Why the Bible is A Classic

Why the Bible is A Classic
and why a Classicist posts a Greek Testament Bible Study on weekends

Yes the Bible is a "Classic"
Yes I know its an anthology that evolved over many centuries however like it or not it is a foundational classic of Western Culture.

It, like many other classics, Homer, Aristotle, Sophocles, Ovid, Virgil, Dante, Shakespeare, has influenced philosophers poets painters theologians and politicians.

As a Classicist I love being able to read the Greek New Testament for several reasons:

Not all of them religious!

Insight into how Greek was used in writing and speech by people using it as a second language.

Politics
being able to spot when some one goes but the bible says and they're using a bad translation or misquoting both the original and their preferred translation

Art
giving me verses to use for digital typography

The second reason is my main motivation for shifting towards weekend bible study posts. I have had the privilege of studying Greek and felt an obligation maybe even a calling to share that knowledge of Greek and Ancient History with others.

If you have been or become a follower you'll notice I keep interpretation to the minimal. Yes I could score more followers starting theological arguments but evidence comes first. It may not be exciting but making it easier for people to understand where and why translations differ is an ethical obligation.

Also Evidence comes first and in this case the evidence artifact and data is text!

As Paul says Panta Dokimazei Test everything

The verb he used could also be translated as assay test examine !

I hope my posts have provided some helpful insights but people please some feedback?!

Thank You

I did not know you!

#gospel #biblestudy #whatjesusaid #greeknewtestament

Matthew Chapter 7 21-23

Paraphrase and notes first

Not all who say to me Lord! Lord! will enter into the realm of the heavens

note eiseleusetai erkhomai future stem eleuso

but he who the will of the father mine in the heavens (will)

many will say ero future of lego to me in (during / on) that day Lord Lord
not in the your name / in your note did we not prophetize
and by / in your name demons cast out
and ny your name works of power many do ?

and then I will declare / state / to them

Never I knew you!

Get away from me
those working lawlessness

note not merely sinners but people who claim and think they are doing things in the name of the divine but actually work against divine law !

Anomia is the final word in greek and if there was such a word in english you could translate it as UNLAW ?

And what is the LAW ?

remember Jesus said the Law could be summed up as
Love the Divine and love your neighbour!

The Narrow Gate Matthew 7: 13 - 14

#gospel gospelofmatthew #biblestudy

Matthew Chapter 7 Verses 113 -14

First a literal translation.

Verse 13

into + enter compound verb thru the narrow gate for wide the gate and open the way away+leading compound verb into destruction and many are those who intogo thru it.

Note how Greek uses compound verbs where we might use prepositions in English. I have used OPEN to translate eurukhoora rather than easy because the word means wide open and I choose to stress the contrast between narrow and wide .

Leads the word used  in most English translations omits the sense of diversion of being diverted from the right path of the Greek verb apo+ago.

Verse 14

for narrow the gate and "pressing" the road leading into life
and few they are those who find it.

Greek uses a Perfect Passive participle tethlimmenee from the verb thliboo.

This isnt just press as if you are ironing or opening a door. Its oppressive distressing pressure!

There is legend that this is a reference to a gate at Jerusalem so narrow only one person at a time could use it so there's  humor and irony in this verse as well as a message.

Don't look for the easy path. Don't get diverted onto the wrong way.

Hallowed be your name

I'v been thinking about Matthew 6: 9

   HALLOWED BE THE NAME OF YOU

   Hallowed be holy.  Hagiasthoo. Make Sacred.

Its a command to respect and KEEP on respecting the Holy Name.

the stem of this *Hag is related distantly to English AWE which was spelt in a g in the Middle Ages and Gothic has a word agis. Note also Latin Sacer *SAK.

So the Divine is awesome! We know that or should? How do we show it?

Ritual Prayer Forgiveness of others Action COMPASSION

Remember jesus ends this section after moving onto the topic of fasting by reminding us about forgiveness an ACTION?

