Exploration, Part 3

Despite his confidence in the Lord that [the foolish Galatians would] take no other view, and the one who [was] troubling [them would] bear the penalty,1 Paul continued to stress the importance of the distinction between we ourselves [who] eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit, by faith,2 and you who would be justified by the law [who] are severed from Christ [and] have fallen away from grace3 (Galatians 5:11, 12 ESV).

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Paul had already recounted what had happened on a trip to Jerusalem with Barnabas4 (Galatians 2:3-5 ESV).

But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery [Table]—to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

The distinction between we ourselves [who] eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit, by faith5 and you who would be justified by the law [who] are severed from Christ [and] have fallen away from grace6 was so important that Paul, Barnabas, Titus and those who seemed influential7 in Jerusalem did not yield in submission even for a moment8 to the false brotherswho slipped in to spyso that they might bring us into slavery.9 Why? so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.10 How? Was it by their own wisdom or the force of their superior moral integrity? No. For our freedom Christ has us set free; therefore [we] stand firm and cannot entangle [ourselves] in a yoke of slavery again.11

The Greek word translated might be preserved was διαμείνῃ, a form of the verb διαμένω in the subjunctive mood. And so that was ἵνα. This is a subjunctive verb in a purpose or result clause. In fact, this is the example of a subjunctive verb in a purpose or result clause to remember.

Here the context makes it abundantly clear that Paul and his companions did not yield in submission even for a moment so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved. Rather, they did not yield in submission even for a moment so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved. This occurrence can help one see that the subjunctive mood in a purpose or result clause is a convention of the Koine Greek language, indicating how something will actually happen. It can help one to believe the literal meaning of the Greek Scriptural text when the iffy/maybe quality of the English translation seems more likely or more amenable to the religious mind.

And here again, I quoted the EXP1 translation of Galatians 5:1 as the answer to how Paul and his companions did not yield in submission even for a moment. I explained elsewhere why I will use this translation. The highlights on the quotation below are links to explanations of the highlighted part of the translation.

For our freedom Christ has us set free; therefore you stand firm and cannot entangle yourselves in a yoke of slavery again.

Once the new covenant was put in force by the Lord’s death (Hebrews 9:15-17), Paul and Barnabas were among the first beneficiaries of the ministry of the resurrected Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:6 ESV [Table]).

But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

So, one aspect of the importance of the distinction between we ourselves [who] eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit, by faith,12 and you who would be justified by the law [who] are severed from Christ [and] have fallen away from grace13 is the truth of the gospel.14 Next, I want to consider the offense of the cross.15

The Greek word translated offense was σκάνδαλον: “a trap, snare; an object deliberately placed to make someone trip; a temptation to sin, enticement to false belief; obstacle, stumbling block, (something that causes or gives offence); scandal, something over which one’s reputation or public image might suffer.” Paul had elaborated on this elsewhere (1 Corinthians 1:21-24 ESV).

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles [Table], but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The Greek word translated a stumbling block here was also σκάνδαλον. Paul had a very different attitude if the σκάνδαλον were of less import than the truth of the gospel (Romans 14:13-23 ESV).

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

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

In one sense this is clearly not about the truth of the gospel because the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.16 In another sense, however, it is all about the importance of the distinction between we ourselves [who] eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit, by faith,17 and you who would be justified by the law18 since we are being patient with you as we trust the Lord to enlighten you that neither eating bacon or shrimp scampi nor refraining from eating bacon or shrimp scampi empowers anyone or makes anyone stronger,19 but only faith working through love.20

Even when I was actively attempting to be justified by the laws of Paul, I could tell in this example that So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil21 probably didn’t mean that I should whip out my trusty Dirty-Harry-style .44 magnum, “the most powerful handgun in the world,” stick it in the mouth of anyone complaining about my bacon or shrimp scampi, or shrimp scampi with bacon (yum!), and blow his head “clean off.”22 The Greek words translated do not let…be spoken of as evil were μὴ βλασφημείσθω, a 3rd person singular imperative form of the verb βλασφημέω in the present tense and middle/passive voice—negated!

To negate passive verbs is almost universally regarded as a weak form of writing because seeking to be justified by laws, rules, applications, customs, traditions, even best practices is the way of the world. I was reminded recently that expository preachers follow this maxim, too.

Experienced preachers also try to avoid using passive verbs and negative wording in main points.49 Homiletics instructors refer to this as taking out the be’s (i.e., passive being verbs) and the not’s. This is done first because application clauses worded with passive verbs do not exhort people to do anything; they simply state what happens to people, usually in the uninvolved third person (e.g., Because God delivers, believers are secure.). As a consequence, believers are left to guess how to apply this truth. Something similar happens when most of our main points are worded as what not to do. When too many main points concentrate on what not to do, people must guess what to do.23

The phrase μὴ βλασφημείσθω, a negative particle followed by a middle/passive imperative form of the verb βλασφημέω, are word choices made by one of the most formidable minds to have ever grappled with this subject matter, led by the Holy Spirit of God, absolutely committed to preserving the truth of the gospel in word as in deed. My own trick, putting the weight of the imperative on the negative particle—“one cannot let…be spoken of as evil”—sounds just as bad at first. (Maybe I could just cut out the offender’s tongue or slap him around a little until he takes it back.)

