Lesson 121 Amplified -- APOLOGIA

 APOLOGIA

American: a plea, giving an account, a defense 

As Christians, we are urged (when asked) to explain our faith in God. This is true evangelism, not forcing our views on someone at an inopportune time but seizing the opportunity to humbly confess our childlike faith in God. 

Almost Greek: (Words in italics are translator’s additions.) 

1^st Corinthians 9.3: My apologia to those examining me is this: Haven’t I the privilege of eating and drinking? Haven't I the privilege to take along a sister (a gunaika [woman, wife]) as do the rest of the apostoloi [delegates, ambassadors, apostles] and the Kuriou’s Lord’s, Master’s] half-brothers and Rock? Or do only Joses Bar Nabas [“Son of Consolation”] and I not have the privilege not to toil. Who serves as a soldier at his own wages [no wages] at any time? Who plants a vineyard and not eats from the fruit of it? Or who shepherds a flock and not eats of the milk of the flock? I not speak these things down to man’s judgment, do I? Or not says The Law also these things? For in the Law of Moses [Pentateuch, 1^st five books of the Old Testament] it has been written,

“You shan’t muzzle a threshing ox.”

 

DEUTERONOMY 25.4: You shan’t muzzle an ox when he is treading out grain. 

Theos isn’t concerned about oxen, is He? Or is He speaking altogether for us [our sakes]? Yes! for our sakes. For us it was written because the one plowing ought to plow upon elpidi [expectation, hope] and he threshing to thresh upon elpidos of sharing in the elpidi harvest. If we sowed to you spiritual things, is it mega if we shall reap from you the fleshly things? If others in you have a share, shouldn’t we have more? But we not used this privilege; conversely, we patiently endured all in order that we not give anyone a hindrance to receiving the euaggelion [good news, Gospel, Evangel] of the Christou [Anointed One, Messiah, Christ].” 

2^nd Corinthians 7.10: For sadness down to the choice of Theos works metanoian [reversal, repentance, compunction] to irrevocable soterian [rescue, safety, salvation] but worldly sadness fully works out death. Notice this same issue (for you to be grieved down to the choice of Theos), how much it fully worked out (in you) spouden [speed, alacrity, eagerness] also apologian, also indignation, also fear, also a longing, also zelon [heat, zeal, ardor], also retribution! 

2^nd Corinthians12.19: You think that again I apologoumetha [am defending] myself. Before Theos (in the Christo), I speak the whole truth for your upbuilding, agapetoi [unconditionally beloved]. Now I fear, lest coming, I somehow find you not what I wish and may be found by you not what you wish. How is it among you? Is there quarreling, zeloi, thumoi [passions, anger, indignation], intrigues, defamations, whisperings, haughtiness, instability? I fear lest my Theos again humble me with you at my coming and that I shall grieve over many of those having previously done hamartia [misses of the mark or goal, errors, offenses, sins] and not metanoesanton [thinking differently, turning about 180 degrees, repenting] over the impurity and poneria [depravity] and licentiousness that they have practiced. 

Romans 2.9: Theos will give to those (in fact) by cheerful endurance in good work seeking glory, timen [value, esteem] and incorruptibility [immortality] eternal life but to those emergent from intrigue (even in fact willfully disbelieving the truth but approving injustice), He gives thumos [passion, anger, indignation] and orge [violent passion, fury, rage, wrath]. There will be stress and calamity for every psuche [soul, life, psyche, ego] of man working totally kakon [the worthless], (firstly for the Jew and also for the Greek) but glory, time [value, esteem] and peace for everyone working good (firstly for the Jew and also for the Greek) for there isn’t partiality with Theos. For as many as hamarton without The Law will be totally destroyed without The Law; as many as are hamarton in [under] The Law will be krithesontai [judged, put on trial] via The Law for the hearers of The Law aren’t dikaioi [equitable, just, right] with Theos; conversely, the performers of The Law dikaithesontai [shall be rendered just]. For when the ethne (not having The Law by nature) do the deeds of The Law, these (not having The Law) are a law to themselves (who show the work of The Law written in their hearts), their consciences testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else apologoumenon [defending] them in the day when (down to my euaggelion) Theos krinei [will distinguish, will decide, will judge, will put on trial] the hidden actions of men via Jesus, the Christou. 

