Exegesis

[Greek] ἡλικία (hēlikia), [Latin] helix: maturity, age, stature, lifetime, generation; Mt.6:27, Lk.2:52, Lk.12:25, Jn.9:21,23, Eph.4:13, Heb.11:11 The scroll (volute) is the decoratively carved spiral part of the violin. Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means age, advanced age, youth, prime…

[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,…

[Greek] σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō), [Latin] scandalizare, [Latin] offendere: to take offense, to be offended, to cease to believe, to set a trap, to fall into sin, to cause sin, to stumble, to get caught in a trap (snare); Mt.5:29,30, Mt.11:6, Mt.13:21,57,…

[Greek] ἐξαρτίζω (exartizō), [Latin] complere: to fit out, to equip, to complete, to furnish, to accomplish, to finish; Acts 21:5, 2Tim.3:17 Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means to complete, to finish, to equip, to furnish, to supply, and to…

[Greek] παράπτωμα (paraptōma), [Latin] transgressio, [Latin] lapsi; false step, transgression, error, fault, offense, sin, blunder; Mt.6:14-15, Mt.18:35, Mk.11:25-26, Ron.4:25, Rom.5:15-17,18,20, Rom.11:11, 2Cor.5:19, Gal.6:1, Eph.1:7, Eph.2:1,5, Col.2:13, Jas.5:16 The Lapsi were early Christians who had fallen (lapsed) in their faith. The…

[Greek] θυρεός (thyreos): long oblong shield, armor for protection; Eph.6:16 A re-enactment of the testudo (“turtle”) formation of the Roman infantry. The Roman scutum (shield) has a rectangular circular shape. Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term essentially means shield. The…

[Greek] ἐπιστέλλω (epistellō), [Latin] mittere, [Latin] scribere: to send a message (by letter), to enjoin by writing, to communicate by letter, to write a letter; Acts 15:20, Acts 21:25, Heb.13.22   The tabula (wax tablet) was also used for writing…

[Greek] κατηγορία (katēgoria), [Latin] accusare, [Latin] accusatio accusation, category, predicament, complaint, criminal charge, legal charge, predicate (something which affirms); Jn.18:29, 1Tim.5:19, Tit.1:6, Lk.6:7 The remains of the Roman agora in Athens. Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means accusation and charges…

[Greek] ἀνάπαυσις (anapausis), [Latin] resto: rest, cessation, intermission, respite, relaxation, refreshment; Mt.11:29, Mt.12:43, Lk.11:24, Rev.4:8, Rev.14:11 Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means rest (from something), repose, relaxation, and recreation. Plutarch’s De Liberis Educandis 13 states “While they (parents) are…

[Greek] ἀπολογέομαι (apologeomai), [Latin] defendere: to make a speech in defense of, to defend oneself, to give an account of oneself, to make a defense of, to defend oneself; Lk.12:11, Lk.21:14, Acts 19:33, Acts 24:10, Acts 25:8, Acts 26:12, Rom.2:15,…

[Greek] γυμνιτεύω (gymniteuō), [Latin] nudare: to be naked, to be in ragged clothing, to be poorly clothed; 1Cor.4:11 Two lightly armed combatants (veles) wearing animal skins. Background information: Greek Hellenism: Interestingly, this term means to be lightly armed. Heavily and…

[Greek] μετασχηματίζω (metaschēmatizō), [Latin] transformare, [Latin] transfigurare: to change in fashion (or appearance), to disguise, to transfigure, to transform, to change the form of; 1Cor.4:6, 2Cor.11:13-15, Php.3:21 The Transfiguration: painting by Raphael (1520). Php. 3:21 makes reference to that Jesus…

[Greek] ψηφίζω (psēphizō), [Latin] calculare: to vote, to count, to compute, to calculate, to count with pebbles, to figure out: Lk.14:28, Rev.13:18 Election Day in Philadelphia 1815: painting by John Lewis Krimmel (1815). The people are gathered together waiting for…

[Greek] ἐλευθερόω (eleutheroō), [Latin] liberare: to make free, to exempt, to liberate, to set free, to liberate, to deliver; Jn.8:32,36, Rom.6:18,22, Rom.8:2,21, Gal.5:1 Background information: Stoic concept of freedom: In contrast to the political freedom of the citizen or the…

