A Shadow of the Good Things, Part 3

Paul wrote believers in Colossae (Colossians 2:16, 17 NET):

do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or[1] drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon,[2] or Sabbath days—these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ![3]

Translating σῶμα reality has a nice philosophical ring that my mind likes, and it avoids any confusion that body of Christ (σῶμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ) referred to believers.  Still, I think Paul was saying something much more visual: the body casting the shadow of the good things to come is Christ’s, and any allusion to his death on the cross was completely intentional.

The translators of the NASB caught the flavor of verse 16 as I understand it now: Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day.[4]  Translating κρινέτω (a form of κρίνω)—is to act as your judge—conveys Paul’s (and the Holy Spirit’s) intent that no one can condemn or absolve me in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day but Christ alone.  Consider Paul’s attitude (1 Corinthians 4:4, 5 NET):

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not acquitted because of this.  The one who judges (ἀνακρίνων, a form of ἀνακρίνω) me is the Lord.  So then, do not judge (κρίνετε, a form of κρίνω) anything before the time.  Wait until the Lord comes.  He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts.  Then each will receive recognition from God.

Paul (and the Holy Spirit) hauled me in for questioning[5] when I thought they only meant no one [may condemn me] in regard to food or drink (1 Corinthians 10:24-33 NET):

Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person.[6]  Eat anything that is sold in the marketplace without questions of conscience, for the earth and its abundance are the Lord’s.  If an unbeliever invites you to dinner and you want to go, eat whatever is served without asking questions of conscience.  But if someone says to you, “This is from a sacrifice,” do not eat, because of the one who told you and because of conscience[Table] I do not mean yours but the other person’s.

For why is my freedom being judged (κρίνεται, a form of κρίνω) by another’s conscience?  If[7] I partake with thankfulness (χάριτι, a form of χάρις; KJV: by grace), why am I blamed for the food that I give thanks for?

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.  Do not give offense to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also try to please everyone in all things.  I do not seek my own benefit,[8] but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.

I plan to focus on the Sabbath because it has the most material to access.  So I’ll start at the beginning.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Genesis 2:1-3 (Tanakh) Genesis 2:1-3 (NET) Genesis 2:1-3 (NETS)

Genesis 2:1-3 (English Elpenor)

And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. The heavens and the earth were completed with everything that was in them. And the sky and the earth were finished, and all their arrangement. AND the heavens and the earth were finished, and the whole world of them.
And on the seventh day G-d finished His work which He had made; and He rested (וַיִּשְׁבֹּת֙) on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. By the seventh day God finished the work that he had been doing, and he ceased (shâbath, וישבת) on the seventh day all the work that he had been doing. And on the sixth day God finished his works that he had made, and he left off (κατέπαυσεν) on the seventh day from all his works that he had made. And God finished on the sixth day his works which he made, and he ceased (κατέπαυσε) on the seventh day from all his works which he made.
And G-d blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested (שָׁבַת֙) from all His work which G-d in creating had made. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased (shâbath, שבת) all the work that he had been doing in creation. And God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it he left off (κατέπαυσεν) from all his works that God had begun to make. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it he ceased (κατέπαυσεν) from all his works which God began to do.

I actually intended to skip the next occurrence of שָׁבַת֙ (Tanakh: rested).  The rabbis who translated the Septuagint chose κατέπαυσε(ν) (a form of καταπαύω) here and another form of καταπαύω there.  Since they made the connection, I won’t ignore it.  It occurred in the promise God made Himself after the flood.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Genesis 8:20-22 (Tanakh) Genesis 8:20-22 (NET) Genesis 8:20-22 (NETS)

Genesis 8:20-22 (English Elpenor)

And Noah builded an altar unto HaShem; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar. Noah built an altar to the Lord.  He then took some of every kind of clean animal and clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And Noe built an altar to God and took of all the clean domestic animals and of all the clean birds and offered whole burnt offerings on the altar. And Noe built an altar to the Lord, and took of all clean beasts, and of all clean birds, and offered a whole burnt-offering upon the altar.
And HaShem smelled the sweet savour; and HaShem said in His heart: ‘I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. And the Lord smelled the soothing aroma and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, even though the inclination of their minds is evil from childhood on.  I will never again destroy everything that lives, as I have just done. And the Lord God smelled an odor of fragrance, and the Lord God, when he had given it thought, said, “I will not proceed hereafter to curse the earth because of the deeds of humans, for the mind of humankind applies itself attentively to evil things from youth; so I will not proceed hereafter to smite all living flesh, as I have done. And the Lord God smelled a smell of sweetness, and the Lord God having considered, said, I will not any more curse the earth, because of the works of men, because the imagination of man is intently bent upon evil things from his youth, I will not therefore any more smite all living flesh as I have done.
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease (יִשְׁבֹּֽתוּ).’ “While the earth continues to exist, planting time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease (shâbath, ישבתו).” During all the days of the earth, seed and harvest, cold and heat, summer and spring shall not cease (καταπαύσουσιν)—during day and night.” All the days of the earth, seed and harvest, cold and heat, summer and spring, shall not cease (καταπαύσουσι) by day or night.

I thought this anti-sabbath (יִשְׁבֹּֽתוּ negated) might be unnecessarily confusing.  But “I will not proceed hereafter to curse the earth because of the deeds of humans (τὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀνθρώπων),” was worth the price of admission.  These deeds (ἔργα, a form of ἔργον) flow from the imagination of man (ἀνθρώπου, a form of ἄνθρωπος; NETS: humankind) [which] is intently bent upon evil things from his youth.

This will certainly prove to be an important association with the Sabbath rest.  An association of ἔργον and Sabbath occurs again when Israel was enslaved in Egypt.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Exodus 5:4, 5 (Tanakh) Exodus 5:4, 5 (NET) Exodus 5:4, 5 (NETS)

Exodus 5:4, 5 (English Elpenor)

And the king of Egypt said unto them: ‘Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, cause the people to break loose from their work? get you unto your burdens.’ The king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you cause the people to refrain from their work?  Return to your labor!” And the king of Egypt said to them, “Moyses and Aaron, why are you diverting my people from their tasks?  Each of you, go back to his tasks.” And the king of Egypt said to them, Why do ye, Moses and Aaron, turn the people from their works? depart each of you to your works.
And Pharaoh said: ‘Behold, the people of the land are now many, and will ye make them rest (וְהִשְׁבַּתֶּ֥ם) from their burdens?’ Pharaoh was thinking, “The people of the land are now many, and you are giving them rest (shâbath, והשבתם) from their labor.” And Pharao said, “Look, the people of the land now are very numerous.  Therefore, let us not give them relief (καταπαύσωμεν) from their tasks.” And Pharao said, Behold now, the people is very numerous; let us not then give them rest (καταπαύσωμεν) from their work.

Why do ye…turn the people from their works (ἔργων, a form of ἔργον)? depart each of you to your works (ἔργα, a form of ἔργον)…let us not then give them rest (καταπαύσωμεν) from their work (ἔργων, a form of ἔργον).  Thus spoke the slave master of Israel.

The rabbis chose ἀφανιεῖτε (a form of ἀφανίζω) in the Septuagint for the next occurrence of תַּשְׁבִּ֥ית (shâbath), so I’ll skip to the end of the first week Israel gathered the bread which HaShem hath given [them] to eat.[9]

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Exodus 16:23 (Tanakh) Exodus 16:23 (NET) Exodus 16:23 (NETS)

Exodus 16:23 (English Elpenor)

And he said unto them: ‘This is that which HaShem hath spoken: To-morrow is a solemn rest (שַׁבָּת֧וֹן), a holy sabbath (שַׁבַּת) unto HaShem.  Bake that which ye will bake, and seethe that which ye will seethe; and all that remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.’ He said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a time of cessation from work (shabbâthôn, שבתון), a holy Sabbath (shabbâth, שבת) to the Lord.  Whatever you want to bake, bake today; whatever you want to boil, boil today; whatever is left put aside for yourselves to be kept until morning.’” And Moyses said to them, “This is the word that the Lord spoke: Tomorrow is Sabbata (σάββατα), a rest (ἀνάπαυσις) holy to the Lord. Whatever you bake, bake, and whatever you boil, boil.  And all the excess, leave it in storage until the morning.” And Moses said to them, Is not this the word which the Lord spoke?  Tomorrow [is] the Sabbath (σάββατα), a holy rest (ἀνάπαυσις) to the Lord: bake that ye will bake, and seethe that ye will seethe, and all that is over leave to be laid by for the morrow.

