How to understand a Greek Lexicon for the word APOSTASIA (or any word)

[KUWN]

I have noticed a few people out here making a mistake in reading/understanding a Greek Lexicon. All Greek Lexica are written in the same manner. Let me briefly explain what the "definitions" mean. Using APOSTASIA as an example, here is what it means...

APOSTASIA has several definitions/usages; a better description of "definitions" is usages. So, here is basically what you will see in a Lexicon:

1. Rebellion, falling away from the faith, religious apostasy
2. Departure, removal

Okay, what this means is 1. APOSTASIA is used in a Rebellion context or in a falling away from the faith context as its majority of occurrences. 2. means a departure or removal from ___________ based on its context.

The definitions you see in a Lexicon are based on the word's usages in various contexts.

We can show why Luke in Acts 21.21 uses APOSTASIA with the modifier of "from Moses." In other words, APOSTASIA can mean departure from ________; fill in the blank based on the context. It is very important to remember that APOSTASIA does not mean Rebellion by itself; the context will determine which meaning it has.

So, here is the mistake I see several people out here making. They say the definition of APOSTASIA is Rebellion. But that is only partially true. It has many usages/definitions, one of which is departure from _________. Based on usage, it can mean a departure from some location. Those who do not include this in their posts appear to be unfamiliar with how Lexica work.

I see that I am not writing so clearly today, so give me some grace.

 

[RedFan]

I have noticed a few people out here making a mistake in reading/understanding a Greek Lexicon. All Greek Lexica are written in the same manner. Let me briefly explain what the "definitions" mean. Using APOSTASIA as an example, here is what it means...

APOSTASIA has several definitions/usages; a better description of "definitions" is usages. So, here is basically what you will see in a Lexicon:

1. Rebellion, falling away from the faith, religious apostasy
2. Departure, removal

Okay, what this means is 1. APOSTASIA is used in a Rebellion context or in a falling away from the faith context as its majority of occurrences. 2. means a departure or removal from ___________ based on its context.

The definitions you see in a Lexicon are based on the word's usages in various contexts.

We can show why Luke in Acts 21.21 uses APOSTASIA with the modifier of "from Moses." In other words, APOSTASIA can mean departure from ________; fill in the blank based on the context. It is very important to remember that APOSTASIA does not mean Rebellion by itself; the context will determine which meaning it has.

So, here is the mistake I see several people out here making. They say the definition of APOSTASIA is Rebellion. But that is only partially true. It has many usages/definitions, one of which is departure from _________. Based on usage, it can mean a departure from some location. Those who do not include this in their posts appear to be unfamiliar with how Lexica work.

I see that I am not writing so clearly today, so give me some grace.

In the immortal words of Led Zeppelin, "'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings." -- Stairway to Heaven.

 

[Johann]

I have noticed a few people out here making a mistake in reading/understanding a Greek Lexicon. All Greek Lexica are written in the same manner. Let me briefly explain what the "definitions" mean. Using APOSTASIA as an example, here is what it means...

APOSTASIA has several definitions/usages; a better description of "definitions" is usages. So, here is basically what you will see in a Lexicon:

1. Rebellion, falling away from the faith, religious apostasy
2. Departure, removal

Okay, what this means is 1. APOSTASIA is used in a Rebellion context or in a falling away from the faith context as its majority of occurrences. 2. means a departure or removal from ___________ based on its context.

The definitions you see in a Lexicon are based on the word's usages in various contexts.

We can show why Luke in Acts 21.21 uses APOSTASIA with the modifier of "from Moses." In other words, APOSTASIA can mean departure from ________; fill in the blank based on the context. It is very important to remember that APOSTASIA does not mean Rebellion by itself; the context will determine which meaning it has.

So, here is the mistake I see several people out here making. They say the definition of APOSTASIA is Rebellion. But that is only partially true. It has many usages/definitions, one of which is departure from _________. Based on usage, it can mean a departure from some location. Those who do not include this in their posts appear to be unfamiliar with how Lexica work.

I see that I am not writing so clearly today, so give me some grace.

Hence context,--

Jude 5-7: This passage includes three examples of apostasy, including Israel's disobedience, the angels who sinned, and Sodom and Gomorrah's immorality.

Isaiah 24:5–6; Amos 8:11–12: Old Testament prophets predicted an apostasy.