[Greek] νέφος (nephos), [Latin] nebula: cloud, dense multitude, mist, particles; Heb.12:1 Joshua passing the Jordan River with the Ark of the Covenant: painting by Benjamin West (1800). The Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud by day…

[Greek] ὀρέγω (oregō), [Latin] appetere: 1Tim.3:1, 1Tim.6:10, Heb.11:16; to stretch, to have an appetite for something, to reach after, to yearn for, to aspire, to strive to, to attain, to aspire, to long for, to covet The name oregano comes…

[Greek] καταλείπω (kataleipō), [Old English] laefan, [Latin] relinquere: to leave down, to abandon, to forsake, to leave, to depart; Mt.4:13, Mt.16:4, Mt.19:5, Mt.21:17, Mk.10:7, Mk.12:19, Mk.14:52, Lk.15:4, Lk.20:31, Jn.8:9, Acts 2:31, Acts 6:2, Acts 18:19, Acts 21:3, Acts 24:27, Acts…

Greek] πειρασμός (peirasmos), [Latin] temptatio: experiment, trial, temptation, testing, putting to proof, examination, putting to the test; Mt.6:13, Mt.26:41, Mk.14:38, Lk.4:13, Lk.8:13, Lk.11:4, Lk.22:28,40,46, Acts 20:19, 1Cor.10:13, Gal.4:14, 1Tim.6:9, Heb.3:8, Jas.1:2,12, 1Pet.1:6, 1Pet.4:12, 2Pet.2:9, Rev.3:10 The Sacrifice of Isaac: painting…

[Greek] σβέννυμαι (sbennymai), [Latin] extinguere, ἄσβεστος (asbestos) [unquenchable]: to stop burning, to extinguish, to snuff out, to quench, to smother, to go out, to kill, to dampen, to moisten; Mt.12:20, Mt.25:8, Mk.9:44,46,48, Eph.6:16, 1Thess.5:19, Heb.11:34 The ancient Roman semi-circular leather…

[Greek] συντρίβω (syntribō), [Latin] contrere, [Latin] frangere, [Latin] fricare: to fracture, to have friction, to break into pieces, to be broken-hearted (contrite), to crush, to bruise, to trample upon, to shatter, to trample underfoot, to rub together, to wear away;…

[Greek] ἀντέχω (antechō), [Latin] antiquare: to hold against, to make something old (antiquated), to make old fashioned, to hold firmly to, to hold fast, to cling to, to reject, to be devoted to, to hold tightly to; Mt.6:24, Lk.16:13, 1Thess.5:14,…

[Greek] πυγμή (pygmē), [Latin] pugnus, [French] poing: fist, clenched hand; Mk.7:3 A statue of a boxer at rest wearing leather strapped boxing gloves. Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term can mean boxing (athletic contest), fist, fight, measure of length (distance…

[Greek] κάθημαι (kathēmai), [Latin] sedere: to sit down, to be sedentary, to sit, to dwell, to be seated; 89 scriptural references Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means to sit, to sit down, to rule (as judges), to be spectators,…

[Greek] βασανίζω (basanizō), [Latin] tormentare: to torture, to torment, to put to the test, to rub on the touchstone; Mt.8:6, Mt.8:29, Mk.5:7, Mk.6:48, Lk.8:28, 2Pet.2:8, Rev.8:5, Rev.11:10, Rev.12:2, Rev.14:10   A touchstone used to test the purity of gold and…

[Greek] ὑπομιμνῄσκομαι (hypomimnēskomai), [French] souvenir, [Latin] subvenire: to remember, to recall, to recollect, to remind, to call to mind, to put in mind, to draw attention to; Lk.22:61, Jn.114:26, 2Tim.2:14, Tit.3:1, 2Pet.1:12, 3Jn.10, Jud.5 A souvenir (reminder) for someone who…

[Greek] συμφωνία (symphōnia): music, composition, unified sound, harmonious sound, harmony, agreement; Lk.15:25 A shepherd riding a ran and playing an aulos, a flute-like musical instrument. This instrument was used in part to create a concordant musical sound. Background information: Greek…

