In the Greek . . .

Homosexuality is just not that special . . .

2012-01-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

In the Greek, homosexuality is just another sexual perversion, of which there are many. In American culture, homosexuals have been elevated to a separate class of persons. We can not discriminate on the basis of: race, religion, gender, nationality, handicap, and now . . . sexual orientation, as if to say that homosexuals are in a separate category, a class of their own - like someone in a wheelchair.

This was not the case in ancient Greece and is reflected in the ancient writings. The New Testament does not give homosexuality such distinction or classification. In fact, it is not distinguished at all; it is lumped in with all other perversions of God's way.

In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 we read:

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God."

First of all, the word translated as "homosexual" in the above passage is "ἀρσενοκοίτης" or "arsenocoitus". It is a compound word composed of arren and koite. Arren means male, and koite means coitus (sexual intercourse). Thus, arsenocoitus means "male-intercourse". Effeminate refers to the catamite, a boy kept for sexual relations with a man. These were common practices throughout Greece.

Married men would visit prostitutes, male, female, or young boy. This shocks us down to our puritanical boots, but that's just the way it was in antiquity. I should add that, even today in modern Greece, heterosexual men will on occasion seek sex with other men; it is for their own pleasure and gratification. Americans can not relate to this; nevertheless, never was a male-on-male sexual relationship distinguished as a special case until recent years.

In Paul's letter, the list of sins does not give any special treatment to male-on-male sex. The chapter is on sanctification and how God's people are to come out of worldly behavior because they have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (verse 11).

At this point we might ask, how can anyone derive sexual pleasure by having sex with a child? Though our culture is accepting of homosexuality, it writhes at pedophilia. Not so in ancient cultures.

Our sexual preferences are culturally developed. In some cultures, men are attracted to obese women; in other cultures, thin is in. Heterosexual men in Greece found pleasure in having sex with boys and other men, in addition to female prostitutes. Because this is unacceptable in Western culture, we appease our collective conscience by creating a separate category of people called "gay".

In Paul's first letter to the church in Thessaloniki (also in Greece), he instructs,

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification." 1 Thes. 4:3-7

In the passage exorting the Christian to lead a sexually pure life, men are encouraged not to "defraud their brother"; in the Greek this word (defraud) means to cross the boundary and take advantage of your brother. The topic is sexual purity.

Homosexual relations are not "special". They are just another form of sexual perversion! We can not allow the culture to define our morality. The child of God has clear guidance on all topics in the word of God, the Holy Bible.

Self Control Means "In His Dominion"

2011-12-22T06:36:00.000-08:00

We read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23,23. One attribute of this fruit is "self-control". In English, it sounds like self is doing the control. In the Greek this word is "enkratia" which, when broken down to its parts of "en" and "kratia", literally means "in + His Dominion". It's God-control. It's not really self that's doing the controlling, though it is up to us to obey Him.

Not to be too nit-picky, but sometimes analyzing the original word helps us apply it to our lives. In this case, understanding that our spirits are to be submitted and governed by the Holy Spirit at all times helps our understanding of Who is doing the controlling. This may help us from being stiff, religious, or legalistic in our walk. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!

I Exist Means Under Him I Rule and Reign

2011-09-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

In the Greek, "I exist" means "under His Lordship, I rule and reign". It's so much more than just "existing".

In the Greek the word for 'I exist' is 'υπάρχω' (hyparcho). It is made up of two parts: hypo and archo.

Uπό (hypo) is positional, it means under: in this case, under Christ. And aρχω (archo) means to rule and reign. Therefore, under Christ, we rule and reign.

God has given us so much in Christ, it is up to us to stay under his rulership and, from that position, rule in this life.

Comfort is Myth

2011-08-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

In the Greek, the word for comfort or console, as used in John 11:19,31, is παραμυθέομαι (paramytheomai). Paramythi means fairy tale. Paramytheomai is a combination of two words: para which means from, and myth which means myth. Consolation is from-myth.

The New Testament Greek teaches us that stories that console us might be fictional and need to be examined for their truthfulness. Especially when the consolers are hostile towards Jesus. Let's examine one such instance in John 11:1-45.

The chapter tells us that the people in Judea were hostile towards Jesus (verse 8). They wanted to stone Him. In fact when Jesus resolved to press on towards Judea, Doubting Thomas resigned, "Fine, let us also go, that we may die with him." (verse 16).

These same hostile Jews were consoling Mary and Martha after the death of Lazarus.

We can only imagine what they might have been saying. "It's ok; Jesus didn't come in time, but we're here for you. He could have prevented this tragedy, but I guess He was too busy."

Whatever words these people were using, Mary and Martha were polluted by the consolation as evidenced by their response to Jesus when He did arrive.

Martha said, "If You would have been here, my brother would not have died." (verse 21). She was blaming Jesus for Lazarus' death.

Mary met Jesus separately and also stated the same exact sentiment, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." (verse 32).

I wonder where they got this sentiment. Did the consoling Jews wear them down?

We must consider the stories we use to console ourselves and others.

