The Book of Life, Part 3

The beast was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them. He was given ruling authority over every tribe, people,1 language, and nation, and all those who live on the earth will worship the beast,2 everyone whose3 name4 has not been written since the foundation of the world in the5 book of life belonging to the Lamb who6 was killed.7

This is the fullest description of the book of life so far. The Greek words translated the book were τῷ βιβλίῳ in the NET, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text. In the Stephanus Textus Receptus the feminine article τη preceded the neuter noun βιβλίῳ. That noun in the dative case was followed by a string of three articles, two nouns and a participle all in the genitive case: τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ ἀρνίου τοῦ8 ἐσφαγμένου.

For the most part, the genitive is often viewed as the case of possession. In more technical terms one noun in the genitive case helps to qualify another noun by showing its “class” or “kind”.9

So I have: “the book of the life of the lamb of the slain,” or “the book of the slain lamb’s life.” Or if one is inclined to play games with gender: “the slain lamb’s book of life.” Once the idea is purged from my thoughts—that the Lord wrote or had a list of personal names since the foundation of the world,10 that omission from this list condemned one to be thrown into the lake of fire,11 that Peter lied about the existence of this list, writing, The Lorddoes not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance12—it is easy to understand “the book of the life of the lamb of the slain” as the New Testament.

The Greek word translated slain (KJV) and who was killed (NET) was ἐσφαγμένου, a participle of the verb σφάζω: “to kill, butcher, slaughter (by cutting the throat), slay for a sacrifice; to wound, maim, torment.” This word is like a synopsis of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

John13 saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb (ἀμνὸς) of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one about14 whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is greater than I am, because he existed before me.’ I did not recognize him, but I came baptizing with water15 so that he could be revealed to Israel.”16

After many of his disciples quit following him (John 6:67, 68 NET):

Jesus said to the Twelve, “You don’t want to go away too, do you?” Simon Peter answered him,17 “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life (ζωῆς αἰωνίου).

If the Holy Spirit had intended for me to understand the book of life as a list of personal names He could have written τῷ ὀνοματογραφίᾳ τῆς ζωῆς. But if anyone says that Jesus’ life is described throughout the Bible, I wouldn’t be inclined to argue. I just didn’t see that for myself until I began to understand that Jesus learned this life from the Scriptures I know as the Old Testament.

First, I had to learn that Jesus expressed genuine surprise when he asked Nicodemus, Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you don’t understand these things?18 He didn’t ridicule Nicodemus for ignorance of a novel concept that Jesus’ had made up in the moment: Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above.’19 Only then did I begin to recognize his life in the writings of the Old Testament.

The personal name of consequence in the slain Lamb’s book of life is not mine but Christ’s (Galatians 2:20 NET):

I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This is not Paul’s hyperbolic expression of his personal devotion to Christ but his declarative statement of mere Christianity. Anything, everything, less is hypocrisy, the work of an actor, one seeking to have [one’s] own righteousness derived from the law,20 one rejecting the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness.21

He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross! As a result God highly exalted him and gave him the name (ὄνομα) that is above every name (ὄνομα), so that at the name (ὀνόματι, a form of ὄνομα) of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.22

The Greek word translated Jesus was Ἰησοῦ, a form of Ἰησοῦς. In the Septuagint Ἰησοῦ and Ἰησοῦς are the Greek name of Joshua (Exodus 17:9, 10 NET).

So Moses said to Joshua (Ἰησοῦ), “Choose some of our men and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”

So Joshua (Ἰησοῦς) fought against Amalek just as Moses had instructed him, and Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill [Table].

So even the name above every name has more to do with the reputation of One than his personal name. Joshua did many wonderful things, but it is not before Joshua that every knee will bow. Joshua is not the Lord that every tongue will confess because his name is Ἰησοῦς in Greek.

Another occurrence of the Lamb’s book of life follows (Revelation 21:27 NET):

but nothing ritually unclean23 will ever enter into [the holy city, Jerusalem], nor anyone who does24 what is detestable or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Again, names was added by the translators: but only thosewritten in the Lamb’s book of life. Here the book doesn’t seem like a literal book at all. Being written in the Lamb’s book of life sounds more like a euphemism for having a share in the Lamb’s life, for being in Christ (Philippians 3:5-11 NET):

I was circumcised on the eighth day, from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. I lived according to the law as a Pharisee. In my zeal for God I persecuted the church. According to the righteousness stipulated in the law I was blameless [Table]. But25 these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. More than that,26 I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things—indeed, I regard them as dung!—that I may gain Christ [Table] and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness—a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness. My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead [Table].

Given this, I would understand one not found written in the book of life27 as a euphemism for one not in Christ. I’ll consider one more occurrence of the book of life (Revelation 20:11, 12 NET).

Then I saw a large white throne and the one who was seated on it;28 the earth and the heaven fled from his presence,29 and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the30 great and the31 small, standing before the throne.32 Then books were opened,33 and another book was opened34—the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.

A note (34) in the NET acknowledged that ἄλλο βιβλίον ἠνοίχθη, ἐστιν τῆς ζωῆς is literally “another book was opened, which is of life.” I can understand these books concretely as the Bible with the New Testament which is of life highlighted: the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.35

You yourselves are our letter, Paul wrote (2 Corinthians 3:2-11 NET):

written on our hearts, known and read by everyone, revealing that you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on tablets of human hearts.36
Now we have such confidence in God through Christ. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills,37 but the Spirit gives life.
But if the ministry that produced death—carved in letters on38 stone tablets—came with glory, so that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (a glory which was made ineffective) [Table], how much more glorious will the ministry of the Spirit be? For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation (κατακρίσεως, a form of κατάκρισις), how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory! For indeed, what had been glorious now has no glory because of the tremendously greater glory of what replaced it [Table]. For if what was made ineffective came with glory, how much more has what remains come in glory!

Conversely, I can understand “another book was opened, which is of life” abstractly as Christ Himself at the very moment when those whose life is hidden with Christ appear (Colossians 3:1-4 NET).

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ (who is your39 life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.

I can’t understand the dead being judged by a list of personal names to which they have had no access. So the dead were judged (ἐκρίθησαν, a form of κρίνω) by what was written in the books, according to their deeds (ἔργα, a form of ἔργον).40 Jesus said, (John 3:16-21 ESV):

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn (κρίνῃ, another form of κρίνω) the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him [Table]. Whoever believes in him is not condemned (κρίνεται, another form of κρίνω), but whoever does not believe is condemned (κέκριται, another form of κρίνω) already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment (κρίσις): the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works (ἔργα, a form of ἔργον) were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works (ἔργα, a form of ἔργον) should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works (ἔργα, a form of ἔργον) have been carried out (εἰργασμένα, a form of ἐργάζομαι) in God.”

For many live, Paul wrote, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears (Philippians 3:18-21 NET):

I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven—and we also eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself [Table].

Does Jesus’ power (ἐνέργειαν, a form of ἐνέργεια; KJV: working) by which he is able to subject all things to himself extend to the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things41? I tend to answer this question in the affirmative because I remember when I believed none of it. I remember what “living” was like when I was written in the book of the slain Lamb’s life in these negative terms.

Tables comparing Exodus 17:9 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Exodus 17:9 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Revelation 13:7, 8; John 1:29-31; 6:68; Revelation 21:27; Philippians 3:7; Revelation 20:11, 12; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 3:6 and Colossians 3:4 in the NET and KJV follow.

Exodus 17:9 (Tanakh)

Exodus 17:9 (KJV)

Exodus 17:9 (NET)

And Moses said unto Joshua: ‘Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek; tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of G-d in my hand.’ And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”

Exodus 17:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 17:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν δὲ Μωυσῆς τῷ Ἰησοῦ ἐπίλεξον σεαυτῷ ἄνδρας δυνατοὺς καὶ ἐξελθὼν παράταξαι τῷ Αμαληκ αὔριον καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἕστηκα ἐπὶ τῆς κορυφῆς τοῦ βουνοῦ καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν τῇ χειρί μου εἶπε δὲ Μωυσῆς τῷ ᾿Ιησοῦ· ἐπίλεξον σεαυτῷ ἄνδρας δυνατοὺς καὶ ἐξελθὼν παράταξαι τῷ ᾿Αμαλὴκ αὔριον, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἕστηκα ἐπὶ τῆς κορυφῆς τοῦ βουνοῦ, καὶ ἡ ράβδος τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐν τῇ χειρί μου

Exodus 17:9 (NETS)

Exodus 17:9 (English Elpenor)

iAnd Moyses said to Iesous, “Choose for yourself capable men, and go forth, and set up in battle array with Amalek tomorrow. And look, I stand on top of the hill, and the rod of God is in my hand.” And Moses said to Joshua, Choose out for thyself mighty men, and go forth and set the army in array against Amalec to-morrow; and, behold, I [shall] stand on the top of the hill, and the rod of God [will be] in my hand.

Revelation 13:7, 8 (NET)

Revelation 13:7, 8 (KJV)

The beast was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them. He was given ruling authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation, And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

|καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ποιῆσαι πόλεμον μετὰ τῶν ἁγίων καὶ νικῆσαι αὐτούς,| καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐξουσία ἐπὶ πᾶσαν φυλὴν καὶ λαὸν καὶ γλῶσσαν καὶ ἔθνος και εδοθη αυτω πολεμον ποιησαι μετα των αγιων και νικησαι αυτους και εδοθη αυτω εξουσια επι πασαν φυλην και γλωσσαν και εθνος και εδοθη αυτω ποιησαι πολεμον μετα των αγιων και νικησαι αυτους και εδοθη αυτω εξουσια επι πασαν φυλην και λαον και γλωσσαν και εθνος
and all those who live on the earth will worship the beast, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was killed. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, οὗ οὐ γέγραπται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ ἀρνίου τοῦ ἐσφαγμένου ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου και προσκυνησουσιν αυτω παντες οι κατοικουντες επι της γης ων ου γεγραπται τα ονοματα εν τη βιβλω της ζωης του αρνιου εσφαγμενου απο καταβολης κοσμου και προσκυνησουσιν αυτω παντες οι κατοικουντες επι της γης ων ου γεγραπται το ονομα εν τω βιβλιω της ζωης του αρνιου του εσφαγμενου απο καταβολης κοσμου

John 1:29-31 (NET)

John 1:29-31 (KJV)

