Christ-Centered Preaching, Chapter 3

These are my notes from a preaching course I’m taking. Unless otherwise indicated all quotations are from the book:

Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon, 3rd Edition by Bryan Chapell

Before beginning I want to look in depth at Psalm 62 for a different but related assignment:

Psalm 62:1-4 (ESV)

Psalm 62:5-8 (ESV)

Psalm 62:9-12 (ESV)

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. (Psalm 62:1 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:1 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:1 (NET)

Psalm 61:2 (NETS)

Psalm 61:2 (English Elpenor)

Truly my soul waiteth (דֽוּמִיָּ֣ה) upon God: from him cometh my salvation (יְשֽׁוּעָתִֽי). For God alone I patiently wait (dûmîyâ, דומיה); he is the one who delivers me (yᵊšûʿâ, ישועתי). Shall not my soul be subject (ὑποταγήσεται) to God? For from him is my deliverance (σωτήριόν μου). Shall not my soul be subjected (ὑποταγήσεται) to God? for of him is my salvation (σωτήριόν μου).

The Hebrew word דֽוּמִיָּ֣ה (dûmîyâ), waits in silence (ESV), waiteth (Tanakh, KJV), patiently wait (NET) was translated ὑποταγήσεται, a passive form of ὑποτάσσω, in the Septuagint: be subject (NETS), be subjected (English Elpenor). I have said these things to you, Jesus told his disciples, that in me you may have1 peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.2 These two verses seem not merely to complement one another, but to expound on one another in ways that exceed the sum of their parts.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. (Psalm 62:2 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:2 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:2 (NET)

Psalm 61:3 (NETS)

Psalm 61:3 (English Elpenor)

He only is my rock (צ֖וּרִי) and my salvation (וִישֽׁוּעָתִ֑י); he is my defence (מִ֜שְׂגַּבִּ֗י); I shall not be greatly moved. He alone is my protector (ṣûr, צורי) and deliverer (yᵊšûʿâ, וישועתי). He is my refuge (miśgāḇ, משׁגבי); I will not be upended. Indeed, he is my God (θεός μου) and my Savior (καὶ σωτήρ μου), my supporter (ἀντιλήμπτωρ μου); I shall be shaken no more. For he is my God (Θεός μου), and my saviour (καὶ σωτήρ μου); my helper (καὶ ἀντιλήπτωρ μου), I shall not be moved very much.

Was צ֖וּרִי (ṣûr) not the word found in the Hebrew text the rabbis translated into Greek? Or did they have reasons for not wanting to translate צ֖וּרִי (ṣûr) with some form of πέτρα in this particular context?

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 17:5, 6 (Tanakh)

Exodus 17:5, 6 (NET)

Exodus 17:5, 6 (NETS)

Exodus 17:5, 6 (English Elpenor)

And HaShem (יְהֹוָ֜ה) said unto Moses: ‘Pass on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thy hand, and go. The Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יהוה) said to Moses, “Go over before the people; take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile and go. And the Lord (κύριος) said to Moyses, “Go on ahead of this people, but take with you some of the elders of the people and the rod with which you struck the river take in your hand, and go. And the Lord (Κύριος) said to Moses, Go before this people, and take to thyself of the elders of the people; and the rod with which thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and thou shalt go.
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock (הַצּוּר֘) in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock (בַצּ֗וּר), and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink.’ And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. I will be standing before you there on the rock (ṣûr, הצור) in Horeb, and you will strike the rock (ṣûr, בצור), and water will come out of it so that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in plain view of the elders of Israel. I here have taken my stand, before you came, on the rock (τῆς πέτρας) at Choreb. And you shall strike the rock (τὴν πέτραν), and water will come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moyses did so before the sons of Israel. Behold, I stand there before thou [come], on the rock (τῆς πέτρας) in Choreb, and thou shalt smite the rock (τὴν πέτραν), and water shall come out from it, and the people shall drink. And Moses did so before the sons of Israel.

I can imagine that Jewish rabbis wishing not to confuse their Gentile audience thought it better to lose the connection to this passage than to associate יְהֹוָ֜ה (Yᵊhōvâ) too closely with the rock at Horeb. But Paul and the Holy Spirit had no such scruples: For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.3

How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? (Psalm 62:3 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:3 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:3 (NET)

Psalm 61:4 (NETS)

Psalm 61:4 (English Elpenor)

How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain (כֻ֫לְּכֶ֥ם) all of you (כְּקִ֥יר): as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. How long will you threaten a man like me? All of you (kōl, כלכם) are murderers (rāṣaḥ, תרצחו), as dangerous as a leaning wall or an unstable fence. How long do you assail against a person? You commit murder (φονεύετε), all of you (πάντες), as by means of a wall that leans and a fence that slants. How long will ye assault a man? ye are all (πάντες) slaughtering (φονεύετε) as with a bowed wall and a broken hedge.

The translators have different understandings of this verse. Apparently, the translators of the ESV understood כֻ֫לְּכֶ֥ם (rāṣaḥ)—ye shall be slain (Tanakh, KJV), [you] are murderers (NET), You commit murder (NETS), ye are…slaughtering (English Elpenor)—as to batter him.

They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah (Psalm 62:4 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:4 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:4 (NET)

Psalm 61:5 (NETS)

Psalm 61:5 (English Elpenor)

They only consult to cast him down from his excellency (מִשְּׂאֵת֨וֹ): they delight in lies (כָ֫זָ֥ב): they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. They spend all their time planning how to bring their victim down (śᵊ’ēṯ, משׁאתו). They love to use deceit (kāzāḇ, כזב); they pronounce blessings with their mouths, but inwardly they utter curses. (Selah) But they planned to impugn my honor (τὴν τιμήν μου). They ran with a lie (ψεύδει); with their mouth they would bless and curse with their heart. Interlude on strings They only took counsel to set at nought mine honour (τὴν τιμήν μου): I ran in thirst (δίψει): with their mouth they blessed, but with their heart they cursed. Pause.

The Greek verb ἔδραμον, They ran (NETS), I ran (English Elpenor), can be either a 3rd person plural or a 1st person singular form of τρέχω.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (Psalm 62:5 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:5 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:5 (NET)

Psalm 61:6 (NETS)

Psalm 61:6 (English Elpenor)

My soul, wait thou (דֹּ֣מִּי) only upon God; for my expectation (תִּקְוָתִֽי) is from him. Patiently wait (dāmam, דומי) for God alone, my soul! For he is the one who gives me hope (tiqvâ, תקותי). But to God be subject (ὑποτάγηθι), O my soul, because from him is my endurance ( ὑπομονή μου). Nevertheless do thou, my soul, be subjected (ὑποτάγηθι) to God; for of him [is] my patient hope ( ὑπομονή μου).

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 62:6 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:6 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:6 (NET)

Psalm 61:7 (NETS)

Psalm 61:7 (English Elpenor)

He only is my rock (צ֖וּרִי) and my salvation (וִישֽׁוּעָתִ֑י): he is my defence (מִ֜שְׂגַּבִּ֗י); I shall not be moved. He alone is my protector (ṣûr, צורי) and deliverer (yᵊšûʿâ, וישועתי). He is my refuge (miśgāḇ, משׁגבי); I will not be shaken. Because he is my God (θεός μου) and my Savior (καὶ σωτήρ μου), my supporter (ἀντιλήμπτωρ μου), I shall never be a fugitive. For he [is] my God (Θεός μου) and my Saviour (καὶ σωτήρ μου); my helper (ἀντιλήπτωρ μου), I shall not be moved.

On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. (Psalm 62:7 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:7 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:7 (NET)

Psalm 61:8 (NETS)

Psalm 61:8 (English Elpenor)

In God is my salvation (יִשְׁעִ֣י) and my glory (וּכְבוֹדִ֑י): the rock (צוּר) of my strength (עֻזִּ֥י), and my refuge (מַ֜חְסִ֗י), is in God. God delivers me (yēšaʿ, ישעי) and exalts me (kāḇôḏ, וכבודי); God is my strong (ʿōz, עזי) protector (ṣûr, צור) and my shelter (maḥăsê, מחסי). With God is my deliverance (τὸ σωτήριόν μου) and my glory (καὶ δόξα μου); O God ( θεὸς) of my help (τῆς βοηθείας μου)—and my hope (καὶ ἐλπίς μου) is with God. In God [is] my salvation (τὸ σωτήριόν μου) and my glory (καὶ δόξα μου): [he is] the God ( Θεὸς) of my help (τῆς βοηθείας μου), and my hope (καὶ ἐλπίς μου) is in God.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:8 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:8 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:8 (NET)

Psalm 61:9 (NETS)

Psalm 61:9 (English Elpenor)

Trust (בִּטְחוּ) in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge (מַֽחֲסֶה) for us. Selah. Trust (bāṭaḥ, בטחו) in him at all times, you people! Pour out your hearts before him. God is our shelter (maḥăsê, מחסה). (Selah) Hope (ἐλπίσατε) in him, all you congregation of people; pour out your hearts before him; God is our helper (βοηθὸς ἡμῶν). Interlude on Strings Hope (ἐλπίσατε) in him, all ye congregation of the people; pour out your hearts before him, for God is our helper (βοηθὸς ἡμῶν). Pause.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope (ἐλπίσατε, a form of ἐλπίζω) fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.4

Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. (Psalm 62:9 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:9 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:9 (NET)

Psalm 61:10 (NETS)

Psalm 61:10 (English Elpenor)

Surely men of low degree are vanity (הֶ֥בֶל), and men of high degree are a lie (כָּזָ֪ב): to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity (מֵהֶ֥בֶל). Men are nothing but a mere breath (heḇel, הבל); human beings are unreliable (kāzāḇ, כזב). When they are weighed in the scales, all of them together are lighter than air (heḇel, מהבל). But the sons of men are vain (μάταιοι); false (ψευδεῖς) are the sons of men, to do wrong with balances; they together are from vanity (ματαιότητος). But the sons of men are vain (μάταιοι); the sons of men are false (ψευδεῖς), so as to be deceitful in the balances; they are all alike [formed] out of vanity (ματαιότητος).

Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. (Psalm 62:10 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:10 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:10 (NET)

Psalm 61:11 (NETS)

Psalm 61:11 (English Elpenor)

Trust (תִּבְטְח֣וּ) not in oppression, and become not vain (תֶּ֫הְבָּ֥לוּ) in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Do not trust (bāṭaḥ, תבטחו) in what you can gain by oppression. Do not put false confidence (hāḇal, תהבלו) in what you can gain by robbery. If wealth increases, do not become attached to it. Put no hope (ἐλπίζετε) in wrong, and do not long (ἐπιποθεῖτε) for what is robbed; wealth, if it flows, do not add heart. Trust (ἐλπίζετε) not in unrighteousness, and lust (ἐπιποθεῖτε) not after robberies: if wealth should flow in, set not your heart upon it.

Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, (Psalm 62:11 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:11 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:11 (NET)

Psalm 61:12, 13a (NETS)

Psalm 61:12 (English Elpenor)

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power (עֹ֜֗ז) belongeth unto God. God has declared one principle; two principles I have heard: God is strong (ʿōz, עז), Once God spoke; these two things I heard: (13a) that might (τὸ κράτος) is God’s, God has spoken once, [and] I have heard these two things, that power (τὸ κράτος) is of God;

and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work. (Psalm 62:12 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 62:12 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 62:12 (NET)

Psalm 61:13b (NETS)

Psalm 61:13 (English Elpenor)

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy (חָ֑סֶד): for thou renderest (תְשַׁלֵּ֖ם) to every man according to his work [Table]. and you, O Lord, demonstrate loyal love (ḥeseḏ, חסד). For you repay (šālam, תשלם) men for what they do. and to you, O Lord, belongs mercy (τὸ ἔλεος), because you will repay (ἀποδώσεις) to each according to his works [Table]. and mercy (τὸ ἔλεος) is thine, O Lord; for thou wilt recompense (ἀποδώσεις) every one according to his works.

Questions for Review and Discussion

  1. What are the benefits and the liabilities of selecting texts for preaching that address personal or congregational concerns?

Preaching on passages that are of a particular meaning or interest to you is a great way to learn to expound texts. What excites or moves you is much more likely to elicit the passion from you that will enthuse and move others…

However, preachers who choose texts to address their personal concerns need to be cautioned in at least two ways. First, make sure you do not impose your concern on the text. Solid exposition should demonstrate that the passage really speaks to the issue you want to address and that your passion to address a particular subject has not abused the original author’s intent. Second, be aware that a ministry that too frequently addresses the preacher’s personal concerns can become too narrow in focus for the broader needs of a congregation. The pastor may end up riding hobby horses or unconsciously concentrating on personal struggles, thereby neglecting other important truths needed for a fully mature congregation.

Considerations for Selecting a Passage: Concerns p. 45

Congregational concerns should also influence what pastors choose to preach. Preachers will be regarded as out of touch or insensitive if they press forward with their sermon programs while ignoring a community’s employment dilemma, the death of a pillar in the church, a national tragedy, a local disaster, a building program, a young person’s decision to enter the mission field, moral issues that the young encounter, health concerns that the elderly face, or a host of similar matters of significance in the life of the church. The world should not set the agenda for our preaching, but ministry that ignores the world that a congregation confronts is a sanctimonious sham.

Considerations for Selecting a Passage: Concerns pp. 45, 46

A ministry can be as warped by lending too much of an ear to what people want to hear as it can by giving too much weight to what the preacher wants to preach (2 Tim 4:3).

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions [Table], and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3, 4 ESV)

Considerations for Selecting a Passage: Concerns pp. 46, 47

Different church traditions have used various means to round out the emphasis of preaching in a local setting…Reformed churches and others from “free church” traditions have typically rejected lectionary usage for a variety of reasons: (1) the principle of sola Scriptura, which some take to include the idea that Scripture alone should dictate what is preached; (2) the practice of lectio continua as opposed to lectio selecta, that is, presenting lessons from text in consecutive sequence (e.g., preaching through a book in a series, also known as “consecutive preaching”)12 instead of choosing diverse selections week to week, since this was felt to lead to inappropriate human emphases; (3) the tradition of holding no day above another in reaction to Roman Catholic holy day observances that were seen as integral to sacramentalism; and (4) the regard given to the autonomy of the local pulpit on the assumption that the Holy Spirit will grant a local preacher unction (i.e., spiritual power) and insight for the task at hand.

Considerations for Selecting a Passage: Concerns p. 47

The Holy Spirit. No catalyst for selecting a text is more important than sensitivity to the leading of God’s Spirit. Prayer with godly concern for the good of others and the glory of Christ should lead you through the choices you must make among the catalysts for selecting a sermon’s focus.20 Preaching in the power of the Spirit is the culmination of a process that has been Spirit-led.

Catalysts: Contexts pp. 51, 52

  1. What are benefits and cautions associated with preaching a series?

…significant benefits for a pastor preaching in sequence through a chapter or a book…

Matters in the text…address a greater number than…personal interest or experience.

Sensitive matters can be addressed without the appearance of pointing a finger…matters simply appear next in the text sequence…

Much mental energy [and time] can be saved…deciding what to preach…the next section of the text is the obvious choice.

Much research time can be saved…of the book’s or the passage’s author, background, context, and cause.

The congregation will learn to see the organizing themes and schemes of the Bible…

The congregation and the pastor can monitor the progress of both their journey through a book and their exposure to important biblical and doctrinal topics.

Considerations for Selecting a Passage: Catalysts: Series p. 47, 48

Series preaching shows its greatest liabilities when preachers fail to make adequate or appropriate progress…

Series also cause problems if a preacher makes each sermon dependent on previous messages…

Series greatly aid a pastor’s preparation and subject scope. Still, series generally work best when their duration is reasonable, their sermons are not too dependent on one another, and their subjects or approaches differ from those of recent series.

Considerations for Selecting a Passage: Catalysts: Series p. 48, 49

  1. What cautions does a preacher need to observe when approaching spurious texts?

Do not use spurious texts. Concern for what a congregation needs to hear should never lead a pastor to proclaim as authoritative any words or texts that the Holy Spirit did not inspire. Scribal comments and errors that have mistakenly been included in some translations should not be presented as the Word of God.21 Where there is the rare question about whether a particular passage is spurious, it is wise to see if that same truth can be preached from a more certain passage or to provide the congregation with your reasons for using the text (since the marginal notes in the most trustworthy translations in the laps or smartphones of listeners will question the passage’s authenticity).

