Finding the right definition of a word in the Greek

[Alan Dale Gross]

Please help me to understand how to choose the right Greek word definitions for words, so that I can study the Bible and interpret it with accuracy. Thank you.

Rather than point you toward sources for understanding the definitions to best use in the translation of the original languages, without a well-grounded working knowledge of the original languages themselves, I very much like the back door approach made by Ascetic X, who aims you almost in the very opposite direction.

One of the best Bible teachers I ever had gave me some wonderful advise in gaining an overall run down, or two or three dozen run downs and approaches, to passages, for their value in their practical applications they provide, which would be another discipline you may profit from, while you develop your Hebrew and Greek knowledge, as well as, possibly being a great contribution to your writing skills, and tendencies, and desires and that is to dive into and peruse the Pulpit Commentary's sections called 'Homiletics'.

This is just the point III. of the outline portion of this one article covering
I Corinthians 1:1-3 and you might see right off how the efforts of these fellows could benefit your life and ministry; from one posting called
The Salutation, 1 Corinthians 1:1-3, by H. Bremne
(click the authors name for their other articles if you like them.)

Be sure to check out his points at;
2. Peace, (1) Peace with God, (2) Peace within ourself.

They are real blessings.

Then, as that teacher of mine used to say, "if you load up 'your guns', you'll be surprised at what the Lord might let you 'shoot at' (who you might preach to).

III. THE APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION. "Grace to you and Peace." This is the usual form of the Apostolic blessing (Romans 1:7; 2 Corinthians 1:2, etc.). Sometimes there is added "mercy" (1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2); and in Jude 1:2 we have "Mercy, Peace, and Love." Grace and Peace include all the blessings of Salvation.

1. Grace. The Grace of God is a manifestation of Love. It is the free kindness of God towards the guilty and ill deserving. Grace and Mercy are twin sisters sent forth by Love to bless sinful men. They come to us hand in hand, alike, yet different. Grace looks upon the guilty and speaks words of Pardon; Mercy looks upon the miserable and stretches out the hand of pity.

"The idea of Grace runs through the whole work of Redemption from beginning to end. In Purpose, Plan, Progress, Perfection, - all is of Grace. The prayer that Grace may be to a Christian means that he may realize and make his own the Grace of God in all the fulness of its manifestation. Grace as a principle in the heart, the Inner Working of the Holy Spirit, enables us to appropriate the Grace of God in Christ. The Apostolic wish covers the whole of the Christian life, more particularly:

(1) The Grace that Justifies. We are "Justified freely by His Grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). "It is of faith, that it may be according to Grace" (Romans 4:16).

"Faith brings us immediate Pardon and Acceptance with God for the sake of Jesus Christ; yet this is not always realized as a fact. The consciousness and comfort of this will not be enjoyed till it is seen how thoroughly it is of Grace.

(2) The Grace that sanctifies. Sin as a polluting and perverting power must be overcome, and the fair features of our Father brought clearly out. This also is of Grace. Christ was made unto us Sanctification (ch. 1:30), and this becomes ours through the Gracious Operation of the Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2). Grace reigns where formerly sin reigned (Romans 5:21),

(3) The Grace that strengthens (2 Timothy 2:1).

(a) In service (Philippians 4:13).

(b) In temptation (Hebrews 2:18).

(c) In trouble (2 Corinthians 8:9).

(d) In death (Psalm 23:4; 1 Corinthians 15:57).

(4) The Grace that Glorifies (Psalm 84:11).

"2. Peace. Peace is the fruit of Grace. It may be regarded as covering all the blessings which Grace bestows. The Angels sang of "Peace on earth" (Luke 2:14), as the sum of the good things to be brought by the Prince of Peace.

"It includes:

"(1) Peace with God. (Romans 5:1.) By faith we are Justified, our sins being put away and we ourselves accepted as Righteous; and thus we are "Reconciled to God through the death of His Son" (Romans 5:10).

