The original language of the New Testament.
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2answers
76 views
Connotation of πλεονεξία in Colossians 3:5
Looking at Colossians 3:5 in Greek:
Νεκρώσατε οὖν τὰ μέλη τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, πορνείαν ἀκαθαρσίαν πάθος ἐπιθυμίαν κακήν, καὶ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρία.
Πλεονεξία, often translated ...
11
votes
1answer
144 views
Does baptizing come after discipling in Matthew 28:19?
Matthew 28:19 (ESV) reads:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
In the Greek, (according to Blue ...
5
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3answers
59 views
What is indicated by “δοξάζω” being in the aorist in Romans 8:30?
Every verb in Romans 8:30 is in the aorist:
οὓς δὲ προώρισεν, τούτους καὶ ἐκάλεσεν·
καὶ οὓς ἐκάλεσεν, τούτους καὶ ἐδικαίωσεν·
οὓς δὲ ἐδικαίωσεν, τούτους καὶ ἐδόξασεν.
Those whom he ...
9
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2answers
188 views
What is the textual evidence for defining “μισέω” as “reject”?
I have heard that μισέω does not necessarily mean hate in the sense of a wrathful detestation, but can also have a judicial sense, i.e. reject. A classic example where this meaning would be applied is ...
5
votes
3answers
613 views
How should ἱλαστήριον (hilasterion) be translated in Romans 3:25?
The word ἱλαστήριον (hilasterion) is often translated in Romans 3:25 as "propiation," "atonement," or "sacrifice [of atonement]" in Western conservative biblical translations. In Hebrews 9:5 it is ...
5
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1answer
194 views
What is the difference between “righteous” and “just” in the NT?
I've basically always used these words synonymously. Can someone elaborate on whether there is a difference?
2
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1answer
230 views
Meaning of στοιχεῖον (stoicheion)
What does Paul mean by the word στοιχεῖον, and in particular the phrase τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου? Here is a list of occurrences of the word in the New Testament. Feel free to add discussion about the ...
5
votes
1answer
58 views
Does Mark 1:32 indicate two separate time periods?
The NET Bible reads:
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and demon-possessed.—Mark 1:32 (NET)
Two time references are present:
"When it was evening" ...
4
votes
4answers
273 views
Does the phrase “born of water and the Spirit” refer to one, or two births?
In John 3:5, Jesus says that we must be "born of water and the Spirit".
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of ...
5
votes
3answers
116 views
What does Exodus 26:27 say?
I was reading through Exodus the other day and thought that the translation of Exodus 26:26-27 was odd.
OSB:
"You shall make bars of incorruptible wood: five for the posts on one side of the ...
4
votes
2answers
467 views
Why didn't the Septuagint translate 'ahabah to eros?
Song of Songs 2:7 in English (NPJS) reads:
I adjure you, O maidens of Jerusalem,
By gazelles or by hinds of the field:
Do not wake or rouse
Love until it please!
As the NET Bible points ...
17
votes
5answers
732 views
“A god” or “God” in John 1:1?
John 1:1 (NWT):
In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.
This translation, the Jehovah's Witnesses New World Translation is, I think, unique in using ...
5
votes
1answer
3k views
What Is The Aorist Tense Of A Verb?
I've read that one of the difficulties of translating New Testament Greek is the presence of the aorist tense of verbs in Greek. I think I understand what is meant by "aorist tense" in that it seems ...
10
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5answers
470 views
Is there a modern English translation of the Bible that uses the second-person plural pronoun?
I'm looking for a modern translation of the Bible (ideally in the public domain) that retains the distinction between second-person plural and second-person singular. In Early Modern English (the ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
In Romans 2:4, is καταφρονέω more properly translated as 'presume' or 'despise'?
Question:
In Romans 2:4, is καταφρονέω more properly translated into English as 'presume' or 'despise'?
Details:
This is a key point that Paul is making, but since 'presume' and 'despise' are two ...
8
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4answers
1k views
Has the meaning of “Love” changed enough to warrant substitutions in Bible translations?
