3 John, Part 6

This is a continuation of my notes on 3 John for the preaching class I’m taking. John wrote (3 John 1:11 ESV):

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good (τὸ ἀγαθόν). Whoever does good1 is from God (ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν); whoever does evil has not seen God.

I wondered, “How does Jesus relate to ἀγαθόν (good)?”2 Someone asked Him about a good deed (ἀγαθόν) one might do to have eternal life (Matthew 19:16-21 ESV):

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed (ἀγαθὸν) must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments” [Table]. He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your3 father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept.4 What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” [Table].

I considered the first two verses above in some detail in another essay. I won’t repeat it here except to say that, “What good might I do in order that I might have life eternal,” treats both ποιήσω, “might I do,” and σχῶ, “I might have,” as verbs in the aorist tense and subjunctive mood. I admit, however, that translating ποιήσω as an imperative, must I do, highlights the insight that this man was probably like one of those in Israel described by Paul (Romans 9:30-33 ESV):

What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law [Table]. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith (ἐκ πίστεως), but as if it were based on works (ἐξ ἔργων). They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame” [Table].5

I already began a consideration of Jesus’ question about the good; more to come on that in another essay.

He continued: εἰ δὲ θέλεις, If you would (or “But if you desire”), εἰς τὴν ζωὴν εἰσελθεῖν, enter life (or “into the life to enter”), |τήρησον| τὰς ἐντολάς, keep the commandments. The Greek word translated keep, τήρησον, is a 2nd person singular form of τηρέω in the imperative mood: “to guard, keep watch over (someone/something); to watch (in preparation for either offense or defense); to remain alert in anticipation; to watch out for danger; to watch out for the loss of (something); to inspect closely; to act and live in conformity to; to keep and not let go; to keep, hold, reserve, preserve (someone/something); to keep (from harm); to keep (from loss); to keep and protect; to keep, observe, fulfill, pay attention to.”

The man said, ποίας, Which ones? Knowing that he had great possessions,6 I have wondered if he was negotiating for the best possible price on eternal life. But Jesus didn’t treat him that way. Jesus answered him like an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit,7 a branch of the cultivated olive tree8 of which Paul wrote. Jesus clarified and focused his meaning for the man, not with ceremonial laws or cleanliness laws or dietary laws which separated Israel from other peoples, not with the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees but, with five of the ten commandments (Exodus 20) and the second of the two commandments [on which] depend all the Law and the Prophets.9

There were some notable exceptions (Exodus 20:1-7 ESV):

And God spoke all these words, saying [Table], “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery [Table]. “You shall have no other gods before me [Table]. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth [Table]. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me [Table], but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments [Table]. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain [Table].

These resolve to, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…the great and first commandment.10 Another exception was (Exodus 20:17 ESV):

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s” [Table].

This is probably the commandment in the forefront of Paul’s mind when he wrote: Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being (σὰρξ; literally, flesh) will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.11 For he acknowledged later (Romans 7:7-13 ESV):

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure [Table].

The man responded to the six commandments Jesus recited: |πάντα ταῦτα| ἐφύλαξα, All these I have kept. The verb ἐφύλαξα is an indicative form of φυλάσσω: “to watch, guard, defend; to guard (someone), prevent (from escaping); to guard, protect, watch over (someone); to stand guard; to keep (something from being broken); to observe (i.e., to acknowledge that something is significant and important to affect one’s behaviour); to follow; to keep, maintain.” Then the man, sensing apparently that something must be missing, asked: τί ἔτι ὑστερῶ, What do I still lack?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the translation What for the interrogative pronoun τί (a form of τίς). It is probably precisely what the man meant, especially if he was stumbling over the stumbling stone,12 pursuing righteousness as if it were based on works.13 Still, it intrigues me that τί might have been translated Who, “Who do I still lack,” for that is the question Jesus answered: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”14

Jesus answered the man’s question about eternal life by inviting him to die the death of the upright and [have an] endlike his.15 I left the story of Balaam and Balak, asking, “Did Balak realize that he was hearing from God as Balaam prophesied to him?” Balak neither bowed down nor fell on his face.16 He did not confess, I have sinned.17 But before moving on to consider how Balak responded, there was another commandment missing from Jesus’ response to a man’s desire to enter into eternal life (Exodus 20:8-11 ESV):

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy [Table]. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work [Table], but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates [Table]. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy [Table].

I can’t simply relegate this to a ceremonial law “which separated Israel from other peoples” without comment. Jesus’ attitude was clear: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath [Table]. So the Son of Man (or “son of man”) is lord even of the Sabbath.”18 And, “it is lawful (ἔξεστιν, a form of ἔξεστι; e.g., permitted) to do good (καλῶς; e.g., beautifully) on the Sabbath.”19 (As the writer of Hebrews noted: For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.20)

Paul wrote (Romans 14:4-6a; 7-12 ESV):

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand [Table].

One21 person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord…22 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ23 died and lived again,24 that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;25 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”26 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God [Table].

The writer of Hebrews likened the Sabbath in the new covenant to the promised land in the old, a daily way of life rather than a singular day of the week (Hebrews 3:12-4:10 ESV).

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said,

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”27

For who were those who heard (Exodus 19:1-20:21) and yet rebelled (Exodus 32:1-10)? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? [Table] And with whom was he provoked for forty28 years (Numbers 13:1-14:12)? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest (Numbers 14:13-23), but to those who were disobedient (τοῖς ἀπειθήσασιν)? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief (ἀπιστίαν).

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened (KJV: not being mixed with faith in them that heard it) [Table]. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,

“As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’”29

although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.”30 And again in this passage he said,

“They shall not enter my rest.”

Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience (ἀπείθειαν, a form of ἀπείθεια), again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” [Table].

For if Joshua (Ἰησοῦς) had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

As Paul wrote, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure [Table].31 And I wrote in another essay:

My entering into God’s rest differs from his rest in a significant way. He rested from works that were very good: God saw all that he had made—and it was very good![14] I am eager to rest from works of evil at one extreme, hypocrisy at the other (the works of an actor playing at righteousness) or some jumbled combination of the two everywhere in between.

As John wrote: Whoever does good is from God (or “from God exists”).32 Balak did not believe that God spoke personally to him through Balaam (Numbers 23:11, 12 ESV).

And Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have done nothing but bless them.” And he answered and said, “Must I not take care to speak33 what the Lord (yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: Θεὸς) puts in my mouth?”

To one who believes that the Lord (NETS: God) put a word in Balaam’s mouth, this sounds as if He is still speaking, asking an adroit question, inviting Balak to reconsider his ways. To one who does not believe, this sounds like Balaam trying rather ineffectively to deflect the king’s anger. Balak remained resolute (Numbers 23:13, 14 ESV):

And Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place, from which you may see them. You shall see only a fraction of them and shall not see them all. Then curse them for me from there.” And he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Children are encouraged to emulate a faith and determination like Balak’s to realize their goals and achieve their full potential. Adults are praised for this kind of faith and determination as they pursue their goals and purposes. And the successful credit their success to this kind of faith and determination. Balaam continued as he had done before (Numbers 23:15-18a ESV):

Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offering, while I meet the Lord (not in the Masoretic text;34 Septuagint: τὸν Θεόν) over there.” And the Lord (yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: Θεὸς) met Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus shall you speak.” And he came to him, and behold, he was standing beside his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said to him, “What has the Lord (yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה, corroborated by Κύριος in the Septuagint) spoken?”

Is Balak ready now to hear from the Lord (yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה, corroborated by Κύριος in the Septuagint)?

And Balaam took up his discourse and said, “Rise, Balak, and hear; give ear to me, O son of Zippor: God (‘ēl, אֵל; Septuagint: Θεὸς) is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? [Table] Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it. He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has he seen trouble in Israel. The Lord (yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה, corroborated by Κύριος in the Septuagint) their God (‘ĕlōhîm, אֱלֹהָיו, corroborated by Θεὸς in the Septuagint) is with them, and the shout of a king is among them.35

The Septuagint and the Masoretic text diverge here.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Numbers 23:21 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:21 (NET)

Numbers 23:21 (NETS)

Numbers 23:21 (English Elpenor)

None hath beheld (הִבִּ֥יט) iniquity (אָ֨וֶן֙) in Jacob, neither hath one seen (רָאָ֥ה) perverseness (עָמָ֖ל) in Israel; HaShem his G-d is with him, and the shouting for the King (מֶ֖לֶךְ) is among them. He has not looked on (nāḇaṭ, הביט) iniquity (‘āven, און) in Jacob, nor has he seen (rā’â, ראה) trouble (ʿāmāl, עמל) in Israel. The Lord their God is with them; his acclamation as king (meleḵ, מלך) is among them. There shall be (ἔσται) no trouble (μόχθος) in Iakob, nor shall hardship (πόνος) be seen (ὀφθήσεται) in Israel. The Lord his God is with him; the glories of rulers (ἀρχόντων) are in him. There shall not be (ἔσται) trouble (μόχθος) in Jacob, neither shall sorrow be (πόνος) seen (ὀφθήσεται) in Israel: the Lord his God [is] with him, the glories of rulers (ἀρχόντων) [are] in him.