On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Τῇ ἐπαύριον βλέπει τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐρχόμενον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ λέγει· ἴδε ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ὁ αἴρων τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου τη επαυριον βλεπει ο ιωαννης τον ιησουν ερχομενον προς αυτον και λεγει ιδε ο αμνος του θεου ο αιρων την αμαρτιαν του κοσμου τη επαυριον βλεπει ο ιωαννης τον ιησουν ερχομενον προς αυτον και λεγει ιδε ο αμνος του θεου ο αιρων την αμαρτιαν του κοσμου
This is the one about whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is greater than I am, because he existed before me.’ This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οὗτος ἐστιν ὑπὲρ οὗ ἐγὼ εἶπον· ὀπίσω μου ἔρχεται ἀνὴρ ὃς ἔμπροσθεν μου γέγονεν, ὅτι πρῶτος μου ἦν ουτος εστιν περι ου εγω ειπον οπισω μου ερχεται ανηρ ος εμπροσθεν μου γεγονεν οτι πρωτος μου ην ουτος εστιν περι ου εγω ειπον οπισω μου ερχεται ανηρ ος εμπροσθεν μου γεγονεν οτι πρωτος μου ην
I did not recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he could be revealed to Israel.” And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καγὼ οὐκ ᾔδειν αὐτόν, ἀλλ᾿ ἵνα φανερωθῇ τῷ Ἰσραὴλ διὰ τοῦτο ἦλθον ἐγὼ ἐν ὕδατι βαπτίζων καγω ουκ ηδειν αυτον αλλ ινα φανερωθη τω ισραηλ δια τουτο ηλθον εγω εν τω υδατι βαπτιζων καγω ουκ ηδειν αυτον αλλ ινα φανερωθη τω ισραηλ δια τουτο ηλθον εγω εν τω υδατι βαπτιζων

John 6:68 (NET)

John 6:68 (KJV)

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ Σίμων Πέτρος· κύριε, πρὸς τίνα ἀπελευσόμεθα; ρήματα ζωῆς αἰωνίου ἔχεις απεκριθη ουν αυτω σιμων πετρος κυριε προς τινα απελευσομεθα ρηματα ζωης αιωνιου εχεις απεκριθη ουν αυτω σιμων πετρος κυριε προς τινα απελευσομεθα ρηματα ζωης αιωνιου εχεις

Revelation 21:27 (NET)

Revelation 21:27 (KJV)

but nothing ritually unclean will ever enter into it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθῃ εἰς αὐτὴν πᾶν κοινὸν καὶ [] ποιῶν βδέλυγμα καὶ ψεῦδος εἰ μὴ οἱ γεγραμμένοι ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ ἀρνίου και ου μη εισελθη εις αυτην παν κοινουν και ποιουν βδελυγμα και ψευδος ει μη οι γεγραμμενοι εν τω βιβλιω της ζωης του αρνιου και ου μη εισελθη εις αυτην παν κοινον και ποιουν βδελυγμα και ψευδος ει μη οι γεγραμμενοι εν τω βιβλιω της ζωης του αρνιου

Philippians 3:7 (NET)

Philippians 3:7 (KJV)

But these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

[Ἀλλὰ] ἅτινα ἦν μοι κέρδη, ταῦτα ἥγημαι διὰ τὸν Χριστὸν ζημίαν αλλ ατινα ην μοι κερδη ταυτα ηγημαι δια τον χριστον ζημιαν αλλ ατινα ην μοι κερδη ταυτα ηγημαι δια τον χριστον ζημιαν

Revelation 20:11, 12 (NET)

Revelation 20:11, 12 (KJV)

Then I saw a large white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ εἶδον θρόνον μέγαν λευκὸν καὶ τὸν καθήμενον ἐπ᾿ |αὐτόν|, οὗ ἀπὸ τοῦ προσώπου ἔφυγεν ἡ γῆ καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ τόπος οὐχ εὑρέθη αὐτοῖς και ειδον θρονον λευκον μεγαν και τον καθημενον επ αυτου ου απο προσωπου εφυγεν η γη και ο ουρανος και τοπος ουχ ευρεθη αυτοις και ειδον θρονον μεγαν λευκον και τον καθημενον επ αυτον ου απο προσωπου εφυγεν η γη και ο ουρανος και τοπος ουχ ευρεθη αυτοις
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened—the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ εἶδον τοὺς νεκρούς, τοὺς μεγάλους καὶ τοὺς μικρούς, ἑστῶτας ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου. καὶ βιβλία ἠνοίχθησαν, καὶ ἄλλο βιβλίον ἠνοίχθη, ὅ ἐστιν τῆς ζωῆς, καὶ ἐκρίθησαν οἱ νεκροὶ ἐκ τῶν γεγραμμένων ἐν τοῖς βιβλίοις κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν και ειδον τους νεκρους μικρους και μεγαλους εστωτας ενωπιον του θεου και βιβλια ηνεωχθησαν και βιβλιον αλλο ηνεωχθη ο εστιν της ζωης και εκριθησαν οι νεκροι εκ των γεγραμμενων εν τοις βιβλιοις κατα τα εργα αυτων και ειδον τους νεκρους τους μεγαλους και τους μικρους εστωτας ενωπιον του θρονου και βιβλια ηνεωχθησαν και αλλο βιβλιον ηνεωχθη ο εστιν της ζωης και εκριθησαν οι νεκροι εκ των γεγραμμενων εν τοις βιβλιοις κατα τα εργα αυτων

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NET)

2 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV)

revealing that you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on tablets of human hearts. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

φανερούμενοι ὅτι ἐστὲ ἐπιστολὴ Χριστοῦ διακονηθεῖσα ὑφ᾿ ἡμῶν, ἐγγεγραμμένη οὐ μέλανι ἀλλὰ πνεύματι θεοῦ ζῶντος, οὐκ ἐν πλαξὶν λιθίναις ἀλλ᾿ ἐν πλαξὶν καρδίαις σαρκίναις φανερουμενοι οτι εστε επιστολη χριστου διακονηθεισα υφ ημων εγγεγραμμενη ου μελανι αλλα πνευματι θεου ζωντος ουκ εν πλαξιν λιθιναις αλλ εν πλαξιν καρδιας σαρκιναις φανερουμενοι οτι εστε επιστολη χριστου διακονηθεισα υφ ημων εγγεγραμμενη ου μελανι αλλα πνευματι θεου ζωντος ουκ εν πλαξιν λιθιναις αλλ εν πλαξιν καρδιαις σαρκιναις

2 Corinthians 3:6 (NET)

2 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)

who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὃς καὶ ἱκάνωσεν ἡμᾶς διακόνους καινῆς διαθήκης, οὐ γράμματος ἀλλὰ πνεύματος· τὸ γὰρ γράμμα |ἀποκτέννει|, τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα ζῳοποιεῖ ος και ικανωσεν ημας διακονους καινης διαθηκης ου γραμματος αλλα πνευματος το γαρ γραμμα αποκτεινει το δε πνευμα ζωοποιει ος και ικανωσεν ημας διακονους καινης διαθηκης ου γραμματος αλλα πνευματος το γαρ γραμμα αποκτενει το δε πνευμα ζωοποιει

Colossians 3:4 (NET)

Colossians 3:4 (KJV)

When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὅταν ὁ Χριστὸς φανερωθῇ (ἡ ζωὴ |ὑμῶν|), τότε καὶ ὑμεῖς σὺν αὐτῷ φανερωθήσεσθε ἐν δόξῃ οταν ο χριστος φανερωθη η ζωη ημων τοτε και υμεις συν αυτω φανερωθησεσθε εν δοξη οταν ο χριστος φανερωθη η ζωη ημων τοτε και υμεις συν αυτω φανερωθησεσθε εν δοξη

3 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the singular οὗ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the plural ων.

4 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the singular τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ (literally: the name of him) here, where the Byzantine Majority Text had τὸ ὄνομα, and the Stephanus Textus Receptus had the plural τα ονοματα (KJV: names).

5 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the masculine or neuter article τῷ preceding book, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had the feminine article τη.

6 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τοῦ in the genitive case preceding was killed. The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

7 Revelation 13:7, 8 (NET)

8 This article τοῦ is not found in the Stephanus Textus Receptus.

14 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὑπὲρ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had περι (KJV: of).

15 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τω preceding water. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

16 John 1:29-31 (NET)

17 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ουν (KJV: Then) preceding him. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

18 John 3:10 (NET) Table

19 John 3:7 (NET)

21 Philippians 3:9b (NET)

22 Philippians 2:8-11 (NET)

23 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had an adjective κοινὸν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had a participle κοινουν (KJV: that defileth).

24 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ποιῶν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ποιουν (KJV: worketh).

27 Revelation 20:15a (NET)

29 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τοῦ preceding presence (KJV: face). The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

30 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τοὺς preceding great. The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

31 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τοὺς preceding small. The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

35 Revelation 20:12b (NET)

36 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the plural καρδίαις in the dative case here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had the singular καρδιας in the genitive case (KJV: of the heart).

38 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εν preceding stone. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

39 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὑμῶν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ημων (KJV: our).

40 Revelation 20:12b (NET)

41 Philippians 3:18b, 19 (KJV)

The Book of Life, Part 2

To the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven1 spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a reputation2 (ὄνομα) that you are alive, but in reality you are dead.3

This angel (ἀγγέλῳ) may be the human messenger of God to the Sardis Church. This message is addressed to a singular you: your (σου) deeds, you have (ἔχεις). It is probably most prudent for human messengers to assume it is addressed to them and for members of their congregations to assume it is addressed to them as individuals. It is worth noting that ὄνομα was used here in the sense of reputation, that for which one is known, falsely in this particular instance.

But4 you have (ἔχεις) a few individuals (ὀνόματα, a form of ὄνομα) in5 Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white because they are worthy.6

Here, however, I would assume that you have (ἔχεις) referred to the church in Sardis as a singular collective. And here, also, ὀνόματα, a plural form of ὄνομα was translated individuals, names understood as persons. The pertinent verse for a consideration of the book of life follows (Revelation 3:5 NET).

The one who conquers (νικῶν) will be dressed like them7 [i.e., the names in Sardis who have not stained their clothes] in white clothing, and I will never erase his name (ὄνομα) from the book of life (τῆς βίβλου τῆς ζωῆς), but will declare8 his name (ὄνομα) before my Father and before his angels.

This is an encouraging promise: Jesus (Revelation 1:12-18) will never (οὐ μὴ) erase (ἐξαλείψω) [the] name [of t]he one who conquersfrom the book of life. This is called the subjunctive of emphatic negation,9 though ἐξαλείψω in this particular occurrence is in the future tense and indicative mood. It harmonizes perfectly with the Lord’s wishfor all come to repentance.10 The implication, however, that one who does not conquer may not be so blessed, coupled with the statement—If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire11—leaves a different impression.