The culturally accepted uses of the word "Love" seem to be a trite shadow of its biblical meaning. Common use of "Love" is now interchangeable with "Like," "Enjoy," or "Emotionally attachment" of ...
6
votes
1answer
53 views
1 Cor 7:21 Is there any justification to translate this “remain a slave”?
I'm an Englishman and so am used to seeing the verse from 1 Cor 7 translated something like this:
20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
21Were you a slave when ...
2
votes
2answers
308 views
Translation of “ἐλπίς”
Ἐλπίς is a theologically important word in the New Testament. It is glossed hope, but I have often heard it emphasized that this does not mean hope in the sense of a positive wish or feeling which is ...
1
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3answers
6k views
New American Standard Bible vs English Standard Version: Which one's more faithful to the original text? [duplicate]
I've read that both the NASB and ESV versions are "formal, word-for-word translations". Is there any way to determine which is the most accurate version?
Bonus consideration: Precise translation ...
4
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4answers
119 views
How should ἐκκλησίαις be translated in 1 Corinthians 14:34?
Though it has a couple different meanings, most often ἐκκλησία is translated as "church" in the NT. I'm wondering, though, whether its use in 1 Corinthians 14:34 might be distinguished from its use in ...
5
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2answers
75 views
Meaning of ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου in Philemon 6
What is the meaning of ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου in Philemon 6? I have seen it rendered fellowship, sharing, communication, et cetera, but I haven't been able to clearly ascertain Paul's ...
5
votes
2answers
124 views
Meaning of “Body of Flesh” in Colossians 2:11
In Colossians 2:11, what does Paul mean by τοῦ σώματος τῆς σαρκός? Paul uses σάρξ to refer to the body or the physical far less than John, and it is clear that isn't what he's referring to here: the ...
4
votes
1answer
106 views
Translation of “οἰκονομίαν”
Οἰκονομία is often glossed stewardship; the UBS 4th edition Greek New Testament renders it management of a household in the glossary. However, I find it is often difficult to translate in a sentence. ...
5
votes
2answers
67 views
Are the four profitable areas in 2 Tim 3:16 covering doctrine and practice?
Looking at 2 Tim 3:16
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (ESV)
I was checking some ...
7
votes
3answers
310 views
What is the meaning of “calculate” in Revelation 13:18?
This is perhaps the most famous prophesy in popular culture:
This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his ...
6
votes
3answers
118 views
Is the phrase “sin shall no longer be your master” in Romans 6:14 a command?
Paul in his letter to the Romans writes in 6:12-13:
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument ...
5
votes
1answer
209 views
Translation of “this generation will not pass away” in Matthew 24:34?
I'm curious specifically regarding the translation of the word "generation" here in Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, and Luke 21:32.
Matthew 24:34 (NIV)
Truly I tell you, this generation will ...
6
votes
2answers
182 views
Does John 7:15 mean Jesus was untaught?
John 7:15 (ESV):
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning,1 when he has never studied?”
The footnote is:
7:15 Or this man knows his letters
So there ...
8
votes
4answers
566 views
What does “guardian/tutor” mean in Galatians 3:24
Galatians 3:24 reads in the ESV (and several modern translations)
So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.ESV
In the KJV it reads:
...
1
vote
1answer
67 views
Origin of the word Theonomos [closed]
In my studies I came across the term theonoms, meaning ruled by God. (from the Greek: theos + nomos). Does this term appear in the new testament or is it something that was developed later?
4
votes
2answers
872 views
How did the Greek “charis” come to imply “favor?”
Luke 2:52 (ESV) states that "Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." The word "favor" in this passage is translated from the Greek word "charis" (Strong's G5485), ...
4
votes
1answer
63 views
Where was the dinner in John 12?
On this question someone posted a link to an article arguing that Lazaraus is the beloved disciple. One of the arguments he makes is that his theory cleanly reconciles the account of a dinner in John ...
11
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4answers
4k views
Translation of “Hosanna” (ὡσαννά)
What does "Hosanna" (ὡσαννά) mean (as it appears in the Gospels)? What is its etymology/derivation from Hebrew/Aramaic?
11
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2answers
1k views
Does πορνεία mean premarital sex in 1 Corinthians 5-7?