Once I get over myself, as it were, and hear the better promise of the new covenant rather than a law of Paul, it becomes clear “one cannot let your good be spoken of as evil” because The faith that you have, [you who eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit, by faith24] keep25 between yourself and God.26 Here Paul went beyond mere compromise to what appears in the moment to be a complete capitulation before the one who is weak in faith: It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.27 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love.28

This, too, is all about the freedom for which Christ has us set free and faith in his faithfulness to others as well as to we ourselves (Romans 14:1-4 ESV).

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

Paul’s conditional question—But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?29—functions primarily as an assertion that he was not still preaching circumcision, buttressed by a rational question rather than an oath. Then, In that case the offense (σκάνδαλον) of the cross has been removed,30 further amplified the rationality of his question: Christ crucified, a stumbling block (σκάνδαλον) to Jews.31 And circumcision must be seen here as a kind of shorthand for the distinction between we ourselves [who] eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit, by faith,32 and you who would be justified by the law [who] are severed from Christ [and] have fallen away from grace33 in a way that regarding some foods as unclean was not:

Circumcision—Galatians 2:5 (ESV)

Unclean Foods—Romans 14:20b (ESV)

…to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble (προσκόμματος, a form of πρόσκομμα) by what he eats.

An implicit assumption lurks within Paul’s assertion that he was not still preaching circumcision, however; namely, that preaching circumcision might eliminate or mitigate his persecution by the Jews. I wouldn’t expect that Paul would bend the truth of the gospel here for his own ease or comfort (Philippians 3:2-12 ESV):

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh [Table]—though I myself have reason for confidence (πεποίθησιν, a form of πεποίθησις) in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence (πεποιθέναι, a form of πείθω) in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless [Table]. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ [Table]. Indeed,34 I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ [Table] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the35 dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own [Table].

To share [Christ’s] sufferings is part of the benefits package, if you will, of gaining Christ and being found in Him, not having a righteousness of [his] own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, or Christ’s faithfulness.36 The suffering of Christ that comes to mind in this context was persecution and ultimately rejection by those with religious minds as He reclaimed the truth of the Sabbath under the law: it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.37 To share in his sufferings was to know him and the power of his resurrection, not pie in the sky bye and bye, but while Paul yet walked the earth.

If Paul had been tempted to compromise the truth of the gospel, I would suspect a conflict of loves (Romans 9:1-3 ESV):

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh [Table].

Whatever “conflict of loves” was alluded to here, its resolution in the Word of God was also explained in chapters 9-11, the climax of Paul’s letter to the Romans. The offense (σκάνδαλον) of the cross38 was prophesied in the Scriptures. Paul did not compromise the truth of the gospel,39 not even for his brothers, [his] kinsmen according to the flesh, even knowing that Christ crucified [is] a stumbling block (σκάνδαλον) to Jews40 because: For [Paul’s] freedom Christ has [him] set free; therefore [he stood] firm and [could not] entangle [himself] in a yoke of slavery again41 (Romans 9:30-10:4 ESV).

What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law [Table]. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled (προσέκοψαν, a form of προσκόπτω) over the stumbling stone (προσκόμματος, a form of πρόσκομμα), as it is written,

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling (προσκόμματος, a form of πρόσκομμα), and a rock of offense (σκανδάλου, a form of σκάνδαλον); and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame” [Table].

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved [Table]. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

How long must we ourselves [who] eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit, by faith42 wait? Initially, only as long as it takes one to understand the difference between faith working through love43 and you who would be justified by the law.44 As an example of what not to do, Bryan Chapell wrote:

Because we are offered salvation in the name of Jesus Christ, we must take care not to live unholy lives lest our testimony damage the honor of Christ, the testimony of the church, and our Christian witness before those in the outside world and those in the family of faith.45

This is not the reasoning of one who has received the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousnessthrough the one man Jesus Christ.46 This is the reasoning of one attempting to con others (perhaps conning himself) to believe that he has received the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousnessthrough the one man Jesus Christ to sell an idea or a religion or a church. Jesus was kinder than I am being here: He called it the reasoning of an actor. It is not necessary to impute bad motives to an actor. An actor might be completely sincere.

As Paul wrote (Romans 10:2-3 ESV):

I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

This is an excellent summation of what the old covenant had become at the time Jesus walked as a man on the earth. It is also an excellent description of the natural inclinations of the old man, born of Adam, pursuing righteousness. This is the way your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires47 wants to make itself righteous. Jesus addressed this old man who would be justified by the law (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV):

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven [Table]. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [Table] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Once this distinction is understood we ourselves [who] eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit, by faith48 wait only the moments it takes to silence the old man (τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον; literally, “the old human”) who rushes ahead, eager to rob Christ of his glory and deprive us of the power of God’s salvation by striving to have a righteousness of [our] own that comes from the [old man’s understanding of] law,49 for the old man’s glory.50 Once the old man is silenced or ignored, the faithfulness of Jesus Christ kicks in, working his righteousness through his own love.

Paul wrote of those persuading the foolish Galatians to live according to the dictates of the old man (Galatians 5:12 ESV):

I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Jesus has condemned the old man to the lake of fire: Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.51 But it is almost impossible to recall what is commonly understood as his final judgment without recalling his current judgment (John 12:31, 32 ESV):

Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

He has decided to grant us new life through faith,52 to lift us by his death and resurrection out of the the old way of the written code,53 no longer to be you who would be justified by the law,54 dominated by your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires.55 By his gift of new life He frees us to serve in the new way of the Spirit,56 we ourselves [who] through the Spirit, by faith, eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness,57 living in the new self (τὸν καινὸν ἄνθρωπον; literally, “the new human”), created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.58 What has a yoke of slavery59 to your old self done for you lately?