This is as good a place as any to point out that name (ὄνομα) is not found in Revelation 20:15 in the Greek texts [see Table below] but was added by the translators. If I consider the different usages of ὄνομα in the previous passage, I begin to wonder if Jesus will declare the personal name of the one who conquersbefore my Father and before his angels, or the reputation of the one who conquers. Likewise, is it the personal name of the one who conquers He will never erasefrom the book of life? Or is it the reputation of the one who conquers that He will never erasefrom the book of life?

I have thought that the book of life lists the names of those who will not be thrown into the lake of fire. Perhaps it contains the true reputation or character of the one who conquers instead. If I limited myself to considering only Revelation 3:1-5, I would assume that the one who conquers completes his or her deeds in the sight of Jesus’12 God,13 remembers what he or she has received and heard, obeys it, and repents,14 and doesn’t dribble food or drink on his or her clothing.

A little familiarity with Isaiah, however, persuades me that stainedclothes has more to do with sin than with sloppy eating or drinking (Isaiah 1:18 ESV Table):

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ is fairly explicit about those whose place will be in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8 NET):

But as for the15 cowards, unbelievers,16 detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells,17 idol worshipers, and all those who lie, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the second18 death.19

So, I tend to add not being or doing these things to the list of requirements that defines the one who conquers. Without discounting any of these achievements, I recognize from many other statements in the Bible that the path to these achievements is not through my adherence to rules. That would be hypocrisy, the work of an actor.

I suspect that this sort of do-it-yourself religion was the reason Jesus told John to write to the angel of the church in Sardis,20 I have not found your deeds complete (πεπληρωμένα, a form of πληρόω) in the sight of my God.21 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill (πληρῶσαι, another form of πληρόω) them,22 Jesus promised.

The path to all of these achievements is through Jesus Christ (John 14:5-7 NET):

Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How23 can we know the way?” Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you have known24 me, you will know25 my Father too. And from now on you do know him and have seen him.”

All of these achievements are the work of God through Our Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:3, 5-8 NET):

Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God [Table]…I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God [Table]. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above.’ The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

When asked, “What should we do, brothers?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”26

Paul wrote (Galatians 5:16-18 NET):

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.

And again (Romans 8:1-4 NET):

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death [Table]. For 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 (πληρωθῇ, another form of πληρόω) in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

I admit that here and now I think of the sin he condemned (κατέκρινεν, a form of κατακρίνω) in my flesh as imprisoned there. The coward and unbeliever imprisoned in my flesh don’t prevent me from trusting Jesus or receiving his faith in God’s word. The detestable person imprisoned in my flesh doesn’t prevent Him from sharing his holiness with me. The murderer imprisoned in my flesh is not free to go on a killing spree. The sexual predator imprisoned in my flesh is restrained from victimizing women, men, girls, boys and animals, or making a religious rite of victimizing them. The magical thinking idol worshiper imprisoned in my flesh cannot stop me from hearing the Word of God, nor can the liar imprisoned there dissuade me from the truth of his word.

Still, the ultimate destination of all this sin he condemned in my flesh is the lake of fire27 along with Death and Hades,28 the place of the dead. It’s a very hopeful thing that when Jesus raises me up at29 the last day30 I’ll no longer be burdened with all this sinful residue. While I can appreciate in a hypothetical sense that those who define themselves by, or take pride in, the sin he condemned in their flesh may not perceive things quite this way, I see no reason to despair over the persistence of human sinfulness while I trust in the persistence of the One who does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.31 I’m willing to continue, expecting the book of life to be something more than a list of personal names (ὀνοματογραφία) of those who will not be thrown into the lake of fire.32

Thus far the Greek words translated the book were τῇ βίβλῳ (Revelation 20:15) and τῆς βίβλου (Revelation 3:5), forms of βίβλος. Now I’ll consider an occurrence of τὸ βιβλίον (Revelation 17:8 NET).

The33 beast you saw was, and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss and then go to destruction. The inhabitants of the earth—all those whose names34 have not been written in (ἐπὶ) the book of life (τὸ βιβλίον τῆς ζωῆς) since the foundation of the world—will be astounded35 when they see that36 the beast was, and is not, but is to come.37

The words all those appear to have been added by the translators. They have no counterpart in the Greek text. So, The inhabitants of the earthwhose names have not been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world—will be astounded. If I understand the singular τὸ ὄνομα (translated: names) as reputation or character, then I can assume it is the reputation or character of the one who conquers which has been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world and that those who do net yet possess this character, those who have not yet lived this reputation, those who have not yet received God’s salvation in Jesus Christ, will be astounded.

The alternative, that the names, τα ονοματα, are personal names implies that there are inhabitants of the earth for whom God never cared but predestined to be thrown into the lake of fire since the foundation of the world. Since that would make the Lord’s wish..for all to come to repentance38 not merely sentimental but a bald-faced lie, I will continue to consider that it is the reputation or character of the one who conquers which has been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world.

I’ll pick this up in another essay. The table mentioned above follows:

A note (41) in the NET reads: “The word ‘name’ is not in the Greek text, but is implied.”

Revelation 20:15 (NET)

Revelation 20:15 (KJV)

If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ εἴ τις οὐχ εὑρέθη ἐν τῇ βίβλῳ τῆς ζωῆς γεγραμμένος, ἐβλήθη εἰς τὴν λίμνην τοῦ πυρός και ει τις ουχ ευρεθη εν τη βιβλω της ζωης γεγραμμενος εβληθη εις την λιμνην του πυρος και ει τις ουχ ευρεθη εν τω βιβλιω της ζωης γεγραμμενος εβληθη εις την λιμνην του πυρος

Tables comparing Revelation 3:1; 3:4; 3:5; 3:2; 3:3; 21:8; John 14:5; 14:7 and Revelation 17:8 in the NET and KJV follow.

Revelation 3:1 (NET)

Revelation 3:1 (KJV)

To the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: “This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead. And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Σάρδεσιν ἐκκλησίας γράψον· Τάδε λέγει ὁ ἔχων τὰ ἑπτὰ πνεύματα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τοὺς ἑπτὰ ἀστέρας· οἶδα σου τὰ ἔργα ὅτι ὄνομα ἔχεις ὅτι ζῇς, καὶ νεκρὸς εἶ και τω αγγελω της εν σαρδεσιν εκκλησιας γραψον ταδε λεγει ο εχων τα πνευματα του θεου και τους επτα αστερας οιδα σου τα εργα οτι το ονομα εχεις οτι ζης και νεκρος ει και τω αγγελω της εν σαρδεσιν εκκλησιας γραψον ταδε λεγει ο εχων τα επτα πνευματα του θεου και τους επτα αστερας οιδα σου τα εργα οτι ονομα εχεις οτι ζης και νεκρος ει

Revelation 3:4 (NET)

Revelation 3:4 (KJV)

But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white because they are worthy. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀλλὰ ἔχεις ὀλίγα ὀνόματα ἐν Σάρδεσιν ἃ οὐκ ἐμόλυναν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν, καὶ περιπατήσουσιν μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἐν λευκοῖς, ὅτι ἄξιοι εἰσιν εχεις ολιγα ονοματα και εν σαρδεσιν α ουκ εμολυναν τα ιματια αυτων και περιπατησουσιν μετ εμου εν λευκοις οτι αξιοι εισιν αλλ ολιγα εχεις ονοματα εν σαρδεσιν α ουκ εμολυναν τα ιματια αυτων και περιπατησουσιν μετ εμου εν λευκοις οτι αξιοι εισιν

Revelation 3:5 (NET)

Revelation 3:5 (KJV)

The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ὁ νικῶν οὕτως περιβαλεῖται ἐν ἱματίοις λευκοῖς καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐξαλείψω τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῆς βίβλου τῆς ζωῆς καὶ ὁμολογήσω τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐνώπιον τοῦ πατρός μου καὶ ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀγγέλων αὐτοῦ ο νικων ουτος περιβαλειται εν ιματιοις λευκοις και ου μη εξαλειψω το ονομα αυτου εκ της βιβλου της ζωης και εξομολογησομαι το ονομα αυτου ενωπιον του πατρος μου και ενωπιον των αγγελων αυτου ο νικων ουτος περιβαλειται εν ιματιοις λευκοις και ου μη εξαλειψω το ονομα αυτου εκ της βιβλου της ζωης και ομολογησω το ονομα αυτου ενωπιον του πατρος μου και ενωπιον των αγγελων αυτου

Revelation 3:2 (NET)

Revelation 3:2 (KJV)

Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

γίνου γρηγορῶν καὶ στήρισον τὰ λοιπὰ ἃ ἔμελλον ἀποθανεῖν, οὐ γὰρ εὕρηκα σου |τὰ| ἔργα πεπληρωμένα ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ μου γινου γρηγορων και στηριξον τα λοιπα α μελλει αποθανειν ου γαρ ευρηκα σου τα εργα πεπληρωμενα ενωπιον του θεου γινου γρηγορων και στηρισον τα λοιπα α εμελλες αποβαλλειν ου γαρ ευρηκα σου τα εργα πεπληρωμενα ενωπιον του θεου μου

Revelation 3:3 (NET)

Revelation 3:3 (KJV)

Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

μνημόνευε οὖν πῶς εἴληφας καὶ ἤκουσας καὶ τήρει καὶ μετανόησον. ἐὰν οὖν μὴ γρηγορήσῃς, ἥξω ὡς κλέπτης, καὶ οὐ μὴ γνῷς ποίαν ὥραν ἥξω ἐπὶ σέ μνημονευε ουν πως ειληφας και ηκουσας και τηρει και μετανοησον εαν ουν μη γρηγορησης ηξω επι σε ως κλεπτης και ου μη γνως ποιαν ωραν ηξω επι σε μνημονευε ουν πως ειληφας και ηκουσας και τηρει και μετανοησον εαν ουν μη γρηγορησης ηξω επι σε ως κλεπτης και ου μη γνως ποιαν ωραν ηξω επι σε

Revelation 21:8 (NET)

Revelation 21:8 (KJV)