In the Masoretic text הִבִּ֥יט, a form of נָבַט (nāḇaṭ) followed by אָ֨וֶן֙ (āven) was translated hath beheld iniquity (Tanakh), He hathbeheld iniquity (KJV) and He haslooked on iniquity (NET). This was understood as ἔσται μόχθος in the Septuagint, There shall betrouble (NETS, English Elpenor). These statements were negated by לֹֽא (lō’) in the Masoretic text and οὐκ in the Septuagint. In the Masoretic text רָאָ֥ה (rā’â) followed by עָמָ֖ל (ʿāmāl) was translated hath one seen perverseness (Tanakh), hath he seen perverseness (KJV) and has he seen trouble (NET). This was understood as ὀφθήσεται πόνος in the Septuagint, shall hardship be seen (NETS) and shall sorrow be seen (English Elpenor). Again, these statements were negated by וְלֹֽא, a form of לֹא (lō’), in the Masoretic text and οὐδὲ in the Septuagint. Finally, מֶ֖לֶךְ (meleḵ), for the King (Tanakh), of a king (KJV) and as king (NET), was singular in the Masoretic text; ἀρχόντων, of rulers (NETS, English Elpenor), was plural in the Septuagint.

Balaam’s prophecy continued (Numbers 23:22, 23 ESV):

God brings them out of Egypt and is for them like the horns of the wild ox [Table]. For there is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel; now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What has God wrought!’

Here, too, the Septuagint and Masoretic text diverge.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Numbers 23:23b (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:23b (NET)

Numbers 23:23b (NETS)

Numbers 23:23b (English Elpenor)

‘What hath G-d wrought (פָּעַ֖ל)!’ Look at what God has done (p̄āʿal, פעל)!’ what God shall accomplish (ἐπιτελέσει) what God shall perform (ἐπιτελέσει)

The Masoretic text looks backward to the formation of Israel, while the Septuagint looks forward in the future tense: ἐπιτελέσει, a form of ἐπιτελέω. Would those “scholars and scribes” tasked “to decipher the authentic word of God” from “many disparities of the Torah [which had] emerged as countless scribes wrote numerous scrolls,” with an “ultimate goal…to uphold the traditions of the Jewish people,”36 be more likely to look back to the Passover and the Exodus from Egypt or forward to Christ?

Balaam continued (Numbers 23:24 ESV):

Behold, a people! As a lioness it rises up and as a lion it lifts itself; it does not lie down until it has devoured the prey and drunk the blood of the slain.”

Here, too, the tense in the English translation is at issue.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Numbers 23:24 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:24 (NET)

Numbers 23:24 (NETS)

Numbers 23:24 (English Elpenor)

Behold a people that riseth up (יָק֔וּם) as a lioness, and as a lion doth he lift himself up (יִתְנַשָּׂ֑א); he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. Indeed, the people will rise up (qûm, יקום) like a lioness, and like a lion raises himself up (nāśā’, יתנשׁא); they will not lie down until they eat their prey, and drink the blood of the slain.” Behold, a people shall rise up (ἀναστήσεται) like a whelp and shall bear itself proudly (γαυριωθήσεται) like a lion! It will not lie down until it eats prey and will drink blood of mortally wounded.” Behold, the people shall rise up (ἀναστήσεται) as a lion’s whelp, and shall exalt himself (γαυρωθήσεται) as a lion; he shall not lie down till he have eaten the prey, and he shall drink the blood of the slain.

The Hebrew word קוּם, a form of יָק֔וּם (qûm) in the Masoretic text, was translated in the present tense in the Tanakh, that riseth up, but in the future tense in the KJV, shall rise up, and NET, will rise up. It was translated ἀναστήσεται in the future tense in the Septuagint: shall rise up (NETS, English Elpenor). The Hebrew word יִתְנַשָּׂ֑א, a form of נָשָׂא (nāśā’) in the Masoretic text, was translated in the present tense in the Tanakh, doth he lift himself up, and NET, raises himself up, but in the future tense in the KJV if I assume that shall carries through the conjunction and, [shall] lift up himself. It was translated γαυριωθήσεται in the future tense in the BLB Septuagint, shall bear itself proudly (NETS), and γαυρωθήσεται also in the future tense in the Elpenor Septuagint, shall exalt himself (English Elpenor).

With the words—it does not lie down until it has devoured the prey and drunk the blood of the slain—the Lord confirmed Balak’s fear (Numbers 23:25, 26 ESV).

And Balak said to Balaam, “Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all.” But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘All that the Lord (yᵊhōvâ, יְהוָה; Septuagint: Θεός) says, that I must do’?”37

For the briefest moment it sounds as if Balak is catching on. Perhaps it is too much to hope that he would take advantage of his audience with God, and ask Balaam to intercede on behalf of his people (Exodus 32:9-14). But Balak continued in his faith with determination (Numbers 23:27 ESV):

And Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God (‘ĕlōhîm, הָאֱלֹהִים, corroborated by τῷ Θεῷ in the Septuagint) that you may curse them for me from there.”

Here, Balak’s faith and determination became a stubborn rebellion; he completely ignored the Lord’s word: God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? [Table] Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.38 John wrote, whoever does evil has not seen (ἑώρακεν, a form of ὁράω) God.39

This sounds strange on its surface: No one has ever seen (ἑώρακεν, a form of ὁράω) God; God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.40 The key here is ἐξηγήσατο (a form of ἐξηγέομαι), translated has made him known. Forms of ὁράω mean more than “to see (with the eyes)” in the literal sense: “to consider (i.e., look at mentally); to arrive at a conclusion by observation; to experience, witness; to notice, recognize, understand; to realize, comprehend.” It is in this sense that Balak, though confronted by the word of God through a prophet, did not consider God, arrive at a conclusion in favor of God by observation, experience, witness, notice, recognize, understand, realize or comprehend God, though he had called Him by name, without understanding.

I’ll pick this up in another essay. According to a note (22) in the NET Matthew 19:18b, 19a is a quotation from Exodus 20:12-16 and Deuteronomy 5:16-20. The following tables compare the Greek of that quotation with the Septuagint.

Matthew 19:18b (NET Parallel Greek)

Exodus 20:13 (Septuagint BLB) Table

Exodus 20:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ φονεύσεις οὐ φονεύσεις οὐ φονεύσεις

Matthew 19:18b (NET)

Exodus 20:15 (NETS)

Exodus 20:15 (English Elpenor)

Do not murder You shall not murder. Thou shalt not kill.

Matthew 19:18b (NET Parallel Greek)

Exodus 20:14 (Septuagint BLB) Table

Exodus 20:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ μοιχεύσεις οὐ μοιχεύσεις οὐ μοιχεύσεις

Matthew 19:18b (NET)

Exodus 20:13 (NETS)

Exodus 20:13 (English Elpenor)

do not commit adultery You shall not commit adultery. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Matthew 19:18b (NET Parallel Greek)

Exodus 20:15 (Septuagint BLB) Table

Exodus 20:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ κλέψεις οὐ κλέψεις οὐ κλέψεις

Matthew 19:18b (NET)

Exodus 20:14 (NETS)

Exodus 20:14 (English Elpenor)

do not steal You shall not steal. Thou shalt not steal.

Matthew 19:18b (NET Parallel Greek)

Exodus 20:16a (Septuagint BLB) Table

Exodus 20:16a (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις

Matthew 19:18b (NET)

Exodus 20:16a (NETS)

Exodus 20:16a (English Elpenor)

do not give false testimony You shall not testify falsely Thou shalt not bear false witness

Matthew 19:19a (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 19:19a (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 19:18b (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 5:17 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ φονεύσεις οὐ φονεύσεις οὐ φονεύσεις

Matthew 19:18b (NET)

Deuteronomy 5:18 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:17 (English Elpenor)

Do not murder You shall not murder. Thou shalt not commit murder.

Matthew 19:18b (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 5:18 (Septuagint BLB) Table

Deuteronomy 5:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ μοιχεύσεις οὐ μοιχεύσεις οὐ μοιχεύσεις

Matthew 19:18b (NET)

Deuteronomy 5:17 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:18 (English Elpenor)

do not commit adultery You shall not commit adultery. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Matthew 19:18b (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 5:19 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ κλέψεις οὐ κλέψεις οὐ κλέψεις

Matthew 19:18b (NET)

Deuteronomy 5:19 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:19 (English Elpenor)

do not steal You shall not steal. Thou shalt not steal.

