Exegesis

[Greek] ἀλληγορέω (allēgoreō): to speak allegorically, to speak figuratively, to make an allegory, to speak symbolically; Gal.4:24, 1Cor.5:6-8, 1Cor9:8-10, Jn.15:1-17 Israel is the allegorical vine brought by out of Egypt by God Background Information: Allegorical Mythology: As many of the…

[GreeK] ἐνδημέω (endēmeō), [Latin] praesente: to be in one’s own country, to be at home, to be among one’s own people, to be present; 2Cor.5:6,8,9 Background Information: Physical (bodily) and invisible (spiritual) realms: Paul and Christians, living in the physical…

[Greek] βαρέω (bareō), [Latin] gravitas: to weigh down, to be overcome, to be weighted down, to be heavy, to be pressed, to have “heavy” eyes (drowsy), to be sleepy; Lk.21:34, 2Cor.1:8, 2Cor.5:4, 1Tim.5:16, Lk.9:32, Mt.26:43 Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This…

[Greek] παύω (pauō), [Latin] pausa, [Latin] disinere, [Latin] coercere: to cease, to pause, to quit, to come to an end, to stop, to get release from, to refrain; Lk.5:4, Lk.8:24, Lk.11:1, Act.5:42, Act.6:13, Act.13:10, Act.20:1, Act.21:32,1Cor.13:8, Eph.1:16, Col.1:9, Heb.10:2, 1Pet.4:1,…

‎[Greek] καρδία (kardia), [Latin] cor: heart; Act.21:34, Act.14:17, Lk.24:32, Mk.7:21, Lk.21:14, Mk.12:30, Lk.16:15 Old Testament: the heart is the “seat” of moral and religious conduct Background Information: Old Testament: This term is predominantly depicted in the figurative sense. The figurative…

[Greek] ἔκστασις (ekstasis), [Latin] stupore, [Latin] invadare, [Latin] adprehendere: a standing out of one’s self, being aside oneself, amazement, astonishment, trance, lose one’s senses, state of being beyond reason and self-control; Mk.5:42, Mk.16:8, Lk.5:26, Act.3:10, Act.10:10, Act.11:5, Act.22:17 The Oracle…

[Greek] ‎συμφωνέω (symphōneō), [Latin] consentire, [Latin[ convenire, [Latin] concordare: to be in harmony, to be in accord, to “sound together”, to agree, to have singleness of mind; Lk.5:6, Act.15:15, Mt. 18:19-20, Act 5:9, Mt.20:2 It was necessary for two or…

[Greek] λαμπρός (lampros), [Latin] alba, [Latin] candida: bright, shiny, brilliant, clear, splendid, magnificent, gorgeous; Lk.23:11, Act.10:30, Jas.2:2, Rev.22:6, Rev.18:14, Rev.15:6, Rev.19:8, Rev.22:16 The candidatus (political candidate) aspires to be in office wearing a bright white toga (candida toga) Background Information:…

[Greek] γλεῦκος (gleukos),[Latin] mustum: sweet wine, new wine, unfermented wine, fresh grape juice, must; Act.2:13 A stone winepress discovered in Hamei Yo’av  Israel Background Information: Old Testament: This Greek term gleukos refers to several related Hebrew terms in the Old…

[Greek] εὐχαριστέω (eucharisteō), [Latin] agere gratiam, [Latin[ participare cum gratiam: to give thanks, to express gratitude, to return thanks, to give thanks before meals, to express thanks, 41 scriptural references The people show an expression of thanks (eucharistia) for the…

‎[Greek] σμύρνα (smyrna), [Latin] myrrha:  myrrh, aromatic resin; Mt.2:11, Jn.19:39 Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means a resin gum used as an embalming material, incense, salve, and unguent. Herodotus’ The Histories 2.86: “They take out all the intestines filing…

‎[Greek] παιδεία (paideia), [Latin] educare, [Latin] erudire, [Latin] disciplina: training, instruction, nurture, education, discipline, correction, upbringing; 2Tim.3:16, Eph.6:4, Heb.12:5 Greek teacher writing with stylus and folding wax tablet (500 B.C) Background: Greco-Roman culture:  This education of children was carried out…

‎[Greek] τίκτω (tiktō), [Latin] filius, [Latin] natus, [Latin] generare, [Latin] conceptio, [Latin] parere, [French] enfanter, [French] engendrer, [French] procurer: to beget, to bring forth, to give birth, to bear, to produce, to be born, to be in labor; Mt.1:21,23,25, Mt.…

