2) Is All Evil Sin? (Tom Edwards)
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What is a Parable?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bill Crews<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While this is a study of subject matter found in the New Testament, it is worthy of note that the word \u201cparable\u201d<\/strong><\/em> can be found in English translations of the Old Testament. In both the King James Version and the American Standard Version it appears some eighteen times, all from the same word (MASHAL<\/strong>), which word is also rendered \u201cby-word\u201d <\/em>(1), \u201clike\u201d <\/em>(1) and \u201cproverb\u201d<\/em> (19 times). In the New King James Version and the New American Standard Version the word \u201cparable\u201d<\/strong><\/em> appears far fewer times (just 4 or 5). The translators preferred \u201coracle\u201d<\/em> or \u201cdiscourse\u201d<\/em> instead. MASHAL<\/strong> is defined in Strong\u2019s Concordance<\/em> as \u201ca pithy maxim, usually of a metaphorical nature; hence a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse).\u201d In Wilson\u2019s Old Testament Word Studies<\/em> it is defined as \u201ca comparison, similitude, parable; a sentiment, maxim; a proverb, by-word, satire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also find some Old Testament passages that have to do with the parables of Christ in the New Testament. Psalm 78:2 (attributed to Asaph) says, \u201cI will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old.\u201d<\/em> In Matthew 13:34-35 this passage is referred to as a prophecy which Jesus fulfilled by speaking in parables. It reads: \u201cAll these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet saying: \u2018I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.\u2019\u201d<\/em> Isaiah 6:9-10 apparently has a dual application \u2014 to the Israelites in Isaiah\u2019s day and to the Jews who heard the parables of Jesus. See Matthew 13:14-15 where this Isaiah passage is quoted and which appears between the parable of the sower (vv. 1-9) and the explanation of that parable (vv. 18-23).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The word \u201cparable\u201d<\/strong><\/em> in the New Testament, except for John 10:6 (PAROIMIA<\/strong> in the original, meaning an \u201cadage\u201d or \u201cdark saying,\u201d rendered \u201cparable\u201d<\/strong><\/em> only in the KJV and the ASV), is always from the Greek word PARABOLE<\/strong>, a word which the translators chose, not to translate, but to transliterate<\/em> (transpose the Greek letters into English letters) and anglicize<\/em> (give it an English-sounding ending). You already knew that this is how they came up with \u201cbaptize\u201d<\/em> and \u201cbaptism\u201d<\/em> rather than translating the Greek words for \u201cim-merse\u201d<\/em> and \u201cimmersion.\u201d<\/em> The word \u201cparable\u201d<\/em> appears sixteen times in Matthew, twelve times in Mark, seventeen times in Luke, and once in John in some translations (as noted previously). We will be examining some of the parables spoken by Jesus in the first three books of the New Testament. In some instances they are specifically referred to as parables; in others they are not, even though it is obvious that they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vine\u2019s Expository Dictionary of N.T. Words<\/em><\/strong> (Vol. III, p. 158<\/strong>) says, \u201cPARABOLE<\/strong> \u2014 literally denotes a placing beside (akin to paraballo<\/strong>, to throw or lay beside, to compare). It signifies a placing of one thing beside another with a view to comparison. It is generally of a somewhat lengthy utterance or narrative drawn from nature or human circumstances, the object of which is to set forth a spiritual lesson \u2026 sometimes it is used of a short saying or proverb.\u201d Vine\u2019s also warns of two dangers: \u201cthat of ignoring the important features, and that of trying to make all the details mean something.\u201d A parable, unlike a fable (which attributes human characteristics and actions to animals, plants and inanimate things) is a story or statement involving people and things and actions that were true to life and familiar to those who were listening. Its purpose was to bring out, illustrate and emphasize a spiritual lesson or lessons. At times Jesus explained the meaning. At times He did so when asked by His disciples. But usually He simply told the parable, allowing the listeners to ponder the meaning. A common and abbreviated way of putting it: \u201cA parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.