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Philippians 2:14-15 murmurings and disputings
1. Philippians 2:14-15 murmurings and disputings
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: [kjv]
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]
The
KJV (King James Version) translation of this verse brings to mind a negative connotation of "
grumbling" and "
disagreements". The Greek words appear to say something else. Same for "
blameless" and "
harmless". The "
crooked" and "
perverse" refers to
LXX (Septuagint).
In keeping with Paul's double- meanings in this letter, the Greek for "
shine" is "
appear".
2. Philippians 2:14
KJV: Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Hebrew: עשו כל דבר בלא תלנות ובלא מזמות׃
Greek: @CZ(t=[ παντα ποιειτε χωρις ]) γογγυσμων @CZ(t=[ και ]) διαλογισμων
Latin: omnia autem facite sine murmurationibus et haesitationibus
3. Murmur
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: [kjv]
The English word
"murmur" conveys the idea of "
complaining" or "
grumbling". In the Greek, it appears that some additional word such as "
against", "
complaint" or such a context is needed for this. Otherwise, the idea is that of quiet discussion or wonder.
The word appears to be "
onomatopoeic" in that it sounds like what it represents.
4. Latin
The Latin word
"murmur" ≈ "humming, grumbling".
It is unclear whether the "
grumble" in English came from the original Greek or if there was a word slide from the Latin meanings introduced by the Latin Vulgate.
5. John
We see this "
murmur" in John 7:12 where the crowd talks among themselves.
John 7:12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. [kjv]
The main idea in this Greek word is that there is a "
crowd", sometimes called a "
mob", with various opinions about a subject and often without any real knowledge.
The range of ideas in this verse is the same as what Paul is addressing: that of "
good opinion" and that of "
bad logic" as a deception.
6. Wisdom of crowds
The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few and How Collective Wisdom Shapes Business, Economies, Societies and Nations. 2004. James Surowiecki. Doubleday; Anchor.
Sometimes there is a wisdom in the crowd. Sometimes not.
The phrase "
mob rule" is often used for a crowd that lacks wisdom.
 |
Details are left as a future topic.
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7. John 7:12
KJV: And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
Greek: και γογγυσμος πολυς περι αυτου ην πολυς εν τοις οχλοις οι μεν ελεγον οτι αγαθος εστιν αλλοι δε ελεγον ου αλλα πλανα τον οχλον
8. Strongs - murmur
- *G1112 *4 γογγυσμός (gong-goos-mos') : from G1111; a grumbling:--grudging, murmuring.
- γογγυσμος *2
- John 7:12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning ...
- Acts 6:1 ... of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, ...
- γογγυσμων
- Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
- γογγυσμου
- 1 Peter 4:9 ... to another without grudging.
9. Usage - murmur
 |
Words: γογγυσμος=2 γογγυσμου γογγυσμων
|
10. Hospitality
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: [kjv]
παντα ποιειτε χωρις γογγυσμων και διαλογισμων [gnt]
… murmurationibus … haesitationibus [v]
1 Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. [kjv]
φιλοξενοι εις αλληλους ανευ γογγυσμου [gnt]
hospitales … murmuratione [v]
The Greek for "
hospitality" means that of a "
friend-stranger" as in being a "
friend" to a "
stranger".
The word "
grudge" has a negative connotation. The Greek word appears to mean side discussions based on opinion. The "
murmuring" or "
grudging" appears to come from the Latin.
11. 1 Peter 4:9
KJV: Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Greek: φιλοξενοι εις αλληλους ανευ γογγυσμων γογγυσμου
Latin: hospitales invicem sine murmuratione
12. Philippians 2:14
KJV: Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Greek: παντα ποιειτε χωρις γογγυσμων και διαλογισμων
Latin: omnia autem facite sine murmurationibus et haesitationibus
13. Murmuring
Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. [kjv]
In this context, there is one group "
towards" another group. From context this might be "
against" or perhaps just "
about".
The ancient Greek word
"προς" ≈ "towards" and is the source of many English words that start with the prefix "
pro".
The Vulgate uses the Latin word
"adversus" ≈ "opposite".
