Tag Archives: Mark 7:6-7

Father, Son and Holy Spirit – Part 8

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This is a continuation of my intent to become much more familiar with the Greek translation of יְהֹוָ֨ה (Yᵊhōvâ) and יֱהֹוִה֙ (yᵊhōvâ) in the Septuagint.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Genesis 2:19, 20 (Tanakh)

Genesis 2:19, 20 (NET)

Genesis 2:19, 20 (NETS)

Genesis 2:19, 20 (English Elpenor)
And out of the ground HaShem (יְהֹוָ֨ה) G-d (אֱלֹהִ֜ים) formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto the man to see what he would call them; and whatsoever the man would call every living creature, that was to be the name thereof [Table]. The Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יהוה) God (‘ĕlōhîm, אלהים) formed out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them, and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. And out of the earth God (ὁ θεὸς) furthermore formed all the animals of the field and all the birds of the sky and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them, and anything, whatever Adam called it as living creature, this was its name [Table]. And God (ὁ Θεὸς) formed yet farther out of the earth all the wild beasts of the field, and all the birds of the sky, and he brought them to Adam, to see what he would call them, and whatever Adam called any living creature, that was the name of it.
And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a help meet (עֵ֖זֶר) for him [Table]. So the man named all the animals, the birds of the air, and the living creatures of the field, but for Adam no companion (ēzer, עזר) who corresponded to him was found. And Adam gave names to all the cattle and to all the birds of the sky and to all the animals of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper (βοηθὸς) like him [Table]. And Adam gave names to all the cattle and to all the birds of the sky, and to all the wild beasts of the field, but for Adam there was not found a help (βοηθὸς) like to himself.

I’ll pause to highlight that יְהֹוָ֨ה (Yᵊhōvâ) אֱלֹהִ֜ים (ĕlōhîm) in the Masoretic text was simply ὁ Θεὸς in the Septuagint. Also, I want to spend a few moments with עֵ֖זֶר (ēzer), translated help meet (Tanakh/KJV) and companion (NET) both here and in Genesis 2:18.

A note (57) in the NET reads:

Traditionally “helper.” The English word “helper,” because it can connote so many different ideas, does not accurately convey the connotation of the Hebrew word עֵזֶר (ʿezer). Usage of the Hebrew term does not suggest a subordinate role, a connotation which English “helper” can have. In the Bible God is frequently described as the “helper,” the one who does for us what we cannot do for ourselves, the one who meets our needs. In this context the word seems to express the idea of an “indispensable companion.” The woman would supply what the man was lacking in the design of creation and logically it would follow that the man would supply what she was lacking, although that is not stated here. See further M. L. Rosenzweig, “A Helper Equal to Him,” Jud 139 (1986): 277-80.

This is what the word meant to Moses when he named his sons:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 18:4 (Tanakh)

Exodus 18:4 (NET)

Exodus 18:4 (NETS)

Exodus 18:4 (English Elpenor)
and the name of the other was Eliezer: ‘for the G-d (אֱלֹהֵ֤י) of my father was my help (בְּעֶזְרִ֔י), and delivered (וַיַּצִּלֵ֖נִי) me from the sword of Pharaoh.’ and the other Eliezer (for Moses had said, “The God [ĕlōhîm, אלהי] of my father has been my help [ēzer, בעזרי] and delivered [nāṣal, ויצלני] me from the sword of Pharaoh”). and the name of the second, Eliezer (“for the God [ὁ…θεὸς] of my father was my help [βοηθός], and he delivered [ἐξείλατό] me from the hand of Pharao”). and the name of the second, Eliezer, saying, For the God (ὁ…Θεὸς) of my father [is] my helper (βοηθός), and he has rescued (ἐξείλατό) me out of the hand of Pharao.

The Lord as help or helper delivered or rescued Moses’ life. How often is the woman cast as the beauty whose love and grace tames the beast who becomes her husband?

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Genesis 2:21, 22 (Tanakh)

Genesis 2:21, 22 (NET)

Genesis 2:21, 22 (NETS)

Genesis 2:21, 22 (English Elpenor)
And HaShem (יְהֹוָ֨ה) G-d (אֱלֹהִ֧ים) caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the place with flesh instead thereof [Table]. So the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יהוה) God (‘ĕlōhîm, אלהים) caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he was asleep, he took part of the man’s side and closed up the place with flesh. And God (ὁ θεὸς) cast a trance upon Adam, and he slept, and he took one of his ribs and filled up flesh in its place [Table]. And God (ὁ Θεὸς) brought a trance upon Adam, and he slept, and he took one of his ribs, and filled up the flesh instead thereof.
And the rib, which HaShem (יְהֹוָ֨ה) G-d (אֱלֹהִ֧ים) had taken from the man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man [Table]. Then the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ, יהוה) God (‘ĕlōhîm, אלהים) made a woman from the part he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. And the rib that he had taken from Adam the Lord (κύριος) God (ὁ θεὸς) fashioned into a woman and brought her to Adam [Table]. And God (ὁ Θεὸς) formed the rib which he took from Adam into a woman, and brought her to Adam.

How magical this must have seemed to people who knew nothing of anesthesia or surgery or DNA or cloning. Now, though this particular procedure may be a bit out of reach, it seems like a routine and mostly anticipated outcome of applied knowledge and power.

I really have nothing to say here about the presence of יְהֹוָ֨ה (Yᵊhōvâ; Tanakh: Hashem; NET: Lord) in the Masoretic text or the sporadic presence or absence of κύριος (NETS: Lord) in the Septuagint. It seems more or less random to me. I have no idea why editors would add יְהֹוָ֨ה (Yᵊhōvâ) or translators would refuse to translate it in these particular verses. So, I’ll take a few moments to reprise some of the differences between the Masoretic text and the Septuagint.