I’ll pause here to acknowledge some additional words: שַׁבָּת֧וֹן (shabbâthôn; Tanakh: solemn rest) was translated ἀνάπαυσις in the Septuagint.  According to the Koine Greek Lexicon online κατάπαυσις and ἀνάπαυσις are cognates.  Also, שַׁבַּת (shabbâth) was transliterated σάββατα (a form of σάββατον).  I puzzled over this transliteration, given the word order in the Septuagint, but it does seem to hold up two verses later.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Exodus 16:24-27 (Tanakh) Exodus 16:24-27 (NET) Exodus 16:24-27 (NETS)

Exodus 16:24-27 (English Elpenor)

And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade; and it did not rot, neither was there any worm therein. So they put it aside until the morning, just as Moses had commanded, and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. And they left some of it until the morning, according as Moyses instructed them.  And it did not stink, nor was there a worm in it. And they left of it till the morning, as Moses commanded them; and it stank not, neither was there a worm in it.
And Moses said: ‘Eat that to-day; for to-day is a sabbath (שַׁבָּ֥ת) unto HaShem; to-day ye shall not find it in the field. Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath (shabbâth, שבת) to the Lord; today you will not find it in the area. And Moyses said, “Eat today!  For today is Sabbata (σάββατα) to the Lord.  It will not be found on the plain. And Moses said, Eat [that] to-day, for to-day is a sabbath (σάββατα) to the Lord: [it] shall not be found in the plain.
Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day is the Sabbath (שַׁבָּ֖ת), in it there shall be none.’ Six days you will gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath (shabbâth, שבת), there will not be any.” Six days you will collect, but on the seventh day is Sabbata (σάββατα).  There will be none in it.” Six days ye shall gather it, and on the seventh day is a sabbath (σάββατα), for there shall be none on that [day].
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that there went out some of the people to gather, and they found none. On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather it, but they found nothing. And it happened on the seventh day, certain of the people went out to collect, and they found none. And it came to pass on the seventh day [that] some of the people went forth to gather, and found none.

As a native unbeliever I appreciate these empiricists who went out to “prove” God’s word.  Of course if I were only a native unbeliever I probably wouldn’t “waste” my time on such “cleverly concocted fables.”  Since יהוה (yehôvâh) had a completely different response I’m compelled to reconsider my unbelief and, perhaps more importantly, highlight part of this story I had chosen to ignore.

Sunday through Thursday Israel was under orders from Moses not to leave anything they gathered until the next morning.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Exodus 16:20 (Tanakh) Exodus 16:20 (NET) Exodus 16:20 (NETS)

Exodus 16:20 (English Elpenor)

Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and rotted; and Moses was wroth with them. But they did not listen to Moses; some kept part of it until morning, and it was full of worms and began to stink, and Moses was angry with them. And they did not listen to Moyses, but certain ones left some of it to the morning.  And it bred worms and stank, and Moyses was irritated with them. But they did not hearken to Moses, but some left of it till the morning; and it bred worms and stank: and Moses was irritated with them.

But יהוה (yehôvâh) held his peace through this first round of empirical investigation.  Of course, I can’t say for certain that the people who angered Moses were empiricists doing empirical research, so I will call them unbelievers, in the sense that they did not believe in the word of יהוה (yehôvâh).  I will distinguish the believers from the unbelievers in the only way believers in the word of יהוה (yehôvâh) can be distinguished: believers do what He says.  As James wrote, Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works.[10]

The believers and unbelievers lived in two different realities: Only unbelievers had any sensual experience of the worms and rot the next morning.  If they persisted in their unbelief they had five mornings of empirical evidence that the bread which was kept over until morning on the Sabbath should not be eaten, despite their sensual observation that it did not rot, neither was there any worm therein.  The believers on the other hand had six days of empirical evidence that the bread was there to be gathered and eaten just as יהוה (yehôvâh) promised through Moses, and every reason to trust Him on the seventh morning.

So this time, יהוה (yehôvâh) spoke to Moses to explain to the unbelievers:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Exodus 16:28-30 (Tanakh) Exodus 16:28-30 (NET) Exodus 16:28-30 (NETS)

Exodus 16:28-30 (English Elpenor)

And HaShem said unto Moses: ‘How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws? So the Lord said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to obey my commandments and my instructions? Then the Lord said to Moyses, “For how long are you unwilling to listen to my commandments and my laws? And the Lord said to Moses, How long are ye unwilling to hearken to my commands and my law?
See that HaShem hath given you the Sabbath (הַשַּׁבָּת֒); therefore He giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.’ See, because the Lord has given you the Sabbath (shabbâth, השבת), that is why he is giving you food for two days on the sixth day.  Each of you stay where you are; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” See!  For the Lord has given you this day, the Sabbaths (σάββατα).  Therefore he gave you on the sixth day bread for two days.  Sit, each person, in your houses; let no one go out from his place on the seventh day.” See, for the Lord has given you this day [as] the Sabbath (σάββατα), therefore he has given you on the sixth day the bread of two days: ye shall sit each of you in your houses; let no one go forth from his place on the seventh day.
So the people rested (וַיִשְׁבְּת֥וּ) on the seventh day. So the people rested (shâbath, וישבתו) on the seventh day. And the people sabbatized (ἐσαββάτισεν) on the seventh day. And the people kept sabbath (ἐσαββάτισεν) on the seventh day.

This highlights something of the religious mind that Jesus encountered in Israel (Luke 13:10-17).  The Hebrew word was וַיִשְׁבְּת֥וּ (shâbath), the same root word as God rested (וַיִּשְׁבֹּת֙) on the seventh day from all His work, but the rabbis didn’t translate it κατέπαυσε(ν).  It is the same root word as day and night shall not cease (יִשְׁבֹּֽתוּ), but they didn’t translate it with a form of καταπαύω as they did there.  And again it is the same root word as ye make them rest (וְהִשְׁבַּתֶּ֥ם) from their burdens, but not translated with any form of καταπαύω.  Why not?  I think the people of Israel did not rest from their burdens or cease from their works in the rabbis’ religious mind, rather they sabbatized (ἐσαββάτισεν, a form of σαββατίζω): They performed a religious ritual.

The rabbis were not alone in this religious mind.  When I first wrestled with Jesus’ saying—The Sabbath was made for people, not[11] people for the Sabbath[12]—I thought it was alarmingly humanistic, and questioned his reasoning.  But here it is, isn’t it?  See that HaShem hath given you the SabbathSo the people rested.

I’ll pick this up in another essay.  A table comparing Paul’s quotation of Psalm 24:1b (23:1b) from the Septuagint in 1 Corinthians 10:26 follows.

1 Corinthians 10:26 (NET Parallel Greek)

Psalm 24:1b (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 23:1b (Septuagint Elpenor)

τοῦ κυρίου γὰρ ἡ γῆ καὶ τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτῆς τοῦ κυρίου ἡ γῆ καὶ τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτῆς ΤΟΥ Κυρίου ἡ γῆ καὶ τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτῆς

1 Corinthians 10:26 (NET)

Psalm 23:1b (NETS)

Psalm 23:1b (English Elpenor)

for the earth and its abundance are the Lord’s. The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof;

Tables comparing Psalm 24:1; Genesis 2:1; 2:2; 2:3; 8:20; 8:21; 8:22; Exodus 5:4; 5:5; 16:15; 16:23; 16:24; 16:25; 16:26; 16:27; 16:20; 16:28; 16:29 and 16:30 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and Psalm 24:1 (23:1); Genesis 2:1; 2:2; 2:3; 8:20; 8:21; 8:22; Exodus 5:4; 5:5; 16:15; 16:23; 16:24; 16:25; 16:26; 16:27; 16:20; 16:28; 16:29 and 16:30 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.  Following those are tables comparing Colossians 2:16, 17; 1 Corinthians 10:24; 10:30; 10:33 and Mark 2:27 in the NET and KJV.

Psalm 24:1 (Tanakh)

Psalm 24:1 (KJV)

Psalm 24:1 (NET)

The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. A psalm of David.  The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it.

Psalm 24:1 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 23:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυιδ τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων τοῦ κυρίου ἡ γῆ καὶ τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτῆς ἡ οἰκουμένη καὶ πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ Ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυΐδ· τῆς μιᾶς Σαββάτων. – ΤΟΥ Κυρίου ἡ γῆ καὶ τὸ πλήρωμα αὐτῆς, ἡ οἰκουμένη καὶ πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ

Psalm 23:1 (NETS)

Psalm 23:1 (English Elpenor)

A Psalm.  Pertaining to Dauid.  The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world and all those who live in it; [A Psalm for David on the first day of the week.[13]]  The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and all that dwell in it.

Genesis 2:1 (Tanakh)

Genesis 2:1 (KJV)

Genesis 2:1 (NET)

And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. The heavens and the earth were completed with everything that was in them.

Genesis 2:1 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 2:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ συνετελέσθησαν ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ καὶ πᾶς ὁ κόσμος αὐτῶν ΚΑΙ συνετελέσθησαν ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ καὶ πᾶς ὁ κόσμος αὐτῶν.

