A Shadow of the Good Things, Part 2

I began this particular investigation considering “whether τη αληθεια μη πειθεσθαι (KJV: that ye should not obey the truth) was original to Galatians 3:1” [Table].  A brief study of forms of πείθω calmed my fetish that obey the truth meant “obey the law.”  So if τη αληθεια μη πειθεσθαι is reinstated into NA29 or any later version I should be fine.  I do still want to consider more occurrences of forms of πείθω (Acts 28:17-20, 23, 24 NET).

After three days Paul[1] called the local Jewish leaders together.  When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or the customs[2] of our ancestors, from Jerusalem I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans.  When they had heard my case, they wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.  But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not that I had some charge to bring[3] against my own people.  So for this reason I have asked to see you and speak with you, for I am bound with this chain because of the hope of Israel.”

They set a day to meet with him, and they came[4] to him where he was staying in even greater numbers.  From morning until evening he explained things to them, testifying about the kingdom of God (τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ) and trying to convince (πείθων a form of πείθω) them about Jesus from both the law of Moses[5] and the prophets.  Some were convinced (ἐπείθοντο, a form of πείθω) by what he said, but others refused to believe.

Contrast Paul’s persuasiveness to that of some unnamed Jews from Antioch and Iconium (Acts 14:19 NET Table):

But Jews came [to Lystra] from Antioch and Iconium, and after winning the crowds over (πείσαντες, a form of πείθω), they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, presuming him to be dead.

Children, Jesus said to his astonished disciples, how hard it is[6] to enter the kingdom of God (τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ)![7]  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text qualify this with τους πεποιθοτας (a form of πείθω) επι χρημασιν (KJV: for them that trust in riches).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 do not have this qualification.  In other words, the shorter reading has survived at least two rounds[8] of scholarly consideration.

The context of Jesus’ statement and the words that astonished his disciples were: How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God![9]  It seems reasonable to me that the One prepared to die to secure his disciples’ entrance into that kingdom answered their astonishment, not with a repetition of the specific, but with the more general: how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God.  Bill Mounce posted an interesting definition of δύσκολος (the Greek word translated hard above was δύσκολον, a form of δύσκολος):

peevish about food; hard to please, disagreeable [Luke 7:31-35]; in NT, difficult, Mk. 10:24

This is my point in the contrast above: It is easier to win over those who are not yet born from above to self-righteous indignation and violence than it is to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets.  Wealth is a contributing factor.

In Ephesus a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought a great deal of business to the craftsmen (Acts 19:24-28 NET).

He gathered these together, along with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our[10] prosperity comes from this business.  And you see and hear that this Paul has persuaded (πείσας, a form of πείθω) and turned away a large crowd, not only in Ephesus but in practically all of the province of Asia, by saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all.  There is danger not only that this business of ours will come into disrepute, but[11] also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as nothing, and she whom all the province of Asia and the world worship will suffer the loss of her greatness.”[12]

When they heard this they became enraged and began to shout, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, Jesus described his plunder (Luke 11:14-20) of Satan’s domain parabolically, his possessions are safe.  But when a stronger man attacks and conquers him, he takes away the first man’s armor on which the man relied (ἐπεποίθει, a form of πείθω) and divides up his plunder.[13]  I know I have relied on many “truths” as if they were armor that might “protect” me from the way, and the truth, and the life.[14]  But Jesus, his Father and his Holy Spirit have been persistent to wrest me from Satan’s domination and my own folly, if the two are not one and the same.

Before Paul appealed to Caesar and was sent to Rome he was imprisoned at Caesarea (Acts 24:24-26 NET):

Some days later, when Felix arrived with his[15] wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.[16]  While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming[17] judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.”  At the same time he was also[18] hoping that Paul would give him money,[19] and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him.

Here, Felix’s hope that Paul might give him χρήματα (a form of χρῆμα) was a factor that encouraged him to summon Paul more often than his fear of Paul’s message might otherwise have allowed.  One might argue that this was not the best attitude to hear Paul’s message, since it is hardfor the rich (χρήματα) to enter the kingdom of God, but I think it highlights an aspect of the difficulty.

I couldn’t summon Paul but I was driven to read him, and from him continued on to Jesus and the rest of the Bible.  Before that, yes, I tried to harmonize the gospels to make a libretto for my rock/fusion opera.  Studying Paul was the beginning of a deeper potentially more vital interest.  I still hoped, I suppose, that studying Paul would please God and that pleasing God would benefit my writing/composing career.  Like Felix, my motives and interests were divided.

Paul wrote about the judgment (κρίματος, a form of κρίμα) Felix feared (Romans 2:1-13 NET):

Therefore you are without excuse, whoever you are, when you judge (κρίνων, a form of κρίνω) someone else.  For on whatever grounds you judge (κρίνεις, a form of κρίνω) another, you condemn (κατακρίνεις, a form of κατακρίνω) yourself, because you who judge (κρίνων, a form of κρίνω) practice the same things (Romans 1:18-32).  Now we know that God’s judgment (κρίμα) is in accordance with truth against those who practice such things.  And do you think, whoever you are, when you judge (κρίνων, a form of κρίνω) those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment (κρίμα)?  Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?  But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourselves in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment[20] (δικαιοκρισίας, a form of δικαιοκρισία) is revealed!  He will reward each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality, but wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey[21] (ἀπειθοῦσι, a form of ἀπειθέω) the truth but follow (πειθομένοις, a form of πείθω) unrighteousness.  There will be affliction and distress on everyone who does evil, on the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, for the Jew first and also the Greek.  For there is no partiality with God [Table].  For all who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged (κριθήσονται, a form of κρίνω) by the law.  For it is not those who hear the[22] law who are righteous before God, but those who do the[23] law will be declared righteous.