Acts 20:29–30; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4; 2 Timothy 4:3–4; 2 Peter 2:1–3: New Testament prophets warned that people would turn away from the gospel.

Galatians 1:6–8; 1 Corinthians 1:10–12; 11:18–19; 2 Timothy 1:15; Revelation 3:14–16: Early Apostles warned of growing apostasy within the Church.

1 Timothy 4:1: Some will fall away from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.
Hebrews 6:4–6: The author of Hebrews wrote about apostasy.

J.

 

[St. SteVen]

1 Timothy 4:1: Some will fall away from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.

Even more context defines this apostasy. (NOTE bold vs 3-5)
Who fits this description?

1 Timothy 4:1-5 NIV
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith
and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods,
which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

[

 

[Johann]

Even more context defines this apostasy. (NOTE bold vs 3-5)
Who fits this description?

1 Timothy 4:1-5 NIV
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith
and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods,
which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

[

4:2
NASB  "by means of the hypocrisy of liars"
NKJV  "speaking lies in hypocrisy"
NRSV  "through the hypocrisy of liars"
TEV  "spread by deceitful liars"
NJB  "seduced by the hypocrisy of liars"
These claim to be "teachers of the Law" (cf. 1 Tim. 1:7). There was obviously an element of Judaism involved. They are vividly described in 1 Tim. 1:3-7; 4:2-3,7 and 6:3-10,20-21.

they teach strange doctrines (1 Tim. 1:3; 6:3)
they pay attention to myths and genealogies (1 Tim. 1:4)
they have turned aside to fruitless discussion (1 Tim. 1:6)
they make confident assertions about what they do not understand (1 Tim. 1:7; 6:4)
they are hypocritical liars (1 Tim. 4:2)
they have seared consciences (1 Tim. 4:2)
they forbid marriage (1 Tim. 4:3)
they advocate abstaining from foods (1 Tim. 4:3)
they put forth fables (1 Tim. 4:7)
they are conceited (1 Tim. 6:4)
they have a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words (1 Tim. 6:4)
they cause constant friction (1 Tim. 6:5)
they have false knowledge (1 Tim. 6:20-21)
they have gone astray from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1; 6:21)

J.

 

[St. SteVen]

These claim to be "teachers of the Law" (cf. 1 Tim. 1:7). There was obviously an element of Judaism involved.

Perhaps this has already taken place and was dealt with in Acts chapter 15, the Jerusalem council?
The debate still rages today. What is our relationship to the law?

[

 

[Johann]

Perhaps this has already taken place and was dealt with in Acts chapter 15, the Jerusalem council?
The debate still rages today. What is our relationship to the law?

[

You really want to tell me you don't know @St. SteVen?

J.

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
Perhaps this has already taken place and was dealt with in Acts chapter 15, the Jerusalem council?
The debate still rages today. What is our relationship to the law?

You really want to tell me you don't know @St. SteVen?

LOL
I have a position on the subject. And there are others.
I don't recall which side of the fence you are on.
But I'm guessing we agree on this point. (no longer under a guardian)

Galatians 3:23-25 NIV
Before the coming of this faith,[a] we were held in custody under the law,
locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.
25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

[

 

[Johann]

St. SteVen said:
Perhaps this has already taken place and was dealt with in Acts chapter 15, the Jerusalem council?
The debate still rages today. What is our relationship to the law?

LOL
I have a position on the subject. And there are others.
I don't recall which side of the fence you are on.
But I'm guessing we agree on this point. (no longer under a guardian)

Galatians 3:23-25 NIV
Before the coming of this faith,[a] we were held in custody under the law,
locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.
25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

[

And yet Paul says the nomos/entole is good and holy-correct?

Rom 7:9 And I was alive once, apart from the law, but when [*Here “when ” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal] the commandment came, sin sprang to life
Rom 7:10 and I died, and this commandment which was to lead to life was found with respect to me to lead to death.
Rom 7:11 For sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me .
Rom 7:12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Rom 7:13 Internal Conflict with Sin
¶ Therefore, did that which is good become death to me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be recognized as sin, producing death through what is good for me, in order that sin might become sinful to an extraordinary degree through the commandment.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into slavery to sin [Literally “sold under sin”].
Rom 7:15 For what I am doing I do not understand, because what I want to do , this I do not practice, but what I hate, this I do.
Rom 7:16 But if what I do not want to do , this I do, I agree with the law that it is good.
Rom 7:17 But now I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that lives in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that good does not live in me, that is, in my flesh. For the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I want to do , I do not do, but the evil that I do not want to do , this I do.
Rom 7:20 But if what I do not want to do , this I am doing, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that lives in me.