Mostly I’ll point to two articles I found online, good articles in my opinion worth the time it takes to read them. I’ll quote and comment on a few things I take issue with. In “Septuagint: Why The Greek Old Testament Still Matters” Greg Lanier wrote:

What Exactly Is the Septuagint?

Before discussing its relevance, we have to clarify what is meant by Septuagint. But that is part of the problem. The term itself, when paired with the (the Septuagint, or the LXX), and combined with the fact that you can purchase a copy, might give the false impression that “the Septuagint” is a singular book, produced by a single committee, and published in a single place at a single time.

Replace Septuagint with Bible and one can make exactly the same argument. I’ll continue to use the definite article with Septuagint (and Bible, for that matter) because the language feels forced and awkward without it.

Mr. Lanier then gave an interesting sketch of the origins of the Septuagint, many useful biblical examples and reasons for considering the Septuagint in one’s personal Bible study. He began, however, with one potentially misleading statement:1

Most Christians know that their personal copy of the OT is a translation from the ancient Hebrew text…

I certainly “knew” that growing up. What I didn’t know was that the “ancient” Hebrew text from which my Old Testament was translated was the Masoretic text. In his article “What Is the Masoretic Text? The Beginner’s Guide” Ryan Nelson pointed out:

Most Jews and Protestants consider the Masoretic Text the authoritative Hebrew Bible…While it was written sometime between the seventh and tenth centuries AD, it was based on the meticulously preserved oral tradition and the best available manuscripts of the original Hebrew text.

In other words, the Greek translations known as the Septuagint were mostly completed before Israel rejected Jesus as Messiah, the edited version of the Hebrew text known as the Masoretic text was completed long after.

Mr. Nelson concluded with the following words:2

A triumph of tradition

Without the Masoretes, it’s hard to say what our Bibles would look like today. Perhaps they’d all be based on the Septuagint, or they’d all be based on different versions of the Hebrew Bible. At a pivotal moment in history, when culture, popular teachings, and language itself threatened to erase centuries of tradition, the Masoretes found a way to keep that tradition in the spotlight.

Building on the work of countless rabbis before them, the Masoretes solidified the wording of the Hebrew Bible once-and-for-all.

Part of the “popular teachings” to which Mr. Nelson referred were proposed by the Karaites. In his article, “The Karaites: A Medieval Jewish Sect” on My Jewish Learning online, Eli Barnavi wrote:

The Karaites are first mentioned in written sources in the late eighth century. They themselves claim to be descendants of dissident sects of the First Temple period, and the rabbinical tradition traces them back to opposition trends of the Second Temple period…

The best part of the Karaite intellectual effort was directed at proving the errors of the Rabbanites. Their critical acuteness and thorough knowledge of rabbinical doctrines ensured the high level of their polemics…

The main hallmark of the Karaites is their rejection [sic] authority of the Oral Law and the belief in the necessity of direct, independent, and critical study of the Bible. A “Karaite” reads the Mikra (the Pentateuch) and recognizes the Scriptures as the exclusive source of religious law…

The Karaite attack was not powerful enough to demolish the rabbinical citadel but it did succeed in breaching its walls, for the sect recruited many converts. Towards the end of the eleventh century, the sect had adherents in most communities within the Muslim world and the Byzantine Empire: in the eastern parts of the caliphate, in Palestine and Egypt, in North Africa, in Spain, and in Asia Minor…

Reprinted with permission from Eli Barnavi’s A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People, published by Schocken Books.

But the “Masoretes found a way to keep that tradition [i.e., the authority of rabbinic Judaism3] in the spotlight.”4 I can’t hear this without recalling Jesus’ words to the Pharisees and experts in the law.

Matthew 15:1-9 (NET)

Mark 7:5-13 (NET)
Then Pharisees and experts in the law came from5 Jerusalem to Jesus and said, “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their6 hands when they eat.” The7 Pharisees and the experts in the law asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with unwashed8 hands?”
He said9 to them, “Isaiah prophesied10 correctly11 about you hypocrites, as it is written:12 “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.’
Having13 no regard for the command of God, you hold fast to human tradition.”14
He answered them, “And why do you disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? He also said to them, “You neatly reject the commandment of God in order to set up15 your tradition.
For God said,16 ‘Honor your17 father and mother’ and ‘Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say, ‘If someone tells his father or mother, “Whatever help you would have received from me is given to God,” he18 does not need to honor19 his father.’20 You have nullified the word of God on account of your tradition. For Moses21 said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone tells his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you would have received from me is corban’ (that is, a gift for God), then22 you no longer permit him to do anything for his23 father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.
Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied24 correctly about you when he said, “‘This people25 honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, and they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
And you do many things like this.”

This is not to say that the Masoretic text should be discarded. It just seems prudent to remember that it was edited and compiled by potentially hostile witnesses.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Genesis 2:23-25 (Tanakh)

Genesis 2:23-25 (NET)

Genesis 2:23-25 (NETS)

Genesis 2:23-25 (English Elpenor)
And the man said: ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man’ [Table]. Then the man said, “This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” And Adam said, “This now is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of her husband she was taken” [Table]. And Adam said, This now is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of her husband.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh [Table]. That is why a man leaves his father and mother and unites with his wife, and they become one family. Therefore a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh [Table]. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed [Table]. The man and his wife were both naked, but they were not ashamed. And the two were naked, both Adam and his wife, and were not ashamed [Table]. And the two were naked, both Adam and his wife, and were not ashamed.