At the VERY least try to refrain from any outbreaks of obscenity or oath taking and breaking that "Disses" the Holy Name?

HOW TO PRAY

HOW TO PRAY like THIS according to 

Matthew 6: 9 - 13

So like this you pray

father ours who in the heavens (is)

make holy the name you

let come the realm of you

let become the will of you

as in the heaven and (also) upon earth

the bread for us necessary for this day give to us this day

and let go release us the debts of us

as and we release the debts of those who owe us

and not lead us into testing

but deliver us away from evil /wretchedness/being in a bad condition / place.

Note again the AORIST IMPERATIVES a verb form we don't have in ENGLISH!

We are not merely wishing or approving but asking that God's name be made holy,

that the realm of god comes, let the divine will happen,

that we have our daily essential needs, NOT luxuries,

and that if we want our debt of sin forgiven we likewise must forgive others.

This is further emphasized by verse 14.

The word used for sin is literally a falling or flying away!

Sin separates us from the Divine. Forgiveness is an action.

But not just our sins others too.

We must be concerned about others not just ourselves.

Don't bargain with God, pray for what is right and good to happen?

A short note on formatting. Since I don't know if you're reading this on a desktop monitor, a laptop, a PC Windows tablet, an Ipad or mobile. I sometimes move long clauses and sentences onto new lines. I hope that helps if you have a small screen?  

There are things that help apart from prayer.

My budget and savings account are covering the food and utility bills so far but I'm between jobs at the amount so a little support would be appreciated. If you're doing better than me money wise and have found any of the info or insights into Greek in this blog helpful ... paypal tip jar top right ? It would be both good and helpful if I finally earned enuff from Adsense or Paypal to least cover my wifi broadband costs ? 

Jesus on Prayer Part One Keep it in your room!

Matthew 6: 5- 6

(I'll be commenting in that whole section on prayer over several posts)

first the word for word word translation from the UBS Greek text

and when(ever) you pray, not will be (esesthe from esomai) like the hypocrites,

that love on the syngogues and in the corners of the streets ( plateia wide broad main streets)

standing (note perfect participle of histeemi) to pray (infinitive)

so that they should be seen by all people (phavoosin Aorist Subjunctive of phainoo)

Note Phainoo not just be seen but be conspicious !

Truly I say to you, they receive their reward.

You and (note the de links this to the sentence with kai) whenever you pray go into your room

(a tameion is basically an enclosed space it could be a closet store room bedroom or any room with a door that closes it off) and having closed the door of yours pray to the father of you in secret. And the father of you who is seeing in the secret gives to you.

There are several forms of the verb προσεύχομαι in this passage to note.

Another aspect is the emphasis on privacy?

Is public prayer a good idea? Is private prayer better?

Some believe public prayer as a form of protest or to open a ceremony is valid but perhaps the issue here is purpose? Again a reminder not to vaunt righteousness?

Middle week I continue my series on Iconography and the relationship of pagan to Christian art.

Next weekend repetition of prayers when is it a valid practice? 

NO TRUMPETS!

No Trumpets! Matthew 6: 2 – 4 Jesus on How to give.

Literal translation

When(ever) therefor you make (aorist subjunctive in greek) almsgving,

not you will trumpeting before you, like the pretenders (actors) making

in the assemblies ( synagoogee means a place of meeting) and the streets,

so that they (aorist passive subjunctive) should be glorified by the people.

Truly I say to you they receive their reward (apoekhoo have back).

You conjunction while making almsgiving not (let) know (gnootoo is aorist imperative)

the left (hand) of you what makes the right (hand) of you.

So that it should be (aorist subjunctive) the almsgiving in the

kruptos means secret private hidden Greek uses a definite article

where we would not in English or use an adverb.

And the Father of you (who is) seeing (blepoon is a participle) in the secret

will payback / reward you.

This is one of those sections where Greek syntax varies from English though the meaning is straightforward.

Don't use Acts of Charity for Self Promo.

