Notes and Comments: Also, NT words explained: Seem- Single

From: Bible Student: Volume 2, 1882

From: New Testament Words Explained: Principally Such as Represent Multiple Words in the Greek

• 6 min. read • grade level: 10

We have received from V. C. a book entitled “Great David’s Greater Son,” written partly to prove that the Lord could not and did not work as a carpenter. The point of the book is to uphold the majesty and Divine dignity of the God-man, Christ Jesus; and the need of this we fully recognize, and warmly appreciate every sentence written with this object. At the same time we must say that the author produces absolutely no argument to prove that Christ did not work as a carpenter. In attempting to show that such a thought is unworthy of Christ we think that he has failed to recognize the grand fact that God can be glorified in every sphere of life, and that these thirty years cannot be regarded in any sense as wasted when we leave the narrow standpoint of man’s interest and turn to the question of God’s glory. Was not He glorified in having One on the earth for the first time in its sin-stained history who for thirty years led a life of perfect obedience to His Father’s will in the obscurity of a Galilean village? Can we not recognize in this the meat-offering of fine flour mingled with oil that represented the perfect life of Christ? We maintain that our Lord as fully and perfectly glorified God in His retirement as He did subsequently in His public life when ministering to our needs. We regret we have not further space for comment on this subject, but trust that all our readers can appreciate the beauty of the holy retired life at Nazareth into which no eye but God’s is allowed to penetrate, as well as the ceaseless service that followed it.

As we find from letters received that many of our Subscribers do not at all understand the meaning of the long array of figures and the notices on the first page of the cover, we have inserted an explanatory note, and trust that it will be the means of adding many intelligent Bible students to the Class. We feel sure from many testimonies received that there is no surer way of strengthening one’s Christian growth, and arming one’s self against the assaults of infidelity than by a regular and diligent study of the Scriptures, and the fact of being able to unite with others not only in study but in producing a result of permanent value is a great and worthy incentive, as we not only benefit ourselves, but afford much food and instruction to others.

New Testament Words Explained: Principally such as represent more than one word in the Greek.

Seem.

Dokeo andphainomai are both translated thus although there is a clear distinction between the two. Dokeo means the estimate or thought a man may have about a matter (Acts 15:28²⁸For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; (Acts 15:28); 1 Corinthians 4:9; 7:40⁹For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. (1 Corinthians 4:9)
⁴⁰But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 7:40)), which may be wrong (John 16:2²They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. (John 16:2): Acts 27:33³³And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. (Acts 27:33)) or right. Phainomai means the outward appearance a thing or a matter presents, irrespective of any estimate that may be formed of it. Bearing this distinction in mind, it will be seen that the rendering of the R. V. in James 1:26²⁶If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. (James 1:26) is much more accurate than that of the Authorized Version, the latter reading “seemeth,” whereas, the word being dokeo, the idea is not the appearance, but the conception formed of the matter, “thinketh himself to be religious.” In a similar manner the R. V. gives for the first time the true force of phainomai in Philippians 2:25²⁵Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. (Philippians 2:25). Hitherto the word here has been translated “shine,” but now it is correctly rendered “are seen” or appear.

Servant.

This one English word is represented by six Greek words, each with a distinct meaning. Therapone means one who does a service, whether a permanent servant or no, whether a slave or a free-man; hence it is an honorable term. It is only used once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 3:5⁵And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; (Hebrews 3:5), “and Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant.” Diakonos is a servant in relation to his work, just as doulos is a servant in relation to his master. The former (meaning to pursue) signifies activity and zeal in work (whether the one is not implied), and we find the word in Ephesians 3:7⁷Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (Ephesians 3:7); Colossians 1:23²³If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Colossians 1:23); 2 Corinthians 3:6⁶Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Corinthians 3:6). In Matthew 22:3,4,8³And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. ⁴Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. (Matthew 22:3‑4)
⁸Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. (Matthew 22:8), to the servants are douloi or slaves, being men, but in ver. 13 where angels are referred to, the word used is diakonos.

A fourth word kupeeretees originally meant a rower, but came to mean the performer of any hard work, particularly under the commands of another. Thus the servant whose ear the Lord healed (Luke 22:51⁵¹And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. (Luke 22:51)) is doutos, the one who struck him on the face (John 18:22²²And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? (John 18:22)) is lin/Seel-elms. Oiketees, a fifth word, means always a “domestic servant” in contrast with a daubs or slave; it occurs only in Luke 16:13¹³No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 16:13); Acts 10:7⁷And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; (Acts 10:7); Romans 14:4⁴Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4); 1 Peter 2:18¹⁸Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (1 Peter 2:18). The sixth word pais means simply child, but points to the custom of the East where in large families many of the children were really in the position of household servants. When used for servant, Matthew 8: 6; 12:18¹⁸Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:18); Luke 1:53,69⁵³He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. (Luke 1:53)
⁶⁹And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; (Luke 1:69), it is a term of consideration and endearment.

Sin.

Three Greek words are thus translated. One, hamartia is the general word for all sin; it means literally “a failing to grasp or reach,” so in ordinary Greek it often meant to miss a mark. In Scripture however this mark is the glory of God of which we have all come short by sin.

Hamarteema (Mark 3:28;4²⁸Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: (Mark 3:28)
²⁸For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. (Mark 4:28). 12; Romans 3:25²⁵Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25); 1 Corinthians 6:18¹⁸Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)) means solely the act of committing sin, never sin itself in the abstract.

Paraptomr, the third word which is often used to mean sins (Ephesians 2:1¹And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1), etc.) may only mean faults or errors, Romans 5:15,17, 18¹⁵But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. (Romans 5:15)
¹⁷For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) ¹⁸Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (Romans 5:17‑18); Galatians 6:1¹Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1), and hence in many cases is not so strong a word as the others.

Single, Simple, Sincere.