[Greek] σκάπτω (skaptō), [Latin] fodere, [Latin] fossilis, [Latin] scandalizare: (dug up): to dig, to till, to cultivate; Lk.6:48, Lk.13:8, Lk.16:3 Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means to dig, to go too far, to cultivate, to delve into, to dig about,…

[Greek] ἔκτρωμα (ektrōma), [Latin] abortivus: “out of trauma”, untimely birth, miscarriage, one untimely born, abortion, one born out of time, abnormal birth, abortive offspring, child born dead; 1Cor.15:8 The Conversion of St. Paul: painting by Caravaggio (1601). Paul was “born…

[Greek] ὑπογραμμός (hypogrammos), [Latin] exemplus, subscriptio: a wax tablet, a writing to be copied, an example, an underwriting, a copy for imitation, a writing copy, tracing tablet, something to write under, a pattern, a model for copying; 1Pet.2:21 The hypogrammos…

[Greek] ἀγωνία (agōnia): contest, great fear, struggle, intense sorrow, anxiety, struggle for victory; Lk.22:44 Nude athletes engaged in a physical contest (agon). Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means contest, struggle for victory, gymnastic exercise, conflict, and concerted effort (in…

[Greek] ἐξίστημι (existēmi), [Latin] existere: to displace, to stand aside from, to be astonished, to astonish, to astound, to be astounded, to lose one’s senses, to be amazed, to amaze; Mt.12:23, Mk.2:12, Mk.3:21, Mk.5:42, Mk.6:51, Lk.2:47, Lk.8:56, Lk.24:22, Acts 2:7,12,…

[Greek] διήγησις (diēgēsis), [Latin] narratio: dialogue, narrative, account, orderly account, recounted story, enactment; Lk.1:1 Hal 9000: “I’m sorry, Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.” Stanley Kubrick masterfully used dialogue and sound editing in 2001: A Space Odyssey Background information:…

[Greek] διακονία (diakonia),[Latin] diaconus]: service, ministry, relief, support, attendance (as a servant), aid; Acts 1:17,25 Acts 6:1,4, Acts 11:29, Acts 12:25, Acts 21:19, Rom.11:13, Rom.12:7, Rom.15:31, 1Cor.12:5, 1Cor.16:15, 2Cor.3:7-9, 2Cor.4:1, 2Cor.5:18, 2Cor.6:3, 2Cor.8:4, 2Cor.9:1,12-13, 2Cor.11:8, Eph.4:12. Col.4:17, 1Tim.1:12, 2Tim.4:5,11, Heb.1:14,…

[Greek] θέατρον (theatron), [Latin] theatrum, [Latin] spectaculum: theater, spectacle, a place for a public show, amphitheater, general audience room, place where games and dramatic spectacles are shown, spectators; Acts 19:29,31, 1Cor.4:9 The amphitheater in Ephesus Background information: Greek Hellenism: This…

[Greek] θήκη (thēkē), [Latin] theca: receptacle, sheath, scabbard, box, case, place, tomb, place for safekeeping; Jn.18:11 The discotheque, originally a record collection (library), becomes a nightclub for dancing.  Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means chest, storeroom, and tomb. Herodotus’…

[Greek] κλῆρος (klēros), [Latin] clerus: lot, inheritance, portion, share, lot of land, which is drawn; Mt.27:35, Mk.15:24, Lk.23:24, Jn.19:24, Acts 1:17,25-26, Acts 8:21, Acts 26:21, Col.1:12, 1Pet.5:3 For My Vestments They Did Cast Lots: painting by Charles Martin Hardie (1858-1916)…

[Greek] προγράφω (prographō), [Latin] praescribere: to write before, to write previously, to announce, to prescribe, to compose in the past, to describe vividly, to publish, to publicly make notice, to give written notice; Rom.15:4, Gal. 3:1, Eph.3:3, Jud. 4 A…

[Greek] ἀπαγγέλλω (apangellō), [Latin] annuntiare, [Old English] tidan: to inform, to proclaim, to announce, to report, to give a message, to bring word, to announce or report from a person; multiple scriptural references Vision of Cornelius the Centurion: painting by…

