Development of Greek Terms in the NT

Steven Lo Vullo slovullo at mac.com
Sat Sep 21 05:01:50 EDT 2002



On Friday, September 20, 2002, at 11:19 PM, kentdclarke at hotmail.com 
wrote:

> My actual question pertains to this development of languages. Can any 
> one
> think off the top of their heads of any instances where the New 
> Testament
> authors "coin a new phrase" or develop new terminology? I believe that 
> Paul,
> at least, does this in several places (especially where he is 
> developing a
> theological thought or concept) but I am unable to put my finger on 
> any of
> these instances. Failing this, can any one think of examples where a 
> Greek
> term is used in the New Testament but in a relatively new sense without
> earlier precedent? My interest here is not to show any type of 
> "inspired"
> development of a "sanctified language"; but rather to display the 
> fluidity
> of the Greek language and, in some manner, the innovation of the 
> biblical
> authors. I would be pleased to learn of any specific Greek New 
> Testament
> examples you might be able to bring to light; and if any one knew of 
> any
> monographs, book chapters, or journal articles dealing with such 
> issues, I
> would be grateful.

As for possible neologisms, how about QEODIDAKTOS in 1 Thess 4.9, 
EPIOUSIOS in Matt 6.11/Luke 11.3, and EUPAREDROS in 1 Cor 7.35? I am 
always hesitant, though, when it comes to such suggestions, because of 
the paucity of extant written sources and the possibility that even if 
a word didn't make it to a preserved source it could well have been 
common in oral discourse.
============

Steven R. Lo Vullo
Madison, WI




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