Category Archives: logos

“Let Us”

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With “Let Us” I am adding another leaf to the post, Salad Bowl Christianity. I have been using different Greek Interlinears and text analysis websites during my studies. So, when I read Hebrews 10:22-25 I had to learn more about the “Let Us” that is part of the text. God bless translators.

Proserchomai is in verse 22 and provides the let us with the continue to draw near. Hebrews has this word seven times in it. προσέρχομαι | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com During this study I found that Matthew used it in forty-nine verses, sometimes more than once.

In verse 23 the let us is in katecho, it appears three times in Hebrews. κατέχω | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com

Katanoeo gives us the third let us while taking thought. It is used two times. κατανοέω | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com

Hebrews 10:22 Greek Text Analysis (biblehub.com)  Use the blue arrows to look at 23 and 24. This site renders these words “we should”.

Studies like this one help you root yourself in the Word. I like to see the first and last times a word is used in the New Testament, and which Book uses it the most. Try substituting different definitions/translations of the word from the concordance and get a taste of what it is like to be a translator, by comparing how the text sounds.

Born Again, Born Anew, Born from Above

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This post, Born Again, Born Anew, Born from Above was an “Easter Present” from Father God. The phrase “born again” in Greek is gennao anothen and may be better translated born from above.

John 3:3 is the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus where Jesus said, “No can see the kingdom of God unless you are born again” (NIV). Anothen, G 509, is the word that has been translated as “again”. In the other places, John uses this word in 3:31, 19:11, and 23, it is rendered “from above or from the top”.

  • 3:31 – one who comes from above
  • 19:11 – Jesus tells Pilate he would have no authority unless it came from above
  • 19:23 – Jesus’s robe was woven from the top down

 ἄνωθεν | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com

John uses the word palin in the places where we expect to see the “again”. (Strong’s G3825)

My non-Greek scholarly observation of the different translations of again comes from Nicodemus’ answer. He ignores Jesus’ “from above” and focuses on going into the womb for a SECOND TIME or again. It would not surprise me if Jesus had pointed upward when He said it.

Born Again, Born Anew, or Born from Above reflects John 1:13 where when we believe and become children of God, we are born of God. It may be time to change terminology.

John 3:3 Greek Text Analysis (biblehub.com)  born from above

Gennao is the Greek word for born. It is Strong’s G1080.

The OJB has a reference note in John 3:3 where the born-again phrase is viewed as a circumcised heart. I think that is a good thought.

Ephesians 1:11

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Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

  • Obtained an inheritance, eklerothemen  or kleroo G 2820. According to Mounce, this word is used only here in the New Testament, there may be other forms.
  • Being predestinated, proonsthentes  or proorizo G 4309. It is also used in verse 5.
  • According, kata
  • The purpose, prothesin G 4286.
  • Pas
  • Working, energountos or energeo G 1754. I hope you see the word “energy” in this word.
  • Counsel, boulen G1012. It resembles Boolean, but I did not check the etymology.
  • Will, thelematos G 2307. The will of God is mentioned four times in Chapter 1 (vs. 1, 5, 9, and 11). The word is used three more times in Ephesians, two of them are about the will of God.

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ  Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)

Metamorphoō

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I like this word. You may know the English form of it as metamorphosis and think of caterpillars becoming butterflies. Metamorphoō is a compound word formed from meta (G3326) and metaschematizo (G3345). Meta is translated as “with or among us” most of the time; metaschematizo means to “transform”. 

There are three forms of metamorphoō in the New Testament. Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2 use this word to describe Jesus’ change on the mountain when He speaks to Moses and Elijah. In Romans 12:2 it is used to describe our mind being changed to know the will of God. 2 Corinthians 3:18 describes our change as we look at ourselves and realize how we are looking and acting more like Jesus all the time.

The first time we see this type of change is in Moses when he received the stone tablets and went into the presence of God to talk with Him. This glorious change faded, and he had a veil to hide it from the people. (Exodus 34:29-35 and 2 Corinthians 3:7-18)  

Jesus was among us when He transformed on the mountaintop. This glory also faded, but I think He was still glowing when He was among the crowd and healed the boy. For sure the demon saw something.

Jesus was transformed again when He came out of the tomb as the true form of Himself. This God-Man (Christ Jesus) is who we are becoming as we change our thinking and acting to be the righteous people of God. I am thankful for the Father’s grace in this process, I could not do it without Him.

μεταμορφόω | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com

G3339 – metamorphoō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv) (blueletterbible.org)

Ephesians 1:1

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Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (KJV)

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

  • Paul – G3972, it is a name but the meaning of the word is little. Contrast with the name Saul G4569 which means ask for or dedicated to God.
  • Apostle – G652, one sent or messengers. Terms are added behind this first requirement. The modern Church has limited that to only the ones picked by Jesus or a position of leadership in their denomination. References connected to the Ephesian Church – 1:1, 2:20, 3:5, 4:11, Revelations 2:2. Jesus was called an apostle in Hebrews 3:1 because the Father sent Him. The 14 Jesus called, the first 12, Matthis was 13 and Paul was 14, but what about the messengers that churches sent out?
  • Will – G2307, thelēma is used 62 times. You know it from Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come, Your WILL be done.”
  • God – G2316, theos is used 1317 times. We use it to refer to the One True God, but it can also mean a deity or idol.
  • Saints – G39 and 40, hagios is used 233 times. It refers to the Christians but means separate from common conditions and use. It can refer to a sanctuary, like the church in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia.
  • Faithful – G4103, pistos is used 67 times. There are a variety of uses.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)