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An opposite angle on the agony of punishment
1. An opposite angle on the agony of punishment
The Greek mathematician Euclid formalized the field of geometry where the angle is a fundamental part of geometry. Many students have had to learn geometry and proofs, etc., though some treat it as "
agony".
In Greek, the usual prefix to negate the word for "
angle" would be the word for "
agony". The words are not related, but a play on words or pun is possible.
Might Paul have used such a play on words in his writings?
2. Overview
To understand this better, here is on overview of the background covered.
The Greek word for "mystery".
The idea of Aristotle of "energy of the mind" as an "actuality".
The Greek word for "agony" as a strenuous athletic competition.
The Greek word for "angle".
The Greek prefix to negate a word.
The nature of puns or play on meanings.
The lead-in verses in Colossians.
3. Initiation into an open and shut mystery
2 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. [kjv]
ω γαρ μη παρεστιν ταυτα τυφλος εστιν μυωπαζων ληθην λαβων του καθαρισμου των παλαι αυτου αμαρτιων [gnt]
The English word
"mystery" comes from the Greek word that had to do, not only with not knowing something, but had to do with initiation rites of secret societies, such as Greek philosophical societies.
It comes from the Greek word for "
shut" as in the English word
"myopia" as in "
shut eye" which appears in 2 Peter 1:9.
4. The actual potency and inner workings of energy
Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? [kjv]
ο ουν επιχορηγων υμιν το πνευμα και ενεργων δυναμεις εν υμιν εξ εργων νομου η εξ ακοης πιστεως [gnt]
Energy is a word and concept that has ancient roots but had a
different meaning in ancient times. Aristotle first used the ancient Greek word
"ενέργεια" ≈ "actuality" for
"actuality", literally,
"in working".
The ancient Greek word
"δύναμις" ≈ "power, might, strength, potentiality" and is used by Aristotle for something that has
"potential".
KJV (King James Version) : ... worketh miracles among you ...
Paraphrase: ... actualizes the potential in you ...
The root word is
"work" and is used many times in the
LXX (Septuagint) and
GNT (Greek New Testament).
5. The angle on and agony of geometry
The Greek mathematician Euclid formalized the field of geometry where the angle is a fundamental part of geometry. The Greek words for "
angle" and "
knee" are related.
Many students have had to learn geometry and proofs, etc., though some perceive it as "
agony".
This is ironic (in the modern sense) in that if one adds the usual negation prefix to the Greek word for "
angle", the result is the Greek word for "
agony" (as in a strenuous athletic competition).
6. Angles
The Germanic tribe known as the "
Angles" as in "
Anglo-Saxon" gave their name to both "
England" and "
English".
There are many ideas as to how they became known as the "
Angles".
Name of a leader.
German name for "narrow" as in the German word "eng" ≈ "narrow".
Fishing hook as in "angling" for fish as in the shape of the land they inhabited.
According to St. Bede, the Anglo-Saxons were descended from the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes.
7. Hebrew vav as hook and Greek hook, anchor and hug
The Hebrew word
"וו" (vav) ≈ "hook" and is made of two Hebrew "
vav" letters. In some fonts, that Hebrew letter has the hook at the top end that represents a "
hook".
The ancient Greek word
"ἄγκιστρον" ≈ "hook" and comes from
"ἀγκάλη" ≈ "bend" which is translated as "
hug" in Luke. The word is related to the English word for "
anchor" and is related to the word "
Angles" from which we get the first part of the word "
Anglo-Saxon".
Job 41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? [kjv]
αξεις δε δρακοντα εν αγκιστρω περιθησεις δε φορβεαν περι ρινα αυτου [lxx]
8. Ankle
9. Triangles
10. Trigonometry
11. Philippians 2:10 Knees bending
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [kjv]
ινα εν τω ονοματι ιησου παν γονυ καμψη επουρανιων και επιγειων και καταχθονιων [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"γόνυ" ≈ "knee" which is related to the Latin word
"genu" ≈ "knee" and the Old English word
"cneow" ≈ "knee".
The German word "Knie" ≈ "knee".
The Sanskrit word "जानु" (janu) ≈ "knee".
It is not hard to see how a word for
"knee" could change into the word for "
angle".