As Paul wrote the foolish Galatians (Galatians 5:10a ESV [Table]):

I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view…

According to a note (62) in the NET, Paul quoted from Isaiah 28:16 and 8:14 in Romans 9:33. Tables comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation with that of the Septuagint follow.

Romans 9:33b, c (NET Parallel Greek)

Isaiah 28:16b (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 28:16b (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἰδοὺ τίθημι ἐν Σιὼν λίθον…καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ οὐ καταισχυνθήσεται

ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβαλῶ εἰς τὰ θεμέλια Σιων λίθον…καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ

ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβαλῶ εἰς τὰ θεμέλια Σιὼν λίθον…καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ

Romans 9:33b, c (NET)

Isaiah 28:16b (NETS)

Isaiah 28:16b (English Elpenor)

Look, I am laying in Zion a stone…yet the one who believes in him will not be put to shame

See, I will lay for the foundations of Sion a…stone…and the one who believes in him will not be put to shame

Behold, I lay for the foundations of Sion a…stone…and he that believes [on him] shall by no means be ashamed

It is worth mentioning here that Paul, with the Holy Spirit, altered οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ, an aorist subjunctive of emphatic negation (“never be put to shame”), to οὐ καταισχυνθήσεται (“not be put to shame in the future”).

Romans 9:33b (NET Parallel Greek)

Isaiah 8:14a (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 8:14a (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἰδοὺ τίθημι ἐν Σιὼν λίθον προσκόμματος καὶ πέτραν σκανδάλου

καὶ ἐὰν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ πεποιθὼς ᾖς ἔσται σοι εἰς ἁγίασμα καὶ οὐχ ὡς λίθου προσκόμματι συναντήσεσθε αὐτῷ οὐδὲ ὡς πέτρας πτώματι

καὶ ἐὰν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ πεποιθὼς ἦς, ἔσται σοι εἰς ἁγίασμα καὶ οὐχ ὡς λίθου προσκόμματι συναντήσεσθε αὐτῷ, οὐδὲ ὡς πέτρας πτώματι

Romans 9:33b (NET)

Isaiah 8:14a (NETS)

Isaiah 8:14a (English Elpenor)

Look, I am laying in Zion a stone that will cause people to stumble and a rock that will make them fall,

And if you trust in him, he will become your holy precinct, and you will not encounter him as a stumbling caused by a stone nor as a fall caused by a rock

And if thou shalt trust in him, he shall be to thee for a sanctuary; and ye shall not come against [him] as against a stumbling-stone, neither as against the falling of a rock

Paul apparently did his own translation from Hebrew, which begs the question when this verse was “translated” in the Septuagint.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Isaiah 8:14 (Tanakh’KJV)

Isaiah 8:14 (NET)

Isaiah 8:14 (NETS)

Isaiah 8:14 (English Elpenor)

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

He will become a sanctuary, but a stone that makes a person trip and a rock that makes one stumble—to the two houses of Israel. He will become a trap and a snare to the residents of Jerusalem.

And if you trust in him, he will become your holy precinct, and you will not encounter him as a stumbling caused by a stone nor as a fall caused by a rock, but the house of Iakob is in a trap, and those who sit in Jerusalem are in a pit.

And if thou shalt trust in him, he shall be to thee for a sanctuary; and ye shall not come against [him] as against a stumbling-stone, neither as against the falling of a rock: but the houses of Jacob are in a snare, and the dwellers in Jerusalem in a pit.

Tables comparing Isaiah 28:16 and 8:14 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Isaiah 28:16 and 8:14 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and a table comparing Galatians 2:2 in the KJV and NET follow.

Isaiah 28:16 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 28:16 (KJV)

Isaiah 28:16 (NET)

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord, says: “Look, I am laying a stone in Zion, an approved stone, set in place as a precious cornerstone for the foundation. The one who maintains his faith will not panic.

Isaiah 28:16 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 28:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)

διὰ τοῦτο οὕτως λέγει κύριος ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβαλῶ εἰς τὰ θεμέλια Σιων λίθον πολυτελῆ ἐκλεκτὸν ἀκρογωνιαῖον ἔντιμον εἰς τὰ θεμέλια αὐτῆς καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ διὰ τοῦτο οὕτω λέγει Κύριος Κύριος· ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβαλῶ εἰς τὰ θεμέλια Σιὼν λίθον πολυτελῆ ἐκλεκτὸν ἀκρογωνιαῖον, ἔντιμον, εἰς τὰ θεμέλια αὐτῆς, καὶ ὁ πιστεύων ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ οὐ μὴ καταισχυνθῇ

Isaiah 28:16 (NETS)

Isaiah 28:16 (English Elpenor)

therefore thus says the Lord, See, I will lay for the foundations of Sion a precious, choice stone, a highly valued cornerstone for its foundations, and the one who believes in him will not be put to shame. Therefore thus saith the Lord, [even] the Lord, Behold, I lay for the foundations of Sion a costly stone, a choice, a corner-stone, a precious [stone], for its foundations; and he that believes [on him] shall by no means be ashamed.