Matthew 19:18b (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 5:20a (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:20a (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις

Matthew 19:18b (NET)

Deuteronomy 5:20a (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:20a (English Elpenor)

do not give false testimony You shall not testify falsely Thou shalt not bear false witness

Matthew 19:19a (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 5:16a (Septuagint BLB) Table

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 19:19a (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

According to a note (23) in the NET Matthew 19:19b is a quotation from Leviticus 19:18. The following table compares the Greek of that quotation with the Septuagint.

Matthew 19:19b (NET Parallel Greek)

Leviticus 19:18c (Septuagint BLB) Table

Leviticus 19:18c (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν

Matthew 19:19b (NET)

Leviticus 19:18c (NETS)

Leviticus 19:18c (English Elpenor)

love your neighbor as yourself you shall love your neighbor as yourself thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself

Tables comparing Deuteronomy 5:17; 5:19 (5:17); 5:20 (5:17); Numbers 23:11; 23:12; 23:13; 23:14; 23:15; 23:16; 23:17; 23:18; 23:20; 23:21; 23:23; 23:24; 23:25; 23:26 and 23:27 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Deuteronomy 5:17 (5:18); 5:19; 5:20; Numbers 23:11; 23:12; 23:13; 23:14; 23:15; 23:16; 23:17; 23:18; 23:20; 23:21; 23:23; 23:24; 23:25; 23:26 and 23:27 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Matthew 9:19, 20; Romans 14:5, 6; 14:9, 10 and Hebrews 3:17 in the KJV and NET follow.

Deuteronomy 5:17 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 5:17 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 5:17 (NET)

Thou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not kill. “You must not murder.

Deuteronomy 5:17 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ φονεύσεις οὐ φονεύσεις

Deuteronomy 5:18 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:17 (English Elpenor)

You shall not murder. Thou shalt not commit murder.

Deuteronomy 5:17 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 5:19 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 5:19 (NET)

Thou shalt not murder. Neither shalt thou commit adultery. Neither shalt thou steal. Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. Neither shalt thou steal. “You must not steal.

Deuteronomy 5:19 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ κλέψεις οὐ κλέψεις

Deuteronomy 5:19 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:19 (English Elpenor)

You shall not steal. Thou shalt not steal.

Deuteronomy 5:17 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 5:20 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 5:20 (NET)

Thou shalt not murder. Neither shalt thou commit adultery. Neither shalt thou steal. Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. “You must not offer false testimony against another.

Deuteronomy 5:20 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 5:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις κατὰ τοῦ πλησίον σου μαρτυρίαν ψευδῆ οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις κατὰ τοῦ πλησίον σου μαρτυρίαν ψευδῆ

Deuteronomy 5:20 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 5:20 (English Elpenor)

You shall not testify falsely against your neighbor with a false testimony. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Numbers 23:11 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:11 (KJV)

Numbers 23:11 (NET)

And Balak said unto Balaam: ‘What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.’ And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether. Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but on the contrary you have only blessed them!”

Numbers 23:11 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Βαλακ πρὸς Βαλααμ τί πεποίηκάς μοι εἰς κατάρασιν ἐχθρῶν μου κέκληκά σε καὶ ἰδοὺ εὐλόγηκας εὐλογίαν καὶ εἶπε Βαλὰκ πρὸς Βαλαάμ· τί πεποίηκάς μοι; εἰς κατάρασιν ἐχθρῶν μου κέκληκά σε, καὶ ἰδοὺ εὐλόγηκας εὐλογίαν

Numbers 23:11 (NETS)

Numbers 23:11 (English Elpenor)

And Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? For cursing my enemies have I called you—and, behold, you have blessed them with a blessing.” And Balac said to Balaam, What hast thou done to me? I called thee to curse my enemies, and behold thou hast greatly blessed [them].

Numbers 23:12 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:12 (KJV)

Numbers 23:12 (NET)

And he answered and said: ‘Must I not take heed to speak that which HaShem putteth in my mouth?’ And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth? Balaam replied, “Must I not be careful to speak what the Lord has put in my mouth?”

Numbers 23:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς Βαλακ οὐχὶ ὅσα ἐὰν ἐμβάλῃ ὁ θεὸς εἰς τὸ στόμα μου τοῦτο φυλάξω λαλῆσαι καὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ πρὸς Βαλάκ· οὐχὶ ὅσα ἂν ἐμβάλῃ ὁ Θεὸς εἰς τὸ στόμα μου, τοῦτο φυλάξω λαλῆσαι

Numbers 23:12 (NETS)

Numbers 23:12 (English Elpenor)

And Balaam said to Balak, “No, as much as God puts into my mouth, shall I beware of speaking it?” And Balaam said to Balac, Whatsoever the Lord shall put into my mouth, shall I not take heed to speak this?

Numbers 23:13 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:13 (KJV)

Numbers 23:13 (NET)

And Balak said unto him: ‘Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them; thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all; and curse me them from thence.’ And Balak said unto him, Come, I pray thee, with me unto another place, from whence thou mayest see them: thou shalt see but the utmost part of them, and shalt not see them all: and curse me them from thence. Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place from which you can observe them. You will see only a part of them, but you will not see all of them. Curse them for me from there.”

Numbers 23:13 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν Βαλακ δεῦρο ἔτι μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ εἰς τόπον ἄλλον ἐξ ὧν οὐκ ὄψῃ αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν ἀλλ᾽ ἢ μέρος τι αὐτοῦ ὄψῃ πάντας δὲ οὐ μὴ ἴδῃς καὶ κατάρασαί μοι αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν Καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν Βαλάκ· δεῦρο ἔτι μετ’ ἐμοῦ εἰς τόπον ἄλλον, ἐξ οὗ οὐκ ὄψει αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν, ἀλλ’ ἢ μέρος τι αὐτοῦ ὄψει, πάντας δὲ οὐ μὴ ἴδῃς, καὶ κατάρασαί μοι αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν

Numbers 23:13 (NETS)

Numbers 23:13 (English Elpenor)

And Balak said to him, “Come yet with me to another place, from there where you shall not see it; rather some part of it you shall see, but all you shall not see. And curse if for me from there.” And Balac said to him, Come yet with me to another place where thou shalt not see the people, but only thou shalt see a part of them, and shalt not see them all; and curse me them from thence.

Numbers 23:14 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:14 (KJV)

Numbers 23:14 (NET)

And he took him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered up a bullock and a ram on every altar. And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar. So Balak brought Balaam to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Numbers 23:14 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ παρέλαβεν αὐτὸν εἰς ἀγροῦ σκοπιὰν ἐπὶ κορυφὴν λελαξευμένου καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ ἑπτὰ βωμοὺς καὶ ἀνεβίβασεν μόσχον καὶ κριὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βωμόν καὶ παρέλαβεν αὐτὸν εἰς ἀγροῦ σκοπιὰν ἐπὶ κορυφὴν λελαξευμένου καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ ἑπτὰ βωμοὺς καὶ ἀνεβίβασε μόσχον καὶ κριὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βωμόν

Numbers 23:14 (NETS)

Numbers 23:14 (English Elpenor)

And he took him to a lookout place of a field, on the top of Hewn. And he built there seven altars and brought a calf and a ram on the altar. And he took him to a high place of the field to the top of the quarried [rock], and he built there seven altars, and offered a calf and a ram on [every] altar.

Numbers 23:15 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:15 (KJV)

Numbers 23:15 (NET)

And he said unto Balak: ‘Stand here by thy burnt-offering, while I go toward a meeting yonder.’ And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder. And Balaam said to Balak, “Station yourself here by your burnt offering, while I meet the Lord there.”

Numbers 23:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς Βαλακ παράστηθι ἐπὶ τῆς θυσίας σου ἐγὼ δὲ πορεύσομαι ἐπερωτῆσαι τὸν θεόν καὶ εἶπε Βαλαὰμ πρός Βαλάκ· παράστηθι ἐπὶ τῆς θυσίας σου, ἐγὼ δὲ πορεύσομαι ἐπερωτῆσαι τὸν Θεόν

Numbers 23:15 (NETS)

Numbers 23:15 (English Elpenor)

And Balaam said to Balak, “Stand beside your sacrifice, but I will go to inquire of God.” And Balaam said to Balac, Stand by thy sacrifice, and I will go to enquire of God.

Numbers 23:16 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:16 (KJV)

Numbers 23:16 (NET)

And HaShem met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said: ‘Return unto Balak, and thus shalt thou speak.’ And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus. Then the Lord met Balaam and put a message in his mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and speak what I tell you.”