[Greek] γονυπετέω (gonupeteō), [Latin] genuflectere: to kneel, to fall on the knees, to kneel down, to give homage, to bow the knee; Mk.15:19, Lk.22:41, Mt.26:39, Mk.14:35, Acts 7:60, Acts 9:40, Acts 20:36, Acts 21:5, Mt.17:14, Mt.27:29, Mk.1:40, Mk.10:17 The Martyrdom…

[Greek] ἀσθενής (asthenēs), [Latin] infirmus: needy, in want, poor, subject to abuse (oppression), needing help, needing deliverance; Mt.25:39,43-44, Mt.26:41, Mk.14:38, Lk.10:9, Acts 4:9, Acts5:15-16, Rom.5:6, 1Cor.1:25,27, 1Cor.4:10, 1Cor.8:7,10, 1Cor.9:22, 1Cor.11:30, 1Cor.12:22, 2Cor.10:10, Gal.4:9, 1Thess.5:14, Heb.7:18, 1Pet.3:7 Background information: Greek Hellenism:…

[Greek] συκοφαντέω (sykophanteō), [Latin] caluminiari: to make false charges, to slander, to accuse falsely, to inform, to extort someone, to be an informant, to cheat someone, to be a “fig revealer”; Lk.3:14, Lk.19:8 Sandro Botticelli’s illustgration of Dante’s Eighth Circle…

[Greek] συνεργός (synergos), [Latin] adiutor,[Latin] cooperator: fellow worker, co-worker, fellow laborer, helper, working together; Rom.16:3,9,21, 1Cor.3:9, 2Cor.1:24, 2Cor.8:23, Php.2:25, Php.4:3, Col.4:11, Phm1:1,24, 1Thess.3:2, 3Jn.8 Statue of Pope St. Clement at St. Peter’s Basilica. Clement was a former co-worker of Paul.…

[Greek] λειτουργέω (leitourgeō), [Latin] ministrare: to serve the state, to perform a religious service, to be a public servant, to be a minister, to render public service; Heb.10:11, Acts 13:2, Rom.15:27 Choragic Monument of Lysicrates (built in 335 B.C.): This…

[Greek] προγινώσκω (proginōskō), [Latin] providere: to know beforehand, to foreknow, to know before, to foreordain; Acts 26:5, Rom.8:9, Rom.11:2, 1Pet.1:20, 2Pet.3:17 Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term can refer to knowing beforehand (human foresight and cleverness) and to the gods’…

[Greek] νεκρός (nekros): dead, corpse, dead man; 132 scriptural references The Return of the Prodigal Son: painting by Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1667). The son was lost (dead) but has been found (alive). Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term, commonly found…

[Greek] κλέπτω (kleptō) [Latin] furare, [Latin] derelinquere, [Latin] desere, [French rager: to steal, to filch, to commit a theft, to take away by theft; Mt.6:19-20, Mt.19:18, Mt.27:64, Mt.28:13, Mk.10:19, Lk.18:20, Jn.10:10, Rom.2:21, Rom.13:9, Eph.4:28 The Good Shepherd: (painting by Bernhard Plockhurst…

[Greek] λύσις (lysis), [French] denouement, [Latin] quaerere solutionem: loosening, release, divorce; 1Cor.7:27 A loosened and unraveled knot. Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term, used quite extensively, means to loose, to release, to ransom, to deliver, to part, to dissolve, to…

[Greek] νόημα (noēma), [Latin] cogitatio, [Latin] sensus, [Latin] intellectus, [Latin] mens: mind, perception, purpose, disposition, design, scheme; 2Cor.2:11, 2Cor.3:14, 2Cor.4:4, 2Cor.10:5, 2Cor.11:3, Php.4:7 It is often helpful to be reminded that the devil can influence us through confusion, disobedience, rebellion,…

[Greek] ἐγγράφω (engraphō), [Latin] superscribere: to record, to write on, to write in, to inscribe; 2Cor.2:2-3, Lk.10:20 Trajan’s Column, built in 113-107 AD, commemorates Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means to write, to…

[Greek] φορτίζω (phortizō), [Latin] portare: to load, to overburden, to be burdened, to be loaded down, to cause to carry, to be heaven laden; Mt.11:28, Lk.11:46 A yoke placed upon the oxen’s shoulder blades. The yoke is held in position…