Isaiah 8:14 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 8:14 (KJV)

Isaiah 8:14 (NET)

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He will become a sanctuary, but a stone that makes a person trip and a rock that makes one stumble—to the two houses of Israel. He will become a trap and a snare to the residents of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 8:14 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 8:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐὰν ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ πεποιθὼς ᾖς ἔσται σοι εἰς ἁγίασμα καὶ οὐχ ὡς λίθου προσκόμματι συναντήσεσθε αὐτῷ οὐδὲ ὡς πέτρας πτώματι ὁ δὲ οἶκος Ιακωβ ἐν παγίδι καὶ ἐν κοιλάσματι ἐγκαθήμενοι ἐν Ιερουσαλημ καὶ ἐὰν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ πεποιθὼς ἦς, ἔσται σοι εἰς ἁγίασμα καὶ οὐχ ὡς λίθου προσκόμματι συναντήσεσθε αὐτῷ, οὐδὲ ὡς πέτρας πτώματι· οἱ δὲ οἶκοι ᾿Ιακὼβ ἐν παγίδι, καὶ ἐν κοιλάσματι ἐγκαθήμενοι ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ

Isaiah 8:14 (NETS)

Isaiah 8:14 (English Elpenor)

And if you trust in him, he will become your holy precinct, and you will not encounter him as a stumbling caused by a stone nor as a fall caused by a rock, but the house of Iakob is in a trap, and those who sit in Jerusalem are in a pit. And if thou shalt trust in him, he shall be to thee for a sanctuary; and ye shall not come against [him] as against a stumbling-stone, neither as against the falling of a rock: but the houses of Jacob are in a snare, and the dwellers in Jerusalem in a pit.

Galatians 2:2 (NET)

Galatians 2:2 (KJV)

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. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Galatians 2:2 (NET Parallel Greek)

Galatians 2:2 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Galatians 2:2 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἀνέβην δὲ κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν· καὶ ἀνεθέμην αὐτοῖς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ὃ κηρύσσω ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, κατ᾿ ἰδίαν δὲ τοῖς δοκοῦσιν, μή πως εἰς κενὸν τρέχω ἢ ἔδραμον ανεβην δε κατα αποκαλυψιν και ανεθεμην αυτοις το ευαγγελιον ο κηρυσσω εν τοις εθνεσιν κατ ιδιαν δε τοις δοκουσιν μηπως εις κενον τρεχω η εδραμον ανεβην δε κατα αποκαλυψιν και ανεθεμην αυτοις το ευαγγελιον ο κηρυσσω εν τοις εθνεσιν κατ ιδιαν δε τοις δοκουσιν μηπως εις κενον τρεχω η εδραμον

1 Galatians 5:10 (ESV) Table

2 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

3 Galatians 5:4 (ESV) Table

4 Galatians 2:1b (ESV)

5 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

6 Galatians 5:4 (ESV) Table

7 Galatians 2:2 (ESV)

8 Galatians 2:5a (ESV)

9 Galatians 2:4 (ESV) Table

10 Galatians 2:5b (ESV)

11 Galatians 5:1 (EXP1) Table

12 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

13 Galatians 5:4 (ESV) Table

14 Galatians 2:5b (ESV)

15 Galatians 5:11b (ESV)

16 Romans 14:17 (ESV)

17 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

18 Galatians 5:4 (ESV) Table

20 Galatians 5:6b (ESV)

21 Romans 14:16 (ESV)

22 Dirty Harry, a 1971 movie starring Clint Eastwood in the title role. And, no, I don’t actually own a .44 magnum handgun or any other gun.

23 Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon, Third Edition, Baker Academic, p. 137

24 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

25 This is the ESV translation of ἔχε, a 2nd person singular form of ἔχω in the present tense and imperative mood.

26 Romans 14:22a (ESV) Table

27 Romans 14:21 (ESV) Table

28 Romans 14:15a (ESV) Table

29 Galatians 5:11a (ESV)

30 Galatians 5:11b (ESV)

31 1 Corinthians 1:23b (ESV) Table

32 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

33 Galatians 5:4 (ESV) Table

35 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the singular article τὴν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the plural των.

37 Matthew 12:12b (ESV)

38 Galatians 5:11b (ESV)

39 Galatians 2:5b (ESV)

40 1 Corinthians 1:23 (ESV) Table

41 Galatians 5:1 (EXP1) Table

42 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

43 Galatians 5:6b (ESV)

44 Galatians 5:4b (ESV) Table

45 Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon, Third Edition, Baker Academic, p. 123

46 Romans 5:17b (ESV)

47 Ephesians 4:22b (ESV)

48 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

49 Philippians 3:9b (ESV)

50 This is what I call the religious mind.

51 Matthew 25:41b (ESV)

52 That is, faith in Jesus Christ as opposed to faith in the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires (Ephesians 4:22b NET) or whatever other nonsense a corrupt mind might believe.

53 Romans 7:6d (ESV)

54 Galatians 5:4b (ESV) Table

55 Ephesians 4:22b (ESV)

56 Romans 7:6c (ESV)

57 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

58 Ephesians 4:24 (ESV)

59 Galatians 5:1b (ESV) Table

Is Sin Less Than Sin? Part 1

Whether sin (παραπτώματι, a form of παράπτωμα)1 is less than sin (ἁμαρτιῶν, a form of ἁμαρτία),2 was something I had to consider before concluding that 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 and Galatians 6:1-5 were covering the same subject matter.  I may not have ever connected the two in the King James translation of the Bible.  Galatians 6:1 was about restoring a person overtaken in a fault (παραπτώματι, a form of παράπτωμα) in a spirit of meekness.  A fault might be a crooked tie, or forgetting to take my hat off in the house.  1 Corinthians 5:1 was about such fornication (πορνεία) as is not so much as named (ονομαζεται, a form of ὀνομάζω) among the Gentiles.  The Greek word ονομαζεται (translated is named in Ephesians 3:15 NET) is not included in the text of 1 Corinthians 5:1 from which the NET was translated.