[Greek] σκληρός (sklēros), [Latin] durus, [Latin] validis: be hard, be difficult, be rough, be strong, be severe, be harsh, be unyielding, be stubborn; Jas 3:4, Mt.25:24,Jud. 15, Jn. 6:60, Act. 26:14, Act. 9:4 Background Information: Old Testament: This word has to…

[Greek] ‎ὑγιής (hygiēs), [Latin] sanitas, [Latin] ambulare, [Latin] restituere, [Latin] sanare: healthy, whole, sound, well, restored, sound (in doctrine); Mt.12:13, Mt.15:31, Mk.5:34, Jn. 5:6, Jn. 7:23, Tit. 2:8 Background Information: Greek Hellenism: Hygieia was the goddess/personification of health, cleanliness, and…

‎[Greek] μωραίνω (mōrainō), [Latin] sal, [Latin] stultus: to become foolish (a moron), to become tasteless, to become insipid, to act as a simpleton, to make foolish; Rom.1:22, Mt.5:13, Mt.5:22, 1Cor.1:18, 1Cor.1:20 Useless and tainted salt thrown on roads to absorb…

[Greek] θαυμάζω (thaumazō), [Latin] mirari, [Latin] timere, [Latin] stupere, [Latin] admiri: to admire, to wonder, to marvel, to amaze, to be surprised, to be astonished; Act. 7:31, Mt.9:8, Lk.4:22. Jude 16 Spectators are astonished by the speaker’s bombast, deceit, and…

‎[Greek] στερεόω (stereoō), [Latin] solido, [Latin] firmum, [Latin] perfectorum: to make firm, be strengthened, to make strong, to make solid, to receive strength; Act.3:16, Act.16:5, Act.3:7 Background Information: Old Testament: Outside the bible, this term is rarely used. The meaning…

‎[Greek] θεωρέω (theōreō), [Latin] contemplatio: to behold, to gaze, to look with purpose, to scrutinize, to be a spectator, to contemplate, to consider, to look upon, to discern, to grasp the circumstances; 61 scriptures Samson makes a “spectacle” of himself…

[Greek] ‎μετεωρίζομαι (meteōrizomai), [Latin] suspensus: to raise, to suspend, to elevate, to be uncertain, to hesitate, to be anxious, to be uncertain, to be up in the air, to be unsettled, to be distracted, to be uplifted, to be arrogant,…

[Greek] ‎κατηχέω (katēcheō), [Latin] eruditus, [Latin[ docere, [Latin] instruere, [Latin] audire, [Latin] catecizare: to teach by word of mouth, to instruct, sounding down into the ears, to catechize, to inform, to echo; Act 18:25, Rom. 2:18, 1Cor.14:19, Gal. 6:6, Lk.1:4,…

‎[Greek] σχίζω (schizō), [Latin] dividare: to split, to divide, to cleave, to tear, to sever; Mt. 27:51, Mt. 15:38, Lk. 5:36, Jn. 19:24, Jn.21:11, Act.14:4, Act.23:7, Mk. 1:10 Background information: Old Testament:  This term is predominantly used in the active…

‎[Greek] βάπτω (baptō), [French] immerger, [Latin] aspergere, [Old German] dunken: to dip, to steep, to moisten, to bathe, to stain; Lk.16:24, Jn.13:26, Rev. 19:13 Background Information: Secular history:  Blacksmiths dip the red-hot steel in water to temper it. Potters use…

‎[Greek] ἀριθμέω (arithmeō), [Latin] numare: Rev.7:9, Mt.10:30, Lk.12:7; to number, to count, to sum, to calculate Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means to count, to consider, to number, to pay, and to reckon. Primitive man could only count when…

‎[Greek] ποιητής (poiētēs), [Latin] poeta, [Latin] factor: maker, doer, producer, performer, artist, poet, author, poet; Rom. 2:13, Jas.1:22-25, Jas.4:11, Act 17:28 St. Paulinus (354-431) is the patron saint of publications, writers, and publications. Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means…

‎[Greek] συλάω (sylaō), [Latin] expoliare: to plunder, to rob, to make spoil of, to strip with impunity; 2 Cor. 11:8 Temple of Theseus: a refuge for slaves Background information: Ancient Greece: Some temples, altars, groves, and statues of the gods…

‎[Greek] ὀστράκινος (ostrakinos), [Latin] fictilis: potshard, clay, tile, earthenware, earthen vessel, shell; 2Cor.4:7, 2Tim.2:20  Pottery shards were used in voting to banish those who were perceived as threatening the stability of the state. The names of the persons to be…