Genesis 2:1 (NETS)

Genesis 2:1 (English Elpenor)

And the sky and the earth were finished, and all their arrangement. AND the heavens and the earth were finished, and the whole world of them.

Genesis 2:2 (Tanakh)

Genesis 2:2 (KJV)

Genesis 2:2 (NET)

And on the seventh day G-d finished His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. By the seventh day God finished the work that he had been doing, and he ceased on the seventh day all the work that he had been doing.

Genesis 2:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 2:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ συνετέλεσεν ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἕκτῃ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ ἃ ἐποίησεν καὶ κατέπαυσεν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ ὧν ἐποίησεν καὶ συνετέλεσεν ὁ Θεὸς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἕκτῃ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ, ἃ ἐποίησε, καὶ κατέπαυσε τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ, ὧν ἐποίησε

Genesis 2:2 (NETS)

Genesis 2:2 (English Elpenor)

And on the sixth day God finished his works that he had made, and he left off on the seventh day from all his works that he had made. And God finished on the sixth day his works which he made, and he ceased on the seventh day from all his works which he made.

Genesis 2:3 (Tanakh)

Genesis 2:3 (KJV)

Genesis 2:3 (NET)

And G-d blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work which G-d in creating had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased all the work that he had been doing in creation.

Genesis 2:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 2:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ηὐλόγησεν ὁ θεὸς τὴν ἡμέραν τὴν ἑβδόμην καὶ ἡγίασεν αὐτήν ὅτι ἐν αὐτῇ κατέπαυσεν ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ ὧν ἤρξατο ὁ θεὸς ποιῆσαι καὶ εὐλόγησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὴν ἡμέραν τὴν ἑβδόμην καὶ ἡγίασεν αὐτήν· ὅτι ἐν αὐτῇ κατέπαυσεν ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ, ὧν ἤρξατο ὁ Θεὸς ποιῆσαι

Genesis 2:3 (NETS)

Genesis 2:3 (English Elpenor)

And God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it he left off from all his works that God had begun to make. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it he ceased from all his works which God began to do.

Genesis 8:20 (Tanakh)

Genesis 8:20 (KJV)

Genesis 8:20 (NET)

And Noah builded an altar unto HaShem; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar. And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. Noah built an altar to the Lord.  He then took some of every kind of clean animal and clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Genesis 8:20 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 8:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν Νωε θυσιαστήριον τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἔλαβεν ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν κτηνῶν τῶν καθαρῶν καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν πετεινῶν τῶν καθαρῶν καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν ὁλοκαρπώσεις ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε Νῶε θυσιαστήριον τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ ἔλαβεν ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν κτηνῶν τῶν καθαρῶν καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν πετεινῶν τῶν καθαρῶν καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν εἰς ὁλοκάρπωσιν ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον

Genesis 8:20 (NETS)

Genesis 8:20 (English Elpenor)

And Noe built an altar to God and took of all the clean domestic animals and of all the clean birds and offered whole burnt offerings on the altar. And Noe built an altar to the Lord, and took of all clean beasts, and of all clean birds, and offered a whole burnt-offering upon the altar.

Genesis 8:21 (Tanakh)

Genesis 8:21 (KJV)

Genesis 8:21 (NET)

And HaShem smelled the sweet savour; and HaShem said in His heart: ‘I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. And the Lord smelled the soothing aroma and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, even though the inclination of their minds is evil from childhood on.  I will never again destroy everything that lives, as I have just done.

Genesis 8:21 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 8:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ὠσφράνθη κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας καὶ εἶπεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς διανοηθείς οὐ προσθήσω ἔτι τοῦ καταράσασθαι τὴν γῆν διὰ τὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὅτι ἔγκειται ἡ διάνοια τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπιμελῶς ἐπὶ τὰ πονηρὰ ἐκ νεότητος οὐ προσθήσω οὖν ἔτι πατάξαι πᾶσαν σάρκα ζῶσαν καθὼς ἐποίησα καὶ ὠσφράνθη Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας, καὶ εἶπε Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς διανοηθείς· οὐ προσθήσω ἔτι καταράσασθαι τὴν γῆν διὰ τὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅτι ἔγκειται ἡ διάνοια τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐπιμελῶς ἐπὶ τὰ πονηρὰ ἐκ νεότητος αὐτοῦ· οὐ προσθήσω οὖν ἔτι πατάξαι πᾶσαν σάρκα ζῶσαν, καθὼς ἐποίησα

Genesis 8:21 (NETS)

Genesis 8:21 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord God smelled an odor of fragrance, and the Lord God, when he had given it thought, said, “I will not proceed hereafter to curse the earth because of the deeds of humans, for the mind of humankind applies itself attentively to evil things from youth; so I will not proceed hereafter to smite all living flesh, as I have done. And the Lord God smelled a smell of sweetness, and the Lord God having considered, said, I will not any more curse the earth, because of the works of men, because the imagination of man is intently bent upon evil things from his youth, I will not therefore any more smite all living flesh as I have done.

Genesis 8:22 (Tanakh)

Genesis 8:22 (KJV)

Genesis 8:22 (NET)

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.’ While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. “While the earth continues to exist, planting time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”

Genesis 8:22 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 8:22 (Septuagint Elpenor)

πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς γῆς σπέρμα καὶ θερισμός ψῦχος καὶ καῦμα θέρος καὶ ἔαρ ἡμέραν καὶ νύκτα οὐ καταπαύσουσιν πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς γῆς, σπέρμα καὶ θερισμός, ψῦχος καὶ καῦμα, θέρος καὶ ἔαρ, ἡμέραν καὶ νύκτα οὐ καταπαύσουσι

Genesis 8:22 (NETS)

Genesis 8:22 (English Elpenor)

During all the days of the earth, seed and harvest, cold and heat, summer and spring shall not cease—during day and night.” All the days of the earth, seed and harvest, cold and heat, summer and spring, shall not cease by day or night.

Exodus 5:4 (Tanakh)

Exodus 5:4 (KJV)

Exodus 5:4 (NET)

And the king of Egypt said unto them: ‘Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, cause the people to break loose from their work? get you unto your burdens.’ And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. The king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you cause the people to refrain from their work?  Return to your labor!”

Exodus 5:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 5:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῗς ὁ βασιλεὺς Αἰγύπτου ἵνα τί Μωυσῆ καὶ Ααρων διαστρέφετε τὸν λαόν μου ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων ἀπέλθατε ἕκαστος ὑμῶν πρὸς τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ βασιλεὺς Αἰγύπτου· ἱνατί Μωυσῆ καὶ ᾿Ααρὼν διαστρέφετε τὸν λαὸν ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων; ἀπέλθατε ἕκαστος ὑμῶν πρὸς τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ

Exodus 5:4 (NETS)

Exodus 5:4 (English Elpenor)

And the king of Egypt said to them, “Moyses and Aaron, why are you diverting my people from their tasks?  Each of you, go back to his tasks.” And the king of Egypt said to them, Why do ye, Moses and Aaron, turn the people from their works? depart each of you to your works.

Exodus 5:5 (Tanakh)

Exodus 5:5 (KJV)

Exodus 5:5 (NET)

And Pharaoh said: ‘Behold, the people of the land are now many, and will ye make them rest from their burdens?’ And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. Pharaoh was thinking, “The people of the land are now many, and you are giving them rest from their labor.”

Exodus 5:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 5:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Φαραω ἰδοὺ νῦν πολυπληθεῗ ὁ λαός μὴ οὖν καταπαύσωμεν αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων καὶ εἶπε Φαραώ· ἰδοὺ νῦν πολυπληθεῖ ὁ λαός· μὴ οὖν καταπαύσωμεν αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων

Exodus 5:5 (NETS)

Exodus 5:5 (English Elpenor)

And Pharao said, “Look, the people of the land now are very numerous.  Therefore, let us not give them relief from their tasks.” And Pharao said, Behold now, the people is very numerous; let us not then give them rest from their work.

Exodus 16:15 (Tanakh)

Exodus 16:15 (KJV)

Exodus 16:15 (NET)

And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another: ‘What is it?’ –for they knew not what it was.  And Moses said unto them: ‘It is the bread which HaShem hath given you to eat. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was.  And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” because they did not know what it was.  Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you for food.

Exodus 16:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 16:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἰδόντες δὲ αὐτὸ οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ εἶπαν ἕτερος τῷ ἑτέρῳ τί ἐστιν τοῦτο οὐ γὰρ ᾔδεισαν τί ἦν εἶπεν δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς αὐτούς οὗτος ὁ ἄρτος ὃν ἔδωκεν κύριος ὑμῗν φαγεῗν ἰδόντες δὲ αὐτὸ οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ εἶπαν ἕτερος τῷ ἑτέρῳ· τί ἐστι τοῦτο; οὐ γὰρ ᾔδεισαν, τί ἦν. εἶπε δὲ Μωυσῆς αὐτοῖς· οὗτος ὁ ἄρτος, ὃν ἔδωκε Κύριος ὑμῖν φαγεῖν

Exodus 16:15 (NETS)

Exodus 16:15, 16a (English Elpenor)

And when they saw it, the sons of Israel said one to the other, “What is this?”  For they did not know what it was. Then Moyses said to them, “This is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, What is this? for they knew not what it was; and Moses said to them, (16) This [is] the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.