"Henceforth there is friendship between us and God. We become sons of God (Romans 8:14-17), and have "fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3). There is a mutual Love between God and us, as between father and child.

"This leads to:

"(2) Peace within ourselves. The knowledge that we are Reconciled to God begets an inward calm. We are filled with "Peace in believing" (Romans 15:13). "The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, guards our hearts and our thoughts in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

"Christ gives us his own Peace (John 14:27) - that ineffable oneness with the Father in which his own deep joy lay; and this Peace rules in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). Such a Peace springs only from Reconciliation to God. "There is no Peace unto the wicked" (Isaiah 48:22).

"Only when men discovered that the sun is the center of our planetary system did all its parts move in harmony; only when our nature finds its center in Christ is it truly at Peace with itself.

"Grace and Peace come to us "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." The gifts of Grace come to us from God, but only through Jesus Christ. The inspired writers never hesitate to join the Name of Christ with that of God the Father. The true Godhood of our Lord is everywhere taken for granted, rather than formally asserted. How great must be the Grace and the Peace that come to us thus! - B."

In addition to looking into the Greek words used, try applying in your life the insights you already have from your notes.

Amen, brother.

For example:

* realize that all believers in Jesus are our family, no matter where they live or what church they attend
* following Paul’s example, pray that God will give kindness and peace to our loved ones, and especially to believers in heavy persecution zones like Nigeria, Somalia, Mali, Niger, Iran, China, North Korea
* be aware that every person you see is someone that God can give lovingkindness to because Jesus died for them— and if they receive Him as Lord, they can escape hell as their eternal destination, and live in heaven forever

Oh, yeah. Great stuff. Amen.

And missionary minded as always Ascetic X. Thank you.

(Very rare these days, indeed).

You're Mightily Blessed of God in your concern for souls.

 

[Van]

Of course both of these are correct. No one is saved without calling on the name of the Lord, but men and women will only do so when God does a work on their hearts (John 6:44). That is an understanding shared among both Arminians and Calvinists.

Totally false claim. Your vague "work on their heart" does not mean enabled by irresistible grace or prevenient grace. That claim is a fiction.

Here is John 6:44 NASB:
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

You read into a word meaning metaphorically to attract what your man-made doctrine requires.

Look at John 12:32 where when Christ was lifted up, crucified, He drew all to Himself. Here to continue your doctrine's manipulation, it claims "all" refers NOT to everyone, the obvious meaning, but those chosen before creation. Thus a totally rewrite. I can go on and on, but to no avail.

One more, Psalm 110:3 says those who come volunteer freely, but again your doctrine says this means they are compelled by irresistible grace to volunteer freely of their own volition. Utter nonsense.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Totally false claim. Your vague "work on their heart" does not mean enabled by irresistible grace or prevenient grace. That claim is a fiction.

Here is John 6:44 NASB:
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

You read into a word meaning metaphorically to attract what your man-made doctrine requires.

You are very free with accusing others of making totally false claims while you are making totally false claims.
The word translated 'draw' in John 6:44 is helko or helkuo. The same word is used in John 21:6, 11, where a net full of big fish is 'drawn' or 'dragged' ashore; in Acts 16:19, where Paul and Silas are 'dragged' into the forum; in Acts 21:30 where Paul is 'dragged' out of the Temple, and in James 2:6, where the rich are 'dragging' the poor before the judgment-seats. So, did the fish, Paul and Silas or the poor have any say in what happened to them? Did the fish have any option as to whether or not they were hauled into land?

Look at John 12:32 where when Christ was lifted up, crucified, He drew all to Himself. Here to continue your doctrine's manipulation, it claims "all" refers NOT to everyone, the obvious meaning, but those chosen before creation. Thus a totally rewrite. I can go on and on, but to no avail.

