Christ-Centered Preaching, Chapter 1

What follows are my notes from a course I’m taking through my church. I’m spending enough time on it that it may take all summer. I want to post here because there are Scripture tables I don’t yet have anywhere else. Unless otherwise indicated all quotations are from the book:

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

Questions for Review and Discussion

  1. Why are expository preachers committed to making the meaning of the passage the message of the sermon?

Thus, it is not merely prosaic to insist that a faithful preacher should serve the text.3 Since the Word is the mediate presence of Christ, service is due. Paul rightly instructs the young pastor Timothy to be a workman “who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) because the Word of God is “living and active” (Heb. 4:12).
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)
Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart [Table]. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:11-13 ESV)

Scriptural truth is not a passive object for examination and presentation. The Word examines us. “It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Christ remains active in his Word, performing divine tasks that one presenting the word has no right or ability personally to assume. Preaching is a redemptive act in which Christ himself ministers to his people, by his Spirit opening and transforming their hearts with the truth that same Spirit inspired in the pages of Scripture.4

The Power of the Word Manifested in Christ, p. 6

The fact that the power for spiritual change resides in God’s Word advocates the cause of expository preaching. Expository preaching presents and applies the truths of a biblical passage…5

Biblical exposition binds the preacher and the people to the only source of true spiritual change. Because hearts are transformed when people are confronted with the Word of God, expository preachers are committed to saying what God says.6 The expository preacher opens the Bible before God’s people and dares to say, “I will explain to you what this passage means.” The words are not meant to convey one’s own authority but rather humbly to confess that the preacher has no better word than God’s Word. Thus the preacher’s mission and calling is to explain to God’s people what the Bible means.

The most dependable way to explain what the Bible means is to select a biblical text prayerfully, divide it according to its significant thoughts and features, and then explain the nature and implications of each. Explaining the text according to the intent of the author also requires that we not skip portions of the passage or neglect features of its context that must be understood in order for the principles the passage is teaching to be grasped.

The Power of the Word Applied in Preaching: Expository Preaching Presents the Power of the Word, p. 8

“Principles definition” in Bing

principles (plural noun)
1. a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning:
“the basic principles of Christianity”
(principles)
a rule or belief governing one’s personal behavior:
“struggling to be true to their own principles” · “she resigned over a matter of principle”
morally correct behavior and attitudes:
“a man of principle”

Scripture obligates preachers to make sure others understand what God says…

Only preachers committed to proclaiming what God says have the Bible’s imprimatur on their preaching. Thus expository preaching endeavors to discover and convey the precise meaning of the Word. Scripture determines what expositors preach because they unfold what it says. The meaning of the passage is the message of the sermon. The text governs the preacher.

The Power of the Word Applied in Preaching: Expository Preaching Presents the Authority of the Word, p. 10

  1. Who are what alone has the power to change hearts eternally?

Honest evaluation inevitably causes us to conclude that we do not have sufficient eloquence, wisdom, or character to be capable of turning others from spiritual death to eternal life.

The Nobility of Preaching, p. 4

Ultimately, preaching accomplishes its spiritual purposes not because of the skills or the wisdom of a preacher but because of the power of the Scripture proclaimed (1 Cor. 2:4-5).

And I1 was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom,2 but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:3-5 ESV)

Preachers minister with greatest zeal, confidence, and freedom when they realize that God has taken from their backs the monkey of spiritual manipulation. God is not relying on the sufficiency of our craft or character to accomplish his purposes (2 Cor. 3:5).

Not that we are sufficient (ἱκανοί, a form of ἱκανός) in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency (ἱκανότης) is from God, who has made us sufficient (ἱκάνωσεν, a form of ἱκανόω) to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life [Table]. (2 Corinthians 3:5, 6 ESV)

God certainly can use eloquence and desires lives befitting the sanctity of our subject matter, but his Spirit uses the Word itself to fulfill his saving and sanctifying purposes. The human efforts of the greatest preachers are still too weak and sin-tainted to be responsible for others’ eternal destinies. The efficacy of the truths in God’s message, rather than any virtue in the messenger transforms hearts.

The Power in the Word, p. 4

Scripture’s portrayal of its own potency challenges us always to remember that the Word preached, rather than the preaching of the Word, accomplishes heaven’s purposes. Preaching that is true to Scripture converts, convicts, and eternally changes the souls of men and women because God’s Word is the instrument of divine compulsion…

The Power of God Inherent in the Word, p. 5

The gospel’s force lies beyond the power of the preacher. Paul preaches without shame in his delivery skills because he trusts that the Spirit of God will use the Word the apostle proclaims to shatter the hardness of the human heart in ways no stage technique or philosophical construct can rival.

The Power of the Word Manifested in Christ, p. 6

…preaching endures and the gospel spreads because the Holy Spirit uses puny human efforts as the conduit for the force of his own Word. By the blessing of God’s Spirit, the Word yet transforms (i.e., causes our hearts to love God and our wills to seek his will).

The Power of the Word Manifested in Christ, pp. 6, 7

Credit, honor, and glory for preaching’s effects belong to Christ alone because his Word alone saves and transforms.

The Power of the Word Manifested in Christ, p. 8

  1. What are logos, pathos and ethos? Which most affects the persuasiveness of a message?

God fully reveals the dynamic power of his Word in the New Testament, where he identifies his Son as the divine Logos, or Word (John 1:1).

In the beginning was the Word ( λόγος), and the Word (ὁ λόγος) was with God, and the Word (ὁ λόγος) was God. (John 1:1 ESV)

By identifying Jesus as his Word, God indicates that his message and his person are inseparable. The Word embodies him. This is not to say that the letters and the paper of a Bible are divine but that the truths Scripture holds are God’s means of making his person and his presence real to his people.

The Power of the Word Manifested in Christ, p. 5

Christ’s redemptive power and the power of his Word coalesce in the New Testament, with Logos (the incarnate Word of God) and logos (the inscripturated Word about God) becoming so reflexive as to form a conceptual identity. As the work of the original creation comes through the spoken word of God, so the work of new creation (i.e., redemption) comes through the living Word of God.

The Power of the Word Manifested in Christ, p. 6

Aristotle’s classic rhetorical distinctions, though not inspired, can help us understand the basic components of every message we preach so that we do not needlessly cause others to stumble over what or how we speak.

In classical rhetoric, three elements compose every persuasive message:

logos: the verbal content of the message, including its craft, organization and logic

pathos: the emotive features of a message, including the passion, fervor, and feeling that a speaker conveys and the listeners experience

The occurrences of forms of πάθος in Koine Greek in the New Testament follow:

…because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions (πάθη ἀτιμίας). For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; (Romans 1:25, 26 ESV)

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:3 sexual immorality, impurity, passion (πάθος), evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. (Colossians 3:5, 6 ESV)

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust (πάθει ἐπιθυμίας) like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you [Table]. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 ESV)

ethos: the perceived character of the speaker as evidenced in everything from structural clarity to illustration choices to consistency of life with message. Even if the message displays great intelligence, listeners tend to distrust or disregard a speaker who does not seem to care enough for them to make the message accessible and helpful. Aristotle’s belief (confirmed in countless modern studies) was that ethos is the most powerful component of persuasion.

The occurrences of forms of ἔθος in Koine Greek in the New Testament follow:

Now while [Zechariah] was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom (τὸ ἔθος) of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot4 to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. (Luke 1:8, 9 ESV)

And when [Jesus] was twelve years old, they went up5 according to custom (τὸ ἔθος). (Luke 2:42 ESV)

And [Jesus] came out and went, as was his custom (τὸ ἔθος), to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him [Table]. (Luke 22:39 ESV)

So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in6 linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom (ἔθος) of the Jews [Table]. (John 19:40 ESV)

And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon [Stephen] and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak7 words against this8 holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs (τὰ ἔθη) that Moses delivered to us.” (Acts 6:12-14 ESV)

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom (τῷ ἔθει) of Moses, you cannot be saved” [Table]. (Acts 15:1 ESV)

And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said,9 “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs (ἔθη) that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” (Acts 16:20, 21 ESV)

And when they heard it, they glorified God.10 And11 they said to [Paul], “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs (τοῖς ἔθεσιν) [Table]. (Acts 21:20, 21 ESV)

I answered them that it was not the custom (ἔθος) of the Romans to give up anyone12 before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. (Acts 25:16 ESV)

“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are familiar with all the customs13 (ἐθῶν) and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you14 to listen to me patiently. (Acts 26:2, 3 ESV)

After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs (τοῖς ἔθεσι) of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans [Table]. (Acts 28:17 ESV)

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit (ἔθος) of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24, 25 ESV)

The Effectiveness of Testimony: Classical Distinctions pp. 12, 13

This all rang a very familiar bell: When I was young sin was reduced to bad habits and righteousness, therefore, was reduced to good habits. Train up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6a KJV) became something akin to dog training. Some of us dogs rebelled. Now, it took less than fifteen minutes to discover that this was even a misunderstanding of Aristotle.

An entry titled “Aristotle: Ethics” on the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy online from the University of Tennessee at Martin reads:

Are you thinking that no matter how we analyze the effects of habituation, we will never get around the fact that Aristotle plainly says that virtues are habits? The reply to that difficulty is that he doesn’t say that at all. He says that moral virtue is a hexis. Hippocrates Apostle, and others, translate hexis as habit, but that is not at all what it means. The trouble, as so often in these matters, is the intrusion of Latin. The Latin habitus is a perfectly good translation of the Greek hexis, but if that detour gets us to habit in English we have lost our way. In fact, a hexis is pretty much the opposite of a habit.

Of course, Joe Sachs, the author of this particular entry didn’t publish his translation of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics until 2002 and there was no internet, no Google or Bing when I was young. Interestingly, Proverbs 22:6 is not found in the Septuagint, but I can’t discern whether the rabbis refused to translate it into Greek or the Masoretes added it sometime later.

