"Unto" Is An Important Word!

I mourn the death of ”unto.” Yes… the preposition. Please don’t stop reading.

There are so many jokes on social media now about the “Grammar Police.” My daughter-in-law even bought me a nice mug with a “Grammar Police” badge emblazoned on the front.

But, what if GOD, himself, meant for such a tiny word like, “unto,” to convey to us a very important truth? Should modern translators just decide it is archaic and, then, replace it?

The Greek preposition “εἰς” (eis… pronounced “ice”), is used A LOT throughout scripture. If English grammar BORES YOU TO TEARS… you may miss a very important truth God wants us to understand.

I will try to be quick…

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit INTO the wilderness…” (Matthew 4:1)

“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads TO destruction…” (Matthew 7:13)

“Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart UNTO the other side.” (Matthew 8:18)

These are just a few verses in which the Greek word “eis” is used. As you can see, it is used to show “movement from one place to another place.” It indicates PROGRESSION TOWARD A DESIRED POINT OR GOAL!

Paul uses it when he is teaching us about “yielding” ourselves either to holy living or to sinful living.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin UNTO death, or of obedience UNTO righteousness?”
(Romans 6:16)

I LOVE how the ESV translates it! It tells it like it is!

“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, WHICH LEADS TO death, or of obedience, WHICH LEADS TO righteousness?”

That’s exactly what “eis” means! Like when the New Testament writers want to share the idea that certain things “LEAD TO” eternal life.

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him TO LIFE EVERLASTING.”
(1 Timothy 1:16)

Some new translations use the word “for” instead of “to” or “unto”… but… That MISSES the idea entirely! “FOR life everlasting” connects “believing” and “everlasting life” with a “PURPOSE”… not a “PROGRESSION” toward a goal. (I know… I lost you, now. Lol)

It is SAFE to use “unto” in other places in scripture, but as it relates to SALVATION and ETERNAL LIFE, many feel we should just stick with “for.” However, there is so much more proof that salvation is a “progression”… a process.

“To this he called you through our gospel, so that you MAY OBTAIN the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

I want to preach to you an entire, fiery sermon on this next passage, but I will, simply, be happy to plant a seed. Follow this progression…

4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God THROUGH (an ongoing) FAITH UNTO (leading to) SALVATION (from here to there) ready to be revealed in the last time.
(We are “being saved.”)
(In verses 6 and 7 it speaks of the necessity of great trials THAT our faith “MIGHT BE FOUND … UNTO… praise and honor and glory.” Which is another way of saying…
“that God, in the end, may give His divine opinion - His approval - about the worthy and valuable exercise of our faith and give us an accommodation when Jesus appears!

And then the passage ends the progression…

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
(1 Peter 1:4-9)

“UNTO” is a very important, little word, as it relates to Biblical doctrine! Would you not agree?