[Greek] βρέφος (brephos), [Latin] infans, [Latin] fetus, [German] kind

[Greek] βρέφος (brephos), [Latin] infans, [Latin] fetus, [German] kind: newborn child, unborn child, baby, toddler, infant, embryo; Lk. 1:41,44. Lk. 2:12,16, Lk. 18:15, Acts 7:19, 2Tim.3:15, 1Pet.2:2

It has to be said that MLK Jr. had a complicated relationship with Planned Parenthood in the 1960’s.

1. It has been alleged that MLK Jr. was a supporter of family planning and birth control.
2. He accepted Planned Parenthood’s Margaret Sanger award.
3. He praised family planning as vital tool for African Americans to “exist in freedom and dignity”.
4. He mentioned slavery in the context of reproductive rights [for the woman] in not having to live under forced reproduction and slavery.
5. He never fully equated abortion to slavery in term of the rights of the unborn. The notion of the rights of the unborn had not yet fully “conceived” by the culture.
6. This quote “Every aborted baby is like a slave in the womb of his or her mother. The mother decides his or her fate” is interestingly often tied with MLK Jr.
7. Perhaps it can be speculated that he would have eventually come to this conclusion about the connection of abortion with slavery.
8. The more important point is that this quote illustrates the reality of the fetus being likened with a slave with no rights.

Background information:

Classical Greek Era: This term means infant, fetus, baby, embryo, and small child.

1. [In a patriarchal culture], sons, rather than daughters, were more desired in order to enhance the labor force and the status (power and glory) of a house. 
2. The newborn child was often included in cultic fellowship.
3. The nurse (or female relative) would publicly place the child under the protection of the household gods.
4. Pregnancy prevention methods (abortion) wore often used to weed out girls, “cripples”, and the unfit.

Greek Hellenism:

1. There begins a rediscovery of the role of the child, as provisions are being made for the welfare of children.
2. Efforts are undertaken to develop a more integrated and fully rounded (“encyclopedic”) education (and training) for children.
3. Children and childlike characters are developed in poetry, comedy, literature, and the arts.
4. Such characters include the gifted child, divine child, and the mischievous child. Even children can become emperors.

Euripides’ Iphigenia in Tauris 898: “For male children are the supports of the house.”

Hesiod’s Works and Days 376: “There should be an only one son to feed in his father’s house, for so wealth will increase in the house.”

Aeschylus’ Agamemnon 1096: “Behold these babies bewailing their own butchery.”

Aristophanes’ Knights 426: “This child will get on; he has the mettle that makes a statesman.”

Sophocles’ Ajax 550: “Ah son, I envy you on this account, that you have no perception of these evils. Yes, life is sweetest when one lacks sense.”

Old Testament:

1. To be without children is a sorrow and a religious curse. Children are a gift and blessing from God.
2. A man’s name (progeny) lives on through his children. Those who die childless can still have descendants through Levirate marriage.
3. Abortion is considered pagan.
4. The notion of the child’s innocence is foreign in the Old Testament, as Judaism generally views the child as foolish (without understanding), selfish, and naughty. The child customarily participates in cultic fellowship.
5. The firstborn belongs to Yahweh, and must be presented to Him.

New Testament:

1. Jesus affirms and sanctifies the love of parents. Child-bearing can be called a work which promotes salvation and pleases God.
2. Interestingly, Jesus holds a much higher esteem for children. Although Jesus never speaks of the children’s innocence, He refers to their modest, immature, trusting, unspoiled, and naïve qualities, which are more receptive to the fatherly love of God.
3. Paul reminds that Timothy (and others) that they have learned since infancy that scriptures provide wisdom (in facing the issues of false teachings).
4. Peter states that the newly baptized, like newborn infants, long for spiritual milk which is needed for salvation.

Scripture:

Lk.1:44: “For at that moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant John in my womb leaped for joy.” (John leaps in the womb upon the presence of Mary.)

Lk.18:15: “People were bringing even infants to Him so that He might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked Him.” (Jesus calls for children to come to Him. We are all called to be like children in having a simple childlike trust and humble faith in our relationship to God the Father.)

Acts 7:19: “Another king who knew nothing of Joseph came to power in Egypt and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to expose their infants, that they might not survive.” (The new Egyptian king sought to decrease the Isrealite population. The Egyptian king ordered the midwives to kill the boys and spare the girls.)

1Pet.2:2: “Like newborn infants, long for spiritual milk so that through it you may grow into salvation.” (Growth toward salvation comes from first stripping away all that is contrary to new life in Christ. Secondly, this requires nourishment (pure spiritual milk that the newly baptized have received. Paul calls his followers not to be childish (naive) in viewing evil.)

The early Church’s historical position against abortion:

The Didache:(140 AD): “new born child”

Althenagoras (177 AD):  “fetus in the womb”

Tertullian (197 AD):  “fetus in the womb”

Clement of Alexandria (150-215 AD):  “embryos”

John Calvin: “the fetus, although enclosed in the womb”

Martin Luther: “single child in any woman’s womb”

Etymology:

1. The Greek noun embruon means young one.
2. The Greek verb bruo means to grow or to swell.
3. The Greek prefix em- means into.
4. The Latin noun infans means ONE UNABLE TO SPEAK.
5. The Greek verb fans is present participle of fari (to speak).
6. The Greek preposition in- means not or opposite of.

Conclusion:

Embryo, fetus, infant, kid, kindergarten

Unfortunately, in many societies abortion continues in current times. It is also another unfortunate reality that abortion (and other contraceptive practices) have been in existence since the beginning of time.

In the Old Testament, it was very important to have male children in order to continue the family progeny and to serve the Lord. Even non-traditional forms of intercourse were permitted to produce children.

Abortion and other contraceptive measures were considered pagan.

Martin Luther King Jr. continues to inspire us in our nation’s current march for life!

Update: The 2026 National March for Life will be held in Washington D.C. on January 23. This year’s theme is “Life is a gift.”

Paul provides us with great advice today in not being unaware of evil in our time. Such examples include racism, abortion, and blessing of sin.

Other quotes by MLK Jr.:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will be not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” 

“The Negro cannot win if he is willing to sacrifice the futures of his children for immediate personal comfort and safety.” 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out, only love can do that.” 

Next post: marching for life