Saturday, October 3, 2009

Αγνοήματα

Far from Hamartiology (the doctrine of sin), religious or theological studies, this post is above all a celebration of the Greek language. The number of Greek words, for instance, used in the New Testament for sin -- excluding specific names for acts of sin -- is proof of the Greek language’s contribution to …salvation!

Greek words for sin in the New Testament consider sin from every angle:
One of the most important words, αμαρτία, is "missing the mark", “coming short of the glory of God.”
Παράβασις is a transgression, the breaking of moral law.
Παράπτωμα is a fall, inability, and moral weakness.
Παρακοή is failing to listen to God, with open and flagrant disobedience.
Αδικία and αδίκημα are unrighteous, unjust, void of God’s approval.
Ασέβεια is rebelling against God, open and active sinning in defiance of God and His judgment.
Ανομία is being lawless, in spite of and contrary to law.
Άγνοια and αγνόημα are ignorance and error as well as the resulting blindness to spiritual truth.
Finally, πονηρία is corruption, depravity, iniquity, which is to be subjected to the righteous judgment of God.


Please note, the list above does not even include specific names for acts of sin…

1 comment:

Elena Spilioti said...

See how only one letter, the "alpha to steritikon", can help dictate an entire way of life.
What's in an alphbet? (as Juliette DIDN'T say)
Look into literature for "γλωσσοπλάστες" from Homer to contemporary - and try to translate this specific term...It is not "inventing", I would say "mould", implies a gentle procedure, a time-consuming one. Any other suggestions?