[Greek] ὀρθοποδέω (orthopodeō), [Latin] ambulare: to walk straight, to walk uprightly, to live right, to walk in a straight path (to leave a straight path for others to follow), to act rightly, not to waver, not to tumble; Gal. 2:14
Background Information:
Classical Greek: This term is rarely used in the Classical era. However, the playwright Sophocles presents this term in the story of Oedipus Rex, a mythical king of Thebes. This play explores the theme of the flawed nature of humanity. Oedipus returns to finds the city of Thebes at the mercy of the Sphinx. The Sphinx asks Oedipus the riddle, “What is that which has one voice and yet becomes four-footed and two-footed and three-footed?” Oedipus correctly answers, “Man; for as a babe he is four-footed, going on four limbs, as an adult he is two-footed, and as an old man, he gets besides a third support in a staff.” Oedipus eventually wins the throne and the hand in marriage of the king’s widow. This victory ultimately leads to Oedipus’s downfall.
Old Testament: Although not specifically mentioned in the Old Testament, this term is used to express one’s religious and ethical “walk” in life. The Hebrew term is halakha. Interestingly, halakha is often translated as “Jewish Law.” In literal terms, this means “the way of walking.” This term is not used in a spatial (locational) sense. One always walks with God on the earth. This is in keeping with the moral sense of piety. Essentially, this refers to how one conducts himself (walks in a straight path) in life before God.
New Testament: This term, found only once, means to live right or act rightly. Peter, eating with the Gentiles, was being hypocritical (not walking in a straight path). Peter was not on the right road (path) in line with the truth of the gospel. Paul admonished Peter for living like a Gentile, rather than living like a Jew. The Jerusalem Council had not yet settled the issues of table fellowship between Jews and Gentiles and the kosher food regulations.
Scripture:
“But when I saw that they were not on the right road in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Kephas in front of all, ‘If you, though a Jew, are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like the Jews?’”
Paul publically admonishes Peter for being a hypocrite. Peter was not walking on the right path in his faith and conduct.
Conclusion:
Orthopedic, orthopedics, ambulance
It is interesting to note that this idea of walking in a straight path was not very prevalent in ancient Greece. However, Sophocles did touch upon this subject matter in his play Oedipus. As we all know, Oedipus eventually “walked” into trouble. It is also interesting to note that Oedipus literally means “swollen foot.”
On the other hand, the Old Testament culture develops an monotheistic society. So it is not surprising that this term takes on the sense of one conducting oneself in life before God. This becomes an important value in lives of the Hebrews (Jews). This idea becomes very important for the Jews in the Diaspora. Even in foreign lands, it was very important for the Jews to “walk uprightly” in a straight path before God.
Then the New Testament continues this cultural value. This idea is further developed in the failure to properly conduct oneself. By straying from the gospel truth, Peter becomes a hypocrite. As with the Jews, Christians are also called to take the right steps forward in their faith.
Then the secular Henry Ford says that one finds the right path when one is walking with God. When you prioritize God, everything else will follow. But at least we’ll have help for our sore feet!