Cautions p. 53

While this sounds like wise advice for pastors it plays right into the hands of those who would remove passages from the Bible. Those passages deemed “spurious” are possibly, if not probably, soon to be removed, even from the Greek text of the New Testament. Who decided they were spurious? For what reasons?

A brief video online, “Was the Original Bible Corrupted and Restored? | The Critical Text of the New Testament Explained,” offers an interesting introduction to answering these questions. The first 30 seconds or so is designed to make anyone who would question the processes of modern Bible scholarship feel like a rabid conspiracy theorist. But this kind of rhetoric only alerts and heightens my awareness to become even more critical of those processes. The Cross Bible Timeline mentioned in the video may prove to be a useful resource.

Psalm 62:9 (ESV)

Psalm 61:10 (English Elpenor)

Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

But the sons of men are vain; the sons of men are false, so as to be deceitful in the balances; they are all alike [formed] out of vanity.

On the left is a translation from the Masoretic text, edited by those who rejected Jesus as Messiah “between the 7th and 10th centuries of the Common Era (CE).” On the right is a translation of the same verse from the Septuagint, “the earliest extant Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible from the original Hebrew…Biblical scholars agree that the first five books of the Hebrew Bible were translated from Biblical Hebrew into Koine Greek by Jews living in the Ptolemaic Kingdom, probably in the early or middle part of the third century BCE.[8] The remaining books were presumably translated in the 2nd century BCE.”

Men edit and translate the Bible. I like to compare the Masoretic text to the Septuagint, and NA27 and NA28 to the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text. There are other texts and translations available to consider if necessary.

Matthew 6:13 (NET) Table

Matthew 6:13 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 6:13 (NA28)

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ρῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ

καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ

Matthew 6:13 (KJV)

Matthew 6:13 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 6:13 (Byzantine Majority Text)

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

και μη εισενεγκης ημας εις πειρασμον αλλα ρυσαι ημας απο του πονηρου οτι σου εστιν η βασιλεια και η δυναμις και η δοξα εις τους αιωνας αμην

και μη εισενεγκης ημας εις πειρασμον αλλα ρυσαι ημας απο του πονηρου οτι σου εστιν η βασιλεια και η δυναμις και η δοξα εις τους αιωνας αμην

Faith that the Holy Spirit knew what he was doing when he inspired the Word without the spurious texts will keep us confident of Scripture’s sufficiency. We can help the people to whom we preach remain confident of the Bible’s authority by reminding them how rare such questions are when they do arise in the ordinary course of preaching. Bible-believing scholars question the textual validity of less than one word in a thousand in our best translations.22 As a result, there is little question concerning what statements appeared in the original manuscripts. The evangelical debate with modern theologies rarely concentrates on what Scripture actually says, but rather on whether to believe and obey what it says. The Holy Spirit’s inspiration and providential preservation of Scripture are continuing miracles of God’s supernatural care for our souls.23 A good study Bible prepared by scholars who accept the Bible’s full authority will give us ample warning of a questionable text and will grant us confidence that we are preaching in accord with the Spirit’s imprimatur.24

Cautions pp. 53, 54

The note (20) from the NET on Matthew 6:13 follows:

Most mss (L W Δ Θ 0233 ƒ 33 565 579 700 1241 1424 M sy sa Didache) read (though some with slight variation) ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, ἀμήν (“for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen”) here. The reading without this sentence, though, is attested by generally better witnesses (א B D Z 0170 ƒ lat mae Or). The phrase was probably composed for the liturgy of the early church and most likely was based on 1 Chr 29:11-13; a scribe probably added the phrase at this point in the text for use in public scripture reading (see TCGNT 13-14). Both external and internal evidence argue for the shorter reading.

In other words, “Trust us.” There is no mention of an extant manuscript with these missing words in the margin, just a lot of speculation. And I know the benefit of praying them daily. Keep a watchful eye on Bible editors. We live in the golden age of home Bible study online: “The Holy Spirit’s inspiration and providential preservation of Scripture are continuing miracles of God’s supernatural care for our souls.”

  1. Why should a preacher be cautious about turning to a commentary as a first step in sermon preparation?

The expertise that commentaries bring to bear on a particular passage is at one moment their greatest benefit and their greatest danger. The mixed blessing is in the two types of pastors who will never make great preachers: the first will not listen to what others say; the other will say only what others say. A preacher who refuses to pay attention to what gifted scholars have discovered mistakes personal arrogance for erudition. God does not give all his insights to any one person. At the same time, a preacher who only repeats what commentators say is trying to preach by proxy.

You must think through what Scripture says in order to be able to share the significance of commentary information…

Commentaries are better used as a check than as a guide32

Let the Holy Spirit work in your heart and mind to develop a message a commentator would approve, not design. Concern for precision should not so overwhelm you as to deny you or your listeners the insights God will grant you in his Word.

Tools for Interpreting a Passage pp. 57, 58

  1. How does an allegorical method of interpretation differ from an expository method?

Expository preaching solemnly binds a preacher to the task of representing the precise meaning of a text as intended by the original author or as illuminated by another inspired source within the Bible. As matter-of-fact as such a rubric may seem, homiletical history indicates how slippery such a standard is and how carefully it must be guarded.

Early church and medieval escapades into allegorical interpretations led ancient preachers to the conviction that the “literal interpretation” of a text was the least rewarding to preach.35

Principles for Interpreting a Passage pp. 59

Then one5 of them, named6 Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to7 Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said8 to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this,9 it is now10 the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,11 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself [Table]. (Luke 24:18-27 ESV)

This was as often as not an allegorical method of interpretation, for that is how we see Jesus in the Old Testament most of the time. But the reaction of those first exposed to this method of interpretation reinforces the author’s point (Luke 24:32 ESV):

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” [Table]

I am hard-pressed to think of another verse in the Bible more frustrating than this one. I’ve yelled at them for this response: “Who cares how you felt?! Tell me what He said!” So my argument with the author here is mostly over the word “escapades” applied to the early church.

Up to this moment the Pharisees with their own grammatical-historical method had carefully exegeted the principles by which they hoped to keep the faithful in Israel from offending their God: “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.”12 That was expository preaching until Jesus came, saying: You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me [Table], yet you refuse to come to me that you may have13 life.14

I can be a little charitable if the early church found the Pharisees’ expository method to be more like the letter and Jesus’ more allegorical method to be more of the Spirit: For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.15

Modern resurrections of the allegorical method regularly occur when preachers assume that the Holy Spirit will enable them to discern in a text something more than was meant by the human author (or than the divine Author made evident within the canon of Scripture).36 Preachers’ interpretations remain consistent with Scripture when they follow long-honored and proven interpretive procedures that expose the Bible’s original intent. That intent is not always limited to the human author’s knowledge of all that the Holy Spirit was revealing through his inspiration, but it is not broader than the Holy Spirit’s intention that is revealed within the patterns of Scripture as well as in the propositional statements of the human writers (cf. Matt. 2:15; 1 Pet. 1:10).37

Principles for Interpreting a Passage pp. 59, 60

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”16 (Matthew 2:13-15 ESV)

Though you have not seen17 [Jesus], you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully [Table], inquiring18 what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look [Table]. (1 Peter 1:8-12 ESV)

But nothing other than what the patterns or propositions of Scripture make evident through the processes of logical discernment should be declared as God’s will for his people.

These interpretive principles require that preachers consider the context that frames the meaning of our expository unit. Context is part of the text, as it relates to our exposition. Context limits and imparts an author’s intended meaning. We cannot maintain the integrity of any biblical statement without considering its surroundings. The reason that “every heretic has his verse” is that he takes it out of context. Our first task as expositors is to use the best tools available to determine what a biblical author’s statements mean in their context.38

Principles for Interpreting a Passage p. 60

In a recent sermon my Pastor (the facilitator of this course and a former student of the author) gave a vivid demonstration of the interplay between the allegorical and expository methods. His text was Genesis 12:1-3. As a climax to an otherwise expository sermon, he simply reread the text as God the Father speaking to God the Son: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you [Table]. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing [Table]. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” [Table].

It was an allegorical reading of Genesis 12:1-3, and it was an electrically charged in the heavenlies moment, the spiritual equivalent of a dose of psychedelics. Who wouldn’t want more of that? Well, it is the spiritual equivalent of a dose of psychedelics.

The grounding of the expository method is absolutely essential to keep the consciousness-altering high of such an allegorical reading from spinning off into flights of fancy. It also helps to keep one’s hunger and thirst—to knowthe only true God, and Jesus Christ whom [He has] sent19 through Bible study—a more balanced and healthy addiction than a junkie’s quest for ever higher highs. The expository method also provides a more solid foundation, like a launching pad for the allegorical method’s flight, as well as a navigational system guiding its trajectory. How sad it would have been if my Pastor’s allegorical reading had been a dud, a misfire, failed to lift-off and carry me aloft with it. And it’s not too hard to imagine that a steady diet of allegorical readings of the Old Testament, seeing Jesus, only Jesus, always Jesus all the time, apart from the grounding of solid exposition could have a dulling effect on the beauty and the wonder. It could become just so much “blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.”

  1. In what ways can context (cultural, historical, literary, and redemptive) affect the interpretation of a text?

Our task as preachers is to discern what the original writers meant by analyzing the background and grammatical features of what they said. Using grammar and history to discern a text’s original meaning is called the “grammatical-historical” method.40 This method allows Scripture to speak for itself instead of letting the interpreter’s context (or perspective) determine the meaning of a text. Sometimes the interpreter’s perspective does not seem like a problem if that person is committed to the historical truths of biblical faith. In such cases, we may hardly blink when told that the water from the rock Moses struck represents the water of baptism or that the worm at which Jonah railed is the sin that eats at a believer’s heart. Despite the absence of biblical evidence confirming these interpretations, they sound reasonable because they reflect biblical imagery and truths appearing elsewhere.

Use the Grammatical-Historical Method p. 61

For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized (|ἐβαπτίσαντο|, a form of βαπτίζω) into Moses in the cloud and in the sea [Table], and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4 ESV)

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit [Table], in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ [Table], who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. (1 Peter 3:18-22 ESV)

However, if anything in Scripture can mean whatever our imaginations suggest rather than what Scripture affirms, then our opinions become as authoritative as the statements of God and we can make the Bible say anything we want…

Occasionally, there may be a thin line between “it means” and “it may mean,” but biblically bound preachers must recognize the difference…

Nothing but what Scripture itself attests should ground the instruction of our preaching. Expository preachers determine the biblical truths intended for the people addressed by a text and then identify similarities in our present conditions that require the application of the same truths. This means applications may vary, but interpretations of a text’s core principles should not.

The meaning of a text may be significant in many ways, but this does not deny that the writer was teaching a definite principle for our understanding and application.

Use the Grammatical-Historical Method p. 61, 62

Accurate interpretations require us not only to determine what particular words say but also to see how they function in their broader contexts. Scripture can be twisted to say almost anything if interpreters ignore contexts. Attention to historical and cultural contexts help to explain the “offense” of the cross (Gal. 5:11) and the reason healed lepers went to the temple before they went home (Luke 17:14).

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense (σκάνδαλον) of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! (Galatians 5:11, 12 ESV)

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified [Table]. (Galatians 2:15, 16 ESV)

When [Jesus] saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. (Luke 17:14 ESV)

And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses20 commanded, for a proof to them.” (Luke 5:14 ESV)

We determine literary contexts both by analyzing the concepts that surround a biblical statement and by identifying the type of literature in which the statement occurs.

Preachers should examine what chapters and verses surrounding a passage say in order to determine what a biblical writer intended to communicate through particular words.

Observe the Historical, Cultural, and Literary Context p. 62

Study of a passage’s context also requires preachers to identify the genre, or type of literature, in which a biblical statement occurs. Many an error has been made by interpreting proverbs as promises, prophecy as history, parables as facts, and poetry as science.

For example, proverbs are truisms, statements so tending to be true that the wise take them to heart…statements tend to be true, but neither is always true. Proverbs are prescriptive, not predictive. God requires his people to heed his proverbs, not to interpret them as promises of what will always happen.

Observe the Historical, Cultural, and Literary Context pp. 62, 63

Preachers determine the meaning of a passage by seeing not only how words are used in the context of a book or its passages but also how the passage functions in the entire scope of Scripture. An accurate interpretation requires preachers to ask, How does this text help disclose the meaning or need of redemption? Failure to ask and to answer such questions leads to preaching that is highly moralistic or legalistic because it focuses on the behaviors or beliefs a particular passage teaches without disclosing how the biblical writer was relating them to God’s ongoing work of rescuing his people from their broken lives and world.42

Determine the Redemptive Context p. 63

Regard for context requires preachers to consider a text in the light of its purpose in the redemptive message that unfolds throughout all of Scripture…

We want to make sure that focusing on the particulars of a specific text does not cause us to neglect the redemptive context of God’s entire Word.

Determine the Redemptive Context p. 64

Exercises

  1. Use research tools to determine what Greek word John and James use for “believe” in John 3:16 and James 2:19. Indicate the various ways in which they use the word.

Although John and James both use the word believe, contexts indicate that they are communicating quite different concepts with that word (cf. John 3:16; James 2:19).

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes (πᾶς πιστεύων, a form of πιστεύω) in him (εἰς αὐτὸν) should not perish but have eternal life [Table]. (John 3:16 ESV)

You believe (πιστεύεις, another form of πιστεύω) that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe (πιστεύουσιν, another form of πιστεύω)—and shudder! (James 2:19 ESV)

Observe the Historical, Cultural, and Literary Context p. 62

I can’t see these as “different concepts” of πιστεύω. James wrote about believing an Old Testament fact about God: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.21 To believe in a fact cannot be expected to have the same impact as to believe “into” or “unto” the Person of the Savior God sent. Granted, someone might think that other things James wrote could shade his use of πιστεύω. My own current belief is that he simply qualified the nature of πιστεύω into Jesus Christ. Believing in the fact of Jesus Christ may not have the same impact as believing into Him, except (John 1:12, 13 ESV):

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right (αὐτοῖς ἐξουσίαν, a form of ἐξουσία) to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

The phrase τοῖς πιστεύουσιν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ, who believed in his name (ESV), could be giving the Lord the widest possible latitude and discretion, even as it excludes James or me from judging his mercy or his grace.

  1. Use your understanding of a proverb to explain Proverbs 15:1 and Proverbs 26:4-5.

Though the Bible says that a gentle word turns away wrath (Prov. 15:1), God does not promise that people will never get angry at us if we always speak softly. He indicates that it is usually not wise for peacefully inclined people to answer fire with fire, but he does not promise that soft answers are guaranteed to extinguish the rage of others (see Matt. 26:62-68). Great damage is done to the intent of Scripture as well as to the consciences of Christians when preachers confuse these distinctions between promises and proverbs.

Observe the Historical, Cultural, and Literary Context pp. 63

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 ESV)

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Proverbs 15:1 (Tanakh/KJV)

Proverbs 15:1 (NET)

Proverbs 15:1 (NETS)

Proverbs 15:1 (English Elpenor)

A soft (רַ֖ךְ) answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. A gentle (raḵ, רך) response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath. Anger destroys even the prudent; yet a submissive (ὑποπίπτουσα) answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive (ὑποπίπτουσα) answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.

The Septuagint adds some context to this proverb: Anger slays even wise men.22 It reminds me of David and Abigail. Perhaps, more to the point, one might consider it when facing the anger of God. The Hebrew word in the Masoretic text translated soft (Tanakh, KJV) and gentle (NET) was רַ֖ךְ (raḵ). The rabbis who translated the Septuagint understood it as ὑποπίπτουσα, a participle of ὑποπίπτω: “to fall; to occur, materialize, arise; to fall defeated; to fall under (a category); to fall within (a classification); to belong to; to cringe; to happen to, befall; to come to the notice of.” Abigail seems to have done all of this in her response to David’s threat (1 Samuel 25:14-38).