[Greek]‎ ἀμοιβή (amoibē), [Latin] reddere, [French] restituer: repayment, recompense, change, requital, return, alternation; 1Tim.5:4 Background Information: New Testament: In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, words of advice are given for the care of widows. The first responsibility for their care…

‎[Greek] κουστωδία (koustōdia), [Latin] custodire, [French] garder, [French] proteger: guard, Roman sentry, watch, custody; Mt. 27:65-66, Mt. 28:11 Background Information: Roman Empire: The Roman guard consists of 4 to 16 soldiers. In battle formation, this guard would form a square…

[Greek] αἵρεσις (hairesis), [Latin] hairesis, [Latin] secta, [Latin] dissensio: faction, opinion, party, division, a choosing, sect, choice; Act. 5:17, Act, 15:5, Act.24:5,14, Act.26:5, Act.28:22, 2 Pet.2:1, 1Cor.11:17-19, Gal.5:20 Various schools of thought Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means doctrine,…

[Greek] ιπποπόταμος (hippopatmus) [Hebrew] בְּהֵמוֹת (behē·môṯ): river horse, behemoth, Job 40:15, 21-27 Background Information: The hippopotamus is considered as the Egyptian beast of the reeds. This beast, called the “Nile Horse”, was considered sacred to the Egyptian fertility gods. Hippos…

‎[Greek] τίτλος (titlos), [Latin] titulus: title, inscription, placard, writing, accusation/crime of accused; Jn.19:19-20 Santa Maria della Vittoria Church Cardinal Sean O’Malley (titular head) Background Information: Pagan Culture: This was an inscription on stone. A titulus (inscription) was a notice or…

‎[Greek] σῖτος (sitos), [Latin] frumentum: corn, grain, wheat; Act.27:38, Act.7:12, Mt.13:25,29 Grain used in sacrificial offerings in the temple Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means grain, provisions, aid, food, and allowance. Homer’s Odyssey 13.244 states “Therein grows corn beyond…

‎[Greek] κατηγορία (katēgoria), [Latin] accusare, [Latin] accusatio: accusation, charge, criminal charge, classification; Jn.18:27, 1Tim.5:19, Tit.1:6, Lk.6:7 Socrates was accused of being an atheist Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term essentially means to make a formal charge or accusation against someone…

‎[Greek] ἀποστρέφω (apostrephō), [Latin] mutare, [Latin] convertere, [Latin] tradere, [Latin] avertere:to turn away, to turn back, to put back, to avert, to return, to bring back, to pervert, to remove; Act. 3:26, Lk.23:14, Mt. 26:52, Rom. 11:26, 2 Tim. 4:4,…

‎[Greek] θησαυρίζω (thēsaurizō), [Latin] thesauros, [Latin] thesaurizare, [Latin] reponere: to store up, to lay up, to store up treasure, to keep in store, to amass, to gather up, to heap, to reserve; Mt.6:19-20, Lk.12:21,Jas.5:3,1Cor. 16:2, 2 Cor.12:14, 2 Pet. 3:7,…

‎[Greek] γυμνός (gymnos), [Latin] nudus: naked, poorly clothed, bare, without clothing; Mt.25:44, Mk.14:52, 1Cor.15:37,Jas.2:15, 2 Cor. 5:3, Heb.4:13, Jn.21:7, Rev. 17:16 The gymnasium in Pompeii Background Information: Greek culture: The gymnasium in ancient Greece functioned as a training ground or…

‎[Greek] συμποσία (symposia), [Latin] contubernium: common meal, banquet, drinking party; Mk. 6:39 Background Information: Greek/Roman culture: The Greek symposium was a Hellenistic social institution. It was a forum for men of respected families to debate, plot, boast, or simply to…

‎[Greek] συκοφαντέω (sykophanteō), [Latin] caluminiari: to make false charges, to accuse fraudulently, to exhort; Lk. 3:14, Lk.19:8 Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means to denounce, to accuse, to bring false charges against, to cheat, to inform, to blackmail, and…

‎[Greek] σεισμός (seismos), [Latin] motus: earthquake, storm, tempest, commotion, shaking, disaster; Mt.8:24,Mt. 24:7,Mt.27:54, Mk.13:8, Lk.21:11, Act. 16:26,36 Moses and the Hebrews at Mt. Sinai Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means shaking, shock, earthquake, agitation, and commotion. Euripides’ Heracles 862…

‎‎[Greek] διαβάλλω (diaballō), [Latin] diffamari:to bring charges against, to accuse, to defame, to malign, to separate; Lk.16:1 Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means to throw, to discredit, to attack, to accuse, to misrepresent, and to set against. Antiphon’s First…

