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Philippians 2:15 deceptive appearance of a shining light
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640
1. Philippians 2:15 deceptive appearance of a shining light
Ehren circleThere is a difference between "shining" and something that "appears". Appearances can be deceptive.

If a light shines in the darkness, and there is no one there to see it, does it appear?
Ancient Greek had a word for "appear" and several for "shining" that appear often in the GNT (Greek New Testament). However, the specific word "φαίνεσθε" ≈ "appear" "appears" only twice in the GNT.

Aristotle, in refuting invalid logic, writes often of the "appearance" of logical truth as in "sophistic" or "eristic" reasoning. The one time this particular word is used by Paul "appears" to fit with what Aristotle was saying.
Let us investigate.
2. Light and eyes
Sight is one of the senses by which one "senses" or "perceives" the world.

It is no advantage to be near the light if the eyes are closed. Saint Augustine (Early Christian father)
Eye with lashesFor a song based on open eyes, see Song: Open my eyes that I may see.

Information sign More: Augustine of Hippo
3. Darkness
Shades of gray?

There is no such thing as darkness; only a failure to see. Malcolm Muggeridge (British broadcaster)

Information sign More: Malcolm Muggeridge
4. Optimism
Candle
An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out? René Descartes (French philosopher, mathematician and statistician)

Information sign More: René Descartes
5. Seeing through the eyes
Book: Seeing through the eye Trapezoid Illusion Triangle edge

Malcolm Muggeridge (British broadcaster) liked the part of William Blake's Songs of Innocence that goes as follows. "This life's dim windows of the soul / Distort the Heavens from Pole to Pole / And lead you to believe a lie / When you see with, not thro' the eye.".

The Bible says "hear the word of God" or "read the word of God". One can be more easily deceived with "watch the word of God" as in a video.

Information sign More: Malcolm Muggeridge
6. Psychology: attitude influences behavior
Attitude and behavior
In the field of psychology, one assumes that attitude predicts behavior. Since one cannot see attitude, one needs to infer attitude from behavior. This is the "converse fallacy" in disguise.
In 1 Samuel 16:7, it is stated that man looks on the "outward appearance". Appearances can be deceiving. Humans tend to look at the outward appearance. God looks at the heart.
Verse route1 Samuel 16:7 … for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. [kjv]

Warning: Many modern psychology concepts started with Sigmund Freud who hated religion and the Bible and purposely introduced ideas to go against the Bible such as getting rid of guilt, shame, etc.

Information sign More: Converse fallacy: If A then B does not mean If B then A
Information sign More: Psychology: attitude influences behavior
7. The game of cleaning both sides of the bowl
Sometimes justifying your actions with Bible verses does not work.
Verse routeMatthew 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [kjv]
Verse routeφαρισαιε τυφλε καθαρισον πρωτον το εντος του ποτηριου και της παροψιδος ινα γενηται και το εκτος αυτου καθαρον [gnt]
Verse route… munda … calicis … parapsidis … mundum [v]

The cupA bowl is somewhat like a cup. When washing dishes after making pancakes (using ground grain flour) the bowel may have dried flour on it. I have been told that although the inside of the cup is clean, the outside of the cup has gritty grain on it which is unacceptable.

I tried using the above verses to justify thoroughly cleaning the inside of the cup and not fully cleaning the outside of the bowl, but that analogy was not accepted. How can we wash the inside to be "white as snow"?


Information sign More: Song: Are you washed in the blood?
Information sign More: Song: What can wash away my sin
Information sign More: Song: Jesus paid it all
Information sign More: Matthew 23:26 Cleaning the cup and bowl
8. Aristotle
Aristotle, in his first sentence in his Sophistic Refutations, a work devoted to identifying invalid logic of many types, uses the word for "appearance" of truth and then refers to it throughout the rest of the work.

English: Let us now treat of sophistical refutations, that is, arguments which appear to be refutations but are really fallacies and not refutations, beginning, as is natural, with those which come first. Loeb Classical Library, Vol. 400, p. 11.
Greek: Περὶ δὲ τῶν σοφιστικῶν ἐλέγχων καὶ τῶν φαινομένων μὲν ἐλέγχων, ὄντων δὲ παραλογισμῶν ἀλλ´ οὐκ ἐλέγχων, λέγωμεν ἀρξάμενοι κατὰ φύσιν ἀπὸ τῶν πρώτων. Sophistic Refutations 1.1.