Philippians 1.3: I always eucharisto [express gratitude, give thanks] to my Theos Father God]  over all my remembrance of you in all my deesei [petitions, requests, prayers] over you, amidst all charas [cheerfulness, calm delight, joy] making the deesin over your koinonia [sharing, partnership] into the euaggelion from the first day that you heard it until now; being convinced of this very thing, that He having begun a good work in you will fulfill [finish] it until the day of Jesus, the Christou. Just as it is dikaion to me to think this over you all via holding you in my heart (in both my bonds [imprisonment] and in the apologia and confirmation of the euaggelion), all of you being co-participants with me of the charitos [graciousness]. For Theos is my witness of how I yearn for you all in the splen [spleen, guts, bowels, sympathy] of Jesus, the Christou. And this I proseuchomai [humbly beg God, pray] in order that your agape yet more and more superabound in discernment and in all perception to your bearing through testing in order that you be proven sincere and inoffensive to the day of the Christou; you having been made replete [complete] with fruits of dikaiosunes [equity, justification, rightness] via Jesus, the Christou, to the glory and the praise of Theos.

[Philippians continues] Brothers! I want you to know that my things [circumstances] have come for the greater progress of the euaggelion. So too, my bonds have been caused to be clearly apparent to be in the Christo in all the praetorian [courtroom] guards and to all the rest [everyone else]. The majority of the brothers trusting in the Kurio (because of my bonds) dare to speak the logos more superabundantly without fear. Some (in fact) the Christon kerussousin [proclaim, herald] via love of silver [money] and quarreling but some via delight [goodwill]. Those [the former] (in fact) kataggellousin [promulgate, publish, officially make known] the Christon emergent from intrigue (not purely [sincerely], in order to add to my bonds) but these [the latter] proclaim the Christos emergent from agapes, knowing that I lie [languish] for apologian [defending] the euaggelion. 

Luke 21.10: Then, He [Jesus] said to them,“Ethnos [nation, race, non-Jew, gentile] will rise up against ethnos and kingdom against kingdom; both megaloi earthquakes down to place [from place to place] and there will be famines and plagues; there will be both great terrors and great semeia [signs, indications] from Ouranou [Heaven]. But before these occurrences, absolutely all will throw their hands upon you and will pursue [persecute] you, surrendering you into the synagogues and keeps, being led before kings and governors because of My name but it will turn into a testimony to you. Accordingly, put this into your hearts, not to premeditate apologethenai [make a defense, a plea] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which not even one of all those opposing you will be able to refute. 

2^nd Timothy 4.9: Directly make haste to come toward me for Demas deserted me. He egapesas the present age and has traveled to Thessalonica, Macedonia. Crescens [“Increasing”] went into Galatia, Asia Minor. Titus [“Honorable”] went into Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Pick up John Mark and bring him with you for he is euchrestos [useful] to me to [for] service. I sent out Tychicus [“Chance”] to Ephesus, Asia Minor. Coming, bear [bring] the outer garment which I left with Carpus in Troas, Mysia and the biblia, especially the parchments. Alexander [“Man-Defender”], the coppersmith, showed to me much kakia [worthlessness]. The Kurios will give away to him down to his works. You also greatly be on guard against him for he opposed our logois [words]. In my first apologia, not even one man was present with me, but all deserted me. (May it not be charged to them!) But the Kurios stood beside me and empowered me in order that via me, the kerugma [proclamation] might be fully carried out and all the ethne [nations, races, non-Jews, gentiles] might hear. I was rescued emergent from the mouth of the lion. The Kurios will also rescue me from all ponerou [hurtful] work and sosei [will make safe, will save] me into His above the sky [heavenly] kingdom, to Whom be glory to the ages of the ages. Amen! 

End of One Hundred Twenty-first Lesson

Lesson 120 Amplified -- SPOUDE

 SPOUDE

American: speed, alacrity, eagerness 

A happy frame of mind may include eagerness to see what transpires next in one’s life. We certainly hope that the devout Christian lives in a state of eager expectation and eagerly responds to needs within the Body of Jesus the Christ [Anointed One, Messiah, Christos]. 

Almost Greek: (Words in italics are translator’s additions.) 

