[B-Greek] Translation/Defintion of Porneia
Edward Andrews
edandrews at adelphia.net
Sat Nov 18 07:10:33 EST 2006
Harry:
Harry, no word's definition lives outside of context. What if I was to say
"Jim is green"? "Green" could mean that 1) Jim is lacking experience, 2) he
is envious, or 3) Jim is looking sick." In many cases, a word could have
multiple meanings, with context helping us to understand which the writer
intended. In translation, I think it is best to stick with the broadest
definition, allowing the reader to determine what is meant. Lexicons compile
their definitions from the vast storehouse of Greek literature that is
available at any given time to the body of researchers. As you have
noticed, we are constantly updating dictionaries and lexicons because of new
discoveries of Greek literature, or a more in-depth look into what we
already have.
Fornication (Greek por·nei´a ) applies to illicit sexual relations outside
Scriptural marriage. It includes adultery, prostitution, and sex relations
between unmarried individuals as well as oral and anal sex and sexual
manipulation of the genitals of an individual to whom one is not married.
New Testament (revised by F. W. Gingrich and F. Danker, 1979, p. 693)
defines por·nei´a as "prostitution, unchastity, fornication, of every kind
of unlawful sexual intercourse." Porneia is understood to involve the
grossly immoral use of the genital organ(s) of at least one human; also
there must have been two or more parties (including another consenting human
or a beast), whether of the same sex or the opposite sex.
Rev 2:20: The woman Jezebel who claims to be a prophetess in Thyatira is
obviously a sham. It is likely, she is a woman or group of women acting as a
shameless corrupting influence in the congregation. Some associated women
may have been involving congregation members in immorality, while brazenly
justifying their self-willed course by misapplying scriptures. False
prophesying indeed! They would influence others to fall into their own ways
of "fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5) They would have those in
the congregation indulge in an immoral, self-seeking life-style.
Edward Andrews
----- Original Message -----
From: "Harry Jones" <hjbluebird2002 at yahoo.com>
To: "BGREEK" <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 5:20 PM
Subject: Re: [B-Greek] Translation/Defintion of Porneia
> Hello Ted,
>
> Well I do wonder where the lexicons get their definitions from? Is it
> just guess work? How reliable are they on accuracy?
>
> Someone who posted not too long ago, came close to bring that subject up.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Harry Jones
>
> "shoes6 at juno.com" <shoes6 at juno.com> wrote:
> Harry, George, and others:
>
> I'm taking a dangerous step, disagreeing with my betters, but here
> goes. George Somsel quoted a passage (Revelation 2:20, it seems) which
> he uses as evidence that PORNEIA can refer to idolatry. While I agree
> that the concepts of immorality and idolatry are *linked* throughout
> the Bible, I do not find this passage to offer grammatical (or other)
> proof that PORNEIA can *mean* idolatry. Could we not, just as easily,
> translate the passage as:
> " . . . to commit sexual sin, and [also] to eat idolatrous offerings."
> Thus the two acts are mentioned together, but not necessarily
> identified as the same thing. I realize this is a point of
> interpretation. I'm not saying that my interp is right; only that
> George hasn't proved his case yet.
>
> Ted Shoemaker
>
> What blind spot? I don't see any blind spot!
>
> George Somsel wrote:
>
>> I don't know, Harry. Is the Apocalypse NT times enough?
>>
>> ALLA EXW KATA SOU hOTI AFEIS THN GUNAIKA IEZABEL, hH LEGOUSA hEAUTHN
>> PROFHTHN KAI DIDASKEI KAI PLANAi TOUS EMOUS DOULOUS PORNEUSAI KAI
>> FAGEIN EIDWLOQUTA
>>
>> Apparently the eating of food which had been used in the pagan
>> sacrifices was considered by the apocalyptist to be a metaphorical
>> commiting of sexual impropriety.
>>
>> george
>> gfsomsel
>
>
>
>
>
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