This brings me back to the title of this series of essays: For the law possesses a shadow of the good things to come but not the reality itself.[24]  I think—not the reality itself—is an important and meaningful paraphrase of οὐκ αὐτὴν τὴν εἰκόνα τῶν πραγμάτων, but I prefer the KJV translation here: not the very image of the things.  And I would push πραγμάτων (a form of πρᾶγμα) one step further to deeds: not the very image of the [deeds].

I want to compare the shadow of the good things to come possessed by the law to Peter’s shadow.  Here is the context (Acts 5:12a, 14-16 NET)

Now many miraculous signs and wonders came about[25] among the people through the hands of the apostles.

More and more believers in the Lord were added to their number, crowds of both men and women.  Thus they even[26] carried the sick out into[27] the streets, and put them on cots[28] and pallets,[29] so that when Peter came by at least his shadow would fall on some of them.  A crowd of people from the towns around Jerusalem[30] also came together, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits.  They were all being healed.

Peter’s shadow waned from a thin elongated silhouette of his form in the morning, to a stubby foreshortened blob at midday, then waxed again as day progressed to evening.  Many things could be calculated mathematically by measuring that shadow against Peter’s height.  But no matter the time of day Peter’s shadow was cast by Peter walking in the light.

I’m not suggesting that we know the good things to come by doing mathematical calculations on the law.  I am suggesting that the law has a shape, an outline in silhouette, similar to that cast by the good things to come, not an assembly-line slaughterhouse executing lawbreakers, but a kingdom of people who do not covet [their] neighbor’s house, [their] neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that belongs to [their] neighbor.[31]

The law foreshadows a kingdom of people who do this, and so much more, not because they strive with all their might to obey the law in their own strength: For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.[32]  God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.[33]

The law foreshadows a kingdom of God populated by those who have trusted that (1 Corinthians 15:3b-8 NET):

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures [Table], and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  Then he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some[34] have fallen asleep [Table].  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  Last of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, he appeared to [Paul] also.

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, Paul wrote believers in Galatia (Galatians 5:13-6:5 NET):

only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law can be summed up (KJV: fulfilled) in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”  However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another [Table].  But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want [Table].  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  Now the works of the flesh are obvious: (KJV: adultery) sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things.  I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (βασιλείαν θεοῦ) [Table]!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law [Table].  Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.

Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness.  Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.  Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ [Table].  For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  Let each one examine his own work.  Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else.  For each one will carry his own load.

Our Father in heaven, Jesus taught his disciples to pray, may your name be honored, may your kingdom (βασιλεία σου) come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.[35]  I’ll pick this up in another essay.

A table comparing Paul’s quotation from Psalm 61:13 in the Septuagint (62:12 Masoretic text) follows:

Romans 2:6 (NET Parallel Greek)

Psalm 62:12c (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:13b (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὃς ἀποδώσει ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ σὺ ἀποδώσεις ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ σὺ ἀποδώσεις ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ

Romans 2:6 (NET)

Psalm 61:13c (NETS)

Psalm 61:13b (English Elpenor)

He will reward each one according to his works: you will repay to each according to his works. thou wilt recompense every one according to his works.

Tables comparing Psalm 62:12 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and Psalm 62:12 (61:13) in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.  Following those are tables comparing Acts 28:17; 28:19; 28:23; Mark 10:24; Acts 19:25; 19:27; 24:24-26; Romans 2:5; 2:8; 2:13; Acts 5:12 and 5:15, 16 in the NET and KJV.

Psalm 62:12 (Tanakh)

Psalm 62:12 (KJV)

Psalm 62:12 (NET)

Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. and you, O Lord, demonstrate loyal love. For you repay men for what they do.

Psalm 62:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 61:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὅτι τὸ κράτος τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ σοί κύριε τὸ ἔλεος ὅτι σὺ ἀποδώσεις ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ καὶ σοῦ, Κύριε, τὸ ἔλεος, ὅτι σὺ ἀποδώσεις ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ

Psalm 61:13 (NETS)

Psalm 61:13 (English Elpenor)

that might is God’s, and to you, O Lord, belongs mercy, because you will repay to each according to his works. and mercy is thine, O Lord; for thou wilt recompense every one according to his works.

Acts 28:17 (NET)

Acts 28:17 (KJV)

After three days Paul called the local Jewish leaders together. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, from Jerusalem I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans. And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἐγένετο δὲ μετὰ ἡμέρας τρεῖς συγκαλέσασθαι αὐτὸν τοὺς ὄντας τῶν Ἰουδαίων πρώτους· συνελθόντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἔλεγεν πρὸς αὐτούς· ἐγώ, ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, οὐδὲν ἐναντίον ποιήσας τῷ λαῷ ἢ τοῖς ἔθεσι τοῖς πατρῴοις δέσμιος ἐξ Ἱεροσολύμων παρεδόθην εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τῶν Ῥωμαίων εγενετο δε μετα ημερας τρεις συγκαλεσασθαι τον παυλον τους οντας των ιουδαιων πρωτους συνελθοντων δε αυτων ελεγεν προς αυτους ανδρες αδελφοι εγω ουδεν εναντιον ποιησας τω λαω η τοις εθεσιν τοις πατρωοις δεσμιος εξ ιεροσολυμων παρεδοθην εις τας χειρας των ρωμαιων εγενετο δε μετα ημερας τρεις συγκαλεσασθαι τον παυλον τους οντας των ιουδαιων πρωτους συνελθοντων δε αυτων ελεγεν προς αυτους ανδρες αδελφοι εγω ουδεν εναντιον ποιησας τω λαω η τοις εθεσιν τοις πατρωοις δεσμιος εξ ιεροσολυμων παρεδοθην εις τας χειρας των ρωμαιων

Acts 28:19 (NET)

Acts 28:19 (KJV)