Would you say this is Paul, the regenerate, or unregenerate man speaking in this profound passage?

J.

 

[St. SteVen]

Would you say this is Paul, the regenerate, or unregenerate man speaking in this profound passage?

Romans chapters 7 and 8 are a seeming enigma.
I couldn't make heads or tails of it until I defined the terms.

Observations about the law, the Law, God's law, Christ's law - four different things

1 Timothy 1:8 NIV
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.

/

 

[Johann]

Romans chapters 7 and 8 are a seeming enigma.
I couldn't make heads or tails of it until I defined the terms.

Observations about the law, the Law, God's law, Christ's law - four different things

1 Timothy 1:8 NIV
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.

/

LOL!!

The law of the Spirit
The law of Christ
The law of the mind----can you fill in the others found in the Pauline epistles?

J.

 

[St. SteVen]

LOL!!

The law of the Spirit
The law of Christ
The law of the mind----can you fill in the others found in the Pauline epistles?

That's the enigma I was referring to. How many laws are there? !!!
But there is only one "the law". IMHO

Not to be mistaken for "the Law". (capital L)
Meaning the Books of the Law. Not the laws themselves.

Romans 3:21 NIV
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known,
to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

Luke 24:44 NIV
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:
Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

--- COMPARE ---

Matthew 5:17 NIV
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

[

 

[Johann]

That's the enigma I was referring to. How many laws are there? !!!
But there is only one "the law". IMHO

Not to be mistaken for "the Law". (capital L)
Meaning the Books of the Law. Not the laws themselves.

Romans 3:21 NIV
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known,
to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

Luke 24:44 NIV
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:
Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

--- COMPARE ---

Matthew 5:17 NIV
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

[

So where is the nomos/entole now? In Christ-correct?

Mat 5:21 The Sermon on the Mount: Anger Toward Others
¶ “You have heard that it was said to the people of old, [Literally “ancients”] ‘Do not commit murder,’ [A quotation from Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17] and ‘whoever commits murder will be subject to judgment.’
Mat 5:22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’ [Greek “Raca,” a term of verbal abuse involving lack of intelligence] will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’ [Perhaps with the idea of obstinate, godless foolishness; some take the word to be a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word for “rebel” (Deut 21:18, 20)] will be subject to fiery hell.
Mat 5:23 Therefore if you present your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
Mat 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar and first go be reconciled to your brother, and then come and [*Here “and ” is supplied because the previous participle (“come”) has been translated as a finite verb] present your gift.
Mat 5:25 Settle the case quickly with your accuser [Literally “be making friends quickly with your accuser”] while you are with him on the way, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Mat 5:26 Truly I say to you, you will never come out of there until you have paid back the last penny!

Lust
Mat 5:27 The Sermon on the Mount: Adultery and Lust
¶ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ [A quotation from Exod 20:14; Deut 5:17]
Mat 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Mat 5:29 And if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it from you! For it is better for you that one of your members be destroyed than your whole body be thrown into hell.
Mat 5:30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you! For it is better for you that one of your limbs be destroyed than your whole body go into hell.

Divorce
Mat 5:31 The Sermon on the Mount: Divorce
¶ “And it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ [A quotation from Deut 24:1]
Mat 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for a matter of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths
Mat 5:33 The Sermon on the Mount: Taking Oaths
¶ “Again you have heard that it was said to the people of old, [Literally “ancients”] ‘Do not swear falsely, [Or “do not break your oath”] but fulfill your oaths to the Lord.’ [A quotation from Lev 19:12]
Mat 5:34 But I say to you, do not swear at all, either by heaven, because it is the throne of God,
Mat 5:35 or by the earth, because it is the footstool of his feet, or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great king.
Mat 5:36 And do not swear by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black.
Mat 5:37 But let your statement be ‘Yes, yes; no, no,’ and anything beyond these is from the evil one. [Or “is of evil”]

