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| Why Greet Matters Part 2 By Roger A. Scully, Jr. |
- In last week’s article, we noted that many people become irritated when the preacher references the
Greek language or makes a point there from. Many have even verbally ridiculed preachers for their use of the
Greek in sermons and Bible Classes. Yet, we must ever keep in mind that the New Testament was not written
in English, but in Koine Greek, and that there are many nuances in the Greek which are not always as forceful
or as clear when translated into English. Hence, in last week’s article, I set out to show some reasons as to
why knowledge of the Greek is important. In this week’s article, I will attempt to give other examples as per
Greek’s importance.
n Matthew 16 there are several instances where knowledge of the Greek becomes critical. First, in verse
18, where Jesus said, “…You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…” The Catholic Church has
supposed that the church was built on Peter, claiming Peter to be the rock about which Jesus spoke.
However, there are two different Greek words used by Jesus, which are not only different in meaning, but
even different in gender. The term “Peter” is the Greek word Petros, which is masculine in gender, and means
a stone. The term “rock,” however, is the Greek word Petrai, which is feminine in gender, and it means a
bedrock, or foundation. Taking this into account, along with 1 Corinthians 3:11, we can clearly determine, and
prove, that the church was not built on Peter, but was built on the Christ, whom Peter had confessed in verse
16. Then, in verse 19 Jesus said, “…and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever
you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Again, the Catholic Church has declared that this gave the
apostles, Peter in particular, the ability to make new laws and rules. Yet, this is not the case. In the Greek the
terms “bound in heaven” and “loosed in heaven” are from the phrases estai dedemenon and estai lelumenon,
both of which are perfect middle passives, meaning that the binding and loosing where that which was already
bound and loosed in heaven (such as some marginal readings declare). In John 16:13 Jesus explained to His
apostles that the “Spirit of Truth” would “guide” them “into all truth.” Hence, when the apostles bound and
loosed, they were binding and loosing that which was being revealed to them by the Holy Spirit, as that which
was already determined in heaven (cf. Eph 3:3-4); hence we literally have, “whatever you bind on earth is that
which has already been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is that which has already been
loosed in heaven.” This is something not made evident from our English translations, but a point that is
forceful when we understand the Greek tense.
The final example given is from Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. In some congregations there are
Christians who refuse to participate in the singing. In others, there are singing groups. And in denominations
there are musical instruments. Well, in these verses we read “speaking to one another” and “teaching and
admonishing one another.” The phrase “one another” is from the Greek word heautous, which is in the Direct
Middle Reciprocal case; meaning it is a joint action or participation in which all are commanded to be involved.
In other words, I sing to you and you sing to me, hence the rendering “one another.” This is why every must
sing; this is why there can be no singing groups; and, if an instrument were allowed, then this verse teaches
us that all would have to play one, because of the reciprocal action described by the Holy Spirit. The manner
of “speaking,” “teaching” and “admonishing” is described as “singing,” thus everyone must sing.
While we are so thankful for our reliable English translations, such as the NKJV, let us never forget that
the Bible was not written in English. And, while it is true that we do not have to know Greek to go to heaven,
let us never develop a mindset which diminishes or negates the importance and helpfulness of it. Some
understanding of the Greek can wonderfully bless us, and in many cases it helps us to better understand the
force of biblical statements.
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