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Deferring on a difference of opinion on differences
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Deferring on a difference of opinion on differences
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]

Against the flow - diamond 2In many places in the GNT (Greek New Testament), the Greek verb for "difference" as in "making a difference" is translated as "better".

A rephrased ending of the verse might be "Are you not rather different than the birds?".

2. Matthew 6:26
   Matthew 6:26 
 All 
KJV: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Greek: εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων
Latin: respicite volatilia caeli quoniam non serunt neque metunt neque congregant in horrea et Pater vester caelestis pascit illa nonne vos magis pluris estis illis

3. Carry through quotes
A chip on the shoulder is too heavy a piece of baggage to carry through life. American patriot John Hancock (1737-1793) which is the name of an insurance company (founded in 1862) and a phrase for one's signature.

Always carry through an attack when you have started it. German aviator Oswald Boelche (1891-1916) considered as the "father of air combat". It is not clear where this altered meaning of the original Greek originated.

Let us investigate.

4. The Greek difference is not better
Verse routeMatthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. [kjv]
Verse routeμη ουν φοβεισθε πολλων στρουθιων διαφερετε υμεις [gnt]
Verse route12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. [kjv]
Verse routeποσω ουν διαφερει ανθρωπος προβατου ωστε εξεστιν τοις σαββασιν καλως ποιειν [gnt]

Carry throughThe ancient Greek word "διαφέρω""carried through, different" with a sense of a "different" way or type as in it "makes a difference".
In many places, the Latin Vulgate changed "different" to "better". The word comes from two Greek words. The modern Greek word "διαφέρω" (thee-a-FEH-ro) ≈ "differ, be different".

5. Carry through
Carry through
The literal meaning of the Greek is to "carry through". The modern sense in English is that to "carry though" means to put an idea or plan into effect, usually to "bring" or "carry" something "out" or "through" some difficulty.

It appears that when one "carries through" on what is being done, that it can make a difference which may have led to the intransitive meaning of the word.

The KJV (King James Version) appears to use "different" or "better" depending on what the verse is assumed to mean and influenced by the Latin Vulgate.

6. Strongs - different

7. Verses
Let us look at the verses in the GNT and LXX (Septuagint) that use the Greek word for "carry through" or "difference".

The verses translated by the KJV as "better" will be saved for last - which is always in the Gospels and as spoken by Jesus.

8. Acts
Paul an a voyage talks of being "carried through" the storms.

Verse routeActs 27:27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; [kjv]
Verse routeως δε τεσσαρεσκαιδεκατη νυξ εγενετο διαφερομενων ημων εν τω αδρια κατα μεσον της νυκτος υπενοουν οι ναυται προσαγειν τινα αυτοις χωραν [gnt]

The "driven up and down" might be phrased as "carried through".

9. Acts 27:27
   Acts 27:27 
 All 
KJV: But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
Greek: ως δε τεσσαρεσκαιδεκατη νυξ εγενετο διαφερομενων ημων εν τω αδρια κατα μεσον της νυκτος υπενοουν οι ναυται προσαγειν τινα αυτοις χωραν

10. Romans
Verse routeRomans 2:18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; [kjv]
Verse routeκαι γινωσκεις το θελημα και δοκιμαζεις τα διαφεροντα κατηχουμενος εκ του νομου [gnt]

The "things that are more excellent" might be phrased as "things that are different" or "things that carry through" with the implication that these things are "better" from the point of view of Paul.

11. Romans 2:18
   Romans 2:18 
 All 
KJV: And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
Greek: και γινωσκεις το θελημα και δοκιμαζεις τα διαφεροντα κατηχουμενος εκ του νομου

12. Stars
Verse route1 Corinthians 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. [kjv]
Verse routeαλλη δοξα ηλιου και αλλη δοξα σεληνης και αλλη δοξα αστερων αστηρ γαρ αστερος διαφερει εν δοξη [gnt]



Sun, Earth and MoonThe stars are "different". One star is not "better" than another star. The creation of the stars is declared in Genesis.
Verse routeGenesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εποιησεν ο θεος τους δυο φωστηρας τους μεγαλους τον φωστηρα τον μεγαν εις αρχας της ημερας και τον φωστηρα τον ελασσω εις αρχας της νυκτος και τους αστερας [lxx]


13. 1 Corinthians 15:41
 All 
KJV: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
Greek: αλλη δοξα ηλιου και αλλη δοξα σεληνης και αλλη δοξα αστερων αστηρ γαρ αστερος διαφερει εν δοξη

14. Genesis 1:16
   Genesis 1:16 
 All 
KJV: And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
Hebrew: ויעש אלהים את שני המארת הגדלים את המאור הגדל לממשלת היום ואת המאור הקטן לממשלת הלילה ואת הכוכבים׃
Greek: και εποιησεν ο θεος τους δυο φωστηρας τους μεγαλους τον φωστηρα τον μεγαν εις αρχας της ημερας και τον φωστηρα τον ελασσω εις αρχας της νυκτος και τους αστερας

15. Paul
In Galatians, Paul says that it "makes" no "difference".

Verse routeGalatians 2:6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person: ) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: [kjv]
Verse routeαπο δε των δοκουντων ειναι τι οποιοι ποτε ησαν ουδεν μοι διαφερει προσωπον ο θεος ανθρωπου ου λαμβανει εμοι γαρ οι δοκουντες ουδεν προσανεθεντο [gnt]

The Greek word for "person" here comes from the words "before" and "view" as what is before one's view as in the face (or mask) that represents a person.