It is the same word, helko, used in John 12:32. But tell me, are all men and women drawn to Christ in any sense? If you have ever done public evangelism, you will know that some will express interest, and others will brush past you, saying, "No thanks; I'm fine!"
So what does the verse mean? It means that Christ, crucified, risen and ascended, will draw to Himself men, women, boys, girls, rich, poor, Jews, Gentiles - a crowd so great that no one can number it, from every people, tribe, tongue and nation, and they will come, stand before the throne of God and declare that 'salvation belongs - not to themselves, but - to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb.'

One more, Psalm 110:3 says those who come volunteer freely, but again your doctrine says this means they are compelled by irresistible grace to volunteer freely of their own volition. Utter nonsense.

Not nonsense, but the living truth. No one comes to Christ saying, "Oh, how I wish I didn't have to come to Christ, but I......just.....can't...... help it. They come freely, because God has 'begotten [them] again to a living hope....' (1 Peter 1:3). They come freely becuase God has drawn them with lovingkindness (Jer. 31:3).

 

[Van]

You are very free with accusing others of making totally false claims while you are making totally false claims.
The word translated ,draw' in John 6:44 is helko or helkuo. The same word is used in John 21:6, 11, where a net full of big fish is 'drawn' or 'dragged' ashore; in Acts 16:19, where Paul and Silas are 'dragged' into the forum; in Acts 21:30 where Paul is 'dragged' out of the Temple, and in James 2:6, where the rich are 'dragging' the poor before the judgment-seats. So, did the fish, Paul and Silas or the poor have any say in what happened to them? Did the fish have any option as to whether or not they were hauled into land?

It is the same word, helko, used in John 12:32. But tell me, are all men and women drawn to Christ in any sense? If you have ever done public evangelism, you will know that some will express interest, and others will brush past you, saying, "No thanks; I'm fine!"
So what does the verse mean? It means that Christ, crucified, risen and ascended, will draw to Himself men, women, boys, girls, rich, poor, Jews, Gentiles - a crowd so great that no one can number it, from every people, tribe, tongue and nation, and they will come, stand before the throne of God and declare that 'salvation belongs - not to themselves, but - to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb.'

Not nonsense, but the living truth. No one comes to Christ saying, "Oh, how I wish I didn't have to come to Christ, but I......just.....can't...... help it. They come freely, because God has 'begotten [them] again to a living hope....' (1 Peter 1:3). They come freely becuase God has drawn them with lovingkindness (Jer. 31:3).

1) My "accusation" - . Your vague "work on their heart" does not mean enabled by irresistible grace or prevenient grace. That claim is a fiction.
Your response - taint so.

2) Your second accusation - I said the metaphorical meaning, bu you claimed I addressed the literal meaning.

3) Your third accusation - The word "helko" used in John 12:32 is not used metaphorically. That is false.

4) "Are all men and woman drawn to Christ in any sense? The answer from scripture is YES!!! First the all addresses only those who "behold" Christ high and lifted up. So is a person has not listened to the gospel presenting Christ dying so they might not go to Hades, they will NOT be drawn (attracted). But kindness begets kindness. Thus anyone who understands what Christ did for them will be attracted. Not that they will choose to repent. Unless a person beholds the "Lamb of God" they will not be drawn, attracted to Him. For those of us, living after Christ ascended from the earth, we 'behold" by listing and understanding the actual gospel, which says no matter who you are, Christ died for you. Not, if you were chosen before creation, Christ died for you.

5) 1 Peter 1:13 does NOT say we were begotten to a living hope BEFORE we believed. That is a total fiction, and rewrite of many verses of scripture. "at the revelation of Christ" refers to His Second Coming. So we set our minds on our hope of bodily redemption, and live our lives according to that expectation.

6) Yes some of those attracted choose to freely place their faith in Christ, because, Yes, they were first drawn by understanding of God's lovingkindness. No one comes to Christ unless they have been drawn by the Father through the gospel.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

@Van,
We have been through all this multiple times. To my mind you are utterly confused, but I'm sure you think the same about me.
Anyone who is undecided has had many opportunities to make their own minds up about the matter without an endless to and fro from us. So I'm going to leave it there.