“Our gospel came to you not simply with words [logos] (λόγῳ), but also with power (δυνάμει), (καὶ ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ: and in the Holy Spirit [ESV]) and with deep conviction [pathos] (πληροφορίᾳ πολλῇ). You know how we lived [ethos] among you for your sake (1 Thess. 1:5).

Our preaching should reflect the uniqueness of our personalities, but our lives should reflect Christ’s priorities in order for his message to spread unhindered.

The Effectiveness of Testimony: Classical Distinctions p. 14

Selfless righteousness and sacrificial love are never self-induced. Attempts to conform our character to God’s requirements by the sufficiency of our actions are as arrogant as efforts to save souls by our talents. Powerful preachers must become well-acquainted with the grace their character requires.

Emphasis on the power of ethos without dependence on God’s mercy has the potential to drive preachers either to arrogance or to despair.

The Effectiveness of Testimony: Embrace Grace p. 17

  1. Why should every sermon have a redemptive focus?

The necessity of grace in balanced preaching inevitably points both preacher and parishioner to the work of Christ as the only proper center of a sermon. Christ-centered preaching is not merely evangelistic, nor is it confined to a few gospel accounts. It perceives the whole of Scripture as revelatory of God’s redemptive plan and sees every passage within this context—a pattern Jesus himself introduced (Luke 24:27).

And beginning with Moses15 and all the Prophets, he interpreted16 to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27 ESV)

What is critical at this point as we begin to consider the structural components of a sermon is to understand that our union with Christ is the end and the means of all biblical obedience (Rom. 6:1-14; Phil 2:1-5).

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? [Table] By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus [Table].

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions [Table]. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness [Table]. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace [Table]. (Romans 6:1-14 ESV)

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy [Table], complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others [Table]. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus [Table], (Philippians 2:1-5 ESV)

Thus the Bible requires that we construct our messages in such a way as to reveal the grace that is the ultimate foundation of every text, the ultimate enablement for every instruction, and the only source of true holiness.

The Effectiveness of Testimony: Embrace Grace pp. 18, 19

Without a redemptive focus, we may believe we have exegeted when in fact we have simply translated its parts and parsed its pieces without reference to the role they have in God’s eternal plan. John Calvin said, “God has ordained his Word as the instrument by which Jesus Christ with all His graces, is dispensed to us.” No such process occurs when passages of the Word are ripped from their redemptive context and are seen as mere moral examples and behavioral guidelines. Grace keeps our character true to God, our messages true to Scripture, and our efforts true to Christ’s will. Reliance on his grace results in sermons that are empowered by God (despite our knowledge of our sin and inadequacy), for he alone is responsible for the holiness and truth that fuel preaching’s spiritual force.

The Effectiveness of Testimony: Embrace Grace p. 19

  1. On what does great preaching most depend?

Consciousness of God’s enablement should encourage all preacher’s (including beginning preachers) to throw themselves wholeheartedly into their calling. Although homiletical skill will vary, God promises to perform his purposes through all who faithfully proclaim his truth. Even if your words barely crawl over the edge of the pulpit, love of God’s Word and his people ensures an effective spiritual ministry.

…the Holy Spirit works beyond us with the inherent power of the Word we faithfully expound.

If his Word is in our mouths and his grace is evident in our lives, then Christ is ministering through us…

If your goal is Christ’s honor, you can be a great preacher through faithfulness to him and his gospel.

The Effectiveness of Testimony: Preach Confidently pp. 19, 20

Exercises

  1. Locate and comment on biblical passages that confirm the inherent power of the word.

The Bible makes it clear that the Word is not merely powerful; it functions without literary peer or human limitation. The Word of God

creates: “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Gen 1:3).

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light [Table]. (Genesis 1:3 ESV)

“For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm” (Ps 33:9).

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. (Psalm 33:8, 9 ESV)

A table of Psalm 33:9 follows:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 33:9 (Tanakh/KJV)

Psalm 33:9 (NET)

Psalm 32:9 (NETS)

Psalm 32:9 (English Elpenor)

For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast (וַֽיַּֽעֲמֹֽד). For he spoke, and it came into existence. He issued the decree, and it stood firm (ʿāmaḏ, ויעמד). because he it was that spoke, and they came to be; he it was that commanded, and they were created (καὶ ἐκτίσθησαν). For he spoke, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created (καὶ ἐκτίσθησαν).

controls: “He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down the hail like pebbles…He sends his word and melts them” (Ps. 147:15-18).

He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. (Psalm 147:15-18 ESV)

Raised in this culture I find it difficult to believe that God involves himself with the moment by moment ticking of the watch. Can He intervene in it? I have no doubts about that. But on the other hand, to believe that a watch this complicated runs on without his direct supervision would turn me into a scientist, fearful of my own shadow.

convicts: “’Let the one who has my word speak it faithfully…’ declares the Lord. ‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock to pieces?’” (Jer. 23:28-29).

Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD. Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who steal my words from one another. (Jeremiah 23:28-30 ESV)

performs his purposes: “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth…so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isa 55:10-11).

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater [Table], so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it [Table]. (Isaiah 55:10, 11 ESV)

overrides human weakness: While in prison the apostle Paul rejoiced that when others preach the Word with “false motives or true,” the work of God still moves forward (Phil. 1:18).

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter17 do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former18 proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking19 to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that20 in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (Philippians 1:15-18 ESV)

The Power in the Word: The Power of God Inherent in the Word p. 5

  1. Locate and comment on biblical passages that link the character of the messenger to the effects of the message.

1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 and 2:11-12

For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well

For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or21 any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God22 who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But23 we were gentle24 among you, like25 a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous26 of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become27 very dear to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 ESV)

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory [Table]. (1 Thessalonians 2:11, 12 ESV)

2 Timothy 2:15-16 and 2:22-24

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly…

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, (2 Timothy 2:15, 16 ESV)

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil [Table], (2 Timothy 2:22-24 ESV)

Titus 2:7-8

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned.

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity,28 dignity,29 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.30 (Titus 2:7, 8 ESV)

2 Corinthians 6:3-4

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way.

We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend31 ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:3-10 ESV)

James 1:26-27

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

If anyone thinks he is religious32 and does not bridle his tongue but33 deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:26, 27 ESV)

James 3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above (ἄνωθεν), but34 is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (James 3:13-15 ESV)

The Effectiveness of Testimony: Scriptural Corroboration p. 15

Tables comparing Proverbs 22:6; Psalm 33:8; 33:9; 147:15; 147:16; 147:17; 147:18; Jeremiah 23:28; 23:29 and 23:30 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Proverbs 22:6; Psalm 33:8 (32:8); 33:9 (32:9); 147:15 (147:4); 147:16 (147:5); 147:17 (147:6); 147:18 (147:7); Jeremiah 23:28; 23:29 and 23:30 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing 1 Corinthians 2:3, 4; Colossians 3:5; Luke 1:9; 2:42; Acts 6:13; 16:20; 25:16; 26:3; Luke 24:27; Philippians 1:16-18; 1 Thessalonians 2:3, 4; 2:7, 8; Titus 2:7, 8; 2 Corinthians 6:4; James 1:26 and 3:15 in the KJV and NET follow.

Proverbs 22:6 (Tanakh)

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

Proverbs 22:6 (NET)

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Proverbs 22:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

N/A N/A

Proverbs 22:6 (NETS)

Proverbs 22:6 (English Elpenor)

N/A N/A

Psalm 33:8 (Tanakh)

Psalm 33:8 (KJV)

Psalm 33:8 (NET)

Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. Let the whole earth fear the Lord. Let all who live in the world stand in awe of him.

Psalm 33:8 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 32:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

φοβηθήτω τὸν κύριον πᾶσα ἡ γῆ ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ δὲ σαλευθήτωσαν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν οἰκουμένην φοβηθήτω τὸν Κύριον πᾶσα ἡ γῆ, ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ δὲ σαλευθήτωσαν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν οἰκουμένην

Psalm 32:8 (NETS)

Psalm 32:8 (English Elpenor)

Let all the earth fear the Lord, and due to him let all the inhabitants of the world be shaken, Let all the earth fear the Lord; and let all that dwell in the world be moved because of him.

Psalm 33:9 (Tanakh)

Psalm 33:9 (KJV)

Psalm 33:9 (NET)

For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. For he spoke, and it came into existence. He issued the decree, and it stood firm.

Psalm 33:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 32:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὅτι αὐτὸς εἶπεν καὶ ἐγενήθησαν αὐτὸς ἐνετείλατο καὶ ἐκτίσθησαν ὅτι αὐτὸς εἶπε καὶ ἐγενήθησαν, αὐτὸς ἐνετείλατο καὶ ἐκτίσθησαν

Psalm 32:9 (NETS)

Psalm 32:9 (English Elpenor)

because he it was that spoke, and they came to be; he it was that commanded, and they were created. For he spoke, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.

Psalm 147:15 (Tanakh)

Psalm 147:15 (KJV)

Psalm 147:15 (NET)

He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. He sends his command through the earth; swiftly his order reaches its destination.

Psalm 147:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 147:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὁ ἀποστέλλων τὸ λόγιον αὐτοῦ τῇ γῇ ἕως τάχους δραμεῖται ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ ὁ ἀποστέλλων τὸ λόγιον αὐτοῦ τῇ γῇ, ἕως τάχους δραμεῖται ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ

Psalm 147:4 (NETS)

Psalm 147:4 (English Elpenor)

he who sends out his saying to the earth; his word will run swiftly, He sends his oracle to the earth: his word will run swiftly.

Psalm 147:16 (Tanakh)

Psalm 147:16 (KJV)

Psalm 147:16 (NET)

He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He sends the snow that is white like wool; he spreads the frost that is white like ashes.

Psalm 147:16 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 147:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

τοῦ διδόντος χιόνα ὡσεὶ ἔριον ὁμίχλην ὡσεὶ σποδὸν πάσσοντος διδόντος χιόνα αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ ἔριον, ὁμίχλην ὡσεὶ σποδὸν πάσσοντος

Psalm 147:5 (NETS)

Psalm 147:5 (English Elpenor)

the word of him who gives snow like wool, who scatters fog like ashes, He gives snow like wool: he scatters the mist like ashes.