I think its okay if you mention you tithe or will be donating if you think that will encourage some one else to donate too or buy a product that does help a cause but even in that situation don't let the promotion become self promotion. Don't sound your trumpet!

A salipigs was more shaped more like a horn than a modern trumpet.

The word hupokritees originally meant actor or pretender.

Matthew 6:1 Justice and Giving

Matthew 6: 1 Justice and Giving.

This is one of those verses that really demonstrate why its important to think about the Greek version. Compare this verse and the following section also to Matthew 23:5

Here's the original version in Greek:

Προσέχετε τὴν δικαιοσύνην ὑμῶν μὴ ποιεῖν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι αὐτοῖς.

εἰ δὲ μή γε, μισθὸν οὐκ ἔχετε παρὰ τῷ πατρὶ ὑμῶν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

Beware or take heed Προσέχω the righteousness of yours not make before people to be seen Aorist Infinitive Passive of θεάομαι by them dative agent

if and / but not !!! reward not yours from the father of yours the one in the heavens

Now if you own more than one Bible or have access to them online or in a library compare the RSV to the NJV, the KJV or EV Rieu's 4 gospels, or the Douai translations.

EEK one says virtues another piety yet another charitable deeds an another alms.

Yet the Greek says righteousness and the Latin uses Attendite Iustitiam!

Now the next 3 verses talk about alms so how does righteousness of public actions go with alms giving? Almsgiving is an action what we would call donating to charity.

Righteous actions in front of others made to be seen could be things like say a politician who only visits a veterans' or other public or chairty hospital or clinic when an election is due or the media will be there and NEVER visits or donates at any OTHER time. Another example might be only donating to a charity because its popular or trendy or attending a charitable fund raiser and ignoring other charities also in need of help? A third example could be someone “volunteering” simply to get out of doing something at home or for a relative or to fulfil a business or welfare requirement and doing a half hearted barely adequate job.

Why do I offer those examples. Note which verb of seeing is used of the several used in Greek.

Θεάομαι the stem of this verb is also used to make words like theatre and spectacle or show.

Its not just being seen by others its making a show that draws attention for personal benefit?

When was the last time you saw a politician or celebrity sneak into say a soup kitchen the back way and beg people to turn off their phones so he or she could get on with cooking or cleaning without the media being aware. It does sometimes happen but not often?

Charity isn't about you being seen to do the right thing it's doing the right just thing.

Love your Neighbour and do not Hate!

Matthew 5. 43 – 48

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOURS KIN AND ENEMIES

Jesus asks us not to hate μισέω but (44) to love ἀγαπη our enemies.

I but say to you love ἀγαπᾶτε (note imperative form) the enemies of yours kai pray for them (hyper means for rather than over here) and not it is literally pray for those who hunt you for διωκω is to hunt prey and persecute a later meaning taken from the Greeks using this verb is also mean accuse in a court case to hunt someone to justice!

An ἐχθρός is the person you hate or loathe not merely dislike or are uncomfortable with. They may or may not feel the same way about you. Whatever the situation and however mutual the feeling and whatever degree hate is something to avoid.

45 Note the idea of benevolent behaviour towards the good and the evil the sun rises a natural process and rain comes a blessing to all. Are we, can we, make prayer a natural process, as inherent say as breathing? Easily said than done?

A language note ἀνατέλλει is one of those verbs which has a double ll in the present and a single elsewhere and is to related to ἀνατολη, the east, the direction of the sun rise and hence the origin of Anatolia, the area we know call Turkey.

46. if for you love those who love why why reward has? No indedd and the tax collections the selfsame thing do?

It's easy to love those who love back but even the reviled tax collectors could do that.

Telooonai were what we might currently call independent contractors. They collected various revenues taxes fees and data for assessing taxes for the Roman Empire but it was an outsourced role. They were not actually government employes or civil servants and since they earnt their profit as part of the tax … the role was open to corruption. Not a popular job!

47 and if you salute / greet respectfully your brothers and kin only what / how is (that) better no indeed the Nations (Gentiles used the way a Roman or Greek meant use barbarian) the same thing do!