But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar—not that I had some charge to bring against my own people. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀντιλεγόντων δὲ τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἠναγκάσθην ἐπικαλέσασθαι Καίσαρα οὐχ ὡς τοῦ ἔθνους μου ἔχων τι κατηγορεῖν αντιλεγοντων δε των ιουδαιων ηναγκασθην επικαλεσασθαι καισαρα ουχ ως του εθνους μου εχων τι κατηγορησαι αντιλεγοντων δε των ιουδαιων ηναγκασθην επικαλεσασθαι καισαρα ουχ ως του εθνους μου εχων τι κατηγορησαι

Acts 28:23 (NET)

Acts 28:23 (KJV)

They set a day to meet with him, and they came to him where he was staying in even greater numbers.  From morning until evening he explained things to them, testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ταξάμενοι δὲ αὐτῷ ἡμέραν ἦλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν ξενίαν πλείονες οἷς ἐξετίθετο διαμαρτυρόμενος τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ, πείθων τε αὐτοὺς περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἀπό τε τοῦ νόμου Μωϋσέως καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, ἀπὸ πρωὶ_ ἕως ἑσπέρας ταξαμενοι δε αυτω ημεραν ηκον προς αυτον εις την ξενιαν πλειονες οις εξετιθετο διαμαρτυρομενος την βασιλειαν του θεου πειθων τε αυτους τα περι του ιησου απο τε του νομου μωσεως και των προφητων απο πρωι εως εσπερας ταξαμενοι δε αυτω ημεραν ηκον προς αυτον εις την ξενιαν πλειονες οις εξετιθετο διαμαρτυρομενος την βασιλειαν του θεου πειθων τε αυτους τα περι του ιησου απο τε του νομου μωσεως και των προφητων απο πρωι εως εσπερας

Mark 10:24 (NET)

Mark 10:24 (KJV)

The disciples were astonished at these words.  But again Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words.  But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἐθαμβοῦντο ἐπὶ τοῖς λόγοις αὐτοῦ. ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν ἀποκριθεὶς λέγει αὐτοῖς· τέκνα, πῶς δύσκολον ἐστιν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν οι δε μαθηται εθαμβουντο επι τοις λογοις αυτου ο δε ιησους παλιν αποκριθεις λεγει αυτοις τεκνα πως δυσκολον εστιν τους πεποιθοτας επι τοις χρημασιν εις την βασιλειαν του θεου εισελθειν οι δε μαθηται εθαμβουντο επι τοις λογοις αυτου ο δε ιησους παλιν αποκριθεις λεγει αυτοις τεκνα πως δυσκολον εστιν τους πεποιθοτας επι χρημασιν εις την βασιλειαν του θεου εισελθειν

Acts 19:25 (NET)

Acts 19:25 (KJV)

He gathered these together, along with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity comes from this business. Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οὓς συναθροίσας καὶ τοὺς περὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα ἐργάτας εἶπεν· ἄνδρες, ἐπίστασθε ὅτι ἐκ ταύτης τῆς ἐργασίας ἡ εὐπορία ἡμῖν ἐστιν ους συναθροισας και τους περι τα τοιαυτα εργατας ειπεν ανδρες επιστασθε οτι εκ ταυτης της εργασιας η ευπορια ημων εστιν ους συναθροισας και τους περι τα τοιαυτα εργατας ειπεν ανδρες επιστασθε οτι εκ ταυτης της εργασιας η ευπορια ημων εστιν

Acts 19:27 (NET)

Acts 19:27 (KJV)

There is danger not only that this business of ours will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as nothing, and she whom all the province of Asia and the world worship will suffer the loss of her greatness.” So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οὐ μόνον δὲ τοῦτο κινδυνεύει ἡμῖν τὸ μέρος εἰς ἀπελεγμὸν ἐλθεῖν ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ τῆς μεγάλης θεᾶς Ἀρτέμιδος ἱερὸν εἰς οὐθὲν λογισθῆναι, μέλλειν τε καὶ καθαιρεῖσθαι τῆς μεγαλειότητος αὐτῆς ἣν ὅλη |ἡ| Ἀσία καὶ |ἡ| οἰκουμένη σέβεται ου μονον δε τουτο κινδυνευει ημιν το μερος εις απελεγμον ελθειν αλλα και το της μεγαλης θεας αρτεμιδος ιερον εις ουδεν λογισθηναι μελλειν δε και καθαιρεισθαι την μεγαλειοτητα αυτης ην ολη η ασια και η οικουμενη σεβεται ου μονον δε τουτο κινδυνευει ημιν το μερος εις απελεγμον ελθειν αλλα και το της μεγαλης θεας ιερον αρτεμιδος εις ουθεν λογισθηναι μελλειν δε και καθαιρεισθαι την μεγαλειοτητα αυτης ην ολη η ασια και η οικουμενη σεβεται

Acts 24:24-26 (NET)

Acts 24:24-26 (KJV)

Some days later, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Μετὰ δὲ ἡμέρας τινὰς παραγενόμενος ὁ Φῆλιξ σὺν Δρουσίλλῃ τῇ ἰδίᾳ γυναικὶ οὔσῃ Ἰουδαίᾳ μετεπέμψατο τὸν Παῦλον καὶ ἤκουσεν αὐτοῦ περὶ τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν πίστεως μετα δε ημερας τινας παραγενομενος ο φηλιξ συν δρουσιλλη τη γυναικι αυτου ουση ιουδαια μετεπεμψατο τον παυλον και ηκουσεν αυτου περι της εις χριστον πιστεως μετα δε ημερας τινας παραγενομενος ο φηλιξ συν δρουσιλλη τη γυναικι ουση ιουδαια μετεπεμψατο τον παυλον και ηκουσεν αυτου περι της εις χριστον πιστεως
While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.” And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

διαλεγομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ περὶ δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἐγκρατείας καὶ τοῦ κρίματος τοῦ μέλλοντος, ἔμφοβος γενόμενος ὁ Φῆλιξ ἀπεκρίθη· τὸ νῦν ἔχον πορεύου, καιρὸν δὲ μεταλαβὼν μετακαλέσομαι σε διαλεγομενου δε αυτου περι δικαιοσυνης και εγκρατειας και του κριματος του μελλοντος εσεσθαι εμφοβος γενομενος ο φηλιξ απεκριθη το νυν εχον πορευου καιρον δε μεταλαβων μετακαλεσομαι σε διαλεγομενου δε αυτου περι δικαιοσυνης και εγκρατειας και του κριματος του μελλοντος εσεσθαι εμφοβος γενομενος ο φηλιξ απεκριθη το νυν εχον πορευου καιρον δε μεταλαβων μετακαλεσομαι σε
At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἅμα καὶ ἐλπίζων ὅτι χρήματα δοθήσεται |αὐτῷ| ὑπὸ τοῦ Παύλου· διὸ καὶ πυκνότερον αὐτὸν μεταπεμπόμενος ὡμίλει αὐτῷ αμα δε και ελπιζων οτι χρηματα δοθησεται αυτω υπο του παυλου οπως λυση αυτον διο και πυκνοτερον αυτον μεταπεμπομενος ωμιλει αυτω αμα και ελπιζων οτι χρηματα δοθησεται αυτω υπο του παυλου οπως λυση αυτον διο και πυκνοτερον αυτον μεταπεμπομενος ωμιλει αυτω

Romans 2:5 (NET)

Romans 2:5 (KJV)

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourselves in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed! But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

κατὰ δὲ τὴν σκληρότητα σου καὶ ἀμετανόητον καρδίαν θησαυρίζεις σεαυτῷ ὀργὴν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ὀργῆς καὶ ἀποκαλύψεως δικαιοκρισίας τοῦ θεοῦ κατα δε την σκληροτητα σου και αμετανοητον καρδιαν θησαυριζεις σεαυτω οργην εν ημερα οργης και αποκαλυψεως δικαιοκρισιας του θεου κατα δε την σκληροτητα σου και αμετανοητον καρδιαν θησαυριζεις σεαυτω οργην εν ημερα οργης και αποκαλυψεως και δικαιοκρισιας του θεου

Romans 2:8 (NET)

Romans 2:8 (KJV)

but wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey the truth but follow unrighteousness. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τοῖς δὲ ἐξ ἐριθείας καὶ ἀπειθοῦσι τῇ ἀληθείᾳ πειθομένοις δὲ τῇ ἀδικίᾳ ὀργὴ καὶ θυμός τοις δε εξ εριθειας και απειθουσιν μεν τη αληθεια πειθομενοις δε τη αδικια θυμος και οργη τοις δε εξ εριθειας και απειθουσιν μεν τη αληθεια πειθομενοις δε τη αδικια θυμος και οργη

Romans 2:13 (NET)

Romans 2:13 (KJV)

For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous. (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οὐ γὰρ οἱ ἀκροαταὶ νόμου δίκαιοι παρὰ [τῷ] θεῷ, ἀλλ᾿ οἱ ποιηταὶ νόμου δικαιωθήσονται ου γαρ οι ακροαται του νομου δικαιοι παρα τω θεω αλλ οι ποιηται του νομου δικαιωθησονται ου γαρ οι ακροαται του νομου δικαιοι παρα τω θεω αλλ οι ποιηται του νομου δικαιωθησονται

Acts 5:12 (NET)

Acts 5:12 (KJV)

Now many miraculous signs and wonders came about among the people through the hands of the apostles.  By common consent they were all meeting together in Solomon’s Portico. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Διὰ δὲ τῶν χειρῶν τῶν ἀποστόλων ἐγίνετο σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα πολλὰ ἐν τῷ λαῷ. καὶ ἦσαν ὁμοθυμαδὸν |ἅπαντες| ἐν τῇ στοᾷ Σολομῶντος δια δε των χειρων των αποστολων εγενετο σημεια και τερατα εν τω λαω πολλα και ησαν ομοθυμαδον απαντες εν τη στοα σολομωντος δια δε των χειρων των αποστολων εγινετο σημεια και τερατα εν τω λαω πολλα και ησαν ομοθυμαδον απαντες εν τη στοα σολομωντος

Acts 5:15, 16 (NET)

Acts 5:15, 16 (KJV)

Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets, and put them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow would fall on some of them. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὥστε καὶ εἰς τὰς πλατείας ἐκφέρειν τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς καὶ τιθέναι ἐπὶ κλιναρίων καὶ κραβάττων, ἵνα ἐρχομένου Πέτρου κὰν ἡ σκιὰ |ἐπισκιάσῃ| τινὶ αὐτῶν ωστε κατα τας πλατειας εκφερειν τους ασθενεις και τιθεναι επι κλινων και κραββατων ινα ερχομενου πετρου καν η σκια επισκιαση τινι αυτων ωστε κατα τας πλατειας εκφερειν τους ασθενεις και τιθεναι επι κλινων και κραββατων ινα ερχομενου πετρου καν η σκια επισκιαση τινι αυτων
A crowd of people from the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits.  They were all being healed. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

συνήρχετο δὲ καὶ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν πέριξ πόλεων Ἰερουσαλὴμ φέροντες ἀσθενεῖς καὶ ὀχλουμένους ὑπὸ πνευμάτων ἀκαθάρτων, οἵτινες ἐθεραπεύοντο ἅπαντες συνηρχετο δε και το πληθος των περιξ πολεων εις ιερουσαλημ φεροντες ασθενεις και οχλουμενους υπο πνευματων ακαθαρτων οιτινες εθεραπευοντο απαντες συνηρχετο δε και το πληθος των περιξ πολεων εις ιερουσαλημ φεροντες ασθενεις και οχλουμενους υπο πνευματων ακαθαρτων οιτινες εθεραπευοντο απαντες

[1] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had αὐτὸν (he in the accusative case) here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τον παυλον (Paul in the accusative case along with its appropriate article).