But as for the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells, idol worshipers, and all those who lie, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the second death. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τοῖς δὲ δειλοῖς καὶ ἀπίστοις καὶ ἐβδελυγμένοις καὶ φονεῦσιν καὶ πόρνοις καὶ φαρμάκοις καὶ εἰδωλολάτραις καὶ πᾶσιν τοῖς ψευδέσιν τὸ μέρος αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ λίμνῃ τῇ καιομένῃ πυρὶ καὶ θείῳ, ὅ ἐστιν θάνατος δεύτερος δειλοις δε και απιστοις και εβδελυγμενοις και φονευσιν και πορνοις και φαρμακευσιν και ειδωλολατραις και πασιν τοις ψευδεσιν το μερος αυτων εν τη λιμνη τη καιομενη πυρι και θειω ο εστιν δευτερος θανατος τοις δε δειλοις και απιστοις και αμαρτωλοις και εβδελυγμενοις και φονευσιν και πορνοις και φαρμακοις και ειδωλολατραις και πασιν τοις ψευδεσιν το μερος αυτων εν τη λιμνη τη καιομενη πυρι και θειω ο εστιν ο θανατος ο δευτερος

John 14:5 (NET)

John 14:5 (KJV)

Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Λέγει αὐτῷ Θωμᾶς· κύριε, οὐκ οἴδαμεν ποῦ ὑπάγεις· πῶς |δυνάμεθα| τὴν ὁδὸν |εἰδέναι| λεγει αυτω θωμας κυριε ουκ οιδαμεν που υπαγεις και πως δυναμεθα την οδον ειδεναι λεγει αυτω θωμας κυριε ουκ οιδαμεν που υπαγεις και πως δυναμεθα την οδον ειδεναι

John 14:7 (NET)

John 14:7 (KJV)

If you have known me, you will know my Father too. And from now on you do know him and have seen him.” If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

εἰ |ἐγνώκατε| με, καὶ τὸν πατέρα μου |γνώσεσθε. καὶ| ἀπ᾿ ἄρτι γινώσκετε αὐτὸν καὶ ἑωράκατε |αὐτόν| ει εγνωκειτε με και τον πατερα μου εγνωκειτε αν και απ αρτι γινωσκετε αυτον και εωρακατε αυτον ει εγνωκειτε με και τον πατερα μου εγνωκειτε αν και απ αρτι γινωσκετε αυτον και εωρακατε αυτον

Revelation 17:8 (NET)

Revelation 17:8 (KJV)

The beast you saw was, and is not, but is about to come up from the abyss and then go to destruction. The inhabitants of the earth—all those whose names have not been written in the book of life since the foundation of the world—will be astounded when they see that the beast was, and is not, but is to come. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Τὸ θηρίον ὃ εἶδες ἦν καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν καὶ μέλλει ἀναβαίνειν ἐκ τῆς ἀβύσσου καὶ εἰς ἀπώλειαν ὑπάγει, καὶ θαυμασθήσονται οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὧν οὐ γέγραπται τὸ ὄνομα ἐπὶ τὸ βιβλίον τῆς ζωῆς ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου, βλεπόντων τὸ θηρίον ὅτι ἦν καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν καὶ παρέσται θηριον ο ειδες ην και ουκ εστιν και μελλει αναβαινειν εκ της αβυσσου και εις απωλειαν υπαγειν και θαυμασονται οι κατοικουντες επι της γης ων ου γεγραπται τα ονοματα επι το βιβλιον της ζωης απο καταβολης κοσμου βλεποντες το θηριον ο τι ην και ουκ εστιν καιπερ εστιν το θηριον ο ειδες ην και ουκ εστιν και μελλει αναβαινειν εκ της αβυσσου και εις απωλειαν υπαγειν και θαυμασονται οι κατοικουντες επι της γης ων ου γεγραπται τα ονοματα επι το βιβλιον της ζωης απο καταβολης κοσμου βλεποντων οτι ην το θηριον και ουκ εστιν και παρεσται

2 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article το preceding reputation (KJV: name). The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

3 Revelation 3:1 (NET)

4 The NET parallel Greek text had ἀλλὰ here, where the NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had ἀλλ’. The Stephanus Textus Receptus had neither.

5 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had και (KJV: even) preceding in. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

6 Revelation 3:4 (NET)

7 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οὕτως here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ουτος (KJV: the same).

9 Subjunctive of Emphatic Negation

a) This is a way to strongly deny that something will happen. It is the strongest way to negate something in Greek.

b) It is formed by using a double negative (ou mh) with an aorist subjunctive verb (or possibly future indicative). While ou plus the indicative denies a certainty, ou mh plus the subjunctive denies even the potentiality.

c) It is translated “certainly not” or “never”, with the English future tense

10 2 Peter 3:9b (NET) Table

11 Revelation 20:15 (NET)

12 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had μου here. The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not (KJV: God).

15 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τοῖς here. The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

16 The Byzantine Majority Text had και αμαρτωλοις (“and sinners”) following unbelievers. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

18 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the article preceding second. The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

19 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the article preceding death. The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

20 Revelation 3:1a (NET)

21 Revelation 3:2b (NET)

22 Matthew 5:17 (NET)

23 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: and) preceding how. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

25 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had γνώσεσθε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εγνωκειτε αν (KJV: ye should have known).

26 Acts 2:37b, 38 (NET) Table

27 Revelation 21:8

28 Revelation 20:14 Table

30 John 6:40b (NET)

31 2 Peter 3:9b (NET) Table

32 Revelation 20:15 (NET)

33 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had the article Τὸ preceding beast. The Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

36 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὅτι here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ο τι.

A note (23) in the NET reads: Some translations take the ὅτι (hoti) here as causal: “because he was, and is not, but is to come” (so NIV, NRSV), but it is much more likely that the subject of the ὅτι clause has been assimilated into the main clause: “when they see the beast, that he was…” = “when they see that the beast was” (so BDAG 732 s.v. ὅτι 1.f, where Rev 17:8 is listed).

38 2 Peter 3:9b (NET) Table

The Book of Life, Part 1

If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire.1

This verse follows the one I quoted in another essay: Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.2 This is the main reason I thought Death and Hades were euphemisms for “those who had died.”

If this is a prophecy of future unalterable events, then this knowledge makes the Lord’s wishfor all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9b) seem like sentiment. It gives me pause and another opportunity to consider my options if I stood before the judgment seat of Christ and He determined that it was best that I should be thrown into the lake of fire.

First, I believe his judgments are true and just.3 He does not judge by appearances, butwith right judgment.4 I can’t imagine all that might run through my mind at that moment, but one thing is certain because it is my practice: I would resolve to face the lake of fire one moment at a time in the strength of his Spirit, relying on God’s own love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.5

I doubt, however, that Jesus would throw his own Holy Spirit into the lake of fire. So, plan B would be to do everything in my power to cling to Him, to go wherever He is taken, at the moment the Lord withdrew his Holy Spirit. Failing that, well, frankly, I care very little for any residue of me apart from his Holy Spirit. He can dispose of it as He pleases.

None of this was of any concern to me in the beginning, after I prayed to know God. No matter what Jesus had done on the cross I knew the last mile was mine to walk alone. My salvation was ultimately in my hands. My faith differentiated me from all those who would be thrown into the lake of fire. As I wrote before, “I was still pretty cocky.”

“Whosoever will may come” seemed fair to me. It was a popular saying derived from Revelation 22:17 (KJV):

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.6 And let him that heareth say, Come.7 And let him that is athirst come.8 And9 whosoever will, let him take10 the11 water of life freely.

Eternal life is available to all who will (θέλων, a form of θέλω) or want it. Those who do not want eternal life prefer the second death—the lake of fire.12 Everyone should be smart enough to prefer eternal life to the lake of fire.

So in my early twenties my theology was little changed from that of my five-year-old self. The difference was that my twenty-something self read the Bible more than my five-year-old self. So my twenty-something self was both troubled and intrigued by Jesus’ words (John 6:44, 45 NET):

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day [Table]. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God’ [See Table below]. Everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to me [Table].

So Jesus taught that the Father’s drawing and teaching preceded my will, my desire, to come to Him for eternal life. Looking back at my own life I had to agree that this was true. But my hearing and my learning could still differentiate me from all those who would be thrown into the lake of fire.

There was another related stream (John 6:28, 29 NET):

So then they said to him, “What must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?” Jesus replied, “This is the deed God requires—to believe in the one whom he sent” [Table].

I didn’t have the NET at my disposal in my early twenties. I read the KJV or the NASB:

John 6:29 (KJV)

John 6:29 (NASB)

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

But I understood this passage as translated in the NET: that believing in Jesus was my work, the deed that would differentiate me from all those who would be thrown into the lake of fire. I heard Jesus’ response then as if He answered the question directly: What must we do (NET/Parallel Greek: τί ποιῶμεν)? Or What shall we do (KJV/Stephanus Textus Receptus: τι ποιουμεν)? Now, I assume that his answer was correcting the basic premise of the question (John 6:29b KJV/NASB):

This is the work of God (τοῦτο ἐστιν τὸ ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ)

I sat in the airport recently after seven very long days of work, waiting for my flight home. It was delayed four hours. Every sound everyone around me made annoyed me. I was ready to go off on someone, anyone, but the fruit of the Holy Spirit flooded into me—God’s own love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control13—against my will, contrary to my desire to lash out at someone.

Whether πιστεύητε (NET: believe) or πιστευσητε (KJV: ye believe) was original, both are in the subjunctive mood: “in order that you may [might] believe in the one whom he sent” is a very fair translation of ἵνα πιστεύητε [πιστευσητε] εἰς ὃν ἀπέστειλεν ἐκεῖνος once the idea that faith is my work is purged from my thinking. And as the result clause of This is the work of God it is fair to understand this as you will believe: “if the subjunctive mood is used in a purpose or result clause, then the action should not be thought of as a possible result, but should be viewed as a definite outcome that will happen as a result of another stated action.”

In my twenties, though all of this was unknown to me, I did begin to hear Paul’s words as my own (Romans 7:15-25a NET):

For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want—instead, I do what I hate. But if I do what I don’t want, I agree that the law is good. But now it is no longer me doing it, but sin that lives in me ( |οἰκοῦσα| ἐν ἐμοὶ ἁμαρτία) [Table]. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me (ἡ οἰκοῦσα ἐν ἐμοὶ ἁμαρτία) [Table].

So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God in my inner being. But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to14 the law of sin that is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! [Table]

So it may be more accurate to describe my experience at the airport as the sin that lives in me wanted to go off on someone. 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.15 But when I’m tired and crabby, it feels like me.

I was like a wife who thinks she is too tired for sex but acquiesces to her husband’s desire anyway. After a while she begins to think to herself, “Okay, that’s not so bad.” A while later she thinks, “Yes, you can do that as long as you like.” And sometime after that she thinks, “Please, never stop doing that.”

