[Greek] προσδέχομαι (prosdechomai), [Latin] expectare, [Latin] recipere, [Latin] excipere, [Latin] accipere, [French] adopter, [Latin] suscipere: to receive (favorably) to accept, to look for, to welcome, to wait, to anticipate; Mk.15:43, Lk.2:25,38, Lk.12:36, Lk.15;2, Lk.23:51, Acts 23:21, Acts 24:15, Rom.16:2, Php. 2:29, Heb.10:34, Heb.11:35, Jud 1:21
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to accept, to receive favorably, to admit, to await, to expect, and to undertake.
Polybius’ Histories 1.17.1: “The people approved and confirmed the terms made by Hiero.”
Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 1428: “Take him into the house as quickly as you can.”
Xenophon’s Hellenica 1.59: “Cyrus would not receive him.”
Polybius’ Histories 2.12: “And it was then that the Corinthians first admitted Romans to take part in the Ismithian games.”
Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 4.5.22: “We are expecting the enemy to come to either surrender or fight.”
Xenophon’s Hellenica 7.42: “Under the circumstances the Lacedaemonians accepted the alliance with the Arcadians.”
Old Testament: This term means to wait, to hope, to expect, to take, to lay hold of, to bear, to carry, and to receive. This term occurs quite frequently in the Old Testament.
New Testament: This term means to await, to welcome (receive), to allow (believe), and to accept. Joseph of Arimathea awaits the kingdom of God. Simeon and Anna await the consolation (redemption) of Israel. Luke emphasizes that waiting for Jesus is like a faithful servant waiting for his master to return. Jesus welcomes sinners. The faithful allow themselves to have hope in the Lord. Phoebe and Epaphroditus are to be welcomed in the Lord. Some have joyfully have accepted the confiscation of their property, knowing that they have a better and lasting possession in Christ. Women received back their dead through resurrection.
More notable scriptures:
Mk.15:43: “Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.” (Joseph of Arimathea was a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin and also a secret disciple of Jesus.)
Lk.2:25: “Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This righteous and devout man was awaiting the consolation of Israel.” (Jesus represents the hopes and expectations of faithful and devout of Jews who were looking for the restoration of God’s rule in Israel.)
Lk.2:38: “And coming forward at that very time, the prophetess Anna gave thanks to God and spoke about the child Jesus to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.” (Jesus becomes the redemption of Israel.)
Lk.12:36: “Be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” (Luke emphasizes for his readers the importance of being vigilant and faithful to the instruction of Jesus.)
Lk.15:2: “The Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, ‘This man (Jesus) welcomes sinners and eats with them.’” (Jesus welcomes sinners but does NOT welcome or ACCEPT sinful behavior (lived experiences.)
Acts 23:21: “More than forty Jews were lying in wait for Paul; they have bound themselves by oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.”
Rom. 16:2: “Receive Phoebe our sister, who is also a minister of the church of Cenchrae, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones.”
Heb.10:34: “You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.” (There was a time when the spirit of the community caused them to welcome and share their sufferings. This becomes a reminder that we must focus on spiritual treasures. Material treasures, stuff, and temporary things are fleeting.)
Etymology: The Latin verb suscipere means to look up, to suspect, to mistrust, and to distrust. The Latin verb excipere means to take out or and to except. The Latin verb accipere means to receive, to take, and to accept.
Conclusion:
Expect, expectation, receipt, receive, suspect, suspicion, except, accept
Update: Advent is a time for all us to anticipate His coming.
Next: AVE [HAVE] a Guadete Sunday!