Retaliation
Mat 5:38 The Sermon on the Mount: Retaliation
¶ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ [A quotation from Exod 21:24; Lev 24:20]
Mat 5:39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer, but whoever strikes you on the right cheek, [Some manuscripts have “your right cheek”] turn the other to him also.
Mat 5:40 And the one who wants to go to court with you and take your tunic, let him have [Literally “leave to him”] your outer garment also.
Mat 5:41 And whoever forces you to go one mile, [A Roman mile was originally a thousand paces, but was later fixed at eight stades (1,478.5 meters)] go with him two.
Mat 5:42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies
Mat 5:43 The Sermon on the Mount: Love for Enemies
¶ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ [A quotation from Lev 19:18] and ‘Hate your enemy.’ [An allusion to Deut 23:3–6]
Mat 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Mat 5:45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, because he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Mat 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not the tax collectors also do the same?
Mat 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing that is remarkable? Do not the Gentiles also do the same?
Mat 5:48 Therefore you be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

J.

 

[St. SteVen]

So where is the nomos/entole now? In Christ-correct?

The law is right where it has always been.

I define "the law" as the laws God gave to the Israelites alone through Moses.
(the 613 laws in the Torah)

In Matthew 5 Jesus treats the law as hearsay. (doesn't even refer to them as law)
You quoted all six "it was said" verses. Which Jesus counters with "But I tell you..."

[

 

[Johann]

The law is right where it has always been.

I define "the law" as the laws God gave to the Israelites alone through Moses.
(the 613 laws in the Torah)

In Matthew 5 Jesus treats the law as hearsay. (doesn't even refer to them as law)
You quoted all six "it was said" verses. Which Jesus counters with "But I tell you..."

[

Rom_7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Rom_7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Rom_8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom_10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Gal_2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Gal_2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Gal_3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Gal_3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Gal_5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Gal_6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Php_3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

The law of Christ, Spirit, mind, having the mind of Christ Jesus-we are not lawless, are we?

J.

 

[St. SteVen]

The law of Christ, Spirit, mind, having the mind of Christ Jesus-we are not lawless, are we?

The law, God's law, Christ's law; three different things.

The Apostle differentiates between each one. Three different things.
He says he is not under the law, though he is not free from God's law,
but is under Christ's law. Three different things. See verse 21,

1 Corinthians 9:19-22 NIV
Though I am free and belong to no one,
I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.
To those under the law I became like one under the law
(though I myself am not under the law),
so as to win those under the law.
21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law
(though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),
so as to win those not having the law.
22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.
I have become all things to all people so that
by all possible means I might save some.

Observations about the law, the Law, God's law, Christ's law - four different things

- What's the difference between the law and the Law? (capital L) - What's the difference between the law and God's law? - What's the difference between the law, God's law, and Christ's law? The law, the Law, God's law, Christ's law; four different things. Agree, or disagree? Points...

www.christianityboard.com

For complete explanation.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

The law of Christ, Spirit, mind, having the mind of Christ Jesus-we are not lawless, are we?

"... not free from God’s law" but "under Christ’s law..."

- What is God's law?
- What is Christ's law?
- What is the law?
Three different things.

- What law was before the law that God gave to the Israelites through Moses? (God's law)
- What is God's law? (the God-given law of human conscience)
- When did we receive Christ's law? Christ gave it to us.

Here is the order in which they were given.
God's law > the law > Christ's law

Romans 5:12-14 NIV
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin,
and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given,
but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.
14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses,
even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam,
who is a pattern of the one to come.

[

 

[Johann]

"... not free from God’s law" but "under Christ’s law..."

- What is God's law?
- What is Christ's law?
- What is the law?
Three different things.

- What law was before the law that God gave to the Israelites through Moses? (God's law)
- What is God's law? (the God-given law of human conscience)
- When did we receive Christ's law? Christ gave it to us.

Here is the order in which they were given.
God's law > the law > Christ's law

Romans 5:12-14 NIV
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin,
and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given,
but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.
14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses,
even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam,
who is a pattern of the one to come.

[

Right, I have been bombarded with questions from another member and now here.

Shalom
J.

 

[St. SteVen]

Right, I have been bombarded with questions from another member and now here.

Popularity has its price. - LOL

[

 

[St. SteVen]

God's law > the law > Christ's law

- God's law (of human conscience) is from the beginning and continues today. >
- The law had a specific purpose and time. (given to the Israelites alone through Moses) >
- Christ's law replaced the law. (but God's law still exists) >

[