I don’t want to carry this comparison too far. An orgasm as a sensation seems to have a definite endpoint with a hypersensitive discomfort whenever I’ve pushed through it. I’ve never actually experienced any endpoint to the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is more constant, more continuous, more eternal, if you will.

In my twenties and then through my thirties, the more I believed that the one bringing forth in [me] both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God,16 the better my behavior became. For it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.17 The more I relied on the fruit of his Spirit, the more I realized that faith, even my faithfulness (πίστις), is an aspect of his fruit.

But what does that leave me to differentiate myself from all those who will be thrown into the lake of fire? It’s one thing to say, “but for the grace of God…” It’s another thing entirely to come face-to-face with the fact that the only thing that differentiates me from all those who will be thrown into the lake of fire is God: his mercy, his patient instruction, his grace through Jesus Christ, his indwelling Spirit.

Then who can be saved?”18 Jesus’ astonished disciples asked when He told them it was hard for those they had thought the best (at least, the blessed) among them to enter the kingdom of heaven. And here, I think Jesus answered their question directly in the context in which they had asked it (Matthew 19:26 ESV):

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man (ἀνθρώποις, a form of ἄνθρωπος; e.g., people, humankind) this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

So now, it’s more difficult for me to gainsay the Lord’s wishfor all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9b) over some knowledge I think I have. I’ll look more seriously at the Book of Life (τῇ βίβλῳ τῆς ζωῆς) instead.

According to a note (68) in the NET Jesus quoted from Isaiah 54:13. The table below compares Jesus’ Greek to that of the Septuagint.

John 6:45 (NET Parallel Greek)

Isaiah 54:13a (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 54:13a (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔσονται πάντες διδακτοὶ θεοῦ καὶ πάντας τοὺς υἱούς σου διδακτοὺς θεοῦ καὶ πάντας τοὺς υἱούς σου διδακτοὺς Θεοῦ

John 6:45 (NET)

Isaiah 54:13a (NETS)

Isaiah 54:13a (English Elpenor)

And they will all be taught by God. And I will make all your sons taught by God And [I will cause] all thy sons [to be] taught of God

Where the passage in Isaiah had limited all (πάντας) to your sons (τοὺς υἱούς σου), Jesus expanded it to they will all (ἔσονται πάντες).

Tables comparing Isaiah 54:13 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Isaiah 54:13 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Revelation 19:2; 22:17 and Romans 7:23 in the NET and KJV follow.

Isaiah 54:13 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 54:13 (KJV)

Isaiah 54:13 (NET)

And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. All your children will be followers of the Lord, and your children will enjoy great prosperity.

Isaiah 54:13 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 54:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ πάντας τοὺς υἱούς σου διδακτοὺς θεοῦ καὶ ἐν πολλῇ εἰρήνῃ τὰ τέκνα σου καὶ πάντας τοὺς υἱούς σου διδακτοὺς Θεοῦ καὶ ἐν πολλῇ εἰρήνῃ τὰ τέκνα σου

Isaiah 54:13 (NETS)

Isaiah 54:13 (English Elpenor)

And I will make all your sons taught by God and your children to be in great peace. And [I will cause] all thy sons [to be] taught of God, and thy children [to be] in great peace.

Revelation 19:2 (NET)

Revelation 19:2 (KJV)

because his judgments are true and just. For he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality, and has avenged the blood of his servants poured out by her own hands!” For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὅτι ἀληθιναὶ καὶ δίκαιαι αἱ κρίσεις αὐτοῦ· ὅτι ἔκρινεν τὴν πόρνην τὴν μεγάλην ἥτις ἔφθειρεν τὴν γῆν ἐν τῇ πορνείᾳ αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐξεδίκησεν τὸ αἷμα τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτῆς οτι αληθιναι και δικαιαι αι κρισεις αυτου οτι εκρινεν την πορνην την μεγαλην ητις εφθειρεν την γην εν τη πορνεια αυτης και εξεδικησεν το αιμα των δουλων αυτου εκ της χειρος αυτης οτι αληθιναι και δικαιαι αι κρισεις αυτου οτι εκρινεν την πορνην την μεγαλην ητις διεφθειρεν την γην εν τη πορνεια αυτης και εξεδικησεν το αιμα των δουλων αυτου εκ της χειρος αυτης

Revelation 22:17 (NET)

Revelation 22:17 (KJV)

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say: “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wants it take the water of life free of charge. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ ἡ νύμφη λέγουσιν· ἔρχου. καὶ ὁ ἀκούων εἰπάτω· ἔρχου. καὶ ὁ διψῶν ἐρχέσθω, ὁ θέλων λαβέτω ὕδωρ ζωῆς δωρεάν και το πνευμα και η νυμφη λεγουσιν ελθε και ο ακουων ειπατω ελθε και ο διψων ελθετω και ο θελων λαμβανετω το υδωρ ζωης δωρεαν και το πνευμα και η νυμφη λεγουσιν ερχου και ο ακουων ειπατω ερχου και ο διψων ερχεσθω ο θελων λαβετω υδωρ ζωης δωρεαν

Romans 7:23 (NET)

Romans 7:23 (KJV)

But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

βλέπω δὲ ἕτερον νόμον ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν μου ἀντιστρατευόμενον τῷ νόμῳ τοῦ νοός μου καὶ αἰχμαλωτίζοντα με |ἐν| τῷ νόμῳ τῆς ἁμαρτίας τῷ ὄντι ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν μου βλεπω δε ετερον νομον εν τοις μελεσιν μου αντιστρατευομενον τω νομω του νοος μου και αιχμαλωτιζοντα με τω νομω της αμαρτιας τω οντι εν τοις μελεσιν μου βλεπω δε ετερον νομον εν τοις μελεσιν μου αντιστρατευομενον τω νομω του νοος μου και αιχμαλωτιζοντα με εν τω νομω της αμαρτιας τω οντι εν τοις μελεσιν μου

1 Revelation 20:15 (NET)

2 Revelation 20:14 (NET) Table

3 Revelation 19:2a (NET)

4 John 7:24 (ESV) Table

5 Galatians 5:22b, 23a (NET) Table

6 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had ἔρχου in the present tense here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had ελθε in the 2nd aorist tense.

7 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had ἔρχου in the present tense here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had ελθε in the 2nd aorist tense.

11 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article το here. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

12 Revelation 20:14b (NET) Table

13 Galatians 5:22b, 23a (NET) Table

15 Galatians 5:17 (NET) Table

16 Philippians 2:13 (NET) Table

17 Romans 9:16 (NET) Table

18 Matthew 19:25b (NET) Table

Atonement, Part 11

This is a continuation of yehôvâh’s (יהוה) instruction to Moses: They[1] are to eat those things by which atonement (kâphar, כפר; Septuagint: ἡγιάσθησαν, a form of ἁγιάζω) was made to consecrate and to set them apart, but no one else may eat them, for they are holy.[2]  I’ll continue to consider forms of χρίω in the New Testament.

The author of Hebrews continued to contrast Jesus to angels: And he says of the angels,He makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire”…[3]  This was a verbatim quote from the Elpenor version of the Septuagint only.

Hebrews 1:7b (NET parallel Greek)

Psalm 104:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 103:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πῦρ φλέγον ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα

I won’t spend much time here since the psalm is not about angels but yehôvâh.  It is interesting, however, that the NET and KJV, more importantly the three versions of the Greek New Testament I have surveyed, agree here.

Hebrews 1:7 (NET)

Hebrews 1:7 (KJV)

And he says of the angels, “He makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire,” And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ πρὸς μὲν τοὺς ἀγγέλους λέγει ὁ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πυρὸς φλόγα και προς μεν τους αγγελους λεγει ο ποιων τους αγγελους αυτου πνευματα και τους λειτουργους αυτου πυρος φλογα και προς μεν τους αγγελους λεγει ο ποιων τους αγγελους αυτου πνευματα και τους λειτουργους αυτου πυρος φλογα

The translations from Hebrew of the Tanakh and KJV, and from Greek of the Elpenor also agree.  But πῦρ φλέγον in the BLB version of the Septuagint, as opposed to πυρὸς φλόγα in the Elpenor and the New Testament, inspired a subtle shift in the translation of the NETS.

From Hebrew

From Greek

Psalm 104:4 (Tanakh) Psalm 104:4 (KJV) Psalm 103:4 (NETS)

Psalm 103:4 (Elpenor)

Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: He who makes spirits his messengers, and flaming fire his ministers. Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flaming fire.

That shift continued in the NET, making it virtually impossible for an English reader to recognize any mention of angels in the Psalm: He makes the winds his messengers, and the flaming fire his attendant.[4]  This sounds more like tornadoes and hurricanes speak for God while warehouse and forest fires serve Him.

The author of Hebrews continued: but of the Son he says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and[5] a[6] righteous scepter[7] is the[8] scepter of your kingdom.  You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.  So God, your God, has anointed (ἔχρισεν, a form of χρίω) you over your companions with the oil of rejoicing.[9]  The first part of this quotation—Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom—was not verbatim from either version of the Septuagint.

Hebrews 1:8b (NET parallel Greek) Psalm 45:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 44:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὁ θρόνος σου ὁ θεὸς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα |τοῦ αἰῶνος|, καὶ ἡ ράβδος τῆς εὐθύτητος ράβδος τῆς βασιλείας |σου| ὁ θρόνος σου ὁ θεός εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος ῥάβδος εὐθύτητος ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου ὁ θρόνος σου, ὁ Θεός, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, ράβδος εὐθύτητος ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου

The relatively inconsequential differences—a conjunction, two additional articles and one missing article—are exactly the same differences (Table1 below) I found relative to the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text.  Comparing either of them to both versions of the Septuagint yields another verbatim quote.

Hebrews 1:8b (Stephanus Textus Receptus) Psalm 45:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 44:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ο θρονος σου ο θεος εις τον αιωνα του αιωνος ραβδος ευθυτητος η ραβδος της βασιλειας σου ὁ θρόνος σου ὁ θεός εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος ῥάβδος εὐθύτητος ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου ὁ θρόνος σου, ὁ Θεός, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, ράβδος εὐθύτητος ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου

Hebrews 1:8b (Byzantine Majority Text)

Psalm 45:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 44:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ο θρονος σου ο θεος εις τον αιωνα του αιωνος ραβδος ευθυτητος η ραβδος της βασιλειας σου ὁ θρόνος σου ὁ θεός εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος ῥάβδος εὐθύτητος ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου ὁ θρόνος σου, ὁ Θεός, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, ράβδος εὐθύτητος ἡ ῥάβδος τῆς βασιλείας σου

I will spend some time on the first seven verses of this psalm.

