sunagoge verses episunagoge

PAProphet at aol.com PAProphet at aol.com
Mon Jul 30 08:37:46 EDT 2001


Hello,
     Here is a part of a devotional which was sent to me.  I was wondering if 
you would agree with the authors conclusion.


The Greek word under "assembling" in Hebrews 10:25 is “episunagoge”. 
“Episunagoge” is only used twice in the New Testament, once in our passage, 
Hebrews 10:25 and in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1, it speaks 
of our “gathering together” in the air to meet Jesus at the Rapture of the 
Church.

The use of “episunagoge” in Hebrews 10:25 is unusual and profound!  
Normally, the author would have used the word "sunagoge" or regularly 
scheduled worship services, as in James 2:2 where “sunagoge” is translated 
“assembly”.  But the Hebrew Christians are urged to "EPIsunagoge".
The "EPI" in front of "sunagoge" adds the meaning “super”, or "over and 
above".  So, God’s Word here is not telling the Hebrew Christians to go to 
regularly scheduled church meetings, but to exhort one another informally 
between the regular scheduled church services.

Mark Thompson



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