[Greek] ἀφυστερέω (aphustereo), [Latin] facere fraudem, [Latin] privare fraudem, [Latin] patere fraudem: to rob, to defraud, to deprive of, to despoil, to keep back by fraud, to be late, to be lacking, to become destitute; Mk.10:19, 1Cor.6:7-8, 1Cor.7:5, 1Tim.6:5, Jas.5:4
Many have felt that they have been defrauded or robbed by these election results.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to rob, to defraud, to cheat, to be constrained, to be frustrated, to withdraw oneself, to evade, to fail to pay, and to fail (oneself or others).
Demosthenes’ Olynthiac 1: “He is deprived of this source of revenue.”
Demosthenes’ Against Timocrates 24.210: “They are impaired by your neglect.”
Andocides’ On the Mysteries 1.149: “You will not rob yourselves of such further services.”
Xenophon’s Anabasis 7.6.9: “While he defrauds us of our pay.”
Aristophanes’ Clouds 487: “But cheating is.”
Antiphon’s On the Murder of Herodes 5.78: “He is evading his obligations towards Athens.”
Aristophanes’ Clouds 1305: “Wishes to withhold the money that he borrowed.”
Demosthenes’ Against Midias 21.44: “A man who has lost his case fails to pay.”
Old Testament: This term means to withdraw, to restrain, to diminish, to take from, to keep back, to withhold, to deny, to oppress, to defraud, and to exploit. He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous (Job 36:7). But none of your labor will be reduced (Exo.5:11). From the wicked their light is withheld (Job 38:15). Do not refuse me before I die (Pro. 30:7). You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him (Lev.19:13). Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I defrauded? (1Sam.12:3).
New Testament: This term means to defraud, to cheat, and to deprive (withhold). Jesus states that one of the necessary requirements for seeking eternal life is to not to defraud others. Upon hearing all these requirements, the rich man discouragingly walked away. Paul was upset that the Corinthian Christians, instead of settling their personal issues among themselves, were suing one another before pagan judges in Roman courts. These Christians were judging themselves by the world’s standards. Paul cautions husbands and wives not to deprive themselves from each other. James denounces those who exploit workers. These workers’ pleas are being heard by the Lord. False teachers can be discerned by depriving others of the truth.
Scripture:
“Now indeed then it is, in any case, a failure on your part that you have lawsuits against one another. Why not put up with injustice? Why not rather let yourselves be cheated?” 1Cor.6:7
The Christians in Corinth were using the pagan courts (with Roman judges) instead of settling their own personal matters in Christian ways.
“You know the commandments…you shall not defraud.” Mk.10:9
In speaking to the rich man, Jesus tells him what he must do in order to have eternal life. The rich man walked away.
“Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, to be free for prayer, but then return to one another, so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control.” 1Cor.7:
Paul cautions husbands and wives not to deprive themselves (of their presence) from each other.
Etymology: The Latin verb facere means to make and to do. A fact is something that happened. Prima facie means at first glance (based on first impressions). The Latin verb privare means to deprive, to take away, and to rob. Privation is the state of being without something. Private is something set apart from what is public. The Latin verb patere means to be open, to exposed, and to be vulnerable. Patient means being capable of enduring something. The Greek verb hustereo means to come late, to come short, and to be left behind.
Conclusion:
Fraud, fact, face, deprive, deprivation, patient, patience, private, privation
The Greek Hellenistic era fully illustrates the meanings of this term, ranging from depriving, robbing, impairing, cheating, evading, and refusing. All of these meanings could be applicable at any time in history. We all can relate to these situations.
The Old Testament culture also provides many meanings for this term. Oppressing and exploiting seem to take on more significance.
The New Testament continues this term’s sense of being deprived and defrauded. In addition to Jesus’ call to be just (in not depriving others), He calls upon others to focus more on spiritual treasures which last longer. The Corinthian Christians were failing to settle their affairs with Christian values. Instead, they referred to the pagan court’s judicial authority. Paul was fearful that these Christians were being guided by the world’s standards. Paul cautions husbands and wives to be physically present to each other. False teachers, by their nature, deprive others of the truth.
Election aftermath: Many conservatives, Trump supporters, and Republicans, feeling deprived of due process and confidence in the integrity of the election, are now seeking judicial recourse in several battle ground states. Many have felt that this election was stolen from them. (#StopTheSteal) At first glance, simple recounting of votes would not suffice if there are questions about about the underlying vote tabulations. In other words, recounts become meaningless if this data (votes) are questionable. Therefore, further investigation is needed to determine the extent of electronic vote switching, tampering, and manipulation, and internet connections. Efforts are now being undertaken to analyze the election software. The hundreds of irregularities and fraud (and affidavits of eyewitnesses) of depriving, withholding, and cheating as of yet do not give the American public confidence in these election results. So this judicial process (going to court) will continue in the meantime.
In this post, I hope that I was able to provide you with a thorough understanding and background of this term. I did not want to deprive you of that!