Translator Robs Beauty of Words

Today we are looking at one of the most beautiful words in the Bible that has been rendered almost meaningless and its power stripped by the translators. Let's begin by taking a look at Heb. 13:22.

I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation, (Heb. 13:22) the meaning of the word translated exhortation as set forth here in Hebrews is the Greek word paraklesis.

This word paraklesis is used twenty nine times in the Bible and is translated consolation fourteen times, exhortation eight times, comfort six times and entreaty one time. This will give you a flavor of how the word is used in the King James Version it is the writers contention that exhortation may be a poor translation of the word and that comfort or comforter is the proper translation of paraklesis .

Paraklesis is defined by the dual suggestion that that which comforts, comforts from two unique positions. Consider the paraklete or the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and also consider the Advocate parakletos (I Jo 1:2) here we have the dual nature of the paraklesis one as Comforter the other as Christ the legal defense of the Believer.

We should look at Luke 2:25 "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation paraklesis of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him." This is where we see that exhortation as a synonym of comfort as a meaning for paraklesis simply cannot work.

Matt. 8:5 "And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him," parakleo this is more understandable a use of the word than exhort. Look at one more 2 Cor. 1:4 "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Parakleo, parakleo, paraklesis and parakleo, used respectively of the word comfort in the verse. Now substitute exhort and the verse makes no sense.

The phrase "we ourselves are comforted" takes on an interesting meaning because of the tense of the verb. It is in the present tense but in the passive voice which represents the subject as being the recipient of the action or the comfort. The phrase is also in the indicative mood which is a simple statement of fact; it says it happened therefore we are comforted. The Word of God is wonderful.

2 Tim. 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." Here exhort paraklaeo cannot be translated correctly and must be rendered beseech or comfort. The same applies to 1 Tim. 2:6 teach and exhort.

In paraklesis or parakleo we have therefore a word which can easily be robbed of its beauty and power by the application of an imaginative mechanical rule. Its etymology reveals that it means, "to call to one's side"; its usage shows that according to the context, it means either; to entreat as in "I beseech", admonish as in "I exhort" and consolation as in "I comfort" and that in each shade of meaning, the other aspects are present. The beseeching will not be so gentle as to be weak, the admonition will not be so harsh as to be repugnant, and the consolation will not be without comfort.

Paul Griffitts has been a Bibical Researcher for over 30 years
Currently Paul is the Editor of The Good News Letter for Believer.com Click here for a Free eBook The Two Natures in the Child of God

---

Can Jewish Americans Still Have Devout Catholic Friends?

America is dividing again. Jewish Americans are finding it hard... Read More

Fellowship Forever

Today I would like to share with you the word... Read More

Jesus in Wales

The next few days were as hectic and exciting as... Read More

The Word: What has it Changed in You Lately?

In Matthew 13 Jesus relates a paprable to His disciples.... Read More

Give Him a Stone

Luke 11:10-11:13I was raised up in the rural parts of... Read More

Money And Religion: How Christians Are Being Misled

Today's Christian Evangelists, Teachers, and Preachers Are Grossly Misleading America... Read More

Where is God?

Where is God? This is the question most often heard... Read More

Heretical Chinese House Churches

One of the more insightful warnings Christians can receive bears... Read More

The Christian Community Tries To Take Back What Belongs To Them!

"See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs... Read More

The Rise And Fall Of Babylon

According to the Book of Revelations, the city of Babylon... Read More

Christians versus Mormons

Please read the passage carefully and note all the pejorative... Read More

Denominations Gone Wild: What Happened To Unity?

The Bible teaches that Christians ought to practice a single... Read More

The United States of Europe is a Joke!

French & Dutch Reject EU Constitution & British Table It-We... Read More

Accountability and Such Nonsense

From the late 1970's through the 1980's, my wife and... Read More

End-Times and the Other Bible

Can you imagine Biblical "End-Times" prophecies happening in your lifetime?... Read More

Religious Tolerance and the Internet

The internet is a great resource of information on all... Read More

Finding God in the Clouds

It was a cool August night during the Summer before... Read More

Christian Unity according to Internet

Following are 30 questions that relate to Christian Unity that... Read More

A Poor Man, With Rich Mans Dreams

Matthew 19:17-19:23A Poor Man, With Rich Mans Dreams Have you... Read More

Planetary Alignment

Planetary Alignment is said to have magical powers. Some believe... Read More

White Sun - Tao of Heaven

Tao exists before Heaven and Earth. It will still exist... Read More

The Kabbalah of Love: Part One

(This is the first article in a new series on... Read More

Straight Talk about Homosexuality

In the mid 90's, a Presbyterian minister named Steve Brown... Read More

What is Love?

Now many confuse love with admiration and most commonly sexual... Read More

Holy Communion: Key to Spiritual Healing

Chronically-ill Christians who do not believe in spiritual healing of... Read More

Women as Catholic Priests: The Time for Change is Now

In ancient Rome, the cradle of democracy, women had no... Read More

Undoing a Catholic and an Orthodox Christian Feud

There's an anecdote about twins still in their mother's womb.... Read More

Gay Marriage Hitting Resistance

Gay marriage is hitting significant resistance in Washington D.C. where... Read More

Are You Doing the Good Part?

Just compare yourself to these two sisters.Even though they were... Read More

Serving

Some people may ask how do we serve God and... Read More

Gods People Are Destroyed For Lack of Knowledge

These next two verses are extreme - and I mean... Read More

Top Ten Religion Quotations

Review your religious beliefs with these revealing quotations all about... Read More

Spirit of Islam: A Primer

Last time I wrote a message on Islam, a Catholic... Read More