[B-Greek] Would "legitimate" be a better translation of DIKAIOS?
jam at surfing.net
jam at surfing.net
Thu May 4 23:23:04 EDT 2006
Dear list,
Thank you for your response, both on-list and off.
Dear Monk James,
I see that there will be some cross over between NOMIKOS and DIKAIOS, and
I tend to think of their relationship as being similar to that of the
English "legal" and "legitimate," as well as their antonyms "illegal" and
"illegitimate."
Dear George,
I appreciate your skepticism and inclination. Perhaps I should say that I
have found the alternative translation legitimate particularly helpful
in capturing the more subtle aspects of a theme in Luke-Acts. Notice that
DIKAIOS and AMARTWLOS are important titles or categories in Luke and Acts.
They are types of people that, in the cultural language of the day, were
set in contrast one against the other as in this passage.
I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one AMARTWLWi that
repents than over ninety-nine DIKAIOIS that need no repentance (Luke
15:7).
Notice that Jesus also uses the term AMARTOLOS in what must have been the
normal way.
"If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that
to you? Even AMARTWLOI lend to AMARTWLOIS in order to receive back the
same amount (Luke 6:34).
He is not using these terms as if though Pauls passage in Romans 3:23
(All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.) controlled their
meaning. Jesus and His contemporaries are using these terms in a way
that is understood to refer to a type of person.
if this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this
woman is who is touching Him, that she is a AMARTWLOS (Luke 7:39).
A working definition of AMARTWLOS as the term is often used in Luke-Acts
maybe: One person among the type, who have been so arrogant as to
display a disregard for the worshipper lifestyle (with its emphasis on the
Temple) proscribed by God for the people.
A working definition of DIKAIOS (or legitimate) as the term is often
used in Luke-Acts maybe: One person among the type, who display conformity
to the worshipper lifestyle (with its emphasis on the Temple) proscribed
by God.
Again, the sinners disregard or disinterest would be chiefly evident in
his or her relation to, the Jewish temple, Its Law, and the lifestyle
shaped by Temple/ Law participation.
While we notice in Luke the centrality of the Jewish Temple, and lives of
worship that have the Temple and its Law at their center, we should also
notice that for Luke, the new, and real Temple (meeting place between God
and man) has become Jesus Christ. As we proceed through the Gospel
According to Luke we find our understanding of these categories adjusted
and fine-tuned in a subtle yet thoroughgoing way.
Some, who appear outwardly to be DIKAIOS, demonstrate that in their heart
they are distant from the heart of God and that distance is highlighted in
their re-action to Jesus. Some who are outwardly identifiable as
AMARTWLOS are actually the most pliable of heart, and receptive to the
gift of legitimacy before God.
As far as specific passages are concerned, I am not sure that there are
any occurrences in Luke-Acts in which some form of legitimate would be
completely unacceptable. And there may be several where it is preferable.
Luke 1:6
Zacharias and Elizabeth were both LEGITIMATE in the sight of God,
walking blamelessly in all the commandments and LEGITIMATE WAYS of the
Lord.
Luke 1:17
The angel Gabriel told Zacharias that John, as the forerunner, would come
to turn ...the disobedient to the attitude of the LEGITIMATE...
Luke 1:75
In Zacharias Prophecy we read that the Lord God of Israel has visited and
redeemed His people to show mercy toward our fathers, that we might serve
him without fear, In holiness and LEGITIMACY before Him all our days.
Luke 2:25
And behold there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this
man was LEGITIMATE and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and
the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Luke 5:32
When Jesus disciples were grumbled at by the Pharisees and asked, Why do
you eat with tax-gatherers and sinners? Jesus responded saying to them,
It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are
sick. I have not come to call the LEGITIMATED but sinners to repentance.
Luke 7:29
All the people having heard this even the tax-gatherers, ACKNOWLEDGED God
AS LEGITIMATE, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the
Pharisees and the lawyers rejected Gods purpose for themselves, not
having been baptized by John.
Luke 7:35
Yet wisdom is LEGITIMIZED from all her children.
Luke 10:29
And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what
shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And He said to him, "What is written
in the Law? How does it read to you?" And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE
LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL
YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL
LIVE." But wishing to LEGITIMIZE himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is
my neighbor?"
Luke 12:57
"You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and
the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? "And why do you not
even on your own initiative judge what is LEGITIMATE?
Luke 14:14
"But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame,
the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to
repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the LEGITIMATE.
Luke 15:7
"I tell you that in the same way, there will be joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents than over ninety-nine LEGITIMATE persons who need no
repentance.
Luke 16:15
Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these
things and were scoffing at Him. And He said to them, "You are those
LEGITIMIZING yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts;
for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of
God.
Luke 18:9
And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves
that they were LEGITIMATE, and viewed others with contempt:
Luke 18:14
"I tell you, this man went to his house LEGITIMIZED rather than the other;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles
himself will be exalted."
Luke 20:20
So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be LEGIT, in order
that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver
Him to the rule and the authority of the governor.
Luke 23:41
And we indeed are suffering LEGITIMATELY, for we are receiving what we
deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
Luke 23:47
And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I
COMMIT MY SPIRIT." Having said this, He breathed His last. Now when the
centurion saw what had happened, began praising God, saying, "Certainly
this man was LEGITIMATE."
Luke 23:50
And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and
LEGITIMATE man (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from
Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;
Acts
Acts 3:14
"The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has
glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in
the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. "But you
disowned the Holy and LEGITIMATE ONE and asked for a murderer to be
granted to you,
Acts 4:19
But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is LEGITIMATE in
the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;
for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Acts7:52
"Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed
those who had previously announced the coming of the LEGITIMATE ONE, whose
betrayers and murderers you have now become;
Acts10:22
They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a LEGITIMATE and God-fearing man well
spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a
holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from
you."
Acts 10:35
Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God
is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him
and works LEGITIMACEY is welcome to Him.
Acts 13:10
But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed
his gaze on him, and said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you
son of the devil, you enemy of all LEGITIMACEY, will you not cease to make
crooked the straight ways of the Lord?
Acts 13:39
"Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness
of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is
MADE LEGITIMATE from all things, from which you could not be MADE
LEGITIMATE through the Law of Moses.
Acts 17:31
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring
to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a
day in which He will judge the world in LEGITIMACEY through a Man whom He
has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the
dead."
Acts 22:14
"And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will
and to see the LEGITIMATE ONE and to hear an utterance from His mouth.
Acts 24:15
"But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect
I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in
accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope
in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be
a resurrection of both the LEGITIMATE and the ILLEGITIMATE.
Acts 24:25
But as he was discussing LEGITIMATENESS, self-control and the judgment to
come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when
I find time I will summon you."
I hope I have not taken too much space. Thanks again to all for your help
and consideration,
Jeff Allan Miller
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