if you keep these commandments you
will be able to follow the right way and then ζηση τω θεω ("you will live
to [or for] God"). This frequent expression concludes every Mandate
except 5 and 11. While it certainly has eschatological meaning, it also carries
the promise of earthly blessing, and is one of the factors in Hermas'
paraenesis that joins the two dimensions. Not primarily a baptismal category,
it nevertheless is a way of speaking of the continuation of baptismal
blessedness restored with conversion. It is partially the opposite of
"dying to God," but occurs far more frequently. Inasmuch as it means
the ongoing life of faith and joy that the Christian experiences with
conversion and that will continue in eternal life, "live to God" is
the better translation, or "live in the eyes of God"; inasmuch as it
also means how one lives the converted way of life, "live for God" is
better. (Carolyn Osiek, The Shepherd of Hermas [Hermeneia—A Critical and
Historical Commentary on the Bible; Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1999], 104)
Further Reading:
