[Greek] σφάλλω (sphallō), [Latin] fallere: to slip, to stumble, to fall, to bring to a downfall; Mt.15:14
“Hola, Amigo! I’ve fallen into a cenote and I can’t get out! (Cenote in Valladolid Mexico)
Background information:
Old Testament: This term means to fall, to lie, to die, to let drop, and to cause to fall. The more nuanced meanings include to fall prostrate, to fall short, to be inferior, to overthrow, and to fall into the hands of.
New Testament: This term means to fall or to stumble.
Jesus mentioned that what comes out of the mouth is what defiles oneself. The Pharisees took offense at this statement. The Law focused on purification rituals concerning what enters the body. Jesus calls His disciples not to be led by morally ‘blind’ Pharisees. Following the Pharisees is likened to falling into a pit. From the heart (inside) comes evil thoughts, ideas, and impulses. This is what defiles a person.
Scripture:
Mt.15:14: “Let them alone’ they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.” (The Pharisees were morally blind concerning what defiles. Jesus focus on one’s internal impulses and intentions which causes one to defile oneself.)
The tradition of the Elders:
- The Pharisees and scribes ask Jesus, ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?’ (The disciples did not wash their hand when they are eating meals.)
- Jesus ask them, ‘Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?’ (They have nullified the word of God through “lip-service” and distant hearts.)
- Jesus calls the Pharisees and scribes as hypocrites [fulfilling Isa. 29:13]. (The Pharisees and scribes are creating human traditions.)
- Jesus states that what defiles is what comes out of the mouth [from inside the person].
- The Pharisees and scribes took offense when Jesus said this.
- Doctrine is planted in the mind for the purpose of producing the fruit of right conduct, teachings, and doctrine.
- Jesus states that every plant (doctrine) that the Father has not be planted will be uprooted [Mt.15:13]. (The Father will exclude human traditions.)
- Doctrine is planted in the mind for the purpose of producing the fruit of right conduct, doctrine, and teachings.
- Jesus states that the Pharisees and scribes as blind guides leading the blind. Both will fall in a pit.
The tradition of the Modernists:
- Modernists take on several roles: philosopher, believer, theologian, historian, critic, apologist, and reformer.
- Vital immanence: Modernists seek to find an explanation for religion and doctrine within themselves and their lived experiences.
- Modernists start from an agnostic perspective. Modernists will ignore external supernatural reality because it is outside their lived experiences.
- Pope Pius X states that Modernism is a synthesis of all heresies. Modernists fall into a series of subjective errors ultimately lead to atheism.
- Modernists state that Tradition must and should be subject to change according to circumstances.
- Doctrine is planted in the mind from the religious sentiment and lived experiences of the Modernist.
Etymology: Originally, the Greek verb sphallo means to deceive, to conceal, to dissemble, to make stagger, and to stumble into erring. Through putting forth, dissembling, and concealing, an obstruction appears in one’s way.
Falling for it: (This term becomes Latinized)
- With this obstruction, one does not know what he is dealing with.
- Therefore, one must “fall for” what is presented to him. When something else is presented, he falls down (he fell for it).
- Bringing to a fall comes from the result of dissembling and concealing.
- This dissembling and concealing now results in the false. This involves subterfuge, deceit, treachery, deception, and falsity.
- In an active sense, the Roman imperium (command), in their attempts to oversee, dominate, or conquer other nations and opponents, were bringing their adversaries to a fall.
Conclusion:
Fall, befall, fallen, false
In the Old Testament, I was surprised by the very many references in scripture. The more nuanced meanings, like being prostrate or submissive, are noteworthy.
In the New Testament, the Pharisees are both blind and false, regarding purification rituals. Jesus contrasts this by speaking the truth that evil impulses come from within. The related Greek word episphales, occurring in Acts. 27:9, interestingly means dangerous or prone to falling. Falling into a pit certainly applies in this context.
I thought that this was just a term about simply falling down. I was wrong. Yes, the Greek term sphallo sounds very much like the word ‘fall’. However, I had “fallen” for this “false” and mistaken assumption. Quite humbling!
Update: The Modernists are evidently blinded by their ideology. The Modernists are “true believers in their ideology.
The Modernists are blinded by their disdain and contempt for Tradition, the Traditional Latin Mass, and traditional (conservative) Catholics.
The Modernists, in their blindness, have state that Church ecclesiology has has changed. Therefore, the Traditional Latin Mass is divisive and needs to go away.
In Mt.15:13, we are reminded that human traditions will inevitably be uprooted.
In his efforts to be ecumenical and getting along, Pope Francis not surprisingly fell into making very troubling and heretical statements concerning salvation.
Unfortunately, Pope Francis’s statements, actions, and documents may often fall into heresy.
“He who falls, falls by his own will, and he who stand, stands by God’s will.” St. Augustine