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Proverbs 26:4, 5 (Tanakh/KJV)

Proverbs 26:4, 5 (NET)

Proverbs 26:4, 5 (NETS)

Proverbs 26:4, 5 (English Elpenor)

Answer not a fool (כְּ֖סִיל) according to his folly (כְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹ), lest thou also be like unto him. Do not answer a fool (kᵊsîl, כסיל) according to his folly (‘iûeleṯ, כאולתו), lest you yourself also be like him. Do not answer a fool (ἄφρονι) in accordance with (πρὸς) his folly (ἀφροσύνην), lest you become like him. Answer not a fool (ἄφρονι) according to (πρὸς) his folly (ἀφροσύνην), lest thou become like him.
Answer a fool (כְ֖סִיל) according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. Answer a fool (kᵊsîl, כסיל) according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own opinion. But answer a fool (ἄφρονι) according to (κατὰ) his folly, lest he appear to be wise to himself. Yet answer a fool (ἄφρονι) according to (κατὰ) his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

The rabbis who translated the Septuagint used a different preposition in each verse: πρὸς, in accordance with (NETS), according to (English Elpenor); κατὰ, according to (NETS, English Elpenor). It was a subtilty all but lost in English translation. Still, the second clause can give us understanding: lest thou also be like unto him (Tanakh, KJV), lest you yourself also be like him (NET), lest you become like him (NETS, English Elpenor).

The words translated folly were כְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹ (‘iûeleṯ) in the Masoretic text and ἀφροσύνην (a form of ἀφροσύνη) in the Septuagint. Jesus listed ἀφροσύνη as one of the things that defile a person (Mark 7:20-23 ESV):

And [Jesus] said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness (ἀφροσύνη) [Table]. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

In other words, if I answer a fool according to his folly simply to defend myself from his foolish accusations, I’m likely to become like him, defiling myself verbalizing my own foolishness. Here is another proverb about a fool and his foolishness.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Proverbs 26:11 (Tanakh/KJV)

Proverbs 26:11 (NET)

Proverbs 26:11 (NETS)

Proverbs 26:11 (English Elpenor)

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool (כְּ֜סִ֗יל) returneth to his folly (בְאִוַּלְתּֽוֹ). Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool (kᵊsîl, כסיל) repeats his folly (‘iûeleṯ, באולתו). Like a dog, when he returns to his vomit, also becomes the more hated, so is a fool (ἄφρων), when by his own wickedness, he returns to his own sin (ἁμαρτίαν). As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool (ἄφρων) who returns in his wickedness to his own sin (ἁμαρτίαν).

If my intent were to show compassion to a fool trapped in his folly, his own sin, then I would answer him, but how?

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Proverbs 26:3 (Tanakh/KJV)

Proverbs 26:3 (NET)

Proverbs 26:3 (NETS)

Proverbs 26:3 (English Elpenor)

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod (וְ֜שֵׁ֗בֶט) for the fool’s (כְּסִילִֽים) back. A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey, and a rod (šēḇeṭ, ושבט) for the backs of fools (kᵊsîl, כסילים)! Like a whip for a horse and a goad for a donkey, so is the rod (ῥάβδος) for a lawless (παρανόμῳ) nation (ἔθνει). As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod (ῥάβδος) for a simple (παρανόμῳ) nation (ἔθνει).

I was shocked the first time I heard Paul distinguish between a rod and love: What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod (ράβδῳ, a form of ῥάβδος), or with love (ἐν ἀγάπῃ) in a spirit of gentleness?23 But Peter wrote about a different way to answer fools: For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish (ἀφρόνων, another form of ἄφρων) people.24

Whether beaten with a rod or silenced by followers of Jesus doing good, the Elpenor version of the Septuagint held out some hope for the foolish.

Proverbs 26:11a (Septuagint Elpenor)

Proverbs 26:11a (NETS)

Proverbs 26:11a (English Elpenor)

ἔστιν αἰσχύνη ἐπάγουσα ἁμαρτίαν, καί ἐστιν αἰσχύνη δόξα καὶ χάρις

There is a sense of shame that leads to sin, and there is a sense of shame that is glory and grace.

There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame [that is] glory and grace.

These words are absent from the Masoretic text and the BLB Septuagint.

  1. Use context to determine who the “weak” are in Romans 15.

Without reading Romans 14 for its conceptual context, you are likely to determine that those called “weak” in Romans 15 are precisely the opposite of what Paul intended.

Observe the Historical, Cultural, and Literary Context p. 62

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and25 let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand [Table]. (Romans 14:1-4 ESV)

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself,26 but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For27 if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus28 serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.29 The faith that you have, keep between yourself30 and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:13-23 ESV)

Tables comparing Psalm 62:1; 62:2; Exodus 17:5; 17:6; Psalm 62:3; 62:4; 62:5; 62:6; 62:7; 62:8; 62:9; 62:10; 62:11; Proverbs 15:1; 26:4; 26:5; 26:11 and 26:3 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Psalm 62:1 (61:2); 62:2 (61:3); Exodus 17:5; 17:6; Psalm 62:3 (61:4); 62:4 (61:5); 62:5 (61:6); 62:6 (61:7); 62:7 (61:8); 62:8 (61:9); 62:9 (61:10); 62:10 (61:11); 62:11 (61:12); Proverbs 15:1; 26:4; 26:5; 26:11 and 26:3 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Luke 24:18, 19; 24:21, 22; 1 Peter 1:8; 1:11; Romans 14:3; 14:14, 15; 14:18 and 14:21, 22 in the KJV and NET follow.

Psalm 62:1 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:1 (KJV)

Psalm 62:1 (NET)

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. For God alone I patiently wait; he is the one who delivers me.

Psalm 62:1 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐχὶ τῷ θεῷ ὑποταγήσεται ἡ ψυχή μου παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ γὰρ τὸ σωτήριόν μου ΟΥΧΙ τῷ Θεῷ ὑποταγήσεται ἡ ψυχή μου; παρ᾿ αὐτῷ γὰρ τὸ σωτήριόν μου

Psalm 61:2 (NETS)

Psalm 61:2 (English Elpenor)

Shall not my soul be subject to God? For from him is my deliverance. Shall not my soul be subjected to God? for of him is my salvation.

Psalm 62:2 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:2 (KJV)

Psalm 62:2 (NET)

He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. He alone is my protector and deliverer. He is my refuge; I will not be upended.

Psalm 62:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς θεός μου καὶ σωτήρ μου ἀντιλήμπτωρ μου οὐ μὴ σαλευθῶ ἐπὶ πλεῖον καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς Θεός μου καὶ σωτήρ μου, καὶ ἀντιλήπτωρ μου, οὐ μὴ σαλευθῶ ἐπὶ πλεῖον

Psalm 61:3 (NETS)

Psalm 61:3 (English Elpenor)

Indeed, he is my God and my Savior, my supporter; I shall be shaken no more. For he is my God, and my saviour; my helper, I shall not be moved very much.

Exodus 17:5 (Tanakh)

Exodus 17:5 (KJV)

Exodus 17:5 (NET)

And HaShem said unto Moses: ‘Pass on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thy hand, and go. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. The Lord said to Moses, “Go over before the people; take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile and go.

Exodus 17:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 17:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν προπορεύου τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου λαβὲ δὲ μετὰ σεαυτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ τὴν ῥάβδον ἐν ᾗ ἐπάταξας τὸν ποταμόν λαβὲ ἐν τῇ χειρί σου καὶ πορεύσῃ καὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν· προπορεύου τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου, λαβὲ δὲ σεαυτῷ ἀπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τοῦ λαοῦ· καὶ τὴν ράβδον, ἐν ᾗ ἐπάταξας τὸν ποταμόν, λαβὲ ἐν τῇ χειρί σου καὶ πορεύσῃ

Exodus 17:5 (NETS)

Exodus 17:5 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord said to Moyses, “Go on ahead of this people, but take with you some of the elders of the people and the rod with which you struck the river take in your hand, and go. And the Lord said to Moses, Go before this people, and take to thyself of the elders of the people; and the rod with which thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and thou shalt go.

Exodus 17:6 (Tanakh)

Exodus 17:6 (KJV)

Exodus 17:6 (NET)

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink.’ And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. I will be standing before you there on the rock (τῆς πέτρας) in Horeb, and you will strike the rock, and water will come out of it so that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in plain view of the elders of Israel.

Exodus 17:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 17:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὅδε ἐγὼ ἕστηκα πρὸ τοῦ σὲ ἐκεῖ ἐπὶ τῆς πέτρας ἐν Χωρηβ καὶ πατάξεις τὴν πέτραν καὶ ἐξελεύσεται ἐξ αὐτῆς ὕδωρ καὶ πίεται ὁ λαός μου ἐποίησεν δὲ Μωυσῆς οὕτως ἐναντίον τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ ὅδε ἐγὼ ἕστηκα ἐκεῖ πρὸ τοῦ σε ἐπὶ τῆς πέτρας ἐν Χωρήβ· καὶ πατάξεις τὴν πέτραν, καὶ ἐξελεύσεται ἐξ αὐτῆς ὕδωρ, καὶ πίεται ὁ λαός. ἐποίησε δὲ Μωυσῆς οὕτως ἐναντίον τῶν υἱῶν ᾿Ισραήλ

Exodus 17:6 (NETS)

Exodus 17:6 (English Elpenor)

I here have taken my stand, before you came, on the rock at Choreb. And you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moyses did so before the sons of Israel. Behold, I stand there before thou [come], on the rock in Choreb, and thou shalt smite the rock, and water shall come out from it, and the people shall drink. And Moses did so before the sons of Israel.

Psalm 62:3 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:3 (KJV)

Psalm 62:3 (NET)

How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. How long will you threaten a man like me? All of you are murderers, as dangerous as a leaning wall or an unstable fence.

Psalm 62:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἕως πότε ἐπιτίθεσθε ἐπ᾽ ἄνθρωπον φονεύετε πάντες ὡς τοίχῳ κεκλιμένῳ καὶ φραγμῷ ὠσμένῳ ἕως πότε ἐπιτίθεσθε ἐπ᾿ ἄνθρωπον; φονεύετε πάντες ὡς τοίχῳ κεκλιμένῳ καὶ φραγμῷ ὠσμένῳ

Psalm 61:4 (NETS)

Psalm 61:4 (English Elpenor)

How long do you assail against a person? You commit murder, all of you, as by means of a wall that leans and a fence that slants. How long will ye assault a man? ye are all slaughtering as with a bowed wall and a broken hedge.

Psalm 62:4 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:4 (KJV)

Psalm 62:4 (NET)

They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. They spend all their time planning how to bring their victim down. They love to use deceit; they pronounce blessings with their mouths, but inwardly they utter curses. (Selah)

Psalm 62:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

πλὴν τὴν τιμήν μου ἐβουλεύσαντο ἀπώσασθαι ἔδραμον ἐν ψεύδει τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν εὐλογοῦσαν καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῶν κατηρῶντο διάψαλμα πλὴν τὴν τιμήν μου ἐβουλεύσαντο ἀπώσασθαι, ἔδραμον ἐν δίψει, τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν εὐλόγουν καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῶν κατηρῶντο. (διάψαλμα).

Psalm 61:5 (NETS)

Psalm 61:5 (English Elpenor)

But they planned to impugn my honor. They ran with a lie; with their mouth they would bless and curse with their heart. Interlude on strings They only took counsel to set at nought mine honour: I ran in thirst: with their mouth they blessed, but with their heart they cursed. Pause.

Psalm 62:5 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:5 (KJV)

Psalm 62:5 (NET)

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. Patiently wait for God alone, my soul! For he is the one who gives me hope.

Psalm 62:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

πλὴν τῷ θεῷ ὑποτάγηθι ἡ ψυχή μου ὅτι παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ ἡ ὑπομονή μου πλὴν τῷ Θεῷ ὑποτάγηθι, ἡ ψυχή μου, ὅτι παρ᾿ αὐτῷ ἡ ὑπομονή μου

Psalm 61:6 (NETS)

Psalm 61:6 (English Elpenor)

But to God be subject, O my soul, because from him is my endurance. Nevertheless do thou, my soul, be subjected to God; for of him [is] my patient hope.

Psalm 62:6 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:6 (KJV)

Psalm 62:6 (NET)

He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. He alone is my protector and deliverer. He is my refuge; I will not be shaken.

Psalm 62:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὅτι αὐτὸς θεός μου καὶ σωτήρ μου ἀντιλήμπτωρ μου οὐ μὴ μεταναστεύσω ὅτι αὐτὸς Θεός μου καὶ σωτήρ μου, ἀντιλήπτωρ μου, οὐ μὴ μεταναστεύσω

Psalm 61:7 (NETS)

Psalm 61:7 (English Elpenor)

Because he is my God and my Savior, my supporter, I shall never be a fugitive. For he [is] my God and my Saviour; my helper, I shall not be moved.

Psalm 62:7 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:7 (KJV)

Psalm 62:7 (NET)

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. God delivers me and exalts me; God is my strong protector and my shelter.

Psalm 62:7 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐπὶ τῷ θεῷ τὸ σωτήριόν μου καὶ ἡ δόξα μου ὁ θεὸς τῆς βοηθείας μου καὶ ἡ ἐλπίς μου ἐπὶ τῷ θεῷ ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ τὸ σωτήριόν μου καὶ ἡ δόξα μου· ὁ Θεὸς τῆς βοηθείας μου, καὶ ἡ ἐλπίς μου ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ

Psalm 61:8 (NETS)

Psalm 61:8 (English Elpenor)

With God is my deliverance and my glory; O God of my help—and my hope is with God. In God [is] my salvation and my glory: [he is] the God of my help, and my hope is in God.

Psalm 62:8 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:8 (KJV)

Psalm 62:8 (NET)

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Trust in him at all times, you people! Pour out your hearts before him. God is our shelter. (Selah)

Psalm 62:8 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐλπίσατε ἐπ᾽ αὐτόν πᾶσα συναγωγὴ λαοῦ ἐκχέετε ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ὁ θεὸς βοηθὸς ἡμῶν διάψαλμα ἐλπίσατε ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν πᾶσα συναγωγὴ λαοῦ· ἐκχέετε ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν, ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς βοηθὸς ἡμῶν (διάψαλμα)

Psalm 61:9 (NETS)

Psalm 61:9 (English Elpenor)

Hope in him, all you congregation of people; pour out your hearts before him; God is our helper. Interlude on Strings Hope in him, all ye congregation of the people; pour out your hearts before him, for God is our helper. Pause.

Psalm 62:9 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:9 (KJV)

Psalm 62:9 (NET)

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Men are nothing but a mere breath; human beings are unreliable. When they are weighed in the scales, all of them together are lighter than air.

Psalm 62:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

πλὴν μάταιοι οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ψευδεῖς οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐν ζυγοῖς τοῦ ἀδικῆσαι αὐτοὶ ἐκ ματαιότητος ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό πλὴν μάταιοι οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ψευδεῖς οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐν ζυγοῖς τοῦ ἀδικῆσαι αὐτοὶ ἐκ ματαιότητος ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό

Psalm 61:10 (NETS)

Psalm 61:10 (English Elpenor)

But the sons of men are vain; false are the sons of men, to do wrong with balances; they together are from vanity. But the sons of men are vain; the sons of men are false, so as to be deceitful in the balances; they are all alike [formed] out of vanity.

Psalm 62:10 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:10 (KJV)

Psalm 62:10 (NET)

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Do not trust in what you can gain by oppression. Do not put false confidence in what you can gain by robbery. If wealth increases, do not become attached to it.

Psalm 62:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

μὴ ἐλπίζετε ἐπὶ ἀδικίαν καὶ ἐπὶ ἅρπαγμα μὴ ἐπιποθεῖτε πλοῦτος ἐὰν ῥέῃ μὴ προστίθεσθε καρδίαν μὴ ἐλπίζετε ἐπ᾿ ἀδικίαν καὶ ἐπὶ ἁρπάγματα μὴ ἐπιποθεῖτε· πλοῦτος ἐὰν ῥέῃ, μὴ προστίθεσθε καρδίαν

Psalm 61:11 (NETS)

Psalm 61:11 (English Elpenor)

Put no hope in wrong, and do not long for what is robbed; wealth, if it flows, do not add heart. Trust not in unrighteousness, and lust not after robberies: if wealth should flow in, set not your heart upon it.