Psalm 147:17 (Tanakh)

Psalm 147:17 (KJV)

Psalm 147:17 (NET)

He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? He throws his hailstones like crumbs. Who can withstand the cold wind he sends?

Psalm 147:17 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 147:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

βάλλοντος κρύσταλλον αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ ψωμούς κατὰ πρόσωπον ψύχους αὐτοῦ τίς ὑποστήσεται βάλλοντος κρύσταλλον αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ ψωμούς, κατὰ πρόσωπον ψύχους αὐτοῦ τίς ὑποστήσεται

Psalm 147:6 (NETS)

Psalm 147:6 (English Elpenor)

who hurls down his ice like crumbs. Who shall stand against his cold? Casting [forth] his ice like morsels: who shall stand before his cold?

Psalm 147:18 (Tanakh)

Psalm 147:18 (KJV)

Psalm 147:18 (NET)

He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. He then orders it all to melt; he breathes on it, and the water flows.

Psalm 147:18 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 147:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀποστελεῖ τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ καὶ τήξει αὐτά πνεύσει τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτοῦ καὶ ῥυήσεται ὕδατα ἐξαποστελεῖ τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ καὶ τήξει αὐτά· πνεύσει τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτοῦ καὶ ῥυήσεται ὕδατα

Psalm 147:7 (NETS)

Psalm 147:7 (English Elpenor)

He will send out his word and will melt them; he will blow his breath, and waters will flow. He shall send out his word, and melt them: he shall blow [with] his wind, and the waters shall flow.

Jeremiah 23:28 (Tanakh)

Jeremiah 23:28 (KJV)

Jeremiah 23:28 (NET)

The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Let the prophet who has had a dream go ahead and tell his dream. Let the person who has received my message report that message faithfully. What is like straw cannot compare to what is like grain! I, the Lord, affirm it!

Jeremiah 23:28 (Septuagint BLB)

Jeremiah 23:28 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὁ προφήτης ἐν ᾧ τὸ ἐνύπνιόν ἐστιν διηγησάσθω τὸ ἐνύπνιον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν ᾧ ὁ λόγος μου πρὸς αὐτόν διηγησάσθω τὸν λόγον μου ἐπ᾽ ἀληθείας τί τὸ ἄχυρον πρὸς τὸν σῖτον οὕτως οἱ λόγοι μου λέγει κύριος ὁ προφήτης, ἐν ᾧ τὸ ἐνύπνιόν ἐστι, διηγησάσθω τὸ ἐνύπνιον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν ᾧ ὁ λόγος μου πρὸς αὐτόν, διηγησάσθω τὸν λόγον μου ἐπ’ ἀληθείας. τί τὸ ἄχυρον πρὸς τὸν σῖτον; οὕτως οἱ λόγοι μου, λέγει Κύριος

Jeremiah 23:28 (NETS)

Jeremiah 23:28 (English Elpenor)

Let the prophet in whom there is the dream tell his dream, and let him in whom my word is to him tell my word in truth. What is the chaff to the grain? The prophet who has a dream, let him tell his dream; and [he] in whom is my word [spoken] to him, let him tell my word truly: what is the chaff to the corn? so are my words, saith the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:29 (Tanakh)

Jeremiah 23:29 (KJV)

Jeremiah 23:29 (NET)

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? My message is like a fire that purges dross. It is like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces. I, the Lord, so affirm it!

Jeremiah 23:29 (Septuagint BLB)

Jeremiah 23:29 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐχὶ οἱ λόγοι μου ὥσπερ πῦρ φλέγον λέγει κύριος καὶ ὡς πέλυξ κόπτων πέτραν οὐκ ἰδοὺ οἱ λόγοι μου ὥσπερ πῦρ φλέγον, λέγει Κύριος, καὶ ὡς πέλυξ κόπτων πέτραν

Jeremiah 23:29 (NETS)

Jeremiah 23:29 (English Elpenor)

Are not my words just like a fire and like an ax that cuts a rock? Behold, are not my words as fire? saith the Lord; and as an axe cutting the rock?

Jeremiah 23:30 (Tanakh)

Jeremiah 23:30 (KJV)

Jeremiah 23:30 (NET)

Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. So I, the Lord, affirm that I am opposed to those prophets who steal messages from one another that they claim are from me.

Jeremiah 23:30 (Septuagint BLB)

Jeremiah 23:30 (Septuagint Elpenor)

διὰ τοῦτο ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ πρὸς τοὺς προφήτας λέγει κύριος ὁ θεός τοὺς κλέπτοντας τοὺς λόγους μου ἕκαστος παρὰ τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ διὰ τοῦτο πρὸς τοὺς προφήτας, λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεός, τοὺς κλέπτοντας τοὺς λόγους μου ἕκαστον παρὰ τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ

Jeremiah 23:30 (NETS)

Jeremiah 23:30 (English Elpenor)

Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, says the Lord God, who steal my words each from his fellow. Behold, I am therefore against the prophets, saith the Lord God, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

1 Corinthians 2:3, 4 (NET)

1 Corinthians 2:3, 4 (KJV)

And I was with you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

1 Corinthians 2:3 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Corinthians 2:3 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Corinthians 2:3 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καγὼ ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ καὶ ἐν φόβῳ καὶ ἐν τρόμῳ πολλῷ ἐγενόμην πρὸς ὑμᾶς και εγω εν ασθενεια και εν φοβω και εν τρομω πολλω εγενομην προς υμας και εγω εν ασθενεια και εν φοβω και εν τρομω πολλω εγενομην προς υμας
My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

1 Corinthians 2:4 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Corinthians 2:4 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Corinthians 2:4 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ ὁ λόγος μου καὶ τὸ κήρυγμα μου οὐκ ἐν |πειθοῖ[ς]| σοφίας [λόγοις] ἀλλ᾿ ἐν ἀποδείξει πνεύματος καὶ δυνάμεως και ο λογος μου και το κηρυγμα μου ουκ εν πειθοις ανθρωπινης σοφιας λογοις αλλ εν αποδειξει πνευματος και δυναμεως και ο λογος μου και το κηρυγμα μου ουκ εν πειθοις ανθρωπινης σοφιας λογοις αλλ εν αποδειξει πνευματος και δυναμεως

Colossians 3:5 (NET)

Colossians 3:5 (KJV)

So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Colossians 3:5 (NET Parallel Greek)

Colossians 3:5 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Colossians 3:5 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ μέλη τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν ἀκαθαρσίαν πάθος ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρία νεκρωσατε ουν τα μελη υμων τα επι της γης πορνειαν ακαθαρσιαν παθος επιθυμιαν κακην και την πλεονεξιαν ητις εστιν ειδωλολατρεια νεκρωσατε ουν τα μελη υμων τα επι της γης πορνειαν ακαθαρσιαν παθος επιθυμιαν κακην και την πλεονεξιαν ητις εστιν ειδωλολατρεια

Luke 1:9 (NET)

Luke 1:9 (KJV)

he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the Holy Place of the Lord and burn incense. According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

Luke 1:9 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 1:9 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 1:9 (Byzantine Majority Text)

κατὰ τὸ ἔθος τῆς ἱερατείας ἔλαχε τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὸν ναὸν τοῦ κυρίου κατα το εθος της ιερατειας ελαχεν του θυμιασαι εισελθων εις τον ναον του κυριου κατα το εθος της ιερατειας ελαχεν του θυμιασαι εισελθων εις τον ναον του κυριου

Luke 2:42 (NET)

Luke 2:42 (KJV)

When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

Luke 2:42 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 2:42 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 2:42 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Καὶ ὅτε ἐγένετο ἐτῶν δώδεκα, ἀναβαινόντων αὐτῶν κατὰ τὸ ἔθος τῆς ἑορτῆς και οτε εγενετο ετων δωδεκα αναβαντων αυτων εις ιεροσολυμα κατα το εθος της εορτης και οτε εγενετο ετων δωδεκα αναβαντων αυτων εις ιεροσολυμα κατα το εθος της εορτης

Acts 6:13 (NET)

Acts 6:13 (KJV)

They brought forward false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop saying things against this holy place and the law. And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

Acts 6:13 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 6:13 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 6:13 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἔστησαν τε μάρτυρας ψευδεῖς λέγοντας· ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος οὐ παύεται λαλῶν ρήματα κατὰ τοῦ τόπου τοῦ ἁγίου [τούτου] καὶ τοῦ νόμου εστησαν τε μαρτυρας ψευδεις λεγοντας ο ανθρωπος ουτος ου παυεται ρηματα βλασφημα λαλων κατα του τοπου του αγιου τουτου και του νομου εστησαν τε μαρτυρας ψευδεις λεγοντας ο ανθρωπος ουτος ου παυεται ρηματα βλασφημα λαλων κατα του τοπου του αγιου και του νομου

Acts 16:20 (NET)

Acts 16:20 (KJV)

When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion. They are Jews And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

Acts 16:20 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 16:20 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 16:20 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ προσαγαγόντες αὐτοὺς τοῖς στρατηγοῖς εἶπαν· οὗτοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἐκταράσσουσιν ἡμῶν τὴν πόλιν, Ἰουδαῖοι ὑπάρχοντες και προσαγαγοντες αυτους τοις στρατηγοις ειπον ουτοι οι ανθρωποι εκταρασσουσιν ημων την πολιν ιουδαιοι υπαρχοντες και προσαγαγοντες αυτους τοις στρατηγοις ειπον ουτοι οι ανθρωποι εκταρασσουσιν ημων την πολιν ιουδαιοι υπαρχοντες

Acts 25:16 (NET)

Acts 25:16 (KJV)

I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before the accused had met his accusers face-to-face and had been given an opportunity to make a defense against the accusation. To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

Acts 25:16 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 25:16 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 25:16 (Byzantine Majority Text)