Future topic Details are left as a future topic.


16. Galatians 2:6
 All 
KJV: But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person: ) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
Greek: απο δε των δοκουντων ειναι τι οποιοι ποτε ησαν ουδεν μοι διαφερει προσωπον ο θεος ανθρωπου ου λαμβανει εμοι γαρ οι δοκουντες ουδεν προσανεθεντο

17. Child and servant
In Galatians 4:1, the translation is "different" and not "better" (or something else).

Verse routeGalatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; [kjv]
Verse routeλεγω δε εφ οσον χρονον ο κληρονομος νηπιος εστιν ουδεν διαφερει δουλου κυριος παντων ων [gnt]


18. Galatians 4:1
 All 
KJV: Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Greek: λεγω δε εφ οσον χρονον ο κληρονομος νηπιος εστιν ουδεν διαφερει δουλου κυριος παντων ων

19. Philippians
In Philippians Paul appears to say the things that are "different" or "make a difference" and not "excellent" though that might be inferred from context.

Verse routePhilippians 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; [kjv]
Verse routeεις το δοκιμαζειν υμας τα διαφεροντα ινα ητε ειλικρινεις και απροσκοποι εις ημεραν χριστου [gnt]

Verse route1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. [kjv]
Verse routeπεπληρωμενοι καρπον δικαιοσυνης τον δια ιησου χριστου εις δοξαν και επαινον θεου [gnt]


20. Philippians 1:10
 All 
KJV: That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Greek: εις το δοκιμαζειν υμας τα διαφεροντα ινα ητε ειλικρινεις και απροσκοποι εις ημεραν χριστου

21. Philippians 1:11
 All 
KJV: Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Greek: πεπληρωμενοι καρπων καρπον δικαιοσυνης των τον δια ιησου χριστου εις δοξαν και επαινον θεου

22. Kings
Verse routeProverbs 20:2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. [kjv]

Verse routeου διαφερει απειλη βασιλεως θυμου λεοντος ο δε παροξυνων αυτον αμαρτανει εις την εαυτου ψυχην [lxx]
Verse routeThe threat of a king differs not from the rage of a lion; and he that provokes him sins against his own soul. [bs3]

CrownIn the LXX, the "fear" of a king appears to be the "threat" of a king "carrying through" after one has provoked the king.

23. Proverbs 20:2
 All 
KJV: The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
Hebrew: נהם ככפיר אימת מלך מתעברו חוטא נפשו׃
Greek: ου διαφερει απειλη βασιλεως θυμου λεοντος ο δε παροξυνων αυτον αμαρτανει εις την εαυτου ψυχην
Brenton: The threat of a king differs not from the rage of a lion; and he that provokes him sins against his own soul.

24. Late sleepers
Verse routeProverbs 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. [kjv]

Verse routeος αν ευλογη φιλον το πρωι μεγαλη τη φωνη καταρωμενου ουδεν διαφερειν δοξει [lxx]
Verse routeWhosoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses him. [bs3]

Nothing new under the sun
A favorite verse of later morning sleepers and not of early morning risers is Proverbs 27:14.

25. Proverbs 27:14
 All 
KJV: He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
Hebrew: מברך רעהו בקול גדול בבקר השכים קללה תחשב לו׃
Greek: ος αν ευλογη φιλον το πρωι μεγαλη τη φωνη καταρωμενου ουδεν διαφερειν δοξει
Brenton: Whosoever shall bless a friend in the morning with a loud voice, shall seem to differ nothing from one who curses him.

26. Early to bed


27. Saying
Remember the saying, "the early worm gets eaten by the bird".

Actually the saying is "The early bird gets the worm". The full saying is "The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!".

That is, the first mouse gets eaten by the cat. A Biblical parody of this (source unknown) is "Blessed is the second mouse for he shall inherit the cheese."
Verse routeMatthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. [kjv]


28. Matthew 5:5
   Matthew 5:5 
 All 
KJV: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Greek: μακαριοι οι πραεις οτι αυτοι κληρονομησουσιν την γην

29. Daniel 7:3 Beasts in Daniel
Verse routeDaniel 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι τεσσαρα θηρια μεγαλα ανεβαινον εκ της θαλασσης διαφεροντα αλληλων [lxx]
Verse routeAnd there came up four great beasts out of the sea, differing from one another. [bs3]

In the vision of Daniel 7:3, Daniel sees four "different" beasts. They are not necessarily "better" than one another.