Psalm 62:11 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:11 (KJV)

Psalm 62:11 (NET)

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. God has declared one principle; two principles I have heard: God is strong,

Psalm 62:11, 12a (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἅπαξ ἐλάλησεν ὁ θεός δύο ταῦτα ἤκουσα (12) ὅτι τὸ κράτος τοῦ θεοῦ ἅπαξ ἐλάλησεν ὁ Θεός, δύο ταῦτα ἤκουσα, ὅτι τὸ κράτος τοῦ Θεοῦ,

Psalm 61:12, 13a (NETS)

Psalm 61:12 (English Elpenor)

Once God spoke; these two things I heard: (13) that might is God’s, God has spoken once, [and] I have heard these two things, that power is of God;

Proverbs 15:1 (Tanakh)

Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)

Proverbs 15:1 (NET)

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

Proverbs 15:1 (Septuagint BLB)

Proverbs 15:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὀργὴ ἀπόλλυσιν καὶ φρονίμους ἀπόκρισις δὲ ὑποπίπτουσα ἀποστρέφει θυμόν λόγος δὲ λυπηρὸς ἐγείρει ὀργάς ΟΡΓΗ ἀπόλλυσι καὶ φρονίμους, ἀπόκρισις δὲ ὑποπίπτουσα ἀποστρέφει θυμόν, λόγος δὲ λυπηρὸς ἐγείρει ὀργάς

Proverbs 15:1 (NETS)

Proverbs 15:1 (English Elpenor)

Anger destroys even the prudent; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 26:4 (Tanakh)

Proverbs 26:4 (KJV)

Proverbs 26:4 (NET)

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.

Proverbs 26:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Proverbs 26:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

μὴ ἀποκρίνου ἄφρονι πρὸς τὴν ἐκείνου ἀφροσύνην ἵνα μὴ ὅμοιος γένῃ αὐτῷ μὴ ἀποκρίνου ἄφρονι πρὸς τὴν ἐκείνου ἀφροσύνην, ἵνα μὴ ὅμοιος γένῃ αὐτῷ

Proverbs 26:4 (NETS)

Proverbs 26:4 (English Elpenor)

Do not answer a fool in accordance with his folly, lest you become like him. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him.

Proverbs 26:5 (Tanakh)

Proverbs 26:5 (KJV)

Proverbs 26:5 (NET)

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own opinion.

Proverbs 26:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Proverbs 26:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀλλὰ ἀποκρίνου ἄφρονι κατὰ τὴν ἀφροσύνην αὐτοῦ ἵνα μὴ φαίνηται σοφὸς παρ᾽ ἑαυτῷ ἀλλὰ ἀποκρίνου ἄφρονι κατὰ τὴν ἀφροσύνην αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ φαίνηται σοφός παρ᾿ ἑαυτῷ

Proverbs 26:5 (NETS)

Proverbs 26:5 (English Elpenor)

But answer a fool according to his folly, lest he appear to be wise to himself. Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

Proverbs 26:11 (Tanakh)

Proverbs 26:11 (KJV)

Proverbs 26:11 (NET)

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Proverbs 26:11 (Septuagint BLB)

Proverbs 26:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὥσπερ κύων ὅταν ἐπέλθῃ ἐπὶ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ἔμετον καὶ μισητὸς γένηται οὕτως ἄφρων τῇ ἑαυτοῦ κακίᾳ ἀναστρέψας ἐπὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτίαν ὥσπερ κύων ὅταν ἐπέλθῃ ἐπὶ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ἔμετον καὶ μισητὸς γένηται, οὕτως ἄφρων τῇ ἑαυτοῦ κακίᾳ ἀναστρέψας ἐπὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτίαν

Proverbs 26:11 (NETS)

Proverbs 26:11 (English Elpenor)

Like a dog, when he returns to his vomit, also becomes the more hated, so is a fool, when by his own wickedness, he returns to his own sin. As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin.

Proverbs 26:3 (Tanakh)

Proverbs 26:3 (KJV)

Proverbs 26:3 (NET)

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

Proverbs 26:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Proverbs 26:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὥσπερ μάστιξ ἵππῳ καὶ κέντρον ὄνῳ οὕτως ῥάβδος ἔθνει παρανόμῳ ὥσπερ μάστιξ ἵππῳ καὶ κέντρον ὄνῳ, οὕτως ῥάβδος ἔθνει παρανόμῳ

Proverbs 26:3 (NETS)

Proverbs 26:3 (English Elpenor)

Like a whip for a horse and a goad for a donkey, so is the rod for a lawless nation. As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.

Luke 24:18, 19 (NET)

Luke 24:18, 19 (KJV)

Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?” And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

Luke 24:18 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 24:18 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 24:18 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ εἷς ὀνόματι Κλεοπᾶς εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτόν· σὺ μόνος παροικεῖς Ἰερουσαλὴμ καὶ οὐκ ἔγνως τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις αποκριθεις δε ο εις ω ονομα κλεοπας ειπεν προς αυτον συ μονος παροικεις εν ιερουσαλημ και ουκ εγνως τα γενομενα εν αυτη εν ταις ημεραις ταυταις αποκριθεις δε ο εις ω ονομα κλεοπας ειπεν προς αυτον συ μονος παροικεις ιερουσαλημ και ουκ εγνως τα γενομενα εν αυτη εν ταις ημεραις ταυταις
He said to them, “What things?” “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied, “a man who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet before God and all the people; And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

Luke 24:19 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 24:19 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 24:19 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ποῖα; οἱ δὲ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· τὰ περὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζαρηνοῦ, ὃς ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ προφήτης δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἐναντίον τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ και ειπεν αυτοις ποια οι δε ειπον αυτω τα περι ιησου του ναζωραιου ος εγενετο ανηρ προφητης δυνατος εν εργω και λογω εναντιον του θεου και παντος του λαου και ειπεν αυτοις ποια οι δε ειπον αυτω τα περι ιησου του ναζωραιου ος εγενετο ανηρ προφητης δυνατος εν εργω και λογω εναντιον του θεου και παντος του λαου

Luke 24:21, 22 (NET)

Luke 24:21, 22 (KJV)

But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Not only this, but it is now the third day since these things happened. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

Luke 24:21 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 24:21 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 24:21 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἡμεῖς δὲ ἠλπίζομεν ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ μέλλων λυτροῦσθαι τὸν Ἰσραήλ· ἀλλά γε καὶ σὺν πᾶσιν τούτοις τρίτην ταύτην ἡμέραν ἄγει ἀφ᾿ οὗ ταῦτα ἐγένετο ημεις δε ηλπιζομεν οτι αυτος εστιν ο μελλων λυτρουσθαι τον ισραηλ αλλα γε συν πασιν τουτοις τριτην ταυτην ημεραν αγει σημερον αφ ου ταυτα εγενετο ημεις δε ηλπιζομεν οτι αυτος εστιν ο μελλων λυτρουσθαι τον ισραηλ αλλα γε συν πασιν τουτοις τριτην ταυτην ημεραν αγει σημερον αφ ου ταυτα εγενετο
Furthermore, some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early this morning, Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

Luke 24:22 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 24:22 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 24:22 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἀλλὰ καὶ γυναῖκες τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς, γενόμεναι ὀρθριναὶ ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον αλλα και γυναικες τινες εξ ημων εξεστησαν ημας γενομεναι ορθριαι επι το μνημειον αλλα και γυναικες τινες εξ ημων εξεστησαν ημας γενομεναι ορθριαι επι το μνημειον

1 Peter 1:8 (NET)

1 Peter 1:8 (KJV)

You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

1 Peter 1:8 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Peter 1:8 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Peter 1:8 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὃν οὐκ ἰδόντες ἀγαπᾶτε, εἰς ὃν ἄρτι μὴ ὁρῶντες πιστεύοντες δὲ |ἀγαλλιᾶσθε| χαρᾷ ἀνεκλαλήτῳ καὶ δεδοξασμένῃ ον ουκ ειδοτες αγαπατε εις ον αρτι μη ορωντες πιστευοντες δε αγαλλιασθε χαρα ανεκλαλητω και δεδοξασμενη ον ουκ ειδοτες αγαπατε εις ον αρτι μη ορωντες πιστευοντες δε αγαλλιασθε χαρα ανεκλαλητω και δεδοξασμενη

1 Peter 1:11 (NET)

1 Peter 1:11 (KJV)

They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory. Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

1 Peter 1:11 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Peter 1:11 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Peter 1:11 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἐραυνῶντες εἰς τίνα ἢ ποῖον καιρὸν ἐδήλου τὸ ἐν αὐτοῖς πνεῦμα Χριστοῦ προμαρτυρόμενον τὰ εἰς Χριστὸν παθήματα καὶ τὰς μετὰ ταῦτα δόξας ερευνωντες εις τινα η ποιον καιρον εδηλου το εν αυτοις πνευμα χριστου προμαρτυρομενον τα εις χριστον παθηματα και τας μετα ταυτα δοξας ερευνωντες εις τινα η ποιον καιρον εδηλου το εν αυτοις πνευμα χριστου προμαρτυρομενον τα εις χριστον παθηματα και τας μετα ταυτα δοξας

Romans 14:3 (NET)

Romans 14:3 (KJV)

The one who eats everything must not despise the one who does not, and the one who abstains must not judge the one who eats everything, for God has accepted him. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Romans 14:3 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 14:3 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 14:3 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, ὁ δὲ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω, ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο ο εσθιων τον μη εσθιοντα μη εξουθενειτω και ο μη εσθιων τον εσθιοντα μη κρινετω ο θεος γαρ αυτον προσελαβετο ο εσθιων τον μη εσθιοντα μη εξουθενειτω και ο μη εσθιων τον εσθιοντα μη κρινετω ο θεος γαρ αυτον προσελαβετο

Romans 14:14, 15 (NET)

Romans 14:14, 15 (KJV)

I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean in itself; still, it is unclean to the one who considers it unclean. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Romans 14:14 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 14:14 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 14:14 (Byzantine Majority Text)

οἶδα καὶ πέπεισμαι ἐν κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ ὅτι οὐδὲν κοινὸν δι᾿ ἑαυτοῦ, εἰ μὴ τῷ λογιζομένῳ τι κοινὸν εἶναι, ἐκείνῳ κοινόν οιδα και πεπεισμαι εν κυριω ιησου οτι ουδεν κοινον δι εαυτου ει μη τω λογιζομενω τι κοινον ειναι εκεινω κοινον οιδα και πεπεισμαι εν κυριω ιησου οτι ουδεν κοινον δι αυτου ει μη τω λογιζομενω τι κοινον ειναι εκεινω κοινον
For if your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy by your food someone for whom Christ died. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Romans 14:15 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 14:15 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 14:15 (Byzantine Majority Text)

εἰ γὰρ διὰ βρῶμα ὁ ἀδελφός σου λυπεῖται, οὐκέτι κατὰ ἀγάπην περιπατεῖς· μὴ τῷ βρώματι σου ἐκεῖνον ἀπόλλυε ὑπὲρ οὗ Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν ει δε δια βρωμα ο αδελφος σου λυπειται ουκετι κατα αγαπην περιπατεις μη τω βρωματι σου εκεινον απολλυε υπερ ου χριστος απεθανεν ει δε δια βρωμα ο αδελφος σου λυπειται ουκετι κατα αγαπην περιπατεις μη τω βρωματι σου εκεινον απολλυε υπερ ου χριστος απεθανεν

Romans 14:18 (NET)

Romans 14:18 (KJV)

For the one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by people. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Romans 14:18 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 14:18 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 14:18 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὁ γὰρ ἐν τούτῳ δουλεύων τῷ Χριστῷ εὐάρεστος τῷ θεῷ καὶ δόκιμος τοῖς ἀνθρώποις ο γαρ εν τουτοις δουλευων τω χριστω ευαρεστος τω θεω και δοκιμος τοις ανθρωποις ο γαρ εν τουτοις δουλευων τω χριστω ευαρεστος τω θεω και δοκιμος τοις ανθρωποις

Romans 14:21, 22 (NET)

Romans 14:21, 22 (KJV)

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything that causes your brother to stumble. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Romans 14:21 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 14:21 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 14:21 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καλὸν τὸ μὴ φαγεῖν κρέα μηδὲ πιεῖν οἶνον μηδὲ ἐν ᾧ ὁ ἀδελφός σου προσκόπτει καλον το μη φαγειν κρεα μηδε πιειν οινον μηδε εν ω ο αδελφος σου προσκοπτει η σκανδαλιζεται η ασθενει καλον το μη φαγειν κρεα μηδε πιειν οινον μηδε εν ω ο αδελφος σου προσκοπτει η σκανδαλιζεται η ασθενει
The faith you have, keep to yourself before God. Blessed is the one who does not judge himself by what he approves. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Romans 14:22 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 14:22 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 14:22 (Byzantine Majority Text)

σὺ πίστιν ἔχεις κατὰ σεαυτὸν ἔχε ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ. μακάριος ὁ μὴ κρίνων ἑαυτὸν ἐν ᾧ δοκιμάζει συ πιστιν εχεις κατα σαυτον εχε ενωπιον του θεου μακαριος ο μη κρινων εαυτον εν ω δοκιμαζει συ πιστιν εχεις κατα σεαυτον εχε ενωπιον του θεου μακαριος ο μη κρινων εαυτον εν ω δοκιμαζει

1 The Greek word translated you may have was ἔχητε, an active form of ἔχω in the present tense and subjunctive mood. The Greek word translated that was the conjunction ἵνα. In other words, ἔχητε is a subjunctive verb in a purpose or result clause here and means: “in me you have peace because of these things I have said to you.”

2 John 16:33 (ESV)

3 1 Corinthians 10:4b (ESV)

4 1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)

5 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article ο (KJV: the) preceding one here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

6 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὀνόματι here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ω ονομα (KJV: whose name).

7 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had εν (KJV: in) preceding Jerusalem. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

10 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had σημερον (KJV: to day) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

12 Luke 13:14b (ESV) Table

13 The Greek word translated you may have was ἔχητε, a form of ἔχω in the subjunctive mood: “The subjunctive mood indicates probability or objective possibility. The action of the verb will possibly happen, depending on certain objective factors or circumstances.” The whole clause is ἵνα ζωὴν ἔχητε (ESV: that you may have life). The conjunction ἵνα designates this as a purpose or result clause. The subjunctive mood “is oftentimes used in conditional statements (i.e. ‘If…then…’ clauses) or in purpose clauses.” In other words, the “objective factors or circumstances” that make the action of the verb ἔχητε “happen” are explicitly stated: ἐλθεῖν πρός με (ESV: to come to me). “[I]f the subjunctive mood is used in a purpose or result clause, then the action should not be thought of as a possible result, but should be viewed as a definite outcome that will happen as a result of another stated action.” In other words, “If you come to me, then you will have life” is implicit in this statement.

14 John 5:39, 40 (ESV)

15 2 Corinthians 3:6b (ESV) Table

16 For a comparison of the Greek of this quotation to that of the Septuagint see: Christianity, Part 3.

17 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἰδόντες, a participle of εἴδω in the 2nd aorist tense here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ειδοτες (KJV: having…seen) in the perfect tense.

18 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐραυνῶντες, a participle of ἐρευνάω here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ερευνωντες (KJV: Searching). These seem to be alternate spellings of the same part of speech.

19 John 17:3b (ESV)

21 Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV) Table

22 Proverbs 15:1a (English Elpenor)

23 1 Corinthians 4:21 (ESV) Table

24 1 Peter 2:15 (ESV)

27 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had γὰρ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had δε (KJV: But).

28 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the singular pronoun τούτῳ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the plural τουτοις (KJV: these things).

29 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had η σκανδαλιζεται η ασθενει (KJV: or is offended, or is made weak) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

30 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had σεαυτὸν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had the contracted form σαυτον (KJV: thyself).

Christianity, Part 11

There are 3 occurrences of πάντας in 1 Corinthians [see Table below], the Greek word translated all people in: And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people (πάντας, a form of πᾶς) to myself.1 The first occurrence will take some time (1 Corinthians 7:7 ESV):

I wish2 that all (πάντας ἀνθρώπους) were as I myself am. But3 each has his own gift from God, one4 of one kind and one5 of another.