[Greek] ἔμπορος (emporos) [Latin] homini negotiatori: merchant, passenger on ship, tradesman, person on a journey (poros), one who buys and sells; Mt.13:45, Rev.18:3,11,15, 23 Remains of the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.…

[Greek] ὠδίνω (ōdinō), [French] travailler, [Latin] parturire: to have birth pangs, to be in labor, to travail, to travail in birth, to feel the pangs of child birth; Gal.4:19,27, Rev.12:2 Eileithuia, the Greek goddess of childbirth and labor pains, wields…

[Greek] παραβολή (parabolē), [Latin] parabola: parable, a placing beside, a placing alongside, comparison, symbol, type, something that resembles something else, and illustration that teaches, analogy; (multiple scriptural references in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Hebrews) The Parable of the Good Samaritan:…

[Greek] τρώγω (trōgō), [Latin] mandere, [French] manger: to gnaw, to munch, to crunch, to feed on, to bite; Mt.24:38, Jn.6:54, Jn.6:56, Jn.6:57, Jn.6:58, Jn.13:18   A trogon is a tropical bird which nibbles and gnaw holes in trees for nests.…

[Greek] ὑπόκρισις (hypokrisis), [Latin] simulatio, [Latin] sub iudicio: hypocrisy, pretense, play-acting, playing a part on the stage, pretending, deceit; Mt. 23:28, Mk.12:15, Lk.12:1, Gal.2:13, 1Tim.4:2, Jas.5:12, 1Pet.2:1 Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term, generally referencing an actor, means answer, playing…

[Greek] εὐχαριστία (eucharistia), [Latin] gratia: thankfulness, gratitude, giving of thanks, words of gratefulness; Acts 24:3, 1Cor.14:16, 2Cor.4:15, 2Cor.9:11-12, Eph.5:4, Php.4:6, Col.2:7, Col.4:2, 1Thess.3:9, 1Tim.2:1, 1Tim.4:3-4, Rev.4:9, Rev.7:12 A monstrance containing the Eucharist Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means thanksgiving…

[Greek] διαίρεσις (diairesis), [Latin] divisio: division, diversity, variety, diversity, distribution; 1Cor.12:4-6 A Roman legion (divisio) Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means divisibility, distribution, dividing, distinction, division, and dipthong. Plato’s Sophist 267b states “Some who imitates do so with knowledge…

[Greek] ὅρκος (horkos), [Hebrew] Sheva, [Latin] sacramentum: oath, vow, something which restrains someone, putting oneself under a curse, declaration; Mt.5:33, Mt.14:7,9, Mt.26:72, Mk.6:26, Lk.1:73, Acts 2:30, Heb.6:16,17, Jas.5:12 The Covenant at Beer-sheba (Well of the Oath[Seven]): Abraham made a covenant…

[Greek] συμμαρτυρέω (symmartyreō), [Latin] testificare, [Latin] reddere testimonium, [Latin] perhibere, [French] restituer, [French] demontrer: to bear witness with, to confirm something as one witness (along with others), to agree with, to agree with what was stated; Rom.2:15, Rom.8:16, Rom.9:1, Rev.22:18…

[Greek] κόσμος (kosmos), [Latin] cosmos: order, arrangement, world, cosmos, structure, adornment, unity; over 150 scriptures Background information: Greek Hellenism: This important term is found extensively in all walks of life. The world can be viewed in both in a spatial…

[Greek] πνοή (pnoē), [Latin] inspirare: wind, breath, breeze, soul; Acts 2:2, Acts 17:25 Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means blowing (of the wind), breath, inspiration, breeze, blast, and soul. Euripides’ Bacchae 1094 states “They leapt through the torrent—streaming valley…

[Greek] ζῆλος (zēlos), [Latin] aemulatio, [Latin] multem laborem: envy, zeal, jealousy, intense desire, eagerness, striving, indignation, fierceness; Jn. 2:17, Acts 5:17, Acts 13:45, Rom.10:2, Rom.13:13, 1Cor.3:3, 2Cor.7:7,11, 2Cor.9:2, 2Cor.11:2, 2Cor.12:20, Gal.5:20, Php.3:6, Col.4:13, Heb.10:27, Jas. 3:14,16 The Stoning of Saint…