Numbers 23:16 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ συνήντησεν ὁ θεὸς τῷ Βαλααμ καὶ ἐνέβαλεν ῥῆμα εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν ἀποστράφητι πρὸς Βαλακ καὶ τάδε λαλήσεις καὶ συνήντησεν ὁ Θεὸς τῷ Βαλαὰμ καὶ ἐνέβαλε ρῆμα εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν· ἀποστράφηθι πρὸς Βαλὰκ καὶ τάδε λαλήσεις

Numbers 23:16 (NETS)

Numbers 23:16 (English Elpenor)

And God met with Balaam, and he put a word into his mouth and said, “Turn back to Balak, and this is what you shall speak.” And God met Balaam, and put a word into his mouth, and said, return to Balac, and thus shalt thou speak.

Numbers 23:17 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:17 (KJV)

Numbers 23:17 (NET)

And he came to him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt-offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him: ‘What hath HaShem spoken?’ And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken? When Balaam came to him, he was still standing by his burnt offering, along with the princes of Moab. And Balak said to him, “What has the Lord spoken?”

Numbers 23:17 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀπεστράφη πρὸς αὐτόν καὶ ὅδε ἐφειστήκει ἐπὶ τῆς ὁλοκαυτώσεως αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες Μωαβ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Βαλακ τί ἐλάλησεν κύριος καὶ ἀπεστράφη πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ ὅδε ἐφειστήκει ἐπὶ τῆς ὁλοκαυτώσεως αὐτοῦ, καὶ πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες Μωὰβ μετ’ αὐτοῦ. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Βαλάκ· τί ἐλάλησε Κύριος

Numbers 23:17 (NETS)

Numbers 23:17 (English Elpenor)

And he turned back to hum, and the latter stood beside his whole burnt offering, and all the rulers of Moab with him. And Balak said to him, “What did the Lord speak?” And he returned to him: and he also as standing by his whole-burnt-sacrifice, and all the princes of Moab with him; and Balac said to him, What has the Lord spoken?

Numbers 23:18 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:18 (KJV)

Numbers 23:18 (NET)

And he took up his parable, and said: Arise, Balak, and hear; give ear unto me, thou son of Zippor: And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor: Balaam uttered his oracle, and said, “Rise up, Balak, and hear; Listen to me, son of Zippor:

Numbers 23:18 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ εἶπεν ἀνάστηθι Βαλακ καὶ ἄκουε ἐνώτισαι μάρτυς υἱὸς Σεπφωρ καὶ ἀναλαβὼν τὴν παραβολὴν αὐτοῦ εἶπεν· ἀνάστηθι Βαλάκ, καὶ ἄκουε· ἐνώτισαι μάρτυς, υἱὸς Σεπφώρ

Numbers 23:18 (NETS)

Numbers 23:18 (English Elpenor)

And he took up this parable and said, “Rise up, Balak, and hear; give ear as a witness, O son of Sepphor: And he took up his parable, and said, rise up, Balac, and hear; hearken as a witness, thou son of Sepphor.

Numbers 23:20 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:20 (KJV)

Numbers 23:20 (NET)

Behold, I am bidden to bless; and when He hath blessed, I cannot call it back. Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. Indeed, I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

Numbers 23:20 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἰδοὺ εὐλογεῖν παρείλημμαι εὐλογήσω καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποστρέψω ἰδοὺ εὐλογεῖν παρείλημμαι· εὐλογήσω καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποστρέψω

Numbers 23:20 (NETS)

Numbers 23:20 (English Elpenor)

Behold, I have been taken hold of to bless; I will bless, and I will not turn away. Behold, I have received [commandment] to bless: I will bless, and not turn back.

Numbers 23:21 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:21 (KJV)

Numbers 23:21 (NET)

None hath beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath one seen perverseness in Israel; HaShem his G-d is with him, and the shouting for the King is among them. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. He has not looked on iniquity in Jacob, nor has he seen trouble in Israel. The Lord their God is with them; his acclamation as king is among them.

Numbers 23:21 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐκ ἔσται μόχθος ἐν Ιακωβ οὐδὲ ὀφθήσεται πόνος ἐν Ισραηλ κύριος ὁ θεὸς αὐτοῦ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ τὰ ἔνδοξα ἀρχόντων ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔσται μόχθος ἐν ᾿Ιακώβ, οὐδὲ ὀφθήσεται πόνος ἐν ᾿Ισραήλ· Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς αὐτοῦ μετ’ αὐτοῦ, τὰ ἔνδοξα ἀρχόντων ἐν αὐτῷ

Numbers 23:21 (NETS)

Numbers 23:21 (English Elpenor)

There shall be no trouble in Iakob, nor shall hardship be seen in Israel. The Lord his God is with him; the glories of rulers are in him. There shall not be trouble in Jacob, neither shall sorrow be seen in Israel: the Lord his God [is] with him, the glories of rulers [are] in him.

Numbers 23:23 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:23 (KJV)

Numbers 23:23 (NET)

For there is no enchantment with Jacob, neither is there any divination with Israel; now is it said of Jacob and of Israel: ‘What hath G-d wrought!’ Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought! For there is no spell against Jacob, nor is there any divination against Israel. At this time it must be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘Look at what God has done!’

Numbers 23:23 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ γάρ ἐστιν οἰωνισμὸς ἐν Ιακωβ οὐδὲ μαντεία ἐν Ισραηλ κατὰ καιρὸν ῥηθήσεται Ιακωβ καὶ τῷ Ισραηλ τί ἐπιτελέσει ὁ θεός οὐ γάρ ἐστιν οἰωνισμὸς ἐν ᾿Ιακώβ, οὐδὲ μαντεία ἐν ᾿Ισραήλ· κατὰ καιρὸν ρηθήσεται ᾿Ιακὼβ καὶ τῷ ᾿Ισραήλ, τί ἐπιτελέσει ὁ Θεός

Numbers 23:23 (NETS)

Numbers 23:23 (English Elpenor)

For there is no omen in Iakob nor divination in Israel; opportunely it shall be told to Iakob and to Israel what God shall accomplish. For there is no divination in Jacob, nor enchantment in Israel; in season it shall be told to Jacob and Israel what God shall perform.

Numbers 23:24 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:24 (KJV)

Numbers 23:24 (NET)

Behold a people that riseth up as a lioness, and as a lion doth he lift himself up; he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain. Indeed, the people will rise up like a lioness, and like a lion raises himself up; they will not lie down until they eat their prey, and drink the blood of the slain.”

Numbers 23:24 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:24 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἰδοὺ λαὸς ὡς σκύμνος ἀναστήσεται καὶ ὡς λέων γαυριωθήσεται οὐ κοιμηθήσεται ἕως φάγῃ θήραν καὶ αἷμα τραυματιῶν πίεται ἰδοὺ λαὸς ὡς σκύμνος ἀναστήσεται καὶ ὡς λέων γαυρωθήσεται· οὐ κοιμηθήσεται, ἕως φάγῃ θήραν, καὶ αἷμα τραυματιῶν πίεται

Numbers 23:24 (NETS)

Numbers 23:24 (English Elpenor)

Behold, a people shall rise up like a whelp and shall bear itself proudly like a lion! It will not lie down until it eats prey and will drink blood of mortally wounded.” Behold, the people shall rise up as a lion’s whelp, and shall exalt himself as a lion; he shall not lie down till he have eaten the prey, and he shall drink the blood of the slain.

Numbers 23:25 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:25 (KJV)

Numbers 23:25 (NET)

And Balak said unto Balaam: ‘Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.’ And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all. Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!”

Numbers 23:25 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:25 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Βαλακ πρὸς Βαλααμ οὔτε κατάραις καταράσῃ μοι αὐτὸν οὔτε εὐλογῶν μὴ εὐλογήσῃς αὐτόν καὶ εἶπε Βαλὰκ πρὸς Βαλαάμ· οὔτε κατάραις καταράσῃ μοι αὐτὸν οὔτε εὐλογῶν μὴ εὐλογήσῃς αὐτόν

Numbers 23:25 (NETS)

Numbers 23:25 (English Elpenor)

And Balak said to Balaam, “You shall neither curse them with curses for me, nor, when blessing, shall you bless them.” Behold, the people shall rise up as a lion’s whelp, and shall exalt himself as a lion; he shall not lie down till he have eaten the prey, and he shall drink the blood of the slain.

Numbers 23:26 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:26 (KJV)

Numbers 23:26 (NET)

But Balaam answered and said unto Balak: ‘Told not I thee, saying: All that HaShem speaketh, that I must do?’ But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do? But Balaam replied to Balak, “Did I not tell you, ‘All that the Lord speaks, I must do’?”

Numbers 23:26 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:26 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς Βαλααμ εἶπεν τῷ Βαλακ οὐκ ἐλάλησά σοι λέγων τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν λαλήσῃ ὁ θεός τοῦτο ποιήσω καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς Βαλαὰμ εἶπε τῷ Βαλάκ· οὐκ ἐλάλησά σοι λέγων, τὸ ρῆμα, ὃ ἐὰν λαλήσῃ ὁ Θεός, τοῦτο ποιήσω

Numbers 23:26 (NETS)

Numbers 23:26 (English Elpenor)

And Balaam answered and said to Balak, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘The word that God speaks, this I shall do’?” And Balaam answered and said to Balac, Spoke I not to thee, saying, Whatsoever thing God shall speak to me, that will I do?