πρὸς οὓς ἀπεκρίθην ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἔθος Ῥωμαίοις χαρίζεσθαι τινα ἄνθρωπον πρὶν ἢ ὁ κατηγορούμενος κατὰ πρόσωπον ἔχοι τοὺς κατηγόρους τόπον τε ἀπολογίας λάβοι περὶ τοῦ ἐγκλήματος προς ους απεκριθην οτι ουκ εστιν εθος ρωμαιοις χαριζεσθαι τινα ανθρωπον εις απωλειαν πριν η ο κατηγορουμενος κατα προσωπον εχοι τους κατηγορους τοπον τε απολογιας λαβοι περι του εγκληματος προς ους απεκριθην οτι ουκ εστιν εθος ρωμαιοις χαριζεσθαι τινα ανθρωπον εις απωλειαν πριν η ο κατηγορουμενος κατα προσωπον εχοι τους κατηγορους τοπον τε απολογιας λαβοι περι του εγκληματος

Acts 26:3 (NET)

Acts 26:3 (KJV)

because you are especially familiar with all the customs and controversial issues of the Jews. Therefore I ask you to listen to me patiently. Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

Acts 26:3 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 26:3 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 26:3 (Byzantine Majority Text)

μάλιστα γνώστην ὄντα σε πάντων τῶν κατὰ Ἰουδαίους ἐθῶν τε καὶ ζητημάτων, διὸ δέομαι μακροθύμως ἀκοῦσαι μου μαλιστα γνωστην οντα σε παντων των κατα ιουδαιους εθων τε και ζητηματων διο δεομαι σου μακροθυμως ακουσαι μου μαλιστα γνωστην οντα σε παντων των κατα ιουδαιους ηθων τε και ζητηματων διο δεομαι σου μακροθυμως ακουσαι μου

Luke 24:27 (NET)

Luke 24:27 (KJV)

Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things written about himself in all the scriptures. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luke 24:27 (NET Parallel Greek)

Luke 24:27 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Luke 24:27 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Μωϋσέως καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν διερμήνευσεν αὐτοῖς ἐν πάσαις ταῖς γραφαῖς τὰ περὶ ἑαυτοῦ και αρξαμενος απο μωσεως και απο παντων των προφητων διηρμηνευεν αυτοις εν πασαις ταις γραφαις τα περι εαυτου και αρξαμενος απο μωσεως και απο παντων των προφητων διηρμηνευεν αυτοις εν πασαις ταις γραφαις τα περι εαυτου

Philippians 1:16-18 (NET)

Philippians 1:16-18 (KJV)

The latter do so from love because they know that I am placed here for the defense of the gospel. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Philippians 1:16 (NET Parallel Greek)

Philippians 1:16 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Philippians 1:16 (Byzantine Majority Text)

οἱ μὲν ἐξ ἀγάπης, εἰδότες ὅτι εἰς ἀπολογίαν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου κεῖμαι οι μεν εξ εριθειας τον χριστον καταγγελλουσιν ουχ αγνως οιομενοι θλιψιν επιφερειν τοις δεσμοις μου οι μεν εξ εριθειας τον χριστον καταγγελλουσιν ουχ αγνως οιομενοι θλιψιν επιφερειν τοις δεσμοις μου
The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment. But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Philippians 1:17 (NET Parallel Greek)

Philippians 1:17 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Philippians 1:17 (Byzantine Majority Text)

οἱ δὲ ἐξ ἐριθείας τὸν Χριστὸν καταγγέλλουσιν, οὐχ ἁγνῶς, οἰόμενοι θλῖψιν ἐγείρειν τοῖς δεσμοῖς μου οι δε εξ αγαπης ειδοτες οτι εις απολογιαν του ευαγγελιου κειμαι οι δε εξ αγαπης ειδοτες οτι εις απολογιαν του ευαγγελιου κειμαι
What is the result? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Philippians 1:18 (NET Parallel Greek)

Philippians 1:18 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Philippians 1:18 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Τί γάρ; πλὴν ὅτι παντὶ τρόπῳ, εἴτε προφάσει εἴτε ἀληθείᾳ, Χριστὸς καταγγέλλεται, καὶ ἐν τούτῳ χαίρω. Ἀλλὰ καὶ χαρήσομαι τι γαρ πλην παντι τροπω ειτε προφασει ειτε αληθεια χριστος καταγγελλεται και εν τουτω χαιρω αλλα και χαρησομαι τι γαρ πλην παντι τροπω ειτε προφασει ειτε αληθεια χριστος καταγγελλεται και εν τουτω χαιρω αλλα και χαρησομαι

1 Thessalonians 2:3, 4 (NET)

1 Thessalonians 2:3, 4 (KJV)

For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit, For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

1 Thessalonians 2:3 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Thessalonians 2:3 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Thessalonians 2:3 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἡ γὰρ παράκλησις ἡμῶν οὐκ ἐκ πλάνης οὐδὲ ἐξ ἀκαθαρσίας οὐδὲ ἐν δόλῳ η γαρ παρακλησις ημων ουκ εκ πλανης ουδε εξ ακαθαρσιας ουτε εν δολω η γαρ παρακλησις ημων ουκ εκ πλανης ουδε εξ ακαθαρσιας ουτε εν δολω
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἀλλὰ καθὼς δεδοκιμάσμεθα ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ πιστευθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, οὕτως λαλοῦμεν, οὐχ ὡς ἀνθρώποις ἀρέσκοντες ἀλλὰ θεῷ τῷ δοκιμάζοντι τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν αλλα καθως δεδοκιμασμεθα υπο του θεου πιστευθηναι το ευαγγελιον ουτως λαλουμεν ουχ ως ανθρωποις αρεσκοντες αλλα τω θεω τω δοκιμαζοντι τας καρδιας ημων αλλα καθως δεδοκιμασμεθα υπο του θεου πιστευθηναι το ευαγγελιον ουτως λαλουμεν ουχ ως ανθρωποις αρεσκοντες αλλα τω θεω τω δοκιμαζοντι τας καρδιας ημων

1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8 (NET)

1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8 (KJV)

although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children, But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

1 Thessalonians 2:7 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Thessalonians 2:6b, 7 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Thessalonians 2:6b, 7 (Byzantine Majority Text)

δυνάμενοι ἐν βάρει εἶναι ὡς Χριστοῦ ἀπόστολοι. ἀλλὰ ἐγενήθημεν νήπιοι ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν, ὡς ἐὰν τροφὸς θάλπῃ τὰ ἑαυτῆς τέκνα δυναμενοι εν βαρει ειναι ως χριστου αποστολοι (7) αλλ εγενηθημεν ηπιοι εν μεσω υμων ως αν τροφος θαλπη τα εαυτης τεκνα δυναμενοι εν βαρει ειναι ως χριστου αποστολοι (7) αλλ εγενηθημεν ηπιοι εν μεσω υμων ως αν τροφος θαλπη τα εαυτης τεκνα
with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (Byzantine Majority Text)

οὕτως ὁμειρόμενοι ὑμῶν εὐδοκοῦμεν μεταδοῦναι ὑμῖν οὐ μόνον τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰς ἑαυτῶν ψυχάς, διότι ἀγαπητοὶ ἡμῖν ἐγενήθητε ουτως ιμειρομενοι υμων ευδοκουμεν μεταδουναι υμιν ου μονον το ευαγγελιον του θεου αλλα και τας εαυτων ψυχας διοτι αγαπητοι ημιν γεγενησθε ουτως ομειρομενοι υμων ευδοκουμεν μεταδουναι υμιν ου μονον το ευαγγελιον του θεου αλλα και τας εαυτων ψυχας διοτι αγαπητοι ημιν γεγενησθε

Titus 2:7, 8 (NET)

Titus 2:7, 8 (KJV)

showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Titus 2:7 (NET Parallel Greek)

Titus 2:7 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Titus 2:7 (Byzantine Majority Text)

περὶ πάντα, σεαυτὸν παρεχόμενος τύπον καλῶν ἔργων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ ἀφθορίαν, σεμνότητα περι παντα σεαυτον παρεχομενος τυπον καλων εργων εν τη διδασκαλια αδιαφθοριαν σεμνοτητα αφθαρσιαν περι παντα σεαυτον παρεχομενος τυπον καλων εργων εν τη διδασκαλια αδιαφθοριαν σεμνοτητα αφθαρσιαν
and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss because he has nothing evil to say about us. Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Titus 2:8 (NET Parallel Greek)

Titus 2:8 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Titus 2:8 (Byzantine Majority Text)

λόγον ὑγιῆ ἀκατάγνωστον, ἵνα ὁ ἐξ ἐναντίας ἐντραπῇ μηδὲν ἔχων λέγειν περὶ ἡμῶν φαῦλον λογον υγιη ακαταγνωστον ινα ο εξ εναντιας εντραπη μηδεν εχων περι υμων λεγειν φαυλον λογον υγιη ακαταγνωστον ινα ο εξ εναντιας εντραπη μηδεν εχων περι ημων λεγειν φαυλον

2 Corinthians 6:4 (NET)

2 Corinthians 6:4 (KJV)

But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses, But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

2 Corinthians 6:4 (NET Parallel Greek)

2 Corinthians 6:4 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

2 Corinthians 6:4 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἀλλ᾿ ἐν παντὶ |συνίσταντες| ἑαυτοὺς ὡς θεοῦ διάκονοι, ἐν ὑπομονῇ πολλῇ, ἐν θλίψεσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκαις, ἐν στενοχωρίαις αλλ εν παντι συνιστωντες εαυτους ως θεου διακονοι εν υπομονη πολλη εν θλιψεσιν εν αναγκαις εν στενοχωριαις αλλ εν παντι συνιστωντες εαυτους ως θεου διακονοι εν υπομονη πολλη εν θλιψεσιν εν αναγκαις εν στενοχωριαις

James 1:26 (NET)

James 1:26 (KJV)

If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

James 1:26 (NET Parallel Greek)