Exodus 16:23 (Tanakh)

Exodus 16:23 (KJV)

Exodus 16:23 (NET)

And he said unto them: ‘This is that which HaShem hath spoken: To-morrow is a solemn rest, a holy sabbath unto HaShem. Bake that which ye will bake, and seethe that which ye will seethe; and all that remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.’ And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. He said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a time of cessation from work, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Whatever you want to bake, bake today; whatever you want to boil, boil today; whatever is left put aside for yourselves to be kept until morning.’”

Exodus 16:23 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 16:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς αὐτούς τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμά ἐστιν ὃ ἐλάλησεν κύριος σάββατα ἀνάπαυσις ἁγία τῷ κυρίῳ αὔριον ὅσα ἐὰν πέσσητε πέσσετε καὶ ὅσα ἐὰν ἕψητε ἕψετε καὶ πᾶν τὸ πλεονάζον καταλίπετε αὐτὸ εἰς ἀποθήκην εἰς τὸ πρωί εἶπε δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς αὐτούς· οὐ τοῦτο τὸ ρῆμά ἐστιν, ὃ ἐλάλησε Κύριος; σάββατα ἀνάπαυσις ἁγία τῷ Κυρίῳ αὔριον· ὅσα ἐὰν πέσσητε, πέσσετε, καὶ ὅσα ἐὰν ἕψητε, ἕψετε· καὶ πᾶν τὸ πλεονάζον καταλείπετε αὐτὸ εἰς ἀποθήκην εἰς τὸ πρωΐ

Exodus 16:23 (NETS)

Exodus 16:23 (English Elpenor)

And Moyses said to them, “This is the word that the Lord spoke: Tomorrow is Sabbata, a rest holy to the Lord. Whatever you bake, bake, and whatever you boil, boil.  And all the excess, leave it in storage until the morning.” And Moses said to them, Is not this the word which the Lord spoke?  Tomorrow [is] the sabbath, a holy rest to the Lord: bake that ye will bake, and seethe that ye will seethe, and all that is over leave to be laid by for the morrow.

Exodus 16:24 (Tanakh)

Exodus 16:24 (KJV)

Exodus 16:24 (NET)

And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade; and it did not rot, neither was there any worm therein. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. So they put it aside until the morning, just as Moses had commanded, and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it.

Exodus 16:24 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 16:24 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ κατελίποσαν ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ πρωί καθάπερ συνέταξεν αὐτοῗς Μωυσῆς καὶ οὐκ ἐπώζεσεν οὐδὲ σκώληξ ἐγένετο ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ κατελίποσαν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ πρωΐ, καθὼς συνέταξεν αὐτοῖς Μωυσῆς· καὶ οὐκ ἐπώζεσεν, οὐδὲ σκώληξ ἐγένετο ἐν αὐτῷ

Exodus 16:24 (NETS)

Exodus 16:24 (English Elpenor)

And they left some of it until the morning, according as Moyses instructed them. And it did not stink, nor was there a worm in it. And they left of it till the morning, as Moses commanded them; and it stank not, neither was there a worm in it.

Exodus 16:25 (Tanakh)

Exodus 16:25 (KJV)

Exodus 16:25 (NET)

And Moses said: ‘Eat that to-day; for to-day is a sabbath unto HaShem; to-day ye shall not find it in the field. And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the area.

Exodus 16:25 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 16:25 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν δὲ Μωυσῆς φάγετε σήμερον ἔστιν γὰρ σάββατα σήμερον τῷ κυρίῳ οὐχ εὑρεθήσεται ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ εἶπε δὲ Μωυσῆς· φάγετε σήμερον, ἔστι γὰρ σάββατα σήμερον τῷ Κυρίῳ· οὐχ εὑρεθήσεται ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ

Exodus 16:25 (NETS)

Exodus 16:25 (English Elpenor)

And Moyses said, “Eat today!  For today is Sabbata to the Lord.  It will not be found on the plain. And Moses said, Eat [that] to-day, for to-day is a sabbath to the Lord: [it] shall not be found in the plain.

Exodus 16:26 (Tanakh)

Exodus 16:26 (KJV)

Exodus 16:26 (NET)

Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.’ Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. Six days you will gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”

Exodus 16:26 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 16:26 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἓξ ἡμέρας συλλέξετε τῇ δὲ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ σάββατα ὅτι οὐκ ἔσται ἐν αὐτῇ ἓξ ἡμέρας συλλέξετε· τῇ δὲ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ σάββατα, ὅτι οὐκ ἔσται ἐν αὐτῇ

Exodus 16:26 (NETS)

Exodus 16:26 (English Elpenor)

Six days you will collect, but on the seventh day is Sabbata. There will be none in it.” Six days ye shall gather it, and on the seventh day is a sabbath, for there shall be none on that [day].

Exodus 16:27 (Tanakh)

Exodus 16:27 (KJV)

Exodus 16:27 (NET)

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that there went out some of the people to gather, and they found none. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather it, but they found nothing.

Exodus 16:27 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 16:27 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἐξήλθοσάν τινες ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ συλλέξαι καὶ οὐχ εὗρον ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἐξήλθοσάν τινες ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ συλλέξαι καὶ οὐχ εὗρον

Exodus 16:27 (NETS)

Exodus 16:27 (English Elpenor)

And it happened on the seventh day, certain of the people went out to collect, and they found none. And it came to pass on the seventh day [that] some of the people went forth to gather, and found none.

Exodus 16:20 (Tanakh)

Exodus 16:20 (KJV)

Exodus 16:20 (NET)

Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and rotted; and Moses was wroth with them. Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. But they did not listen to Moses; some kept part of it until morning, and it was full of worms and began to stink, and Moses was angry with them.

Exodus 16:20 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 16:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ οὐκ εἰσήκουσαν Μωυσῆ ἀλλὰ κατέλιπόν τινες ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ πρωί καὶ ἐξέζεσεν σκώληκας καὶ ἐπώζεσεν καὶ ἐπικράνθη ἐπ᾽ αὐτοῗς Μωυσῆς καὶ οὐκ εἰσήκουσαν Μωυσῇ, ἀλλὰ κατέλιπόν τινες ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ πρωΐ· καὶ ἐξέζεσε σκώληκας καὶ ἐπώζεσε· καὶ ἐπικράνθη ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς Μωυσῆς

Exodus 16:20 (NETS)

Exodus 16:20 (English Elpenor)

And they did not listen to Moyses, but certain ones left some of it to the morning.  And it bred worms and stank, and Moyses was irritated with them. But they did not hearken to Moses, but some left of it till the morning; and it bred worms and stank: and Moses was irritated with them.

Exodus 16:28 (Tanakh)

Exodus 16:28 (KJV)

Exodus 16:28 (NET)

And HaShem said unto Moses: ‘How long refuse ye to keep My commandments and My laws? And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? So the Lord said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to obey my commandments and my instructions?

Exodus 16:28 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 16:28 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν δὲ κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἕως τίνος οὐ βούλεσθε εἰσακούειν τὰς ἐντολάς μου καὶ τὸν νόμον μου εἶπε δὲ Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν· ἕως τίνος οὐ βούλεσθε εἰσακούειν τὰς ἐντολάς μου καὶ τὸν νόμον μου

Exodus 16:28 (NETS)

Exodus 16:28 (English Elpenor)

Then the Lord said to Moyses, “For how long are you unwilling to listen to my commandments and my laws? And the Lord said to Moses, How long are ye unwilling to hearken to my commands and my law?

Exodus 16:29 (Tanakh)

Exodus 16:29 (KJV)

Exodus 16:29 (NET)

See that HaShem hath given you the sabbath; therefore He giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.’ See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. See, because the Lord has given you the Sabbath, that is why he is giving you food for two days on the sixth day.  Each of you stay where you are; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.”