Here πάντας was clearly limited by ἀνθρώπους (KJV: all men). Paul did not wish that all porcupines were as I myself am. I admit when I first read it I considered even all men limited to “very few men” because I heard the second clause as “But most of you aren’t as spiritual as I am.” Yet here πάντας ἀνθρώπους was translated all, everyone in the NET, which has the advantage of eliminating porcupines and other non-humans. And now I no longer think that everyone is wrong, misleading or a poor translation.

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote,6 Paul began this particular explanation, but what was written wasn’t recorded. Perhaps that’s because it seems fairly obvious that the question involved whether certain people at a certain place and time should or could marry, depending on whether the writers were doing the forbidding, being forbidden or both. Or perhaps it was because the Holy Spirit regarded Paul’s answer as more universally applicable than the questions as written. Paul continued (1 Corinthians 7:1b ESV)

“It is good for a man not to have sexual relations (ἅπτεσθαι) with a woman” [Table].

The Greek word translated good here was καλὸν (a form of καλός), the “beautiful good,” rather than ἀγαθόν (a form of ἀγαθός). I wrote about the “beautiful good” in another essay. So, why did Paul write, It is good (a beautiful good) for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman?

According to Britannica online, “The philosophical and religious ideals of celibacy in the Classical world strongly influenced subsequent practices of celibacy and monasticism in Christianity.”7 Was Paul persuaded that pagan celibacy was the highest form of self-righteousness? Probably not.

As I studied, I wondered why Paul chose ἅπτεσθαι, “to touch,” rather than λαμβάνεσθαι, a present middle/passive infinitive form of λαμβάνω, “to take.” And I also wondered why γυναικὸς (ESV: woman), a form of γυνή in the genitive case, was chosen rather than γυνήν in the accusative case or even γυνῇ in the dative. I typed the latter question into a search engine and Barnes’ Notes on the Bible directed me to the story of Abraham, Sarah and Abimelech.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Genesis 20:2-6 (Tanakh)

Genesis 20:2-6 (NET)

Genesis 20:2-6 (NETS)

Genesis 20:2-6 (English Elpenor)

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife (אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ): ‘She is my sister.’ And Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took (וַיִּקַּ֖ח) Sarah. Abraham said about his wife (‘iššâ, אשתו) Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took (lāqaḥ, ויקח) her. And Abraam said of his wife (τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ) Sarra, “She is my sister,” lest perhaps the men of the city kill him on her account. Then Abimelech king of Gerara sent and took (ἔλαβεν) Sarra. And Abraam said concerning Sarrha his wife (τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ), She is my sister, for he feared to say, She is my wife, lest at any time the men of the city should kill him for her sake. So Abimelech king of Gerara sent and took (ἔλαβε) Sarrha.
But G-d came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him: ‘Behold, thou shalt die, because of the woman (הָֽאִשָּׁ֣ה) whom thou hast taken (לָקַ֔חְתָּ); for she is a man’s (בָּֽעַל) wife (בְּעֻ֥לַת)’ [Table]. But God appeared to Abimelech in a dream at night and said to him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman (‘iššâ, האשה) you have taken (lāqaḥ, לקחת), for she is someone else’s (baʿal, בעל) wife (bāʿal, בעלת).” And God came in to Abimelech in his sleep during the night and said, “Look, you are about to die by reason of the woman (τῆς γυναικός) whom you have taken (ἔλαβες), whereas she is married (συνῳκηκυῗα) to a man (ἀνδρί)” [Table]. And God came to Abimelech by night in sleep, and said, Behold, thou diest for the woman (τῆς γυναικός), whom thou hast taken (ἔλαβες), whereas she has lived (συνῳκηυῖα) with a husband (ἀνδρί).
Now Abimelech had not come near (קָרַ֖ב) her; and he said: ‘L-rd, wilt Thou slay even a righteous nation? Now Abimelech had not gone near (qāraḇ, קרב) her. He said, “Lord, would you really slaughter an innocent nation? Now Abimelech had not touched (ἥψατο) her, and he said, “Lord, will you destroy an unwitting and righteous nation? But Abimelech had not touched (ἥψατο) her, and he said, Lord, wilt thou destroy an ignorantly [sinning] and just nation?
Said he not himself unto me: She is my sister? and she, even she herself said: He is my brother. In the simplicity of my heart and the innocency of my hands have I done this.’ Did Abraham not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this with a clear conscience and with innocent hands!” Did not he himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said to me, ‘He is my brother’. I did this with a pure heart and righteousness of hands.” Did not he himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said to me, ‘He is my brother’. I did this with a pure heart and righteousness of hands.”
And G-d said unto him in the dream: ‘Yea, I know that in the simplicity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against Me. Therefore suffered I thee not to touch (לִנְגֹּ֥עַ) her. Then in the dream God replied to him, “Yes, I know that you have done this with a clear conscience. That is why I have kept you from sinning against me and why I did not allow you to touch (nāḡaʿ, לנגע) her. Then God said to him during his sleep, “I too knew that you did this with a pure heart, and I was the one who spared you so that you did not sin in regard to me. Therefore I did not allow you to touch (ἅψασθαι) her. And God said to him in sleep, Yea, I knew that thou didst this with a pure heart, and I spared thee, so that thou shouldest not sin against me, therefore I suffered thee not to touch (ἅψασθαι) her.

Abimelech took (וַיִּקַּ֖ח) Sarah. In the Septuagint the Greek word translated took was ἔλαβε(ν) (a form of λαμβάνω). Abimelech had every intention of making Sarah one of his wives but he had not come near (קָרַ֖ב) her,8 he had not touched (ἥψατο, a form of ἅπτω in the middle voice) her.9 The Greek word translated sexual relations (ἅπτεσθαι) in 1 Corinthians 7:1b (ESV) was an infinitive form of ἅπτω also in the middle voice. I did not allow you to touch her,10 God told Abimelech in a dream. The Greek word translated to touch here was ἅψασθαι, another infinitive form of ἅπτω in the middle voice.

The Greek word γυναικὸς (a form of γυνή) was in the genitive case because whether translated wife11 or woman,12 she is married (συνῳκηκυῗα) to a man (ἀνδρί),13 or she has lived (συνῳκηυῖα) with a husband (ἀνδρί).14 A note (5) in the NET explained that the Hebrew was literally: “and she is owned by an owner.” Though this concept has been misunderstood as abusive authority, I think the Holy Spirit understands it as a man’s responsibility for his wife.

Consider an owner’s responsibility, written in the law, for an ox or bull:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 21:28, 29 (Tanakh)

Exodus 21:28, 29 (NET)

Exodus 21:28, 29 (NETS)

Exodus 21:28, 29 (English Elpenor)

And if an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die, the ox shall be surely stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner (וּבַ֥עַל) of the ox shall be quit. “If an ox gores a man or a woman so that either dies, then the ox must surely be stoned and its flesh must not be eaten, but the owner (baʿal, ובעל) of the ox will be acquitted. Now if a bull gores a man or a woman and he dies, the bull shall be stoned with stones, and its meat shall not be eaten, but the owner (κύριος) of the bull shall not be liable. And if a bull gore a man or woman and they die, the bull shall be stoned with stones, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner (κύριος) of the bull shall be clear.
But if the ox was wont to gore in time past, and warning hath been given to its owner (בִּבְעָלָיו֙), and he hath not kept it in, but it hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and its owner (בְּעָלָ֖יו) also shall be put to death. But if the ox had the habit of goring, and its owner (baʿal, בבעליו) was warned but he did not take the necessary precautions, and then it killed a man or a woman, the ox must be stoned and the man (baʿal, בעליו) must be put to death. But if the bull was prone to gore before yesterday and before the third day and they warn its owner (κυρίῳ) and he does not restrain it and it kills a man or a woman, the bull shall be stoned, and its owner (κύριος) shall die as well. But if the bull should have been given to goring in former time, and men should have told his owner (κυρίῳ), and he have not removed him, but he should have slain a man or woman, the bull shall be stoned, and his owner (κύριος) shall die also.

Husbands, love your15 wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Paul wrote, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself [Table].16 The Greek words translated should here are ὀφείλουσιν [καὶ], and love is ἀγαπᾶν, an infinitive form of ἀγαπάω in the present tense: In the same way husbands owe also to love their wives as their own bodies.

Yes, I am asking myself at this very moment if I took ownership of, if I accepted the responsibility for, my wife’s spiritual well-being while we were married. No, I’m not at all happy with the answer. “Find’em, feel’em, fuck’em and forget’em,” was the guiding maxim of the 4F club. It was something I learned in elementary school, not part of the official curriculum but handed down from a classmate’s older brother. And though I scoffed at it in my youth as morally beneath me, in my old age I reckon I’ve lived more nearly in compliance to that odious maxim than to any semblance of Christ-likeness. A feminist is not a godly husband: See to that17 yourself,18 was too often my attitude as I was preoccupied with more worldly concerns.

It seems like I understand Paul’s insight in 1 Corinthians 7:1b better, at least grasp its generality better, if I don’t even try to translate his word string into a fluent English sentence: καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ γυναικὸς μὴ ἅπτεσθαι, “beautiful man wife not to touch.” That beauty is obvious in the story of Abraham, Sarah and Abimelech, when a man does not touch another man’s wife. The beauty of God’s intervention to spare both Sarah and Abimelech is beyond compare. I’ll return to that later. Paul described the beauty of a man not touching his own wife for an agreed upon period of time a few verses after this, and the beauty of not taking a wife at all in some verses after that (1 Corinthians 7:28-35 ESV):

But if you do marry,19 you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world20 as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please21 the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please22 his wife, and his interests are divided.23 And the unmarried or betrothed woman24 is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body25 and spirit.26 But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please27 her husband. I say this for your own benefit,28 not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion29 to the Lord.

I’ve discounted this entire chapter way too much: the appointed time has grown very short spoke to me of the return of Christ. I couldn’t calculate how Paul might have amended his words if he had known that I would still be waiting in the fall of 2023, and so I failed to pay enough attention to what is actually written here. Now, as I approach my seventieth birthday my appointed time has grown very short and my attention is more focused, perhaps, than in the past. There are things to consider about συνεσταλμένος, the Greek word translated very short, a participle of the verb συστέλλω in the perfect tense. But for the moment I’d rather consider and address something else.

Paul’s assumptions about the beautiful preoccupations of an unmarried man and an unmarried or betrothed woman were not made regarding those who are born of the flesh of Adam only. His words are folly to those who are perishing.30 That which is born of the flesh is flesh,31 Jesus explained to Nicodemus. “None is righteous,” Paul wrote of those born only of the flesh of Adam, “no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one [Table]. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.”32

In this letter Paul addressed those who were born, not only of the flesh of Adam but, from above as well, by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:4-9 ESV):

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

I say: “I’ve lived more nearly in compliance to that odious [4F club] maxim than to any semblance of Christ-likeness.” But Paul wrote that, our Lord Jesus Christwill sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.33 The Greek word translated will sustain was βεβαιώσει, a 3rd person singular form of βεβαιόω in the future tense, active voice and indicative mood: “to establish, strengthen, stabilize, make firm, confirm, secure, warrant, make good.” The word translated you was the plural ὑμᾶς, so I assume Paul meant individuals rather than the Corinthian church as a singular collective.

Everything I’m complaining about in my self-assessment happened after I said a sinner’s prayer to Jesus. Some of it after I returned from atheism. What hurts the most is the more recent events in my forties and fifties when I thought I was doing better. At the very time when 1 Corinthians 7 and Ephesians 5 should have been my daily meditation, I ignored them and became anxious about worldly things, how to please [my] wife,34 and I should’ve known better—but, clearly, I didn’t. During this study, as my failure to understand the love owed to my wife was brought to my attention (how many years after the fact?), I moaned, “Why don’t You just kill me, and be done with it?”

That wouldn’t really accomplish anything from God’s perspective: for all live to him.35 So I suck it up and appropriate Paul’s words as my own, finding hope and comfort (even fellowship) in them (1 Timothy 1:15, 16 ESV):

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life [Table].

I left a sermon on the first chapter of 1 Peter recently, disgruntled. Peter is not my favorite writer, though my Pastor is beginning to help overcome that antipathy in me. The text was: Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.36 I left the worship service that afternoon mumbling something about, “pie in the sky bye and bye.” It took me a day or so to put my disgruntled feelings into words.

But when I finally expressed myself honestly…

No, thank you. I’ll put my hope fully on the grace that is brought to me new every morning, the fruit of Your Spirit: Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

…the Lord’s answer was immediate:

Why do you hope for what you already see?

There wasn’t much left for me to say:

Duh, because I’m an idiot?

And so He corrected my misunderstanding.

Any time I compare myself to Jesus, I come up short. And the appointed time has grown very short37 for that gap to be closed before I see Him face to face. Here is real hope: to set [my] hope fully on the grace that will be brought to [me] at the revelation of Jesus Christ. For now, I keep following Him through the Scripture, all too aware that those who have suffered the most from this gap are those whom I have loved and continue to love (e.g., because I do it so poorly).

I’ll pick this up in another essay. The table mentioned above follows.

Occurrences of πάντας in 1 Corinthians

Reference

NET Parallel Greek

ESV
1 Corinthians 7:7 θέλω δὲ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καὶ ἐμαυτόν I wish that all were as I myself am.
1 Corinthians 14:5

θέλω δὲ πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις

Now I want you all to speak in tongues,

1 Corinthians 15:25 ἄχρι οὗ θῇ πάντας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

Tables comparing Genesis 20:2; 20:4; 20:5; 20:6; Exodus 21:28 and 21:29 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Genesis 20:2; 20:4; 20:5; 20:6; Exodus 21:28 and 21:29 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing 1 Corinthians 7:7; Ephesians 5:25; Matthew 27:4; 1 Corinthians 7:28 and 7:31-35 in the NET and KJV follow.

Genesis 20:2 (Tanakh)

Genesis 20:2 (KJV)

Genesis 20:2 (NET)

And Abraham said of Sarah his wife: ‘She is my sister.’ And Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. Abraham said about his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her.

Genesis 20:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 20:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν δὲ Αβρααμ περὶ Σαρρας τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἀδελφή μού ἐστιν ἐφοβήθη γὰρ εἰπεῖν ὅτι γυνή μού ἐστιν μήποτε ἀποκτείνωσιν αὐτὸν οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως δι᾽ αὐτήν ἀπέστειλεν δὲ Αβιμελεχ βασιλεὺς Γεραρων καὶ ἔλαβεν τὴν Σαρραν εἶπε δὲ ῾Αβραὰμ περὶ Σάρρας τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἀδελφή μου ἐστίν· ἐφοβήθη γὰρ εἰπεῖν ὅτι γυνή μου ἐστί, μή ποτε ἀποκτείνωσιν αὐτὸν οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως δι᾿ αὐτήν. ἀπέστειλε δὲ ᾿Αβιμέλεχ, βασιλεὺς Γεράρων, καὶ ἔλαβε τὴν Σάρραν

Genesis 20:2 (NETS)

Genesis 20:2 (English Elpenor)

And Abraam said of his wife Sarra, “She is my sister,” lest perhaps the men of the city kill him on her account. Then Abimelech king of Gerara sent and took Sarra. And Abraam said concerning Sarrha his wife, She is my sister, for he feared to say, She is my wife, lest at any time the men of the city should kill him for her sake. So Abimelech king of Gerara sent and took Sarrha.

Genesis 20:4 (Tanakh)

Genesis 20:4 (KJV)

Genesis 20:4 (NET)

Now Abimelech had not come near her; and he said: ‘L-rd, wilt Thou slay even a righteous nation? But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Now Abimelech had not gone near her. He said, “Lord, would you really slaughter an innocent nation?

Genesis 20:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 20:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

Αβιμελεχ δὲ οὐχ ἥψατο αὐτῆς καὶ εἶπεν κύριε ἔθνος ἀγνοοῦν καὶ δίκαιον ἀπολεῖς ᾿Αβιμέλεχ δὲ οὐχ ἥψατο αὐτῆς καὶ εἶπε· Κύριε, ἔθνος ἀγνοοῦν καὶ δίκαιον ἀπολεῖς

Genesis 20:4 (NETS)

Genesis 20:4 (English Elpenor)

Now Abimelech had not touched her, and he said, “Lord, will you destroy an unwitting and righteous nation? But Abimelech had not touched her, and he said, Lord, wilt thou destroy an ignorantly [sinning] and just nation?