From the ancient Greek word "φαινόμενον" ≈ "appear" comes the English word "phenomena".
9. Reprove
English: Let us now treat of sophistical refutations, that is, arguments which appear to be refutations but are really fallacies and not refutations, beginning, as is natural, with those which come first. Loeb Classical Library, Vol. 400, p. 11.

Note that the KJV (King James Version) translates "reprove" for what to Aristotle (and others) was a valid logical argument or a "refutation".

Information sign More: A reproof on the use of the word reproof
10. Phenomena
From the ancient Greek word "φαινόμενον" ≈ "appear" comes the English word "phenomena". This Greek word appears three times in the GNT.
11. Matthew 2:7 The appearance of the star
Verse routeMatthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. [kjv]
Verse routeτοτε ηρωδης λαθρα καλεσας τους μαγους ηκριβωσεν παρ αυτων τον χρονον του φαινομενου αστερος [gnt]
Verse route… magis … apparuit … [v]

Because Herod assumed the star appeared when the baby was born, many others since then have made the same assumption. This assumption requires the Magi to arrive much later in the story.

[magistrate]


Information sign More: Song: We three kings of orient are
Information sign More: Matthew 2:1-7 Herod the Great and Parthia
12. Phenomena
Verse routeHebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. [kjv]

Atomic orbitsThere are many who think that this verse refers to the atomic world of atoms and physical reality. However, abstract ideas (e.g., Platonic forms, classes in computer science, etc.) and thoughts (as in a declaration of God to create) consist of "information" and are not visible but can result in things that do "appear".

Future topic Details are left as a future topic.

13. Hebrews 11:3
   Hebrews 11:3 
 All 
KJV: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Greek: πιστει νοουμεν κατηρτισθαι τους αιωνας ρηματι θεου εις το μη εκ φαινομενων τα βλεπομενα το βλεπομενον γεγονεναι
14. Phenomena
Verse routeJames 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. [kjv]

Verse routeMatthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [kjv]

And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life? NRSV (New Revised Standard Version)
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Foot rulerPhrase: "One foot in the grave" (distance with time meaning).
What is the "yardstick" or "ruler" by which age should be measured?

Information sign More: Luke 19: A short discussion on stature
Information sign More: Luke 19: A short discussion on stature
15. James 4:14
   James 4:14 
 All 
KJV: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Greek: οιτινες ουκ επιστασθε το της αυριον ποια γαρ η ζωη υμων ατμις γαρ εστιν η εστε προς ολιγον φαινομενη επειτα δε και αφανιζομενη
16. Appears
The base word is the ancient Greek word "φαίνω" ≈ "appear" with additional meanings of making known, revealing, disclosing, coming into being, come about, seeming, etc.

The particular ancient Greek word "φαίνεσθε" ≈ "appear" is the second-person plural present mediopassive indicative.
17. Strongs - appear
18. Usage - appear
Word usage per chapter Words: εφανη=5 εφανησαν φαινει=3 φαινενεται φαινεσθε=2 φαινεται=3 φαινομενη φαινομενου φαινομενων φαινονται φαινοντι φαινων φαινωσιν φανειται φανη=3 φανης φανησεται φανωμεν φανωσιν=2

19. Matthew
The first use of this exact word is in Matthew with the usual definition.

Verse routeMatthew 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. [kjv]
Verse routeουτως και υμεις εξωθεν μεν φαινεσθε τοις ανθρωποις δικαιοι εσωθεν δε εστε μεστοι υποκρισεως και ανομιας [gnt]

Note that the Greek word "hypocrisy" meant acting or pretending (what an actor does) and not the modern English definition of the word.

When Jesus says "you hypocrites" he is saying "you pretenders" or "you actors", "get real" as in "get in touch with reality" (of the word of God).