Psalm 45:1 (Tanakh)

Psalm 44:2 (NETS)

My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. My heart erupted with a goodly theme; it is I that address my works to the king; my tongue is a pen of a swift scribe.

The Hebrew word translated of the things which I have made was מעשׁי (maʽăśeh, Septuagint: ἔργα).  This psalm is presumed to have been written by the Korahites.  Though Korahites fought with David this psalm was not the work of sycophants flattering their king but a work of prophets revealing the One who was to come, the Son of God, the son of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), the Rock who saved (yeshûʽâh, ישעתו) Israel.

Psalm 45:2 (Tanakh)

Psalm 44:3 (NETS)

Thou art fairer (yâphâh, יפיפית) than the children of men: grace (chên, חן) is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Youthful in beauty (ὡραῖος) you are, beyond the sons of men; grace (χάρις) was poured on your lips; therefore God blessed you forever.

The Spirit is the one who gives life, Jesus said, human nature is of no help!  The words that I have spoken[10] to you are spirit and are life.[11]  If I keep this in mind I’m not thrown off by translations like fairer and youthful in beauty applied to Him, but remain focused on the Spirit and the life in his words: As it is written, “How timely (ὡραῖοι, another form of ὡραῖος) is the arrival of those who proclaim[12] the good news.”[13]  For[14] we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift (χάριν, a form of χάρις) after another (χάριτος, another form of χάρις).  For the law was given through Moses,[15] but grace (χάρις) and truth came about through Jesus Christ.[16]

Psalm 45:3 (Tanakh)

Psalm 44:4 (NETS)

Gird thy sword (chereb, חרבך) upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. Gird your sword (ῥομφαίαν, a form of ῥομφαία) on your thigh, O powerful one, in your bloom and beauty,

In John’s vision on Patmos a sharp double-edged sword (ρομφαία) extended out of [Jesus’] mouth.[17]  He identified Himself as the one who has the sharp double-edged sword (ρομφαίαν, a form of ρομφαία).[18]  Though the psalmists enjoined Him to Gird thy sword upon the thigh, in the manner of kings they knew, Jesus said He would make war against those [who follow the teaching of Balaam or the teaching of the Nicolaitans] with the sword (ρομφαίᾳ) of my mouth.[19]  Death and Hadeswere given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its population with the sword (ρομφαίᾳ),[20] but John never saw a sword in Jesus’ hand: From his mouth extends a sharp sword[21] (ρομφαία), so that with it he can strike[22] the nations.[23]  Jesus’ words, the sword that extended from his mouth, have the power to kill the flesh of those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image (Revelation 19:19-21 NET).

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to do battle[24] with the one who rode the horse and with his army.  Now the beast was seized, and along with[25] him[26] the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf – signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.  Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning[27] with sulfur.[28]  The others were killed by the sword (ρομφαίᾳ) that extended[29] from the mouth of the one who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh (σαρκῶν, a form of σάρξ).

Those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image were not thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.  I’ve assumed that they will be because an angel declaring in a loud voice, presumably prior to anyone worshipping the beast or taking his mark, said (Revelation 14:9-11 NET):

If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand, that person will also drink of the wine of God’s anger that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured (βασανισθήσεται, a form of βασανίζω) with fire and sulfur in front of the[30] holy angels and in front of the Lamb.  And the smoke from their torture (βασανισμοῦ, a form of βασανισμός) will go up forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have no rest day or night, along with anyone who receives the mark of his name.

They will be tortured with fire and sulfur in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb.  The devilwas thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are too.[31]  Those who worship the beast and his image will have no rest day or night, along with anyone who receives the mark of his name.  The devil, the beast and the false prophet will be tormented (βασανισθήσονται, another form of βασανισμός) in the lake of fire and sulfur day and night forever and ever.[32]  The smoke from their [e.g., those who worship the beast or receive his mark] torture (βασανισμοῦ, a form of βασανισμός) will go up forever and ever.

Though the words are quite evocative it is never stated explicitly that those who worship the beast or receive his mark are cast into the lake of fire and sulfur.  Even when the time comes that one might expect it, the criteria for being thrown into the lake of fire has changed: If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire.[33]  I don’t belabor this point to encourage anyone to worship the beast or take his mark, but to leave room for the mercy of God and to respect the power of Jesus’ preaching, the sharp sword that extends from his mouth.  This will become clearer, perhaps, in the next verse of the psalm.

Psalm 45:4 (Tanakh)

Psalm 44:5 (NETS)

And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. And draw, and prosper, and become king for the sake of truth and meekness and righteousness, and your right hand will guide you marvelously.

The Hebrew word translated truth was אמת (ʼemeth), ἀληθείας (a form of ἀλήθεια) in Greek in the SeptuagintWe saw his glory, John testified about Jesus, the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth (ἀληθείας, a form of ἀλήθεια), who came from the Father.[34]  Set them apart in the truth[35] (ἀληθείᾳ), Jesus prayed for his disciples, your word is truth (ἀλήθεια).[36]  And, I am the way, and the truth (ἀλήθεια), and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.[37]

The Hebrew word translated righteousness was צדק (tsedeq), δικαιοσύνης (a form of δικαιοσύνη) in Greek in the Septuagint.  Jesus was conscientious to fulfill all righteousness (δικαιοσύνην, another form of δικαιοσύνη).[38]  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (δικαιοσύνην, another form of δικαιοσύνη), He promised his hearers, for they will be satisfied.[39]  But above all, He exhorts those with ears to hear, pursue his kingdom[40] and righteousness (δικαιοσύνην, another form of δικαιοσύνη).[41]  For I tell you, unless your righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.[42]

For no one is declared righteous (δικαιωθήσεται, a form of δικαιόω) before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.  But now apart from the law the righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed – namely, the righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all[43] who believe.[44]  Those who believe are filled with the fruit[45] of righteousness (δικαιοσύνης, a form of δικαιοσύνη) that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.[46]  God’s servants commend themselves to others by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, by truthful (ἀληθείας, a form of ἀλήθεια) teaching, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness (δικαιοσύνης, a form of δικαιοσύνη) both for the right hand and for the left.[47]  Chief among these weapons of righteousness is the sword (μάχαιραν, a form of μάχαιρα) of the Spirit, which is the word of God.[48]  John recounted his vision (Revelation 19:11-13 NET):

Then I saw heaven opened[49] and here came a white horse!  The one riding it was called “Faithful” (πιστὸς) and “True,” (ἀληθινός) and with justice (δικαιοσύνῃ) he judges and goes to war.  His eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head.  He has[50] a name written that no one knows except himself.  He is dressed in clothing dipped in blood, and he is called[51] the Word of God.

In the midst of all this martial imagery is the word meekness.  It was וענוה (ʽanvâh) in Hebrew, translated πρᾳότητος (a form of πρᾳότης) in Greek in the Septuagint.  It was also spelled πραΰτης.  Paul wrote of the meekness[52] (πραΰτητος, a form of πραΰτης) and gentleness of Christ.[53]  And apparently (2 Corinthians 10), the meekness and gentleness of Christ in him was so pronounced a feature of his own character in person that his letters shocked some in Corinth as being of a different character.  This πραΰτης, translated gentleness, is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of righteousness (Galatians 5:22, 23 NET):

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (πραΰτης), and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

I’ve quoted this often but stopped before, Against such things there is no law.  No more, since I’m becoming more and more aware how eagerly the religious mind desires to be the arbiter of these things, throwing up reasons against them, debating if not outright denying, the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control rising up within me from that fountain of water springing up to eternal life.[54]  I’ve found myself unarmed and defenseless against its arguments because I haven’t drilled this truth deeply enough into my being: Against such things there is no lawAgainst such things there is no law.

Brothers and sisters, Paul wrote believers in Galatia, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness[55] (πραΰτητος, a form of πραΰτης).[56]  I hear this as the Holy Spirit’s definitive answer to Paul’s rhetorical question: Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness (πραΰτητος, a form of πραΰτης)?[57] even as I hear Paul’s rhetorical question as definitive of what a spirit of gentleness is not.

Pay close attention to yourselves, Paul continued, so that you are not tempted too.  Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill[58] the law of Christ.  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.[59]

This πραΰτης is at the very heart of what it means to live worthily of the calling with which [we] have been called (Ephesians 4:1b-6 NET):

with all humility and gentleness[60] (πραΰτητος, a form of πραΰτης), with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.[61]

And this, not because it is one of Paul’s laws but because meekness or gentleness is the very nature of the firstborn of this new species of humanity, the one called the Word of God, Jesus our Savior.  It is the work of God to instill this within us who have turned in faith to Him.  And it should never be forgotten, especially in the midst of martial imagery.  Though I copied and pasted וענוה (ʽanvâh) from the parallel Hebrew text of the NET online, there was a note (15) explaining why meekness or gentleness does not appear in the NET translation of Psalm 45:4.

I’ll pick this up in another essay.  Tables of Hebrews 1:8; John 6:63; John 1:16, 17; Revelation 2:16; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 19:15; 19:19-21; Revelation 14:9, 10; John 17:17; Matthew 6:33; Romans 3:22; Philippians 1:11; Revelation 19:11-13; 2 Corinthians 10:1; John 4:14; Galatians 6:1, 2; 1 Corinthians 4:21; Ephesians 4:2 and 4:6 comparing the NET and KJV follow.

