Revisiting Is Sin Less Than Sin, Part 2 to make tables of quotations that differed in the NET parallel Greek, Stephanus Textus Receptus or Byzantine Majority Text I learned that there is some question whether τη αληθεια μη πειθεσθαι (KJV: that ye should not obey the truth) was original to Galatians 3:1 (Table).  I want to consider that possibility here.

On the surface given my particular fetish it’s a slam dunk.  I hear obey the truth as “obey the law.”  The law is clear (Table1 and Table2 below): And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin [i.e., of the new-born man-child] shall be circumcised.^[1]  But Paul wrote adult, presumably Gentile, believers in Galatia: Listen!  I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all!^[2]  In English it is obvious that someone added that ye should not obey the truth to obfuscate Paul’s actual point.  In Greek it’s not so obvious.

Had the translators chosen any other English words for πειθεσθαι, the passive infinitive form of πείθω, it wouldn’t have triggered my works religion fetish (Galatians 3:1 KJV Table)

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not [be persuaded of, be convinced of, come to believe, believe, trust, follow, rely on] the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Any of these translations would have persuaded me that truth would refer to Paul’s teaching about Christ in his letter to the Galatians rather than to law.  The only (or only other) occurrence of πείθεσθαι in the New Testament was, And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey (πείθεσθαι, a form of πείθω) us, then we guide their entire bodies.^[3]  Here πείθεσθαι was translated to obey in the NET and may obey in the KJV (Table3 below).  I wanted to focus on Paul’s usage of other forms of πείθω elsewhere, but realized that I had better consider all other occurrences.  The following table is in alphabetical order.

This is a good place to break this table since ἐπείθοντο, another passive form of πείθω, was translated both obeyed and believed in different contexts in the KJV, and the latter was contrasted to ἠπίστουν, a form of ἀπιστέω (NET: refused to believe; KJV: believed not).  Peter and the apostles had already escaped from prison once (Acts 5:17-21).  They were arrested again (Acts 5:27-32 NET):

When they had brought them, they stood them before the council, and the high priest questioned them, saying, “We^[4] gave you strict orders not to teach in this name.  Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood on us!”  But Peter^[5] and the apostles replied,^[6] “We must obey (πειθαρχεῖν, a form of πειθαρχέω) God rather than people.  The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you seized and killed by hanging him on a tree.  God exalted him to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give^[7] repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  And we are witnesses^[8] of these events, and so is the Holy^[9] Spirit whom God has given to those who obey (πειθαρχοῦσιν, another form of πειθαρχέω) him.”

Both πειθαρχέω and πειθαρχοῦσιν are active verbs, compound words that include πείθω.  At any other time it might have freaked me out to consider that God has given the Holy Spirit to those who obey Jesus.  But I’ve paused here because Gamaliel helped me wrap my head around what has troubled me.  I’ll get to that soon.  Those who obey Jesus reminds me of what Peter said at Pentecost, Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^[10]

Peter didn’t think the active imperative verb μετανοήσατε (a form of μετανοέω), to repent, or the passive imperative verb βαπτισθήτω (a form of βαπτίζω), be baptized, were works that could taint the gift (δωρεὰν, a form of δωρεά) of the Holy Spirit.  This is the deed (ἔργον) God requires, Jesus said, to believe (πιστεύητε, a form of πιστεύω) in the one whom he sent.^[11]  I assume that to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ is the practical demonstration of to believe in the one whom he sent, in the sense that James described: Show me your faith (πίστιν, a form of πίστις) without^[12] works^[13] (ἔργων, a form of ἔργον) and I will show you faith^[14] (πίστιν, a form of πίστις) by my works (ἔργων, a form of ἔργον).^[15]

The NET definition of βαπτίζω includes the following slightly more complicated explanation:

Not to be confused with 911, bapto.  The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C.  It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words.  Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be ‘dipped’ (bapto) into boiling water and then ‘baptised’ (baptizo) in the vinegar solution.  Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution.  But the first is temporary.  The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change.  When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g. Mr 16:16. ‘He that believes and is baptised shall be saved’.  Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough.  There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle! (Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989).

