[Greek] διαφέρω (diapherō), [Latin] melior, [Latin] transferre, [Latin] disseminare, [Latin] supervenire, [Latin] differtus, [French] transporter, [French] reporter, [French] transcrire, [French] agresser: to transmit, to divide, to distinguish, to spread, to carry through, to differ, to bear apart, to be better; 16 scriptures
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to carry through, to navigate, to excel, to stand out, to pass, to bear, to surpass, to be important, and to differ.
Plato’s Apology 35a: “To be superior in wisdom or courage.”
Demosthenes Erotic Essay 61.46: “He admirably and considerably spread his record of his achievements.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 4.138: “Histiaeus opposed the plan [voted differently]”
Euripides’ Orestis 251: “Then you be different from that evil brood.”
Old Testament: This term means to transmit, to change, to take away, to scatter, to divide, to differ, to be distinguished, and to be superior, to being alienated, being changed, and doing something different.
New Testament: This term means to spread (carry through), to become more valuable, to differ, to be important, and to drive about.
Scripture:
Mt.6:26: “Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they?” (Jesus refers to dependence on God. Although Jesus does not deny the reality of human needs, He warns each of us not to be a “slave” to these worries.)
Mk.11:16: “Jesus did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area.” (The buying and selling were being done in the court of the Gentiles, the outermost court of the temple area. Of course, the Jews would place these buyers and sellers in this area, designated for the Gentiles. Jesus was angry in that it curtailed His efforts to reach the Gentiles.)
Mt.12:12: “How much more valuable a person is than a sheep. So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.” (The Jews had already had provisions for saving the life of man and animals on the sabbath. But this was not a case of man’s life being in danger. The Jews, hoping to find something to accuse Jesus with, asked Him if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus points out that man is much more valuable.
Acts 13:49: “The word of the Lord continued to spread throughout the whole region.”
- Paul stated that it was necessary that word was to be spoken to the Jews. But the Jews rejected it.
- Paul was then called to spread (carry through) the word to the Gentiles.
- The word continued to spread from Antioch to other provinces in Turkey.
- Antioch is where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. (Acts 11:26)
- The Jews incited opposition against the Christians and persecuted Paul and Barnabas.
Rom.2:18: “And know His will and are able to discern what is important since you are instructed from the law.” (The Jews were instructed by the law. God did not initially address its revelation to the Gentiles. Rather, God made it possible for Gentiles to know instinctively [in their hearts] the difference between right and wrong.)
Gal.4:1: “I mean that as long a the heir is not of age, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.” (The child was no different than the slave under the authority of the guardian. God sent His Son that we might receive adoptions as sons and daughters of God. This adoption also frees from being enslaved to the elemental powers of the world.)
Php.1:9-10: “[Paul]: this is my prayer: that you increase every more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” (Paul calls each of us to properly distinguish between right and wrong and good and bad. One must be both intelligent and discriminating (making good choices.)
“We do not want a Church that will move with the world. We want a Church that will move the world.” GK Chesterton
“There is only one Church of God, and that is the Catholic Church.” Asst. Bishop Athanasius Schneider
“In every sin, we choose to believe the devil’s lie rather than God’s truth.” Peter Kreeft
“Whoever presumes to introduce or teach pass on another creed or whoever presumes to introduce a novel doctrine. We declare to be anathematized.” Pope Agatho