Hebrews 1:8 (NET)

Hebrews 1:8 (KJV)

but of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

πρὸς δὲ τὸν υἱόν ὁ θρόνος σου ὁ θεὸς εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα |τοῦ αἰῶνος|, καὶ ράβδος τῆς εὐθύτητος ράβδος τῆς βασιλείας |σου|. προς δε τον υιον ο θρονος σου ο θεος εις τον αιωνα του αιωνος ραβδος ευθυτητος η ραβδος της βασιλειας σου προς δε τον υιον ο θρονος σου ο θεος εις τον αιωνα του αιωνος ραβδος ευθυτητος η ραβδος της βασιλειας σου

John 6:63 (NET)

John 6:63 (KJV)

The Spirit is the one who gives life; human nature is of no help!  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τὸ πνεῦμα ἐστιν τὸ ζῳοποιοῦν, ἡ σὰρξ οὐκ ὠφελεῖ οὐδέν· τὰ ρήματα ἃ ἐγὼ λελάληκα ὑμῖν πνεῦμα ἐστιν καὶ ζωή ἐστιν το πνευμα εστιν το ζωοποιουν η σαρξ ουκ ωφελει ουδεν τα ρηματα α εγω λαλω υμιν πνευμα εστιν και ζωη εστιν το πνευμα εστιν το ζωοποιουν η σαρξ ουκ ωφελει ουδεν τα ρηματα α εγω λαλω υμιν πνευμα εστιν και ζωη εστιν

John 1:16, 17 (NET)

John 1:16, 17 (KJV)

For we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ πληρώματος αὐτοῦ ἡμεῖς πάντες ἐλάβομεν καὶ χάριν ἀντὶ χάριτος και εκ του πληρωματος αυτου ημεις παντες ελαβομεν και χαριν αντι χαριτος και εκ του πληρωματος αυτου ημεις παντες ελαβομεν και χαριν αντι χαριτος
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὅτι ὁ νόμος διὰ Μωϋσέως ἐδόθη, ἡ χάρις καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐγένετο οτι ο νομος δια μωσεως εδοθη η χαρις και η αληθεια δια ιησου χριστου εγενετο οτι ο νομος δια μωσεως εδοθη η χαρις και η αληθεια δια ιησου χριστου εγενετο
Revelation 2:16 (NET)

Revelation 2:16 (KJV)

Therefore, repent!  If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people with the sword of my mouth. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

μετανόησον οὖν εἰ δὲ μή, ἔρχομαι σοι ταχὺ καὶ πολεμήσω μετ᾿ αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ ρομφαίᾳ τοῦ στόματος μου μετανοησον ει δε μη ερχομαι σοι ταχυ και πολεμησω μετ αυτων εν τη ρομφαια του στοματος μου μετανοησον ουν ει δε μη ερχομαι σοι ταχυ και πολεμησω μετ αυτων εν τη ρομφαια του στοματος μου

Revelation 6:8 (NET)

Revelation 6:8 (KJV)

So I looked and here came a pale green horse!  The name of the one who rode it was Death, and Hades followed right behind.  They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its population with the sword, famine, and disease, and by the wild animals of the earth. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.  And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ εἶδον, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἵππος χλωρός, καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἐπάνω |αὐτοῦ| ὄνομα αὐτῷ [ὁ] θάνατος, καὶ ὁ ᾅδης ἠκολούθει μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἐξουσία ἐπὶ τὸ τέταρτον τῆς γῆς ἀποκτεῖναι ἐν ρομφαίᾳ καὶ ἐν λιμῷ καὶ ἐν θανάτῳ καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν θηρίων τῆς γῆς και ειδον και ιδου ιππος χλωρος και ο καθημενος επανω αυτου ονομα αυτω ο θανατος και ο αδης ακολουθει μετ αυτου και εδοθη αυτοις εξουσια αποκτειναι επι το τεταρτον της γης εν ρομφαια και εν λιμω και εν θανατω και υπο των θηριων της γης και ιδου ιππος χλωρος και ο καθημενος επανω αυτου ονομα αυτω ο θανατος και ο αδης ηκολουθει αυτω και εδοθη αυτω εξουσια επι το τεταρτον της γης αποκτειναι εν ρομφαια και εν λιμω και εν θανατω και υπο των θηριων της γης

Revelation 19:15 (NET)

Revelation 19:15 (KJV)

From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations.  He will rule them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress of the furious wrath of God, the All-Powerful. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ ἐκπορεύεται ρομφαία ὀξεῖα, ἵνα ἐν αὐτῇ πατάξῃ τὰ ἔθνη, καὶ αὐτὸς ποιμανεῖ αὐτοὺς ἐν ράβδῳ σιδηρᾷ, καὶ αὐτὸς πατεῖ τὴν ληνὸν τοῦ οἴνου τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς ὀργῆς τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ παντοκράτορος και εκ του στοματος αυτου εκπορευεται ρομφαια οξεια ινα εν αυτη πατασση τα εθνη και αυτος ποιμανει αυτους εν ραβδω σιδηρα και αυτος πατει την ληνον του οινου του θυμου και της οργης του θεου του παντοκρατορος και εκ του στοματος αυτου εκπορευεται ρομφαια διστομος οξεια ινα εν αυτη παταξη τα εθνη και αυτος ποιμανει αυτους εν ραβδω σιδηρα και αυτος πατει την ληνον του οινου του θυμου της οργης του θεου του παντοκρατορος
Revelation 19:19-21 (NET)

Revelation 19: 19-21 (KJV)

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to do battle with the one who rode the horse and with his army. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ εἶδον τὸ θηρίον καὶ τοὺς βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς καὶ τὰ στρατεύματα αὐτῶν συνηγμένα ποιῆσαι τὸν πόλεμον μετὰ τοῦ καθημένου ἐπὶ τοῦ ἵππου καὶ μετὰ τοῦ στρατεύματος αὐτοῦ και ειδον το θηριον και τους βασιλεις της γης και τα στρατευματα αυτων συνηγμενα ποιησαι πολεμον μετα του καθημενου επι του ιππου και μετα του στρατευματος αυτου και ειδον το θηριον και τους βασιλεις της γης και τα στρατευματα αυτων συνηγμενα ποιησαι πολεμον μετα του καθημενου επι του ιππου και μετα του στρατευματος αυτου
Now the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf – signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.  Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἐπιάσθη τὸ θηρίον καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὁ ψευδοπροφήτης ὁ ποιήσας τὰ σημεῖα ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, ἐν οἷς ἐπλάνησεν τοὺς λαβόντας τὸ χάραγμα τοῦ θηρίου καὶ τοὺς προσκυνοῦντας τῇ εἰκόνι αὐτοῦ· ζῶντες ἐβλήθησαν οἱ δύο εἰς τὴν λίμνην τοῦ πυρὸς τῆς καιομένης ἐν θείῳ και επιασθη το θηριον και μετα τουτου ο ψευδοπροφητης ο ποιησας τα σημεια ενωπιον αυτου εν οις επλανησεν τους λαβοντας το χαραγμα του θηριου και τους προσκυνουντας τη εικονι αυτου ζωντες εβληθησαν οι δυο εις την λιμνην του πυρος την καιομενην εν τω θειω και επιασθη το θηριον και ο μετ αυτου ψευδοπροφητης ο ποιησας τα σημεια ενωπιον αυτου εν οις επλανησεν τους λαβοντας το χαραγμα του θηριου και τους προσκυνουντας τη εικονι αυτου ζωντες εβληθησαν οι δυο εις την λιμνην του πυρος την καιομενην εν θειω
The others were killed by the sword that extended from the mouth of the one who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ ἀπεκτάνθησαν ἐν τῇ ρομφαίᾳ τοῦ καθημένου ἐπὶ τοῦ ἵππου τῇ ἐξελθούσῃ ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ, καὶ πάντα τὰ ὄρνεα ἐχορτάσθησαν ἐκ τῶν σαρκῶν αὐτῶν και οι λοιποι απεκτανθησαν εν τη ρομφαια του καθημενου επι του ιππου τη εκπορευομενη εκ του στοματος αυτου και παντα τα ορνεα εχορτασθησαν εκ των σαρκων αυτων και οι λοιποι απεκτανθησαν εν τη ρομφαια του καθημενου επι του ιππου τη εξελθουση εκ του στοματος αυτου και παντα τα ορνεα εχορτασθησαν εκ των σαρκων αυτων

Revelation 14:9, 10 (NET)

Revelation 14:9, 10 (KJV)

A third angel followed the first two, declaring in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand, And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ ἄλλος ἄγγελος τρίτος ἠκολούθησεν αὐτοῖς λέγων ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· εἴ τις προσκυνεῖ τὸ θηρίον καὶ τὴν εἰκόνα αὐτοῦ καὶ λαμβάνει χάραγμα ἐπὶ τοῦ μετώπου αὐτοῦ ἢ ἐπὶ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ, και τριτος αγγελος ηκολουθησεν αυτοις λεγων εν φωνη μεγαλη ει τις το θηριον προσκυνει και την εικονα αυτου και λαμβανει χαραγμα επι του μετωπου αυτου η επι την χειρα αυτου και αλλος αγγελος τριτος ηκολουθησεν αυτοις λεγων εν φωνη μεγαλη ει τις προσκυνει το θηριον και την εικονα αυτου και λαμβανει χαραγμα επι του μετωπου αυτου η επι την χειρα αυτου
that person will also drink of the wine of God’s anger that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured with fire and sulfur in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ αὐτὸς πίεται ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου τοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ κεκερασμένου ἀκράτου ἐν τῷ ποτηρίῳ τῆς ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ βασανισθήσεται ἐν πυρὶ καὶ θείῳ ἐνώπιον ἀγγέλων ἁγίων καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ ἀρνίου και αυτος πιεται εκ του οινου του θυμου του θεου του κεκερασμενου ακρατου εν τω ποτηριω της οργης αυτου και βασανισθησεται εν πυρι και θειω ενωπιον των αγιων αγγελων και ενωπιον του αρνιου και αυτος πιεται εκ του οινου του θυμου του θεου του κεκερασμενου ακρατου εν τω ποτηριω της οργης αυτου και βασανισθησεται εν πυρι και θειω ενωπιον των αγιων αγγελων και ενωπιον του αρνιου

John 17:17 (NET)

John 17:17 (KJV)

Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἁγίασον αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ· ὁ λόγος ὁ σὸς ἀλήθεια ἐστιν αγιασον αυτους εν τη αληθεια σου ο λογος ο σος αληθεια εστιν αγιασον αυτους εν τη αληθεια σου ο λογος ο σος αληθεια εστιν

Matthew 6:33 (NET)

Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ζητεῖτε δὲ πρῶτον τὴν βασιλείαν  καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ, καὶ ταῦτα πάντα προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν ζητειτε δε πρωτον την βασιλειαν του θεου και την δικαιοσυνην αυτου και ταυτα παντα προστεθησεται υμιν ζητειτε δε πρωτον την βασιλειαν του θεου και την δικαιοσυνην αυτου και ταυτα παντα προστεθησεται υμιν

Romans 3:22 (NET)

Romans 3:22 (KJV)

namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe.  For there is no distinction, Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

δικαιοσύνη δὲ θεοῦ διὰ πίστεως |Ἰησοῦ| Χριστοῦ εἰς πάντας τοὺς πιστεύοντας. οὐ γάρ ἐστιν διαστολή δικαιοσυνη δε θεου δια πιστεως ιησου χριστου εις παντας και επι παντας τους πιστευοντας ου γαρ εστιν διαστολη δικαιοσυνη δε θεου δια πιστεως ιησου χριστου εις παντας και επι παντας τους πιστευοντας ου γαρ εστιν διαστολη
Philippians 1:11 (NET)

