The New Testament contains two other words that are rendered as ignorance — agnoia and agnosia. The former is used to describe the sinful condition of the people when they went along with their leaders in the crucifixion of Jesus (Acts 3:17). Idolatry was a condition of spiritual ignorance that God winked at (Acts 17:30), …
Do No Wrong
The verb adikeo means to “do wrong,” and in the passive voice it indicates that the subject has been wronged. The basic sense here has to do with justice. As we see the verb used in the New Testament, it generally refers to the practice of screwing people, and, on the flip side, getting screwed. …
Natural Antipathy
The word agon is rendered as contention in 1 Thess. 2:2 — “we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.” Everywhere else in the New Testament it is used in a positive sense. It usually means conflict or fight (Phil. 1:30; Col. 2:1; 1 Tim. 6:12; …
Envy’s Cat’s Paw
When Paul and Silas came to Thessaloncia, they preached very effectively in the synagogue for three sabbaths running. When the leaders of the Jews there saw just how effective they were, they were stirred up by envy, and assembled a mob (Acts 17:5). The KJV renders their raw material for the uproar as “lewd fellows …
Culpable Ignorance
Although ignorance is sometimes exculpatory, the Scriptures frequently describe spiritual ignorance or blindness as both causing sin and exacerbating the fault of it. The word is agnoeo. Christians can struggle with blameworthy ignorance. Paul warns the Romans that he does not want them to be ignorant of the mystery of Christ, which would result in …
Sins of Ignorance
Once a year, on the day of atonement, the high priest of Israel would enter into the holiest sanctuary in order to offer blood for his own sins, and for the errors of the people (Heb. 9:7). The word rendered errors here is agnoema. It is a broad term, encompassing sins generally, and has reference …
Different Kinds of Poverty
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 134 “The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all” (Prov. 22:2). Given the fallen nature of the world, the vision for a classless society is a rebellious one. Jesus famously said that we would …
Forgiveness of Sin
INTRODUCTION: The Lord Jesus was born into a sinful world. His advent was not designed as an inspirational moment to crown all the others, but rather He was sent as a Savior. He came to bring forgiveness, and consequently if there is anything His followers should understand and practice, it is forgiveness. THE TEXT: “Then …
Worth More Than a Fortune
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 133 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Prov. 22:1). Proverbs is filled with hypothetical alternatives. It is better to have this than to have that. It is …
Without Stinting
“At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16: 11) Growing Dominion, Part 132 “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not” (Prov. 21:25-26). One of the things that Proverbs is known for—a major …