2^nd Corinthians 7.5: For even when I came into Macedonia, our [my] flesh hadn’t rest; conversely, we were [I was] crowded [distressed] in every way; externally battles, internally fears. Conversely, Theos, the One parakalon [calling near, inviting, urging, exhorting, encouraging, consoling] the depressed, parekalesen us [me] by the return of Titus, and not only by his return; conversely, the paraklesei with which he was pareklethe over your telling us of your longing for, your mourning for, your zelon [heat, zeal, ardor] for me, causes me to be more joyful. Because even if I grieved you in the first letter, I not regret it now, even though I did regret it then. For I see that that letter (even if indeed it grieved you for an hour) has caused change. Now, I am joyful, not that you were grieved, conversely, that you were grieved to metanoian [thinking differently, turning about 180 degrees, repenting]. For you grieved down to the choice of Theos in order that you might not be injured in even one word emergent from me. For sadness down to the choice of Theos works metanoian to irrevocable soterian [rescue, safety, salvation] but worldly sadness fully works out death. Notice this same issue (for you to be grieved down to the choice of Theos), how much it fully worked out (in you) spouden, also apologian [a plea, giving an account, a defense], also indignation, also fear, also a longing, also zelon, also retribution! In all you present yourselves clean of this deed [incest]. Therefore, even if I wrote to you, it was not for the one being unjust nor for the one being wronged, conversely, it was because of my spouden toward you before the face of Theos. Via this reason I more superabundantly parakeklemetha [have been encouraged] over your paraklesei and even more, I rejoice over the chara [cheerfulness, calm delight, joy] of Titus, because he has been rested [refreshed] off [by] all of you, that if I have boasted anything over you all to him, I wasn't shamed down. As we [I] spoke the whole truth to you, so also our [my] boasting over Titus was caused to be the truth. Titus’ splen [spleen, guts, bowels, sympathy] is toward you more superabundantly, he remembering the attentive listening obedience of you all as you received him with fear and trembling. I then rejoice that in all I exercise courage [have confidence] in you.

8: We [I] make known to you, Brothers, the charin [graciousness] of Theos being given in the ekklesiais [assemblies, churches] of Macedonia. That in much stress (testing the surplusage of their charas and the profundity of their poverty), they more superabounded to the wealth of their single-mindedness [generosity] because down to dunamin [their power] I testify and over [above and beyond] their dunamin, self-chosen [of their own accord] amid much begging me for the charin and the koinonian [sharing, partnership] of the service toward the hagious [holy ones, sacred ones, consecrated ones; saints] for us to receive their offerings. And not just as I elpisamen [had expected, had hoped], conversely, first gave themselves to the Kurio and to us via the thelematos [determination, choice, decision, decree] of Theos. For this reason, I parakalesai Titus in order that just as he had previously begun, so he should also fulfill [complete] in you this chariti [gift, endowment, faculty, deliverance]. Now, as you more superabound in all (in pistei [faith, reliance], in logos, in knowledge and in all spoude) and the agape in us emergent from you, in order [see] that you may also more superabound in this chariti. I not relate this to you down to command, conversely, via the spoudes of others also testing the genuineness of your agape. For you know of the charin of our Kuriou Jesus, the Christou, that via [because of] you, He, being wealthy, became a beggar in order that you (by His poverty) might be caused to be wealthy. 

2^nd Corinthians 8.16: Charis [gratitude] be to Theos for giving the same spouden for you in Titus’ heart because he indeed received my paraklesin spoudaioteros [more promptly, more earnestly] and the idea silently coming into being [of his own accord], he went forth toward you. We sent with him the brother whose fame in the euaggelion [good news, gospel, evangel] has spread via the whole of the ekklesion and not merely this ekklesia, conversely, also he has been elected by the ekklesion to be a travelling companion to us, serving this chariti together with us toward the Kuriou of glory Himself. And repressing your predisposition [provision for Paul and Titus], lest anyone should carp at us in this fatness [abundance] being served under us, you are planning ahead for the kala [beautiful, virtuous], not merely before the face of the Kuriou, conversely, also before men. We sent with them our brother [Titus], whom I tested in much, he being many times prompt [diligent] and now much more spoudalon in much confidence toward you. If anyone asks over Titus, he is my koinonos [sharer, partner] and co-laborer for you or if anyone asks about our brothers, they are apostoloi [delegates, ambassadors, apostles] of the ekklesion, a glory to the Christou. Accordingly, show to them the evidence of your agapes and of my openly boasting as to you before the ekklesion. 

Romans 12.3: For via the charitos given to me, I say to everyone, being in yourself, not to esteem yourself too much, exercising the nous [philosophizing] beyond what is necessary. Conversely, exercise the nous [intellect, mind] into being sound as Theos has apportioned to each a measure of pisteos. For exactly as in one somati [body] we have many limbs but not all limbs have the same function. So, we the many are one soma in the Christo and individually limbs of one another. Having charismata [gifts, endowments, faculties, deliverances] varying down to the charin given to us, let us operate in them: if propheteian [before telling, speaking under inspiration, prophesying], prophesy down to the proportion of your pisteos; if diakonian [service], in diakonia [serving]; if teaching, in instruction; if parakalon [calling near, inviting, urging, exhorting, encouraging, consoling], in paraklesei; if sharing, in generosity; if presiding, in spoude; if being compassionate, do it in hilaroteti [jubilance, hilarity].