People experimenting with other forms of marriage and other forms of gender beyond male and female are making quite a lot of news as I write this. “In other words, God’s judgment, a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false26 came on those who are presently lost because they did not accept the love of the truth,” I wrote in another essay. Such confirmations of the truth of his word, coupled with my own experience of being drawn to Jesus and the faith He supplies through the fruit of his Spirit give me hope and encouragement to believe Jesus’ word that I don’t necessarily see: And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.27

According to a note (9) in the NET Jesus quoted from Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16 in Matthew 15:4a. Tables comparing the Greek of Jesus’ quotation from the NET parallel Greek text and the Septuagint follow:

Matthew 15:4a (NET Parallel Greek)

Exodus 20:12a (Septuagint BLB) Table

Exodus 20:12a (Septuagint Elpenor)
τίμα τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου

Matthew 15:4a (NET)

Exodus 20:12a (NETS)

Exodus 20:12a (English Elpenor)
Honor your father and mother Honor your father and your mother Honour thy father and thy mother

Matthew 15:4a (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 5:16a (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:16a (Septuagint Elpenor)
τίμα τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου

Matthew 15:4a (NET)

Deuteronomy 5:16a (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:16a (English Elpenor)
Honor your father and mother Honor your father and your mother Honour thy father and thy mother

Tables comparing the Greek of Jesus’ quotation from the Stephanus Textus Receptus and the Septuagint follow:

Matthew 15:4a (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Exodus 20:12a (Septuagint BLB) Table

Exodus 20:12a (Septuagint Elpenor)
τιμα τον πατερα σου και την μητερα τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου

Matthew 15:4a (KJV)

Exodus 20:12a (NETS)

Exodus 20:12a (English Elpenor)
Honour thy father and mother Honor your father and your mother Honour thy father and thy mother

Matthew 15:4a (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Deuteronomy 5:16a (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:16a (Septuagint Elpenor)
τιμα τον πατερα σου και την μητερα τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου

Matthew 15:4a (KJV)

Deuteronomy 5:16a (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:16a (English Elpenor)
Honour thy father and mother Honor your father and your mother Honour thy father and thy mother

According to a note (10) in the NET Jesus quoted from Exodus 21:17 and Leviticus 20:9 in Matthew 15:4b. Tables comparing the Greek of Jesus’ quotation from the NET parallel Greek text and the Septuagint follow:

Matthew 15:4b (NET Parallel Greek)

Exodus 21:16 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 21:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα ἢ μητέρα θανάτῳ τελευτάτω ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ μητέρα αὐτοῦ τελευτήσει θανάτῳ ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ μητέρα αὐτοῦ τελευτήσει θανάτῳ

Matthew 15:4b (NET)

Exodus 21:16 (NETS)

Exodus 21:16 (English Elpenor)
Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death. Let the one who insults his father or his mother end with death. He that reviles his father or his mother shall surely die.

Matthew 15:4b (NET Parallel Greek)

Leviticus 20:9a (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 20:9a (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα ἢ μητέρα θανάτῳ τελευτάτω ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος ὃς ἂν κακῶς εἴπῃ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ θανάτῳ θανατούσθω ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος, ὃς ἂν κακῶς εἴπῃ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ, θανάτῳ θανατούσθω

Matthew 15:4b (NET)

Leviticus 20:9a (NETS)

Leviticus 20:9a (English Elpenor)
Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death. A person, a person who speaks severely with his father or his mother—with death let him be put to death Every man who shall speak evil of his father or of his mother, let him die the death

According to a note (14) in the NET Jesus quoted from Isaiah 29:13 in Matthew 15:8, 9. A table comparing the Greek of Jesus’ quotation from the NET parallel Greek text and the Septuagint follows:

Matthew 15:8, 9 (NET Parallel Greek)

Isaiah 29:13 (Septuagint BLB) Table

Isaiah 29:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ο λαος ουτος τω στοματι αυτων και τοις χειλεσιν με τιμα η δε καρδια αυτων πορρω απεχει απ εμου ματην δε σεβονται με διδασκοντες διδασκαλιας ενταλματα ανθρωπων ὁ λαὸς οὗτος τοῗς χείλεσιν αὐτῶν τιμῶσίν με ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με διδάσκοντες ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων καὶ διδασκαλίας ὁ λαὸς οὗτος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τοῖς χείλεσιν αὐτῶν τιμῶσί με, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ· μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με διδάσκοντες ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων καὶ διδασκαλίας

Matthew 15:8, 9 (NET)

Isaiah 29:13 (NETS)

Isaiah 29:13 (English Elpenor)
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. These people draw near me; they honor me with their lips, while their heart is far from me, and in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts and teachings. And the Lord has said, This people draw nigh to me with their mouth, and they honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me: but in vain do they worship me, teaching the commandments and doctrines of men.

A table comparing the Greek of Jesus’ quotation from the Stephanus Textus Receptus and the Septuagint follows:

Matthew 15:8, 9 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Isaiah 29:13 (Septuagint BLB) Table

Isaiah 29:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὁ λαὸς οὗτος τοῖς χείλεσιν με τιμᾷ, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ μάτην δὲ σέβονται με διδάσκοντες διδασκαλίας ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων ὁ λαὸς οὗτος τοῗς χείλεσιν αὐτῶν τιμῶσίν με ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με διδάσκοντες ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων καὶ διδασκαλίας ὁ λαὸς οὗτος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τοῖς χείλεσιν αὐτῶν τιμῶσί με, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ· μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με διδάσκοντες ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων καὶ διδασκαλίας

Matthew 15:8, 9 (KJV)

Isaiah 29:13 (NETS)

Isaiah 29:13 (English Elpenor)
“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, and they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” These people draw near me; they honor me with their lips, while their heart is far from me, and in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts and teachings. And the Lord has said, This people draw nigh to me with their mouth, and they honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me: but in vain do they worship me, teaching the commandments and doctrines of men.