‎[Greek] παρθένος (parthenos),[Latin] virgo: virgin, a chaste person, an unmarried person, one who has had no sexual relations; Mt.1:23, Lk. 1:27, Act.21:9, 1Cor.7:25, 2Cor.11:2, Mt.1:16, Rev.114:4 The Parthenon Background Information: Greek culture: The Parthenon was a temple dedicated to the…

‎[Greek] διακονέω (diakoneō), [Latin] ministrare, [Latin] adminstrare, [French] servir: be an attendant, wait at table, to serve, respond to the needs of the people, to distribute, to minister, to provide for; Mt. 20:28, Mt.25:44-45, 1Tim.3:10, Act.6:2, Rom.16:1 The Ordination of…

‎[Greek] σεληνιάζομαι (selēniazomai), [Latin] lunaticus: to be “moon struck”, be epileptic; Mt.4:24,Mt.17:15 Background Information: New Testament: Jesus was proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and curing every disease and illness among the people. A man brought is epileptic son to…

‎[Greek] μαθητεύω (mathēteuō), [Latin] doctus, [Latin] discipilus, [Latin] docere: to become a pupil/disciple, to make a disciple, to teach someone, to follow instructions of another, be a committed student/apprentice ; Mt. 27:57, Act.14:21, Mt.28:19, Mt.13:52 Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher, is…

Greek] ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus), [Latin] pontifex maximus: a high priest, a chief priest, a leader, a ruler; Mt.26:3, Act. 4:1, Heb.10:11, Heb. 7:24-26, Mk.11:18 Background Information: Roman Empire: The emperor was called the pontifex maximus (chief ruler). The emperor was head…

[Greek] μυστήριον (mystērion), [Latin] sacramentum: mystery, secret, work, something hiddenMk.4:11,Rom.11:25, Rom.16:25,1Cor. 2:11, 1Cor.4:1,1Cor.13:2,1Cor.14:2,1Cor.15:51, Eph.1:9, Eph.6:19, Col. 1:26, Col. 2:2, 2Thess.2:7, 1Tim.2:7,1Tim.3:9, Rev.17:5 Roman soldiers making an oath Background Information: Old Testament: It is only interesting to note that a covenant…

‎[Greek] ἱστορέω (historeō), [Latin] videre, [French] voir, [German] sehen: to investigate, become acquainted with, to inquire about, to visit for information, to find history, to interview, to ask a question; Gal.1:18, Act. 17:23 St. Peter and St. Paul: painting by…

‎[Greek] βάρβαρος (barbaros): foreigner, barbarian, rude and harsh, ignorant, uncouth, uncivilized, who does not speak Greek, who does not speak Latin; Rom.1:14, 1Cor.14:11, Act.28:2, Col. 3:11  The Greeks fighting barbarians Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means barbarous, foreign, brutal,…

‎[Greek] οἰκουμένη (oikoumenē), [Latin] orbe: world, inhabited earth, all over the world; Lk.4:5, Rom. 10:18, Act.11:28, Act.17:6, Act. 24:5, Lk.2:1, Lk. 21:26, Act. 17:31, Rev.3:10, Rev. 12:9 Oikoumene: The Greek World Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means inhabited region,…

‎[Greek] σκάνδαλον (skandalon), [Latin] offensio, [Latin] scandalus:a trap, a scandal, a snare, an obstacle, an obstacle to faith, something that arouses anger or rejection, cause for stumbling, stumbling block; Rom. 11:9, Mt. 13:41, 1Cor. 1:23, Gal. 5:11     Background…

‎[Greek] ἐπισκοπή (episkopē), [Latin] vistatio, [Latin] episcopatum: an overseeing, a visitation, a looking upon, office of an overseer   This is related to episkopos (bishop); Lk. 19:44, 1 Pet.2:12, 1 Tim.3:1, Act.1:20 Background Information: Old Testament: This term means visit, a…

‎[Greek] παροικέω (paroikeō), [Latin] non cognoscere: to dwell (oikeo) beside (para-), be a sojourner, reside as a foreigner, to settle; Lk. 24:18, Heb. 11:9 Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means to dwell beside, to be a resident alien, to…

‎[Greek] βασιλικός (basilikos), [Latin] regis: royal official, nobleman, robes, law, royal country; Jn. 4:46,49, Act.12:20-21, Jas. 2:8 Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means kingly, ruling, authority, decree, and royal hall. Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound 869 states “She it is who…