[Greek] καρδία (kardia), [Latin] cor: heart, spirit, soul, mind; 132 scriptural references The kneeling lover offers his affection to the damsel from the bottom of his “heart”. (1250’s) The pine cone represented the heart. The point of the pine cone…

[Greek] στρέφω (strephō), [Latin] vertere: to turn, to turn words around in a sentence, to change, to turn around, to convert, to turn about, to reverse, to turn back; Mt. 5:39, Mt.9:22, Mt. 16:23, Mt.18:3, Lk.7:9,44, Lk.9:55, Lk.10:23, Lk.14:25, Lk.22:61,…

[Greek] ὑπερβάλλω (hyperballō), [Latin] supere, [Latin] excellens, [Latin] eminens, [Latin] supereminens: to become an hyperbole, to surpass, to be far more, to “throw beyond”, to be much greater, to go beyond, to exceed; 2Cor.3:10, 2Cor.9:14, Eph.1:19, Eph.2:7, Eph.3:19 Michelangelo’s Moses…

[Greek] βρέφος (brephos), [Latin] infantem, [Latin] fetus: newborn child, unborn child, baby, toddler, infant, embryo; Lk. 1:41,44. Lk. 2:12,16, Lk. 18:15, Acts 7:19, 2Tim.3:15, 1Pet.2:2 Background information: Classical Greek Era: This term means infant, fetus, baby, embryo, and small child.…

[Greek]σκορπίζω (skorpizō), [Latin] dissipare: to scatter, to be scattered, to disperse, to be dispersed, to put into flight, to give generously; Mt.12:30, Lk.11:23, Jn.10:12, Jn.16:32, 2Cor.9:9 The scorpion scatters Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term essentially means to scatter, to…

[Greek] ἰάομαι (iaomai), [Latin] sanare: to make healthy (sanitary), to heal, to cure, to perform healing, to make whole, to cause someone to achieve health, to cleanse; Mt.8:8,13, Mt.13:15, Mt.15:28, Mk.5:29, Lk.4:18, Lk.5:17, Lk.6:17,19, Lk.7:7, Lk.8:47, Lk.9:2,11,42, Lk.14:4, Lk.17:15, Lk.22:51,…

[Greek] ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnizomai), [Latin] contendere, [Latin] sollicitus, [Latin] certere, [Latin] decertere: to struggle, to fight, to contend for a prize, to compete in the games, to make an effort, to strive; Lk.13:24, Jn.18:35, 1Cor.9:25, Col.1:29, Col.4:12, 1Tim.4:10, 1Tim.6:12, 2Tim.4:7 Christians…

[Greek] νίκη (nikē), [Latin] victoria: victory, conquest, success; 1Jn.5:4, Mt.12:20, 1Cor.15:54-55,57 Statue of the goddess Nike in Rhodes, Greece Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term, meaning victory or superiority, can be used in a physical, legal, psychological, and metaphorical sense.…

[Greek] γεννάω (gennaō): to generate, to begot, to be begotten, to bring forth, to bring into being, to give birth to, to be born, to father; Mt.1:2-20, Mt.2:1,4, Mt.19:12, Mt.26:24, Mk.14:21, Lk.1:13,35,57, Lk.23:29, Jn.1:13, Jn.3:3-8, Jn.8:41, Jn.9:2,19-20, Jn.9:32,34, Jn.16:21, Jn.18:37,…

[Greek] ποιμήν (poimēn), [Latin] pastor: shepherd, pastor, one who tends a flock, herdsman, shepherder; Mt. 9:36, Mt. 25:32, Mt.26:31, Mk.6:34, Mk.14:27, Lk.2:8,15,18,20, Jn.10:2,11-12,14,16, Eph.4:11, Heb.13:20, 1Pet.2:25 Jesus The Good Shepherd: Painting by Phillipe de Champaigne (1602-1674) Background Information: Ancient Orient/Greek…

