'TRUST' and 'OBEY',,, An Interesting Analysis...

Recently, Brother Gerrit Lösch spoke on whom we should 'trust' and 'obey'.  
Interestingly, the scripture Bro. Lösch highlighted was Hebrews 13:17, and yes, we've heard this scripture quoted often over the years.
 
Someone though, asked the question about the true meaning of this scripture from the original Greek.  My research left me a bit astounded.
 
Here is what I found...

The original Greek of Hebrew 13:17 is...
Πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν καὶ ὑπείκετε· αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες· ἵνα μετὰ χαρᾶς τοῦτο ποιῶσιν καὶ μὴ στενάζοντες· ἀλυσιτελὲς γὰρ ὑμῖν τοῦτο.

When analyzing these words via transliteration, these read this way in English...
"Convince the abbots (elders) and swear (take an oath), for they are watching over your souls as those who deliver the word, that they may do this with joy and not with sorrow, for this is unchained (freed) to you."

There is HUGE difference in the meaning of the English words 'Convince' and 'Be Obedient'. I've analyzed six different Greek texts. All of these were identical with these words. So one is as valid as any other. I've also used two different translation engines, going through each Greek word and phrase.

It is VERY clear, that this is perhaps, one of the most badly rendered scriptures in the English language.

The word virtually every English translation renders as 'Be obedient' is... Πείθεσθε (Peíthesthe)

To take this further consider the word most often rendered as 'Be obedient' or 'Obey'. Here are the Greek counterpart translations of corresponding English synonyms:
English: 'Comply'
Greek: 'Συμμορφώνομαι' (Symmorfónomai)

English: 'Be obedient'
Greek: 'Να είστε υπάκουοι' (Na eíste ypákouoi)

English: 'Obey'
Greek: 'Υπακούω' (Ypakoúo)

English: 'Submit'
Greek: 'υποβάλλουν' (ypoválloun)

English: 'Acquiesce'
Greek: 'στέργω' (stérgo)

QUESTION:  Since the Greek word literally means 'convince', and none of the English equivalents appears to translate to this Greek word or its root, why is it rendered 'Obey' or similarly in so many English translations?

Posted in Default Category on January 27 2024 at 08:16 PM

Comments (2)

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  • Admin
    Admin Psalm 146:3
    “DO NOT put your TRUST in princes Nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation”

    Acts 5:31
    God exalted this one as Chief Agent and Savior to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these matters, and so is the holy spirit, which God has given to those OBEYING HIM as ruler.”

    And Susan Ann’s link on our Facebook group was excellent, a real eye opener. Thank you brother for bringing this to our attention.
    This is from the 2001...  more
    Hebrews 13:17– ‘have confidence in’ — 2001 Translation of the Bible
    (none)
    on January 28 2024 at 02:30 PM replyReply Edited
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  • Heidi
    Heidi Mostly the translation of the word came up as persuade or convince but also obey, put trust, have confidence in, rely. Very interesting.
    on January 28 2024 at 02:36 AM replyReply Edited
    2 0 0 0 0 0 2
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