John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
March 19, 2022, Moscow: President Vladimir Putin was hosting a pro war pep rally. He delivered a speech justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As stated by Putin, the reason for the “Special Military Operation” is as follows.
“…to get people out of their misery, out of this genocide, that is the main reason, the motive and purpose of the military operation that we began in Donbas and Ukraine,” Russian President Putin.
Putin would later go on to quote Jesus in John 15:13.
‘There is no greater love than if someone gives his soul for his friends,’ Vladimir Putin.
The issue is the translation of one word. Putin used the Russian word душу (dushu). This word is translated as “soul” in English.
John, under the direction of the Holy Spirit utilized the Greek word ψυχή/psuché. Per Strong’s Concordance, the word means breath or the soul.
Yet, our English translators of the English Standard Version, King James Version, and New American Standard Bible use the word “life” in John 15:13. To take it a step further, I could not find one English translation that did not use the word “life”.
I am not questioning Putin’s beliefs. That is between him and his Maker. He claims to be a Russian Orthodox Christian. Historically, Putin states he is not comfortable talking publicly about his beliefs.
https://theweek.com/russia/1011510/putin-quotes-jesus-to-justify-invasion-of-ukraine
Let me be clear. I am not supporting Putin as a Bible scholar or theologian or wordsmith. Putin is quoting the verse within the context of his justification for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an act of love as he sees it.
Look at the context of the verse from the standpoint of Jesus, “Love on another.“
John 15:12-17 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Another practical application of the verses… Russians and Ukrainians, love one another. I currently don’t see much fruit being cultivated with the current geopolitical conflict.
My point is this. Be discerning. Study God’s word and understand it for yourself. Don’t take my word or Putin’s word. Read the Bible and interact with the words. Let the Spirit of God interact and communicate with you personally. Set aside preconceived notions and biases and listen to what is actually being said.