The Greek for
"all" is
singular so there are
no exceptions unless modified, for example, by, say, a verb in the subjunctive tense. That is the case here.
12. Philippians 2:10 Knees
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [kjv]
ινα εν τω ονοματι ιησου παν γονυ καμψη επουρανιων και επιγειων και καταχθονιων [gnt]
| Philippians 2:10 |
| Strong |
Used |
Unique |
Word |
Part of speech |
The Greek for
"all" is
singular so there are
no exceptions unless modified, for example, by, say, a verb in the
subjunctive tense. That is the case here for
"bow" or
"bend".
That is,
every single
knee (no exceptions)
should bow.
13. Geneva
14. Philippians 2:10
KJV: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Greek: ινα εν τω ονοματι ιησου παν γονυ καμψη επουρανιων και επιγειων και καταχθονιων
15. Modern Greek
16. Diagram- knee
17. Bowing
The following "
things" should "
bow" or "
bend".
things in heaven
things on the earth
things under the earth
18. A prefix alpha to negate
The Greek prefix "
α" (alpha) negates the word for which it is a prefix. This has come through to English in many pairs of words.
theist and atheist
typical and atypical
periodic and aperiodic
synchronous and asynchronous
The same idea comes through in many English words taken from the Greek.
19. Philippians 1:30 Athletic agony
Philippians 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. [kjv]
τον αυτον αγωνα εχοντες οιον ειδετε εν εμοι και νυν ακουετε εν εμοι [gnt]
The (passive) "
conflict" (as if within himself) is a Greek (active) word "
fight" or "
race" or "
struggle" as used for athletic contests. The ancient Greek word
"ἀγωνία" ≈ "competition, struggle" and is the source of the English word
"agony".
In the past, one could "
see" Paul persecuting the church. Now, one can "
hear" Paul preaching the truth. This distinction is reemphasized later in Philippians. The Greek word for "
hearing" assumes understanding of what is heard.
20. Thrill of victory
Many remember the ABC Sports line "
the thrill of victory" and "
the agony of defeat" as a skier, Vinko Bogataj, loses control on a downhill slope.
Many running injuries can be traced to the
foot. It is the "
agony of de feet".
The English word
"agony" comes from the ancient Greek word
"αγωνια" ≈ "competition" which in many cases resulted in pain and agony.
21. Latin
Philippians 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. [kjv]
τον αυτον αγωνα εχοντες οιον ειδετε εν εμοι και νυν ακουετε εν εμοι [gnt]
… certamen … vidistis … audistis … [v]
The Latin word
"certamen" ≈ "fight, struggle".
22. Philippians 1:30
KJV: Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Greek: τον αυτον αγωνα εχοντες οιον ιδετε ειδετε εν εμοι και νυν ακουετε εν εμοι
Latin: eundem certamen habentes qualem et vidistis in me et nunc audistis de me
23. Strongs - conflict
- *G73 *6 ἀγών (ag-one') : from G71; properly, a place of assembly (as if led), i.e. (by implication) a contest (held there); figuratively, an effort or anxiety:--conflict, contention, fight, race.
- αγωνα *5
- Philippians 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw ...
- Colossians 2:1 ... ye knew what great conflict I have for you, ...
- 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal ...
- 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
- Hebrews 12:1 ... us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
- αγωνι
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 ... of God with much contention.
- *G74 *1 ἀγωνία (ag-o-nee'-ah) : from G73 ἀγών; a struggle (properly, the state), i.e. (figuratively) anguish:--agony.
- αγωνια
- Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and ...
- *G75 *8 ἀγωνίζομαι (ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee) : from G73 ἀγών; to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or genitive case (to endeavor to accomplish something):--fight, labor fervently, strive.
- αγωνιζομενος *3
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now ...
- Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, ...
- Colossians 4:12 ... saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in ...
- αγωνιζεσθε
- Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for ...
- ηγωνιζοντο
- John 18:36 ... then would my servants fight, that I should not ...
- αγωνιζομεθα
- 1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and ...
- αγωνιζου
- 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal ...
- ηγωνισμαι
- 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
24. Punishment by punny puns
25. Possible puns
Given the background, let us see of any of the places where Paul uses the (more active) word "agony", often translated as the (more passive) word "conflict", Paul might have had a double-meaning or pun in mind.