Numbers 23:27 (Tanakh)

Numbers 23:27 (KJV)

Numbers 23:27 (NET)

And Balak said unto Balaam: ‘Come now, I will take thee unto another place; peradventure it will please G-d that thou mayest curse me them from thence.’ And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence. Balak said to Balaam, “Come, please; I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there.”

Numbers 23:27 (Septuagint BLB)

Numbers 23:27 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Βαλακ πρὸς Βαλααμ δεῦρο παραλάβω σε εἰς τόπον ἄλλον εἰ ἀρέσει τῷ θεῷ καὶ καταρᾶσαί μοι αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν Καὶ εἶπε Βαλὰκ πρὸς Βαλαάμ· δεῦρο παραλάβω σε εἰς τόπον ἄλλον, εἰ ἀρέσει τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ κατάρασαί μοι αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν

Numbers 23:27 (NETS)

Numbers 23:27 (English Elpenor)

And Balak said to Balaam, “Come, let me take you to another place, if it shall please God, and curse it for me from there.” And Balac said to Balaam, Come [and] I will remove thee to another place, if it shall please God, and curse me them from thence.

Matthew 19:19, 20 (NET)

Matthew 19:19, 20 (KJV)

honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 19:19 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 19:19 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 19:19 (Byzantine Majority Text)

τίμα τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν μητέρα, καί ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν τιμα τον πατερα σου και την μητερα και αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου ως σεαυτον τιμα τον πατερα και την μητερα και αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου ως σεαυτον
The young man said to him, “I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws. What do I still lack?” The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Matthew 19:20 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 19:20 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 19:20 (Byzantine Majority Text)

λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ νεανίσκος· |πάντα ταῦτα| ἐφύλαξα· τί ἔτι ὑστερῶ λεγει αυτω ο νεανισκος παντα ταυτα εφυλαξαμην εκ νεοτητος μου τι ετι υστερω λεγει αυτω ο νεανισκος παντα ταυτα εφυλαξαμην εκ νεοτητος μου τι ετι υστερω

Romans 14:5, 6 (NET)

Romans 14:5, 6 (KJV)

One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Romans 14:5 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 14:5 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 14:5 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Ὂς μὲν [γὰρ] κρίνει ἡμέραν παρ᾿ ἡμέραν, ὃς δὲ κρίνει πᾶσαν ἡμέραν· ἕκαστος ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ νοὶ_ πληροφορείσθω ος μεν κρινει ημεραν παρ ημεραν ος δε κρινει πασαν ημεραν εκαστος εν τω ιδιω νοι πληροφορεισθω ος μεν κρινει ημεραν παρ ημεραν ος δε κρινει πασαν ημεραν εκαστος εν τω ιδιω νοι πληροφορεισθω
The one who observes the day does it for the Lord. The one who eats, eats for the Lord because he gives thanks to God, and the one who abstains from eating abstains for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Romans 14:6 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 14:6 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 14:6 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὁ φρονῶν τὴν ἡμέραν κυρίῳ φρονεῖ· καὶ ὁ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ ἐσθίει, εὐχαριστεῖ γὰρ τῷ θεῷ· καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐσθίει καὶ εὐχαριστεῖ τῷ θεῷ ο φρονων την ημεραν κυριω φρονει και ο μη φρονων την ημεραν κυριω ου φρονει ο εσθιων κυριω εσθιει ευχαριστει γαρ τω θεω και ο μη εσθιων κυριω ουκ εσθιει και ευχαριστει τω θεω ο φρονων την ημεραν κυριω φρονει και ο μη φρονων την ημεραν κυριω ου φρονει και ο εσθιων κυριω εσθιει ευχαριστει γαρ τω θεω και ο μη εσθιων κυριω ουκ εσθιει και ευχαριστει τω θεω

Romans 14:9, 10 (NET)

Romans 14:9, 10 (KJV)

For this reason Christ died and returned to life, so that he may be the Lord of both the dead and the living. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Romans 14:9 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 14:9 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 14:9 (Byzantine Majority Text)

εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν καὶ ἔζησεν, ἵνα καὶ νεκρῶν καὶ ζώντων κυριεύσῃ εις τουτο γαρ χριστος και απεθανεν και ανεστη και ανεζησεν ινα και νεκρων και ζωντων κυριευση εις τουτο γαρ χριστος και απεθανεν και ανεστη και εζησεν ινα και νεκρων και ζωντων κυριευση
But you who eat vegetables only—why do you judge your brother or sister? And you who eat everything—why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:10 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 14:10 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 14:10 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Σὺ δὲ τί κρίνεις τὸν ἀδελφόν σου; ἢ καὶ σὺ τί ἐξουθενεῖς τὸν ἀδελφόν σου; πάντες γὰρ παραστησόμεθα τῷ βήματι τοῦ θεοῦ συ δε τι κρινεις τον αδελφον σου η και συ τι εξουθενεις τον αδελφον σου παντες γαρ παραστησομεθα τω βηματι του χριστου συ δε τι κρινεις τον αδελφον σου η και συ τι εξουθενεις τον αδελφον σου παντες γαρ παραστησομεθα τω βηματι του χριστου

Hebrews 3:17 (NET)

Hebrews 3:17 (KJV)

And against whom was God provoked for forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness? But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

Hebrews 3:17 (NET Parallel Greek)

Hebrews 3:17 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Hebrews 3:17 (Byzantine Majority Text)

τίσιν δὲ προσώχθισεν τεσσεράκοντα ἔτη; οὐχὶ τοῖς ἁμαρτήσασιν, ὧν τὰ κῶλα ἔπεσεν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τισιν δε προσωχθισεν τεσσαρακοντα ετη ουχι τοις αμαρτησασιν ων τα κωλα επεσεν εν τη ερημω τισιν δε προσωχθισεν τεσσαρακοντα ετη ουχι τοις αμαρτησασιν ων τα κωλα επεσεν εν τη ερημω

4 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐφύλαξα here, a form of φυλάσσω in the active voice, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εφυλαξαμην (KJV: have I kept) in the middle voice. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εκ νεοτητος μου (KJV: from my youth up) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

5 See Exploration, Part 3 for tables comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to that of the Septuagint.

6 Matthew 19:22b (ESV)

7 John 1:47b (ESV)

8 Romans 11:24 (ESV)

9 Matthew 22:40 (ESV) Table

10 Matthew 22:37b, 38 (ESV) Table

11 Romans 3:19, 20 (ESV)

12 Romans 9:32b (ESV) Table

13 Ibid.

14 Matthew 19:21 (ESV) Table For those with ears to hear, this is where the commandments concerning coveting and loving the Lord your God come to bear in this discourse.

15 Numbers 23:10b (The Complete Jewish Bible)

16 Numbers 22:31b (ESV) Table

17 Numbers 22:34b (ESV) Table

18 Mark 2:27, 28 (ESV)

19 Matthew 12:12b (ESV)

20 Hebrews 7:12 (ESV)

21 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the conjunction γὰρ (“for”) here. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

22 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ο μη φρονων την ημεραν κυριω ου φρονει (KJV: he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

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

25 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had θεοῦ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had χριστου (KJV: Christ).

26 See Wonders and False Wonders, Part 2 for tables comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation to that of the Septuagint.

27 See A Shadow of the Good Things, Part 4 for tables comparing the Greek of this quotation to that of the Septuagint.

28 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had τεσσεράκοντα here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τεσσαρακοντα. These seem to be alternate spellings of the same word.

29 See A Shadow of the Good Things, Part 4 for tables comparing the Greek of this quotation to that of the Septuagint.

30 See A Shadow of the Good Things, Part 4 for tables comparing the Greek of this quotation to that of the Septuagint.

31 Philippians 2:12b, 13 (ESV)

32 3 John 1:11b (ESV) Table

33 The Septuagint had τοῦτο φυλάξω λαλῆσαι, shall I beware of speaking it (NETS) and shall I not take heed to speak this (English Elpenor), in the indicative mood rather than the imperative.

34 He said to Balak, “Stand here next to your burnt offering and I will be chanced on here (The Complete Jewish Bible).

35 Numbers 23:18-21 (ESV)

37 The Septuagint has τοῦτο ποιήσω: this I shall do (NETS) and that will I do (English Elpenor), translated as a verb in the future tense and indicative mood, rather than the aorist tense and subjunctive mood.

