AGAPE and NOMOS

#word study #greek #greeknewtestament #agape #nomos

Just a short post today.

AGAPE AND NOMOS 

LOVE AND LAW

I've been thinking about the differences between the Old and New Testament and I'm speculating if they can be summarized by two Greek words AGAPE and NOMOS.

NOMOS is Law but also ORDER and a case can be made the Old Testament describes the creation evolution and interactions of NOMOS as an ideal through myth and history and even in the Prophecy sections since there's an ongoing theme of flawed humans versus divine law? 

The New Testament even when its talking about SIN is about AGAPE the euaggelion the good message about LOVE overcoming SIN and leading to healing and forgiveness.

Something to bear in mind while you're doing weekend bible study? 

Paul on Love Your Neighbour

Yes this is related to last week's post!

#paul in #romans Romas Chpater 13 Verse 8 - 10 writes something that's a comment on last weeks passage Matthew 19: 16 - 22

These verses in Paul also suggest that someone was already compiling and recording Jesus' teachings into what would become the Gospels.

Now Paul writes

Verse 8
to nothing/one anything owe  if not the (in relations to) each other to love
he who for loving the other law fulfills (completely note that the Perfect form of verb pleroo used in greek!)
Verse 9 echoes verse 18 and 19 in Matthew's gospel
with the additional remark made by Paul that

and any other commandment 
are in this word anakephalaioutai

Anakephalaiow summarize sum up is literally "heads up" ana+kephalee

Each and Every of the 10 commandments Entolee or the whole of Mosaic Law Nomos are summarized as ... again a quote

You will love the person near / neighbour of you as yourself.

Verse 10
The Love to the nearby person evil not works
fulfilment therefore of law the LOVE!

Do no evil Love Your Neighbour is the fulfilment and summary of LAW.

Love Wins WHEN you ...

I should be posting about usages of mercy in matthew 18 but I feel I have  to write something about the consequences of #Orlando and other recent events and yes about #homophobia and #islamophobia.

People I'm seeing Conservatives and Bigots blaming Liberals and Progressives for certain events due to their calls for toleration and I'm seeing some Liberals going on and on and on about homophobia and meanwhile the extremists and terrorists on both sides profit from the bickering.

Please instead of arguing about causes and labels and start working together to try to find a way to detect and deter "Lone gun man" type shooters!

Posts about "evil Muslims" or gun control or with rainbows or even LOVE WINS all over them or replacing your usual avatar don't solve.

But wait you say I just just posted a LOVE WINS image!

Think about what 4 words I included in the image ?

AGAPE Compassion Philia Friendship Eros Passion Storge Affection

All these require action even if its just smiling reassuring or saying hello or being polite to a Muslim or LGBT neighbour. 

Working on these 4 forms of Love whether you give them Greek Latin or English names is how LOVE WINS. Give those words a workout! 

Do something!

A Valentines Day Message Think About AGAPE

NO Bible Study today just this reminder about the difference between Eros and Agape #stvalentinesday #agape #eros #love

You're welcome to download and share this !

Think about why the New Testament prefers agapoo over phileoo or eraoo or storgeoo as a verb. Is it because of the similar HVA HBB Aramaic Semitic stem?
Did they want a word that expressed love in general that was not more affection for family and friends only or a philosophical passionate friendship?

I think Agape / Agapoo win out over other Greek words because it includes love compassion friendship and charity.

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!

Winged EROS

The tradition of depicting Eros as a winged youth is ancient.

its not entirely clear to someone unfamiliar with the action but he is playing with a bobbin of thread perhaps that used by the Fates?