[Greek] βλασφημέω (blasphēmeō), [Latin] blasphemare, [Latin] exprobare: to blaspheme, to injure, to injure the reputation of, to slander, to revile, to speak impiously, to speak evil of; Mt.9:3, Mt. 26:65, Mt.27:39, Mk.3:28-29, Mk.15:29, Lk.12:10, Lk.22:65, Lk.23:39, Jn.10:36, Acts 13:45, Acts…

[Greek] διαφέρω (diapherō),[Latin] differre: to transmit, to take away, to scatter, to be divided (alienated), to spread, to differ, to differentiate oneself, to distinguish oneself, to be estranged, to be changed; Mt.6:26, Mt. 10:31, Mt.12:12, Mk.11:16, Lk.12:7, Lk.12:24, Acts13:49, Acts…

[Greek] ἀδελφός (adĕlphŏs), [Latin] frater: brethren, brother, male sibling, fellow believer, kinsman; 319 scriptural references Woman Behold Your Son (Stabat Mater): painting my James Tissot (1836-1902) Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term, meaning “from the same womb” (delphys), also refers…

[Greek]παρατίθεμαι (paratithemai), [Latin] parenthesis: to set aside (to place inside parentheses), to place before, to set before, to place beside, to entrust, to place at one’s disposal, to be entrusted, to be responsible for, to tell a parable; Mt.13:24,31, Mk.6:41,…

[Greek] κλίνω (klinō), [Latin] clinare: to cause to bend, to bow down, to put to flight, to draw to a close, to draw near, to recline, in incline, to lie down, to rest, to lean, to lean towards; Mt.8:20, Lk.9:12,…

[Greek] πολιτεία (politeia), [Latin] civitas: citizenship, commonwealth, community, freedom of a socio-economic group, administration, politics; Acts 22:28, Eph.2:12 Battle Scene with a Roman Army Beseiging: painting by Juan De La Corte (1597-1660). Tarsus, Paul’s birthplace, would have been an example…

‎[Greek] προβάλλω (proballō), [Latin] promovere, [Latin] producere, [Latin] propellere: to throw before, to put forward, to throw an obstacle (problem) forward, to throw something (problema) forward, to put forth (foliage), to throw forward, to push to the front, to shoot…

[Greek] συλλαμβάνω (syllambanō), [Latin] concipere, [Latin] conprehendere, [Latin] adprehendere, [Latin] laborare: to join in helping, to take part with, to conceive, to seize, to arrest, to capture, to take, to help with, to collect; Mt.26:55, Mk.14:48, Lk.1:24, Lk.1:31, Lk.1:36, Lk.2:21,…

[Greek] συμβιβάζω (symbibazō), [Latin] conectere: to drive together, to unite, to connect, to knit (tie) together, to join together, to “be on board together”, to consider, to conclude, to prove, to draw out, to put together; Col.2:2,19, Acts 9:22, Acts…

[Greek] ἀσφαλής (asphalēs),[Latin] cognoscere certum,[Latin] scire diligentius,[Latin] necessarium: certain, definite, sure, secure (literally and figuratively), firm, steadfast, unfailing, pertaining to a safeguard; Heb.6:19, Acts 21:34, Acts 22:30, Acts 25:26, Php.3:1 A pothole on 2nd Avenue in New York City Background…

[Greek] σκοπός (skopos), [Latin] destinatio: watchman, mark (on which to fix the eye), watcher, goal, spy, prophet, scout; Php.3:14 Painting of Ezekiel holding an open scroll of prophecy (Painting by on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo) Background…

[Greek] θησαυρός (thēsauros), [Latin] thesaurizare, [Latin] abundantia: treasure, deposit, wealth, storehouse, treasure box, place of safe keeping; Mt.2:11, Mt.6:19-21, Mt.12:35 Mt.13:44,52, Mt.19:21, Mk.10:21, Lk.12:33-34, Lk.18:22, 2Cor.4:7, Col.2:3, Heb.11:26 The thesauros (storage facilities) at the Temple of Delphi in Athens. Background…

[Greek] θεραπεία (therapeia), [Latin] sanare, [French] remedier: attention, medical service, healing, working servants, household, care caregivers, healing; Mt.24:45, Lk.9:11, Lk.12:42, Rev.22:2 The Household Gods: painting by John William Waterhouse (1880). These were figurines (icons) of gods and ancestors. Background information:…

