Traitor (προδότης)

• 1 min. read • grade level: 10

This signifies one who “delivers up,” “betrays.” It is applied to Judas, who delivered up his Lord (Luke 6:16¹⁶And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. (Luke 6:16)). In 2 Timothy 3:4⁴Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (2 Timothy 3:4) some having a form of godliness are thus designated, the reference may be to secret agents of Satan who betrayed the saints. Stephen charged the council with being the betrayers (the same Greek word) and murderers of the Just One (Acts 7:52⁵²Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: (Acts 7:52)).

In the early church there were some so called (under the Latin name Traditores), because under persecution they gave up the copies of the scriptures or church property, to save their lives; and there was long contention as to whether such could ever be restored to communion.

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.