According to a note (12) in the NET Jesus quoted from Isaiah 29:13 in Mark 7:6, 7. A table comparing the Greek of Jesus’ quotation from the NET parallel Greek text and the Septuagint follows:

Mark 7:6b, 7 (NET Parallel Greek)

Isaiah 29:13 (Septuagint BLB) Table

Isaiah 29:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὁ λαὸς τοῖς χείλεσιν με τιμᾷ, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ μάτην δὲ σέβονται με διδάσκοντες διδασκαλίας ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων ὁ λαὸς οὗτος τοῗς χείλεσιν αὐτῶν τιμῶσίν με ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με διδάσκοντες ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων καὶ διδασκαλίας ὁ λαὸς οὗτος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τοῖς χείλεσιν αὐτῶν τιμῶσί με, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ· μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με διδάσκοντες ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων καὶ διδασκαλίας

Mark 7:6b, 7 (NET)

Isaiah 29:13 (NETS)

Isaiah 29:13 (English Elpenor)
This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men. These people draw near me; they honor me with their lips, while their heart is far from me, and in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts and teachings. And the Lord has said, This people draw nigh to me with their mouth, and they honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me: but in vain do they worship me, teaching the commandments and doctrines of men.

Tables comparing Exodus 18:4; Deuteronomy 5:16; Exodus 21:17 and Leviticus 20:9 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET; and tables comparing Exodus 18:4; Deuteronomy 5:16; Exodus 21:17 (21:16) and Leviticus 20:9 in the BLB and Elpenor versions of the Septuagint with the English translations from Hebrew and Greek, and tables comparing the Greek of Matthew 15:1, 2; 15:4-8; Mark 7:5, 6; 7:8-10 and 7:12 the NET and KJV follow.

Exodus 18:4 (Tanakh)

Exodus 18:4 (KJV)

Exodus 18:4 (NET)
and the name of the other was Eliezer: ‘for the G-d of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.’ And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: and the other Eliezer (for Moses had said, “The God of my father has been my help and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”).

Exodus 18:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 18:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ δευτέρου Ελιεζερ λέγων ὁ γὰρ θεὸς τοῦ πατρός μου βοηθός μου καὶ ἐξείλατό με ἐκ χειρὸς Φαραω καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ δευτέρου ῾Ελιέζερ λέγων· ὁ γὰρ Θεὸς τοῦ πατρός μου βοηθός μου καὶ ἐξείλατό με ἐκ χειρὸς Φαραώ

Exodus 18:4 (NETS)

Exodus 18:4 (English Elpenor)
and the name of the second, Eliezer (“for the God of my father was my help, and he delivered me from the hand of Pharao”). and the name of the second, Eliezer, saying, For the God of my father [is] my helper, and he has rescued me out of the hand of Pharao.

Deuteronomy 5:16 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 5:16 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 5:16 (NET)
Honour thy father and thy mother, as HaShem thy G-d commanded thee; that thy days may be long, and that it may go well with thee, upon the land which HaShem thy G-d giveth thee. Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. “Honor your father and your mother just as the Lord your God has commanded you to do, so that your days may be extended and that it may go well with you in the land that he is about to give you.

Deuteronomy 5:16 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου ὃν τρόπον ἐνετείλατό σοι κύριος ὁ θεός σου ἵνα εὖ σοι γένηται καὶ ἵνα μακροχρόνιος γένῃ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἧς κύριος ὁ θεός σου δίδωσίν σοι τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου, ὃν τρόπον ἐνετείλατό σοι Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου, ἵνα εὖ σοι γένηται καὶ ἵνα μακροχρόνιος γένῃ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἧς Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου δίδωσί σοι

Deuteronomy 5:16 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:16 (English Elpenor)
Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, so that it may be well with you and that you may be long-lived in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God commanded thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long upon the land, which the Lord thy God gives thee.

Exodus 21:17 (Tanakh)

Exodus 21:17 (KJV)

Exodus 21:17 (NET)
And he that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death. And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. “Whoever treats his father or his mother disgracefully must surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:17 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 21:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ μητέρα αὐτοῦ τελευτήσει θανάτῳ ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ μητέρα αὐτοῦ τελευτήσει θανάτῳ

Exodus 21:16 (NETS)

Exodus 21:16 (English Elpenor)
Let the one who insults his father or his mother end with death. He that reviles his father or his mother shall surely die.

Leviticus 20:9 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 20:9 (KJV)

Leviticus 20:9 (NET)
For whatsoever man there be that curseth his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him. For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him. “‘If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother; his blood guilt is on himself.

Leviticus 20:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 20:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος ὃς ἂν κακῶς εἴπῃ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ θανάτῳ θανατούσθω πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ μητέρα αὐτοῦ κακῶς εἶπεν ἔνοχος ἔσται ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος, ὃς ἂν κακῶς εἴπῃ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ, θανάτῳ θανατούσθω· πατέρα αὐτοῦ ἢ μητέρα αὐτοῦ κακῶς εἶπεν; ἔνοχος ἔσται

Leviticus 20:9 (NETS)

Leviticus 20:9 (English Elpenor)
A person, a person who speaks severely with his father or his mother—with death let him be put to death; he has spoken severely with his father or his mother—he shall be liable. Every man who shall speak evil of his father or of his mother, let him die the death; has he spoken evil of his father or his mother? he shall be guilty.

