifying a letter was to give to the bearer a token () as proof of his commission (cf. S. Witkowski, Epistulae Privatae, Leipzig, 1906, no. 25).
Literature.-J. B. Lightfoot, Notes on Epistles of St. Paul, London, 1895, p. 135 f.; A. Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, Eng. translation 2, do., 1911, p. 153; G. Milligan, St. Pauls Epistles to the Thessalonians, do., 1908, Note A, St. Paul as a Letter-Writer, pp. 121-130.
Dawson Walker.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Token
tok’n (, ‘oth, usually rendered sign (on Deu 22:14 ff see the comms.)): Sign and token are virtually synonymous words and in the King James Version are used with little or no distinction (in Ex 13, compare Exo 13:9 and Exo 13:16). If there is any difference, token is perhaps more concrete and palpable than sign, but this difference cannot be stressed. The modern use of token, however, as a memorial of something past found in Num 17:10; Jos 2:12. the Revised Version (British and American) has substituted sign in Exo 13:16; Psa 135:9; Isa 44:25, and the American Standard Revised Version has evidence in Job 21:29 (a needlessly prosaic change). The four New Testament examples, Mar 14:44; Phi 1:28; 2Th 1:5; 2Th 3:17 (each for a different Greek word) are self-explanatory. See SIGN.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Token
H8507
A sign
Exo 3:12
Sun and moon for time and seasons
Gen 1:14
The mark of Cain
Gen 4:15
Rainbow, that the world might no more be destroyed by a flood
Gen 9:12-17
Circumcision, of the covenant of Abraham
Gen 17:11
Token presents
Gen 21:27; Gen 21:30
Miracles of Moses, of the divine authority of his missions
Exo 4:1-9
Blood of the paschal lamb
Exo 12:13
The Passover
Exo 13:9
Consecration of the firstborn
Exo 13:14-16
The Sabbath
Exo 31:13; Exo 31:17
A fringe
Num 15:38-40
Scarlet thread
Jos 2:18; Jos 2:21
Cover of the altar
Num 16:38-40
Aaron’s rod
Num 17:10
Memorial stones
Jos 4:2-9
Dew on Gideon’s fleece
Jdg 6:36-40
Prayer for tokens of mercy
Psa 86:17 Miracles
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Token
“a sign, token or indication,” is translated “token” in 2Th 3:17, of writing of the closing salutations, the Apostle using the pen himself instead of his amanuensis, his autograph attesting the authenticity of his Epistles. See MIRACLE, SIGN.
“a fixed sign or signal, agreed upon with others” (sun, “with”), is used in Mar 14:44, “a token.” In the Sept., Jdg 20:38, Jdg 20:40; Isa 5:26; Isa 49:22; Isa 62:10.
“a plain token, a proof” (akin to endeiknumi, “to point out, prove”) is used in 2Th 1:5 “a manifest token,” said of the patient endurance and faith of the persecuted saints at Thessalonica, affording proof to themselves of their new life, and a guarantee of the vindication by God of both Himself and them (see No. 4, Note).
“a pointing out, showing forth,” is rendered “evident token” in Phi 1:28. See DECLARE, B, PROOF. Cp. apodeixis, 1Co 2:4.
Note: No. 4 refers to the act or process of proving, No. 3 to the thing proved. While the two passges, Phi 1:28 and 2Th 1:5, contain similar ideas, endeigma indicates the “token” as acknowledged by those referred to; endeixis points more especially to the inherent veracity of the “token.”
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Token
This word represents a pledge or advance payment as proof that the promise will be fulfilled.
Gen 9:12 (b) The rainbow is GOD’s testimony that He will never again send a universal flood to destroy life upon the earth.
Gen 17:11 (b) Circumcision is a permanent mark on the men of Israel to remind them of GOD’s unconditional promises to Abraham, and their identification with that covenant.
Exo 3:12 (b) Moses received this token on Mt. Sinai. The people had been delivered from Egypt, had safely crossed the sea, had been preserved as they traveled through the wilderness. They were now gathered around Moses on the mount. This was the proof that he was GOD’s chosen leader.
Exo 12:13 (b) The Blood of the lamb was the evidence and proof to GOD that the people within the house believed His Word. It represents the precious Blood of CHRIST, applied by faith to our hearts, wherein we testify that we believe GOD and His Word.
Num 17:10 (c) Aaron’s rod in the presence of GOD was the evidence to be used against the rebellious people of Israel, if there should ever be a question of GOD’s righteousness in punishing Korah and his company. It is also a type of the evidence against wicked sinners, manifested in the wounds of JESUS CHRIST, and His subsequent glory. The wounded CHRIST on the throne of Heaven, exalted by GOD, is sufficient proof that CHRIST is GOD’s son, GOD’s servant, even though men reject Him.
Mar 14:44 (c) This may be taken as a type of the false provision and the vain conversation of hypocrites who enter the fold of the church for the sake of making money.
2Th 3:17 (b) Paul’s signature on his letters, even though they were dictated by him, was proof that they were genuine and orthodox.