The difference between not permitted (NET) and not so much as named (KJV) is fairly significant.  Teenagers in my State are not permitted to drink alcohol.  Teenagers doing chores without being asked, is not so much as named.  And if it is named the name is probably derogatory.  The event is so rare that parents are suspicious what will come next (probably a request to do or have something that has already been forbidden).  I’m not sure what Paul and the Holy Spirit had in mind here.  Was the πορνεία of 1 Corinthians 5:1 unlawful among Gentiles, as it was among Jews, because it was committed frequently?  Or was it so rare that little or no language existed to discuss it?  I’ll proceed as if either is true.

A quick survey of Galatians is probably in order.  The letter begins (Galatians 1:1-7 NET):

From Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor by human agency, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead) and all the brothers with me, to the churches of Galatia.  Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for3 our sins (ἁμαρτιῶν, a form of ἁμαρτία) to rescue us from this present evil age4 according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever!  Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting (μετατίθεσθε, a form of μετατίθημι) the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel – not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ.

I am making the inference that circumcision was the form this desertion took (Galatians 2:3-5 NET):

Yet not even Titus, who was with me [in Jerusalem], was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek (Ἕλλην).  Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves.5  But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

I am also inferring that (whether rightly or wrongly) the Galatians perceived that 1) Peter and James were behind this push to get Gentiles circumcised, or 2) at least were lending support or approval to such a movement (Galatians 2:11-14 NET).

But when Cephas6 came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong.  Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles.  But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision.  And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy (ὑποκρίσει, a form of ὑπόκρισις).7  But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas8 in front of them all, “If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not9 like a Jew, how10 can you try to force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Then Paul essentially paraphrased Peter’s address during the Jerusalem Council that had dealt with this issue (Galatians 2:15, 16 NET Table).

We are Jews by birth and not Gentile (ἐθνῶν, a form of ἔθνος) sinners (ἁμαρτωλοί, a form of ἁμαρτωλός), yet11 we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.  And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Here is a table with Paul’s statement from Galatians and Peter’s and James’ addresses from the Jerusalem Council.

Paul

Peter

James

We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.    And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law…

Galatians 2:15, 16 (NET)

Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose12 me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message of the gospel and believe.  And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them13 the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between them and us, cleansing their hearts by faith.  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?  On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the14 Lord Jesus,15 in the same way as they are.

Acts 15:7b-11 (NET)

Brothers, listen to me.  Simeon has explained how God first concerned himself to select from among the Gentiles a people for16 his name.  The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written, “After this I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David;17 I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, namely, all the Gentiles I have called to be my own” says the Lord, who makes these things18 known from long ago.19 Therefore I conclude that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God…

Acts 15:13b-19 (NET)

…because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Galatians 2:16 (NET)

… but that we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from20 things defiled by idols and   from sexual immorality (πορνεία) and from what has been strangled and from blood.  For Moses21 has had those who proclaim him in every town from ancient times, because he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.

Acts 15:20, 21 (NET)

Comparing these side by side it is not too difficult to see that Peter might feel himself caught between a rock and a hard place with Paul and James.  Also it is not hard to imagine that James would have been slow to warm to Paul’s contention—so infuriating to religious minds—because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

 

 

Addendum: March 21, 2019
According to a note (54) in the NET, Acts 15:16, 17 was a quotation from Amos 9:11, 12 (Table1 below).  The note continued:

James demonstrated a high degree of cultural sensitivity when he cited a version of the text (the Septuagint [Table2 and Table3 below], the Greek translation of the Old Testament) that Gentiles would use.

Consider however the differences between the Septuagint and James’ quotation in Acts.

Amos 9:11 (Septuagint BLB)

Acts 15:16 (NET Parallel Greek)

ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἀναστήσω τὴν σκηνὴν Δαυιδ τὴν πεπτωκυῗαν καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω τὰ πεπτωκότα αὐτῆς καὶ τὰ κατεσκαμμένα αὐτῆς ἀναστήσω καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω αὐτὴν καθὼς αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ αἰῶνος μετὰ ταῦτα ἀναστρέψω καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω τὴν σκηνὴν Δαυὶδ τὴν πεπτωκυῖαν καὶ τὰ |κατεσκαμμένα| αὐτῆς ἀνοικοδομήσω καὶ ἀνορθώσω αὐτήν

Amos 9:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Acts 15:17 (NET Parallel Greek)

ὅπως ἐκζητήσωσιν οἱ κατάλοιποι τῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἐφ᾽ οὓς ἐπικέκληται τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐπ᾽ αὐτούς λέγει κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ ποιῶν ταῦτα ὅπως ἂν ἐκζητήσωσιν οἱ κατάλοιποι τῶν ἀνθρώπων τὸν κύριον καὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἐφ᾿ οὓς ἐπικέκληται τὸ ὄνομα μου ἐπ᾿ αὐτούς, λέγει κύριος ποιῶν ταῦτα

I’m willing to argue that these represent two independent translations of the Hebrew, and that the cultural insensitivity of the Masoretic text was not original.  Given that the extant manuscripts of the New Testament and the Septuagint are far older than those of the Masoretic text, the onus falls on those who favor the Masoretic text to demonstrate that James’ quotation recorded in Acts, and the Septuagint, are not original, and that the cultural insensitivity of the Masoretic text was the Holy Spirit’s original intent.