Matthew 15:1, 2 (NET)

Matthew 15:1, 2 (KJV)
Then Pharisees and experts in the law came from Jerusalem to Jesus and said, Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

Matthew 15:1 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 15:1 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 15:1 (Byzantine Majority Text)
Τότε προσέρχονται τῷ Ἰησοῦ ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων Φαρισαῖοι καὶ γραμματεῖς λέγοντες τοτε προσερχονται τω ιησου οι απο ιεροσολυμων γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι λεγοντες τοτε προσερχονται τω ιησου οι απο ιεροσολυμων γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι λεγοντες
“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat.” Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Matthew 15:2 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 15:2 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 15:2 (Byzantine Majority Text)
διὰ τί οἱ μαθηταί σου παραβαίνουσιν τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων; οὐ γὰρ νίπτονται τὰς χεῖρας ὅταν ἄρτον ἐσθίωσιν δια τι οι μαθηται σου παραβαινουσιν την παραδοσιν των πρεσβυτερων ου γαρ νιπτονται τας χειρας αυτων οταν αρτον εσθιωσιν δια τι οι μαθηται σου παραβαινουσιν την παραδοσιν των πρεσβυτερων ου γαρ νιπτονται τας χειρας αυτων οταν αρτον εσθιωσιν

Matthew 15:4-8 (NET)

Matthew 15:4-8 (KJV)
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death.’ For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Matthew 15:4 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 15:4 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 15:4 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ὁ γὰρ θεὸς εἶπεν· τίμα τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, καί· ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα ἢ μητέρα θανάτῳ τελευτάτω. ο γαρ θεος ενετειλατο λεγων τιμα τον πατερα σου και την μητερα και ο κακολογων πατερα η μητερα θανατω τελευτατω ο γαρ θεος ενετειλατο λεγων τιμα τον πατερα και την μητερα και ο κακολογων πατερα η μητερα θανατω τελευτατω
But you say, ‘If someone tells his father or mother, “Whatever help you would have received from me is given to God,” But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

Matthew 15:5 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 15:5 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 15:5 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ὑμεῖς δὲ λέγετε· ὃς ἂν εἴπῃ τῷ πατρὶ ἢ τῇ μητρί· δῶρον ὃ ἐὰν ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς [see verse 6] υμεις δε λεγετε ος αν ειπη τω πατρι η τη μητρι δωρον ο εαν εξ εμου ωφεληθης [see verse 6] υμεις δε λεγετε ος αν ειπη τω πατρι η τη μητρι δωρον ο εαν εξ εμου ωφεληθης και ου μη τιμηση τον πατερα αυτου η την μητερα αυτου
he does not need to honor his father.’ You have nullified the word of God on account of your tradition. And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Matthew 15:6 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 15:6 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 15:6 (Byzantine Majority Text)
οὐ μὴ τιμήσει τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἠκυρώσατε τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ διὰ τὴν παράδοσιν ὑμῶν και ου μη τιμηση τον πατερα αυτου η την μητερα αυτου και ηκυρωσατε την εντολην του θεου δια την παραδοσιν υμων [see verse 5] και ηκυρωσατε την εντολην του θεου δια την παραδοσιν υμων
Hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said, Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

Matthew 15:7 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 15:7 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 15:7 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ὑποκριταί, καλῶς ἐπροφήτευσεν περὶ ὑμῶν Ἠσαΐας λέγων υποκριται καλως προεφητευσεν περι υμων ησαιας λεγων υποκριται καλως προεφητευσεν περι υμων ησαιας λεγων
“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 15:8 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 15:8 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 15:8 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ὁ λαὸς οὗτος τοῖς χείλεσιν με τιμᾷ, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ εγγιζει μοι ο λαος ουτος τω στοματι αυτων και τοις χειλεσιν με τιμα η δε καρδια αυτων πορρω απεχει απ εμου εγγιζει μοι ο λαος ουτος τω στοματι αυτων και τοις χειλεσιν με τιμα η δε καρδια αυτων πορρω απεχει απ εμου

Mark 7:5, 6 (NET)

Mark 7:5, 6 (KJV)
The Pharisees and the experts in the law asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with unwashed hands?” Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Mark 7:5 (NET Parallel Greek)

Mark 7:5 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Mark 7:5 (Byzantine Majority Text)
καὶ ἐπερωτῶσιν αὐτὸν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ οἱ γραμματεῖς· διὰ τί οὐ περιπατοῦσιν οἱ μαθηταί σου κατὰ τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, ἀλλὰ κοιναῖς χερσὶν ἐσθίουσιν τὸν ἄρτον επειτα επερωτωσιν αυτον οι φαρισαιοι και οι γραμματεις δια τι οι μαθηται σου ου περιπατουσιν κατα την παραδοσιν των πρεσβυτερων αλλα ανιπτοις χερσιν εσθιουσιν τον αρτον επειτα επερωτωσιν αυτον οι φαρισαιοι και οι γραμματεις δια τι οι μαθηται σου ου περιπατουσιν κατα την παραδοσιν των πρεσβυτερων αλλα ανιπτοις χερσιν εσθιουσιν τον αρτον
He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Mark 7:6 (NET Parallel Greek)

