[Greek] ἀνάλυσις (analysis), [Latin] resolutio: an unloosing, death, departure, a leaving, a loosening, a breaking up, an unraveling, an unfastening, a releasing, a dissolving; 2Tim.4:6
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term refers to a loosening, unraveling, solving, releasing, unfastening, a freeing, an untying, and a dissolving something. This term can apply to various substances, sciences, or genres. This typically involves a process by which a complex topic or substance is “broken down” into smaller parts in order to gain a better understanding. This technique has been applied to the study of mathematics and logic since before Aristotle. Analusis can be used as a literary tool (denouement or climax) in which the strands of the plot are explained or resolved.
Homer’s Odyssey 15.548: “He went aboard the ship and bade his comrades themselves to embark and loosen the stern cables.”
Homer’s Odyssey 2.105: “Then day by day she would weave at the great web (garment), but by night would unravel it, when she had let place torches by her. Thus for three years, she by her crafts kept the Achaeans from knowing and beguiled them.”
Sophocles’ Electra 142: “In these actions there is no deliverance from evils. Tell us why do you pursue suffering?”
Plutarch’s The Life of Romulus 12: “To this man Varro gave the problem of fixing the day and hour of Romulus, making his deductions from the conjunction of events reported in the man’s life, just as the solutions of geometrical problems are derived.”
New Testament: This term does not occur in the Old Testament. This term means departure, making a reference to Paul’s death. Paul’s death is perhaps best understood in a nautical sense. Paul’s departure is likened to a docked ship being ready to set sail. Upon the releasing of the mooring cables, the ship will then leave the dock. Just as the ship departs, Paul’s departure becomes a release from the physical bonds of this earthly life. Paul begins his departure into eternal life.
Scripture:
“For I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand.” 2Tim.4:6
Paul refers to his impending death, which is like a ship departing.
Conclusion:
Analyze, analysis, resolution
Since its beginning, this term has had an interesting backstory and history. This term has the sense of unloosing and unraveling, involving various disciplines, sciences, and genres. The nautical sense of unloosing mooring cables perhaps provides the best understanding of this term.
Paul’s departure refers to his impending death. His departure is likened to as ship ready to be released from it mooring cables. Like a ship, Paul is preparing for his journey into eternal life.
In a sense, a complex issue (or problem) is unraveled, loosened, or broken down into something more understandable. The term solution was first coined in the late 14th century. Likewise, a solution is found when a problem is “dissolved” or “broken down” into understandable terms. A solution, in a liquid sense, was first coined in the 1590’s.
It seems only fitting that this bittersweet year 2023, like that ship, will be departing soon. Many of us be will happy that 2023 will finally be departing from us! We have had to deal with war, racism, illegal immigration, inflation, Church scandals, schism, etc. It is interesting to note that the Latin version of this term is resolutio! As you know, a resolution is a decision to do or not do something. Also, a resolution is also the action of solving a problem, dispute, or any contentious matter.
In the final analysis (sorry– couldn’t resist), it was very interesting in unraveling the meaning of this term. Happy New Year!