Are the stories we take comfort in based on fact or fiction? Is our comfort coming from the Comforter, whose job it is to lead us into a deeper revelation of the Gospel? Or is our comfort coming from myths, comfortable substitutes for the truth?

Whenever we make a decision to draw near to Christ, a familiar spirit (something comfortable and consoling) will try to prevent us from going forward. "You don't need to go to church; they're all a bunch of hypocrites anyway."

Or, whatever the consoling myth might be.

Coming into a deeper level of truth always requires that we step beyond our comfort zone.

James 1:2 says, "Lead on with joy!"

2011-05-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

In the Greek, James 1:2 says, “Lead on with joy my brothers!”

James was advising leaders how to deal with trials, and we should take a lesson as well. Anyone involved in ministry will be opposed. Let’s face it: the devil hates humanity and is out to destroy it anyway he can. When anyone decides to spread the good news of our salvation in Christ, that person will be opposed by demonic forces. How do we cope?

James, the brother of Jesus, instructs us to use joy as a weapon; to take it up, and lead on. Here it is in the Greek:

Πᾶσαν χαρὰν ἡγήσασθε ἀδελφοί μου ὅταν πειρασμοῖς περιπέσητε ποικίλοις
With all joy lead on my brothers when various trials encompass you.

As ministers of the Gospel, we must learn to apply joy to the situation in order to survive the ministry any length of time. Joy will secure the longevity of our ministry. Or so it says . . . in the Greek in James 1:2

There are Two Gripping Forces

2011-04-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

Believers in Christ are in the Grip of God's Glory. Unbelievers are in the Grip of this dark age.

In the original Greek text of the New Testament, we see two gripping forces. One is the Glory of God, and the other belongs to the darkness. Both are captivating; both are gripping.

In Colossians 1:11 we are told that believers are gripped by His Glory. In Ephesians 6:12 we are told that our struggle is against forces of darkness that have gripped the world. Here is a breakdown of the verses, KJV, Greek, and Literal:

Colossians 1:11
KJV "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,"
Greek "ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει δυναμούμενοι κατὰ τὸ κράτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ"
Literal "Fully empowered by the Grip of His Glory"

"Grip of His Glory" = "κράτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ"

Ephesians 6:12
KJV " . . . we wrestle . . . against the rulers of the darkness of this world,"
Greek " . . . ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη . . . πρὸς τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου"
Literal " . . . we wrestle . . . against the world-grippers of this dark age"

"World-grippers of this dark age = κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου"

Whose grip are you in? What grips you? The World or the Glory of God?

Authority means "Out of His Essense"

2011-04-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

Authority and power in Greek mean "out of his essence" and "out of I am".

The word power and authority in Greek is ἐξουσία "exousia".

It is used in Matthew 28:18 when Jesus said, "All authority (exousia) has been given to me in heaven and on earth."

It is used in Luke 9:1 when Jesus called the twelve together and gave them all power and authority over all demons and to cure deseases.

So, this "exousia" was given to Jesus and then to his followers.

In the Greek exousia means "out of His essence" and "out of I am". That means that Jesus and his followers have been given the very essence of God.

We have been given the very essence and substance of God, out of I Am, and this we are to use against demons and to cure deseases.

You Are God's Poem in Christ Jesus

2011-03-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

In the Greek, Ephesians 2:10 reads as follows:

For we are His poem (poiema) built into Christ Jesus . . .

God's workmanship is God's poetry.

The same word is used in Genesis 1:1 for "created" in the Greek Bible.

There's a lot that goes into Creation. It's God's Poetry.

Oh and Genesis is a Greek word, by the way, meaning "birth".

Dwell Means "Build Your Reality On"

2011-01-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

The word "dwell" in Philippians 4:8 is "logisome". This is an accounting term; the term deals with money and accounts, with what is really there in your bank account.

If I "logisome" that I have $100 in my bank account, I have $100 in my bank account. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word deals with reality.

It seems that, to a certain extent, we control our own reality, and God wants us to use these things (in Philippians 4:8) as the building blocks of our reality. He wants us to build our life on these things.

"Logisome" is where we get "logistics", the handling of an operation and its personel. When it comes to our relationships with others, it would really help if we reckoned as true only those things which are good about them!

Another way to explain "logisome" is: count on, bank on, reckon as true, make your world out of these things: whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent, worthy of praise, and of a good report. Here is the verse from the Bible:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, "logisome" on these things.

Corruption, slander, and the devil . . .

2010-10-28T18:04:00.000-07:00

. . . all come from the same word: diaballo.

Corruption (moral and physical decomposition) is what it's called in the Scriptures. In today's vernacular we call it decay. It's when things rot. In Greek it comes from the word "diaballo".

The word "slander" and the word "devil" also come from the same word in Greek: "diaballo".

All of those things: decay, slander, and the devil are inseparable and came in at the same time, at the Fall. Redemption from decay, slander, and the devil was provided by the Father in Christ.

This Post Is Not about Greek at All

2010-08-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

The reason why 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 is between Chapters 12 & 14 just dropped out of the Sky today; it was crystal clear to me. Over time I have come to know this as the Voice of the Lord. This crisp "aha" moment that just explains everything.

