[Greek] ἀκροατής (akroatēs), [Latin] auditor: a passive hearer, a passive listener; Rom.2:13, Jas.1:22,23,25
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means hearer, jury, persons who come to hear a public speaker, disciple, pupil, and reader. Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War 3.38 states “The persons to blame are you who are foolish to institute these contests; who go to see an oration as you would see a sight, take your facts on hearsay, very slaves to the pleasure of the ear.” Demosthenes’ On The Crown 18.7 states “The law enjoins that every juryman receive with goodwill the pleas of the second speaker and forms no final conclusion upon the whole case until he has give a fair and impartial hearing to both sides”
Old Testament: This term mean whispering, charming, whisper (of a prayer), amulet, and incantation. For behold, I am sending serpents against you, adders for which there is no charm (Jer.8:17). If the serpent bites, before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer (Ecc.10:11). The counselor and the expert artisan, and the skillful enchanter (Isa.3:3). They could only whisper a prayer, your chastening was upon them (Isa.26:16)
New Testament: This term means a passive hearer (listener). Those who hear the law, rather than observe it, will be not be justified in the sight of God. People need to act on what they hear (learn). James states that hearers of Word are ones that delude themselves. This person is one who looks at his own face in the mirror and forgets what he looks like. Only a doer can tap into this true freedom which brings true happiness.
Scripture:
“For it is not those who hear the law are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law will be justified.” Rom.2:13
Observing involves not only hearing but also committing to what is said.
“But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does.” Jas.1:25
The hearer does not respond after hearing. The doer responds and observes what is being said.
Etymology: This term is related to the base Greek verb akouo meaning to hear attentively. This is term is contrasted with the Greek hupakoe, meaning obedience. The Greek prefix hupo- means underneath. Hupakoe implies listening underneath with obedience and submission to what is heard (and said). This term implies hearing but not committing or observing to what is said.
New Testament concept of true freedom: Jesus states that the truth will set you free. God provides a true freedom from an existence which leads to sin and death. This freedom allows man to live his life to the fullest. The only possibility of coming to one’s full self is to surrender one’s will and power to an external force (God). Man provides a true liberation (freedom) by letting himself be controlled by God.
Autonomy: This modern human concept of freedom essentially means “I can do whatever I want”. This becomes a form of self-deception and self-rule. Even when one searches (or retreats) inward to control his own fate, he is not really free. One mistakenly thinks that he is control of his life. However, being in sin is making oneself blind to his own reality. The great unfortunate irony is that one can often become controlled by sin, becoming addicted like a slave to sin. Christ has come to free us from the law of sin and death. Those freed from sin can then become slaves of righteousness.
Conclusion:
Auditor, auditing
To be honest, I really had not fully understand the meaning of this term. As opposed to attentive hearing, this term means merely hearing or passively hearing. I think Demosthenes appropriately described the reluctantly chosen jury person, not wanting to be there in court. This jury person is either not paying attention or only merely hearing what is said in court.
In the Old Testament, this term takes on a more negative sense as a charm, whisper, or incantation.
In the New Testament, this person is passively hearing (listening) but not acting on what he has heard. Only by doing or observing what one has heard, does that person become justified before God. James again stresses the important notion that faith must be active with works (observation). Otherwise, faith without works is dead.
This is presented in stark contrast to attentively hearing and obeying. This form of hearing requires no further commitment.
It was really interesting to discover the great difference between true freedom and autonomy. Many come to the conclusion that autonomy will provide the freedom to do anything one wants. However, many do not realize that one may be controlled or enslaved by their sinful actions. It is a great irony or paradox that true freedom ultimately comes from allowing God to take control of one’s life.
We can be auditors (hearers) reading our syllabus of faith, or we can be doers and observers of the will of God!