14. Acts 6:1
KJV: And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Greek: εν δε ταις ημεραις ταυταις πληθυνοντων των μαθητων εγενετο γογγυσμος των ελληνιστων προς τους εβραιους οτι παρεθεωρουντο εν τη διακονια τη καθημερινη αι χηραι αυτων
Latin: in diebus autem illis crescente numero discipulorum factus est murmur Graecorum adversus Hebraeos eo quod dispicerentur in ministerio cotidiano viduae eorum
15. Disputing
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: [kjv]
The idea of "
disputings" appears to be that of reasoning. In context, it may be bad reasoning using invalid logic.
16. Strongs - dispute
- *G1260 *16 διαλογίζομαι (dee-al-og-id'-zom-ahee) : from G1223 and G3049; to reckon thoroughly, i.e. (genitive case) to deliberate (by reflection or discussion):--cast in mind, consider, dispute, muse, reason, think.
- διελογιζοντο *5
- Matthew 16:7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because ...
- Matthew 21:25 ... of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, ...
- Mark 8:16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because ...
- Mark 11:31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If ...
- Luke 20:14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ...
- διαλογιζεσθε *4
- Matthew 16:8 ... unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ...
- Mark 2:8 ... spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, ...
- Mark 8:17 ... it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no ...
- Luke 5:22 ... unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
- διελογιζετο *2
- Luke 1:29 ... his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
- Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What ...
- διαλογιζομενοι
- Mark 2:6 ... sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
- διαλογιζονται
- Mark 2:8 ... spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, ...
- διελογιζεσθε
- Mark 9:33 ... he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
- διαλογιζομενων
- Luke 3:15 ... were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts ...
- διαλογιζεσθαι
- Luke 5:21 ... and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is ...
- *G1261 *14 διαλογισμός (dee-al-og-is-mos') : from G1260 διαλογίζομαι; discussion, i.e. (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) debate:--dispute, doubtful(-ing), imagination, reasoning, thought.
- διαλογισμοι *4
- Matthew 15:19 ... of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, ...
- Mark 7:21 ... of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
- Luke 2:35 ... soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
- Luke 24:38 ... ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
- διαλογισμους *3
- Luke 5:22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto ...
- Luke 6:8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man ...
- 1 Corinthians 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
- διαλογισμων *3
- Romans 14:1 ... receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
- Philippians 2:14 ... without murmurings and disputings:
- James 2:4 ... are become judges of evil thoughts?
- διαλογισμος
- Luke 9:46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which ...
- διαλογισμον
- Luke 9:47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, ...
- διαλογισμοις
- Romans 1:21 ... became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish ...
- διαλογισμου
- 1 Timothy 2:8 ... without wrath and doubting.
17. Usage - dispute
 |
Words: διαλογιζεσθαι διαλογιζεσθε=4 διαλογιζομενοι διαλογιζομενων διαλογιζονται διαλογισμοι=4 διαλογισμοις διαλογισμον διαλογισμος διαλογισμου διαλογισμους=3 διαλογισμων=3 διελογιζεσθε διελογιζετο=2 διελογιζοντο=5
|
18. Philippians 2:15
Philippians 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]
ινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω [gnt]
The Greek for "
sons" is "
children" (gender unspecified).
The Greek for "blameless" is "without spots".
The Greek for "harmless" is "without horns".
19. Blameless without spots
Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, … [kjv]
ινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"ἄμεμπτος" ≈ "spotless, unblemished" as in "
perfect".
Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. [kjv]
εγενετο δε αβραμ ετων ενενηκοντα εννεα και ωφθη κυριος τω αβραμ και ειπεν αυτω εγω ειμι ο θεος σου ευαρεστει εναντιον εμου και γινου αμεμπτος [lxx]
The modern Greek word
"άμεμπτος" (A-mehm-ptos) ≈ "spotless, unblemished".
20. Spot of another color
Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. [kjv]
ει αλλαξεται αιθιοψ το δερμα αυτου και παρδαλις τα ποικιλματα αυτης και υμεις δυνησεσθε ευ ποιησαι μεμαθηκοτες τα κακα [lxx]
A different Greek word, related to the coat of "
many colors" of Joseph, is used in Jeremiah for "
spots".
21. Spots
Spots can be deceptive. What you see depends on your point of view.
