[Greek] λύσις (lysis), [French] denouement, [Latin] quaerere solutionem: loosening, release, divorce; 1Cor.7:27
A loosened and unraveled knot.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term, used quite extensively, means to loose, to release, to ransom, to deliver, to part, to dissolve, to empty, to evacuate, to solve (a difficulty), to refute, to unravel, to soften, to resolve, and to loosen. Lysias’ On a Wound by Premeditation 4.13 states “It would be far more just to have her tortured for the purpose of this charge than to have her sold for my ransom for the enemy.” Homer’s Odyssey 9.421 states “But I took counsel how all might be the very best if I might happily find some way of escape from death for my comrades and for myself.” Herodotus’ The Histories 6.139 states “Crushed by hunger and childlessness, they went to Delphi to ask for some release from their present ills.” Plato’s Laws 945 states “The dissolution of a polity, like that of a ship’s frame, depends upon many critical factors; these though on in nature are separated into many parts.” Aristotle’s Poetics 1454a states “Clearly therefore the unraveling of each play should be also the result of the plot itself and not produced mechanically as in the Medea and the incident of the embarkation in the Iliad.” Aristotle’s Poetics 1455b states “In every tragedy there is a complication and an unraveling. The incidents outside the plot and some of those in it usually form the complication, the rest is the unraveling. I mean this, that the complication is the part from the beginning up to the point which immediately precedes the occurrence of a change from bad to good fortune or from good fortune to bad. The unraveling is from the beginning of the change down the road.”
Old Testament: This term, related to the Hebrew term mesher, means interpretation and solution. This term is found only in Eccl.8:1. Ecclesiastes is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Qoheleth, writer of this book. This book was written when Judea was under the oppressive domination of the Hellenistic kings from Egypt. The author celebrates wisdom. But sometimes humbleness is necessary in order to defer to the king. Who is like the wise person, and who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom illuminates the face and transforms a grim countenance (Eccl.8:1)
New Testament: This term, occurring only once in 2Cor.7:27, means divorce or separation. Paul addresses and offers advice to the married, unmarried, virgins, and widows. Paul states that it is a good thing for a person to remain as he is, provided that he can exercise self-control. Likewise, Paul calls upon those, who are married, not to seek a separation (divorce). This subject matter is also related to Paul’s belief that his single state is a more preferred path to effectively promote the gospel. Paul was addressing the issues of marital infidelity and immorality in the Corinthian community.
Scripture:
“Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a separation. Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for wife.” 1Cor.7:27
Paul calls upon those, who are married, to be remain faithful to their spouse and to be faithful in their current vocations.
Etymology: Interestingly, this term is related to the Greek verb λύω (luō) and Latin verb solvere. A problem, from the Greek problema (something thrown forth), refers to a issue, task, or question in need of a solution. A problem must be taken apart or “dissolved” into its underlying components in order to find a solution. A solution, from the Latin solutio, is a loosening or a “dissolving” of something thrown forth (problem). An analysis is this process of breaking or loosening something down into its smaller parts to gain a better understanding of it.
Conclusion
Analysis, denouement, loss, loose, lysis, solve, solution, problem, quest, question
In the Greek Hellenistic era, it was interesting to discover the many nuanced meanings of this term. Such examples include ransoming, releasing, and dissolving. As you can see, the common thread is loosening or unraveling. In the literary world, this was used a literary device to unravel the plot of a play.
I was surprised that this term was used as a solution (interpretation) in the Old Testament era. Perhaps this is connected with wisdom.
I really did not expect to see this term referencing a divorce (separation). Paul was addressing marital infidelity and immorality in the Corinthian community. It is also interesting to note that this idea is somewhat related to the expression ‘tying the knot’, coming from wedding traditions. Untying this knot can also relate to divorce or separation.
The French verb denouer means to untie. The denouement is a literary device which unravels or unties the plot.
Update: (8/5/2019): I wish the very best in relaying our prayers and thoughts for the families who have lost loved ones from these terrible mass shootings. We have a great problem. In the final analysis, we need to look at and “break down” this problem into its underlying causes (guns, mental health, violent video games, social media, isolation (in the social media realm), the breakdown of the family, inflammatory language, personal responsibility, etc) before we ever consider solving this and finding a solution!