Another note (56) in the NET claimed that the latter part of James’ quotation was an allusion to Isaiah 45:21 (Table4 and Table5 below).  I’ve compared the Septuagint to James’ words in Acts to highlight their many differences.

Isaiah 45:21 (Septuagint BLB)

Acts 15:18 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

εἰ ἀναγγελοῦσιν ἐγγισάτωσαν ἵνα γνῶσιν ἅμα τίς ἀκουστὰ ἐποίησεν ταῦτα ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς τότε ἀνηγγέλη ὑμῗν ἐγὼ ὁ θεός καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλος πλὴν ἐμοῦ δίκαιος καὶ σωτὴρ οὐκ ἔστιν πάρεξ ἐμοῦ γνωστα απ αιωνος εστιν τω θεω παντα τα εργα αυτου

Tables comparing Amos 9:11, 12; and Isaiah 45:21 in the Tanakh and NET, and the tables comparing Amos 9:11; 9:12 and Isaiah 45:21 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.  Following those are tables comparing Galatians 1:4; 2:4; 2:11; 2:14; Acts 15:7, 8; 15:11; 15:14; 15:16-18 and 15:20, 21 in the NET and KJV.

Amos 9:11, 12 (Tanakh)

Amos 9:11, 12 (NET)

In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: “In that day I will rebuild the collapsing hut of David.  I will seal its gaps, repair its ruins, and restore it to what it was like in days gone by.
That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. As a result they will conquer those left in Edom and all the nations subject to my rule.”  The Lord, who is about to do this, is speaking!

Amos 9:11 (Septuagint BLB)

Amos 9:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἀναστήσω τὴν σκηνὴν Δαυιδ τὴν πεπτωκυῗαν καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω τὰ πεπτωκότα αὐτῆς καὶ τὰ κατεσκαμμένα αὐτῆς ἀναστήσω καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω αὐτὴν καθὼς αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ αἰῶνος ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἀναστήσω τὴν σκηνὴν Δαυὶδ τὴν πεπτωκυῖαν καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω τὰ πεπτωκότα αὐτῆς καὶ τὰ κατεσκαμμένα αὐτῆς ἀναστήσω καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω αὐτὴν καθὼς αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ αἰῶνος,

Amos 9:11 (NETS)

Amos 9:11 (English Elpenor)

On that day I will raise up the tent of Dauid that is fallen and rebuild its ruins and raise up its destruction, and rebuild it as the days of old In that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and will rebuild the ruins of it, and will set up the parts thereof that have been broken down, and will build it up as in the ancient days:

Amos 9:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Amos 9:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὅπως ἐκζητήσωσιν οἱ κατάλοιποι τῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἐφ᾽ οὓς ἐπικέκληται τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐπ᾽ αὐτούς λέγει κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ ποιῶν ταῦτα ὅπως ἐκζητήσωσιν οἱ κατάλοιποι τῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἐφ᾿ οὓς ἐπικέκληται τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐπ᾿ αὐτούς, λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ ποιῶν πάντα ταῦτα.

Amos 9:12 (NETS)

Amos 9:12 (English Elpenor)

in order that those remaining of humans and all the nations upon whom my name has been called might seek out me, says the Lord who does these things. that the remnant of men, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called, may earnestly seek [me], saith the Lord who does all these things.

Isaiah 45:21 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 45:21 (NET)

Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Tell me!  Present the evidence!  Let them consult with one another!  Who predicted this in the past?  Who announced it beforehand?  Was it not I, the Lord?  I have no peer, there is no God but me, a God who vindicates and delivers; there is none but me.

Isaiah 45:21 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 45:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἰ ἀναγγελοῦσιν ἐγγισάτωσαν ἵνα γνῶσιν ἅμα τίς ἀκουστὰ ἐποίησεν ταῦτα ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς τότε ἀνηγγέλη ὑμῗν ἐγὼ ὁ θεός καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλος πλὴν ἐμοῦ δίκαιος καὶ σωτὴρ οὐκ ἔστιν πάρεξ ἐμοῦ εἰ ἀναγγελοῦσιν, ἐγγισάτωσαν, ἵνα γνῶσιν ἅμα τίς ἀκουστὰ ἐποίησε ταῦτα ἀπ᾿ ἀρχῆς· τότε ἀνηγγέλη ὑμῖν· ἐγὼ ὁ Θεός, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλος πλὴν ἐμοῦ· δίκαιος καὶ σωτὴρ οὐκ ἔστιν πάρεξ ἐμοῦ.

Isaiah 45:21 (NETS)

Isaiah 45:21 (English Elpenor)

If they will declare it, let them draw near so that they may know together who made from the beginning these things that are to be heard.  Then it was declared to you, I am God, and there is no other besides me; there is no righteous one or savior except me. If they will declare, let them draw nigh, that they may know together, who has caused these things to be heard from the beginning: then was it told you.  I am God, and there is not another beside me; a just [God] and a Saviour; there is none but me.