Exodus 16:29 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 16:29 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἴδετε ὁ γὰρ κύριος ἔδωκεν ὑμῗν τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην τὰ σάββατα διὰ τοῦτο αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν ὑμῗν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἕκτῃ ἄρτους δύο ἡμερῶν καθήσεσθε ἕκαστος εἰς τοὺς οἴκους ὑμῶν μηδεὶς ἐκπορευέσθω ἐκ τοῦ τόπου αὐτοῦ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἴδετε, ὁ γὰρ Κύριος ἔδωκεν ὑμῖν σάββατα τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην· διὰ τοῦτο αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν ὑμῖν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἕκτῃ ἄρτους δύο ἡμερῶν· καθήσεσθε ἕκαστος εἰς τοὺς οἴκους ὑμῶν, μηδεὶς ἐκπορευέσθω ἐκ τοῦ τόπου αὐτοῦ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ

Exodus 16:29 (NETS)

Exodus 16:29 (English Elpenor)

See!  For the Lord has given you this day, the sabbaths. Therefore he gave you on the sixth day bread for two days. Sit, each person, in your houses; let no one go out from his place on the seventh day.” See, for the Lord has given you this day [as] the sabbath, therefore he has given you on the sixth day the bread of two days: ye shall sit each of you in your houses; let no one go forth from his place on the seventh day.

Exodus 16:30 (Tanakh)

Exodus 16:30 (KJV)

Exodus 16:30 (NET)

So the people rested on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day.

Exodus 16:30 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 16:30 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐσαββάτισεν ὁ λαὸς τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ καὶ ἐσαββάτισεν ὁ λαὸς τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ

Exodus 16:30 (NETS)

Exodus 16:30 (English Elpenor)

And the people sabbatized on the seventh day. And the people kept sabbath on the seventh day.

Colossians 2:16, 17 (NET)

Colossians 2:16, 17 (KJV)

Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days— Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Μὴ οὖν τις ὑμᾶς κρινέτω ἐν βρώσει καὶ ἐν πόσει ἢ ἐν μέρει ἑορτῆς ἢ νεομηνίας ἢ σαββάτων μη ουν τις υμας κρινετω εν βρωσει η εν ποσει η εν μερει εορτης η νουμηνιας η σαββατων μη ουν τις υμας κρινετω εν βρωσει η εν ποσει η εν μερει εορτης η νουμηνιας η σαββατων
these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ! Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἅ ἐστιν σκιὰ τῶν μελλόντων, τὸ δὲ σῶμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ. α εστιν σκια των μελλοντων το δε σωμα του χριστου α εστιν σκια των μελλοντων το δε σωμα χριστου

1 Corinthians 10:24 (NET)

1 Corinthians 10:24 (KJV)

Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

μηδεὶς τὸ ἑαυτοῦ ζητείτω ἀλλὰ τὸ τοῦ ἑτέρου μηδεις το εαυτου ζητειτω αλλα το του ετερου εκαστος μηδεις το εαυτου ζητειτω αλλα το του ετερου εκαστος

1 Corinthians 10:30 (NET)

1 Corinthians 10:30 (KJV)

If I partake with thankfulness, why am I blamed for the food that I give thanks for? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

εἰ ἐγὼ χάριτι μετέχω, τί βλασφημοῦμαι ὑπὲρ οὗ ἐγὼ εὐχαριστῶ ει δε εγω χαριτι μετεχω τι βλασφημουμαι υπερ ου εγω ευχαριστω ει εγω χαριτι μετεχω τι βλασφημουμαι υπερ ου εγω ευχαριστω

1 Corinthians 10:33 (NET)

1 Corinthians 10:33 (KJV)

just as I also try to please everyone in all things.  I do not seek my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καθὼς καγὼ πάντα πᾶσιν ἀρέσκω μὴ ζητῶν τὸ ἐμαυτοῦ σύμφορον ἀλλὰ τὸ τῶν πολλῶν, ἵνα σωθῶσιν καθως καγω παντα πασιν αρεσκω μη ζητων το εμαυτου συμφερον αλλα το των πολλων ινα σωθωσιν καθως καγω παντα πασιν αρεσκω μη ζητων το εμαυτου συμφερον αλλα το των πολλων ινα σωθωσιν

Mark 2:27 (NET)

Mark 2:27 (KJV)

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath. And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· τὸ σάββατον διὰ τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἐγένετο καὶ οὐχ ὁ ἄνθρωπος διὰ τὸ σάββατον και ελεγεν αυτοις το σαββατον δια τον ανθρωπον εγενετο ουχ ο ανθρωπος δια το σαββατον και ελεγεν αυτοις το σαββατον δια τον ανθρωπον εγενετο ουχ ο ανθρωπος δια το σαββατον

[1] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the conjunction η.

[2] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had νεομηνίας here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had νουμηνιας.

[3] The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article τοῦ preceding Christ.  The Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[4] Colossians 2:16 (NASB)

[5] The first definition of ἀνακρίνω is: “to question, inquire, interrogate, ask.”

[6] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εκαστος following other person.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[7] The Stephanus Textus Receptus had δε (KJV: For) here.  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[8] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had σύμφορον here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had συμφερον (KJV: profit).

[9] Exodus 16:15b (Tanakh)

[10] James 2:18b (NET) Table

[11] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ (not translated in the NET) preceding not.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[12] Mark 2:27 (NET)

[13] The English translators of the Elpenor version of the Septuagint chose the first day of the week for Σαββάτων (a form of σάββατον).  It is a religious paraphrase as opposed to a literal translation of the word. Addendum: 4/11/2020 – The translators were not translating Σαββάτων but τῆς μιᾶς Σαββάτων.  When Σαββάτων occurs with μιᾶς, μίαν or μιᾷ in the New Testament that combination is translated the first day of the week.

A Shadow of the Good Things, Part 1

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.

Reference

Form of πείθω NET

KJV

Matthew 27:20 ἔπεισαν …the elders persuaded the crowds… …elders persuaded the multitude…
Acts 5:40 ἐπείσθησαν He convinced them… And to him they agreed
Acts 17:4 Some of them were persuaded And some of them believed
Acts 18:4 ἔπειθεν attempting to persuade them. …and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Acts 27:11 ἐπείθετο …the centurion was more convinced by the captain… …the centurion believed the master…
Acts 13:43 ἔπειθον were persuading them to continue in the grace of God. persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 5:36 ἐπείθοντο …all who followed him were dispersed… …as many as obeyed him, were scattered…
Acts 5:37 …all who followed him were scattered. …as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
Acts 28:24 Some were convinced by what he said… And some believed the things which were spoken…

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 3rd 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 (ʼădônâyאֲדֹנָ֣יGod (yehôvihיֱהֹוִ֔ה): 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.

Leviticus 12:3 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 12:3 (KJV)

Leviticus 12:3 (NET)

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin must be circumcised.

Leviticus 12:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 12:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ὀγδόῃ περιτεμεῗ τὴν σάρκα τῆς ἀκροβυστίας αὐτοῦ καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ὀγδόῃ περιτεμεῖ τὴν σάρκα τῆς ἀκροβυστίας αὐτοῦ

Leviticus 12:3 (NETS)

Leviticus 12:3 (English Elpenor)

And on the eighth day she shall circumcise the flesh of his foreskin. And on the eighth day she shall circumcise the flesh of his foreskin.

James 3:3 (NET)