Context is important! What you see depends on how you look.
22. Genesis 17:1
KJV: And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Hebrew: ויהי אברם בן תשעים שנה ותשע שנים וירא יהוה אל אברם ויאמר אליו אני אל שדי התהלך לפני והיה תמים׃
Greek: εγενετο δε αβραμ ετων ενενηκοντα εννεα και ωφθη κυριος τω αβραμ και ειπεν αυτω εγω ειμι ο θεος σου ευαρεστει εναντιον εμου και γινου αμεμπτος
23. Strongs - blameless
- *G273 *5 ἄμεμπτος (am'-emp-tos) : from G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G3201; irreproachable:--blameless, faultless, unblamable.
- αμεμπτοι *2
- Luke 1:6 ... and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
- Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons ...
- αμεμπτος *2
- Philippians 3:6 ... is in the law, blameless.
- Hebrews 8:7 ... that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
- αμεμπτους
- 1 Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before ...
24. Usage - blameless
 |
Words: αμεμπτοι=2 αμεμπτος=2 αμεμπτους
|
25. Harmless
Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, … [kjv]
The Greek for "
harmless" means, literally, "
without horns" and is related to "
tittle".
Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. [kjv]
26. Luke 16:17
KJV: And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Greek: ευκοπωτερον δε εστιν τον ουρανον και την γην παρελθειν η του νομου μιαν κεραιαν πεσειν
27. Tittles
What is a "
tittle"?
The modern Greek word
"κεραία" (keh-REH-a) ≈ "antenna" but in the
GNT (Greek New Testament) it meant a "
tittle", a little mark next to a letter.
The Greek «
α» negates what follows it. Is Paul saying that one should be "
hornless" or "
blameless" or "
not a little distractor" such as in disputings and reasonings about little things?
Saying:
Don't sweat the little things!
28. Strongs - innocent
- *G185 *3 ἀκέραιος (ak-er'-ah-yos) : from G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G2767; unmixed, i.e. (figuratively) innocent:--harmless, simple.
- ακεραιοι *2
- Matthew 10:16 ... as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, ...
- ακεραιους
- Romans 16:19 ... unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
29. Usage - innocent
 |
Words: ακεραιοι=2 ακεραιους
|
30. Blameless and harmless
Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, … [kjv]
|
blemish
|
blemish
|
spots
|
horns
|
 |
 |
empty
opinion?
|
invalid
logic?
|
The Greek for "blameless" means, literally, "without spots".
The Greek for "harmless" means, literally, "without horns" and is related to "tittle".
In this sense, having "
spots" and/or "
horns" will cause one to be "
blemished".
31. 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.
Philippians 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]
ινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω [gnt]
… querella … simplices … lucetis … luminaria … mundo [v]
Do those (bishops) in Philippi
"shine" or do they only
"appear"?
Greek: "appear" as "light".
KJV: "shine" as "light".
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?
32. Philippians 2:15
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;
Hebrew: למען תהיו נקיים וטהורים בני אלהים לא מום בם בתוך דור עקש ופתלתל אשר תאירו ביניהם כמאורת בעולם׃
Greek: ινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμητα εν μεσω αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω
33. Strongs - unblemished
- *G299 *0 ἄμωμος (am'-o-mos) : from G1 (as a negative particle) and G3470; unblemished (literally or figuratively):--without blame (blemish, fault, spot), faultless, unblamable.
- αμωμους *3
- Ephesians 1:4 ... should be holy and without blame before him in love:
- Colossians 1:22 ... you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in ...
- Jude 1:24 ... from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his ...
- αμωμον *2
- Hebrews 9:14 ... Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your ...
- Revelation 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, ...
- αμωμος
- Ephesians 5:27 ... it should be holy and without blemish.
- αμωμα
- Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons ...