38 Numbers 23:19, 20 (ESV)

39 3 John 1:11b (ESV) Table

40 John 1:18 (ESV) Table

Exploration, Part 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Circumcision—Galatians 2:5 (ESV)

Unclean Foods—Romans 14:20b (ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Isaiah 28:16b (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 28:16b (Septuagint Elpenor)

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

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

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

Romans 9:33b, c (NET)

Isaiah 28:16b (NETS)

Isaiah 28:16b (English Elpenor)

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

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

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

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

Romans 9:33b (NET Parallel Greek)

Isaiah 8:14a (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 8:14a (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἰδοὺ τίθημι ἐν Σιὼν λίθον προσκόμματος καὶ πέτραν σκανδάλου

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

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

Romans 9:33b (NET)

Isaiah 8:14a (NETS)

Isaiah 8:14a (English Elpenor)

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

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

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

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

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Isaiah 8:14 (Tanakh’KJV)

Isaiah 8:14 (NET)

Isaiah 8:14 (NETS)

Isaiah 8:14 (English Elpenor)

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

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

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

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

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

Isaiah 28:16 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 28:16 (KJV)

Isaiah 28:16 (NET)

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

Isaiah 28:16 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 28:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)

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

Isaiah 28:16 (NETS)

Isaiah 28:16 (English Elpenor)

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

Isaiah 8:14 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 8:14 (KJV)

Isaiah 8:14 (NET)

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

Isaiah 8:14 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 8:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

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

Isaiah 8:14 (NETS)

Isaiah 8:14 (English Elpenor)

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

Galatians 2:2 (NET)

Galatians 2:2 (KJV)

I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people, to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Galatians 2:2 (NET Parallel Greek)

Galatians 2:2 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Galatians 2:2 (Byzantine Majority Text)

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

1 Galatians 5:10 (ESV) Table

2 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

3 Galatians 5:4 (ESV) Table

4 Galatians 2:1b (ESV)

5 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

6 Galatians 5:4 (ESV) Table

7 Galatians 2:2 (ESV)

8 Galatians 2:5a (ESV)

9 Galatians 2:4 (ESV) Table

10 Galatians 2:5b (ESV)

11 Galatians 5:1 (EXP1) Table

12 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

13 Galatians 5:4 (ESV) Table

14 Galatians 2:5b (ESV)

15 Galatians 5:11b (ESV)

16 Romans 14:17 (ESV)

17 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

18 Galatians 5:4 (ESV) Table

20 Galatians 5:6b (ESV)

21 Romans 14:16 (ESV)

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

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

24 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

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

26 Romans 14:22a (ESV) Table

27 Romans 14:21 (ESV) Table

28 Romans 14:15a (ESV) Table

29 Galatians 5:11a (ESV)

30 Galatians 5:11b (ESV)

31 1 Corinthians 1:23b (ESV) Table

32 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

33 Galatians 5:4 (ESV) Table

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

37 Matthew 12:12b (ESV)

38 Galatians 5:11b (ESV)

39 Galatians 2:5b (ESV)

40 1 Corinthians 1:23 (ESV) Table

41 Galatians 5:1 (EXP1) Table

42 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

43 Galatians 5:6b (ESV)

44 Galatians 5:4b (ESV) Table

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

46 Romans 5:17b (ESV)

47 Ephesians 4:22b (ESV)

48 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

49 Philippians 3:9b (ESV)

50 This is what I call the religious mind.

51 Matthew 25:41b (ESV)

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

53 Romans 7:6d (ESV)

54 Galatians 5:4b (ESV) Table

55 Ephesians 4:22b (ESV)

56 Romans 7:6c (ESV)

57 Galatians 5:5 (ESV)

58 Ephesians 4:24 (ESV)

59 Galatians 5:1b (ESV) Table

Romans, Part 81

As I worked on this essay I read an article by Jeffrey FleishmanHow an angry national mood is reflected in pop culture.  Two sentences really resonated: 1) “Our screens and phones fume with righteousness;” and 2) “Our shared humanity has been demarcated on smaller and smaller screens that often brim more with quicksilver judgment than open-mindedness.”  It struck me as a sort of default position that I quote here as contrast to the righteousness of love Paul described.

One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike,[1] Paul continued his discussion of love.  No form of ἅγιος occurs in the text.  The concept holier is derived from κρίνει (a form of κρίνω), “to distinguish, to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose,” translated regards.  I don’t think there is any problem with that translation except that the second regards is also κρίνει, so another regards all days equally holy would be a more balanced translation of the second clause.  A note (3) in the NET acknowledged the literal text: “For one judges day from day, and one judges all days.”

Each must be fully convinced (πληροφορείσθω, a form of πληροφορέω) in his own mind,[2] Paul continued.  He was fully convinced (πληροφορηθεὶς, another form of πληροφορέω) that what God promised he was also able to do, Paul wrote of Abraham.  So indeed it was credited to Abraham as righteousness.[3]  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed (πληροφορηθῇ, another form of πληροφορέω) for all the Gentiles to hear,[4] he wrote Timothy.  And, You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill (πληροφόρησον, another form of πληροφορέω) your ministry.  For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand.[5]  Epaphras, who is one of you, Paul wrote believers in Colossae, and a slave of Christ, greets you.  He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured (πεπληροφορημένοι, another form of πληροφορέω) in all the will of God.[6]

This gives me a good picture of the caliber of conviction Paul addressed.  A Catholic believer may be fully convinced that Sunday, the day Jesus arose from death, is the most holy day of the week.  A Seventh Day Adventist may be fully convinced that Saturday (28 Fundamental Beliefs, The Sabbath 20), the original Sabbath yehôvâh consecrated in the law, is more holy.  And I may be fully convinced that since I began to be led by the Holy Spirit every day is most holy:  Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God.  For the one who enters God’s rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works.[7]

As I rest from my own works of sin and my own righteousness (likened to used tampons) to rely instead on the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness – a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness,[8] the fruit of the Spirit, I see every day as the Sabbath.  And I  understand why Jesus healed so stubbornly on the Sabbath: to demonstrate beyond the shadow of any doubt that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath,[9] including by the way serving my employer as a slave of Christ.[10]  But love neither despises nor judges us—the Catholic, the Seventh Day Adventist or me—for our differing convictions concerning holy days.

The one who observes (φρονῶν, a form of φρονέω) the day does (φρονεῖ, another form of φρονέω) it for the Lord, Paul continued.  The one who eats, eats for the Lord because he gives thanks to God, and the one who abstains from eating abstains for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God.  For none of us lives for himself and none dies for himself.  If we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord.  Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.[11]  Then Paul added a somewhat curious aside about Jesus’ rule (κυριεύσῃ, a form of κυριεύω).  For this reason Christ died and returned to life, so that he may be the Lord (κυριεύσῃ) of both the dead and the living.[12]

My religion has taught me to add “if I allow it” to an assertion such as this.  I’ve learned to assert my will over the lordship of Jesus.  But I notice now that isn’t in the text.  And certainly the assertion of my authority over his was never my elders’ intent but an unintended consequence of what I now see as a defensive posture: If I refuse or fail to believe sufficiently in Jesus in this lifetime and spend eternity in hell it was not that Christ’s death and life failed to make Him Lord of both the dead and the living, but that I didn’t allow his Lordship to be efficacious in my earthly lifetime.  It is a brilliant maneuver.  I’m not convinced it’s true, so I’ll let Paul speak for himself once again: For this reason Christ died and returned to life, so that he may be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

But you who eat vegetables only, Paul continued, why do you judge (κρίνεις, another form of κρίνω) your brother or sister?  And you who eat everything – why do you despise (ἐξουθενεῖς, a form of ἐξουθενέω) your brother or sister?  For we will all stand before the judgment seat (βήματι, a form of βῆμα) of God.  For it is written,As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God.”[13]  I’m not sure about translating ἐξομολογήσεται (a form of ἐξομολογέω) will give praise here, no matter how hopeful it sounds.

Judas agreed (ἐξωμολόγησεν, another form of ἐξομολογέω) and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.[14]  Paul wrote the Philippians, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – in heaven and on earth and under the earth – and every tongue confess (ἐξομολογήσηται, another form of ἐξομολογέω) that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.[15]  As it is written, Paul quoted Psalm 18:49, “Because of this I will confess (ἐξομολογήσομαι, another form of ἐξομολογέω) you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praises (ψαλῶ, a form of ψάλλω) to your name.”[16]  So confess (ἐξομολογεῖσθε, another form of ἐξομολογέω) your sins to one another,[17] James wrote.  People from Jerusalemconfessed (ἐξομολογούμενοι, another form of ἐξομολογέω) their sins[18] as they were baptized.  And in Ephesus, Many of those who had believed came forward, confessing (ἐξομολογούμενοι, another form of ἐξομολογέω) and making their deeds known.[19]

Paul’s point here was, Therefore, each of us will give an account (λόγον, a form of λόγος) of himself to God.[20]  Of course, if every tongue confesses, what will the outcome be?  To be fair and complete, Jesus said, I praise (ἐξομολογοῦμαι, another form of ἐξομολογέω) you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.[21]  On that same occasion Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise (ἐξομολογοῦμαι, another form of ἐξομολογέω) you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.  Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will.”[22]  Perhaps this ἐξομολογέω, agreement with God, confession to God, is a form of praise after all.