[Greek] καθέδρα (kathedra), [Latin] sedere, [Latin] cathedra: chair, seat, bench, seat of authority (representing the synagogue chair which symbolized the origin and authority of their teaching; Mt. 21:12, Mk. 11:15, Mt.23:2 Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means seat, chair,…

‎[Greek] λειτουργός (leitourgos), [Latin] ministrum: servant, minister, soldier, administrator, public servant in government; Rom.13:6, Rom. 15:15-16, Phill. 2:25, Heb. 1:7, Heb. 8:1-2  Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means public servant, workman, minister, acolyte, sacrificial attendant. Polybius’ Histories 3.93.5 states…

‎[Greek] σχολή (scholē): school, a lecture hall, place for leisure; Acts 19:8-9   Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means leisure, rest, enjoyment, discussion, lecture, school, learning, and office. Plato’s Apology 36d states “Now what is fitting for a poor…

[Latin] Ecclesia Domestica: House Church, domestic church; Acts 2:42,46 Background: At this time, Christianity, as a practicing religion, was still against the law.  The Christians gathered in their homes.  This was the place of assembly, worship, prayer, and the celebration…

‎[Greek] ἀγών (agōn), [Latin] sollicitudo:fight, struggle, agony, opposition, foot race; Php.1:30, Col.2:1, 1Thess.2:2, 1Tim.6:12, 2 Tim.4:7, Heb. 12:1 Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means contest, stadium, debate, conflict, and games. Sophocles’ Electra 686 states “When he had finished the…

‎[Greek] τροπή (tropē), [Latin] trophaeum: a turning, trophy, revolution, or change; Jas 1:17 Trophaeum Traiani. In 102 A.D. the Roman emperor Trajan erected a monument commemorating the victory (turning point) over the Dacians. Background Information: Greek Hellenism: This term means…

[Greek] βιβλίον (biblion), [Latin] liber: book, scroll, writing; Mt.19:7, Mk.10:4, Lk.4:17,20, Jn.20:30, Jn.21:25, Gal.3:10, 2Tim.4:13, Heb.9:19, Heb.10:7, multiple Rev. scriptures Background Information: Byblos: This was the ancient Phoencian port city of Gebal on the Mediterranean sea in what is, today,…

‎[Greek] ἀπολογία (apologia), [Latin] defensio, [Latin] ratio, [Latin] defendere: defense, vindication, apology, explanation, justification; Act25:16, 2Cor 7:11,Phil 1:7,16,2 Tim 4:16,1 Pet 3:15 Justin Martyr (born 100 A.D.) is perhaps one of greatest apologists (defenders) of the Catholic faith. Background information:…

[Greek] ἄθεος (atheos), [Latin] sine Deo: without God, ungodly, godless; Eph2:12 Modernism is a synthesis of all heresies. One’s human reason and religious sense only comes from one’s subconsciousness and lived experiences. Anything that suggests God and the divine must…

[Greek] δόσις (dosis), [Latin] donum, [Latin] datum, [Old Norse] gift: activity of giving, a gift, thing given; Phil 4:15,Mt.6:1-3,Jas.1:17 Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means gift, contribution, permission, bequest, legacy, portion, dose, and fate. Plato’s Euthypro 14c states “What…

κλείς (kleis), [Latin] clavis: keys: Mt16:19, Lk11:52, Mt 23:13, Rev 1:18 Background information: Greek Hellenism: This term means key, catch, door bolt, solution, collar bone, straight, and rowing bench. Euripides’ Medea states “Themis, goddess of oaths, brought her to Hellas…

[Greek] εἰδωλολάτρης (eidōlolatrēs), [Latin] paganus, [Latin] idolum, [Latin] serverus idola (server of idols): idolater, pagan, idol worshiper, servant; 1Cor5:10-11, Cor6:9, Eph5:5, Rev21:8, Rev22:15 A local villager (paganus) Background Information: Ancient World: A pagus denotes a specific demarcation of rural land.…

[Greek] ‎εἰσάγω (eisagō), [Latin] inducere, [Latin] introducere, [Latin] conprehendere: to bring in, to spin, introduce, carry in, lead into; Lk 22:54, Jn 18:16,Act 9:8, Act21:28-29,Act 22:24,Lk2:27,Lk 14:21,Act 7:45, Heb 1:6 Eisagogies were magistrates who brought in legal cases before arbitrators…

I wanted to take this opportunity to explore the basic methods that we can view scripture. These two methods are called exegesis and eisegesis. These two terms provide differing approaches to understanding scripture. Exegesis comes from the Greek word exago,…