 

[Van]

@Van,
We have been through all this multiple times. To my mind you are utterly confused, but I'm sure you think the same about me.
Anyone who is undecided has had many opportunities to make their own minds up about the matter without an endless to and fro from us. So I'm going to leave it there.

As usual you address you address me and do not address the points made in post #44.

1) Draw can be used literally, meaning to compel by force, such as draw a sword or fish net. But it is used metaphorically in John 6:44 and 12:32 meaning to attract my lovingkindness. Of course only those aware that Christ died for them on the cross, high and lifted up, would be drawn, the sacrifice of the Lamb of God does not attract those unaware or not understanding the gospel. Those drawn by the lovingkindness of the gospel have been drawn by the Father, who sacrificed His uniquely divine Son.

2) 1 Peter 1:13 does NOT say we were begotten to a living hope BEFORE we believed. That is a total fiction, and rewrite of many verses of scripture. "at the revelation of Christ" refers to His Second Coming. So we set our minds on our hope of bodily redemption, and live our lives according to that expectation.

 

[JesusFan]

What does scripture say, did Paul call on the name of the Lord or was Paul "compelled by irresistible grace" to come to faith. One view is the literal scripture, the other must be read into the text. You guys do not have any basis for rejecting God's word.

None who were ever to be and got saved were able to resist the grace of God to get saved

 

[JesusFan]

Finding a single English word to be primarily used to translate a single Greed word MEANING is not impossible but advantages.

This is a simple concept, and not difficult to grasp. Thus we need to ask why has a strawman argument be hoisted upon the unwary?

Let us consider "Teleo" (G5055) it means to complete or finish a task, even one with several steps. Thus to fulfill a purpose or mission or obligation is the primary meaning.

In Matthew 11:1, nearly all the English translations go with "finished" (more than 60) whereas made an end is found in about 1/2 dozen. with even the NKJV changing to "finished from the KJV made an end.

In Matthew 17:24, while the vast majority of English translations do indeed translate "teleo" as pay, since another Greek word is often translated as pay (apodidomi-G591) fulfill actually conveys the idea of not fulfilling an obligation.

In Luke 2:39 we see than several translation stick with the primary meaning and use finished, but a better translation is "fulfilled." Again the idea is they fulled the obligation.

What was fulfilled at the cross? Christ's mission of being the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity, providing the means of reconciliation. Thus Christ paid the ransom. But that did not result in God choosing to redeem us individually, that occurs when God credits our faith as righteousness.

There is nothing wrong with reviewing commentaries concerning the meaning of a verse under study, but to not challenge the veracity of the translation is to be willing to be led astray. Recall all the know it all Pharisees had accepted the traditions of men making scripture to no effect.

Bottom line, Teleo is translated into about 8 different English words, when two or three would better present God's actual word.

What are you qualifications to be able to discern better then the nas/esv/Nkjv translators then what English word should had been used instead of the ones they chose to use then?

 

[JesusFan]

As usual you address you address me and do not address the points made in post #44.

1) Draw can be used literally, meaning to compel by force, such as draw a sword or fish net. But it is used metaphorically in John 6:44 and 12:32 meaning to attract my lovingkindness. Of course only those aware that Christ died for them on the cross, high and lifted up, would be drawn, the sacrifice of the Lamb of God does not attract those unaware or not understanding the gospel. Those drawn by the lovingkindness of the gospel have been drawn by the Father, who sacrificed His uniquely divine Son.

2) 1 Peter 1:13 does NOT say we were begotten to a living hope BEFORE we believed. That is a total fiction, and rewrite of many verses of scripture. "at the revelation of Christ" refers to His Second Coming. So we set our minds on our hope of bodily redemption, and live our lives according to that expectation.

