Vocabulary

Paul tells the young Thessalonian church, “For what is our hope or (ἤ) joy or (ἤ) crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?” (ESV; see also the CSB and NRSV). What’s wrong with that?

Peter concludes a discussion on suffering with these words. “Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust (παρατιθέσθωσαν) themselves (τὰς ψυχὰς αὐτῶν) to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good” (1 Pet 4:19, NRSV).

It is good to be back. It’s been a busy summer full of friends at our cabin, hand surgery on my right hand, and a full knee replacement for my wife. Needless to say, nothing’s been quite normal so I had to take a break from writing. I’ll be starting up the Greek Verse of the Day and the Greek Word of the Day as well as Monday with Mounce.

Someone wrote about the use of the word “contend” in Jude 1:3. I think this is an interesting example of how a word gets into our translations that probably isn’t the best word. Jude is telling his people that they have to “fight” for the faith. Two problems with the translation “contend.”

While we understand that words have a range of meaning; nevertheless, there can be precision in the meaning of a word. Case in point is οὕτως. It’s core meaning is “in this manner, thus, so,” referring back to what was said or forward to what will be said (BDAG 1 and 2). It can also function as a “marker of a relatively high degree, so” and can also mean “without further ado, just, simply” (BDAG 3 and 4). What it does not mean is “and.” This is why I was surprised at the NIV’s translation of οὕτως in 2 Peter 1:11. Let me unpack Peter’s argument.

When we go through difficult times, sometimes they are the consequence of our own actions, but not always. When the book of Hebrews talks about God “disciplining” us, it doesn’t always mean we have done something wrong.

ὁ has got to be one of the most flexible words in Greek. When I first saw the 85 pages Wallace commits to the article, I remembered being shocked there was that much to say. But of course there is that much to say, and Matt 28:17 is a good example.

In the story of the healing of the ten lepers, there is an interesting interchange of verbs. In English, we tend to use synonyms for stylistic reasons; we don’t like to repeat the same word. Greek, however, isn’t like that. Repetition was not seen poor style. So when there is variation, perhaps it signals something.

I wish that people who do not know Greek would stop misusing it to prove a theological position. When I was writing Greek for the Rest of Us, friends warned me about misuse, so hopefully this last email I received doesn’t refer to those using my book.

Before I get into this blog, I want to share an interesting fact that someone sent me. This is my 500th episode for Monday w/ Mounce. I started in 2008 and have tried to write consistently, with a few summers off. I am thankful for having been able to do this and trust that you have found it helpful.

This blog is really about how you decide on the meaning of a Greek word that rarely occurs.