Topical Encyclopedia The Greek language holds a significant place in the context of the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. As the lingua franca of the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East during the time of Jesus and the early church, Greek was the language in which the New Testament was originally written. This facilitated the spread of the Gospel message across diverse cultures and regions.Historical Context Greek became widely spoken following the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. His empire spread Greek culture and language throughout the known world, a period known as the Hellenistic Era. By the time of the Roman Empire, Greek was the common language of the Eastern provinces, including Judea. This widespread use of Greek is often seen as part of God's providential preparation for the dissemination of the Gospel. Koine Greek The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, a more accessible form of the language that evolved from Classical Greek. Koine, meaning "common," was the vernacular of the ordinary people, making the Scriptures accessible to a broad audience. This choice of language underscores the New Testament's message of salvation being available to all people, not just the elite or learned. Greek in the New Testament The use of Greek in the New Testament is evident in its vocabulary, grammar, and style. The New Testament authors, inspired by the Holy Spirit, employed Greek to convey theological truths, historical narratives, and moral teachings. The precision and richness of the Greek language allowed for the expression of complex theological concepts, such as those found in the writings of Paul and John. For example, the Greek word "logos" (λόγος) is used in John 1:1 to describe Jesus as the "Word": "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This term carries deep philosophical and theological implications, reflecting both Jewish and Hellenistic thought. Septuagint The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, was widely used by Jews in the Diaspora and early Christians. It played a crucial role in shaping the theological vocabulary of the New Testament. Many Old Testament quotations in the New Testament are derived from the Septuagint, highlighting its influence on early Christian thought. Greek Influence on Christian Doctrine The Greek language has significantly influenced Christian doctrine and theology. The early Church Fathers, many of whom wrote in Greek, engaged with Greek philosophy and culture to articulate and defend the Christian faith. The development of key theological terms, such as "Trinity" (Τριάς) and "incarnation" (ἐνανθρώπησις), was facilitated by the Greek language. Greek Manuscripts The preservation and transmission of the New Testament text owe much to Greek manuscripts. Thousands of Greek manuscripts, ranging from papyrus fragments to complete codices, have been discovered, providing a wealth of textual evidence for the New Testament. These manuscripts are critical for biblical scholarship and the accurate translation of the Scriptures into other languages. Conclusion The Greek language, through its role in the New Testament and early Christian writings, has been instrumental in the spread and understanding of the Christian faith. Its precision, richness, and widespread use in the ancient world made it an ideal vehicle for the message of the Gospel, ensuring that the teachings of Jesus Christ could reach "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). ATS Bible Dictionary The Greek LanguageIs the original language of all the books of the New Testament, except perhaps the gospel by Matthew; but the sacred authors have followed that style of writing which was used by the Hellenists, or Grecizing Hebrews, adopting many idioms and turns of speech from the Syriac and Hebrew languages, very different from the classical style of the Greek writers. They were also obliged to make use of some new words, and new applications of old words, to express religious ideas before unknown to the Greeks, and for which they had no proper expression. After Alexander the great, Greek became the language best known throughout the East, and was generally used in commerce. As the sacred authors had in view the conversion not only of the Jews, then scattered throughout the East, but of the Gentiles also, it was natural for them to write to them in Greek, that being a language to which all were of necessity accustomed. Greek 1673. Hellenikos -- Hellenic, ie Grecian (in language) ... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: Hellenikos Phonetic Spelling: (hel-lay-nee-kos') Short Definition: Greek, the Greek language Definition: Greek, ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1673.htm - 6k 1676. Hellenisti -- in Greek 915. barbaros -- barbarous, barbarian 148. aischrologia -- abusive language 1258. dialektos -- speech, language 1444. Hebraikos -- Hebrew, the Jewish language. 2084. heteroglossos -- of another tongue 1446. Hebrais -- Hebrew, the Aramaic vernacular of Pal. 4515. Rhomaisti -- in Latin 5456. phone -- a voice, sound Library Language of the New Testament. 1 in the Character of the Original ... He Delighted in Latin Studies and the Empty Fables of the Poets ... Case, 50-61 The Authorship. Preface to the "Divine Names. " Arrival Introduction to Ancient Syriac Documents. On the Greek Translation of the Old Testament. viii Missions of the Ninth and Tenth Centuries Resources The: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics the Epistle of Paul To Philemon the First Epistle General Of John The Kingdom or Church of Christ the Second and Third Epistles Of John Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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