So those who accepted [Peter’s] message, Luke continued his narrative of Pentecost, were baptized (ἐβαπτίσθησαν, another form of βαπτίζω), and that day about three thousand people were added.^[16]  So I assume these three thousand people were joined in life-changing union with Christ.  I’m uncertain whether Mr. Boice would have assumed that they had also been dipped in water.

John the Baptist contrasted his ministry to that of Jesus as follows (Matthew 3:11-17 NET):

“I baptize (βαπτίζω) you with water, for repentance (μετάνοιαν, a form of μετάνοια), but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am – I am not worthy to carry his sandals!  He will baptize (βαπτίσει, another form of βαπτίζω) you with the Holy Spirit and fire.^[17]  His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clean out his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire!”

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John to be baptized (βαπτισθῆναι, another form of βαπτίζω) by him in the Jordan River.  But John^[18] tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized (βαπτισθῆναι, another form of βαπτίζω) by you, and yet you come to me?”  So Jesus replied to him, “Let it happen now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.”  Then John yielded to him.  After^[19] Jesus was baptized (βαπτισθεὶς, another form of βαπτίζω), just as he was coming up out of the water, the heavens opened^[20] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight.”

Since I don’t believe that this was Jesus’ first encounter with the Holy Spirit (Psalm 22:9, 10), I assume He went out of his way, much to John’s consternation, to demonstrate a linkage between water baptism for repentance and the receiving of the Holy Spirit.  It was not a rule: “no one can receive the Holy Spirit apart from water baptism.”  While Peter was still speaking [to the Gentiles who had summoned him], the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the message.^[21]  Then Peter^[22] said (Acts 10:46b-48a NET Table):

“No one can withhold the water for these people to be baptized (βαπτισθῆναι, another form of βαπτίζω), who have received the Holy Spirit just as^[23] we did, can he?”  So he gave orders to have them baptized (βαπτισθῆναι, another form of βαπτίζω) in the name of Jesus Christ.^[24]

Submitting to baptism is something a new believer can do to demonstrate faith and repentance, to begin to follow Jesus.  Let it happen now, Jesus comforted John, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.^[25]  Jesus was baptized in the muddy brown Jordan River rather than an over-sized bathtub or a small swimming pool.  As He disappeared under the water and then rose again, glistening in the sunlight, He presented a beautiful image of Paul’s teaching to believers in Rome (Romans 6:3, 4 NET):

Or do you not know that as many as were baptized (ἐβαπτίσθημεν, another form of βαπτίζω) into Christ Jesus were baptized (ἐβαπτίσθημεν, another form of βαπτίζω) into his death?  Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism (βαπτίσματος, a form of βάπτισμα) into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life.

Much as I like Mr. Boice’s imagery, my initial investigations are yielding a negative result, since Jesus, Cornelius and (I assume) no believers in Rome were drowned in the waters of baptism.  John the Baptist/Matthew, Peter/Luke and Paul have not demonstrated so technical a usage of forms of βαπτίζω versus forms of βάπτω as is found in Nicander’s pickle recipe thus far.  I won’t pursue an exhaustive search here, since I’ve already interrupted an exhaustive search of forms of πείθω to listen to Gamaliel.

When the council and the high priest heard Peter and the apostles say, we are witnesses of these events, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him,^[26] they became furious and wanted^[27] to execute them.  But a Pharisee whose name was Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the council and ordered the^[28] men^[29] to be put outside for a short time.^[30]  Gamaliel addressed the Council (Acts 5:35b-39 NET):

“Men of Israel, pay close attention to what you are about to do to these men.  For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about^[31] four hundred men joined^[32] him.  He was killed, and all who followed (ἐπείθοντο, another form of πείθω; KJV: obeyed) him were dispersed and nothing came of it.  After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census, and incited people^[33] to follow him in revolt.  He too was killed, and all who followed (ἐπείθοντο, another form of πείθω; KJV: obeyed) him were scattered.  So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone,^[34] because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it will come to nothing, but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them,^[35] or you may even be found fighting against God.”  He convinced (ἐπείσθησαν, another form of πείθω) them…