\u201d A definition not quite broad enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of the New Testament parables were spoken by Jesus and appear in Matthew, Mark and Luke. There are none in John, Acts or the epistles (although the latter do contain rhetorical allegories and similes). The Revelation is filled with metaphorical language (signs and symbols), but contains no parables. Mark contains only one parable (the Seed Growing in Secret, 4:26) not found in Matthew or Luke; the others, the Sower, the Mustard Seed and the Wicked Husbandmen, are also in Matthew and Luke. Matthew and Luke contain two in common, the Leaven (Matt. 13:33 and Lk. 13:20-21) and the Lost Sheep (Matt. 18:12ff and Lk. 15:3ff; not necessarily spoken on the same occasion). Ten parables are peculiar to Matthew: the Tares, the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, the Draw Net, the Unmerciful Servant, the Laborers in the Vineyard, the Two Sons, the Marriage of the King\u2019s Son, the Ten Virgins and the Talents. Seventeen parables are peculiar to Luke: the Two Debtors, the Good Samaritan, the Friend at Midnight, the Rich Fool, the Watchful Servants, the Barren Fig Tree, the Chief Seats, the Great Supper, the Rash Builder, the Rash King, the Lost Coin, the Lost Son(s), the Unrighteous Steward, the Unprofitable Servant, the Unrighteous Judge, the Pharisee and the Publican and the Pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The parables of Christ are striking and designed to make a deep impression, thus making it easier to remember the lessons they were designed to teach. They are drawn from such categories as building or construction, farming, tending animals, cooking and housekeeping, finding treasures, fishing, stewardship, weddings, marriage and other feasts, masters and slaves, employers and employees, worshiping God in prayer, persistence in prayer, inheritances, relation of the old covenant to the new and other matters. The lessons they teach have to do with individual responsibilities, duties toward others, the mercy of God, forgiving and being forgiven, the concern of God for the lost, the worth of citizenship in the Lord\u2019s kingdom, the results of preaching the gospel, the nature of the Lord\u2019s kingdom and being prepared for the coming judgment. Many are introduced with the words: \u201cthe kingdom of heaven (or God) is like<\/strong> \u2026\u201d<\/em> The kingdom would be open to Gentiles as well as Jews. As the end of His ministry drew near and the time for His crucifixion came closer, the parables became more pointed in their depiction of the unbelieving Jewish leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the next article we will consider the Lord\u2019s reasons for teaching in parables and some things that will aid in understanding their lessons<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via Roanridge Reader, <\/em>August 5, 2018, Volume 33, Issue 31, pages 2-3 -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tom Edwards<\/p>\n\n\n\n All sin is evil, but not all evil is sin. Sometimes \u201cevil\u201d<\/em> (in the Bible) is referring to \u201cdistress, misery, injury, calamity\u201d (part of Brown-Driver-Briggs\u2019 Hebrew Definitions for \u201cevil\u201d H7451). For example, God said, \u201c\u2026I am bringing calamity on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every male person, both bond and free in Israel, and I will make a clean sweep of the house of Jeroboam\u2026\u201d<\/em> (1 Kings 14:10, NASB). The LORD also speaks of bringing \u201ccalamity on Jerusalem and Judah\u201d<\/em> (2 Kings 21:12, NASB). The King James Version uses the word \u201cevil\u201d<\/em> (instead of \u201ccalamity\u201d<\/em>) in these passages. And the fact that it was the Lord Himself who brought about this \u201cevil\u201d<\/em> indicates that it could not have been something sinful. For the Lord has never sinned, nor ever will. 1) Hear <\/strong>the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31). Tebeau Street \u201cGo therefore and make disciples of all the nations\u2026teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age\u201d (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 Contents: 1) What is a Parable? (Bill Crews)2) Is All Evil Sin? (Tom Edwards)\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013 -1- What is a Parable? Bill Crews […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=458"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":459,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458\/revisions\/459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What is a \u201cParable\u201d?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Generally, a parable was designed to teach one central truth, and was called for by the circumstances present and the attitude of the listeners for whom it was intended. J. H. Thayer\u2019s A Greek-English Lexicon of the N. T.,<\/em> p. 479, says of PARABOLE<\/strong>: \u201c1. a placing of one thing by the side of another, juxtaposition<\/em>, as of ships in battle \u2026 2. metaphorically, a comparing, comparison of one thing with another, likeness, similitude \u2026 specifically, a narrative, fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life, by which either the duties of men or things of God, particularly the nature and history of God\u2019s kingdom are figuratively portrayed \u2026 3. a pithy and instructive saying, involving some likeness or comparison and having perceptive or admonitory force; an aphorism, a maxim\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\nIs All Evil Sin?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2) Believe <\/strong>in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent<\/strong> of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith<\/strong> in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized<\/strong> in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith<\/strong>, living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST
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Wednesday:<\/strong>\u00a07 p.m. (Bible class)
evangelist\/editor:<\/strong>\u00a0Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
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