Galatians 1:4 (NET)

Galatians 1:4 (KJV)

who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age according to the will of our God and Father, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τοῦ δόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν, ὅπως ἐξέληται ἡμᾶς ἐκ τοῦ αἰῶνος τοῦ ἐνεστῶτος πονηροῦ κατὰ τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ πατρὸς ἡμῶν του δοντος εαυτον υπερ των αμαρτιων ημων οπως εξεληται ημας εκ του ενεστωτος αιωνος πονηρου κατα το θελημα του θεου και πατρος ημων του δοντος εαυτον περι των αμαρτιων ημων οπως εξεληται ημας εκ του ενεστωτος αιωνος πονηρου κατα το θελημα του θεου και πατρος ημων

Galatians 2:4 (NET)

Galatians 2:4 (KJV)

Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves. And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

διὰ δὲ τοὺς παρεισάκτους ψευδαδέλφους, οἵτινες παρεισῆλθον κατασκοπῆσαι τὴν ἐλευθερίαν ἡμῶν ἣν ἔχομεν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, ἵνα ἡμᾶς καταδουλώσουσιν δια δε τους παρεισακτους ψευδαδελφους οιτινες παρεισηλθον κατασκοπησαι την ελευθεριαν ημων ην εχομεν εν χριστω ιησου ινα ημας καταδουλωσωνται δια δε τους παρεισακτους ψευδαδελφους οιτινες παρεισηλθον κατασκοπησαι την ελευθεριαν ημων ην εχομεν εν χριστω ιησου ινα ημας καταδουλωσωνται

Galatians 2:11 (NET)

Galatians 2:11 (KJV)

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν Κηφᾶς εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν, κατὰ πρόσωπον αὐτῷ ἀντέστην, ὅτι κατεγνωσμένος ἦν οτε δε ηλθεν πετρος εις αντιοχειαν κατα προσωπον αυτω αντεστην οτι κατεγνωσμενος ην οτε δε ηλθεν πετρος εις αντιοχειαν κατα προσωπον αυτω αντεστην οτι κατεγνωσμενος ην

Galatians 2:14 (NET)

Galatians 2:14 (KJV)

But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀλλ᾿ ὅτε εἶδον ὅτι οὐκ ὀρθοποδοῦσιν πρὸς τὴν ἀλήθειαν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, εἶπον τῷ Κηφᾷ ἔμπροσθεν πάντων· εἰ σὺ Ἰουδαῖος ὑπάρχων ἐθνικῶς καὶ |οὐχὶ| Ἰουδαϊκῶς ζῇς, πῶς τὰ ἔθνη ἀναγκάζεις ἰουδαΐζειν αλλ οτε ειδον οτι ουκ ορθοποδουσιν προς την αληθειαν του ευαγγελιου ειπον τω πετρω εμπροσθεν παντων ει συ ιουδαιος υπαρχων εθνικως ζης και ουκ ιουδαικως τι τα εθνη αναγκαζεις ιουδαιζειν αλλ οτε ειδον οτι ουκ ορθοποδουσιν προς την αληθειαν του ευαγγελιου ειπον τω πετρω εμπροσθεν παντων ει συ ιουδαιος υπαρχων εθνικως ζης και ουκ ιουδαικως τι τα εθνη αναγκαζεις ιουδαιζειν

Acts 15:7, 8 (NET)

Acts 15:7, 8 (KJV)

After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me to preach to the Gentiles so they would hear the message of the gospel and believe. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Πολλῆς δὲ ζητήσεως γενομένης ἀναστὰς Πέτρος εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς· ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, ὑμεῖς ἐπίστασθε ὅτι ἀφ᾿ ἡμερῶν ἀρχαίων ἐν ὑμῖν ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεὸς διὰ τοῦ στόματος μου ἀκοῦσαι τὰ ἔθνη τὸν λόγον τοῦ εὐαγγελίου καὶ πιστεῦσαι πολλης δε συζητησεως γενομενης αναστας πετρος ειπεν προς αυτους ανδρες αδελφοι υμεις επιστασθε οτι αφ ημερων αρχαιων ο θεος εν ημιν εξελεξατο δια του στοματος μου ακουσαι τα εθνη τον λογον του ευαγγελιου και πιστευσαι πολλης δε συζητησεως γενομενης αναστας πετρος ειπεν προς αυτους ανδρες αδελφοι υμεις επιστασθε οτι αφ ημερων αρχαιων ο θεος εν ημιν εξελεξατο δια του στοματος μου ακουσαι τα εθνη τον λογον του ευαγγελιου και πιστευσαι
And God, who knows the heart, has testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ὁ καρδιογνώστης θεὸς ἐμαρτύρησεν αὐτοῖς δοὺς τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καθὼς καὶ ἡμῖν και ο καρδιογνωστης θεος εμαρτυρησεν αυτοις δους αυτοις το πνευμα το αγιον καθως και ημιν και ο καρδιογνωστης θεος εμαρτυρησεν αυτοις δους αυτοις το πνευμα το αγιον καθως και ημιν

Acts 15:11 (NET)

Acts 15:11 (KJV)

On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they are.” But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀλλὰ διὰ τῆς χάριτος τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ πιστεύομεν σωθῆναι καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον κακεῖνοι αλλα δια της χαριτος κυριου ιησου χριστου πιστευομεν σωθηναι καθ ον τροπον κακεινοι αλλα δια της χαριτος του κυριου ιησου πιστευομεν σωθηναι καθ ον τροπον κακεινοι