Given that ἐπείθοντο and ἐπείσθησαν are both passive 3^rd person plural forms of πείθω, the KJV translation—And to him they agreed^[36]—is a more accurate translation of the Greek than the more active He convinced them^[37] in the NET.  Also ἐπείσθησαν might have been translated obeyed, the same way ἐπείθοντο was in the KJV, since the council did not carry out its desire or counsel to execute the apostles.  Gamaliel held no gun to their heads.  Rather, they were persuaded by his history lesson.

What stood out in sharp enough relief for me to finally perceive it this time was the fact that all who followed or obeyed Theudas did so in their own strength.  Theudas was powerless to give them his spirit, much less the Holy Spirit of God.  Likewise, all who followed or obeyed Judas the Galilean did so in their own strength.  He was unable to fill them with a love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that could sustain them.  Theudas and Judas the Galilean left their followers to their own devices.  After they were killed their followers were dispersed (διελύθησαν) and scattered (διεσκορπίσθησαν).

Here I can distinguish the true Christ from the false.  The true Christ fulfills the promise of the Lord (ʼădônây, אֲדֹנָ֣י) God (y^ehôvih, יֱהֹוִ֔ה): And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.^[38]  And this, not by obeying rules: For the law possesses a shadow of the good things to come but not the reality itself, and is therefore completely unable, by the same sacrifices offered continually, year after year, to perfect those who come to worship.^[39]  Paul described it this way (Romans 7:4-6 NET):

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.

It bears mentioning here that I have never spoken in tongues or performed a miraculous sign.  I am about as mundane a muggle as you will ever meet.  And still by the continuous infusion of the fruit of Christ’s Holy Spirit I am being renewed in the spirit of [my] mind, and [putting] on the new man who has been created in God’s image – in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.^[40]

Pope Francis made the news recently approving a change to the English translation of the Lord’s Prayer.  It’s not the first time I’ve heard this translation questioned, and I mostly frequent Protestant circles.  The Lord knows He will not tempt me to sin, but I didn’t.

As I began to let go of the only way of righteousness I had ever known—forcing myself to obey the rules, norms and standards of righteousness handed down to me by God, governments, parents and teachers—to rely instead upon the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control^[41] of his Holy Spirit, that does no wrong to a neighbor^[42] and is therefore the fulfillment (Romans 8:3, 4) of God’s law, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe,^[43] I was scared.  And unfortunately when I was going through the worst of it I didn’t pray the Lord’s prayer very often.

I thought it was a model prayer to be imitated rather than an actual prayer to be prayed.  But now I pray daily, not just for myself but for all, from the Pope to the homeless man who blessed me at the stoplight for the last of my cash: “and lead us…(pause a beat)… not into temptation but deliver us from the evil.”  Praying that daily (or more often) really helps when the Holy Spirit leads in a direction my religious mind doesn’t want to go.  I sensed, especially, the love, kindness and gentleness of the Holy Spirit welling up within me before I let Him affect me, at least before I welcomed and appreciated his affect in me.  I quenched the Spirit because I thought I was supposed to be tougher than that.  Against such things [i.e., the fruit of the Spirit] there is no law.^[44]

If I make a mistake and head off in a direction contrary to the Spirit’s leading, if while seeking to be justified in Christ [I myself] have also been found to be^[45] a sinner, well, the Lord’s prayer has that covered, too: “Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven (or, as we forgive) our debtors…for Yours (i.e., God’s, not mine) is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  I do believe You” (see Table15 below).

A table comparing Leviticus 12:3 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET follows.  Following that is a table comparing Leviticus 12:3 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor).  Following that are tables comparing James 3:3; Acts 27:11; 13:43; 5:28, 29; 5:31, 32; James 2:18; Matthew 3:11; 3:14; 3:16; Acts 10:47, 48; 5:33, 34; 5:36-40 and Matthew 6:13  in the NET and KJV.