The Greek word anomia is rendered variously — as iniquity, or unrighteousness, or transgression of the law. We will begin with the places where it is translated as iniquity. Jesus says that in the last day, He will dismiss those who claimed to have done great works in His name, but who were actually “workers …
Madness Is Right
The word anoia is translated as madness in one place and as folly in another. In Luke 6:11, the word describes the scribes and Pharisees in their reaction to Christ’s healing of the man with a withered hand. Because Jesus saved a life on the sabbath, they were determined in their “defense” of sabbath, to …
The Silver Plated Pitchfork
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 146 “Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house” (Prov. 24:27). If you are establishing a farm, cultivate the field first. Afterwards, …
Folly as Sin
In Scripture, folly is a moral issue, and not a question of IQ deficiencies. The word anoetos means foolish, which is how is it rendered most of the time. Paul says that the Galatians, when they were drifting away from the gospel of free grace, were being foolish. “O foolish Galatians . . . are …
The Devil and Murder
The word anthropoktonos means murderer, and is used three times in the New Testament, with all uses being by the apostle John. Interestingly, this appears to be the fundamental sin that the devil is charged with. The first use is from John 8:44. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your …
Eyeservice
The word anthropareskos is used twice in the New Testament, in the parallel letters of Ephesians and Colossians respectively. The word is translated as menpleaser, and refers to the lout who can be prevailed upon to work diligently only when the boss is watching. Servants are told to work obediently with fear and trembling, “not …
Ferocity
In English, the word fierce can represent virtuous characteristics or the opposite. A fierce opponent can refer to the guy playing across your son in a high school basketball game, or it can refer to a terrorist trying to blow things up. In the New Testament, the word is anemoeros, and its one use refers …
No Mercy
In Romans 1, Paul gives a list of sins, as is common with him, but in this list it is striking that the characteristic note is that of venom. Among other things, he chastizes, “maliciousness,” “envy,” murder,” “malignity,” “whispering” (v. 29), “backbiting” (v. 30), being “without natural affection,” “implacable,” and “unmerciful” (v. 31). This last …
Manstealing
The word andrapodistes is rendered as manstealer by the King James Version. Its one occurrence is in 1 Tim. 1:10, clustered in with a number of other sins. It would of course have reference to kidnapping, whether for ransom or any other purpose. Kidnapping someone to sell him was a grievous sin and crime in …
Slow and Steady
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 145 “Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (Prov. 24:3-4). This admonition to build up wealth in wisdom is an admonition …