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Deferring on a difference of opinion on differences
1. Deferring on a difference of opinion on differences
Matthew 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]
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 [gnt]
In 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
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. Greek for difference
5. 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
- *G1308 *13 διαφέρω (dee-af-er'-o) : from G1223 and G5342; to bear through, i.e. (literally) transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. (objectively) to toss about (figuratively, report); subjectively, to "differ", or (by implication) surpass:--be better, carry, differ from, drive up and down, be (more) excellent, make matter, publish, be of more value.
- διαφερετε *4
- Matthew 6:26 ... feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
- Matthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
- Luke 12:7 ... Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
- Luke 12:24 ... how much more are ye better than the fowls?
- διαφερει *4
- Matthew 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore ...
- 1 Corinthians 15:41 ... of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
- Galatians 2:6 ... (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God ...
- Galatians 4:1 ... he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though ...
- διαφεροντα *2
- Romans 2:18 ... his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
- Philippians 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere ...
- διενεγκη
- Mark 11:16 ... suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
- διεφερετο
- Acts 13:49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
- διαφερομενων
- Acts 27:27 ... night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about ...
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.
Acts 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]
The "
driven up and down" might be phrased as "
carried through".
9. Acts 27:27
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
Romans 2:18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; [kjv]
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
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
1 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]
The stars are "
different". One star is not "
better" than another star. The creation of the stars is declared in Genesis.
Genesis 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]
13. 1 Corinthians 15:41
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
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".
Galatians 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]
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.
 |
Details are left as a future topic.
|
16. Galatians 2:6
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).
Galatians 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]
18. Galatians 4:1
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.
Philippians 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; [kjv]
1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. [kjv]
20. Philippians 1:10
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
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
In the
LXX, the "
fear" of a king appears to be the "
threat" of a king "
carrying through" after one has provoked the king.
Proverbs 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]
The threat of a king differs not from the rage of a lion; and he that provokes him sins against his own soul. [bs3]
23. Proverbs 20:2
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
25. Proverbs 27:14
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
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. Benjamin Franklin (American scientist, inventor, philosopher, statesman)
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."
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. [kjv]
28. Matthew 5:5
KJV: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Greek: μακαριοι οι πραεις οτι αυτοι κληρονομησουσιν την γην
29. Beasts in Daniel
In the vision of Daniel 7:3, Daniel sees four "
different" beasts. They are not necessarily "
better" than one another.
Daniel 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. [kjv]
And there came up four great beasts out of the sea, differing from one another. [bs3]
30. Daniel 7:3
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".
Matthew 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]
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 [gnt]
Luke 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]
32. Better value
Matthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. [kjv]
12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. [kjv]
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
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
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
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
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
Luke 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
Matthew 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [kjv]
μητε εν τη κεφαλη σου ομοσης οτι ου δυνασαι μιαν τριχα λευκην ποιησαι η μελαιναν [gnt]
10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [kjv]
υμων 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.
39. Hairs on a head revisited
Matthew 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [kjv]
μητε εν τη κεφαλη σου ομοσης οτι ου δυνασαι μιαν τριχα λευκην ποιησαι η μελαιναν [gnt]
10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [kjv]
υμων δε και αι τριχες της κεφαλης πασαι ηριθμημεναι εισιν [gnt]
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".
Matthew 5:36: Do not swear by Jesus because you cannot make/judge/separate one believer/person as 'white' or 'black'. (or "narrow gate" or "wide area" or "heaven" or "hell", etc.).
Matthew 10:30: But the very believers/persons of Jesus are all numbered.
40. Hairs and believers
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.
"distinct" or "indistinct"
"clear" or "dim"
"saved" or "not saved"
"narrow gate" or "wide area"
"sheep" or (kid) "goats"
42. Luke 12:7
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
44. Latin
45. Strongs - rather
- *G3123 *81 μᾶλλον (mal'-lon) : neuter of the comparative of the same as G3122; (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather:--+ better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.
- μαλλον *81
- Matthew 6:26 ... Are ye not much better than they?
- Matthew 6:30 ... the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
- Matthew 7:11 ... your children, how much more shall your Father ...
- Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep ...
- Matthew 10:25 ... the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
- Matthew 10:28 ... to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy ...
- Matthew 18:13 ... I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than ...
- Matthew 25:9 ... you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and ...
- Matthew 27:24 ... he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took ...
- Mark 5:26 ... nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
- Mark 7:36 ... he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;
- Mark 9:42 ... in me, it is better for him that a millstone ...
- Mark 10:48 ... he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, ...
- Mark 15:11 ... the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
- Luke 5:15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of ...
- Luke 11:13 ... your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father ...
- Luke 12:24 ... feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
- Luke 12:28 ... into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
- Luke 18:39 ... but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
- John 3:19 ... men loved darkness rather than light, because ...
- John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because ...
- John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
- John 19:8 ... that saying, he was the more afraid;
- Acts 4:19 ... God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
- Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes ...
- Acts 5:29 ... ought to obey God rather than men.
- Acts 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded ...
- Acts 20:35 ... he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
- Acts 22:2 ... tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
- Acts 27:11 ... the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken ...
- Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified ...
- Romans 5:10 ... of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by ...
- Romans 5:15 ... many be dead, much more the grace of God, and ...
- Romans 5:17 ... by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace ...
- Romans 8:34 ... It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who ...
- Romans 11:12 ... the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
- Romans 11:24 ... into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be ...
- Romans 14:13 ... but judge this rather, that no man put ...
- 1 Corinthians 5:2 ... and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done ...
- 1 Corinthians 6:7 ... do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
- 1 Corinthians 7:21 ... be made free, use it rather.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12 ... over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not ...
- 1 Corinthians 9:15 ... unto me: for it were better for me to die, than ...
- 1 Corinthians 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which ...
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 ... desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
- 1 Corinthians 14:5 ... spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for ...
- 1 Corinthians 14:18 ... God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
- 2 Corinthians 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort ...
- 2 Corinthians 3:8 ... the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
- 2 Corinthians 3:9 ... of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness ...
- 2 Corinthians 3:11 ... was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
- 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, ...
- 2 Corinthians 7:7 ... so that I rejoiced the more.
- 2 Corinthians 7:13 ... comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy ...
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 ... Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my ...
- Galatians 4:9 ... after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, ...
- Galatians 4:27 ... for the desolate hath many more children than she which ...
- Ephesians 4:28 ... steal no more: but rather let him labour, working ...
- Ephesians 5:4 ... not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
- Ephesians 5:11 ... works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
- Philippians 1:9 ... may abound yet more and more in knowledge ...
- Philippians 1:12 ... which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
- Philippians 1:23 ... with Christ; which is far better:
- Philippians 2:12 ... but now much more in my absence, ...
- Philippians 3:4 ... in the flesh, I more:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 ... God, so ye would abound more and more.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:10 ... you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
- 1 Timothy 1:4 ... which minister questions, rather than godly edifying ...
- 1 Timothy 6:2 ... they are brethren; but rather do them service, because ...
- 2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
- Philemon 1:9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one ...
- Philemon 1:16 ... to me, but how much more unto thee, both in ...
- Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who ...
- Hebrews 10:25 ... exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
- Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than ...
- Hebrews 12:9 ... shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, ...
- Hebrews 12:13 ... be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
- Hebrews 12:25 ... on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that ...
- 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your ...
46. Summary
Let us return to Matthew 6:26.
Matthew 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]
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 [gnt]
The KJV for "much" in the Greek appears to be "rather".
The KJV for "better" in the Greek appears to be "different".
The rephrased ending might be "
Are you not rather different than the birds?".
47. End of page
