[Greek] ἐντρέπω (entrepō), [Latin] vereor, [Latin] revereor, [Latin] irreprehensibilis, [Latin] confundere: to stand in awe: to put to shame, to invert, to respect, to confound, to reverence, to make ashamed, to feel respect for, to turn in; Mt.21:37, Mk.12:6, Lk.18:2,4, 1Cor.4:14, 2Thess.3:14, Tit.2:8, Heb.12:9
Shame: when we “turn in upon ourselves”
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to turn about, to make one turn, to hesitate, to fell misgivings, to turn toward to, to give heed to, to reverse, to respect, to show reverence, and to shame.
Polybius’ Histories 31.2: “To the ambassadors of the Gauls in Asia they granted autonomy, on condition that they remained within their dwellers, and went on to warlike expeditions beyond their frontiers.”
Sophocles’ Ajax 90: “You there, Ajax, once I again I call you! Why do show so little regard for your city?”
Plato’s Crito 52c: “And moreover even at your trial you might have offered exile as your penalty. But then you put on airs and said you were not disturbed if you must die. And now you are not ashamed to think of those words, and you do not respect us and the laws.”
Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 724: “Pay them no regard.”
Old Testament: This term, related to several Hebrew terms, means to shame, to confound, to insult (humiliate), to humble, to be humble, to be contrite, and to dishonor.
New Testament: This term means to respect, to make ashamed, and to be ashamed. Jesus presents the parable of the tenants, a story of the wicked tenants rejecting the landowner’s son and servants. For purposes of brevity, I will exclude mention of the parable of the tenants.
Scripture:
1Cor.4:14: “I am writing you this not to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.” (Paul, in a constructive manner, uses shame to correct his congregation. Paul acts like a loving father.)
2Thess.3:14: “If anyone does not obey our word as expressed in this letter, take note of this person not to associate with him, that he may be put to shame.” (Paul calls upon the Thessalonians not to be remiss in doing good. Those who do not obey this word are to be shamed and ostracized. Some of the Thessalonians are acting in a disorderly way.)
Lk.18:4: For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, but this widow keeps bothering me.” (The judges succumbs to the widow and gives a just judgment. The persistent women alludes to the importance of persistent prayer.)
Tit.2:7-8: “Show yourself as a model of good deeds and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us.” (One’s good behavior and example will put others to shame.)
Heb.12:9: “We had our earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Should we not then submit all the more to the Father?” (As God treats us sons and daughters, we must endure our trials as discipline from a loving Father.)
Entropy: This is a measure of the degree of disorder or uncertainty in a system. The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics states that the energy state of system moves from a state of order to a state of disorder over time. The process will cease when an equilibrium of energy states has been achieved.
Etymology: This term literally means “turning in upon oneself.” This inward turning (en-) provides a time of self-reflection and allowing one to examine one’s actions. This self-reflection can involve shame, humbleness, remorse, or reverence. This inward turning often allows for conversion. Entropy is a measure of disorder (reduction of order).
“Entropy makes things fall, but life (and God) ingeniously rigs the game so that when they do they often fall into place.” John Tooby
“If you see your brother sinning openly, you should not cover up for him, but you should rebuke him in front of everyone, so that he may be ashamed and repent.” St. John Chrysostom
Conclusion:
Entropy, reverence, revere, confound, confounding, reprehensible
It is interesting to note that turning inward, disorder, and reducing are related. Turning inward in self reflection may cause one to feel small or humbled. One can feel troubled or disordered (out of sorts).
It is significant to note that the process of turning inward (self-reflection) may involve shame, remorse, humbleness, hesitation, fear, and reverence. On the other hand, having no shame means doing whatever one wants, not caring what others think.
This term, used both positively and negatively, quite frequently appears in the Old Testament culture. This term is very relatable to poor, humble, and vulnerable people. Interestingly, having a humbleness in heart and contriteness often leads to a favorable relationship with God.
Interestingly, thermodynamic laws have a similarity with the spiritual life. A person, who turns inward to draw upon his own powers (abilities), will ultimately face spiritual weakness and emptiness. Only God can fill up that emptiness.
On the other hand, one, who humbles (decreases) himself and seeks outward help from God, will find spiritual strength.
Update: Pope Francis (and his inner circle), in their “outreach” to the LGBTQ community, continually fail to point the sinful nature of homosexuality and same-sex unions. These clergy are not following traditional Church teachings and Jesus’ command to sin no more (Jn.8:11). They have no respect for Church teachings and Jesus’ commands.
2Thess.3:14: Paul provides scriptural evidence in not associating with those who do not follow Church teachings. How can this NOT apply to Modernist clergy who skew, ignore, or mock traditional Church teachings (because the Church must adapt to the current age)?? We must not associate with them!
Ever since Pope Francis has become pope, the Church has been in a state of GREAT DISORDER!
Pope Francis and his inner circle are not respecting (telling the truth about homosexuality to) to the LGBTQ community. These clergy are putting the peoples’ souls in mortal peril by saying that this lifestyle is permitted by God.
The LGBTQ community often gets upset when traditional Catholic and Christian teachings are brought up. Rather than being told the truth, many perceive that the Church is hateful and intolerant.
Gender ideology advocates and transgender persons also get upset when one states traditional Catholic teachings (God created marriage and two genders).
Bishop Strickland was removed for having the audacity to state the truth in Church teachings. Bishop Strickland’s removal speaks more about the vindictiveness, shamefulness, and pettiness of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis also appoints, promotes, and hides clergy with shameful and questionable character. (Ex. Cardinal Fernandez (hard-core porn theology), Fr. Rupnik (accused sexual behavior).
It is shameful that many bishops in Ireland are welcoming Fr. James Martin’s plans to bless same-sex unions.
There have been too many shameful human inventions, novelties, innovations, and restrictions pertaining to Church practices under Pope Francis.
Jesus’ (and the Church’s teachings) are not meant to shame us, but to redeem us.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker gave a commencement speech at Benedictine College. He essentially shamed the bishops for acting cowardly in not acting like spiritual shepherds. As a result, many offended people are seeking to cancel, shame, and ostracize him.
Harrison Butker, in essentially just stating traditional Catholic teachings, has managed to offend and scandalize many people. Quite a shame! But not really surprising.
It is shameful but not surprising that the woke NFL organization dissociates themselves from Harrison Butker’s comments.
The backlash against celebrities criticizing Harrison Butker’s comments is already starting! These celebrities’ projects and promotions are now being cancelled. What a shame! ☺☺☺
So the Greeks had it right after all. We get very unsettled and disturbed when we cringe in situations. When we do something stupid or embarrassing, we just want to “turn in and hide”. Then we need to pick up the pieces.
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.” Corrie ten Boom