Genesis 20:5 (Tanakh)

Genesis 20:5 (KJV)

Genesis 20:5 (NET)

Said he not himself unto me: She is my sister? and she, even she herself said: He is my brother. In the simplicity of my heart and the innocency of my hands have I done this.’ Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. Did Abraham not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this with a clear conscience and with innocent hands!”

Genesis 20:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 20:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐκ αὐτός μοι εἶπεν ἀδελφή μού ἐστιν καὶ αὐτή μοι εἶπεν ἀδελφός μού ἐστιν ἐν καθαρᾷ καρδίᾳ καὶ ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ χειρῶν ἐποίησα τοῦτο οὐκ αὐτός μοι εἶπεν, ἀδελφή μου ἐστί; καὶ αὕτη μοι εἶπεν, ἀδελφός μου ἐστίν; ἐν καθαρᾷ καρδίᾳ καὶ ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ χειρῶν ἐποίησα τοῦτο

Genesis 20:5 (NETS)

Genesis 20:5 (English Elpenor)

Did not he himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said to me, ‘He is my brother’. I did this with a pure heart and righteousness of hands.” Said he not to me, She is my sister, and said she not to me, He is my brother? with a pure heart and in the righteousness of my hands have I done this.

Genesis 20:6 (Tanakh)

Genesis 20:6 (KJV)

Genesis 20:6 (NET)

And G-d said unto him in the dream: ‘Yea, I know that in the simplicity of thy heart thou hast done this, and I also withheld thee from sinning against Me. Therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. Then in the dream God replied to him, “Yes, I know that you have done this with a clear conscience. That is why I have kept you from sinning against me and why I did not allow you to touch her.

Genesis 20:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 20:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ θεὸς καθ᾽ ὕπνον κἀγὼ ἔγνων ὅτι ἐν καθαρᾷ καρδίᾳ ἐποίησας τοῦτο καὶ ἐφεισάμην ἐγώ σου τοῦ μὴ ἁμαρτεῖν σε εἰς ἐμέ ἕνεκεν τούτου οὐκ ἀφῆκά σε ἅψασθαι αὐτῆς λίγο εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Θεὸς καθ᾿ ὕπνον· κἀγὼ ἔγνων ὅτι ἐν καθαρᾷ καρδίᾳ ἐποίησας τοῦτο, καὶ ἐφεισάμην σου τοῦ μὴ ἁμαρτεῖν σε εἰς ἐμέ· ἕνεκα τούτου οὐκ ἀφῆκά σε ἅψασθαι αὐτῆς

Genesis 20:6 (NETS)

Genesis 20:6 (English Elpenor)

Then God said to him during his sleep, “I too knew that you did this with a pure heart, and I was the one who spared you so that you did not sin in regard to me. Therefore I did not allow you to touch her. And God said to him in sleep, Yea, I knew that thou didst this with a pure heart, and I spared thee, so that thou shouldest not sin against me, therefore I suffered thee not to touch her.

Exodus 21:28 (Tanakh)

Exodus 21:28 (KJV)

Exodus 21:28 (NET)

And if an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die, the ox shall be surely stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit. “If an ox gores a man or a woman so that either dies, then the ox must surely be stoned and its flesh must not be eaten, but the owner of the ox will be acquitted.

Exodus 21:28 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 21:28 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐὰν δὲ κερατίσῃ ταῦρος ἄνδρα ἢ γυναῖκα καὶ ἀποθάνῃ λίθοις λιθοβοληθήσεται ὁ ταῦρος καὶ οὐ βρωθήσεται τὰ κρέα αὐτοῦ ὁ δὲ κύριος τοῦ ταύρου ἀθῷος ἔσται ᾿Εὰν δὲ κερατίσῃ ταῦρος ἄνδρα ἢ γυναῖκα καὶ ἀποθάνῃ, λίθοις λιθοβοληθήσεται ὁ ταῦρος, καὶ οὐ βρωθήσεται τὰ κρέα αὐτοῦ· ὁ δὲ κύριος τοῦ ταύρου ἀθῷος ἔσται

Exodus 21:28 (NETS)

Exodus 21:28 (English Elpenor)

Now if a bull gores a man or a woman and he dies, the bull shall be stoned with stones, and its meat shall not be eaten, but the owner of the bull shall not be liable. And if a bull gore a man or woman and they die, the bull shall be stoned with stones, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall be clear.

Exodus 21:29 (Tanakh)

Exodus 21:29 (KJV)

Exodus 21:29 (NET)

But if the ox was wont to gore in time past, and warning hath been given to its owner, and he hath not kept it in, but it hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death. But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death. But if the ox had the habit of goring, and its owner was warned but he did not take the necessary precautions, and then it killed a man or a woman, the ox must be stoned and the man must be put to death.

Exodus 21:29 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 21:29 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐὰν δὲ ὁ ταῦρος κερατιστὴς ᾖ πρὸ τῆς ἐχθὲς καὶ πρὸ τῆς τρίτης καὶ διαμαρτύρωνται τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ καὶ μὴ ἀφανίσῃ αὐτόν ἀνέλῃ δὲ ἄνδρα ἢ γυναῖκα ὁ ταῦρος λιθοβοληθήσεται καὶ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ προσαποθανεῖται ἐὰν δὲ ὁ ταῦρος κερατιστὴς ᾖ πρὸ τῆς χθὲς καὶ πρὸ τῆς τρίτης, καὶ διαμαρτύρωνται τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ μὴ ἀφανίσῃ αὐτόν, ἀνέλῃ δὲ ἄνδρα ἢ γυναῖκα, ὁ ταῦρος λιθοβοληθήσεται καὶ ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ προσαποθανεῖται

Exodus 21:29 (NETS)

Exodus 21:29 (English Elpenor)

But if the bull was prone to gore before yesterday and before the third day and they warn its owner and he does not restrain it and it kills a man or a woman, the bull shall be stoned, and its owner shall die as well. But if the bull should have been given to goring in former time, and men should have told his owner, and he have not removed him, but he should have slain a man or woman, the bull shall be stoned, and his owner shall die also.

1 Corinthians 7:7 (NET)

1 Corinthians 7:7 (KJV)

I wish that everyone was as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one this way, another that. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

1 Corinthians 7:7 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Corinthians 7:7 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Corinthians 7:7 (Byzantine Majority Text)

θέλω δὲ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καὶ ἐμαυτόν· ἀλλὰ ἕκαστος ἴδιον ἔχει χάρισμα ἐκ θεοῦ, μὲν οὕτως, δὲ οὕτως θελω γαρ παντας ανθρωπους ειναι ως και εμαυτον αλλ εκαστος ιδιον χαρισμα εχει εκ θεου ος μεν ουτως ος δε ουτως θελω γαρ παντας ανθρωπους ειναι ως και εμαυτον αλλ εκαστος ιδιον χαρισμα εχει εκ θεου ος μεν ουτως ος δε ουτως

Ephesians 5:25 (NET)

Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)

Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 5:25 (NET Parallel Greek)

Ephesians 5:25 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Ephesians 5:25 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Οἱ ἄνδρες, ἀγαπᾶτε τὰς γυναῖκας, καθὼς καὶ ὁ Χριστὸς ἠγάπησεν τὴν ἐκκλησίαν καὶ ἑαυτὸν παρέδωκεν ὑπὲρ αὐτῆς οι ανδρες αγαπατε τας γυναικας εαυτων καθως και ο χριστος ηγαπησεν την εκκλησιαν και εαυτον παρεδωκεν υπερ αυτης οι ανδρες αγαπατε τας γυναικας εαυτων καθως και ο χριστος ηγαπησεν την εκκλησιαν και εαυτον παρεδωκεν υπερ αυτης

Matthew 27:4 (NET)

Matthew 27:4 (KJV)

saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!” But they said, “What is that to us? You take care of it yourself!” Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

Matthew 27:4 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 27:4 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 27:4 (Byzantine Majority Text)

λέγων· ἥμαρτον παραδοὺς αἷμα |ἀθῷον|. οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· τί πρὸς ἡμᾶς; σὺ ὄψῃ λεγων ημαρτον παραδους αιμα αθωον οι δε ειπον τι προς ημας συ οψει λεγων ημαρτον παραδους αιμα αθωον οι δε ειπον τι προς ημας συ οψει

1 Corinthians 7:28 (NET)

1 Corinthians 7:28 (KJV)

But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face difficult circumstances, and I am trying to spare you such problems. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

1 Corinthians 7:28 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Corinthians 7:28 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Corinthians 7:28 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἐὰν δὲ καὶ γαμήσῃς, οὐχ ἥμαρτες, καὶ ἐὰν γήμῃ |ἡ| παρθένος, οὐχ ἥμαρτεν· θλῖψιν δὲ τῇ σαρκὶ ἕξουσιν οἱ τοιοῦτοι, ἐγὼ δὲ ὑμῶν φείδομαι εαν δε και γημης ουχ ημαρτες και εαν γημη η παρθενος ουχ ημαρτεν θλιψιν δε τη σαρκι εξουσιν οι τοιουτοι εγω δε υμων φειδομαι εαν δε και γημης ουχ ημαρτες και εαν γημη η παρθενος ουχ ημαρτεν θλιψιν δε τη σαρκι εξουσιν οι τοιουτοι εγω δε υμων φειδομαι

1 Corinthians 7:31-35 (NET)

1 Corinthians 7:31-35 (KJV)

those who use the world as though they were not using it to the full. For the present shape of this world is passing away. And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

1 Corinthians 7:31 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Corinthians 7:31 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Corinthians 7:31 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ οἱ χρώμενοι τὸν κόσμον ὡς μὴ καταχρώμενοι· παράγει γὰρ τὸ σχῆμα τοῦ κόσμου τούτου και οι χρωμενοι τω κοσμω τουτω ως μη καταχρωμενοι παραγει γαρ το σχημα του κοσμου τουτου και οι χρωμενοι τω κοσμω τουτω ως μη καταχρωμενοι παραγει γαρ το σχημα του κοσμου τουτου
And I want you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

1 Corinthians 7:32 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Corinthians 7:32 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Corinthians 7:32 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους εἶναι. ὁ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κυρίου, πῶς ἀρέσῃ τῷ κυρίῳ· θελω δε υμας αμεριμνους ειναι ο αγαμος μεριμνα τα του κυριου πως αρεσει τω κυριω θελω δε υμας αμεριμνους ειναι ο αγαμος μεριμνα τα του κυριου πως αρεσει τω κυριω
But a married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife, But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

1 Corinthians 7:33 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Corinthians 7:33 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Corinthians 7:33 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὁ δὲ γαμήσας μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου, πῶς ἀρέσῃ τῇ γυναικί ο δε γαμησας μεριμνα τα του κοσμου πως αρεσει τη γυναικι ο δε γαμησας μεριμνα τα του κοσμου πως αρεσει τη γυναικι
and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:34 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Corinthians 7:34 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Corinthians 7:34 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ μεμέρισται. καὶ ἡ γυνὴ ἡ ἄγαμος καὶ ἡ παρθένος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κυρίου, ἵνα ᾖ ἁγία |καὶ| τῷ σώματι καὶ τῷ πνεύματι· ἡ δὲ γαμήσασα μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου, πῶς ἀρέσῃ τῷ ἀνδρί μεμερισται η γυνη και η παρθενος η αγαμος μεριμνα τα του κυριου ινα η αγια και σωματι και πνευματι η δε γαμησασα μεριμνα τα του κοσμου πως αρεσει τω ανδρι μεμερισται και η γυνη και η παρθενος η αγαμος μεριμνα τα του κυριου ινα η αγια και σωματι και πνευματι η δε γαμησασα μεριμνα τα του κοσμου πως αρεσει τω ανδρι
I am saying this for your benefit, not to place a limitation on you, but so that without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

1 Corinthians 7:35 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Corinthians 7:35 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Corinthians 7:35 (Byzantine Majority Text)

τοῦτο δὲ πρὸς τὸ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν σύμφορον λέγω, οὐχ ἵνα βρόχον ὑμῖν ἐπιβάλω ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὸ εὔσχημον καὶ εὐπάρεδρον τῷ κυρίῳ ἀπερισπάστως τουτο δε προς το υμων αυτων συμφερον λεγω ουχ ινα βροχον υμιν επιβαλω αλλα προς το ευσχημον και ευπροσεδρον τω κυριω απερισπαστως τουτο δε προς το υμων αυτων συμφερον λεγω ουχ ινα βροχον υμιν επιβαλω αλλα προς το ευσχημον και ευπροσεδρον τω κυριω απερισπαστως

1 John 12:32 (ESV)

2 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had δὲ (not translated in the NET) near the beginning of this clause, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had γαρ (KJV: For).

3 The NET parallel Greek text had the conjunction ἀλλὰ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had ἀλλ᾽.

4 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the relative pronoun ος.

5 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the relative pronoun ος.

6 1 Corinthians 7:1a (ESV) Table

7 “Pagan religions of the ancient Mediterranean,” celibacy, Britannica

8 Genesis 20:4 (Tanakh)

9 Genesis 20:4 (NETS, English Elpenor)

10 Genesis 20:6 (NETS)

11 Genesis 20:2 (NETS, English Elpenor)

12 Genesis 20:3 (NETS, English Elpenor) Table

13 Genesis 20:3b (NETS) Table

14 Genesis 20:3b (English Elpenor) Table

16 Ephesians 5:25-28 (ESV)

17 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὄψῃ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had οψει (KJV: seeto that).

19 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had γαμήσῃς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had γημης (KJV: thou marry).

23 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ μεμέρισται (NET: and he is divided) here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had simply μεμερισται (KJV: There is difference also between).

24 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ γυνὴ ἄγαμος καὶ παρθένος (NET: An unmarried woman or a virgin) here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had η γυνη και η παρθενος η αγαμος (KJV: a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman).

25 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τῷ preceding body. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

26 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τῷ preceding spirit. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

28 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the noun σύμφορον here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had συμφερον (KJV: profit), a participle of the verb συμφέρω.

30 1 Corinthians 1:18b (ESV)

31 John 3:6a (ESV)

32 Romans 3:10b-18 (ESV)

33 1 Corinthians 1:7b, 8 (ESV)

34 1 Corinthians 7:33b (ESV)

35 Luke 20:38b (ESV)

36 1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)

37 1 Corinthians 7:29a (ESV)

Atonement, Part 5

I’ll continue to consider yehôvâh’s (יהוה) instruction to Moses: They[1] are to eat those things by which atonement (kâphar, כפר; Septuagint: ἡγιάσθησαν, a form of ἁγιάζω) was made to consecrate and to set them apart, but no one else may eat them, for they are holy.[2]  The atonement of Aaron and his sons continued:

Exodus 29:15-18 (NET)

Leviticus 8:18-21 (NET)

You are to take one ram, and Aaron and his sons are to lay their hands on the ram’s head, Then he presented the burnt offering (ʽôlâh, העלה; Septuagint: ὁλοκαύτωμα) ram and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram,
and you are to kill the ram and take its blood and splash it all around on the altar. and he slaughtered it.  Moses then splashed the blood against the altar’s sides.
Then you are to cut the ram into pieces and wash the entrails and its legs and put them on its pieces and on its head Then he cut the ram into parts, and Moses offered the head, the parts, and the suet up in smoke,
and burn the whole ram on the altar.  It is a burnt offering (ʽôlâh, עלה; Septuagint: ὁλοκαύτωμα) to the Lord, a soothing aroma; it is an offering made by fire to the Lord. but the entrails and the legs he washed with water, and Moses offered the whole ram up in smoke on the altar – it was a burnt offering (ʽôlâh, עלה; Septuagint: ὁλοκαύτωμα) for a soothing aroma, a gift (ʼishshâh, אשה) to the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

The burnt offering ram was eaten by no one.  This led me to a discussion between Jesus and one of the experts in the law (γραμματέων, a form of γραμματεύς) on the relative merits of burnt offerings (ὁλοκαυτωμάτων, a form of ὁλοκαύτωμα).  Before turning to that I want to survey what the New Testament writers had to say about these experts.