The sin nature just continual rejects the good news though

 

[37818]

@Martin Marprelate,
I am trying to find where you cited 1 Peter 1:13, which @Van refers to.

 

[Jerome]

What are you qualifications to be able to discern better then the nas/esv/Nkjv translators then what English word should had been used instead of the ones they chose to use then?

Well said!

 

[Martin Marprelate]

@Martin Marprelate,
I am trying to find where you cited 1 Peter 1:13, which @Van refers to.

I think he means 1 Peter 1:3. But he's quite wrong about that verse also.

 

[Van]

What are you qualifications to be able to discern better then the nas/esv/Nkjv translators then what English word should had been used instead of the ones they chose to use then?

I believe in the Priesthood of Believers, as do all Baptists. Of course those opposed to the Reformation like to restrict scripture to elites.

 

[Van]

The sin nature just continual rejects the good news though

A false claim, no scripture supports this fiction.
Many lost will seek the Narrow Door. Luke 24:13

 

[Van]

Well said!

What would be better would be to address why more than 3 English words are used to convey essentially 2 word meanings, finish and fulfill?

Why translate the same word meaning into more than one or two English words or phrases?

Any empty suit can hurl accusations against the person holding differing views, such as "you lack qualifications" but it would take actual bible study to consider if one translation version is superior to another. Consider all the bogus doctrines built on vague phrases.

Take "adoption" for example. Romans 8:23 defines what the Greek word's intended meaning is - our physical redemption as an existing spiritual child of God. Similar to a child receiving the full rights of an adult, the changed relationship occurs subsequent to becoming a spiritual child of God when a lost person is spiritually born anew.

Romans 8:15 Interpretive Translation
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a Spirit of bodily redemption, as siblings of Christ, band because the Spirit of Bodily Redemption is given to spiritual children of God, we cry out with our indwelt Spirit, “Abba! Father."

That same translation choice can be used for all 5 verses where "huiothesia" G5206 appears in the text.

 

[Van]

1 Peter 1:3 NKJV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:3 does NOT say we were caused to be born anew, into a living hope BEFORE we believed. That is a total rewrite, a fiction to support false doctrine. "caused or begotten" occurred in the past, while the living hope occurred in the present.

We have our living hope of our bodily redemption based on Christ being bodily resurrected from the dead!

Last point the laughable Calvinist claim we coming to Christ freely, when they actually believe "Irresistible Grace" compels the person to "willing" choose Christ. I kid you not.

 

[Ben1445]

None who were ever to be and got saved were able to resist the grace of God to get saved

This doesn’t make any sense. I don’t think it begins to make sense to say that anyone can come to God by resisting Him.

 

[Alan Dale Gross]

What are you qualifications to be able to discern better then the nas/esv/Nkjv translators

I think you have to be 18, or a Grandmother with a Concordance.

(I didn't mean that, i.e., there are few things I've ever meant less than that).

 

[JesusFan]

This doesn’t make any sense. I don’t think it begins to make sense to say that anyone can come to God by resisting Him.

Just was staing no where in the bible account were there any lost sinner who was able to resist saving faith/grace if they were among the elect and chosen in Christ Jesus

 

[Martin Marprelate]

The sin nature just continual rejects the good news though

A false claim, no scripture supports this fiction.
Many lost will seek the Narrow Door. Luke 24:13

Why does this poster continue to trot out his nonsense, even after he has been corrected.
Of course, John 3:19; Romans 3:11; 1 Cor. 2:14 all support @JesusFan.
Luke 24:13 reads: 'Now behold, two of them were travelling that same day to a village called Emmaeus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.' I'm not sure what that has to say about anyone seeking the Narrow Door.
Perhaps this poster is thinking of Luke 13:24. If so, then he has previously been told simply to look at the next verse to find out the time context of the verse, but unfortunately, this poster will not consider anything that contradicts his own theories. Proverbs 14:7 applies to the rest of us.