Perhaps you have had the experience of making someone who's a perfect gentleman at home but a hoon or a thug to their neighbours or any one who's not a close relative?

Its not just enough to love your relatives or neighbours we are called on to love more widely.

48. you are to become therefore perfect as / like god is

τελειος isn't an end state its a process of achieving and maintaining a state of entireness completion fullness. It may be an end state but also a process. Why do I stress this. Consider the Greek perfect tense and which word the Greek grammarians used to describe it. Process leads to results.

Transcending hate is hard work but brings us closer to the divine?

Time for prayer.

Matthew 5: 42

τῷ αἰτοῦντί σε δός

To those who ask you GIVE!

My favorite part of last week's study.

Vows and Oaths

Oaths Vows and Promises Matthew 5: 33 – 37

Word for word …

“ Again you have heard that it was said to the ancients

Not you swear falsely / break an oath give back but / rather to the Lord (what you promised) the vows of you ….

(See Lev 19:12 Numbers 30:2 and Deut. 19:21 )

I but say to you (plural) not to swear / vow wholly (translate holoos as at all entirely completely neither (by what is ) in the heaven that the throne is of god nor by the earth that footstool is of the feet his nor (by what is in) Jerusalem that city is of great king nor by your head shall you swear that not being able one hair white or black to make let be but the word of yours Yes Yes (or) No No what but more (than) these things out of evil is.

Note in Greek the Dative Agent and the command not swear vows and sacred oaths by heaven earth the Holy City or your own head or self.

Hoti could and has been translated as because instead of that here is it is being used to link a string of clauses rather than indirect statements

To make an oath is to declare a contract to do something.

Better to simply say you will or will not do something.

Epiorkeeseis to break an oath horkos a masculine noun apodooseis give back pay return

note also two forms of the verb omnuoo promise vow swear aorist infinitive omosai and omoseeis

more here is not mallon but perisson which can have the sense of going OVER a limit.

Excuse me not typing the Greek but this blog is behind schedule due to me breaking my right arm and while I can type with one finger and my left hand I'm still getting some pain from the arm.

See the post before or after this How to support metousia !  

Some Necessary bumping for Metousia

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Valentine's Day and Love

Its Sunday but I'm sure some of you are still celebrating Valentine's Day especially if you had to work on Friday and couldn't get together with your loved ones.

Some people say Valentine's day isn't just about romance anymore but should be used as an opportunity to show people you care about them.

Mmm isn't that Christmas or something you should strive to do ALL year around?

One of the most important verses in the bible about Love finishes 1 Corinthians 13.

νυνί δὲ μένει πίστις ἐλπίς ἀγάπη τὰ τρία ταῦτα

μείζων δὲ τούτων ἡ ἀγάπη

now and abides faith hope love these three things

and greater of these (3 is) love

Language notes

the iota added to now is for emphasis

Greek allows some conjunctives to go after the first word of a clause

Paul uses the comparative of μεγαnot a superlative he wants us to think of all three as linked

Now go and read the whole of 1 Cor 13 and if you got choclate or flowers or both share them!

Matthew AMEN

Matthew 5: 17 – 18 AMEN

Jesus begins his comments on the “LAW”

Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον καταλῦσαι τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας.

οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι, ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι.

Ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἕως ἂν παρέλθη ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ,

ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεράία οὐ μὴ παρέλθη ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου,

ἕως ἂν πάντα γένηται.

Literally not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets (the Old Testament)

not I came to destroy but to fulfill!

Truly for I say to you until pass away the sky and the earth (or heaven and the world)

dot one or one stroke = not any part however small will pass away of the law

until all happens (as prophesied)

νομίσητε from νομίζω N.b. Aorist Subjunctive plus negative

he is commanding his audiences to pay careful attention to his message

sometimes this use of the aorist subjunctive as a negative prohibition is translated as Let Not !!!