- αμωμου
- 1 Peter 1:19 ... of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
- αμωμοι
- Revelation 14:5 ... guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
34. Usage - unblemished
 |
Words: αμωμα αμωμοι αμωμον=2 αμωμος αμωμου αμωμους=3
|
35. Crooked and perverse
36. Kurtosis
37. Leviticus 21:20
KJV: Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;
Hebrew: או גבן או דק או תבלל בעינו או גרב או ילפת או מרוח אשך׃
Greek: η κυρτος η εφηλος η πτιλος τους οφθαλμους η ανθρωπος ω αν η εν αυτω ψωρα αγρια η λιχην η μονορχις
38. Deuteronomy
These exact words for "
crooked" and "
perverse", as well as "
generation", appear in the
LXX in Deuteronomy 32:5, along with the word for "
spot", as used by Paul in Philippians 2:15.
Deuteronomy 32:5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. [kjv]
ημαρτοσαν ουκ αυτω τεκνα μωμητα γενεα σκολια και διεστραμμενη [lxx]
39. Deuteronomy 32:5
KJV: They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
Hebrew: שחת לו לא בניו מומם דור עקש ופתלתל׃
Greek: ημαρτοσαν ουκ αυτω τεκνα μωμητα γενεα σκολια και διεστραμμενη
40. Context
Might the context of Deuteronomy fit what Paul is saying about the "
bishops" and church leadership?
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. [kjv]
32:5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. [kjv]
32:6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? [kjv]
41. Deuteronomy 32:4
KJV: He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Hebrew: הצור תמים פעלו כי כל דרכיו משפט אל אמונה ואין עול צדיק וישר הוא׃
Greek: θεος αληθινα τα εργα αυτου και πασαι αι οδοι αυτου κρισεις θεος πιστος και ουκ εστιν αδικια δικαιος και οσιος κυριος
42. Deuteronomy 32:6
KJV: Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?
Hebrew: ה ליהוה תגמלו זאת עם נבל ולא חכם הלוא הוא אביך קנך הוא עשך ויכננך׃
Greek: ταυτα κυριω ανταποδιδοτε ουτω λαος μωρος και ουχι σοφος ουκ αυτος ουτος σου πατηρ εκτησατο σε και εποιησεν σε και εκτισεν σε
43. Perverse nations
Can anyone think of a historical example of a "
crooked and perverse nation"? For a semantic match by meaning, consider some verses from Isaiah.
Isaiah 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: [kjv]
5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! [kjv]
5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! [kjv]
44. Isaiah 5:18
KJV: Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
Hebrew: הוי משכי העון בחבלי השוא וכעבות העגלה חטאה׃
Greek: ουαι οι επισπωμενοι τας αμαρτιας ως σχοινιω μακρω και ως ζυγου ιμαντι δαμαλεως τας ανομιας
45. Bitter and sweet
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them … that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! [kjv]
Have you ever encountered a time when, due to peer pressure, etc., you are to not taste something as bitter but as sweet? Chocolate may be an example and/or exception.
46. Isaiah 5:20
KJV: Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Hebrew: הוי האמרים לרע טוב ולטוב רע שמים חשך לאור ואור לחשך שמים מר למתוק ומתוק למר׃
Greek: ουαι οι λεγοντες το πονηρον καλον και το καλον πονηρον οι τιθεντες το σκοτος φως και το φως σκοτος οι τιθεντες το πικρον γλυκυ και το γλυκυ πικρον
47. Isaiah 5:21
KJV: Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Hebrew: הוי חכמים בעיניהם ונגד פניהם נבנים׃
Greek: ουαι οι συνετοι εν εαυτοις και ενωπιον εαυτων επιστημονες
48. Table comparison
| Philippians side comparisons |
| Side |
Left |
Left |
Right |
Right |
| Verse |
KJV |
Greek |
Greek |
KJV |
| 1:15 |
good will |
good opinion |
eristic logic |
strife |
| 2:3 |
vainglory |
empty opinion |
eristic logic |
strife |
| 2:14 |
murmurings |
side‑opinions |
side‑reasonings |
disputings |
| 2:15 |
blameless |
without spots |
without horns |
harmless |
Do you see a pattern in these verses in Philippians covered so far?
49. End of page
Philippians 2:15 … in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation … [kjv]
ινα γενησθε αμεμπτοι και ακεραιοι τεκνα θεου αμωμα μεσον γενεας σκολιας και διεστραμμενης εν οις φαινεσθε ως φωστηρες εν κοσμω [gnt]
Leviticus 21:20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; [kjv]