Philippians 1:11 (KJV)

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

πεπληρωμένοι καρπὸν δικαιοσύνης τὸν διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς δόξαν καὶ ἔπαινον θεοῦ πεπληρωμενοι καρπων δικαιοσυνης των δια ιησου χριστου εις δοξαν και επαινον θεου πεπληρωμενοι καρπων δικαιοσυνης των δια ιησου χριστου εις δοξαν και επαινον θεου

Revelation 19:11-13 (NET)

Revelation 19:11-13 (KJV)

Then I saw heaven opened and here came a white horse!  The one riding it was called “Faithful” and “True,” and with justice he judges and goes to war. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ εἶδον τὸν οὐρανὸν ἠνεῳγμένον, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἵππος λευκός καὶ ὁ καθήμενος ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν  [καλούμενος] |πιστὸς| καὶ ἀληθινός, καὶ ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ κρίνει καὶ πολεμεῖ και ειδον τον ουρανον ανεωγμενον και ιδου ιππος λευκος και ο καθημενος επ αυτον καλουμενος πιστος και αληθινος και εν δικαιοσυνη κρινει και πολεμει και ειδον τον ουρανον ανεωγμενον και ιδου ιππος λευκος και ο καθημενος επ αυτον καλουμενος πιστος και αληθινος και εν δικαιοσυνη κρινει και πολεμει
His eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head. He has a name written that no one knows except himself. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ [ὡς] φλὸξ πυρός, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ διαδήματα πολλά, ἔχων ὄνομα γεγραμμένον ὃ οὐδεὶς οἶδεν εἰ μὴ αὐτός οι δε οφθαλμοι αυτου ως φλοξ πυρος και επι την κεφαλην αυτου διαδηματα πολλα εχων ονομα γεγραμμενον ο ουδεις οιδεν ει μη αυτος οι δε οφθαλμοι αυτου φλοξ πυρος και επι την κεφαλην αυτου διαδηματα πολλα εχων ονοματα γεγραμμενα και ονομα γεγραμμενον ο ουδεις οιδεν ει μη αυτος
He is dressed in clothing dipped in blood, and he is called the Word of God. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ περιβεβλημένος ἱμάτιον |βεβαμμένον| αἵματι, καὶ κέκληται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ και περιβεβλημενος ιματιον βεβαμμενον αιματι και καλειται το ονομα αυτου ο λογος του θεου και περιβεβλημενος ιματιον βεβαμμενον αιματι και καλειται το ονομα αυτου ο λογος του θεου
2 Corinthians 10:1 (NET)

2 Corinthians 10:1 (KJV)

Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!) – Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Αὐτὸς δὲ ἐγὼ Παῦλος παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς διὰ τῆς πραΰτητος καὶ ἐπιεικείας τοῦ Χριστοῦ (ὃς κατὰ πρόσωπον μὲν ταπεινὸς ἐν ὑμῖν, ἀπὼν δὲ θαρρῶ εἰς ὑμᾶς) αυτος δε εγω παυλος παρακαλω υμας δια της πραοτητος και επιεικειας του χριστου ος κατα προσωπον μεν ταπεινος εν υμιν απων δε θαρρω εις υμας αυτος δε εγω παυλος παρακαλω υμας δια της πραοτητος και επιεικειας του χριστου ος κατα προσωπον μεν ταπεινος εν υμιν απων δε θαρρω εις υμας

John 4:14 (NET)

John 4:14 (KJV)

But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὃς δ᾿ ἂν πίῃ ἐκ τοῦ ὕδατος οὗ ἐγὼ δώσω αὐτῷ, οὐ μὴ διψήσει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ἀλλὰ τὸ ὕδωρ ὃ δώσω αὐτῷ γενήσεται ἐν αὐτῷ πηγὴ ὕδατος ἁλλομένου εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον ος δ αν πιη εκ του υδατος ου εγω δωσω αυτω ου μη διψηση εις τον αιωνα αλλα το υδωρ ο δωσω αυτω γενησεται εν αυτω πηγη υδατος αλλομενου εις ζωην αιωνιον ος δ αν πιη εκ του υδατος ου εγω δωσω αυτω ου μη διψηση εις τον αιωνα αλλα το υδωρ ο δωσω αυτω γενησεται εν αυτω πηγη υδατος αλλομενου εις ζωην αιωνιον

Galatians 6:1, 2 (NET)

Galatians 6:1, 2 (KJV)

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. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἀδελφοί, ἐὰν καὶ προλημφθῇ ἄνθρωπος ἔν τινι παραπτώματι, ὑμεῖς οἱ πνευματικοὶ καταρτίζετε τὸν τοιοῦτον ἐν πνεύματι πραΰτητος, σκοπῶν σεαυτὸν μὴ καὶ σὺ πειρασθῇς αδελφοι εαν και προληφθη ανθρωπος εν τινι παραπτωματι υμεις οι πνευματικοι καταρτιζετε τον τοιουτον εν πνευματι πραοτητος σκοπων σεαυτον μη και συ πειρασθης αδελφοι εαν και προληφθη ανθρωπος εν τινι παραπτωματι υμεις οι πνευματικοι καταρτιζετε τον τοιουτον εν πνευματι πραοτητος σκοπων σεαυτον μη και συ πειρασθης
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἀλλήλων τὰ βάρη βαστάζετε καὶ οὕτως |ἀναπληρώσετε| τὸν νόμον τοῦ Χριστοῦ αλληλων τα βαρη βασταζετε και ουτως αναπληρωσατε τον νομον του χριστου αλληλων τα βαρη βασταζετε και ουτως αναπληρωσατε τον νομον του χριστου

1 Corinthians 4:21 (NET)

1 Corinthians 4:21 (KJV)

What do you want?  Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness? What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τί θέλετε; ἐν ράβδῳ ἔλθω πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἢ ἐν ἀγάπῃ πνεύματι τε πραΰτητος τι θελετε εν ραβδω ελθω προς υμας η εν αγαπη πνευματι τε πραοτητος τι θελετε εν ραβδω ελθω προς υμας η εν αγαπη πνευματι τε πραοτητος

Ephesians 4:2 (NET)

Ephesians 4:2 (KJV)

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

μετὰ πάσης ταπεινοφροσύνης καὶ πραΰτητος, μετὰ μακροθυμίας, ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων ἐν ἀγάπῃ μετα πασης ταπεινοφροσυνης και πραοτητος μετα μακροθυμιας ανεχομενοι αλληλων εν αγαπη μετα πασης ταπεινοφροσυνης και πραοτητος μετα μακροθυμιας ανεχομενοι αλληλων εν αγαπη

Ephesians 4:6 (NET)

Ephesians 4:6 (KJV)

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

εἷς θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ πάντων, ὁ ἐπὶ πάντων καὶ διὰ πάντων καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν εις θεος και πατηρ παντων ο επι παντων και δια παντων και εν πασιν υμιν εις θεος και πατηρ παντων ο επι παντων και δια παντων και εν πασιν ημιν

[1] Aaron and his sons (Exodus 28:43 NET)

[2] Exodus 29:33 (NET)

[3] Hebrews 1:7 (NET)

[4] Psalm 104:4 (NET)

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

[6] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had τῆς preceding righteous.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[7] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had preceding scepter.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[8] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had preceding scepter.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[9] Hebrews 1:8, 9 (NET)

[10] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had λελάληκα here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had λαλω (KJV: speak).

[11] John 6:63 (NET)

[12] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had των ευαγγελιζομενων ειρηνην (KJV: the gospel of peace) following proclaim.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[13] Romans 10:15b (NET) Table

[14] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὅτι here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: And).

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

[16] John 1:16, 17 (NET)

[17] Revelation 1:16b (NET)

[18] Revelation 2:12b (NET)

[19] Revelation 2:16b (NET)

[20] Revelation 6:8b (NET)

[21] The Byzantine Majority Text described this sword as διστομος here.  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

[22] The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had πατάξῃ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had πατασση (KJV: should smite).

[23] Revelation 19:15a (NET)

[24] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τὸν preceding battle.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[25] The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had μετ᾿ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had μετα.

[26] The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had αὐτοῦ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had τουτου.

[27] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had τῆς καιομένης here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had την καιομενην.

[28] The Stephanus Textus Receptus had the article τω preceding sulfur.  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

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

[30] Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article των.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[31] Revelation 20:10a (NET)

[32] Revelation 20:10b (NET)

[33] Revelation 20:15 (NET)

[34] John 1:14b (NET)

[35] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had σου following truth (KJV: thy truth).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[36] John 17:17 (NET)

[37] John 14:6 (NET)

[38] Matthew 3:15 (NET) See Matthew 3:13-17

[39] Matthew 5:6 (NET)

[40] The Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had τοῦ θεοῦ (KJV: of God) following kingdom.  The NET parallel Greek text did not.

[41] Matthew 6:33a (NET) See Matthew 6:25-34

[42] Matthew 5:20 (NET)

[43] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και επι παντας (KJV: and upon all them) following all.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[44] Romans 3:20-22a (NET)

[45] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the singular καρπὸν accompanied by the singular article τὸν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the plural καρπων (KJV: fruits) accompanied by the plural article των.

[46] Philippians 1:11 (NET)

[47] 2 Corinthians 6:6, 7 (NET)

[48] Ephesians 6:17b (NET)

[49] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἠνεῳγμένον here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ανεωγμενον.

[50] The Byzantine Majority Text had ονοματα γεγραμμενα και (“names written and”) following He has.  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus did not.

[51] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had κέκληται here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had καλειται.

[52] In the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 meekness was spelled πραΰτητος, and πραοτητος in the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text.

[53] 2 Corinthians 10:1a (NET)

[54] John 4:14b (NET)

[55] In the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 gentleness was spelled πραΰτητος, and πραοτητος in the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text.

[56] Galatians 6:1 (NET)

[57] 1 Corinthians 4:21b (NET) In the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 gentleness was spelled πραΰτητος, and πραοτητος in the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text.

[58] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἀναπληρώσετε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αναπληρωσατε (KJV: fulfil).

[59] Galatians 6:1b-5 (NET)

[60] In the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 gentleness was spelled πραΰτητος, and πραοτητος in the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text.

[61] The Stephanus Textus Receptus had υμιν following all (KJV: you all), where the Byzantine Majority Text had ημιν (us).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had neither.