Mark 7:6 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Mark 7:6 (Byzantine Majority Text)
Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· καλῶς ἐπροφήτευσεν Ἠσαΐας περὶ ὑμῶν τῶν ὑποκριτῶν, ὡς γέγραπται [ὅτι] οὗτος ὁ λαὸς τοῖς χείλεσιν με τιμᾷ, ἡ δὲ καρδία αὐτῶν πόρρω ἀπέχει ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν αυτοις οτι καλως προεφητευσεν ησαιας περι υμων των υποκριτων ως γεγραπται ουτος ο λαος τοις χειλεσιν με τιμα η δε καρδια αυτων πορρω απεχει απ εμου ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν αυτοις οτι καλως προεφητευσεν ησαιας περι υμων των υποκριτων ως γεγραπται ουτος ο λαος τοις χειλεσιν με τιμα η δε καρδια αυτων πορρω απεχει απ εμου

Mark 7:8-10 (NET)

Mark 7:8-10 (KJV)
Having no regard for the command of God, you hold fast to human tradition.” For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Mark 7:8 (NET Parallel Greek)

Mark 7:8 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Mark 7:8 (Byzantine Majority Text)
ἀφέντες τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ θεοῦ κρατεῖτε τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν ἀνθρώπων αφεντες γαρ την εντολην του θεου κρατειτε την παραδοσιν των ανθρωπων βαπτισμους ξεστων και ποτηριων και αλλα παρομοια τοιαυτα πολλα ποιειτε αφεντες γαρ την εντολην του θεου κρατειτε την παραδοσιν των ανθρωπων βαπτισμους ξεστων και ποτηριων και αλλα παρομοια τοιαυτα πολλα ποιειτε
He also said to them, “You neatly reject the commandment of God in order to set up your tradition. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mark 7:9 (NET Parallel Greek)

Mark 7:9 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Mark 7:9 (Byzantine Majority Text)
καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς· καλῶς ἀθετεῖτε τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα τὴν παράδοσιν ὑμῶν |στήσητε| και ελεγεν αυτοις καλως αθετειτε την εντολην του θεου ινα την παραδοσιν υμων τηρησητε και ελεγεν αυτοις καλως αθετειτε την εντολην του θεου ινα την παραδοσιν υμων τηρησητε
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death.’ For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

Mark 7:10 (NET Parallel Greek)

Mark 7:10 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Mark 7:10 (Byzantine Majority Text)
Μωϋσῆς γὰρ εἶπεν· τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου, καί· ὁ κακολογῶν πατέρα ἢ μητέρα θανάτῳ τελευτάτω μωσης γαρ ειπεν τιμα τον πατερα σου και την μητερα σου και ο κακολογων πατερα η μητερα θανατω τελευτατω μωσης γαρ ειπεν τιμα τον πατερα σου και την μητερα σου και ο κακολογων πατερα η μητερα θανατω τελευτατω

Mark 7:12 (NET)

Mark 7:12 (KJV)
then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Mark 7:12 (NET Parallel Greek)

Mark 7:12 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Mark 7:12 (Byzantine Majority Text)
οὐκέτι ἀφίετε αὐτὸν οὐδὲν ποιῆσαι τῷ πατρὶ ἢ τῇ μητρί και ουκετι αφιετε αυτον ουδεν ποιησαι τω πατρι αυτου η τη μητρι αυτου και ουκετι αφιετε αυτον ουδεν ποιησαι τω πατρι αυτου η τη μητρι αυτου

3 From the tag line of “The Karaites: A Medieval Jewish Sect,” by Eli Barnavi on My Jewish Learning online: “The Karaites, biblical fundamentalists, challenged the authority of rabbinic Judaism.”

4 From “A triumph of tradition,” “What Is the Masoretic Text? The Beginner’s Guide,” by Ryan Nelson on OverviewBible online

5 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had οι απο (KJV: which were of), where the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had simply απο.

6 The NA28, Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αὐτῶν here. The NET parallel Greek text did not. See note 5 in the NET.

7 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ at the beginning of this clause, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had επειτα (KJV: Then).

9 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αποκριθεις (KJV: He answered) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

11 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ὅτι καλως (KJV: well) here, where the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had only καλῶς.

12 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οτι (not translated in the NET) following written. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

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

14 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had βαπτισμους ξεστων και ποτηριων και αλλα παρομοια τοιαυτα πολλα ποιειτε (KJV: as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

15 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had στήσητε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τηρησητε (KJV: ye may keep).

16 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had εἶπεν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ενετειλατο λεγων (KJV: commanded, saying).

18 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: And) at the beginning of this clause. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

20 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had η την μητερα αυτου (KJV: or his mother) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

22 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: And) at the beginning of this clause. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

23 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτου here and following mother. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had neither.

25 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εγγιζει μοι τω στοματι αυτων και (KJV: draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

26 2 Thessalonians 2:11b (NET) Table

27 John 12:32 (NET)

Romans, Part 60

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Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.[1]  I want to look at this as a description of love rather than as rules to obey.  To begin I’ve made the following table.

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22, 23 (NET)

Joy (χαρὰ)
I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.

John 15:11 (NET)

 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride on your behalf.  I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in the midst of all our suffering.

2 Corinthians 7:4 (NET)
Love (ἀγάπη) is…

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NET)

 …not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:6 (NET)

 

[Love] hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:7b (NET)
And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

Matthew 18:13 (NET)

 Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’

Luke 15:6 (NET)

 Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth.

John 17:17 (NET)
This Love Without Hypocrisy…

Romans 12:9-21 (NET)

 Rejoice (χαίροντες, a form of χαίρω) in hope (ἐλπίδι, a form of ἐλπίς), endure (ὑπομένοντες, a form of ὑπομένω) in suffering (θλίψει, a form of θλίψις)…

Romans 12:12a (NET)

 …persist (προσκαρτεροῦντες, a form of προσκαρτερέω) in prayer.