I'm interested in this question because some liberal theologians insist that the Bible does not say anything about premarital sex*. To get a reasonable scope for the question, I limit this to just the ...
6
votes
5answers
667 views
Who is being “taken” in Matthew 24:40-41?
Matthew 24:40-41 (ESV)
Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two
women will be grinding oat at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
One of the interpretations ...
9
votes
1answer
155 views
What does 1 Corinthians 9:27 literally say?
I'm used to reading the Bible in Finnish, so 1 Corinthians 9:27 seems very non-literal in most English translations. The Finnish 1992 translation is usually quite dynamic, but in this case it starts ...
3
votes
1answer
195 views
Translation of κοπιῶντες in Matthew 11:28
The word κοπιῶντες in Matt. 11:28 is translated differently in the NASB and the ESV:
NASB:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
ESV:
Come to me, all who ...
6
votes
1answer
66 views
Who are the πρεσβυτέροις in 1 Peter 5:1-5?
ΠΕΤΡΟΥ Α΄ 5:5 (SBLGNT)
ὁμοίως, νεώτεροι, ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις. πάντες δὲ ἀλλήλοις τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην ἐγκομβώσασθε, ὅτι Ὁ θεὸς ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν χάριν.
1 ...
17
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1answer
172 views
Is NWT's translation of John 8:58 reasonable?
I already assumed the opposite in an answer to why there are so many Bible translations, on Christianity.SE. Now that we have an expert community, I'd like to check. The translators of the New World ...
8
votes
1answer
571 views
“Sealed” (ἐσφραγίσθητε) in Eph. 1:13
Eph. 1:13 (NASB) says:
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
What ...
8
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1answer
183 views
Justify (δικαιόω) in James 2:24, Romans 3:28
James 2:24 says:
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Romans 3:28 says:
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
What are ...
7
votes
4answers
925 views
Forgive us our “debts”? “sins”? “trespasses”? Which is the most accurate translation?
It seems that there are three popular versions of this passage in the Lord's prayer. "Forgive us our sins", "Forgive us our debts", and "Forgive us our trespasses".
I see one version here in the ...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
Was “Τετέλεσται” actually stamped on paid bills and debt certificates in the first century?
I've often heard some really cool explanations around the meaning for the greek word Τετέλεσται in the New Testament where Jesus said, "It is Finished". I love what I've heard, and have even preached ...
10
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2answers
1k views
Translation of “abba” (Αββα, אבא)
What is the best English translation of abba (Greek: Αββα, Aramaic: אבא)? What are its senses in the original languages, and are those best captured by father, dad, daddy, or something else in ...
6
votes
1answer
101 views
Women and chief men stirred up - Acts 13:50
Acts 13:50 says in part that the Jews "stirred up the devout and prominent women AND the chief men of the city" raising up persecution against Paul and Barnabus, causing them to be expelled from the ...
9
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3answers
650 views
Why was Barabbas in prison?
It seems that there are varying accounts of the problems with Barabbas.
John 18:40
Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
Another in Mark:
...
7
votes
2answers
81 views
Sense of περἰ in Romans 8:3
Romans 8:3 says the following
καἰ περἰ ἁμαρτἰας (and for sin)
Many translations suggest as an offering for sin as an alternate translation. I can see how περί can mean in place of, but is as an ...
7
votes
1answer
85 views
Is there any research that challenges the standard definition of 'προορίζω' (predestine)?
The definition of προορίζω in the Enhanced Strong's Lexicon is:
4309 Six occurrences; AV translates as “predestinate” four times,
“determine before” once, and “ordain” once. 1 to predetermine, ...
11
votes
2answers
244 views
Should John 1:19 read “the only begotten God”?
I was reading my New King James version of the Bible and found a footnote for this verse:
John 1:18 (NKJV)
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son,[a] who is in the bosom of the ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Which 'modern' English translation of the Bible is considered the 'closest' or most accurate translation?
Which 'modern' (anything inclusive of King James Version to date) English translation of the Bible is considered the 'closest' or most accurate translation from the original Hebrew & Greek texts?
...