Information sign More: An actor as a hypocrite is not real
20. Matthew 23:28
   Matthew 23:28 
 All 
KJV: Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Greek: ουτως και υμεις εξωθεν μεν φαινεσθε τοις ανθρωποις δικαιοι εσωθεν δε μεστοι εστε μεστοι υποκρισεως και ανομιας
21. Philippians
In Philippians, Paul is taking the "bishops" to task for taking the church followers in directions not in line with the truth of Christ.

Verse routePhilippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; [kjv]
Verse routeινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω [gnt]
Verse route… querella … simplices … lucetis … luminaria … mundo [v]

Do those (bishops) in Philippi "shine" or do they only "appear"? The Latin word "luceo" ≈ "shine" and is the basis for the English word "Lucifer", from the Greek, as "bearer of light" (albeit a false light). The Latin Vulgate appears to start the word slide. Whose "bright" idea was this?
22. The world
Verse routePhilippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; [kjv]
Verse routeινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω [gnt]
Verse route… querella … simplices … lucetis … luminaria … mundo [v]

The Greek word for "world" is, in English, "cosmos" and in the GNT usually means the people in the world. The original Greek word for "cosmos" meant "adornment" as in "cosmetology". Pythagoras used the word "cosmos" for the "adornments" of the heavens.

Information sign More: The adornment of people in the cosmos
23. Latin
Verse routePhilippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; [kjv]
Verse routeινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω [gnt]
Verse route… querella … simplices … lucetis … luminaria … mundo [v]

Light bulbThe Latin word "luceo" ≈ "shine" and is the basis for the English word "Lucifer", from the Greek, as "bearer of light" (albeit a false light).
The Latin Vulgate appears to start the word slide from having two meanings to having one meaning. Whose "bright" idea was this?

False lights can be deceptive. They may "appear" as good lights but are not.

Information sign More: Imitator or impersonator of Christ
24. Word slide
Note that the Latin word "luceo" ≈ "shine" can mean clear or easily understood and is the source of the English word "lucid".
25. Appearance of light
Verse routePhilippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; [kjv]
Verse routeινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω [gnt]
Verse route… querella … simplices … lucetis … luminaria … mundo [v]

In Philippians, Paul is pointing out that the church leadership is using "personal opinion" and/or "extra rules" for their own "glory" or "opinion" (same word) and not for the "glory" or "opinion" of Christ.
26. Philippians 2:15
   Philippians 2:15 
 All 
KJV: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Greek: ινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμητα εν μεσω αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω
Latin: ut sitis sine querella et simplices filii Dei sine reprehensione in medio nationis pravae et perversae inter quos lucetis sicut luminaria in mundo
27. Light
Verse routeJohn 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν [gnt]
Verse route… lux … [v]


The ancient Greek word "φως" ≈ "light" and is the source of the English word "photon" and "photo" as short for "photograph". The Latin word "lux" ≈ "light".

The modern Greek word "φως" (fos) ≈ "light" .
28. John 1:5
   John 1:5 
 All 
KJV: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Greek: και το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν
Latin: et lux in tenebris lucet et tenebrae eam non conprehenderunt
29. Light
Verse routeJohn 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι το φως εν τη σκοτια φαινει και η σκοτια αυτο ου κατελαβεν [gnt]
Verse route… lucet … [v]

We see the same translation issue in John 1:5. The light "appears" in darkness. In translation, a deliberate narrowing of the meaning to "shines" may lose some of the intended information being conveyed. That intended information often requires a context of the surrounding verses to ascertain.
30. Strongs - light
31. Usage - light
Word usage per chapter Words: φως=47 φωτα φωτι=9 φωτος=14 φωτων

32. Phosphorus
PhosphorusThe English word and chemical element "phosphorus" comes from the ancient Greek word "φωσφόρος" ≈ "bearer of light" whose suffix comes from the ancient Greek word "φέρω" ≈ "bear, carry".
Verse route2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εχομεν βεβαιοτερον τον προφητικον λογον ω καλως ποιειτε προσεχοντες ως λυχνω φαινοντι εν αυχμηρω τοπω εως ου ημερα διαυγαση και φωσφορος ανατειλη εν ταις καρδιαις υμων [gnt]

In this verse, the light "appears" and does not necessarily "shine". The "day star" is the Greek word for "phosphorus".
33. 2 Peter 1:19
   2 Peter 1:19 
 All 
KJV: We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Greek: και εχομεν βεβαιοτερον τον προφητικον λογον ω καλως ποιειτε προσεχοντες ως λυχνω φαινοντι εν αυχμηρω τοπω εως ου ημερα διαυγαση και φωσφορος ανατειλη εν ταις καρδιαις υμων
34. Strongs - morning star
35. Point of view
Tree with twigs - fruit Warning Forest blocks tree view Warning Trees block forest view Tree falling Data of zeros and ones

If a tree falls in a forest, and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?