When wise men from the East alarmed Herod with news that a King of the Jews had been born, Herod turned to the chief priests and experts in the law (γραμματεῖς, another form of γραμματεύς) and asked them where the Christ was to be born.[3]  The γραμματεῖς turned to the writing of the prophet Micah (Matthew 2:5, 6 NET):

“In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Here are two tables comparing the Greek of the New Testament with the Septuagint, and the English translations of the Hebrew (Tanakh) and the Greek (NETS).

Matthew 2:6 (NET Parallel Greek)

Micah 5:2 (Septuagint)

καὶ σὺ Βηθλέεμ, γῆ Ἰούδα, οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη εἶ ἐν τοῖς ἡγεμόσιν Ἰούδα ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ ἐξελεύσεται ἡγούμενος, ὅστις ποιμανεῖ τὸν λαόν μου τὸν Ἰσραήλ καὶ σύ Βηθλεεμ οἶκος τοῦ Εφραθα ὀλιγοστὸς εἶ τοῦ εἶναι ἐν χιλιάσιν Ιουδα ἐκ σοῦ μοι ἐξελεύσεται τοῦ εἶναι εἰς ἄρχοντα ἐν τῷ Ισραηλ καὶ αἱ ἔξοδοι αὐτοῦ ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς ἐξ ἡμερῶν αἰῶνος

Micah 5:2 (Tanakh)

Micah (Michaias) 5:2 (NETS)

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. And you, O Bethlehem, house of Ephratha, are very few in number to be among the thousands of Ioudas; one from you shall come forth for me to become a ruler in Israel, and his goings forth are from of old, from days of yore.

The γραμματεῖς updated the geography from οἶκος τοῦ Εφραθα (“house of Ephratha”) to γῆ Ἰούδα (in the land of Judah).  Where the Hebrew and its Greek translation affirmed that Bethelem was little or “very few” (ὀλιγοστὸς), they denied it: οὐδαμῶς ἐλαχίστη (in no way least).  Where the Hebrew and its Greek translation compared Bethlehem to χιλιάσιν Ιουδα (thousands of Judah), they compared it to ἡγεμόσιν Ἰούδα (rulers of Judah).  The γραμματεῖς left out that this ruler would come forth unto (or, “for”) yehôvâh (יהוה) and that his goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

They did recognize that this ruler would shepherd (ποιμανεῖ, a form of ποιμαίνω) the people: He will assume his post and shepherd[4] (râʽâh, ורעה; Septuagint: ποιμανεῖ, a form of ποιμαίνω) the people by the Lord’s (yehôvâh, יהוה) strength[5]  This ruler who will shepherd or feed the people is none other than yehôvâh (Micah 4:6, 7 Tanakh):

In that day,[6] saith the LORD (yehôvâh, יהוה), will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD (yehôvâh, יהוה) shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.

Translations made from contemporary Hebrew, however, imply simultaneously that this ruler is not yehôvâh but one who shall stand and feedin the majesty of the name of the LORD (yehôvâh, יהוה) his God (ʼĕlôhı̂ym, אלהיו):

Micah 5:4 (Tanakh)

Micah 5:4 (KJV)

And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

The Septuagint was much clearer.

Micah 5:4 (Septuagint)

Micah 5:4 (NETS)

καὶ στήσεται καὶ ὄψεται καὶ ποιμανεῖ τὸ ποίμνιον αὐτοῦ ἐν ἰσχύι κυρίου καὶ ἐν τῇ δόξῃ τοῦ ὀνόματος κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ αὐτῶν ὑπάρξουσιν[7] διότι νῦν μεγαλυνθήσεται ἕως ἄκρων τῆς γῆς And he shall stand and see and tend his flock in the strength of the Lord.  And they shall exist in the glory of the name of the Lord their God, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth…

Most references[8] to the experts in the law portray them in opposition to Jesus and the Gospel.  For I tell you, Jesus said, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law (γραμματέων, a form of γραμματεύς) and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.[9]  When they heard Jesus’ prophetic parable (Luke 20:9-19) about the vineyard that was taken from the former tenants to be given to others, the experts in the law (γραμματεῖς, another form of γραμματεύς) and the chief priests wanted to arrest him that very hour, because they realized he had told this parable against them.  But they were afraid of the people.[10]

What follows is one of a precious few references[11] to one of the experts in the law (γραμματέων, a form of γραμματεύς) who was not in direct opposition to Jesus or the Gospel.  There are so many differences between the NET parallel Greek text and the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text that I’ll present it in tabular form, breaking the table to compare and contrast the Greek texts.

Mark 12:28, 29 (NET)

Mark 12:28, 29 (KJV)

Now one of the experts in the law came and heard them debating.  When he saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ προσελθὼν εἷς τῶν γραμματέων ἀκούσας αὐτῶν συζητούντων, |ἰδὼν| ὅτι καλῶς ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτόν· ποία ἐστὶν ἐντολὴ πρώτη πάντων και προσελθων εις των γραμματεων ακουσας αυτων συζητουντων ειδως οτι καλως αυτοις απεκριθη επηρωτησεν αυτον ποια εστιν πρωτη πασων εντολη και προσελθων εις των γραμματεων ακουσας αυτων συζητουντων ειδως οτι καλως αυτοις απεκριθη επηρωτησεν αυτον ποια εστιν πρωτη παντων εντολη
Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀπεκρίθη ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι πρώτη ἐστίν ἄκουε, Ἰσραήλ, κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν κύριος εἷς ἐστιν ο δε ιησους απεκριθη αυτω οτι πρωτη πασων των εντολων ακουε ισραηλ κυριος ο θεος ημων κυριος εις εστιν ο δε ιησους απεκριθη αυτω οτι πρωτη παντων των εντολων ακουε ισραηλ κυριος ο θεος ημων κυριος εις εστιν

Here is a comparison of Jesus’ quotation from Deuteronomy.  I wanted to accentuate that it is identical to the Septuagint.

Mark 12:29b, 30 (NET Parallel Greek)

Dueteronomy 6:4b (Septuagint)

ἄκουε, Ἰσραήλ, κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν κύριος εἷς ἐστιν ἄκουε Ισραηλ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν κύριος εἷς ἐστιν

Mark 12:30 (NET)

Mark 12:30 (KJV)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης |τῆς| καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ἰσχύος σου και αγαπησεις κυριον τον θεον σου εξ ολης της καρδιας σου και εξ ολης της ψυχης σου και εξ ολης της διανοιας σου και εξ ολης της ισχυος σου αυτη πρωτη εντολη και αγαπησεις κυριον τον θεον σου εξ ολης της καρδιας σου και εξ ολης της ψυχης σου και εξ ολης της διανοιας σου και εξ ολης της ισχυος σου αυτη πρωτη εντολη

Here I noticed the differences between Jesus’ words and the Septuagint.

Mark 12:30 (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 6:5 (Septuagint)

καὶ ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης |τῆς| καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ἰσχύος σου καὶ ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς δυνάμεώς σου
ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας ὑμῶν (from Joshua 22:5)

And thou shalt love HaShem thy G-d with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.[12]  Jesus added διανοίας (a form of διάνοια) from Joshua 22:5 apparently.  He also substituted ἰσχύος (a form of ἰσχύς) for δυνάμεώς (a form of δύναμις).  While ἰσχύος may arguably be more expansive than δυνάμεώς, the alteration prompted me to notice that forms of δύναμις referred to the power of God more often than not in the New Testament.

Only twenty-two[13] of 120 occurrences of forms of δύναμις referred to something other than God’s power.  I found eight of those which referred to human power, three of them only potentially human: The merchants of the earth have gotten rich from the power (δυνάμεως, a form of δύναμις) of [Babylon’s] sensual behavior.[14]  No powers (δυνάμεις, another form of δύναμις) will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.[15]  Then comes the end, when he hands over[16] the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power (δύναμιν, another form of δύναμις).[17]

In a parable a man entrusted wealth to his slaves, each according to his ability (δύναμιν, another form of δύναμις).  The churches of Macedonia gave according to their means (δύναμιν, another form of δύναμις) and beyond their means (δύναμιν, another form of δύναμις).[18]  Paul planned to journey to Corinth to find out the power (δύναμιν, another form of δύναμις) of arrogant people.  In the province of Asia Paul and his companions were burdened excessively, beyond [their] strength (δύναμιν, another form of δύναμις) so that [they] would not trust in [themselves] but in God who raises the dead.[19]  And Peter said, Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this?  Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power (δυνάμει, another form of δύναμις) or piety?[20] 

Perhaps Jesus was thinking of the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.[21]  In the Septuagint, however, might was δυνάμει (another form of δύναμις) here but power was ἰσχύι (another form of ἰσχύς).

Mark 12:31-33 (NET)

Mark 12:31-33 (KJV)

The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  There is none other commandment greater than these.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

δευτέρα αὕτη· ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν. μείζων τούτων ἄλλη ἐντολὴ οὐκ ἔστιν και δευτερα ομοια αυτη αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου ως σεαυτον μειζων τουτων αλλη εντολη ουκ εστιν και δευτερα ομοια αυτη αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου ως σεαυτον μειζων τουτων αλλη εντολη ουκ εστιν
The expert in the law said to him, “That is true, Teacher; you are right to say that he is one, and there is no one else besides him. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

|καὶ| εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ γραμματεύς· καλῶς, διδάσκαλε, ἐπ᾿ ἀληθείας εἶπες ὅτι εἷς ἐστιν καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλος πλὴν αὐτοῦ και ειπεν αυτω ο γραμματευς καλως διδασκαλε επ αληθειας ειπας οτι εις εστιν θεος και ουκ εστιν αλλος πλην αυτου και ειπεν αυτω ο γραμματευς καλως διδασκαλε επ αληθειας ειπας οτι εις εστιν και ουκ εστιν αλλος πλην αυτου
And to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings (ὁλοκαυτωμάτων, a form of ὁλοκαύτωμα) and sacrifices.” And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ τὸ ἀγαπᾶν αὐτὸν ἐξ ὅλης |τῆς| καρδίας καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς συνέσεως καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ἰσχύος καὶ τὸ ἀγαπᾶν τὸν πλησίον ὡς ἑαυτὸν περισσότερον ἐστιν πάντων τῶν ὁλοκαυτωμάτων καὶ θυσιῶν και το αγαπαν αυτον εξ ολης της καρδιας και εξ ολης της συνεσεως και εξ ολης της ψυχης και εξ ολης της ισχυος και το αγαπαν τον πλησιον ως εαυτον πλειον εστιν παντων των ολοκαυτωματων και των θυσιων και το αγαπαν αυτον εξ ολης της καρδιας και εξ ολης της συνεσεως και εξ ολης της ψυχης και εξ ολης της ισχυος και το αγαπαν τον πλησιον ως εαυτον πλειον εστιν παντων των ολοκαυτωματων και θυσιων

I noticed that the expert in the law used συνέσεως (a form of σύνεσις) rather than διανοίας (a form of διάνοια).  I don’t know why.  But I can track both words through the New Testament.

Therefore, get your minds (διανοίας, a form of διάνοια) ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.[22]  My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together[23] in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all[24] the riches[25] that assurance brings in their understanding (συνέσεως, a form of σύνεσις) of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ,[26] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.[27]

Forms of διάνοια

Forms of σύνεσις

He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination (διανοίᾳ) of their hearts.

Luke 1:51 (KJV)

And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding (συνέσει, another form of σύνεσις) and his answers.

Luke 2:47 (NET)

They are darkened[28] in their understanding (διανοίᾳ), being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.

Ephesians 4:18 (NET)

For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (συνέσει, another form of σύνεσις)…

Colossians 1:9 (NET)

And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds (διανοίᾳ) as expressed through your evil deeds…

Colossians 1:21 (NET)

When reading this, you will be able to understand my insight (σύνεσιν, another form of σύνεσις) into this secret of Christ.

Ephesians 3:4 (NET)

…among whom all of us also formerly lived out our lives in the cravings of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind (διανοιῶν, another form of διάνοια), and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest…

Ephesians 2:3 (NET)

Think about what[29] I am saying and the Lord will give[30] you understanding (σύνεσιν, another form of σύνεσις) of all this.

2 Timothy 2:7 (NET)

Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure mind (διάνοιαν, another form of διάνοια) by way of reminder:

2 Peter 3:1 (NET)

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us insight (διάνοιαν, another form of διάνοια) to know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ.  This one is the true God and eternal life.[31]

1 John 5:20 (NET)

If I exclude the quotations which agree with the Septuagint (See Table1 below), I notice a preference in Paul’s writing for forms of σύνεσις when describing the mind or understanding of the new human, while forms of διάνοια described that of the old human.  Luke seemed to follow that convention as well, though Peter and John don’t appear to recognize any such connotations.  Peter’s association with Mark’s Gospel narrative and the fact that he demonstrated no preference for forms of σύνεσις lead me to believe that the law expert’s usage is original, though I can’t exclude editorial commentary by Mark.

I’m hard-pressed to imagine that this law expert had a grasp of the old and new human, but Matthew identified him further as a Pharisee.  It makes me wonder if Pharisees already had similar connotations in mind, forms of σύνεσις for righteous Jews, forms of διάνοια for Gentile sinners.  Luke may have picked up on this through his association with Paul.  But what does it say about Jesus?

Admittedly, the simplest conclusion is that He quoted the Septuagint, but I haven’t noticed such slavish devotion before.  By sticking with διανοιας He may have been communicating to this Pharisee and law expert the impossibility of loving God with a proud, ignorant, stranger, enemy mind full of desires of the flesh and alienated from the life of God.  That certainly reinforces his dictum: You must all be born from above.[32]

I have no clue whether Jesus as a man carried this much foreknowledge around with Him.  I have no doubt the Holy Spirit does (Isaiah 46:9, 10), and knew verbatim what He would inspire Luke and Paul to write.  Jesus was led by the Spirit like no one I have ever known.  Be that as it may, He didn’t question, or quarrel with, the law expert’s use of συνέσεως.

Mark 12:34a (NET)

Mark 12:34a (KJV)

When Jesus saw that he had answered thoughtfully, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.

Paul wrote believers in Rome (Romans 13:8-10 NET):

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal,[33] do not covet,” (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[34]  Love does no wrong to a neighbor.  Therefore love (1 Corinthians 13) is the fulfillment  (Matthew 5:17-20) of the law.

To those of Galatia he wrote (Galatians 5:13-26 NET):

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law can be summed up[35] in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”[36]  However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by[37] one another.  But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for[38] these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what[39] you want.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  Now the works of the flesh are obvious:[40] sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry,[41] sorcery, hostilities, strife,[42] jealousy,[43] outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things.  I am warning you,[44] as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.

I’ll pick this up again in another essay.  A table of Septuagint quotations and tables comparing Revelation 18:3; 1 Corinthians 15:24; 2 Corinthians 1:8, 9; Acts 3:12; Colossians 2:2, 3; Ephesians 4:18; 2 Timothy 2:7; 1 John 5:20; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14, 15, 17 and 19-21 in the NET and KJV follow.

Septuagint Quotations

διάνοια

σύνεσις

Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind (διανοίᾳ).’

Matthew 22:37 (NET)

For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will thwart the cleverness (σύνεσιν, another form of σύνεσις; also Septuagint) of the intelligent.”

1 Corinthians 1:19 (NET)

The expert answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind (διανοίᾳ), and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:27 (NET)

For this is the covenant that I will establish with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds (διάνοιαν, another form of διάνοια; also Septuagint) and I will inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God and they will be my people.