James 1:26 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

James 1:26 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Εἴ τις δοκεῖ θρησκὸς εἶναι μὴ χαλιναγωγῶν γλῶσσαν |αὐτοῦ| ἀλλὰ ἀπατῶν καρδίαν |αὐτοῦ|, τούτου μάταιος ἡ θρησκεία ει τις δοκει θρησκος ειναι εν υμιν μη χαλιναγωγων γλωσσαν αυτου αλλ απατων καρδιαν αυτου τουτου ματαιος η θρησκεια ει τις δοκει θρησκος ειναι εν υμιν μη χαλιναγωγων γλωσσαν αυτου αλλα απατων καρδιαν αυτου τουτου ματαιος η θρησκεια

James 3:15 (NET)

James 3:15 (KJV)

Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

James 3:15 (NET Parallel Greek)

James 3:15 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

James 3:15 (Byzantine Majority Text)

οὐκ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ σοφία ἄνωθεν κατερχομένη ἀλλὰ ἐπίγειος, ψυχική, δαιμονιώδης ουκ εστιν αυτη η σοφια ανωθεν κατερχομενη αλλ επιγειος ψυχικη δαιμονιωδης ουκ εστιν αυτη η σοφια ανωθεν κατερχομενη αλλ επιγειος ψυχικη δαιμονιωδης

2 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ανθρωπινης (KJV: man’s) preceding wisdom. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

3 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had υμων following members (KJV: your members). The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

4 The NET parallel Greek text had ἔλαχε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had ἔλαχεν. These are alternate spellings of the same part of speech.

5 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἀναβαινόντων a participle of ἀναβαίνω in the present tense here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αναβαντων in the 2nd aorist tense. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εις ιεροσολυμα (KJV: to Jerusalem) following went up. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

7 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had βλασφημα (KJV: blasphemous) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

8 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus had the demonstrative pronoun τούτου here. The Byzantine Majority Text did not.

9 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had εἶπαν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ειπον (KJV: saying).

10 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had θεὸν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had κυριον (KJV: Lord).

11 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus had the particle τε here. The Byzantine Majority Text did not.

17 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had μὲν in verse 16 here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had δε (KJV: But) in verse 17.

18 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had δὲ in verse 17 here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μεν (KJV: one) in verse 16.

19 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐγείρειν in verse 17 here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had επιφερειν (KJV: to add) in verse 16.

21 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οὐδὲ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ουτε (KJV: nor).

22 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τω preceding God, The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

24 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had νήπιοι (NET: little children), a form of νήπιος here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ηπιοι (KJV: gentle), a form of ἤπιος.

25 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὡς ἐὰν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ως αν (KJV: even as).

26 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had ὁμειρόμενοι, a form of ὁμείρομαι here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had ιμειρομενοι, a form of ἱμείρομαι (KJV: being affectionately desirous).

28 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἀφθορίαν, a form of ἀφθορία here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αδιαφθοριαν (KJV: shewing uncorruptness), a form of ἀδιαφθορία.

29 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αφθαρσιαν (KJV: sincerity) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

31 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had συνίσταντες here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had συνιστωντες (KJV: approving). These appear to be alternate spellings of the same part of speech.

32 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had εν υμιν (KJV: among you) here. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

The Jerusalem Council

The end of their first mission in Pisidian Antioch became a pattern of sorts for Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:49, 50; 14:1, 2 NET):

So the word of the Lord was spreading through the entire region.  But the Jews incited the God-fearing women1 of high social standing and the prominent men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas,2 and threw them out of their region.

The same thing happened in Iconium when Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large group of both Jews and Greeks (Ἑλλήνων, a form of Ἕλλην) believed.  But the Jews who refused to believe3 stirred up the Gentiles (ἐθνῶν, a form of ἔθνος) and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

Paul and Barnabas…fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region4 after they learned of an an attempt to mistreat them and stone them.5  In Lystra they faced the opposite situation.  They were greeted as gods after Paul healed a lame man (Acts 14:12, 13 NET).

They began to call Barnabas6 Zeus and Paul Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.  The7 priest of the temple of Zeus, located just outside the8 city, brought bulls and garlands to the city gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

Paul and Barnabas had to do some pretty fast talking.  They had difficulty persuading the people that they were men not gods.  But Jews came9 from Antioch and Iconium, and after winning the crowds over, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, presuming10 him to be dead.11  But after the disciples had surrounded him, he got up and went back into the city.  On the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.12

After they proclaimed the Gospel in Derbe, they returned to many of the cities they had already visited, encouraged the new believers and appointed elders.  Finally they made their way back to Antioch in Syria and made their missionary report to their home church.  Sometime later some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised13 according to the custom of Moses,14 you cannot be saved.”15  Paul and Barnabas argued against this.  The church in Antioch sent them again to Jerusalem to resolve this disagreement (Acts 15:4, 5 NET).

When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by16 the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all the things God had done with them.  But some from the religious party of the Pharisees who had believed stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and to order them to observe the law of Moses.”

Paul was also from the religious party of the Pharisees.  He gave a bit more insight into his own state of mind in Galatians 2:1, 2 (NET): Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too.  I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.  But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people, to make sure that I was not running – or had not run – in vain.

Both the apostles and the elders met together to deliberate about this matter.17  I may be reading too much into this, but I get the impression that Paul and Barnabas were not included among the apostles and the elders who met together to deliberate.  I am thinking they were present as something like expert witnesses.  The whole group kept quiet and listened to Barnabas and Paul while they explained all the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.18

I quoted Peter’s and James’ addresses from this council elsewhere and won’t do it again here.  Peter’s reasoning was pre– or proto-theological in the sense that it was based on a vision he saw and actual experience more than Scripture.  James brought Old Testament prophecy into the debate, but again it was the apostles’ experience with Gentile believers that was held forth as the fulfillment of that prophecy.  That experience was very persuasive to those who shared it.  But consider Peter’s and James’ conclusions in a table next to Jesus’ teaching.

Peter

James

Jesus

So now why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?

Acts 15:10 (NET)

Therefore I conclude that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God…

Acts 15:19 (NET)

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.  I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place.  So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:17-19 (NET)

If this were all I had to go on my religious mind would agree with those from the religious party of the Pharisees who…said, “It is necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and to order them to observe the law of Moses.”19  Don’t get me wrong.  I believe wholeheartedly that what was unanimously decided20 at the Jerusalem Council was on the right track, but the arguments in defense of that position were fairly weak.  I imagine the addition of James’ abbreviated version of the law secured a unanimous consensus in the council.  It was also contrary, however, to what Jesus had taught.  Jesus had not come to καταλῦσαι (a form of καταλύω) the law or the prophets, loosen them down, but to πληρῶσαι (a form of πληρόω), fill them up.

Of course, this is not all I have to go on.  Jesus was fairly clear all things considered that love fulfills the law and the prophets.  But I say to you, love (ἀγαπᾶτε, a form of ἀγαπάω) your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.21  Paul was explicit: the one who loves (ἀγαπῶν, a form of ἀγαπάω) his neighbor has fulfilled (πεπλήρωκεν, another form of πληρόω) the law.  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 (ἀγαπήσεις, another form of ἀγαπάω) your neighbor as yourself.”  Love (ἀγάπη) does no wrong to a neighbor.  Therefore love (ἀγάπη) is the fulfillment (πλήρωμα) of the law.22

Paul appreciated the whole law for what it was and did accomplish: I would not have known sin except through the law.  For indeed I would not have known what it means to desire something belonging to someone else if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”23  And, through the law comes the knowledge (ἐπίγνωσις) of sin.24  Paul was also quite explicit about what the law could not do: no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law25

He stopped teaching James’ abbreviated version of the law eventually26 and taught instead that the law is lord over a person as long as he lives.27  So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you could be joined to another, to the one who was raised from the dead, to bear fruit to God.  For when we were in the flesh, the sinful desires, aroused by the law, were active in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the law, because we have died to what controlled us, so that we may serve in the new life of the Spirit and not under the old written code.28

But all of this was still in the future when Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch with the following letter (Acts 15:23b-29 NET):

From the apostles and elders, your29 brothers, to the Gentile brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, greetings!  Since we have heard that some have gone out from among us with no orders from us and have confused you, upsetting your minds by what they said,30 we have unanimously decided to choose31 men to send to you along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, who have risked32 their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas who will tell you these things themselves in person.  For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit33 and to us not to place any greater burden on you than these necessary rules: that you abstain from meat that has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what has been strangled34 and from sexual immorality (πορνείας, a form of πορνεία).  If you keep yourselves from doing these things, you will do well.  Farewell.

This letter was a very satisfactory solution for the Jewish converts, God fearers or Gentile people who had attached themselves to a Jewish synagogue in some fashion in Antioch.  When they read it aloud, the people rejoiced at its encouragement.35

Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming (along with many others) the word of the Lord.  After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the36 brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord to see how they are doing.”  Barnabas wanted37 to bring John called Mark along with them too,38 but Paul insisted that they should not take along39 this one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.  They had40 a sharp disagreement, so that they parted company.  Barnabas took along Mark and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and set out, commended to the grace of the Lord41 by the brothers and sisters.  He passed through Syria and Cilicia,42 strengthening the churches…. As they went through the towns, they passed on43 the decrees that had been decided on by the apostles and elders44 in Jerusalem45 for the Gentile believers to obey.  So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number every day.46

I think it is worth mentioning that Barnabas, who sought out the rejected Saul to help in the ministry in Antioch, was true to form when he took the rejected John Mark under his wing as well.  The result of that second chance (and apparently a cousin’s47 tutelage) was that Paul’s opinion of Mark was altered (2 Timothy 4:9-11 NET).

Make every effort to come to me soon.  For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica.  Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia.  Only Luke is with me.  Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry.

 

 

Addendum: March 10, 2020
“I get the impression,” I wrote above, “that Paul and Barnabas were not included among the apostles and the elders who met together to deliberate.”  This impression was based entirely on reading the narrative in English translation.  The connotation of the Greek words for how Paul and Barnabas were received by the church and the apostles and the elders (Table10 below) caught my attention.