[2] The NET parallel Greek text had ἔθεσι here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had εθεσιν.

[3] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had κατηγορεῖν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had κατηγορησαι (KJV: to accuse).

[4] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἦλθον here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ηκον.

[5] In the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 Moses was spelled Μωϋσέως, and μωσεως in the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text.

[6] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τους πεποιθοτας επι τοις χρημασιν (KJV: for them that trust in riches) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[7] Mark 10:24b (NET)

[8] From “Innovations in the Text and Translation of the NET Bible, New Testament,” III. Innovations in Text: “The NET New Testament is based on a critically constructed Greek text, following the principles of reasoned eclecticism.  The Greek text of the NET NT differs from the Nestle-Aland27 in about 500 places.”

[9] Mark 10:23b (NET)

[10] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἡμῖν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ημων.

[11] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had τε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had δε.

[12] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had τῆς μεγαλειότητος here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had την μεγαλειοτητα (KJV: magnificence).

[13] Luke 11:21, 22 (NET) Table

[14] John 14:6a (NET)

[15] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἰδίᾳ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had αυτου.  The Byzantine Majority Text had neither.

[16] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had  Ἰησοῦν here.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[17] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μελλοντος εσεσθαι (KJV: to come) here, where the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had simply μέλλοντος.

[18] The Stephanus Textus Receptus had δε και here, where the NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had simply καὶ.

[19] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had οπως λυση αυτον (KJV: that he might loose him) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[20] The Byzantine Majority Text had και preceding righteous judgment.  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

[21] The NET parallel Greek text had ἀπειθοῦσι here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had απειθουσιν.  Also, the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μεν following obey.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[22] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article του preceding law.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[23] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article του preceding law.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[24] Hebrews 10:1a (NET)

[25] The Stephanus Textus Receptu had εγενετο (KJV: werewrought) here, where the NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had ἐγίνετο.

[26] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ here.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[27] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had εἰς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had κατα.

[28] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had κλιναρίων here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had κλινων (KJV: beds).

[29] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had κραβάττων here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had κραββατων (KJV: couches).

[30] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εἰς (KJV: unto) preceding Jerusalem.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[31] Exodus 20:17 (NET) Table

[32] Galatians 3:21b (NET)

[33] Romans 8:3, 4 (NET) Table

[34] It is fair to assume that all have fallen asleep by now.

[35] Matthew 6:9, 10 (NET)

 

Romans, Part 88

This is the reason I was often hindered from coming to you,[1] Paul continued his letter to believers in Rome.  The hindrance here was Paul’s own φιλοτιμούμενον (a form of φιλοτιμέομαι), translated I desire (NET) and have I strived (KJV), his own fondness for honor: And in this way I desire to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another person’s foundation, but as it is written: Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”[2]  But in two other letters Paul used forms of φιλοτιμέομαι without a hint of pride (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 NET):

Now on the topic of brotherly love (φιλαδελφίας, a form of φιλαδελφία) you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.  And indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters in all of Macedonia.  But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, to aspire (φιλοτιμεῖσθαι, another form of φιλοτιμέομαι) to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you.  In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need.

Granted, Paul’s own aspiration was to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another person’s foundation, while his aspiration for Macedonian believers was that they lead a quiet life, to attend to [their] own business, and to work with [their] hands, as we commanded [them].  But that implies a sense of order and rank, not necessarily a prideful aspiration on Paul’s part.  To the Corinthian believers he wrote (2 Corinthians 5:1-10 NET):

For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens.  For in this earthly house we groan, because we desire (ἐπιποθοῦντες, a form of ἐπιποθέω) to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed, after we have put on our heavenly house, we will not be found naked.  For we groan while we are in this tent, since we are weighed down, because we do not want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.  Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.  Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the Lord – for we live by faith, not by sight.  Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition (φιλοτιμούμεθα, another form of φιλοτιμέομαι) to please him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.

Surely Paul’s ambition to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another person’s foundation, was part of his ambition to please God.  Still, I wonder how different church history might have been if Paul had arrived first in Rome.  He had desired (ἐπιποθίαν, a form of ἐπιποθία) to come to them for many yearsBut now there is nothing more to keep me in these regions, and I have for many years desired to come to you when I go to Spain.[3]  For I hope to visit you when I pass through and that you will help me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.[4]  He acknowledged the same at the beginning of his letter to them (Romans 1:8-13a NET):

First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.  For God, whom I serve in my spirit by preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness that I continually remember you and I always ask in my prayers, if perhaps now at last I may succeed in visiting (ἐλθεῖν, a form of ἔρχομαι) you according to the will of God.  For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually comforted by one another’s faith, both yours and mine.  I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I often intended to come (ἐλθεῖν, a form of ἔρχομαι) to you (and was prevented until now)…

The Greek word translated was prevented was ἐκωλύθην (a form of κωλύω).  It seems to be a stronger hindrance (see the table below) than ἐνεκοπτόμην (a form of ἐγκόπτω) in Romans 15:22, though Paul strengthened ἐνεκοπτόμην with πολλὰ (a form of πολλός).  So while he listed his own desire for honor at the end of his letter as the reason he was hindered from visiting Rome, there is a hint here that visit was deliberately delayed as something not yet ἐν τῷ θελήματι τοῦ θεοῦ (“in” or “by the will of God;” NET: according to).

