[Greek] ἀναγκαῖος (anagkaios), [Latin] necessarior, [Latin] essentialis, [Latin] oportere: essential, necessary, close relatives, needful, indispensable; Acts 10:24, Acts 13:46, 1Cor.12:22, 2Cor.9:5, Php.2:25, Tit.3:14, Heb.8:3
The Doctor: painting by Sir Luke Fildes (1887). The doctor was essential in saving the child’s life
Background information:
The Doctor (painting by Sir Luke Fields): The artist depicts a Victorian doctor observing the critical stage in a child’s illness. The parents, in the background, look on with concern. This painting illustrates the ideal (essential) physician and the limitations of the medical profession. The artist draws upon his own personal tragedy of the death of his own son. The breaking light of dawn on the child’s face suggests the crisis is over and that recovery is possible.
Early thoughts on essential health: Hippocrates’ On Dietetics Book 1 states “Eating by itself will not keep a man well; he must also have physical exercise. Food and exercise, while possessing opposite properties, nevertheless mutually contribute to maintain health. It is necessary to determine the exact powers of various exercises and which of them contribute to the development of muscle and which to wear and tear”. Galen’s On Hygiene Book 1 states “To me it does not seem that all bodily movement is exercise, but only when it is vigorous. The same movement might be exercise for one and not another. This is what is commonly called exercise.”
Greek Hellenism: This term means necessities of life, compulsion, urgent, fateful chance, indispensable, urgent necessity, forcible, and appointed order of things. Sophocles’ Ajax 485 states “Ajax, my lord, the fortune that humans are compelled to endure is their greatest evil.” Euripides’ Orestes 230 states “There! His couch is welcome to the sick man, a painful possession, but a necessary one.” Xenophon’s Memorabilia 1.1.6 states “But if consequences could not be foreseen, he sent them to the oracle to inquire whether the thing out to be done.” Euripides’ Andromache 671 states “Yet do you, on behalf of a foreigner, shout such things at your close kin?”
Antiphon of Rhammus: Also known as Antiphon the Sophist, he was a paid teacher of teacher of philosophy in ancient Greece. He was an essential (necessary) professional speech writer who wrote for those who felt incompetent in conducting their own case. He wrote speeches for both the prosecution and defense. Antiphon’s Third Tetralogy 4.1.2 states” When God was minded to create the human race and brought us to being, He gave us the earth and sea to sustain and serve us, in order that we might not die for want of the necessaries of life.”
New Testament: This term means necessary, indispensable, intimate (close friends), and necessities (urgent needs). Paul provides examples of situations where it was necessary to spread the Word of God, to explain, to provide encouragement, to remain, and to send messengers. As the chosen people of God, it was necessary for God to first give the Word to the Jews. However, since the Jews refused, God sent the Word to the Gentiles. At times, it was necessary that Paul remain to provide encouragement to the Philippians. It was necessary to send Epaphroditus to aid Paul while he was in prison. It was necessary for Paul to encourage others to receive the promised gift. Paul teaches that the weaker (smaller) parts are all the more necessary. In Philemon, Paul instructs others to devote themselves to good works to support urgent needs. It is of great necessity that a high priest is able to offer gifts and sacrifice.
Scripture:
“On the following day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called his relatives and close friends.” Acts10:24
Cornelius was so affected by the apparition that he invited his friends for his meeting with Peter.
“Both Paul and Barnabus spoke out boldly, and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46
As God’s chosen people, God comes to the Jews first. The Jews refused to believe. God then goes to the Gentiles.
“Yet I remain in the flesh the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.” Php.1:24
Paul needs to remain in order to be in service for the Philippians.
The Basiliad: first Christian Hospital in Caesarea (379 AD): Basil, born around 330 AD, belonged to a family of wealth and prestige. Although raised in a Christian home, Basil decided to pursue a path of asceticism. Basil founded his monastery. This essential (necessary) monastery treated the sick and studied disease. Christians were uncomfortable with Greek medicine associated with the cult of Asclepius, a healing god symbolized by the snake. In contrast, Basil argued that medical science was a gift from God, not a pagan deception.
Conclusion:
Opportunity, opportune, necessary, essential
It was interesting to discover that this term also refers to close friends. Perhaps this was a way to distinguish important (necessary) friends from casual friends. It is also perhaps not surprising that being fit and fitness go hand in hand. Hippocrates and Galen both stress the importance of eating and exercise (fitness) as necessary for living.
The Greek playwrights constantly wrote about the essential qualities and motivations of the human condition. It is curious that Euripides would make such a statement that a couch was a necessary possession for a sick person. (It sounds so unnecessary to make such a statement!). It sounds like Antiphon was an essential (necessary) employee for the Greek judicial court system. It is clear that Antiphon was able to convey the sentiments of a person believing in God (or gods). Antiphon either must have had some great insight or he was just a very good speech writer.
In the New Testament, Paul makes frequent and necessary statements about what is essential (necessary). It was necessary for the Christians’ welfare.
St. Basil’s hospital becomes the precursor for treating the sickest of the sick (lepers), acute illness, and hospice care for needy travelers.
WARNING—–USELESS WORDS ALERT (Let’s just say unnecessary this time!)
Necessitousness: The state or condition being necessary or essential
Necessitarianism: There is exactly one way for the world to be
Neccessitation: Necessity as a law or force of nature
Necessaries: The basic requirements of life
Necessitied: In a state of want
Coronavirus pandemic: We honor and salute all those essential (necessary) workers who are on the front lines during this pandemic. These include doctors, nurses, and all those medical staff. Let’s not forget about all those retail employees (exposing themselves to the public) who serve the people! However, at the end of the day, we all are essential (necessary) to those who depend upon us.
In my post I mentioned ‘necessary’ many times. But it was necessary!