Ron Writes
The shades of meaning from the original language can give us added insight to understanding many Bible passages. As a preacher I’ve always tried not to throw too many Greek words into a sermon unless they clearly add to a fuller meaning. Otherwise, it often comes across as just being ostentatious.
Scott Gage, a preacher from Arkansas, was helpful in explaining the absence and presence of the word “gladly” in translations of Acts 2:41, “those who gladly received his word were baptized”. Those who omit the word “gladly” say it’s not in the original. Gage points out that the word translated “received,” “apodechomai,” is a compound word. It comes from “apo,” “from” and “dexomai” “to receive heartily, welcome”. So even if there’s not an equivalent to our English word “gladly” in the text, the Greek word itself contains the idea. They received the word as anyone would receive good news.
One passage that has vexed Bible students is James 5:14-15. James asks, “is any among you sick?” The elders are to pray and anoint such a one with oil. Then in verse 15 he says that “the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick.” This has led to a handful of frustrating interpretations of how this is to be done and why. An easier solution would be to go back to the original Greek. Is any “asthenei” translated “sick”, but Thayer’s lexicon says it means “weak or feeble” and this is how it is translated in other places in the NT. In vs. 15 the word “kamnonta” is translated “sick,” but once again Thayer says it means “to grow weary, to be weary.” James is addressing Christians who are “dispersed abroad” and “encountering various trials.” In James 5 he begins to address the need to be patient and not complain. He speaks of the suffering and patience of the prophets and the endurance of Job. “If you’re suffering,” he says, “then pray”. But what happens if you are totally exhausted, burned out and you are too weary even to pray? Then call for the elders and they will pray for you that you might be restored. In the context this makes a lot more sense.
Lastly, the word honor can be looked at. The modern definition of honor deals with integrity and respect. However, the Greek gives us a fuller insight. The word “timē” (Rom. 12:10) is typically translated “honor,” but it is also translated, “price, value, proceeds, special, money, sum.” As you can see, it has to do with worth. To honor someone is to place a high value on them and realize their worth. This should result in your respect, but that’s the result of honor.