Acts 15:14 (NET)

Acts 15:14 (KJV)

Simeon has explained how God first concerned himself to select from among the Gentiles a people for his name. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Συμεὼν ἐξηγήσατο καθὼς πρῶτον ὁ θεὸς ἐπεσκέψατο λαβεῖν ἐξ ἐθνῶν λαὸν τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ συμεων εξηγησατο καθως πρωτον ο θεος επεσκεψατο λαβειν εξ εθνων λαον επι τω ονοματι αυτου συμεων εξηγησατο καθως πρωτον ο θεος επεσκεψατο λαβειν εξ εθνων λαον επι τω ονοματι αυτου

Acts 15:16-18 (NET)

Acts 15:16-18 (KJV)

‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David; I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

μετὰ ταῦτα ἀναστρέψω καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω τὴν σκηνὴν Δαυὶδ τὴν πεπτωκυῖαν καὶ τὰ |κατεσκαμμένα| αὐτῆς ἀνοικοδομήσω καὶ ἀνορθώσω αὐτήν μετα ταυτα αναστρεψω και ανοικοδομησω την σκηνην δαβιδ την πεπτωκυιαν και τα κατεσκαμμενα αυτης ανοικοδομησω και ανορθωσω αυτην μετα ταυτα αναστρεψω και ανοικοδομησω την σκηνην δαυιδ την πεπτωκυιαν και τα κατεσκαμμενα αυτης ανοικοδομησω και ανορθωσω αυτην
so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, namely, all the Gentiles I have called to be my own,’ says the Lord, who makes these things That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὅπως ἂν ἐκζητήσωσιν οἱ κατάλοιποι τῶν ἀνθρώπων τὸν κύριον καὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἐφ᾿ οὓς ἐπικέκληται τὸ ὄνομα μου ἐπ᾿ αὐτούς, λέγει κύριος ποιῶν ταῦτα οπως αν εκζητησωσιν οι καταλοιποι των ανθρωπων τον κυριον και παντα τα εθνη εφ ους επικεκληται το ονομα μου επ αυτους λεγει κυριος ο ποιων ταυτα παντα οπως αν εκζητησωσιν οι καταλοιποι των ανθρωπων τον κυριον και παντα τα εθνη εφ ους επικεκληται το ονομα μου επ αυτους λεγει κυριος ο ποιων ταυτα παντα
known from long ago. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

γνωστὰ ἀπ᾿ αἰῶνος γνωστα απ αιωνος εστιν τω θεω παντα τα εργα αυτου γνωστα απ αιωνος εστιν τω θεω παντα τα εργα αυτου

Acts 15:20, 21 (NET)

Acts 15:20, 21 (KJV)

but that we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things defiled by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀλλὰ ἐπιστεῖλαι αὐτοῖς τοῦ ἀπέχεσθαι τῶν ἀλισγημάτων τῶν εἰδώλων καὶ τῆς πορνείας καὶ |τοῦ| πνικτοῦ καὶ τοῦ αἵματος αλλα επιστειλαι αυτοις του απεχεσθαι απο των αλισγηματων των ειδωλων και της πορνειας και του πνικτου και του αιματος αλλα επιστειλαι αυτοις του απεχεσθαι απο των αλισγηματων των ειδωλων και της πορνειας και του πνικτου και του αιματος
For Moses has had those who proclaim him in every town from ancient times, because he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.” For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Μωϋσῆς γὰρ ἐκ γενεῶν ἀρχαίων κατὰ πόλιν τοὺς κηρύσσοντας αὐτὸν ἔχει ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς κατὰ πᾶν σάββατον ἀναγινωσκόμενος μωσης γαρ εκ γενεων αρχαιων κατα πολιν τους κηρυσσοντας αυτον εχει εν ταις συναγωγαις κατα παν σαββατον αναγινωσκομενος μωυσης γαρ εκ γενεων αρχαιων κατα πολιν τους κηρυσσοντας αυτον εχει εν ταις συναγωγαις κατα παν σαββατον αναγινωσκομενος

 


1 Galatians 6:1 (NET) Table

2 1 Corinthians 15:3 (NET)

3 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus had ὑπὲρ here, where the Byzantine Majority Text had περι.

4 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τοῦ preceding age.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

5 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καταδουλώσουσιν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had καταδουλωσωνται (KJV: might bring…into bondage).

6 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had Κηφᾶς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had πετρος (KJV: Peter).

7 In other words, they were actors trying to have their own righteousness derived from the law.

8 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had Κηφᾷ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had πετρω (KJV: Peter).

9 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οὐχὶ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ουκ.

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

11 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had δὲ here.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

12 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐν ὑμῖν preceding chose (untranslated in the NET; NIV: among you), where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εν ημιν (KJV: among us).

13 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτοις here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

14 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τοῦ here.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

15 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had χριστου (KJV: Christ) following Jesus.  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

16 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had επι τω here, where the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had simply τῷ.

17 In the NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text David was spelled Δαυὶδ, and δαβιδ in the Stephanus Textus Receptus.

18 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had παντα (KJV: all these things) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

19 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εστιν τω θεω παντα τα εργα αυτου (KJV: Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

20 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had απο here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

21 In the NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text Moses was spelled Μωϋσῆς, and μωσης in the Stephanus Textus Receptus.