Romans 12:12b (NET)
So they left the council rejoicing because they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

Acts 5:41 (NET) Table

 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (NET)

 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Mark 13:13b (NET)[2]

 

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 (NET)

 They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:42 (NET)

The Greek word translated rejoice is χαίροντες (a form of χαίρω).  The aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that fulfills this rejoicing is joy (χαρὰ).  Joy (χαρά) and gladness will come to you,[3] an angel of the Lord prophesied to Zechariah the priest.  He and his wife Elizabeth did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old.[4]  Zechariah…your prayer has been heard, the angel said, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you will name him John.[5]

Clearly χαρά was used to name this ordinary joy, but I won’t spend much time on that.  I don’t have any problem rejoicing when I get my way, when I get what I want.  To rejoice in hope indicates that I rejoice prior to that time.  For the joy (χαρᾶς, a form of χαρά) set out for him [Jesus] endured (ὑπέμεινεν, a form of ὑπομένω) the cross, disregarding its shame.[6]

I’ve misunderstood this verse often enough, thinking that joy was simply a euphemism for a seat at the right hand of the throne of God.[7]  And so, enduring difficulties was a rational calculation based on faith in a given outcome (e.g., I can endure the University because in the end I will get a degree and a higher paying job).  I have no real reason to ignore faith (πίστις) here.  Faith is another aspect of the fruit of Christ’s Spirit.  But I’m not a fun guy to be around when I’m enduring difficult circumstances by faith in a rational outcome.  And I certainly won’t do any rejoicing until I get what I want.

More to the point, perhaps, a seat at the right hand of the throne of God offered Jesus no upward mobility: And now, Father, He prayed, glorify me at your side with the glory I had with you before the world was created.[8]  It was simply a matter of getting back to where He belonged, not much incentive to endure the cross, disregarding its shame.  It leads me to believe that the joy set out for him was much more than a euphemism for something else.

I have told you these things so that my joy (χαρὰ) may be in you, and your joy (χαρὰ) may be complete (πληρωθῇ, a form of πληρόω).[9]  Here is a statement, if I will hear it, that the joy set out for Jesus may be in me, and his joy will πληρωθῇ (or, fulfill) my joy.  Interestingly, this statement resides in a passage about bearing fruit (John 15:5, 7-9 NET Table).

I am the vine; you are the branches.  The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit (καρπὸν, a form of καρπός), because apart from me you can accomplish nothing…If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you.  My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit (καρπὸν, a form of καρπός) and show that you are my disciples.  Just as the Father has loved (ἠγάπησεν, a form of ἀγαπάω) me, I have also loved (ἠγάπησα, another form of ἀγαπάω) you; remain in my love (ἀγάπῃ, a form of ἀγάπη).

But the fruit (καρπὸς) of the Spirit is love (ἀγάπη), joy (χαρὰ), peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (πίστις), gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.[10]  I would love to say that I heard these words and was transformed by them.  But what I heard was, If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.[11]  And I reasoned that there was no way around it, a sinner like I am must man-up and out-Pharisee the Pharisees or burn[12] in hell for all eternity: For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.[13]

Failing that, I heard, My commandment is this – to love (ἀγαπᾶτε, another form of ἀγαπάω) one another just as I have loved (ἠγάπησα, another form of ἀγαπάω) you.[14]  Eureka!  I found it, I thought.  A sinner like I am can’t out-Pharisee the Pharisees by trying to keep rules; a sinner like I am out-Pharisees the Pharisees by trying to love like Jesus: Love (ἀγάπη) does no wrong to a neighbor.  Therefore love (ἀγάπη) is the fulfillment (πλήρωμα) of the law.[15]

No one has greater love (ἀγάπην, a form of ἀγάπη) than this, Jesus continued, that one lays down his life for his friends.[16]  As a hypocrite I thought like an actor: I should imitate Jesus’ love.  Failing that, I began to hear again (John 15:14-17 NET).

You are my friends if you do what I command you.  I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand (οἶδεν, a form of εἴδω) what his master is doing.  But I have called you friends, because I have revealed (ἐγνώρισα, a form of γνωρίζω) to you everything I heard from my Father.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit (καρπὸν, a form of καρπός), fruit (καρπὸς) that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.  This I command you – to love (ἀγαπᾶτε, another form of ἀγαπάω) one another.

There it was again, to go and bear fruit.  Okay, if imitation isn’t the sincerest form of flattery, what do You want?  to love one another just as I have loved you.  How did You love?  I made known your name to them, Jesus prayed to his Father, and I will continue to make it known, so that the love (ἀγάπη) you have loved (ἠγάπησας, another form of ἀγαπάω) me with may be in them, and I may be in them.[17]   But the fruit (καρπὸς) of the Spirit is love (ἀγάπη)…[18]

There it was, hiding in plain sight.  It wasn’t a “modern” translation: And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.[19]  It was there from the beginning of the translation of the Bible into English.  Why was it so difficult to hear?  Why did I doubt it?  My answer to that question is the religious mind.  There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.[20]

I have great confidence (παρρησία, a form of παῤῥησία) in you; I take great pride (καύχησις) on your behalf, [21] Paul wrote the Corinthians.  The confidence he wrote about was a “freedom in speaking” an “unreservedness in speech,” according to the definition of παρρησία in the NET.  I think this refers to the boasting he wrote about later in the same letter: I keep boasting (καυχῶμαι, a form of καυχάομαι) to the Macedonians about this eagerness of yours, that Achaia has been ready to give since last year, and your zeal to participate has stirred up most of them.[22]