The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had απεδεχθησαν (a form of ἀποδέχομαι) for received.  It is the way a crowd welcomed (ἀπεδέξατο) [Jesus], because they were all waiting for him48 to heal people (Table15 below).  It is how Jesus welcomed49 (ἀποδεξάμενος) the crowds that followed Him, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing50 (Table16 below).  [T]hose who accepted (ἀποδεξάμενοι) [Peter’s] message [on Pentecost] were baptized51 [Table].

It is the way the brothers in Ephesus encouraged the disciples in Achaia to welcome (ἀποδέξασθαι) Apollos, who assisted greatly those who had believed by grace, for he refuted the Jews vigorously in public debate, demonstrating from the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.52  It is how the brothers in Jerusalem welcomed53 (ἀπεδέξαντο) Paul and his entourage later in his ministry54 (Table17 below).  It is the way Tertullus flattered Felix (Acts 24:2b, 3 NET [Table18 below]):

We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms55 are being made in this nation through your foresight.  Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge (ἀποδεχόμεθα) this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude.

And finally, it was how Paul welcomed (ἀπεδέχετο) all who came to him in Rome, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete boldness and without restriction56 (Table19 below).

The NET parallel Greek text and NA28, however, had παρεδέχθησαν (a form of παραδέχομαι) describing how Paul and Barnabas were received.  It is how the customs Paul and Silas were advocating were considered not lawful for [Gentiles in Philippi] to accept (παραδέχεσθαι) or practice, since [they were] Romans.57  And the Lord said to Paul in a trance, Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept (παραδέξονται) your testimony58 about me59 (Tabe20 below).

The NA28 purports to be Bible scholars’ best guess at the original text.  I hold that claim very loosely.  The NET was apparently translated from NA27.  There is an example in a footnote (32) in this essay where the NA28 hung the NET translators out to dry, conforming once again to the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text.  It seems only fair to point out that Jesus used a form of παραδέχομαι to explain a parable (Mark 4:20 NET [Table21 below]):

But these60 are the ones sown on good soil: They hear the word and receive (παραδέχονται) it and bear fruit, one thirty times as much, one sixty, and one a hundred.

Tables comparing Paul’s quotation of the law in Romans 7:7 with Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21 in the Septuagint follow:

Romans 7:7b (NET Parallel Greek)

Exodus 20:17a (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 20:17a (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις

Romans 7:7b (NET)

Exodus 20:17a (NETS)

Exodus 20:17a (English Elpenor)

“Do not covet.” You shall not covet Thou shalt not covet

Romans 7:7b (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 5:21a (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:21a (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις

Romans 7:7b (NET)

Deuteronomy 5:21a (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:21a (English Elpenor)

“Do not covet.” You shall not covet Thou shalt not covet

When Paul and Barnabas planned to return and visit the brothers in every town where [they] proclaimed the word of the Lord, their purpose was to see how they are doing.  That sounds innocuous enough, but the KJV translation—see how they do—sounds to me like a euphemism for “judge their works.”  But the Greek word translated they do (NET: they are doing) was not a form of ποιέω, nor were there any forms of κρίνω or ἔργον anywhere in the text.

Rather, the word was ἔχουσιν, the present tense active voice indicative mood third person plural form of ἔχω, to see how they “have” the word of the Lord, or perhaps more to the point, how they “have, hold and carry, hold in possession,” are “married” to, “wear, have on, claim as one’s own,” be “near, keep, preserve, look upon, maintain or establish a relationship” with, Christ.  So much of the imagery of Paul’s expression of his theology tumbles out of the word ἔχω: Colossians 2:6-15; Philippians 3:12-16; Romans 7:1-6;  Galatians 3:23-29; Colossians 3:1-11.

Tables comparing Exodus 20:17 (20:14) and Deuteronomy 5:21 (5:18) in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.  Following these are tables comparing Acts 13:50; 14:2; 14:12, 13; 14:19; 15:1; 15:4; 15:23-26; 15:28, 29; 15:36-41; 16:4; Luke 8:40; 9:11; Acts 21:17; 24:2; 28:30; 22:18 and Mark 4:20 in the NET and KJV.

Exodus 20:14 (Tanakh)

Exodus 20:17 (KJV)

Exodus 20:17 (NET)

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Exodus 20:17 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 20:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις τὴν γυναῗκα τοῦ πλησίον σου οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις τὴν οἰκίαν τοῦ πλησίον σου οὔτε τὸν ἀγρὸν αὐτοῦ οὔτε τὸν παῗδα αὐτοῦ οὔτε τὴν παιδίσκην αὐτοῦ οὔτε τοῦ βοὸς αὐτοῦ οὔτε τοῦ ὑποζυγίου αὐτοῦ οὔτε παντὸς κτήνους αὐτοῦ οὔτε ὅσα τῷ πλησίον σού ἐστιν οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ πλησίον σου. οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις τὴν οἰκίαν τοῦ πλησίον σου οὔτε τὸν ἀγρὸν αὐτοῦ οὔτε τὸν παῖδα αὐτοῦ οὔτε τὴν παιδίσκην αὐτοῦ οὔτε τοῦ βοὸς αὐτοῦ οὔτε τοῦ ὑποζυγίου αὐτοῦ οὔτε παντὸς κτήνους αὐτοῦ οὔτε ὅσα τῷ πλησίον σου ἐστί

Exodus 20:17 (NETS)

Exodus 20:17 (English Elpenor)

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; you shall not covet your neighbor’s house or his field or his male slave or his female slave or his ox or his draft animal or any animal of his or whatever belongs to your neighbor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; nor his field, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any of his cattle, nor whatever belongs to thy neighbour.

Deuteronomy 5:18 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 5:21 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 5:21 (NET)

Neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s wife; neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s. Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s. You must not desire another man’s wife, nor should you crave his house, his field, his male and female servants, his ox, his donkey, or anything else he owns.”

Deuteronomy 5:21 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις τὴν γυναῗκα τοῦ πλησίον σου οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις τὴν οἰκίαν τοῦ πλησίον σου οὔτε τὸν ἀγρὸν αὐτοῦ οὔτε τὸν παῗδα αὐτοῦ οὔτε τὴν παιδίσκην αὐτοῦ οὔτε τοῦ βοὸς αὐτοῦ οὔτε τοῦ ὑποζυγίου αὐτοῦ οὔτε παντὸς κτήνους αὐτοῦ οὔτε ὅσα τῷ πλησίον σού ἐστιν οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ πλησίον σου· οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις τὴν οἰκίαν τοῦ πλησίον σου οὔτε τὸν ἀγρὸν αὐτοῦ οὔτε τὸν παῖδα αὐτοῦ οὔτε τὴν παιδίσκην αὐτοῦ οὔτε τοῦ βοὸς αὐτοῦ οὔτε τοῦ ὑποζυγίου αὐτοῦ οὔτε παντὸς κτήνους αὐτοῦ οὔτε πάντα ὅσα τῷ πλησίον σού ἐστι

Deuteronomy 5:21 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:21 (English Elpenor)

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; you shall not covet your neighbor’s house or his field or his male slave or his female slave or his ox or his draft animal, or any animal of his or whatever belongs to your neighbor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, nor his field, nor his man-servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any beast of his, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

Acts 13:50 (NET)

Acts 13:50 (KJV)

But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high social standing and the prominent men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οἱ δὲ Ἰουδαῖοι παρώτρυναν τὰς σεβομένας γυναῖκας τὰς εὐσχήμονας καὶ τοὺς πρώτους τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἐπήγειραν διωγμὸν ἐπὶ τὸν Παῦλον καὶ Βαρναβᾶν καὶ ἐξέβαλον αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῶν ὁρίων αὐτῶν οι δε ιουδαιοι παρωτρυναν τας σεβομενας γυναικας και τας ευσχημονας και τους πρωτους της πολεως και επηγειραν διωγμον επι τον παυλον και τον βαρναβαν και εξεβαλον αυτους απο των οριων αυτων οι δε ιουδαιοι παρωτρυναν τας σεβομενας γυναικας και τας ευσχημονας και τους πρωτους της πολεως και επηγειραν διωγμον επι τον παυλον και τον βαρναβαν και εξεβαλον αυτους απο των οριων αυτων

Acts 14:2 (NET)

Acts 14:2 (KJV)

But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οἱ δὲ ἀπειθήσαντες Ἰουδαῖοι ἐπήγειραν καὶ ἐκάκωσαν τὰς ψυχὰς τῶν ἐθνῶν κατὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν οι δε απειθουντες ιουδαιοι επηγειραν και εκακωσαν τας ψυχας των εθνων κατα των αδελφων οι δε απειθουντες ιουδαιοι επηγειραν και εκακωσαν τας ψυχας των εθνων κατα των αδελφων

Acts 14:12, 13 (NET)

Acts 14:12, 13 (KJV)

They began to call Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

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Byzantine Majority Text

ἐκάλουν τε τὸν Βαρναβᾶν Δία, τὸν δὲ Παῦλον Ἑρμῆν, ἐπειδὴ αὐτὸς ἦν ὁ ἡγούμενος τοῦ λόγου εκαλουν τε τον μεν βαρναβαν δια τον δε παυλον ερμην επειδη αυτος ην ο ηγουμενος του λογου εκαλουν τε τον μεν βαρναβαν δια τον δε παυλον ερμην επειδη αυτος ην ο ηγουμενος του λογου
The priest of the temple of Zeus, located just outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the city gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifices to them. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

NET Parallel Greek

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Byzantine Majority Text

τε ἱερεὺς τοῦ Διὸς τοῦ ὄντος πρὸ τῆς πόλεως ταύρους καὶ στέμματα ἐπὶ τοὺς πυλῶνας ἐνέγκας σὺν τοῖς ὄχλοις ἤθελεν θύειν ο δε ιερευς του διος του οντος προ της πολεως αυτων ταυρους και στεμματα επι τους πυλωνας ενεγκας συν τοις οχλοις ηθελεν θυειν ο δε ιερευς του διος του οντος προ της πολεως αυτων ταυρους και στεμματα επι τους πυλωνας ενεγκας συν τοις οχλοις ηθελεν θυειν