I always thought Chapter 13 was so boring sandwiched inbetween those super exciting Chapters, 12 & 14. Chapters 12 & 14 deal with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, miracles, healings, tongues, prophecy, all the good stuff. I've been a participant in that excitement for years now; but sadly, I haven't seen it impact the lost. What's missing?

The Love! If we serve up the gifts on a vehicle of love, we will win every time! Who can refuse Love? Who will make fun of you after they feel the Love of God coming out of you towards them? Not too many people.

We will succeed in our attepts to evangelize the world when we use the Gifts of the Spirit in the Love of God. And that's why Chapter 13 sits between 12 &14. Love is the proper administrator of the supernatural and needs to sit between the Body and the Gifts as umpire.

Love you guys xxxooo

The Devil is the Source of all Pain

2010-06-25T04:02:00.000-07:00

In the Greek the word for the evil one is "Poneiros"; it comes from the word "ponos" which is "pain". In the Greek the word for the devil is "the one who causes pain".

Literally, " the one who: presses and harasses by labours, annoyances, hardships, and pain." He is literally the source of all pain in all of its forms, psychological, spiritual and physical.

In contrast, Jesus tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light and that we must come to Him and learn of Him in order to benefit from God's deliverance (Matthew 11:28-30).

Though life brings hardships by default, God brings relief through seeking Him.

James 1:23, 24 implies that . . .

2010-05-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

. . . when you look at your face in the mirror, you see God, indirectly. By examining three key words in the passage, we see this perspective;

"If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man that looked at God and forgot about Him." ! Let's look at the passage:

In KJV we read these words, " . . . if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was."

The key words to this passage:

Beholding is ka ta no e' o, which means perceiving something with understanding.

Natural is ge' ne sis, which means all the genetics that went into the making of you. A full profile of all that is you, naturally, from the beginning of humanity. Basically, that you are composed of a unique collection and combination of genetics, and that they are all exhibited on your face.

Face is pro' so po, which means the index of inward thoughts and feelings, a place where all your inward parts are exhibited.

When you look at your face, you're seeing all the proof you need for the existence of God. Furthermore, you get a glimpse of all that went into the making of your being from the beginning of creation.

Basically, we should all be looking at our faces and worshipping God.

But, when we look at our faces and walk away from that experience, not giving God the glory, we're walking blindly. We are created by God, for God, and we will be giving an account to God. This revelation is completely liberating - from the world that is.

This is both liberating and constraining for us in practice. Liberating from all the heavy yokes and meaningless mandates that this world puts upon us, and constraining in only one way: that we walk in the fear of God and in the obedience of His Word.

Shields and Doors

2010-03-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

In the Greek, the word for shield (thyreos) comes from the word for door (thyra). Shields are doors and doors are shields. How can a door be a shield?

A door leads you down a path, and walking on a certain path keeps you (or shields you) from other paths. Walking down a path of darkness will deflect the light of God from entering into you, and walking down the path of God will deflect the darkness from entering into you.

The question is: which path are you walking and which path are you deflecting? This works for both sides of the battle, both kingdoms, light and darkness.

Ephesians 6:16 says, "Above all, taking the shield (or door) of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." So faith deflects the wicked one's agenda for your life.

The dark application: "with the shield of doubt you quench the word of God."

Doubt undoes what God is trying to say to you. The serpent threw doubt on what God had said in the Garden; did God really say that? Genesis 3:1. Man was undone, defeated by doubting God's word.

Faith is a door that helps you on your path with God. Doubt is a door that leads you away from God.

Faith in God's word deflects wicked. Doubt in God's word deflects God. Shields are doors and doors are shields on both sides of the battle.

Which shield are you taking up?

. . . we are eternal beings within An Eternal Being.

2009-12-06T08:25:00.000-08:00

In John 8:58, Jesus calls Himself "I Am" (Eimi). I Am is the name of God in the Hebrew Scriptures (Exodus 3:14). He exists eternally, in the present tense forever. In grammar, "I am" is called the first person singular of the verb "to be".

In Acts 17:28 we read, "In Him we live and move and have our being;". What is translated as "have our being", in the Greek it is "Esmen" which means "we are". In grammar, "we are" is called the first person plural of the verb "to be". In Greek it is easy to conclude that, "In I AM. . . we are". We are eternal beings in existence within An Eternal Being.

In the Greek, Acts 17:28 is making the point that we are a plurality of eternal beings which have our existence within A Greater Singular Eternal Being. Made in the image of God, we too are eternal beings, like God, just smaller and a part of a plurality.

. . . the Son of God appeared for this purpose,

2009-12-05T14:28:00.000-08:00

1 John 3:8 says, "The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil."

The word translated as destroy here is lyo. In the Greek lyo means untie or undo.

Jesus is constantly undoing the works of the devil in our lives, untying us and setting us free.

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Corinthians 3:17

. . . anxiety means distraction.

2009-12-04T14:59:00.000-08:00

1 Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." The Greek word translated as care or anxiety here is merimna, which means, distraction.

What we consider a worry, care, or anxiety, God considers a distraction! Let's view things from God's perspective and be free!

"If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31,32