It's an order. While Greek did have an aorist Imperative there sems to be a preference for the subjunctive for “Don't do” type orders

καταλῦσαι is the aorist infinitive of καταλῦω …my aim is not to destroy ...

the law and the prophets

the books of law and prophecies were regarded as the most important part of the Old Testament

Amen is a loan word from Hebrew. Verily truly really indeed is all valid translations.

The amen says that the speaker wants you to trust what he says s being true and reliable.

There are many words in Hebrew Arabic Syriace and Aramaic derived from the A – M – N radical.

Παρέλθη another Aorist subjunctive

a dot or stroke … remember this is an age of handwritten letters.

Part of a letter could be intentionally or accidentally scraped off papyrus or parchment.

Note the DOUBLE NEGATIVE lest no not no none nothing οὐ μὴ until all happens

Now go and reread the whole passage in Greek or English or both!

However while the law abides to the world's end we have to apply the Law with compassion and justice. He does not say obsess on every detail he drwas our attention to its endurance. Some people claim only the most literal interpretations of scriptures are valid.

More on this next time. A note given the length of the following passages I will be not doing a word for word translation just drawign your attention to certain features of importance in greek.

Next week our Lord teaches about the Ten Commandments! Go and read Matthew 5 to get ready!

Readers in australian time zones I normally get this posted earlier but there was wifi interference! Sorry!

You are the Light of the World

Matthew 5 14 to 16

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Ύμεῖς ἐστε τὸ Φῶς τοῦ κόσμου.

You are the light of the world.

" can not be a city hidden on a mountain placed nor do they burn a lamp and put it under the corn measuring scoop (one word in Greek modion) but upon tha lampstand and it shines for all in the house so let it shine the light of yours before men so that they should see /pereceive the good work sof you and glorify your father in the heavens"

Thats the word order in Greek.

In more grammatical English with some words added so it makes sense in English

… A city on a mountain can not be hidden nor do (people) light a lamp and put it under the corn scoop but upon the lampstand and it shines for all in the house to see.

So (let) shine your light before people so that they should see your good works and praise your father in heaven!

Be aware many cities were built on mountain sides or slopes for defensive purposes and to avoid flooding during rain and storms.

More notes on the Greek dunamai is followed by an infinitive.

Krubeenai is the aorist passive infinitive of either kruptoo or kruboo.

Lukhnos lamp . This would be an oil lamp not a candle.

A Modion was a vessel or scoop used for measuring dry grain

Notice that shine in greek is lampsatoo aorist imperative 3rd person.

Note outoos and hopoos! A command / exhortation followed by a probable result

See perceive is idoosin aorist subjunctive of horaooo might should subjunctive so a probable result.

Doksasoosin is another aorist subjunctive Glorify or praise works works equally well to translate this verb. Perhaps praise if you think glorify is too formal in modern English.

My personal feeling is that the KJV should perhaps be left for formal occasions or special days and use modern translations with notes indicating possible alternates where those alternates are valid given language changes since the time of the King James version which was 4 centuries ago!

Happy Australia Day to my Australian readers! To those elsewhere say in the northern hemisphere since you have power and can read this post spare a thought and some coinage or other aid for those effected by winter storms and flooding. Shine some light by checking your neighbours are okay!

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Matthew Chapter 5 Verse 9

Blessed (are) the peacemakers for they sons of God will be called.

μακάριοι οἱ εἰρηνοποιοὶ , ὅτι αὐτοὶ υἱοὶ θεοῦ κληθήσονται.

Note well that the verse says peace MAKERS not just keepers but makers!

Εἰρήνη PEACE and ποιοὶ makers from the verb ποιέω

The name Irene is derived from the word for peace.

I do wonder why huios was used rather than paidos. This is one of the signs that indicate Matthew's first language was Hebrew or Aramaic.

Κληθήσονται is the future passive of καλέω call summon name.

Why κλη as a stem in the passive. Greek has a feature called metathesis and an tendency to avoid triple consonant patterns especially involving aspirated consonants like th.

What can we do to create peace for ourselves and others? 