Acts 14:19 (NET)

Acts 14:19 (KJV)

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and after winning the crowds over, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, presuming him to be dead. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

NET Parallel Greek

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Byzantine Majority Text

Ἐπῆλθαν δὲ ἀπὸ Ἀντιοχείας καὶ Ἰκονίου Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ πείσαντες τοὺς ὄχλους καὶ λιθάσαντες τὸν Παῦλον ἔσυρον ἔξω τῆς πόλεως νομίζοντες αὐτὸν τεθνηκέναι επηλθον δε απο αντιοχειας και ικονιου ιουδαιοι και πεισαντες τους οχλους και λιθασαντες τον παυλον εσυρον εξω της πολεως νομισαντες αυτον τεθναναι επηλθον δε απο αντιοχειας και ικονιου ιουδαιοι και πεισαντες τους οχλους και λιθασαντες τον παυλον εσυρον εξω της πολεως νομισαντες αυτον τεθναναι

Acts 15:1 (NET)

Acts 15:1 (KJV)

Now some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

NET Parallel Greek

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Byzantine Majority Text

Καί τινες κατελθόντες ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἐδίδασκον τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὅτι, ἐὰν μὴ περιτμηθῆτε τῷ ἔθει τῷ Μωϋσέως, οὐ δύνασθε σωθῆναι και τινες κατελθοντες απο της ιουδαιας εδιδασκον τους αδελφους οτι εαν μη περιτεμνησθε τω εθει μωυσεως ου δυνασθε σωθηναι και τινες κατελθοντες απο της ιουδαιας εδιδασκον τους αδελφους οτι εαν μη περιτεμνησθε τω εθει μωυσεως ου δυνασθε σωθηναι

Acts 15:4 (NET)

Acts 15:4 (KJV)

When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all the things God had done with them. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

παραγενόμενοι δὲ εἰς |Ἰερουσαλὴμ| παρεδέχθησαν ἀπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας καὶ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, ἀνήγγειλαν τε ὅσα ὁ θεὸς ἐποίησεν μετ᾿ αὐτῶν παραγενομενοι δε εις ιερουσαλημ απεδεχθησαν υπο της εκκλησιας και των αποστολων και των πρεσβυτερων ανηγγειλαν τε οσα ο θεος εποιησεν μετ αυτων παραγενομενοι δε εις ιερουσαλημ απεδεχθησαν υπο της εκκλησιας και των αποστολων και των πρεσβυτερων ανηγγειλαν τε οσα ο θεος εποιησεν μετ αυτων

Acts 15:23-26 (NET)

Acts 15:23-26 (KJV)

They sent this letter with them: From the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the Gentile brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, greetings! And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

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Byzantine Majority Text

γράψαντες διὰ χειρὸς αὐτῶν· Οἱ ἀπόστολοι καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἀδελφοὶ τοῖς κατὰ τὴν Ἀντιόχειαν καὶ Συρίαν καὶ Κιλικίαν ἀδελφοῖς τοῖς ἐξ ἐθνῶν χαίρειν γραψαντες δια χειρος αυτων ταδε οι αποστολοι και οι πρεσβυτεροι και οι αδελφοι τοις κατα την αντιοχειαν και συριαν και κιλικιαν αδελφοις τοις εξ εθνων χαιρειν γραψαντες δια χειρος αυτων ταδε οι αποστολοι και οι πρεσβυτεροι και οι αδελφοι τοις κατα την αντιοχειαν και συριαν και κιλικιαν αδελφοις τοις εξ εθνων χαιρειν
Since we have heard that some have gone out from among us with no orders from us and have confused you, upsetting your minds by what they said, Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

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Byzantine Majority Text

Ἐπειδὴ ἠκούσαμεν ὅτι τινὲς ἐξ ἡμῶν [ἐξελθόντες] ἐτάραξαν ὑμᾶς λόγοις ἀνασκευάζοντες τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν οἷς οὐ διεστειλάμεθα επειδη ηκουσαμεν οτι τινες εξ ημων εξελθοντες εταραξαν υμας λογοις ανασκευαζοντες τας ψυχας υμων λεγοντες περιτεμνεσθαι και τηρειν τον νομον οις ου διεστειλαμεθα επειδη ηκουσαμεν οτι τινες εξ ημων εξελθοντες εταραξαν υμας λογοις ανασκευαζοντες τας ψυχας υμων λεγοντες περιτεμνεσθαι και τηρειν τον νομον οις ου διεστειλαμεθα
we have unanimously decided to choose men to send to you along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

NET Parallel Greek

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Byzantine Majority Text

ἔδοξεν ἡμῖν γενομένοις ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐκλεξαμένοις ἄνδρας πέμψαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς σὺν τοῖς ἀγαπητοῖς ἡμῶν Βαρναβᾷ καὶ Παύλῳ εδοξεν ημιν γενομενοις ομοθυμαδον εκλεξαμενους ανδρας πεμψαι προς υμας συν τοις αγαπητοις ημων βαρναβα και παυλω εδοξεν ημιν γενομενοις ομοθυμαδον εκλεξαμενους ανδρας πεμψαι προς υμας συν τοις αγαπητοις ημων βαρναβα και παυλω
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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ἀνθρώποις παραδεδωκόσι τὰς ψυχὰς αὐτῶν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ανθρωποις παραδεδωκοσιν τας ψυχας αυτων υπερ του ονοματος του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου ανθρωποις παραδεδωκοσιν τας ψυχας αυτων υπερ του ονοματος του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου

Acts 15:28, 29 (NET)

Acts 15:28, 29 (KJV)

For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place any greater burden on you than these necessary rules: For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

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ἔδοξεν γὰρ τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἁγίῳ καὶ ἡμῖν μηδὲν πλέον ἐπιτίθεσθαι ὑμῖν βάρος πλὴν τούτων τῶν ἐπάναγκες εδοξεν γαρ τω αγιω πνευματι και ημιν μηδεν πλεον επιτιθεσθαι υμιν βαρος πλην των επαναγκες τουτων εδοξεν γαρ τω αγιω πνευματι και ημιν μηδεν πλεον επιτιθεσθαι υμιν βαρος πλην των επαναγκες τουτων
that you abstain from meat that has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what has been strangled and from sexual immorality.  If you keep yourselves from doing these things, you will do well.  Farewell. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well.  Fare ye well.

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Byzantine Majority Text

ἀπέχεσθαι εἰδωλοθύτων καὶ αἵματος καὶ πνικτῶν καὶ πορνείας, ἐξ ὧν διατηροῦντες ἑαυτοὺς εὖ πράξετε. ἔρρωσθε απεχεσθαι ειδωλοθυτων και αιματος και πνικτου και πορνειας εξ ων διατηρουντες εαυτους ευ πραξετε ερρωσθε απεχεσθαι ειδωλοθυτων και αιματος και πνικτου και πορνειας εξ ων διατηρουντες εαυτους ευ πραξετε ερρωσθε

Acts 15:36-41 (NET)

Acts 15:36-41 (KJV)

After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord to see how they are doing.” And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

NET Parallel Greek

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Byzantine Majority Text

Μετὰ δέ τινας ἡμέρας εἶπεν πρὸς Βαρναβᾶν Παῦλος· ἐπιστρέψαντες δὴ ἐπισκεψώμεθα τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς κατὰ πόλιν πᾶσαν ἐν αἷς κατηγγείλαμεν τὸν λόγον τοῦ κυρίου πῶς ἔχουσιν μετα δε τινας ημερας ειπεν παυλος προς βαρναβαν επιστρεψαντες δη επισκεψωμεθα τους αδελφους ημων κατα πασαν πολιν εν αις κατηγγειλαμεν τον λογον του κυριου πως εχουσιν μετα δε τινας ημερας ειπεν παυλος προς βαρναβαν επιστρεψαντες δη επισκεψωμεθα τους αδελφους ημων κατα πασαν πολιν εν αις κατηγγειλαμεν τον λογον του κυριου πως εχουσιν
Barnabas wanted to bring John called Mark along with them too, And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

NET Parallel Greek

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Byzantine Majority Text

Βαρναβᾶς δὲ ἐβούλετο συμπαραλαβεῖν καὶ τὸν Ἰωάννην τὸν καλούμενον Μᾶρκον βαρναβας δε εβουλευσατο συμπαραλαβειν τον ιωαννην τον καλουμενον μαρκον βαρναβας δε εβουλευσατο συμπαραλαβειν τον ιωαννην τον καλουμενον μαρκον
but Paul insisted that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

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Byzantine Majority Text

Παῦλος δὲ ἠξίου, τὸν ἀποστάντα ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀπὸ Παμφυλίας καὶ μὴ συνελθόντα αὐτοῖς εἰς τὸ ἔργον μὴ συμπαραλαμβάνειν τοῦτον παυλος δε ηξιου τον αποσταντα απ αυτων απο παμφυλιας και μη συνελθοντα αυτοις εις το εργον μη συμπαραλαβειν τουτον παυλος δε ηξιου τον αποσταντα απ αυτων απο παμφυλιας και μη συνελθοντα αυτοις εις το εργον μη συμπαραλαβειν τουτον
They had a sharp disagreement, so that they parted company.  Barnabas took along Mark and sailed away to Cyprus, And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

NET Parallel Greek

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Byzantine Majority Text

ἐγένετο δὲ παροξυσμὸς ὥστε ἀποχωρισθῆναι αὐτοὺς ἀπ᾿ ἀλλήλων, τόν τε Βαρναβᾶν παραλαβόντα τὸν Μᾶρκον ἐκπλεῦσαι εἰς Κύπρον εγενετο ουν παροξυσμος ωστε αποχωρισθηναι αυτους απ αλληλων τον τε βαρναβαν παραλαβοντα τον μαρκον εκπλευσαι εις κυπρον εγενετο ουν παροξυσμος ωστε αποχωρισθηναι αυτους απ αλληλων τον τε βαρναβαν παραλαβοντα τον μαρκον εκπλευσαι εις κυπρον
but Paul chose Silas and set out, commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers and sisters. And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

