2017-10-20
Good Morning Dear Ones,
To find a better understanding of some of the key words that are frequently used when comparing Gnosticism and Christianity, we need to pay attention to meanings and to the origins of how they are applied in this context. That is why I have been commanded to spend today’s devotion dealing with word studies. The usually four- digit Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible number is given in that reference book, when one consults the word as used in a particular citation of the Bible. The English words are listed in alphabetical order, so that the person who doesn’t speak Greek can look up its meaning in the Greek section in the back of this book.
The first word is knowledge. When I use the word “context” here, I am referring to the meaning of the word at the time at of Paul’s concern about competition to Christianity from Gnosticism. The Greek word for knowledge is epignosin, from which the word gnosis comes. It’s Strong’s number is 1922. It means recognition, perception, intuition, and discernment. It was used as acknowledgment of the mysteries of Gnostic doctrine. You’ll remember that in the past I compared knowledge to understanding and wisdom. At that time, knowledge was the gathering of specific data; understanding was arranging that data showing relationships between it and other data; and wisdom was the application of that understanding to everyday life. It should be added that this application is best accomplished by following God’s teaching and not by gnosko, which is Gnostic doctrine. Gnostic beliefs led to chaos and disaster, not to inner peace. The elitism of Gnostic society and inability for certain people to learn Gnostic secrets was furthered.
Persuasive argument is called pithanologia in Greek, and its Strong’s number is 4086. This means persuasive speech and has its origin in the Greek words, peithro and logos. Another meaning is enticing words. This is discourse leading people into error in this context.
The next word is philosophy, from the Greek, philosophias or loving wisdom. This is as the word is used in COL 2: 8, “See to it, then, that no one enslaves you by means of the worthless deceit of human wisdom, which comes from the teachings handed down by human beings and from the ruling spirits of the universe, and not from Christ.” These sources elevate wisdom [sophia in Greek] from other than Christ-pursuit of truth from other than God’s word.
Empty deception is the next term, from the Greek, kenes, meaning empty, worthless information, which is vain, ineffective, immoral, foolish, false, and pretentious. Kenes’ Strong’s number is 2756. The Greek word for deception is apates, number 539, which means deceit, of uncertain origin, and delusion.
Yet another word germane to this discussion is tradition, which is also in some versions of the Bible in COL 2: 8, in Greek is paradosin, with a Strong’s number of 3862. It infers a handing down over time, from paradodosmi, meaning an instruction. It can also suggest close- beside, to give over or hand over from one generation to another.
If you are wondering: why go into these Greek origins of words used in the Scriptures, one reason (and not the only one) is for the non-speaker of the original language to have no mistake about what the writer means or intends to say. Unless one wishes to pursue learning to speak Greek, this is not intended to urge those who read this portion of my writing to feel that is required.
PRAYER: O Dearest Father, we approach Your mighty throne today to express our deepest thanks for the availability of responsibly written reference books like Strong’s to help us to understand what was meant by the writers of the Bible. We acknowledge that You have inspired them for the reasons mentioned in the Scriptures, in 2 TIM 3: 16-17 for example. We see the Scriptures as Your “love letter” to Your human creation. We also acknowledge the consistency of Your teaching, whether it is found in the original Hebrew of the OT or the Greek of the NT. You have chosen to give us what we need to know to discern what is truth and what are lies. We thank and praise You for caring for us in the unconditional way You do. While we know we are far from perfection, as Christ practiced it, we aim to work toward improving ourselves and bringing ourselves closer to You. We ask You, in Your infinite wisdom and compassion to help us in any way You can to meet this goal. We are grateful for Christ’s Atonement and the faith in Him You have given us. Otherwise, salvation, eternal forgiveness of sins, and justification would have never been possible for us. We offer this prayer in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: As we work through these word studies together, it is my hope that our mutual understanding of what was meant by the writers of the Bible will be more unified. Doing word studies like this has helped me to have a better understanding of why seminaries require at least a beginner’s study of Hebrew and Greek, and in my case, has led me to study these languages. By no means, am I expert at either one! I’ve given some thought as to why God chose to confuse the languages in ancient times, as is reported in GN 11: 9. At that time and sadly, continuing in modern times, humans have not found a way to overcome their innate sinfulness. I hope that one language for all will be the way it is in heaven. If that is the case, I hope it will be Hebrew, because it is such a spiritual language. Whatever it is, I know the Father will make His choice in our best eternal interests. Next week, we will continue with some more interesting word studies, so don’t miss them. In the meanwhile, be joyful and thankful that our God love us so very much! Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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