It's Greek, to Us

During my bible studies, I learned about a lot of things. Everything that I

read I found to be fascinating The part of the studies that seemed most

intriguing is the origin of words.

Some of the origins of our everyday words came from Greek or Latin roots.

Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic. The New Testament, during the flourishing of the first churches in Greece, Italy and Asia Minor, was written in Koine Greek. That was the common language of the day (not the fancier, classical Greek of the philosophers.)

Most of the New Testament was originally written as letters to the churches. So for their Old Testament studies, they used Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew.

It's Greek To Him

Alexander “The Great” was only 20 years old in 334 B.C. when he led a force of 40,000 Greek soldiers across the Hellespond ( the narrow straits that separate Europe and Asia.)

He was victorious and continued to be victorious in his conquests. He had visions of the whole earth united by a single language and culture. To Alexander, the language must be Greek and the culture, Hellenic.

In the Golden age of Greece, philosophers wanted to discover the secrets of the universe. Several hundred years later, nearly all the optimism faded. Many educated people were drawn to teachings and moral commitments of Judaism. Some were not. There was a sense of desperation. Some felt helpless, some were burdened with a sense of guilt.

The Successful City

The ancient city of Ephesus was considered the queen of Asia, It remained the Asian city of the cult of Artemis.It had a temple dedicated to Artemis, which made it one of the wonders of the ancient world. Many people visited this great city. For all the money it garnered, there was still a spiritual void. Ephesus was the center of occult practice, where its citizens turned to magic, witchcraft and sorcery. So...evil lurked. There was a need for a change.

In two ways Alexander's hellenization of the Eastern world prepared for the Christian message:

1..provided a common tongue...Greek, in which the Gospel could be preached and spread abroad.

2..Through the activities of the Hellenistic Jews, Gentiles were attracted to the Old Testament views of God and then becoming believers of the core of local churches everywhere.

Books were burned by converts to Christianity. There began a change. A world was unified by language, culture, politics and by its spiritual hunger.

Christian missionaries sent the message of Jesus Christ. The first century world responded.

Here are some of the words I learned:

Apostle...literally means "one sent out"

deacon....were responsible for running the practical matters of the church.

biblion..."scroll that has no end"

apocrypha..root meaning: "hidden things"

kanon......measuring rod. we get the word canon...means rule or code of law.

ekklesia...church..."the called out"

eulogia....to speak well of/ to praise

kosmos ....world

arrabon....down payment (in modern Greek it means engagement ring)

metamorphosis...changed, transformed

mentanoeo...change your mind, repent

eleos......mercy

apaugasma....radiance of God's glory, a brightness shining from within.