What really interests me in this context is what he wrote next:  I am filled with encouragement (παρακλήσει, a form of παράκλησις); I am overflowing with joy (χαρᾷ, a form of χαρὰ) in the midst of all our suffering (θλίψει, a form of θλίψις).[23]  So even as he was concerned whether the Corinthians’ haste would be timely enough—if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated[24]—he was overflowing with the joy set out for Jesus.  The Greek word παρακλήσει (a form of παράκλησις) translated encouragement relates to the παράκλητος as κλητός relates to κλῆσις and καλέω.  But the Advocate (παράκλητος), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you.[25]

Love (ἀγάπη) is not glad (χαίρει, another form of χαίρω) about injustice.[26]  I’ll spend some time here focused on the injustice (ἀδικίᾳ, a form of ἀδικία) love is not glad (or, does not rejoice)[27] about (ἐπὶ, a form of ἐπί).  The person who speaks on his own authority, Jesus said, desires to receive honor for himself; the one who desires the honor of the one who sent him is a man of integrity, and there is no unrighteousness (ἀδικία) in him.[28]  In Greek it reads, ὁ ἀφ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ λαλῶν τὴν δόξαν τὴν ἰδίαν ζητεῖ (literally, “this from himself speaks the honor his own seeks”).

I realize Jesus is the one who desires the honor of the one who sent him…a man of integrity, and there is no unrighteousness in him..  Still, I find some guidance here for Bible study.  School is easy if you seek to make good grades.  All that stuff the professor jabbers on about all semester is the answer to the questions on the tests.  Remember it, feed it back, get a good grade.  The kiss of death is to actually become interested in the subject matter.  When that happens to me I get my own ideas about the questions and their answers, and I tend to speak from myself.  In other words, I disagree with the professor’s answers to his or her own questions on tests.

The academic alternative to speaking from myself is to quote recognized authorities.  That’s how I began my Bible study adventure.  But eventually it dawned on me that the Ἰουδαίοις (a form of  Ἰουδαῖος) did that faithfully.  The problem with that procedure was that Jesus appeared and declared their recognized authorities wrong.

Matthew Mark
Then Pharisees and experts in the law came from Jerusalem to Jesus and said, “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders?  For they don’t wash their hands when they eat.”

Matthew 15:1, 2 (NET)

 

 The Pharisees and the experts in the law asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with unwashed hands?”

Mark 7:5 (NET)
He answered them, “And why do you disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?

Matthew 15:3 (NET)

 He also said to them, “You neatly reject the commandment of God in order to set up your tradition.

Mark 7:9 (NET)
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death.’  But you say, ‘If someone tells his father or mother, “Whatever help you would have received from me is given to God,” he does not need to honor his father.’  You have nullified the word of God on account of your tradition.

Matthew 15:4-6 (NET)

 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever insults his father or mother must be put to death.’  But you say that if anyone tells his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you would have received from me is corban’ (that is, a gift for God), then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother.  Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.  And you do many things like this.”

Mark 7:10-13 (NET)
Hypocrites!  Isaiah prophesied correctly about you when he said, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, and they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Matthew 15:7-9 (NET)

 He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.  They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.’

Mark 7:6, 7 (NET)
Having no regard for the command of God, you hold fast to human tradition.”

Mark 7:8 (NET)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.[29]  On the surface it sounds like a simple enough works religion, until I hear one of his judgments: On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?’ [Table] Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you.  Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’[30]

What’s a sinner saved by grace to do?  My best answer to date is, be a sinner saved by grace.  Yes, I’m speaking from myself as opposed to quoting recognized authorities.  But I’m not seeking honor for me.  I am seeking honor for Jesus and his Father, Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God – he has seen the Father.[31]  Still Jesus said, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.[32]  I have come to Jesus.[33]  I’m not entirely comfortable saying I am a man of integrity, and there is no unrighteousness (ἀδικία) in me, except in that sense that Paul wrote about of faith in the God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do.[34]   I am on that path.

I’ll pick this up again in the next essay.

[1] Romans 12:12 (NET)

[2] Also: Matthew 10:22; 24:13 (NET)

[3] Luke 1:14a (NET)

[4] Luke 1:7 (NET)

[5] Luke 1:13 (NET)

[6] Hebrews 12:2b (NET)

[7] Hebrews 12:2c (NET)

[8] John 17:5 (NET)

[9] John 15:11 (NET)

[10] Galatians 5:22, 23 (NET)

[11] John 15:10 (NET)

[12] John 15:6 (NET)

[13] Matthew 5:20 (NET)

[14] John 15:12 (NET)

[15] Romans 13:10 (NET)

[16] John 15:13 (NET)

[17] John 17:26 (NET)

[18] Galatians 5:22a (NET)

[19] John 17:26 (KJV)

[20] Proverbs 14:12 (NET)

[21] 2 Corinthians 7:4a (NET)

[22] 2 Corinthians 9:2b (NET)

[23] 2 Corinthians 7:4b (NET)

[24] 2 Corinthians 9:4 (NET)

[25] John 14:26 (NET)

[26] 1 Corinthians 13:6a (NET)

[27] 1 Corinthians 13:6 (NASB)

[28] John 7:18 (NET)

[29] 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NET)

[30] Matthew 7:22, 23 (NET)

[31] John 6:46 (NET)

[32] John 6:44a (NET)

[33] modus ponens

[34] Romans 4:17b (NET)