I suppose I imagine that if Paul had preceded Peter in Rome churches might have become more facilitators than arbiters of the new covenant.  I’m thinking especially here of for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD.[5]  But historically the western church became the de facto government after Constantine moved his capital east.  Even Paul proposed governmental functions for the church to deal with those who were not led by the Spirit (1 Timothy 1:5-11) in Corinth (1 Corinthians 6:1-8 NET):

When any of you has a legal dispute with another, does he dare go to court before the unrighteous (ἀδίκων, a form of ἄδικος) rather than before the saints (ἁγίων, a form of ἅγιος)?  Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world?  And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to settle trivial suits?  Do you not know that we will judge angels?  Why not ordinary matters!  So if you have ordinary lawsuits, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church?  I say this to your shame!  Is there no one among you wise enough to settle disputes between fellow Christians (ἀδελφοῦ, a form of ἀδελφός)?  Instead, does a Christian (ἀδελφὸς, another form of ἀδελφός) sue a Christian (ἀδελφοῦ, a form of ἀδελφός), and do this before unbelievers (ἀπίστων, a form of ἄπιστος)?  The fact that you have lawsuits among yourselves demonstrates that you have already been defeated (ἥττημα, a form of ἥττημα).  Why not rather be wronged?  Why not rather be cheated?  But you yourselves wrong and cheat, and you do this to your brothers and sisters (ἀδελφούς, another form of ἀδελφός)!

To speculate whether western churches would be different if Paul had preceded Peter to Rome is ultimately foolishness.  We who have been drawn to Christ by the kindness of God are the ἐκκλησία.  The character of our churches here and now is determined predominantly by our faith.  Are we facilitators of the new covenant or arbiters, judges with evil motives (James 2:1-4 NET)?  When Jesus said Do not judge[6] He knew to whom He spoke, intimately, both as Creator and a partaker of our humanity.

We judge everything.  We judge the weight of an object before we pick it up.  We judge the distance and velocity of the things we see around us.  We judge everyone: beautiful, ugly, rich, poor, friendly, aggressive, lying, truthful, wise, foolish.  I don’t think Jesus’ point was that we stop doing the thing that makes it possible for us to live and move in this world.  His point was—that after we make those instinctive judgments about other people—we love them as those for whom Christ died with his own love that flows through us from his Spirit, believing with his own faithfulness that flows through us from His Spirit that we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.[7]

I did a word study of ἐλθεῖν (a form of ἔρχομαι), translated from coming and to come, not because I thought there was anything mysterious about Paul’s usage of the word in Romans 15:22 and 23, but because I know I’ll want a good grounding in the usage of forms of ἔρχομαι when I come around again to Matthew 23:34-36.  Doing so exposed me to an interesting study in John’s Gospel narrative that I think pertinent here as it relates to judging others.

Jesus spoke to the Ἰουδαῖοι (a form of Ἰουδαῖος), translated Jewish leaders.  I’ll leave it in Greek here because I don’t think being Jewish had anything to do with it beyond the historical fact that they were hardened (Isaiah 6:9-12; Matthew 13:10-17) to the point of being enthralled with what I have called the religious mind.

You study the scriptures thoroughly, Jesus said to those with religious minds, because you think in them you possess eternal life, and it is these same scriptures that testify about me, but you are not willing (θέλετε, a form of θέλω) to come to me so that you may have life.[8]  He continued addressing those with religious minds: No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.  It is written in the prophets,And they will all be taught by God.’  Everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to me.[9]  Later Jesus explained his teaching to his disciples (John 6:63-65 NET):

The Spirit is the one who gives life; human nature (σὰρξ, a form of σάρξ) is of no help!  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.  But there are some of you who do not believe…Because of this I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has allowed (δεδομένον, a form of δίδωμι; literally, given) him to come” (KJV: except it were given unto him of my Father).

Then Jesus said (John 7:33-36 NET):

“I will be with you for only a little while longer, and then I am going to the one who sent me.  You will look for me but will not find me, and where I am you cannot come.”

Then the Ἰουδαῖοι said to one another, “Where is he going to go that we cannot find him?  He is not going to go to the Jewish people dispersed among the Greeks and teach the Greeks, is he?  What did he mean by saying, ‘You will look for me but will not find me, and where I am you cannot come’?”

Then Jesus said to them again (John 8:21-24 NET):

“I am going away, and you will look for me but will die in your sin.  Where I am going you cannot come.”  So the Ἰουδαῖοι began to say, “Perhaps he is going to kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’”  Jesus replied, “You people are from below; I am from above.  You people are from this world; I am not from this world.  Thus I told you that you will die in your sins.  For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”

When Judas had gone out, Jesus said [to his remaining disciples] (John 13:31-38 NET):

“Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him.  If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him right away.  Children, I am still with you for a little while.  You will look for me, and just as I said to the Ἰουδαίοις, ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’ now I tell you the same.

“I give you a new commandment – to love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.”  Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now?  I will lay down my life for you!”  Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?  I tell you the solemn truth, the rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times!”

Apart from the Holy Spirit we are no different than the worst of sinners or the hardest of those with religious minds.  For who concedes you any superiority? Paul wrote believers in Corinth.  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not?[10]

You were running well, Paul wrote believers in Galatia, who prevented you from obeying the truth?[11]  I was drawn here because ἐνέκοψεν, translated prevented, is a form of ἐγκόπτω like ἐνεκοπτόμην, translated I washindered in Romans 15:22.  It’s not wrong to translate μὴ πείθεσθαι (a form of πείθω; to convince, persuade) from obeying.  Several of the occurrences of forms of πείθω are linked directly to the action that conviction or persuasion produced.

The chief priests and the elders persuaded (ἔπεισαν, another form of πείθω) the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed.[12]  When Pilate asked, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?”  They all said, “Crucify him!”[13]  In Lystra Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and after winning the crowds over (πείσαντες, another form of πείθω), they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city[14] 

Paul went to the Jews in the synagogue [in Thessalonica], as he customarily did, and on three Sabbath days he addressed them from the scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, saying, “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”  Some of them were persuaded (ἐπείσθησαν, another form of πείθω) and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large group of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.[15]

Demetrius, a silversmith in Ephesus, complained that Paul has persuaded (πείσας, another form of πείθω) and turned away a large crowd, not only in Ephesus but in practically all of the province of Asia, by saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all.[16]  A centurion was more convinced (ἐπείθετο, another form of πείθω) by the captain and the ship’s owner than by what Paul said.[17]  So he ignored Paul’s warning that the voyage is going to end in disaster[18] and they weighed anchor and sailed close along the coast of Crete[19] directly into a storm that ran them aground two weeks later.