Therefore we must not pass judgment on one another,[23] Paul concluded, Μηκέτι οὖν ἀλλήλους κρίνωμεν (literally, “no longer therefore one another judge” or “therefore we no longer judge one another”).  I don’t understand why the NET translators turned this simple declarative statement into a rule, beyond the social construction of our shared religious reality.  Most translations adopted some form of let us stop here. Though I remain the locus of control in both translations, one might argue that in let us stop I have repented and am heading in the right direction, not-doing as opposed to doing.  But neither translation conveys being the love with which Christ’s Spirit fills us.

Before I was focused on the fruit of the Spirit I was like a fat ugly woman–or an old poor powerless man for that matter–priding myself in my celibacy.  But seeing righteousness as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control has put me in direct conflict with how sinful the sin in my flesh actually is.  It is utterly opposed to love or joy or peace or patience or kindness or goodness or faithfulness or gentleness or any and every form of control.  This conflict, mostly losing it, has taught me to stop trusting in myself but in God who raises the dead.

We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer (μηκέτι) be enslaved to sin.[24]  This is the same word as Μηκέτι in “therefore we no longer judge one another” above.  And [Jesus] died for all so that those who live should no longer (μηκέτι) live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised.[25]  So we are no longer (μηκέτι) to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes.  But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head.  From him the whole body grows, fitted and held together through every supporting ligament.  As each one does its part, the body grows in love.  So I say this, and insist in the Lord, that you no longer (μηκέτι) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.[26]

In other words, this κρίνωμεν (another form of κρίνω; translated pass judgment) is from the old human.  We judge no longer if we are no longer the old human, if we are led by Spirit, but rather determine (κρίνατε, another form of κρίνω) never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister, Paul continued.  I know (οἶδα, a form of εἴδω) and am convinced (πέπεισμαι, a form of πείθω) in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean (κοινὸν, a form of κοινός) in itself,[27] the former Pharisee agreed and confessed with (and so praised?) Jesus (Mark 7:1-8 NET).

Now the Pharisees and some of the experts in the law who came from Jerusalem gathered around him.  And they saw that some of Jesus’ disciples ate their bread with unclean (κοιναῖς, another form of κοινός) hands, that is, unwashed (ἀνίπτοις, a form of ἄνιπτος).  (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they perform a ritual washing, holding fast to the tradition of the elders.  And when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.  They hold fast to many other traditions: the washing of cups, pots, kettles, and dining couches.)  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 (κοιναῖς, another form of κοινός) hands?”  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.’  Having no regard for the command of God, you hold fast to human tradition.”

Born the son of a scrubby dutch mother with an obsessive personality of my own, I have a serious hand-washing fetish.  It has become apparent that applying the sterile conditions of the operating room to all of life is detrimental to human health.  At the Institute for Functional Medicine conferences I record I’m learning that our overly cleanly habits may be part of the cause of our maladaptive immune systems.  Children need dirt as much as mother’s milk to jump-start their immune and digestive systems.  Jesus said (Mark 7:14, 15 NET):

Listen to me, everyone, and understand.  There is nothing outside of a person that can defile (κοινῶσαι, a form of κοινόω) him by going into him.  Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles (κοινοῦντα, another form of κοινόω) him.

Jesus’ disciples were as surprised by this as we may be, so he explained (Mark 7:18-23 NET):

“Are you so foolish?  Don’t you understand that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile (κοινῶσαι, another form of κοινόω) him?  For it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and then goes out into the sewer.”  (This means all foods are clean.)  He said, “What comes out of a person defiles (κοινοῖ, another form of κοινόω) him.  For from within, out of the human heart, come evil ideas, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, evil (πονηρίαι, a form of πονηρία), deceit, debauchery, envy (ὀφθαλμὸς πονηρός), slander, pride, and folly.  All these evils come from within and defile (κοινοῖ, another form of κοινόω) a person.”

By the way, another tidbit I’ve gleaned from IFM conferences is that inflammation caused by stress impairs the healthy functioning of all our biological systems.  I imagine the stress of all these evils (πονηρὰ, a form of πονηρός, “hurtful, full of labours, annoyances, hardships”) and know firsthand the stress of attempting to overcome them in my own strength rather than receiving the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness – a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness, the fruit of his Spirit.  I’ll pick this up again later.

Below is a comparison of Paul’s Old Testament quotations with the Septuagint, the NET and the KJV.

NET

Parallel Greek

Septuagint

every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God.

Romans 14:11b

ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ καὶ πᾶσα γλῶσσα ἐξομολογήσεται τῷ θεῷ

Romans 14:11b

ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ καὶ ἐξομολογήσεται πᾶσα γλῶσσα τῷ θεῷ

Isaiah 45:23b

NET

NET

KJV

every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God.

Romans 14:11b

Surely every knee will bow to me, every tongue will solemnly affirm

Isaiah 45:23b

That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear

Isaiah 45:23b

NET Parallel Greek

Septuagint

Because of this I will confess you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praises to your name.

Romans 15:9b

διὰ τοῦτο ἐξομολογήσομαι σοι ἐν ἔθνεσιν καὶ τῷ ὀνόματι σου ψαλῶ

Romans 15:9b

διὰ τοῦτο ἐξομολογήσομαί σοι ἐν ἔθνεσιν κύριε καὶ τῷ ὀνόματί σου ψαλῶ

Psalm 18:49

NET

NET

KJV

Because of this I will confess you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praises to your name.

Romans 15:9b

So I will give you thanks before the nations, O Lord!  I will sing praises to you!

Psalm 18:49

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

Psalm 18:49

Romans, Part 82

[1] Romans 14:5a (NET)

[2] Romans 14:5b (NET)

[3] Romans 4:21, 22 (NET)

[4] 2 Timothy 4:17a (NET)

[5] 2 Timothy 4:5, 6 (NET)

[6] Colossians 4:12 (NET)

[7] Hebrews 4:9, 10 (NET)

[8] Philippians 3:9b (NET)

[9] Matthew 12:12b (NET)

[10] Ephesians 6:5-8 (NET)  I certainly relate to having difficulty with this passage.  If you find it impossible to serve your employer as a slave of Christ, perhaps you are not being led by the Holy Spirit or perhaps you need to seek a new job, assuming you are free to do so.

[11] Romans 14:6-8 (NET)

[12] Romans 14:9 (NET)

[13] Romans 14:10, 11 (NET)

[14] Luke 22:6 (NET)

[15] Philippians 2:10, 11 (NET)

[16] Romans 15:9b (NET)

[17] James 5:16a (NET)

[18] Matthew 3:5, 6 (NET); Mark 1:5 (NET)

[19] Acts 19:18 (NET)

[20] Romans 14:12 (NET) Table

[21] Matthew 11:25 (NET)

[22] Luke 10:21 (NET)

[23] Romans 14:13a (NET)

[24] Romans 6:6 (NET)

[25] 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NET)

[26] Ephesians 4:14-17 (NET) Table

[27] Romans 14:13b, 14a (NET)

Romans, Part 26

Therefore, Paul continued, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey1 (ὑπακούειν, a form of ὑπακούω) its desires (ἐπιθυμίαις, a form of ἐπιθυμία).2  This is clearly Step #2 how to experience the credited righteousness of God apart from the law,3 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness (πίστεως, a form of πίστις) of Jesus Christ for all who believe (πιστεύοντας, a form of πιστεύω).4  I think the next verse amplifies how one goes about not letting sin reign in one’s mortal body, and do not present your members to sin as instruments to be used for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as5 those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments to be used for righteousness.6  So I am picturing something like this:

Step #2 to experience the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe.

do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.

Romans 6:12 (NET)

By…

…not present(ing) your members to sin as instruments to be used for unrighteousness…

Romans 6:13a (NET)

…present(ing) yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments to be used for righteousness.