James 3:3 (KJV)
And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
εἰ δὲ τῶν ἵππων τοὺς χαλινοὺς εἰς τὰ στόματα βάλλομεν εἰς τὸ πείθεσθαι αὐτοὺς ἡμῖν, καὶ ὅλον τὸ σῶμα αὐτῶν μετάγομεν ιδου των ιππων τους χαλινους εις τα στοματα βαλλομεν προς το πειθεσθαι αυτους ημιν και ολον το σωμα αυτων μεταγομεν ιδε των ιππων τους χαλινους εις τα στοματα βαλλομεν προς το πειθεσθαι αυτους ημιν και ολον το σωμα αυτων μεταγομεν
Acts 27:11 (NET) Acts 27:11 (KJV)
But the centurion was more convinced by the captain and the ship’s owner than by what Paul said. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
ὁ δὲ ἑκατοντάρχης τῷ κυβερνήτῃ καὶ τῷ ναυκλήρῳ μᾶλλον ἐπείθετο ἢ τοῖς ὑπὸ Παύλου λεγομένοις ο δε εκατονταρχος τω κυβερνητη και τω ναυκληρω επειθετο μαλλον η τοις υπο του παυλου λεγομενοις ο δε εκατονταρχης τω κυβερνητη και τω ναυκληρω επειθετο μαλλον η τοις υπο του παυλου λεγομενοις
Acts 13:43 (NET) Acts 13:43 (KJV)
When the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and were persuading them to continue in the grace of God. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
λυθείσης δὲ τῆς συναγωγῆς ἠκολούθησαν πολλοὶ τῶν Ἰουδαίων καὶ τῶν σεβομένων προσηλύτων τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ τῷ Βαρναβᾷ, οἵτινες προσλαλοῦντες αὐτοῖς ἔπειθον αὐτοὺς προσμένειν τῇ χάριτι τοῦ θεοῦ λυθεισης δε της συναγωγης ηκολουθησαν πολλοι των ιουδαιων και των σεβομενων προσηλυτων τω παυλω και τω βαρναβα οιτινες προσλαλουντες αυτοις επειθον αυτους επιμενειν τη χαριτι του θεου λυθεισης δε της συναγωγης ηκολουθησαν πολλοι των ιουδαιων και των σεβομενων προσηλυτων τω παυλω και τω βαρναβα οιτινες προσλαλουντες επειθον αυτους επιμενειν τη χαριτι του θεου
Acts 5:28, 29 (NET) Acts 5:28, 29 (KJV)
saying, “We 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!” Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
λέγων·  παραγγελίᾳ παρηγγείλαμεν ὑμῖν μὴ διδάσκειν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι τούτῳ, καὶ ἰδοὺ πεπληρώκατε τὴν Ἰερουσαλὴμ τῆς διδαχῆς ὑμῶν καὶ βούλεσθε ἐπαγαγεῖν ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς τὸ αἷμα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τούτου λεγων ου παραγγελια παρηγγειλαμεν υμιν μη διδασκειν επι τω ονοματι τουτω και ιδου πεπληρωκατε την ιερουσαλημ της διδαχης υμων και βουλεσθε επαγαγειν εφ ημας το αιμα του ανθρωπου τουτου λεγων ου παραγγελια παρηγγειλαμεν υμιν μη διδασκειν επι τω ονοματι τουτω και ιδου πεπληρωκατε την ιερουσαλημ της διδαχης υμων και βουλεσθε επαγαγειν εφ ημας το αιμα του ανθρωπου τουτου
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Πέτρος καὶ οἱ ἀπόστολοι εἶπαν· πειθαρχεῖν δεῖ θεῷ μᾶλλον ἢ ἀνθρώποις αποκριθεις δε ο πετρος και οι αποστολοι ειπον πειθαρχειν δει θεω μαλλον η ανθρωποις αποκριθεις δε πετρος και οι αποστολοι ειπον πειθαρχειν δει θεω μαλλον η ανθρωποις
Acts 5:31, 32 (NET) Acts 5:31, 32 (KJV)
God exalted him to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
τοῦτον ὁ θεὸς ἀρχηγὸν καὶ σωτῆρα ὕψωσεν τῇ δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ [τοῦ] δοῦναι μετάνοιαν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ καὶ ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν τουτον ο θεος αρχηγον και σωτηρα υψωσεν τη δεξια αυτου δουναι μετανοιαν τω ισραηλ και αφεσιν αμαρτιων τουτον ο θεος αρχηγον και σωτηρα υψωσεν τη δεξια αυτου δουναι μετανοιαν τω ισραηλ και αφεσιν αμαρτιων
And we are witnesses of these events, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν μάρτυρες τῶν ρημάτων τούτων καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον ὃ ἔδωκεν ὁ θεὸς τοῖς πειθαρχοῦσιν αὐτῷ και ημεις εσμεν αυτου μαρτυρες των ρηματων τουτων και το πνευμα δε το αγιον ο εδωκεν ο θεος τοις πειθαρχουσιν αυτω και ημεις εσμεν αυτου μαρτυρες των ρηματων τουτων και το πνευμα δε το αγιον ο εδωκεν ο θεος τοις πειθαρχουσιν αυτω
James 2:18 (NET) James 2:18 (KJV)
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
Ἀλλ᾿ ἐρεῖ τις· σὺ πίστιν ἔχεις, καγὼ ἔργα ἔχω· δεῖξον μοι τὴν πίστιν σου χωρὶς τῶν ἔργων, καγώ σοι δείξω ἐκ τῶν ἔργων μου τὴν πίστιν αλλ ερει τις συ πιστιν εχεις καγω εργα εχω δειξον μοι την πιστιν σου εκ των εργων σου καγω δειξω σοι εκ των εργων μου την πιστιν μου αλλ ερει τις συ πιστιν εχεις καγω εργα εχω δειξον μοι την πιστιν σου εκ των εργων σου καγω δειξω σοι εκ των εργων μου την πιστιν μου
Matthew 3:11 (NET) Matthew 3:11 (KJV)
“I baptize you with water, for repentance, but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am – I am not worthy to carry his sandals!  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
Ἐγὼ μὲν ὑμᾶς βαπτίζω ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν, ὁ δὲ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερος μού ἐστιν, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς τὰ ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι· αὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ καὶ πυρί εγω μεν βαπτιζω υμας εν υδατι εις μετανοιαν ο δε οπισω μου ερχομενος ισχυροτερος μου εστιν ου ουκ ειμι ικανος τα υποδηματα βαστασαι αυτος υμας βαπτισει εν πνευματι αγιω και πυρι εγω μεν βαπτιζω υμας εν υδατι εις μετανοιαν ο δε οπισω μου ερχομενος ισχυροτερος μου εστιν ου ουκ ειμι ικανος τα υποδηματα βαστασαι αυτος υμας βαπτισει εν πνευματι αγιω
Matthew 3:14 (NET) Matthew 3:14 (KJV)
But John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
ὁ δὲ  διεκώλυεν αὐτὸν λέγων· ἐγὼ χρείαν ἔχω ὑπὸ σοῦ βαπτισθῆναι, καὶ σὺ ἔρχῃ πρός με ο δε ιωαννης διεκωλυεν αυτον λεγων εγω χρειαν εχω υπο σου βαπτισθηναι και συ ερχη προς με ο δε ιωαννης διεκωλυεν αυτον λεγων εγω χρειαν εχω υπο σου βαπτισθηναι και συ ερχη προς με
Matthew 3:16 (NET) Matthew 3:16 (KJV)
After Jesus was baptized, just as he was coming up out of the water, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
βαπτισθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εὐθὺς ἀνέβη ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἠνεῴχθησαν οἱ οὐρανοί, καὶ εἶδεν [τὸ] πνεῦμα [τοῦ] θεοῦ καταβαῖνον ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν [καὶ] ἐρχόμενον ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν και βαπτισθεις ο ιησους ανεβη ευθυς απο του υδατος και ιδου ανεωχθησαν αυτω οι ουρανοι και ειδεν το πνευμα του θεου καταβαινον ωσει περιστεραν και ερχομενον επ αυτον και βαπτισθεις ο ιησους ανεβη ευθυς απο του υδατος και ιδου ανεωχθησαν αυτω οι ουρανοι και ειδεν το πνευμα του θεου καταβαινον ωσει περιστεραν και ερχομενον επ αυτον
Acts 10:47, 48 (NET) Acts 10:47, 48 (KJV)
“No one can withhold the water for these people to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
μήτι τὸ ὕδωρ δύναται κωλῦσαι τις τοῦ μὴ βαπτισθῆναι τούτους, οἵτινες τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον ἔλαβον ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς μητι το υδωρ κωλυσαι δυναται τις του μη βαπτισθηναι τουτους οιτινες το πνευμα το αγιον ελαβον καθως και ημεις μητι το υδωρ κωλυσαι δυναται τις του μη βαπτισθηναι τουτους οιτινες το πνευμα το αγιον ελαβον καθως και ημεις
So he gave orders to have them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  Then they asked him to stay for several days. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.  Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
προσέταξεν δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ βαπτισθῆναι. τότε ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν ἐπιμεῖναι ἡμέρας τινάς προσεταξεν τε αυτους βαπτισθηναι εν τω ονοματι του κυριου τοτε ηρωτησαν αυτον επιμειναι ημερας τινας προσεταξεν τε αυτους βαπτισθηναι εν τω ονοματι του κυριου τοτε ηρωτησαν αυτον επιμειναι ημερας τινας
Acts 5:33, 34 (NET) Acts 5:33, 34 (KJV)
Now when they heard this, they became furious and wanted to execute them. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
Οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες διεπρίοντο καὶ ἐβούλοντο ἀνελεῖν αὐτούς οι δε ακουσαντες διεπριοντο και εβουλευοντο ανελειν αυτους οι δε ακουοντες διεπριοντο και εβουλευοντο ανελειν αυτους
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 men to be put outside for a short time. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
ἀναστὰς δέ τις ἐν τῷ συνεδρίῳ Φαρισαῖος ὀνόματι Γαμαλιήλ, νομοδιδάσκαλος τίμιος παντὶ τῷ λαῷ, ἐκέλευσεν ἔξω βραχὺ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ποιῆσαι αναστας δε τις εν τω συνεδριω φαρισαιος ονοματι γαμαλιηλ νομοδιδασκαλος τιμιος παντι τω λαω εκελευσεν εξω βραχυ τι τους αποστολους ποιησαι αναστας δε τις εν τω συνεδριω φαρισαιος ονοματι γαμαλιηλ νομοδιδασκαλος τιμιος παντι τω λαω εκελευσεν εξω βραχυ τι τους αποστολους ποιησαι
Acts 5:36-40 (NET) Acts 5:36-40 (KJV)
For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him.  He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and nothing came of it. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
πρὸ γὰρ τούτων τῶν ἡμερῶν ἀνέστη Θευδᾶς λέγων εἶναι τινα ἑαυτόν, ᾧ προσεκλίθη ἀνδρῶν ἀριθμὸς ὡς τετρακοσίων· ὃς ἀνῃρέθη, καὶ πάντες ὅσοι ἐπείθοντο αὐτῷ διελύθησαν καὶ ἐγένοντο εἰς οὐδέν προ γαρ τουτων των ημερων ανεστη θευδας λεγων ειναι τινα εαυτον ω προσεκολληθη αριθμος ανδρων ωσει τετρακοσιων ος ανηρεθη και παντες οσοι επειθοντο αυτω διελυθησαν και εγενοντο εις ουδεν προ γαρ τουτων των ημερων ανεστη θευδας λεγων ειναι τινα εαυτον ω προσεκληθη αριθμος ανδρων ωσει τετρακοσιων ος ανηρεθη και παντες οσοι επειθοντο αυτω διελυθησαν και εγενοντο εις ουδεν
After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census, and incited people to follow him in revolt.  He too was killed, and all who followed him were scattered. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
μετὰ τοῦτον ἀνέστη Ἰούδας ὁ Γαλιλαῖος ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῆς ἀπογραφῆς καὶ ἀπέστησεν λαὸν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ· κακεῖνος ἀπώλετο καὶ πάντες ὅσοι ἐπείθοντο αὐτῷ διεσκορπίσθησαν μετα τουτον ανεστη ιουδας ο γαλιλαιος εν ταις ημεραις της απογραφης και απεστησεν λαον ικανον οπισω αυτου κακεινος απωλετο και παντες οσοι επειθοντο αυτω διεσκορπισθησαν μετα τουτον ανεστη ιουδας ο γαλιλαιος εν ταις ημεραις της απογραφης και απεστησεν λαον ικανον οπισω αυτου κακεινος απωλετο και παντες οσοι επειθοντο αυτω διεσκορπισθησαν
So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it will come to nothing, And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ |τὰ| νῦν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπόστητε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων τούτων καὶ ἄφετε αὐτούς· ὅτι ἐὰν ᾖ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἡ βουλὴ αὕτη ἢ τὸ ἔργον τοῦτο, καταλυθήσεται και τα νυν λεγω υμιν αποστητε απο των ανθρωπων τουτων και εασατε αυτους οτι εαν η εξ ανθρωπων η βουλη αυτη η το εργον τουτο καταλυθησεται και τα νυν λεγω υμιν αποστητε απο των ανθρωπων τουτων και εασατε αυτους οτι εαν η εξ ανθρωπων η βουλη η το εργον τουτο καταλυθησεται
but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found fighting against God.”  He convinced them, But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
εἰ δὲ ἐκ θεοῦ ἐστιν, οὐ δυνήσεσθε καταλῦσαι αὐτούς, μήποτε καὶ θεομάχοι εὑρεθῆτε. ἐπείσθησαν δὲ αὐτῷ ει δε εκ θεου εστιν ου δυνασθε καταλυσαι αυτο μηποτε και θεομαχοι ευρεθητε ει δε εκ θεου εστιν ου δυνασθε καταλυσαι αυτο μηποτε και θεομαχοι ευρεθητε
and they summoned the apostles and had them beaten. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
ἐπείσθησαν δὲ αὐτῷ καὶ προσκαλεσάμενοι τοὺς ἀποστόλους δείραντες παρήγγειλαν μὴ λαλεῖν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ Ἰησοῦ καὶ ἀπέλυσαν επεισθησαν δε αυτω και προσκαλεσαμενοι τους αποστολους δειραντες παρηγγειλαν μη λαλειν επι τω ονοματι του ιησου και απελυσαν αυτους επεισθησαν δε αυτω και προσκαλεσαμενοι τους αποστολους δειραντες παρηγγειλαν μη λαλειν επι τω ονοματι του ιησου και απελυσαν αυτους