And the Angels SPOKE

THE ANGELS SPOKE

One Christmas cliché is a choir of angels hovering over the Stable at Bethlehem or the shepherds out in the fields and their herds but this didn't happen.

Read Luke Chapter 2 carefully.

Luke tells us that first a messenger of the Lord appeared glowing περιλαμψεν in the night bringing the Shepherds a message about a very special child and where to find him … then …

πλῆθος στρατιᾶς οὐρανίου pleeethos stratias ouraniou

a large undefined number of heavenly troops appeared

why did the shepherds think or perceive the angels looked like an army or warriors?

Did something or someone have to be chased away from Bethlehem that night?

Luke also says that the heavenly host were praising god αἰνέω a Greek verb translated into Latin as Laudo and here I think is how the idea of singing angels started with so many Psalms and later Hymns using the phrase Praise God?

Luke then states the angels were speaking praise not singing using λέγω

Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις θεῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκίας

A literal translation from the Greek

Glory in highest to God and upon earth peace at this time or perhaps its adverbial moreover especially now to men good will

But then again the Speech of Angels is Music to mere mortals !

Enjoy Christmas 

Matthew Chapter 5 Verse 8

#Matthew Chapter 5 Verse 8

Blessed (are) the pure in (the) heart for they God will see.

μακάριοι οἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ, ὅτι αὐτοὶ τὸν θεὸν ὄψονται.

A simple straightforward verse expressing a beautiful idea.

The dative form of καρδία means no preposition ἐν is necessary in  Greek.

Ὄψονται is indeed the future form of horaoo ὁραω despite its p stem.

Its one of those irregular verbs you need to learn more details of so please consult your dictionary and grammar for full details.

Ὁραω is the present but in other tenses the stem is op – οπ – or heo when the augment is added leading to ἑόρακα. 

My next post for Christmas Eve will be about Luke Chapter 2 and the Angels

and there will a xmas ecard watch out for it !

Matthew chapter 5 verse 7 MERCY

(sorry this is late had computer problems ) 

Matthew Chapter 5 Verse 7

Blessed (are) the merciful for they will receive mercy.

μακάριοι οἱ ἐλεήμονες ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἐλεηθήσονται.

Read also Matthew 18: 33 and James 2:13

Quite straightforward but do note the link between showing and being shown mercy.

Ἔλεος the stem of ἐλεήμων merciful and the verb ἐλεέω be merciful show mercy is not just an attitude but an action ἐλεος is pity mercy and compassion or as James puts it faith AND works.

Read the parable in Matthew 18: 33

Matthew 5 the meek will ...

Matthew Chapter 5 Verse 5

Blessed for the meek for they will inherit the earth

μακάριοι οἱ πραεῖς, ὅτι αὐτοὶ κληρονομήσουσιν τὴν γῆν

πραΰς is a 3^rd declension adjective with a U stem if Masculine or Neuter but behaves if if it had an e stem if feminine or plural. Meek humble gentle of low rank.

Jesus was not just preaching to the elite or religious fanatics or cultists.

Verses like this are why the Gospel is described as inclusive.

They will inherit the earth. Κληρονομέω. They will receive a share not just of an estate or property but of the earth as a whole. Note that γῆ is used not KOSMOS.

When this will happen is … an exact time is not given.

I am not going to speculate on how thus relates to Revelations or various OT prophecies. Too many people have done that already.

I will say this the “little people” the poor are as important as the rich and the elite.

Remember what is recorded elsewhere about the rich and salvation.

Remember also if you're reading this at home and have easy access to a family computer or own one yourself however simple in many parts of the world that makes you well off and wealthy.

Work to be humble.

I've received no comments yet but I do hope these posts are of some use and help to those who don't know New Testament Greek or perhaps have just started studying it and can't afford commentaries or dictionaries of their own. I was blessed with receiving a Liddell and Scott lexicon as a gift many years ago so I have a print copy at home thankfully. Its getting harder and harder to find second hand copies so I hope these notes and other metousia blog posts are helping?