Hebrews 8:10 (NET)

This is the covenant that I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws on their hearts and I will inscribe them on their minds (διάνοιαν, another form of διάνοια),

Hebrews 10:16 (NET)

Revelation 18:3 (NET)

Revelation 18:3 (KJV)

For all the nations have fallen from the wine of her immoral passion, and the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have gotten rich from the power of her sensual behavior. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὅτι ἐκ |τοῦ οἴνου| τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς πορνείας αὐτῆς |πέπτωκαν| πάντα τὰ ἔθνη καὶ οἱ βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς μετ᾿ αὐτῆς ἐπόρνευσαν καὶ οἱ ἔμποροι τῆς γῆς ἐκ τῆς δυνάμεως τοῦ στρήνους αὐτῆς ἐπλούτησαν οτι εκ του οινου του θυμου της πορνειας αυτης πεπωκεν παντα τα εθνη και οι βασιλεις της γης μετ αυτης επορνευσαν και οι εμποροι της γης εκ της δυναμεως του στρηνους αυτης επλουτησαν οτι εκ του οινου του θυμου της πορνειας αυτης πεπτωκασιν παντα τα εθνη και οι βασιλεις της γης μετ αυτης επορνευσαν και οι εμποροι της γης εκ της δυναμεως του στρηνους αυτης επλουτησαν
1 Corinthians 15:24 (NET)

1 Corinthians 15:24 (KJV)

Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

εἶτα τὸ τέλος, ὅταν παραδιδῷ τὴν βασιλείαν τῷ θεῷ καὶ πατρί, ὅταν καταργήσῃ πᾶσαν ἀρχὴν καὶ πᾶσαν ἐξουσίαν καὶ δύναμιν ειτα το τελος οταν παραδω την βασιλειαν τω θεω και πατρι οταν καταργηση πασαν αρχην και πασαν εξουσιαν και δυναμιν ειτα το τελος οταν παραδω την βασιλειαν τω θεω και πατρι οταν καταργηση πασαν αρχην και πασαν εξουσιαν και δυναμιν
2 Corinthians 1:8, 9 (NET)

2 Corinthians 1:8, 9 (KJV)

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Οὐ γὰρ θέλομεν ὑμᾶς ἀγνοεῖν, ἀδελφοί, ὑπὲρ τῆς θλίψεως ἡμῶν τῆς γενομένης ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ, ὅτι καθ᾿ ὑπερβολὴν ὑπὲρ δύναμιν ἐβαρήθημεν ὥστε ἐξαπορηθῆναι ἡμᾶς καὶ τοῦ ζῆν ου γαρ θελομεν υμας αγνοειν αδελφοι υπερ της θλιψεως ημων της γενομενης ημιν εν τη ασια οτι καθ υπερβολην εβαρηθημεν υπερ δυναμιν ωστε εξαπορηθηναι ημας και του ζην ου γαρ θελομεν υμας αγνοειν αδελφοι υπερ της θλιψεως ημων της γενομενης ημιν εν τη ασια οτι καθ υπερβολην εβαρηθημεν υπερ δυναμιν ωστε εξαπορηθηναι ημας και του ζην
Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

Acts 3:12 (NET)

Acts 3:12 (KJV)

When Peter saw this, he declared to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or piety? And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἰδὼν δὲ Πέτρος ἀπεκρίνατο πρὸς τὸν λαόν· ἄνδρες Ἰσραηλῖται, τί θαυμάζετε ἐπὶ τούτῳ ἢ ἡμῖν τί ἀτενίζετε ὡς ἰδίᾳ δυνάμει ἢ εὐσεβείᾳ πεποιηκόσιν τοῦ περιπατεῖν αὐτόν ιδων δε πετρος απεκρινατο προς τον λαον ανδρες ισραηλιται τι θαυμαζετε επι τουτω η ημιν τι ατενιζετε ως ιδια δυναμει η ευσεβεια πεποιηκοσιν του περιπατειν αυτον ιδων δε πετρος απεκρινατο προς τον λαον ανδρες ισραηλιται τι θαυμαζετε επι τουτω η ημιν τι ατενιζετε ως ιδια δυναμει η ευσεβεια πεποιηκοσιν του περιπατειν αυτον
Colossians 2:2, 3 (NET)

Colossians 2:2, 3 (KJV)

My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἵνα παρακληθῶσιν αἱ καρδίαι αὐτῶν συμβιβασθέντες ἐν ἀγάπῃ καὶ εἰς πᾶν πλοῦτος τῆς πληροφορίας τῆς συνέσεως, εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ θεοῦ, Χριστοῦ ινα παρακληθωσιν αι καρδιαι αυτων συμβιβασθεντων εν αγαπη και εις παντα πλουτον της πληροφοριας της συνεσεως εις επιγνωσιν του μυστηριου του θεου και πατρος και του χριστου ινα παρακληθωσιν αι καρδιαι αυτων συμβιβασθεντων εν αγαπη και εις παντα πλουτον της πληροφοριας της συνεσεως εις επιγνωσιν του μυστηριου του θεου και πατρος και του χριστου
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἐν ᾧ εἰσιν πάντες οἱ θησαυροὶ τῆς σοφίας καὶ γνώσεως ἀπόκρυφοι εν ω εισιν παντες οι θησαυροι της σοφιας και της γνωσεως αποκρυφοι εν ω εισιν παντες οι θησαυροι της σοφιας και της γνωσεως αποκρυφοι
Ephesians 4:18 (NET)

Ephesians 4:18 (KJV)

They are darkened in their understanding, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἐσκοτωμένοι τῇ διανοίᾳ ὄντες, ἀπηλλοτριωμένοι τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ θεοῦ διὰ τὴν ἄγνοιαν τὴν οὖσαν ἐν αὐτοῖς, διὰ τὴν πώρωσιν τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν εσκοτισμενοι τη διανοια οντες απηλλοτριωμενοι της ζωης του θεου δια την αγνοιαν την ουσαν εν αυτοις δια την πωρωσιν της καρδιας αυτων εσκοτισμενοι τη διανοια οντες απηλλοτριωμενοι της ζωης του θεου δια την αγνοιαν την ουσαν εν αυτοις δια την πωρωσιν της καρδιας αυτων
2 Timothy 2:7 (NET)

2 Timothy 2:7 (KJV)

Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

νόει λέγω· δώσει γάρ σοι ὁ κύριος σύνεσιν ἐν πᾶσιν νοει α λεγω δωη γαρ σοι ο κυριος συνεσιν εν πασιν νοει α λεγω δωη γαρ σοι ο κυριος συνεσιν εν πασιν
1 John 5:20 (NET)

1 John 5:20 (KJV)

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us insight to know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ.  This one is the true God and eternal life. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οἴδαμεν δὲ ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἥκει καὶ δέδωκεν ἡμῖν διάνοιαν ἵνα |γινώσκωμεν| τὸν ἀληθινόν, καὶ ἐσμὲν ἐν τῷ ἀληθινῷ, ἐν τῷ υἱῷ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ. οὗτος ἐστιν ὁ ἀληθινὸς θεὸς καὶ ζωὴ αἰώνιος οιδαμεν δε οτι ο υιος του θεου ηκει και δεδωκεν ημιν διανοιαν ινα γινωσκωμεν τον αληθινον και εσμεν εν τω αληθινω εν τω υιω αυτου ιησου χριστω ουτος εστιν ο αληθινος θεος και η ζωη αιωνιος οιδαμεν δε οτι ο υιος του θεου ηκει και δεδωκεν ημιν διανοιαν ινα γινωσκωμεν τον αληθινον και εσμεν εν τω αληθινω εν τω υιω αυτου ιησου χριστω ουτος εστιν ο αληθινος θεος και η ζωη η αιωνιος
Romans 13:9 (NET)

Romans 13:9 (KJV)

For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τὸ γὰρ οὐ μοιχεύσεις, οὐ φονεύσεις, οὐ κλέψεις, οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις (καὶ εἴ τις ἑτέρα ἐντολή) ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τούτῳ ἀνακεφαλαιοῦται [ἐν τῷ]· ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν το γαρ ου μοιχευσεις ου φονευσεις ου κλεψεις ου ψευδομαρτυρησεις ουκ επιθυμησεις και ει τις ετερα εντολη εν τουτω τω λογω ανακεφαλαιουται εν τω αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου ως εαυτον το γαρ ου μοιχευσεις ου φονευσεις ου κλεψεις ου ψευδομαρτυρησεις ουκ επιθυμησεις και ει τις ετερα εντολη εν τουτω τω λογω ανακεφαλαιουται εν τω αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου ως σεαυτον
Galatians 5:14, 15 (NET)

Galatians 5:14, 15 (KJV)

For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὁ γὰρ πᾶς νόμος ἐν ἑνὶ λόγῳ πεπλήρωται, ἐν τῷ· ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν ο γαρ πας νομος εν ενι λογω πληρουται εν τω αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου ως εαυτον ο γαρ πας νομος εν ενι λογω πληρουται εν τω αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου ως εαυτον
However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

εἰ δὲ ἀλλήλους δάκνετε καὶ κατεσθίετε, βλέπετε μὴ ὑπ᾿ ἀλλήλων ἀναλωθῆτε. ει δε αλληλους δακνετε και κατεσθιετε βλεπετε μη υπο αλληλων αναλωθητε ει δε αλληλους δακνετε και κατεσθιετε βλεπετε μη υπο αλληλων αναλωθητε

Galatians 5:17 (NET)

Galatians 5:17 (KJV)

For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἡ γὰρ σὰρξ ἐπιθυμεῖ κατὰ τοῦ πνεύματος, τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα κατὰ τῆς σαρκός, ταῦτα γὰρ ἀλλήλοις ἀντίκειται, ἵνα μὴ ἃ ἐὰν θέλητε ταῦτα ποιῆτε η γαρ σαρξ επιθυμει κατα του πνευματος το δε πνευμα κατα της σαρκος ταυτα δε αντικειται αλληλοις ινα μη α αν θελητε ταυτα ποιητε η γαρ σαρξ επιθυμει κατα του πνευματος το δε πνευμα κατα της σαρκος ταυτα δε αντικειται αλληλοις ινα μη α αν θελητε ταυτα ποιητε

Galatians 5:19-21 (NET)

Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV)

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

φανερὰ δέ ἐστιν τὰ ἔργα τῆς σαρκός, ἅτινα ἐστιν πορνεία, ἀκαθαρσία, ἀσέλγεια, φανερα δε εστιν τα εργα της σαρκος ατινα εστιν μοιχεια πορνεια ακαθαρσια ασελγεια φανερα δε εστιν τα εργα της σαρκος ατινα εστιν μοιχεια πορνεια ακαθαρσια ασελγεια
idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

εἰδωλολατρία, φαρμακεία, ἔχθραι, ἔρις, ζῆλος, θυμοί, ἐριθεῖαι, διχοστασίαι, αἱρέσεις ειδωλολατρεια φαρμακεια εχθραι ερεις ζηλοι θυμοι εριθειαι διχοστασιαι αιρεσεις ειδωλολατρεια φαρμακεια εχθραι ερεις ζηλοι θυμοι εριθειαι διχοστασιαι αιρεσεις
envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things.  I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God! Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

φθόνοι, |φόνοι,| μέθαι, κῶμοι καὶ τὰ ὅμοια τούτοις, ἃ προλέγω ὑμῖν, καθὼς προεῖπον ὅτι οἱ τὰ τοιαῦτα πράσσοντες βασιλείαν θεοῦ οὐ κληρονομήσουσιν φθονοι φονοι μεθαι κωμοι και τα ομοια τουτοις α προλεγω υμιν καθως και προειπον οτι οι τα τοιαυτα πρασσοντες βασιλειαν θεου ου κληρονομησουσιν φθονοι φονοι μεθαι κωμοι και τα ομοια τουτοις α προλεγω υμιν καθως και προειπον οτι οι τα τοιαυτα πρασσοντες βασιλειαν θεου ου κληρονομησουσιν

[1] Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28:43 NET)

[2] Exodus 29:33 (NET)

[3] Matthew 2:4 (NET)

[4] Translated feed in the KJV and Tanakh.

[5] Micah 5:4a (NET)

[6] But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD (yehôvâh, יהוה) shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it (Micah 4:1 Tanakh).

[7] A future active indicative 3rd person plural form of ὑπάρχω.

[8] Matthew 9:2-7; 12:38-42; 15:1-9; 16:21; 17:10-13; 20:18, 19; 21:15, 16; 23:2-13, 15, 23, 25, 27-32; 26:57; 27:41-44; Mark 2:6, 16; 3:22-30; 7:1-13; 8:31; 9:11-27; 10:33, 34; 12:35-40; 14:1, 43-46, 53; 15:1, 30-32; Luke 5:21, 30; 6:7-11; 9:22; 11:53, 54; 15:2-10; 19:47, 48; 20:1-19, 46, 47; 22:2, 66-71; 23:10; John 8:3-11; Acts 4:5-22; 6:12-7:60; 1 Corinthians 1:20-25

[9] Matthew 5:20 (NET)

[10] Luke 20:19 (NET)

[11] Matthew 8:19, 13:52; Luke 20:34-39; Acts 23:9

[12] Deuteronomy 6:5 (Tanakh) Table

[13] Matthew 24:29; Matthew 25:15; Mark 13:25; Luke 10:19; Luke 21:26; Acts 3:12; Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 4:19; 1 Corinthians 14:11; 1 Corinthians 15:24; 1 Corinthians 15:56; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 8:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Hebrews 7:16; Hebrews 11:34; 1 Peter 3:22; 2 Peter 2:11; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 13:2; Revelation 17:13; Revelation 18:3

[14] Revelation 18:3b (NET)

[15] Romans 8:39b (NET)

[16] The NET parallel Greek text had παραδιδῷ here, a present active indicative 3rd person singular form of παραδίδωμι, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had παραδω, the 2nd aorist active subjunctive 3rd person singular form (KJV: he shall have delivered up).

[17] 1 Corinthians 15:24 (NET)

[18] Here I assume that beyond their means refers to the power of God.

[19] 2 Corinthians 1:9b (NET)

[20] Acts 3:12 (NET)

[21] Zechariah 4:6 (Tanakh)

[22] 1 Peter 1:13 (NET)

[23] The NET parallel Greek text had συμβιβασθέντες, an aorist passive participle nominative plural masculine form of συμβιβάζω, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had συμβιβασθεντων, the aorist passive participle genitive plural masculine form.

[24] The NET parallel Greek text had πᾶν here, a nominative / accusative singular neuter form of πᾶς, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had παντα, the nominative / accusative plural neuter form.

[25] The NET parallel Greek text had πλοῦτος here, the nominative singular masculine form, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had πλουτον, the accusative singular masculine form.

[26] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και πατρος και του χριστου (KJV: and of the Father, and of Christ) here, where the NET parallel Greek text had simply Χριστοῦ.

[27] Colossians 2:2, 3 (NET)  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article της preceding knowledge, while the NET parallel Greek text did not.

[28] The NET parallel Greek text had ἐσκοτωμένοι here, a perfect passive participle nominative plural masculine form of σκοτόω, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εσκοτισμενοι, a perfect passive participle nominative plural masculine form of σκοτίζω.

[29] The NET parallel Greek text had ὃ here, the nominative singular neuter form of ὅς, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had α, the nominative / accusative plural neuter form.

[30] The NET parallel Greek text had δώσει here, a future active indicative 3rd person singular form of δίδωμι, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had δωη, a 2nd aorist active 3rd person singular form in the subjunctive or optative mood dependent on accent marks which are not present in either of the texts I use.

[31] The Byzantine Majority Text had η preceding eternal and life; the Stephanus Textus Receptus had it preceding life only.  The NET parallel Greek text had neither.

[32] John 3:7b (NET)

[33] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ου ψευδομαρτυρησεις (KJV: Thou shalt not bear false witness). The NET parallel Greek text did not.

[34] The Stephanus Textus Receptus had εαυτον here, the 3rd person accusative singular masculine form of ἑαυτοῦ. The NET parallel Greek text and Byzantine Majority Text had σεαυτον, the 2nd person accusative singular masculine form of σεαυτοῦ.

[35] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had πεπλήρωται here, a perfect middle indicative 3rd person plural form of πληρόω, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had πληρουται, a present passive indicative 3rd person singular form.

[36] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had σεαυτον here, the 2nd person accusative singular masculine form of σεαυτοῦ, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εαυτον, the 3rd person accusative singular masculine form of ἑαυτοῦ.

[37] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὑπ᾿ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had υπο.

[38] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had γὰρ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had δε.

[39] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐὰν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αν.

[40] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μοιχεια (KJV: adultery) at the beginning of this list. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[41] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had εἰδωλολατρία here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ειδωλολατρεια.

[42] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἔρις here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ερεις.

[43] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ζῆλος here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ζηλοι.

[44] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text connected these clauses with the conjunction και. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.