Romans 6:13b (NET)

It sounds so simple, but there is no door marked “sin” beside a door marked “God” where I might present myself for service.  This transaction, if you will, takes place in the deepest, darkest places of an individual born from above, born of flesh and born of the Spirit,7 moment by moment.  In fact, Paul described this individual as a house divided, For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want.8  So then, Paul concluded in Romans 7, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.9

There is a cartoon image of a human being with a little devil i on one shoulder whispering in one ear and a little angel i whispering in the other.  In the center between them am I, writ large, the Master of My Fate, choosing sin or righteousness.  With this self-image I discounted the value of Step #1—to consider (λογίζεσθε, a form of λογίζομαι) [myself] dead (νεκροὺς, a form of νεκρός) to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus10—as I magnified the importance of Step #2, not to let sin reign in [my] mortal body so that [I] obey[ed] its desires.  So I set out not to break, or to keep, the laws that define sin, and unwittingly played directly into sin’s strength: the power (δύναμις) of sin is the law.11  Had I paid more attention to faith I might have grasped Paul’s next point sooner.  For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law (ὑπὸ νόμον) but12 under grace (ὑπὸ χάριν).13

This personification of sin was not magical thinking on Paul’s part.  What he was writing about actually becomes clearer in Romans 7.  The sin that will not master the one who believes in Jesus is nothing other than the old man that was crucified with him so that the body (σῶμα) of sin would no longer dominate us.14  I am not refereeing a battle of wills between a little devil i and a little angel iI am the old man of sin, or I am the new man of the Spirit.  Both are in this body (σῶμα).  Both want control.  The old man was crucified by faith in Jesus Christ.  The new man was created out of nothing through faith in Jesus Christ.  Believing in Jesus Christ is far more important than anything either I, the dead and dying old man or the initially alien new man, might do. [Addendum April 15, 2024: While I don’t want to minimize the importance of faith in Christ, recognizing the union between Christ and this new man causes me to wonder if I have overstated this a bit.] And I am persuaded that the illusion that I am a third something choosing between them is nothing more than the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17 NKJV).

Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but15 is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

What then? Paul continued.  Shall we sin16 because we are not under law (ὑπὸ νόμον) but17 under grace (ὑπὸ χάριν)?  Absolutely not!18  Paul’s reasoning here was a truism, a simple matter of definition.  Do you not know (οἴδατε, a form of εἴδω; i.e., know by seeing) that if you present yourselves as obedient (ὑπακοήν, a form of ὑπακοή) slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey (ὑπακούετε, another form of ὑπακούω), either of sin [the desire of the old man] resulting in death, or obedience (ὑπακοῆς, another form of ὑπακοή) [the desire of the new man] resulting in righteousness?19

I am convinced that words like obey, obedient, and obedience with their insistent emphasis on doing are part of the things of this world, the pride of life where I am the Master of My Fate, choosing to do the good or to do the evil.  In Greek the word translated obey is ὑπακούω, to hear under, in other words to trust.  The word translated obedient or obedience is ὑπακοή, attentive hearkening, in other words to believe.  These are other words, perhaps even better words, for faith and believe than πίστις and πιστεύω, for no one could mistake them for πίστεως μόνον (faith alone), or dead faith.  And again, this makes perfect sense if one is interested in experiencing the righteousness of God…revealed in the gospel from faith (πίστεως, a form of πίστις) to faith (πίστιν, another form of πίστις), just as it is written,The righteous by faith (πίστεως, a form of πίστις) will live.”20

But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you obeyed (ὑπηκούσατε, another form of ὑπακούω) from the heart that pattern of teaching you were entrusted to, and having been freed from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness.21  So I ὑπακούω, hear under, trust, the word of God rather than becoming ὑπακοή to, hearkening attentively to, believing, the promptings and desires of the old man, the man of sin created in the image of Adam.  Of course I will do things.  But now those things, rather than being the acts of an actor, will flow naturally from who I hear under (trust, hearken attentively to, believe) through who I am (the new man born of the Spirit in the image and likeness of God) and then out into the world.

The writer of Hebrews described it this way: Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God.  For the one who enters God’s rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works.22  Even the law comes into sharper focus: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,23 not for a day of the week but for the remainder of a lifetime.  And Jesus’ word is fulfilled: But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.24  It also explains Jesus’ rather obstinate insistence on doing good on the Sabbath day, despite the bitterness and resentment it aroused: So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.25

The writer of Hebrews continued with the following warning (Hebrews 4:11-13 NET):

Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience [i.e., fearfully refusing to enter the promised land].  For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart [Table].  And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

Paul realized he had not yet explained what would be explained in the next chapter.  He recognized that his readers may misunderstand his words (Romans 6:19-23 NET).

(I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.)  For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness.  So what benefit did you then reap from those things that you are now ashamed of?  For the end of those things is death.  But now, freed from sin and enslaved to God, you have your benefit leading to sanctification, and the end is eternal life.  For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Addendum: April 15, 2024
Tables comparing Romans 6:12; 6:13; 6:14; 1 John 2:16 and Romans 6:15 in the NET and KJV follow.

Romans 6:12 (NET)

Romans 6:12 (KJV)

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires, Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Romans 6:12 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 6:12 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 6:12 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Μὴ οὖν βασιλευέτω ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐν τῷ θνητῷ ὑμῶν σώματι εἰς τὸ ὑπακούειν ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις αὐτοῦ μη ουν βασιλευετω η αμαρτια εν τω θνητω υμων σωματι εις το υπακουειν αυτη εν ταις επιθυμιαις αυτου μη ουν βασιλευετω η αμαρτια εν τω θνητω υμων σωματι εις το υπακουειν αυτη εν ταις επιθυμιαις αυτου

Romans 6:13 (NET)

Romans 6:13 (KJV)

and do not present your members to sin as instruments to be used for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments to be used for righteousness. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Romans 6:13 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 6:13 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 6:13 (Byzantine Majority Text)

μηδὲ παριστάνετε τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν ὅπλα ἀδικίας τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, ἀλλὰ παραστήσατε ἑαυτοὺς τῷ θεῷ ὡσεὶ ἐκ νεκρῶν ζῶντας καὶ τὰ μέλη ὑμῶν ὅπλα δικαιοσύνης τῷ θεῷ μηδε παριστανετε τα μελη υμων οπλα αδικιας τη αμαρτια αλλα παραστησατε εαυτους τω θεω ως εκ νεκρων ζωντας και τα μελη υμων οπλα δικαιοσυνης τω θεω μηδε παριστανετε τα μελη υμων οπλα αδικιας τη αμαρτια αλλα παραστησατε εαυτους τω θεω ως εκ νεκρων ζωντας και τα μελη υμων οπλα δικαιοσυνης τω θεω

Romans 6:14 (NET)

Romans 6:14 (KJV)

For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Romans 6:14 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 6:14 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 6:14 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἁμαρτία γὰρ ὑμῶν οὐ κυριεύσει· οὐ γάρ ἐστε ὑπὸ νόμον ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ χάριν αμαρτια γαρ υμων ου κυριευσει ου γαρ εστε υπο νομον αλλ υπο χαριν αμαρτια γαρ υμων ου κυριευσει ου γαρ εστε υπο νομον αλλ υπο χαριν

1 John 2:16 (NET)

1 John 2:16 (KJV)

because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1 John 2:16 (NET Parallel Greek)

1 John 2:16 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

1 John 2:16 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὅτι πᾶν τὸ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ (ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῆς σαρκὸς καὶ ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν καὶ ἡ ἀλαζονεία τοῦ βίου) οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ πατρὸς ἀλλὰ ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου ἐστίν οτι παν το εν τω κοσμω η επιθυμια της σαρκος και η επιθυμια των οφθαλμων και η αλαζονεια του βιου ουκ εστιν εκ του πατρος αλλ εκ του κοσμου εστιν οτι παν το εν τω κοσμω η επιθυμια της σαρκος και η επιθυμια των οφθαλμων και η αλαζονεια του βιου ουκ εστιν εκ του πατρος αλλ εκ του κοσμου εστιν

Romans 6:15 (NET)

Romans 6:15 (KJV)

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Romans 6:15 (NET Parallel Greek)

Romans 6:15 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Romans 6:15 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Τί οὖν; ἁμαρτήσωμεν, ὅτι οὐκ ἐσμὲν ὑπὸ νόμον ἀλλὰ ὑπὸ χάριν; μὴ γένοιτο τι ουν αμαρτησομεν οτι ουκ εσμεν υπο νομον αλλ υπο χαριν μη γενοιτο τι ουν αμαρτησομεν οτι ουκ εσμεν υπο νομον αλλ υπο χαριν μη γενοιτο

1 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτη εν (KJV: it in) following obey. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

2 Romans 6:12 (NET)

3 Romans 3:21 (NET)

4 Romans 3:22 (NET) Table

6 Romans 6:13 (NET)

8 Galatians 5:17 (NET) Table

9 Romans 7:25b (NKJV) Table

10 Romans 6:11 (NET) Table

11 1 Corinthians 15:56b (NET)

13 Romans 6:14 (NET)

14 Romans 6:6 (NET)

18 Romans 6:15 (NET)

19 Romans 6:16 (NET)

20 Romans 1:17 (NET)

21 Romans 6:17, 18 (NET)

22 Hebrews 4:9-10 (NET)

23 Exodus 20:8 (NKJV) Table

24 John 3:21 (NET)

25 Matthew 12:12b (NET)