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Παῦλος δὲ ἐπιλεξάμενος Σιλᾶν ἐξῆλθεν παραδοθεὶς τῇ χάριτι τοῦ κυρίου ὑπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν παυλος δε επιλεξαμενος σιλαν εξηλθεν παραδοθεις τη χαριτι του θεου υπο των αδελφων παυλος δε επιλεξαμενος σιλαν εξηλθεν παραδοθεις τη χαριτι του θεου υπο των αδελφων
He passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

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διήρχετο δὲ τὴν Συρίαν καὶ [τὴν] Κιλικίαν ἐπιστηρίζων τὰς ἐκκλησίας διηρχετο δε την συριαν και κιλικιαν επιστηριζων τας εκκλησιας διηρχετο δε την συριαν και κιλικιαν επιστηριζων τας εκκλησιας

Acts 16:4 (NET)

Acts 16:4 (KJV)

As they went through the towns, they passed on the decrees that had been decided on by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the Gentile believers to obey. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

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Ὡς δὲ διεπορεύοντο τὰς πόλεις, παρεδίδοσαν αὐτοῖς φυλάσσειν τὰ δόγματα τὰ κεκριμένα ὑπὸ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ πρεσβυτέρων τῶν ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις ως δε διεπορευοντο τας πολεις παρεδιδουν αυτοις φυλασσειν τα δογματα τα κεκριμενα υπο των αποστολων και των πρεσβυτερων των εν ιερουσαλημ ως δε διεπορευοντο τας πολεις παρεδιδουν αυτοις φυλασσειν τα δογματα τα κεκριμενα υπο των αποστολων και των πρεσβυτερων των εν ιερουσαλημ

Luke 8:40 (NET)

Luke 8:40 (KJV)

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, because they were all waiting for him. And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

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Byzantine Majority Text

Ἐν δὲ τῷ ὑποστρέφειν τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἀπεδέξατο αὐτὸν ὁ ὄχλος· ἦσαν γὰρ πάντες προσδοκῶντες αὐτόν. εγενετο δε εν τω υποστρεψαι τον ιησουν απεδεξατο αυτον ο οχλος ησαν γαρ παντες προσδοκωντες αυτον εγενετο δε εν τω υποστρεψαι τον ιησουν απεδεξατο αυτον ο οχλος ησαν γαρ παντες προσδοκωντες αυτον

Luke 9:11 (NET)

Luke 9:11 (KJV)

But when the crowds found out, they followed him.  He welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing. And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

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οἱ δὲ ὄχλοι γνόντες ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ· καὶ ἀποδεξάμενος αὐτοὺς ἐλάλει αὐτοῖς περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ τοὺς χρείαν ἔχοντας θεραπείας ἰᾶτο οι δε οχλοι γνοντες ηκολουθησαν αυτω και δεξαμενος αυτους ελαλει αυτοις περι της βασιλειας του θεου και τους χρειαν εχοντας θεραπειας ιατο οι δε οχλοι γνοντες ηκολουθησαν αυτω και δεξαμενος αυτους ελαλει αυτοις περι της βασιλειας του θεου και τους χρειαν εχοντας θεραπειας ιατο

Acts 21:17 (NET)

Acts 21:17 (KJV)

When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

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Byzantine Majority Text

Γενομένων δὲ ἡμῶν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἀσμένως ἀπεδέξαντο ἡμᾶς οἱ ἀδελφοί γενομενων δε ημων εις ιεροσολυμα ασμενως εδεξαντο ημας οι αδελφοι γενομενων δε ημων εις ιεροσολυμα ασμενως εδεξαντο ημας οι αδελφοι

Acts 24:2 (NET)

Acts 24:2 (KJV)

When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

κληθέντος δὲ |αὐτοῦ| ἤρξατο κατηγορεῖν ὁ Τέρτυλλος λέγων·  πολλῆς εἰρήνης τυγχάνοντες διὰ σοῦ καὶ διορθωμάτων γινομένων τῷ ἔθνει τούτῳ διὰ τῆς σῆς προνοίας κληθεντος δε αυτου ηρξατο κατηγορειν ο τερτυλλος λεγων [24:3a] πολλης ειρηνης τυγχανοντες δια σου και κατορθωματων γινομενων τω εθνει τουτω δια της σης προνοιας κληθεντος δε αυτου ηρξατο κατηγορειν ο τερτυλλος λεγων [24:3a] πολλης ειρηνης τυγχανοντες δια σου και κατορθωματων γινομενων τω εθνει τουτω δια της σης προνοιας

Acts 28:30 (NET)

Acts 28:30 (KJV)

Paul lived there two whole years in his own rented quarters and welcomed all who came to him, And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἐνέμεινεν δὲ διετίαν ὅλην ἐν ἰδίῳ μισθώματι καὶ ἀπεδέχετο πάντας τοὺς εἰσπορευομένους πρὸς αὐτόν εμεινεν δε ο παυλος διετιαν ολην εν ιδιω μισθωματι και απεδεχετο παντας τους εισπορευομενους προς αυτον εμεινεν δε ο παυλος διετιαν ολην εν ιδιω μισθωματι και απεδεχετο παντας τους εισπορευομενους προς αυτον

Acts 22:18 (NET)

Acts 22:18 (KJV)

and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἰδεῖν αὐτὸν λέγοντα μοι· σπεῦσον καὶ ἔξελθε ἐν τάχει ἐξ Ἰερουσαλήμ, διότι οὐ παραδέξονται σου μαρτυρίαν περὶ ἐμοῦ και ιδειν αυτον λεγοντα μοι σπευσον και εξελθε εν ταχει εξ ιερουσαλημ διοτι ου παραδεξονται σου την μαρτυριαν περι εμου και ιδειν αυτον λεγοντα μοι σπευσον και εξελθε εν ταχει εξ ιερουσαλημ διοτι ου παραδεξονται σου την μαρτυριαν περι εμου

Mark 4:20 (NET)

Mark 4:20 (KJV)

But these are the ones sown on good soil: They hear the word and receive it and bear fruit, one thirty times as much, one sixty, and one a hundred.” And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἐκεῖνοι εἰσιν οἱ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν τὴν καλὴν σπαρέντες, οἵτινες ἀκούουσιν τὸν λόγον καὶ παραδέχονται καὶ καρποφοροῦσιν ἓν τριάκοντα καὶ |ἓν| ἑξήκοντα καὶ |ἓν| ἑκατόν και ουτοι εισιν οι επι την γην την καλην σπαρεντες οιτινες ακουουσιν τον λογον και παραδεχονται και καρποφορουσιν εν τριακοντα και εν εξηκοντα και εν εκατον και ουτοι εισιν οι επι την γην την καλην σπαρεντες οιτινες ακουουσιν τον λογον και παραδεχονται και καρποφορουσιν εν τριακοντα και εν εξηκοντα και εν εκατον

1 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: and) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

2 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τον preceding Barnabas.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

4 Acts 14:6 (NET)

5 Acts 14:5 (NET)

6 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μεν (not translated in the KJV) preceding Barnabas.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

7 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had τε (not translated in the NET), where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had δε (KJV: Then).

8 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτων (KJV: their) following city.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

9 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had Ἐπῆλθαν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had επηλθον (KJV: there came thither).

11 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had τεθνηκέναι here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τεθναναι (KJV: he had been dead).

12 Acts 14:19, 20 (NET)

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

15 Acts 15:1 (NET)

17 Acts 15:6 (NET)

18 Acts 15:12 (NET)

19 Acts 15:5 (NET)

21 Matthew 5:44, 45 (NET) Table

22 Romans 13:8b-10 (NET) Table

23 Romans 7:7 (NET)

24 Romans 3:20b (NET)

25 Romans 3:20a (NET)

26 Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that there is no more mention that Paul passed on the decrees that had been decided on by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem after Acts 16:4 (NET), but Acts 18:23 (NET) seems to me to be saying more than that by silence.  After he spent some time there [in Antioch after greeting the church in Jerusalem], Paul left and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.  Granted, this is some of the same ground that Paul covered in the beginning of his second missionary journey, perhaps he (or Luke) simply didn’t feel the need to repeat himself.  But Paul’s own writing and Luke’s choice of words as well as omission of words leads me in the other direction.  In Acts 16:4, 5 the churches were ἐστερεοῦντο (a form of στερεόω, strengthened, established) on the basis of the decrees that had been decided on by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.   In Acts 18:23 Paul went about ἐπιστηρίζων (a form of ἐπιστηρίζω, strengthening)—the word might have been translated reestablishing—all the disciples without the aforementioned decrees.

27 Romans 7:1 (NET)

28 Romans 7:4-6 (NET)

29 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και οι (KJV: and) here.  So brothers was understood as a third group along with apostles and elders who sent the letter.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not have these words.  So brothers was understood as an appositive, the apostles and elders in Jerusalem identifying with the Gentile recipients of their letter (e.g., your brothers).

30 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had λεγοντες περιτεμνεσθαι και τηρειν τον νομον (KJV: saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

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

35 Acts 15:31 (NET)

36 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ημων (KJV: our) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

38 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ preceding John.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

40 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had δὲ here (not translated in the NET), where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ουν (KJV: And).

42 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τὴν preceding Cilicia.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

44 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article των preceding elders.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

46 Acts 15:35-41; 16:4, 5 (NET)

47 Colossians 4:10 (NET) Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him).

48 Luke 8:40 NETS

50 Luke 9:11 NET

51 Acts 2:41 NET

54 Acts 21:17 NET

56 Acts 28:30, 31 NET

58 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article την preceding testimony.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

59 Acts 22:18 NET