If a light shines in the darkness, and there is no one there to see it, does it appear?

If data exists, is it information? When is an intelligent point of view required?

A saying is that "statistics means nothing to a rock".
36. Matthew 5:16 Lamps as lights
Verse routeMatthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. [kjv]
Verse routeουτως λαμψατω το φως υμων εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων οπως ιδωσιν υμων τα καλα εργα και δοξασωσιν τον πατερα υμων τον εν τοις ουρανοις [gnt]

The Greek word translated as "light" is that of "lamp".

Logo: Pixar Animation StudiosThe purpose of a "lamp" is to "shine". The Pixar Animation Studios lamp is well-known and a part of many Pixar Animations.
The ancient Greek word "λάμπω" ≈ "shine, be bright, give light" and is the source of the English word "lamp" through French and the Latin word "lampas" ≈ "torch, lamp, light".
37. Strongs - shine
38. Usage - shine
*G2989 *7 λάμπω (lam'-po) : a primary verb; to beam, i.e. radiate brilliancy (literally or figuratively):--give light, shine.
Word usage per chapter Words: ελαμψεν=3 λαμπει=2 λαμψατω λαμψει

39. Paul and an apparent lamp
Verse route2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [kjv]

Verse routeοτι ο θεος ο ειπων εκ σκοτους φως λαμψει ος ελαμψεν εν ταις καρδιαις ημων προς φωτισμον της γνωσεως της δοξης του θεου εν προσωπω χριστου [gnt]

Paul uses words for "light" as "lamp" but not in Philippians 2:15.

Verse routePhilippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; [kjv]
Verse routeινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω [gnt]
Verse route… querella … simplices … lucetis … luminaria … mundo [v]

Are those "bishops" and church leadership a "shining" example of "light" or might they just "appear" as "light" and, instead, be part of a "crooked and perverse" nation? Paul appears to leave both meanings as possible.
40. 2 Corinthians 4:6

   2 Corinthians 4:6 
 All 
KJV: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Greek: οτι ο θεος ο ειπων εκ σκοτους φως λαμψαι λαμψει ος ελαμψεν εν ταις καρδιαις ημων προς φωτισμον της γνωσεως της δοξης του θεου εν προσωπω ιησου χριστου
Latin: quoniam Deus qui dixit de tenebris lucem splendescere qui inluxit in cordibus nostris ad inluminationem scientiae claritatis Dei in facie Christi Iesu
41. Modern Greek
Red flagA "red flag" is raised or "appears" here!
Many modern Greek Bibles, two thousand years later: Why would modern Greek change the Greek word in Philippians 2:15? Both words mean the same in ancient Greek as they do today. Might the translators have been influenced by the Latin Vulgate and Middle Age translations?
42. Isaiah
Verse routeIsaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. [kjv]
Verse routeο λαος ο πορευομενος εν σκοτει ιδετε φως μεγα οι κατοικουντες εν χωρα και σκια θανατου φως λαμψει εφ υμας [lxx]

Unlike Psalms 23, here in Isaiah 9:2 there are words for "shadow of death".

Information sign More: Psalms 23:1-6 A valley of shadows and darkness
43. LXX
Let us look at a place where the Greek word for "lamp" as "light" is used, or "appears" , in the LXX (Septuagint).
44. Isaiah 9:2
   Isaiah 9:2 
 All 
KJV: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Hebrew: העם ההלכים בחשך ראו אור גדול ישבי בארץ צלמות אור נגה עליהם׃
Greek: ο λαος ο πορευομενος εν σκοτει ιδετε φως μεγα οι κατοικουντες εν χωρα και σκια θανατου φως λαμψει εφ υμας
45. End of page
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640