26. Word usage
The usage of the Greek word for "
agony" in
18 verses is as follows.
Luke: 2 (writing for Paul)
LXX: 3 (Ether, Isaiah, Daniel)
Paul 11
Corinthians: 1 (Corinth)
Philippians: 1 (Philippi)
Colossians: 3 (Colossae)
Thessalonians: 1 (Thesolonica)
Timothy: 4 (Ephesus)
Hebrews: 1 (authorship disputed)
Jude, John: 1 (each)
27. Possible puns
The letters to Corinth and Ephesus (Timothy), as well as Hebrews, use the word "agony" in the context of athletic competition - the primary meaning of the word.
The leading candidate for possible puns is the letter to the city of Colossae which has many explicit mention of (Greek) philosophy and allusions to Greek mathematics and logic on which much of that philosophy is based.
The other pun possibilities are in the letters to Philippi and Thesolonica.
28. Colossians 1:29 Labor and work
Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. [kjv]
εις ο και κοπιω αγωνιζομενος κατα την ενεργειαν αυτου την ενεργουμενην εν εμοι εν δυναμει [gnt]
The words for "
working" and "
mighty" had an additional special meaning in the philosophy of Aristotle.
Paul is working as in an active laboring, the base meaning of
"agony". This verse is a lead-in to chapter 2 which talks about the dangers of philosophy using additional terms that had meaning in philosophy.
Could Paul have a double meaning in that he is "
not an angle" in that he is aware of the dangers of (passive) philosophy thinking?
29. Colossians 1:29
KJV: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Greek: εις ο και κοπιω αγωνιζομενος κατα την ενεργειαν αυτου την ενεργουμενην εν εμοι εν δυναμει
30. Colossians 2:1 Philosophy and empty deception
Colossians 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; [kjv]
θελω γαρ υμας ειδεναι ηλικον αγωνα εχω υπερ υμων και των εν λαοδικεια και οσοι ουχ το προσωπον μου εν σαρκι [gnt]
This verse starts the chapter about the dangers of philosophy and empty deception.
Paul is actively laboring in the Greek
"agony" rather than passively thinking in philosophy as in "
not an angle" as in "
this is not geometry class".
31. Colossians 2:1
KJV: For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Greek: θελω γαρ υμας ειδεναι ηλικον αγωνα εχω περι υπερ υμων και των εν λαοδικεια και οσοι ουχ εωρακασιν εορακαν το προσωπον μου εν σαρκι
32. Colossians 4:12 Epaphras
Since the other two verses where the word for
"agony" may have a double-meaning, the remaining verse, at the end of the letter, is included.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. [kjv]
ασπαζεται υμας επαφρας ο εξ υμων δουλος χριστου ιησου παντοτε αγωνιζομενος υπερ υμων εν ταις προσευχαις ινα τελειοι και πεπληροφορημενοι εν παντι θεληματι του θεου [gnt]
To be "
complete" one should be actively laboring in the Greek
"agony" rather than passively thinking in philosophy as in "
not an angle".
33. Colossians 4:12
KJV: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Greek: ασπαζεται υμας επαφρας ο εξ υμων δουλος χριστου ιησου παντοτε αγωνιζομενος υπερ υμων εν ταις προσευχαις ινα στητε σταθητε τελειοι και πεπληρωμενοι πεπληροφορημενοι εν παντι θεληματι του θεου
34. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Thessaloníka
1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. [kjv]
αλλα προπαθοντες και υβρισθεντες καθως οιδατε εν φιλιπποις επαρρησιασαμεθα εν τω θεω ημων λαλησαι προς υμας το ευαγγελιον του θεου εν πολλω αγωνι [gnt]
Here the word for
"agony" is translated by the
KJV as
"contention".
Greek has other words that would indicate contention or commotion.
35. 1 Thessalonians 2:2
KJV: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
Greek: αλλα και προπαθοντες και υβρισθεντες καθως οιδατε εν φιλιπποις επαρρησιασαμεθα εν τω θεω ημων λαλησαι προς υμας το ευαγγελιον του θεου εν πολλω αγωνι
36. Luke
The verses in Luke, Isaiah and Daniel are interesting though it appears that no double meaning can be discerned here.