12.9: Sincerely agape. Utterly detest poneron [hurtful], sticking [bonding] to good. In philadelphia [brotherly love], philostorgoi [love as family] one another. In time [value, esteem, dignity] lead the way for others in spoude, not in laziness. Be serving the Kurio in zeontes [fervent, ardent] pneumati [spirit], rejoicing in elpidi [expectation, hope], persevering in stress, constantly in proseuche [humbly begging God, prayer], sharing [contributing] to the needs of the hagion; pursuing hospitality. Elulogeite [Speak well of, praise, bless] those pursuing [persecuting] you; elulogeite and not put a curse upon them. Rejoice with the rejoicing and wail with the wailing. Have the same interest into all of one another, not only having interest in the lofty; conversely, yielding to the lowly. Not be caused to be wise near yourselves [in your own estimation]. Give back to no one kakon [worthless] for kakou. Promote the kala [beautiful, virtuous] before all men. If possible (emergent from yourselves), be peaceable to all men. Not avenge yourselves, agapetoi [unconditionally beloved]; conversely, give place [space, room] for the orge [violent passion, fury, rage, wrath] of Theos for it has been written, “Revenge belongs to Me. I will repay,” says the Kurios. 

DEUTERONOMY 32.35: [YHWH speaking] “... Revenge belongs to Me and recompense.”

 

[Paul continues] “If one who hates you hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, irrigate him; for in doing this you will pile live coals of fire upon his head.”

 

PROVERBS 25.21: “Is your hater hungry, give him bread [food] to eat and if he is thirsty, irrigate him with water for you shall heap glowing embers of fire upon his head and YHWH will reciprocate [repay, reward] you.”

 

[When a household’s fire went out, burning coals from a neighbor’s fire would be carried on a tray (on one’s head) to rekindle the fire. A man would love the man who relit his fire, wouldn’t he?] 

Hebrews 6.9: But agapetoi! even if I (in fact) speak so, I have been persuaded (about you) the better things; even holding fast soterias. For Theos is not unjust to be forgetful of your work and the labor of agapes you showed to His name, having served the hagios and now are serving them. But we want each one of you to show the same spouden to the full assurance of the elpidos unto the telos [the point aimed at, the end of this age] in order that you aren’t caused to be dull but caused to be imitators of those inheriting the promises via pisteos and makrothumias [forbearance, patient restraint]. 

2^nd Peter 1.2: His godly dunameos [force, power] has bestowed upon us all, pertaining to life and godliness, via the full knowledge of the One calling us via His glory and manliness, via which He has bestowed the greatest and most precious epaggelmata [announcements, proclamations, promises] to us in order that via these you might be caused to be koinonoi of the godly nature, escaping the decay (in lust) in the kosmo [universe, world, cosmos]. Now, for this very reason, also simultaneously introduce all spouden in your pistei. Fully supply manliness and in your manliness, knowledge and in your knowledge self-control and in your self-control, cheerful endurance and in your cheerful endurance, godliness and in your godliness, philadelphian and in your philadelphia, agapen. For these qualities coming into existence and abounding in you, establish you neither idle nor unfruitful in recognition of our Kuriou Jesus, the Christou. 

End of One Hundred Twentieth Lesson

Lesson 119 Amplified -- DANCE

 CHOREGESAI

American: to be a dance-leader 

CHORON

American: a ring, a round dance 

The ideal life of the Christian has been characterized as dancing with Jesus. He leads, we follow. At celebrations, the Children of Israel “made merry’ with round dancing. Round dancing is still popular in Israel and other Eurasian countries. Jews dance the “hora” (or hore in Yiddish) at special rites and occasions.

Almost Greek: (Words in italics are translator’s additions.) 

2^nd Corinthians 9.10: Now He Who fully supplies sperma [seed] to the one offering [sowing] and bread toward eating, may He be a choregesai and increase your scattering and grow the offspring of your dikaiosunes [equity, justification, rightness] (you being made wealthy in all) toward every single-mindedness [sincerity] which completely works eucharistian [gratefully giving thanks] to Theos via us. 

Luke 15.21: [Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son] Now the son said, “Father! I hemarton [sinned] into Ouranou [Heaven] and before your face and no longer am I worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Bring out the best stole and dress him and give a finger-ring to his hand and shoes to his feet and bring out the grain-fed calf and sacrifice it. And eating, let us be merry because this son of mine was dead and has recovered life and was lost and was found.” And they began to be merry, but his older son was in a field and (as coming) he drew near the house. He heard a symphony and choron. And having summoned one of the children, he inquired what this might be. Now he [the child] said to him, “Your brother arrived, and your father sacrificed the grain-fed calf because he received him back healthy.” 