30. Daniel 7:3
   Daniel 7:3 
 All 
KJV: And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Hebrew: וארבע חיון רברבן סלקן מן ימא שנין דא מן דא׃
Greek: και τεσσαρα θηρια μεγαλα ανεβαινον εκ της θαλασσης διαφεροντα αλληλων
Brenton: And there came up four great beasts out of the sea, differing from one another.

31. Better verses
The following verses that have the Greek word for "carry through" or "difference" are translated by the KJV as "better".
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]

Verse routeLuke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? [kjv]
Verse routeκατανοησατε τους κορακας οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν οις ουκ εστιν ταμειον ουδε αποθηκη και ο θεος τρεφει αυτους ποσω μαλλον υμεις διαφερετε των πετεινων [gnt]


32. Better value
Verse routeMatthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. [kjv]
Verse routeμη ουν φοβεισθε πολλων στρουθιων διαφερετε υμεις [gnt]

Verse route12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. [kjv]
Verse routeποσω ουν διαφερει ανθρωπος προβατου ωστε εξεστιν τοις σαββασιν καλως ποιειν [gnt]



The animal rights advocates such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) might not like the KJV translation of these verses where humans are "better" or of more "value" than the birds or animals.

33. Matthew 6:26
   Matthew 6:26 
 All 
KJV: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Greek: εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων

34. Luke 12:24
   Luke 12:24 
 All 
KJV: Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Greek: κατανοησατε τους κορακας οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν οις ουκ εστιν ταμειον ουδε αποθηκη και ο θεος τρεφει αυτους ποσω μαλλον υμεις διαφερετε των πετεινων

35. Matthew 10:31
 All 
KJV: Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Greek: μη ουν φοβηθητε φοβεισθε πολλων στρουθιων διαφερετε υμεις

36. Matthew 12:12
 All 
KJV: How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Greek: ποσω ουν διαφερει ανθρωπος προβατου ωστε εξεστιν τοις σαββασιν καλως ποιειν

37. Hairs are numbered
Verse routeLuke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. [kjv]

The hairs of our head are numbered. For some men, there are not that many hairs to count

38. Hairs on a head
Verse routeMatthew 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [kjv]
Verse routeμητε εν τη κεφαλη σου ομοσης οτι ου δυνασαι μιαν τριχα λευκην ποιησαι η μελαιναν [gnt]
Verse route10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [kjv]
Verse routeυμων δε και αι τριχες της κεφαλης πασαι ηριθμημεναι εισιν [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "τρίχα""(single) hair" while "τρίχας""hairs" from "θρίξ""hair" and is the source of English (technical, medical, etc.) words starting with "tricho".
There are many jokes and comments about this verse by those who do not have many hairs. Might this digression be "hairsplitting"? Or "split ends". Not a football player position as a "split end".

The verse in Matthew 5:36 and 10:30 that both use the Greek word for "hair", which might have another meaning (as a code word) where both are true.

Information sign More: The sorrowful annoyance of hairsplitting
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Information sign More: Matthew 5:33-37: Hairs of the head - yes no

39. Hairs on a head revisited
Verse routeMatthew 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [kjv]
Verse route10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [kjv]

As a secondary meaning, Jesus is the "head" of the "church" of "believers".
Let us paraphrase both verses using this insight and using a "person" (or "believer") as a "hair". That is, use the code word meanings.
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Information sign More: Matthew 13:31-32 Third kingdom parable: mustard seeds and trees
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40. Hairs and believers


Information sign More: Matthew 5:33-37: Hairs of the head - yes no

41. Hairs and believers
Is "one believer" you?

This secondary meanings of both verses are an equivocation used not to deceive but to conceal.


Might this provide some insight into the secondary meaning of "white" and "black" which in the Greek have other meanings as "shades" of color or sound? Here are some possibilities.

42. Luke 12:7
   Luke 12:7 
 All 
KJV: But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Greek: αλλα και αι τριχες της κεφαλης υμων πασαι ηριθμηνται μη ουν φοβεισθε πολλων στρουθιων διαφερετε

43. Greek for rather
The ancient Greek word "μᾶλλον""rather" as in "rather than". In a comparison, in context, it could be "rather more". The modern Greek word "μάλλον" (MAL-lon) ≈ "rather, more precisely".

Again, the KJV appears to translate depending on what the verse is assumed to mean and influenced by the Latin Vulgate.

44. Latin
The Latin word "magis""much, greatly" as a form of the Latin word "magnus""big, great".

The Latin word "plus""more, additionally".

45. Strongs - rather

46. Summary
Let us return to Matthew 6:26.
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]

The rephrased ending might be "Are you not rather different than the birds?".

47. End of page

by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640