[Greek] στερεός (stereos), [Latin] firmus: firm, steadfast, strong, hard, solid, sure; 2Tim.2:19, Heb. 5:12,14, 1Pet.5:9 This idea echoes the notion that the informed Christian has the means to discern good and evil. Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term, taking on…

[Greek] κώνωψ (kōnōps), [Latin] culex, [Spanish] mosca: gnat, mosquito, midge, unclean insect; Mt.23:24 A canopy (bed with curtains) used by influential persons. Other canopies have mosquito curtains. Background Information: Old Testament: The mosquito (gnat) is one of the smallest unclean…

‎[Greek] ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō): to accompany, to be an acolyte, to go along with, to go the same way with, to follow someone, to come behind, to go behind, to follow the one who proceeds, to walk the same road with;…

‎[Greek] ψεύδομαι (pseudomai), [Latin] dicipiere: to lie, to utter an untruth, to deceive by falsehood; Mt.5:11, Acts 5:3,4, Rom.9:1, 2Cor.11:31, Gal.1:20, Col.3:9, 1Tim.2:7, Heb.6:18, Jam.3:14, 1Jn.1:6, Rev.3:9 The Death of Ananias: painting by Raphael (1515-1516) Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This…

[Greek] θυμός (thumos), [Latin] fumus: fury, wrath, rage, intense desire, indignation, passion, outburst of emotion, anger; Lk.4:28, Acts 9:28, Rom.2:8, 2Cor.12:20, Gal.5:20, Eph.4:31, Col.3:8, Heb.11:27, Rev.12:12, Rev.14:10,19, Rev.15:1,7, Rev.16:1,19. Rev. 18:3, Rev.19:15 An ancient wine press near Mt. Hebron, a…

‎[Greek] αἴσθησις (aisthēsis), [Latin] sensus: aesthetic, perception, discernment, cognition, vocation, sense, capacity to understand; Php.1:9 Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means perception, discernment, and intellectual understanding. Perception includes sense perception, sensation, organs of sensation, means of observing, feelings, impressions,…

[Greek] μυκτηρίζω (muktērizō), [Latin] muccare: to mock, to ridicule, to be mocked, to be treated with contempt, to turn up one’s nose (mukter), to sneer at, to ignore; Gal.6:7 The Aeropagus is a prominent rock formation where legal cases were…

[Greek] ‎κρίσις (krisis), [Latin] crisis, [Latin] iudicium, [Latin] delinquentia : judgment, justice, evaluation, consideration, testing, process of distinguishing and selecting, authority to judge, decision; 48 scriptural references Jesus in Herod’s court: painting by Duccio di Buoninsegna (1310 AD) Background Information:…

[Greek] πλαστός (plastos), [Latin] fictis: formed, molded, plastic, false, feigned, fabricated, made up, deceitful; 2Pet.2:3 Jesus warned of false prophets (and teachers) who come in sheep’s clothing (Mt.7:15) Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term can take on various and nuanced…

‎[Greek] ἀθλέω (athleō), [Latin] certare: to contend, to compete, to strive, to engage in an athletic contest, to win the prize, to contend in games; 2Tim.2:5 A Greek sculpture of the gymnasium in Jerusalem during the Maccabeean era Background Information:…

‎[Greek] σκάνδαλον (skandalon), [Latin] scandalus, [Latin] offensio: stumbling stone, obstacle, cause for stumbling, occasion to fall, something that arouses anger, sin, offense, trap, impediment; Mt.13:41, Mt.16:23, Mt.18:7, Lk.17:1, Rom.9:33, Rom.11:9, Rom.16:17, Rom.14:13, 1Cor.1:23, Gal. 5:11, 1Pet.2:8, 1Jn.2:10, Rev.2:14 Background Information:…

[Greek} μωρία (mōria), [Latin] morus: being a moron, foolishness, absurdity, moronic; 1Cor.1:18,21,23, 1Cor.2:14, 1Cor.3:19   Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term, conveying various meanings, can pertain to deficiencies, medicine, foods and seasonings, animals, and folly. Foolishness is illustrated by mental…