Matthew 6:13 (NET)

Matthew 6:13 (KJV)

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

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ρῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ και μη εισενεγκης ημας εις πειρασμον αλλα ρυσαι ημας απο του πονηρου οτι σου εστιν η βασιλεια και η δυναμις και η δοξα εις τους αιωνας αμην και μη εισενεγκης ημας εις πειρασμον αλλα ρυσαι ημας απο του πονηρου οτι σου εστιν η βασιλεια και η δυναμις και η δοξα εις τους αιωνας αμην

[1] Leviticus 12:3 (Tanakh)

[2] Galatians 5:2 (NET)

[3] James 3:3 (NET)

[4] The Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 began this clause with ου (KJV: Did not we).  The NET parallel Greek text did not.

[5] The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article ο preceding Peter.  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[6] The NET parallel Greek and NA28 had εἶπαν here (not translated in the NET), where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ειπον (KJV: and said).

[7] The NET parallel Greek and NA28 had the article τοῦ preceding give.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[8] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτου (KJV: his) preceding witnesses.  The NET parallel Greek and NA28 did not.

[9] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had δε (KJV: also) preceding Holy.  The NET parallel Greek and NA28 did not.

[10] Acts 2:38 (NET) Table

[11] John 6:29 (NET) Table

[12] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had χωρὶς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εκ.

[13] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had σου following works (KJV: thy works).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[14] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μου following faith (KJV: my faith).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[15] James 2:18b (NET)

[16] Acts 2:41 (NET) Table

[17] The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus had καὶ πυρί (NET: and fire) here.  The Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[18] The Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had ιωαννης (John) here.  The NET parallel Greek text did not.

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

[20] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἠνεῴχθησαν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ανεωχθησαν.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had αυτω (KJV: unto him) following opened.  The NET parallel Greek text did not.

[21] Acts 10:44 (NET)

[22] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article ο preceding Peter.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[23] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὡς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had καθως (KJV: as well as).

[24] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had του κυριου (KJV: the Lord).

[25] Matthew 3:15 (NET)

[26] Acts 5:32 (NET)

[27] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐβούλοντο here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εβουλευοντο (KJV: took counsel).

[28] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τι preceding the.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[29] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἀνθρώπους here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αποστολους (KJV: apostles).

[30] Acts 5:33b, 34 (NET)

[31] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἀριθμὸς ὡς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had simply αριθμος.

[32] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had προσεκλίθη here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had προσεκολληθη and the Byzantine Majority Text had προσεκληθη.

[33] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ικανον following people (KJV: much people).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[34] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἄφετε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εασατε (KJV: let them alone)

[35] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the plural masculine pronoun αὐτούς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the singular neuter pronoun αυτο (KJV: it).

[36] Acts 5:40a (KJV)

[37] Acts 5:39b (NET)

[38] Ezekiel 36:27 (Tanakh) Table

[39] Hebrews 10:1 (NET) Table

[40] Ephesians 4:23, 24 (NET)

[41] Glatians 5:22b-23a (NET) Table

[42] Romans 13:10 (NET) I’m confident to make this substitution. Paul’s description of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a) is not a description of human emotion.  It is at the very least a description of the fruit of the Spirit.

[43] Romans 3:22a (NET) Table

[44] Galatians 5:23b (NET)

[45] Galatians 2:17a (NET)

Peter’s Way?

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James, Jude and the writer of Hebrews managed to expound on the Gospel without recourse to Areté (ἀρέτη),[1] Greek virtue.  Paul used it once in a way that seems to question its existence or value: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue (ἀρέτη) and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.[2]  But Peter commanded me to add ἀρετήν (a form of ἀρέτη) to faith (πίστει, a form of πίστις):[3] giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue.[4]

“There is a tale that Arete (Virtue) dwells on unclimable rocks and close to the gods tends a holy place; she may not be seen by the eyes of all mortals, but only by him on whom distressing sweat comes from within, the one who reaches the peak of manliness.”[5]  In other words, Areté (ἀρέτη) is Gerard Butler as King Leonidas in the movie “300,”  straining, leaping, crawling, clawing, dragging himself by brute strength up a sheer cliff face to reach an oracle.  That Peter had this imagery of a slow, painful ascent in mind is obvious (2 Peter 1:5-7 NKJV):

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

And if such a manly man may imagine virtue at the pinnacle of his arduous climb as something like King Leonidas found in the movie—a beautiful, half-naked woman, writhing in ecstasy—that’s all for the better.  Peter’s letters, the only ones preserved in the New Testament, were addressed to people temporarily residing abroad,[6] presumably in the churches founded by Paul, probably after Paul’s execution in Rome.  I don’t really believe that Peter held any ill will toward Paul or his teaching.  I believe that Peter was Peter, “Ready! Fire! Aim!”  A fisherman by trade, Peter was ready to take on soldiers in the garden the night Jesus was arrested.[7]  But I do want to compare and contrast Paul’s and Peter’s How-To writings, because Peter’s writing spoke to me long before Paul’s made any sense at all.

