[Greek] ὁμολογέω (homologeō), [Latin] confitere, [German] hineinpressen, [French] fouler: to confess, to assent, to admit, to acknowledge; Mt.7:23, Mt.10:32, Mt.14:7, Lk.12:8, Jn.1:20, Jn.9:22, Jn.12:42, Acts 23:8, Acts 24:14, Rom.10:9-10, 1Tim.6:12, Tit.1:16, Heb.11:13, Heb.13:15, 1Jn.1:9, 1Jn.4:2-3,15, 2Jn.1:7
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to admit, to agree, to bear witness, to concede, to acknowledge, to allow, and to promise.
Andocides’ On the Mysteries 1.29: “I have never admitted guilt and that I have not a single offense against the two goddesses.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 4.154: “Now begins the part in which Therean’s and Cyrenean’s stories agree.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 2.18: “The response of the oracle of Ammon in fact bears witness to my opinion.”
Plato’s Phaedrus 231d: “They confess that they are insane, rather than in their right mind, they know they are foolish.”
Old Testament: This term, used quite extensively, means to praise, to give thanks, to confess, to vow, to promise, to give something to God, to swear, and to take an oath.
New Testament: This term means to declare, to acknowledge, to swear, to admit, and to confess.
Scripture:
Mt.7:23: I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you evildoers’. (This becomes a criticism against those evil and morally corrupt disciples. Even they will gain entrance into the kingdom of heaven.)
Mt.14:7: Herod swore to giver her [Herodia’s daughter] whatever she might ask for.
Jn.1:20: John the Baptist admitted that he is not the Messiah.
Acts 23:8: The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, angels, or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three.
Mt.10:32: Everyone who acknowledges Me before others I will acknowledge before My heavenly Father.
Jn.9:22: The blind man’s parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged Him as the Messiah, he would be expelled from the synagogue. (The blind man’s parents were understandably fearful of publicly stating that Jesus is the Messiah. As a result, rejection (excommunicated) from the synagogues seems to have begun in 85 A. D.)
1Tim.6:12: Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses. (Christians are likened to athletics who must the race of Christian life. Paul demands Timothy to have total dedication and witness to Christ.)
“Tit.1:16: They [rebels, idle talkers, and deceivers] claim to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him. They are vile and disobedient and unqualified for any good deed. (Faith is also defined and illustrated by one’s works. Evildoers, by their own actions, deny God.)
Quotes and paraphrased quotes by Cardinal Grech (a potential nominee for the next pope):
“The female deaconate would be a “natural deepening of the Lord’s will”
“Synodality is ingrained in the nature of God. I felt we are not bringing something new.” (The cardinal admits that synodality means changing the Catholic faith.)
Conclusion:
Confide, confident, confess, solve, dissolve, solution
In Greek Hellenism and other time periods, agreeing can take on many forms, uses, and variations.
In the Old Testament, this term also takes on the notion of swearing or taking an oath.
Confessing Jesus as Lord was quite dangerous in the first century. In our current secular society, Christians who profess Jesus’ teaching may experience peer pressure, persecution, shame, and martyrdom. Christians expressing pro-life values can often receive ridicule from opposing forces.
Update:
I confess I wasn’t too sure how this post would turn out. Yet, I have to admit it turned out better than I thought!
Pope Francis’ Fiducia Supplicans allows for “non-liturgical blessings” for same-sex unions. This is essentially blessing sin, which is evil. Then it must be said that those who clergy and laity who promote this are evil-doers! They are also encouraging others to believe that this is an acceptable behavior. Some have even called the Vatican, bishops, and priests to bless them!
Under Pope Francis’ leadership, all of us (the Church) continues to walk in liturgical confusion and chaos.