So while it is not wrong to focus on the obedience aspect of forms of πείθω, it is a bit of misdirection in Galatians 5:7 since obedience was not really at issue.  Believers in Galatia were all too willing to obey the commands of anyone who came along in the name of Christ.  Apparently some had come preaching circumcision.  Listen!  I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all![20]  He said this not to the disobedient but the overly obedient.  For the act of circumcision as a body modification was meaningless to Paul vis-à-vis the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 7:17-19 NET):

Nevertheless, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each person, so must he live.  I give this sort of direction in all the churches.  Was anyone called after he had been circumcised?  He should not try to undo his circumcision.  Was anyone called who is uncircumcised?  He should not get circumcised.  Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.  Instead, keeping God’s commandments is what counts.

Paul’s concern was the persuasion (πεισμονὴ, a form of πεισμονή; Galatians 5:8) that led to the obedience of circumcision.  His concern was that the desire for circumcision indicated that the Galatian believers were not persuaded of the truth of the grace of Christ and were, in fact, following a different gospel.[21]  The act of circumcision among Gentile believers signified a different persuasion to Paul, a different faith that the Holy Spirit they had received was incompetent and required the aid of the σαρκὶ (a form of σάρξ), translated human effort (Galatians 3:2b-5 NET):

Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard?  Are you so foolish?  Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort (σαρκὶ, a form of σάρξ; literally, flesh)?  Have you suffered so many things for nothing? – if indeed it was for nothing.  Does God then give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law or by your believing what you heard?

You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ, Paul wrote obedient believers persuaded by an incorrect persuasion, you have fallen away from grace!  For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait expectantly for the hope of righteousness.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight – the only thing that matters is faith working through love.[22]  None of this was written to disobedient people unwilling to obey God’s commands.

The tables I used to write this essay for forms of κωλύω and πείθω follow.  I’ve just become aware of the differences in the Greek between the received text (Stephanus Textus Receptus) and the parallel Greek in the NET.  At those points where the form of the Greek word is different I’ve broken the table to insert the full Greek text of the verse.

Form of κωλύω

Reference KJV

NET

ἐκωλύομεν (εκωλυσαμεν) Mark 9:38 we forbad him, because he followeth not us. we tried to stop him because he was not following us.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰωάννης· διδάσκαλε, εἴδομεν τινα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι σου ἐκβάλλοντα δαιμόνια καὶ ἐκωλύομεν αὐτόν, ὅτι οὐκ ἠκολούθει ἡμῖν απεκριθη δε αυτω ο ιωαννης λεγων διδασκαλε ειδομεν τινα τω ονοματι σου εκβαλλοντα δαιμονια ος ουκ ακολουθει ημιν και εκωλυσαμεν αυτον οτι ουκ ακολουθει ημιν απεκριθη δε αυτω ο ιωαννης λεγων διδασκαλε ειδομεν τινα τω ονοματι σου εκβαλλοντα δαιμονια ος ουκ ακολουθει ημιν και εκωλυσαμεν αυτον οτι ουκ ακολουθει ημιν

Form of κωλύω

Reference KJV

NET

ἐκωλύομεν (εκωλυσαμεν) Luke 9:49 we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. we tried to stop him because he is not a disciple along with us.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Ἰωάννης εἶπεν· ἐπιστάτα, εἴδομεν τινα ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι σου ἐκβάλλοντα δαιμόνια καὶ ἐκωλύομεν αὐτόν, ὅτι οὐκ ἀκολουθεῖ μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν αποκριθεις δε ο ιωαννης ειπεν επιστατα ειδομεν τινα επι τω ονοματι σου εκβαλλοντα τα δαιμονια και εκωλυσαμεν αυτον οτι ουκ ακολουθει μεθ ημων αποκριθεις δε ο ιωαννης ειπεν επιστατα ειδομεν τινα επι τω ονοματι σου εκβαλλοντα δαιμονια και εκωλυσαμεν αυτον οτι ουκ ακολουθει μεθ ημων

Form of κωλύω

Reference KJV

NET

ἐκωλύσατε Luke 11:52 …them that were entering in ye hindered. you hindered those who were going in.
ἐκώλυσεν Acts 27:43 kept them from their purpose… prevented them from carrying out their plan.
2 Peter 2:16 forbad the madness of the prophet. restrained the prophet’s madness…
ἐκωλύθην Romans 1:13 …but was let hitherto… …and was prevented until now…
κωλύει Acts 8:36 …what doth hinder me to be baptized? What is to stop me from being baptized?
3 John 1:10 …and forbiddeth them that would… …but hinders the people who want to do so…
κωλύειν Acts 24:23 …and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister… …and not to prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs.
κωλύεσθαι Hebrews 7:23 …because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: …because death prevented them from continuing in office…
κωλύετε Matthew 19:14 …and forbid them not… …and do not try to stop them…
Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: But Jesus said, “Do not stop him…
Mark 10:14 and forbid them not: and do not try to stop them…
Luke 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him…
Luke 18:16 …and forbid them not: …and do not try to stop them…
1 Corinthians 14:39 …and forbid not to speak with tongues. …and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.
κωλύοντα Luke 23:2 …and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar… forbidding us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar…
κωλυόντων 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles… because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles…
1 Timothy 4:3 Forbidding to marry… They will prohibit marriage…
κωλῦσαι Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water… No one can withhold the water…
Acts 11:17 …what was I, that I could withstand God? …who was I to hinder God?
κωλύσῃς Luke 6:29 forbid not to take thy coat also. do not withhold your tunic either.
κωλυθέντες Acts 16:6 and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost… having been prevented by the Holy Spirit…

 

