Religion Information |
Translator Robs Beauty of Words
Today we are looking at one of the most beautiful words in the Bible that has been rendered almost meaningless and its power stripped by the translators. Let's begin by taking a look at Heb. 13:22. I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation, (Heb. 13:22) the meaning of the word translated exhortation as set forth here in Hebrews is the Greek word paraklesis. This word paraklesis is used twenty nine times in the Bible and is translated consolation fourteen times, exhortation eight times, comfort six times and entreaty one time. This will give you a flavor of how the word is used in the King James Version it is the writers contention that exhortation may be a poor translation of the word and that comfort or comforter is the proper translation of paraklesis . Paraklesis is defined by the dual suggestion that that which comforts, comforts from two unique positions. Consider the paraklete or the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and also consider the Advocate parakletos (I Jo 1:2) here we have the dual nature of the paraklesis one as Comforter the other as Christ the legal defense of the Believer. We should look at Luke 2:25 "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation paraklesis of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him." This is where we see that exhortation as a synonym of comfort as a meaning for paraklesis simply cannot work. Matt. 8:5 "And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him," parakleo this is more understandable a use of the word than exhort. Look at one more 2 Cor. 1:4 "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Parakleo, parakleo, paraklesis and parakleo, used respectively of the word comfort in the verse. Now substitute exhort and the verse makes no sense. The phrase "we ourselves are comforted" takes on an interesting meaning because of the tense of the verb. It is in the present tense but in the passive voice which represents the subject as being the recipient of the action or the comfort. The phrase is also in the indicative mood which is a simple statement of fact; it says it happened therefore we are comforted. The Word of God is wonderful. 2 Tim. 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." Here exhort paraklaeo cannot be translated correctly and must be rendered beseech or comfort. The same applies to 1 Tim. 2:6 teach and exhort. In paraklesis or parakleo we have therefore a word which can easily be robbed of its beauty and power by the application of an imaginative mechanical rule. Its etymology reveals that it means, "to call to one's side"; its usage shows that according to the context, it means either; to entreat as in "I beseech", admonish as in "I exhort" and consolation as in "I comfort" and that in each shade of meaning, the other aspects are present. The beseeching will not be so gentle as to be weak, the admonition will not be so harsh as to be repugnant, and the consolation will not be without comfort. Paul Griffitts has been a Bibical Researcher for over 30 years
MORE RESOURCES: Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting |
RELATED ARTICLES
Jihad Jesus spoke as much about Heaven as He did about Hell. What I would like to do is a little comparison of the Truth of the Bible over the Lies of The Jihad, as the Muslim Nations try to dominate the world with their false religion. The Armorbearer Coach & The Character of Christ In You And even though Jesus was God's Son, He had to learn from experience what it was like to obey, when obeying meant problems and difficulties. -Hebrews 5:8 TLB paraphrased by authorRecently, an actor with a career spanning over half a century told of his humble beginnings and one of his character choices that changed his life forever, "I was newly married and a new father. Prophetic Ministry: Affirmations From Scripture to Teach Us Who We Are In Christ To learn who you are in Christ, you must know what God says about you. The Holy Bible tells us to do many things. Let Her Be Covered Part Two The framework for the message this morning will consist of a series of questions revolving around this command: "Let her be covered."The first of these questions is: "To whom is this command addressed?"Now that's a very simple question. The Rapture of the Church The Rapture of the Church will be the most startling event to happen in all of human history. Millions will disappear in "the twinkling of an eye. God is God God is God and besides Him, there is no other. He is the Holy Other, the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Lord of all creation. Priesthood is Not a Profession - Does this Attest for Unprofessionalism? 1 INTRODUCTIONAS IN THE ABSTRACT2 WHY PRIESTHOOD IS NOT A PROFESSION?There is a valid reasoning behind the view that priesthood is not a profession. Because, the primary motivating factor in choosing a profession is the 'remuneration' received or monetary benefits involved. Do You Have Disciples? Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." That was the command of the master, Jesus of Nazareth when he walked the face of this earth to two fishermen, Simon and his brother, Andrew. The Catholic Obsession with Martyrs and the Question of Pain and Suffering The Catholic Church is kind of like a forest sometimes. Someone on the outside looking in sees nothing but thousands of trees?and most of them look alike. Praying Hands - Are You Using Yours Correctly? Do you find prayer intimidating? Have you ever said,"I don't know how to pray"? If so, you may besurprised to learn that there is no "right" or "wrong"method of prayer. Nor is prayer reserved for a handfulof religious professionals. Mexican Catholics Forgotten Many Mexican and Latin Catholics are dismayed that the Cardinals picked a German Pope, Benedict XVI, over a Latin Pope. Latin and Mexican Catholics are some of the biggest supporters of the Catholic Church. Thought Produces Desire, Produces Results (Channelled)Roy? this week you learned something about yourself. You learned that if you don't take responsibility and action for doing things, things will happen anyways. The Study of Saints and Why Its Important Sainthood?that title given by the Catholic Church that seems to draw so much criticism from so many denominations. The mere mention of it angers some people. Living By the Truth, the Word of God Let's be honest: Too many Christian books are nothing but fluff or teach a viewpoint that is borderline contradictory of what the Bible actually teaches. Christian publishing appears, to this reviewer at least, to be focused too much on marketing and profits, and not nearly enough on solid teaching for building up the church. A Gentle God I was in my late teens when I first read Henry Barbusse's Under Fire, a novel set in the first world war trenches. It led me to consider the question: who does God listen to when He is bombarded with the prayers of different nations and religions, all equally convinced that He is on their side?As I grew up, the questions became more problematic: what kind of god are we talking about? Who would want to follow a supposedly supreme being whose followers regularly take up arms in his name?While Muslim leaders are urging their followers to look honestly at the health of their faith, Christian bishops are silent. The Kabbalah of Love: Part One (This is the first article in a new series on the Kabbalah of Love - stay tuned for upcoming articles!)Intimate Love.What feelings do these words stir up in you? Longing? Excitement? Pleasure? Fear?Whatever the feeling, if thinking about intimate love makes your heart beat faster, I'm not surprised. The Christmas Victory As the Chritmas season approaches, I figured it's a good time to submit the following article:THE CHRISTMAS VICTORYA logical and practical interpretation of Is.7:14 in the light of context and language. Denominations Gone Wild: What Happened To Unity? The Bible teaches that Christians ought to practice a single faith. It reads: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). Philippians 2:1-18 -- Seek Unity Through Humility This passage begins (2:1-4) with a call to unity that includes basic tenets of Christianity. This passage links with 1:27 and the concern for how the Philippians live. Belonging to Jesus Christ In the name of Jesus, what shall we do in the time of grief. We do know that the failing of the Louisiana dams must be corrected. |
home | site map | contact us |