At the time I was ready to believe Jesus again I was more than willing to make every effort to add to [my] faith excellence.[8]  Excellence is a contemporary attempt to rekindle some Greek fire in Areté (ἀρέτη), since virtue has become an old scold.  I set out, discounting the Gospel as something I’d already tried and found wanting, to obey the law, excellently, virtuously.  And I saw my efforts as the only sure way of escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire (ἐπιθυμίᾳ, a form of ἐπιθυμία).[9]  After I escaped the worldly corruption produced by evil desire by making every effort to keep the law, then I may become [a partaker] of the divine nature.[10]  But that wasn’t what Peter said, not really.  Or if it is was, it wasn’t exactly what he meant.

Peter’s point was that God’s divine power (δυνάμεως, a form of δύναμις)[11] has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence (ἀρετῇ, another form of ἀρέτη).[12]  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, Paul wrote, for it is God’s power (δύναμις) for salvation to everyone who believes.[13]

Through these things, Peter continued, [through God’s divine power that has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence] he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises (ἐπαγγέλματα, a form of ἐπάγγελμα).[14]  Abraham, according to Paul, did not waver in unbelief about the promise (ἐπαγγελίαν, a form of ἐπαγγελία)[15] of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.  He was fully convinced that what God promised (ἐπήγγελται, a form of ἐπαγγέλλω)[16] he was also able to do.[17]

Peter continued, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.[18]  To become partakers of the divine nature by believing what was promised sounds exactly like Paul, but only after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire?  The translators of the American Standard Version rendered it, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust.[19]  This, according to Paul, was achieved by God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.[20]  Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?[21]  Paul continued, our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.[22]

The translators of the New International Version rendered Peter’s explanation, so that through [his very great and precious promises] you may participate in the divine nature and [emphasis added] escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.[23]  But a note in the NET justifies the translation after escaping as follows: “The aorist participle ἀποφυγόντες (apophugontes) is often taken as attendant circumstance to the preceding verb γένησθε (genesthse). As such, the sense is ‘that you might become partakers…and might escape…’ However, it does not follow the contours of the vast majority of attendant circumstance participles (in which the participle precedes the main verb, among other things). Further, attendant circumstance participles are frequently confused with result participles (which do follow the verb). Many who take this as attendant circumstance are probably viewing it semantically as result (‘that you might become partakers…and [thereby] escape…’). But this is next to impossible since the participle is aorist: Result participles are categorically present tense.”

Reading this makes me wonder, did a fisherman who could change from first person plural to second person plural in mid-thought (he has bestowed on us…so that…you) know this subtle nuance of the Greek language?  The alternative—that Peter actually meant to say that God had bestowed his precious and most magnificent promises on Apostles only (or Jews only), so that the laity (or Gentiles) may become partakers of the divine nature, after making every effort to escape the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire—seems untenable to me given his opening salutation.  From Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness (δικαιοσύνῃ, a form of δικαιοσύνη)[24] of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted a faith just as precious as ours.  May grace and peace be lavished on you as you grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord![25]

If, however, I accept that Peter was not the writer, not the literary man or learned man, that Paul was, I can make some sense of this.  The Areté (ἀρέτη) Peter wanted me to add to my faith was nothing less than the Areté (ἀρέτη) of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence (ἀρετῇ, a form of ἀρέτη) who by his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness.[26]  Even the rabbis who translated the Septuagint used ἀρέτη for God’s virtue as Peter alluded to Isaiah 43:21: you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues (ἀρετὰς, another form of ἀρέτη) of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.[27]

NET

Blue Letter Bible (Septuagint)

NET   Bible (Greek parallel text)

…you may proclaim the virtues

1 Peter 2:9 (NET)

ἀρετάς μου[28] διηγεῖσθαι[29]

Isaiah   43:21

ἀρετὰς ἐξαγγείλητε[30]

1 Peter 2:9

Peter changed the word from διηγεῖσθαι to ἐξαγγείλητε, something more than mere telling.  It is only used once in the Bible, but is a compound of two words that would literally be from an angel (messenger).  It was translated show forth in the KJV.  It seems that ἀρέτη (ἀρετάς above) served the same function for Peter that δικαιοσύνη served for Paul: But now apart from the law the righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed – namely, the righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe.[31]

There are really only two ways for me to add virtue or moral excellence to my faith.  I can trust in Christ, relying on the credited righteousness of God through the fruit of the Holy Spirit, or I can strive to keep the law, relying on myself.  Had I like Saul achieved the status of blameless according to the righteousness stipulated in the law,[32] I still wouldn’t have qualified as a Pharisee.  And Jesus said, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.[33] Though the love that fulfills the law, the credited righteousness of God by the fruit of his Spirit, seems a long way off from Areté (ἀρέτη) in Peter’s arduous climb, it is an appropriate distance between self acquired blamelessness according to the righteousness stipulated in the law and the righteousness of God.  Of course, I didn’t see it this way before I grasped what Paul was saying in Romans.

I thought I was trusting Christ and striving to keep the law, even that by striving to keep the law I was trusting Christ, as I misunderstood James, Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by MY WORKS.[34]  I added the emphasis here to indicate how full of the pride of life[35] I was.  Thankfully, I can’t satisfy my God-given hunger and thirst for righteousness[36] by striving to keep rules.  And I also thank God that Jesus made a special appearance to call a wayward Pharisee named Saul, transformed him into Paul the Apostle, and gave him the words that make up the bulk of the Gospel commentary in the New Testament.


[1] Addendum: May 22, 2019
The Greek word ἀρέτη was used in the Septuagint. In an article titled “Are There Traces of Greek Philosophy in the Septuagint?” [The Jewish Quarterly Review Vol. 2, No. 3 (Apr., 1890), pp. 205-222] J. Freudenthal wrote:

“Aρέτη, as is well known, originally signifies man’s power and capacity; hence the term serves to denote all bodily and mental excellences, and, though more rarely, their effects or ‘great achievements,’ or the ‘glory,’ or ‘fame’ acquired in consequence…In philosophical language these usages fall into the background, and the abstract sense of ‘virtue’ preponderates. But it is precisely this ethical meaning, which afterwards became universal, that is never found in the Septuagint.”

Mr. Freudenthal wrote that ἀρέτη was only used in the Septuagint “in the sense of ‘praise,’ ‘glory,’ ‘honour,’ ‘excellence,’ ‘quality worthy of honour.’”  He offered the following examples:

Reference

NET Parallel Hebrew Chabad.org Tanakh NET Septuagint (BLB)

Septuagint (Elpenor)

Isaiah 42:8 ותהלתי (tehillâh) וּתְהִלָּתִ֖י praise praise ἀρετάς ἀρετάς
Isaiah 42:12 ותהלתו (tehillâh) וּתְהִלָּת֖וֹ praise praise his deeds ἀρετὰς ἀρετὰς
Zechariah 6:13 הוד (hôd) ה֔וֹד the glory splendor ἀρετὴν ἀρετὴν
Isaiah 43:21 תהלתי (tehillâh) תְּהִלָּתִ֖י praise praise ἀρετάς ἀρετάς
Isaiah 63:7 תהלת (tehillâh) תְּהִלּ֣וֹת praises praiseworthy deeds ἀρετὰς ἀρετὰς

It is worth considering whether Peter meant praise rather than excellence or the virtue of Greek philosophy.  Mr. Freudenthal, however, wrote: “Only in one passage does the word seem used in the philosophical sense, viz. : in 2 Pet. i. 5…”

[2] Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

[5] Simonides, Fragment 579 (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric III) (Greek lyric C6th to 5th B.C.)  http://www.theoi.com/Daimon/Arete.html

[8] 1 Peter 1:5a (NET)

[9] 2 Peter 1:4b (NET)

[10] 2 Peter 1:4a (NET)

[12] 2 Peter 1:3 (NET)

[13] Romans 1:16 (NET) Table

[14] 2 Peter 1:4a (NET)

[17] Romans 4:20, 21 (NET)

[18] 2 Peter 1:4b (NET)

[19] 2 Peter 1:4b (ASV)  A note in the NET acknowledges that the Greek is, “the corruption in the world (in/because of) lust.”

[20] Romans 8:3 (NET)

[21] Romans 6:3 (NET)

[22] Romans 6:6 (NET)

[23] 2 Peter 1:4b (NIV)

[25] 2 Peter 1:1, 2 (NET)

[26] 2 Peter 1:3 (NET)

[27] 1 Peter 2:9 (NET)

[29] Translated tell in Gregory the Theologian Bilingual Anthology: Principles of Theology http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/gregory-theologian-theology.asp?pg=3

[31] Romans 3:21, 22 (NET)

[32] Philippians 3:6 (NET)

[33] Matthew 5:20 (NET)

[34] James 2:18b (NET)