End of One Hundred Nineteenth Lesson

Lesson 118 Amplified -- SING

 ADO

American: to sing

HUMNEO

American: to hymn, to sing

HUMNOS

American: hymns

PSALLO

American: playing a stringed instrument while singing

Hebrew Aramaic: zamar

PSALMOIS

American: psalms 

Even the secular world agrees that singing lifts the psuchai [soul, life, psyche]. Singing spiritual songs is positive reinforcement of truth and faith. Singing spiritual songs not only lifts us but it blesses our Father in Heaven when the songs praise Him. 

Almost Greek: (Words in italics are translator’s additions.) 

Ephesians 5.15: See that you carefully walk all around, not as the unwise but as the wise, ransoming the time because the days are ponerai [hurtful]. Because of this, don’t be foolish but rather understanding what is the thelema [determination, choice, decision, decree] of the Kuriou [Lord, Master]. Don’t be drunk with wine (in which is debauchery) but be totally filled by the Hagios [holy, sacred] Pneuma [Spirit, Ghost]; speaking to yourselves in psalmois, humnois, adontes [singing] praises [to God] and pneumatikais [spiritual] odais [songs]; adontes and psallontes in your heart to the Kurio; always eucharistountes [expressing gratitude, giving thanks] for all in the name of our Kuriou Jesus, the Christou [Anointed One, Messiah, Christ], to Theos (even the Father), being subject to one another in the fear of Theos. 

Colossians 3.12: Accordingly, dress yourself in the manner of the chosen of Theos: hagioi [holy, sacred, consecrated ones; saints] and egapemenoi [unconditionally loved], splen [spleen, guts, bowels, sympathy] of oiktirmon, [pity], chrestoteta [usefulness], humility, gentleness, makrothumian [forbearance, patience]; enduring one another and forgiving yourselves. In case anyone (toward any) has a complaint, just as (in fact) the Christos forgave you, so also should you. Above all these things, put on agapen which is the perfect bond. Let the peace of Theos rule in your hearts (to which indeed you were called in one somati [body]) and be eucharistoi [grateful, thankful]. Let the Logos [Word] of the Christou copiously dwell in you, teaching and nouthetountes [calling attention to, warning, cautioning, admonishing] yourselves in psalmois, humnos and pneumatikais odais in your hearts in chariti [thankfullness] to the Kurio. Everything, whatever you do in logos or in work, do all in the name [authority] of the Kuriou Jesus. Eucharistountes [express gratitude, give thanks] via Him to our Theos and Father. 

Acts 16.22: And the magistrates, tearing their clothes off them, ordered the lictors to flog them (Paul and Silas) with rods. They were both imposing many strokes on them and throwing them into a place of confinement, charging the jailer securely to guard them, who accepting this sort of charge, threw them into the interior keep [cell] and rendered their feet secure into timber [stocks]. Now down to midnight, Paul and Silas proseuchomenoi [humbly begged God, prayed] and humnoun [hymned, sang praises] to Theos. Now, the other prisoners intently listened to them. Now, there unexpectedly was caused to be a megas earthquake such that the foundations of the place were broken open. Also, all the doors and all the shackles instantly were loosened. 

Hebrews 2.11: For both He [Jesus] hagiazon [making holy] and the One hagizoneboi [being made holy] are all of one for which reason He isn’t ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will announce Your name, Father, to My brothers and I will humneso you in the midst of the ekklesias [assembly, church].”

 

PSALM 22.22: [Jesus] “I will celebrate Your name to My brothers. I will halal [praise] You among the assembly.”

 

Ephesians 5.15: See that you carefully walk all around, not as the unwise but as the wise ones; ransoming the time because the days are ponerai [hurtful]. Because of this, don’t be foolish but rather understanding what is the thelema [determination, choice, decision, decree] of the Kuriou. Don’t be drunk with wine (in which is debauchery) but be totally filled by the Hagios Pneuma; speaking to yourselves in psalmois, humnois and pneumatikais odais; adontes and psallontes in your heart to the Kurio; always eucharistountes for all in the name of our Kuriou (Jesus the Christou) to Theos (even the Father) being subject to one another in the fear of Theos.

 

Mark 14.26: And having humnesantes [sung the “Hallel”, which means “praise”], they went forth into the Mount of Olives.

[The “Egyptian Hallel” {Psalms 113 through 118} is traditionally read or sung at the Passover supper.] 

End of One Hundred Eighteenth Lesson