Form of πείθω Reference KJV

NET

ἔπεισαν Matthew 27:20 …chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask… …chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas…
ἐπείσθησαν Acts 5:40 (39) And to him they agreed [verse 39] He convinced them…
Acts 17:4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas… Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas…
ἔπειθεν Acts 18:4 and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. attempting to persuade them.
ἐπείθετο Acts 27:11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master… But the centurion was more convinced by the captain…
ἔπειθον Acts 13:43 persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. and were persuading them to continue in the grace of God.
ἐπείθοντο Acts 5:36 …as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. …all who followed him were dispersed and nothing came of it.
Acts 5:37 …even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. …and all who followed him were scattered.
Acts 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken… Some were convinced by what he said…
ἐπεποίθει Luke 11:22 …he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted …he takes away the first man’s armor on which the man relied
πείσαντες Acts 12:20 …having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend And after convincing Blastus, the king’s personal assistant…
Acts 14:19 …who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out… …and after winning the crowds over, they stoned Paul and dragged him out…
πείσας Acts 19:26 …Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people… …Paul has persuaded and turned away a large crowd…
πείσομεν Matthew 28:14 …we will persuade him, and secure you. …we will satisfy him and keep you out…
1 John 3:19 …and shall assure our hearts before him. …and will convince our conscience in his…
πεισθῇς Acts 23:21 But do not thou yield unto them: So do not let them persuade you to do…
πεισθήσονται Luke 16:31 If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. If they do not respond to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.
πείθεις Acts 26:28 Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. are you persuading me to become a Christian?
πείθεσθαι Galatians 5:7 …who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? …who prevented you from obeying the truth?
James 3:3 …put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us… …put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us…
Πείθεσθε Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you… Obey your leaders and submit to them…
πείθω Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God?
πείθων Acts 19:8 …disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. …addressing and convincing them about the kingdom of God.
Acts 28:23 persuading them concerning Jesus… and trying to convince them about Jesus…
πείθομαι Acts 26:26 …for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him… …because I cannot believe that any of these things has escaped his notice…
πείθομεν 2 Corinthians 5:11 we persuade men… we try to persuade people…
πειθομένοις Romans 2:8 …and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness… …do not obey the truth but follow unrighteousness.
πειθομένου Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased… Because he could not be persuaded, we said no more…
πειθόμεθα (πεποιθαμεν) Hebrews 13:18 …for we trust we have a good conscience… …for we are sure that we have a clear conscience…

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Προσεύχεσθε περὶ ἡμῶν· πειθόμεθα γὰρ ὅτι καλὴν συνείδησιν ἔχομεν, ἐν πᾶσιν καλῶς θέλοντες ἀναστρέφεσθαι προσευχεσθε περι ημων πεποιθαμεν γαρ οτι καλην συνειδησιν εχομεν εν πασιν καλως θελοντες αναστρεφεσθαι προσευχεσθε περι ημων πεποιθαμεν γαρ οτι καλην συνειδησιν εχομεν εν πασιν καλως θελοντες αναστρεφεσθαι

Form of πείθω

Reference KJV

NET

πέπεισμαι Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life… For I am convinced that neither death, nor life…
Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus… I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus…
Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you… But I myself am fully convinced about you…
2 Timothy 1:5 …and I am persuaded that in thee also. …and I am sure is in you.
2 Timothy 1:12 …and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him… …and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me…
πεπεισμένος Luke 20:6 …for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. they are convinced that John was a prophet.
Πεπείσμεθα Hebrews 6:9 we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation… we are convinced of better things relating to salvation.
πέποιθα Galatians 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded… I am confident in the Lord that you will accept no other view.
Philippians 2:24 I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. I am confident in the Lord that I too will be coming to see you soon.
πεποίθαμεν 2 Thessalonians 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you… And we are confident about you in the Lord…
πέποιθας Romans 2:19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind… if you are convinced that you yourself are a guide to the blind…
πέποιθεν Matthew 27:43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: He trusts in God – let God, if he wants to, deliver him now
2 Corinthians 10:7 If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s… If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ…
πεποιθέναι Philippians 3:4 …thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh… …thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials…
πεποιθὼς 2 Corinthians 2:3 having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. since I am confident in you all that my joy would be yours.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing… For I am sure of this very thing…
Philippians 1:25 And having this confidence And since I am sure of this…
Philemon 1:21 Having confidence in thy obedience… Since I was confident that you would obey…
Hebrews 2:13 …I will put my trust in him. …I will be confident in him…
πεποιθοτας Mark 10:24 …how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter… omitted
Luke 18:9 …unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous… …to some who were confident that they were righteous…
Philippians 1:14 …in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds… having confidence in the Lord because of my imprisonment…
πεποιθότες 2 Corinthians 1:9 …that we should not trust in ourselves… …so that we would not trust in ourselves…
Philippians 3:3 …and have no confidence in the flesh. …and do not rely on human credentials…

[1] Romans 15:22 (NET)

[2] Romans 15:20, 21 (NET)

[3] Kenneth Berding, “Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey (And I Don’t Mean His Trip to Rome),” The Good Book Blog

[4] Romans 15:23, 24 (NET)

[5] Jeremiah 31:34b (Tanakh) Table

[6] Luke 6:37 (NET)

[7] 1 Timothy 4:10b (NET)

[8] John 5:39, 40 (NET)

[9] John 6:44, 45 (NET)

[10] 1 Corinthians 4:7 (NET)

[11] Galatians 5:7 (NET)

[12] Matthew 27:20 (NET)

[13] Matthew 27:22 (NET)

[14] Acts 14:19 (NET) Table

[15] Acts 17:2-4 (NET)

[16] Acts 19:26 (NET)

[17] Acts 27:11 (NET)

[18] Acts 27:10a (NET)

[19] Acts 27:13b (NET)

[20] Galatians 5:2 (NET)

[21] Galatians 1:6 (NET)

[22] Galatians 5:4-6 (NET) Table