37. Luke 13:24 Gates in Luke
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. [kjv]
αγωνιζεσθε εισελθειν δια της στενης θυρας οτι πολλοι λεγω υμιν ζητησουσιν εισελθειν και ουκ ισχυσουσιν [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"αγονία" ≈ "contest, competition". This is an
active striving as in athletic competition. It is not a
passive thought process.
The "
strait" is not "
straight" but "
narrow" is in the "
strait of Gibraltar" or the "
Bering strait".
The
KJV translates as "
not be able" the Greek that is "
not strong (enough)".
38. Luke 13:24
KJV: Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Greek: αγωνιζεσθε εισελθειν δια της στενης πυλης θυρας οτι πολλοι λεγω υμιν ζητησουσιν εισελθειν και ουκ ισχυσουσιν
39. Luke 22:44 Prayer in Luke
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. [kjv]
και γενομενος εν αγωνια εκτενεστερον προσηυχετο και εγενετο ο ιδρως αυτου ωσει θρομβοι αιματος καταβαινοντες επι την [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"αγονία" ≈ "contest, competition" and is the source of the English word
"agony". An
active striving, as in a sports
competition, is a very strenuous and tiring experience. The
KJV word of
"agony" is somewhat misleading in this respect.
The
KJV translates as
"as it were" (as a given fact) what in the Greek is
"as if" as an analogy or comparison. That is, a "
potentiality" (in Greek) and not an "
actuality" (in English).
The ancient Greek word
"θρόμβος" ≈ "piece, lump, clot" and is the source of the English word
"thrombosis" as a
"blood clot". The "
great" is added in the
KJV as an
assumption. The
"drops" could be small, medium, large, etc.
The ancient Greek word
"αἷμα" ≈ "blood" and is the source of the English word
"anemic".
Note the common linguistic connection between "
blood dropping" to "
drop of blood" to "
droplet".
40. Isaiah 7:13 Isaiah
KJV:
Isaiah 7:13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? [kjv]
LXX:
και ειπεν ακουσατε δη οικος δαυιδ μη μικρον υμιν αγωνα παρεχειν ανθρωποις και πως κυριω παρεχετε αγωνα [lxx]
And he said, Hear you° now, O house of David; is it a little thing for you to contend with men? and how do you° contend against the Lord? [bs3]
41. Isaiah 7:13
KJV: And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Hebrew: ויאמר שמעו נא בית דוד המעט מכם הלאות אנשים כי תלאו גם את אלהי׃
Greek: και ειπεν ακουσατε δη οικος δαυιδ μη μικρον υμιν αγωνα παρεχειν ανθρωποις και πως κυριω παρεχετε αγωνα
Brenton: And he said, Hear you° now, O house of David; is it a little thing for you to contend with men? and how do you° contend against the Lord?
42. Daniel 6:14 Den of lions
KJV:
Daniel 6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. [kjv]
LXX:
τοτε ο βασιλευς ως το ρημα ηκουσεν πολυ ελυπηθη επ αυτω και περι του δανιηλ ηγωνισατο του εξελεσθαι αυτον και εως εσπερας ην αγωνιζομενος του εξελεσθαι αυτον [lxx]
Then the king, when he heard the saying, was much grieved for Daniel and he greatly exerted himself for Daniel to deliver him: and he exerted himself till evening to deliver him. [bs3]
43. Daniel 6:14
KJV: Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
Hebrew: אדין מלכא כדי מלתא שמע שגיא באש עלוהי ועל דניאל שם בל לשיזבותה ועד מעלי שמשא הוא משתדר להצלותה׃
Greek: τοτε ο βασιλευς ως το ρημα ηκουσεν πολυ ελυπηθη επ αυτω και περι του δανιηλ ηγωνισατο του εξελεσθαι αυτον και εως εσπερας ην αγωνιζομενος του εξελεσθαι αυτον
Brenton: Then the king, when he heard the saying, was much grieved for Daniel and he greatly exerted himself for Daniel to deliver him: and he exerted himself till evening to deliver him.
44. End of page
The English word "triangle" comes, through French, from the Latin word "triangulum" ≈ "triangle" from the Latin word "tres" ≈ "three" and the Latin word "angulus" ≈ "corner, angle" which appears to be a calque of the Greek word.
