KJV: And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
YLT: And he said unto them, 'Ye know how it is unlawful for a man, a Jew, to keep company with, or to come unto, one of another race, but to me God did shew to call no man common or unclean;
Darby: And he said to them, Ye know how it is unlawful for a Jew to be joined or come to one of a strange race, and to me God has shewn to call no man common or unclean.
ASV: and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean:
| ἔφη | He was saying |
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Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: φημί Sense: to make known one’s thoughts, to declare. |
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| ἐπίστασθε | know |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural Root: ἐπίσταμαι Sense: to put one’s attention on, fix one’s thoughts on, to turn one’s self or one’s mind to, put one’s thought upon a thing. |
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| ὡς | how |
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Parse: Adverb Root: ὡς Sense: as, like, even as, etc. |
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| ἀθέμιτόν | unlawful |
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Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: ἀθέμιτος Sense: contrary to law and justice, prohibited by law, illicit, criminal. |
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| ἐστιν | it is |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present. |
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| ἀνδρὶ | for a man |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: ἀνήρ Sense: with reference to sex. |
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| Ἰουδαίῳ | a Jew |
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Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular Root: Ἰουδαῖος Sense: Jewish, belonging to the Jewish race. |
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| κολλᾶσθαι | to unite himself |
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Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Middle or Passive Root: κολλάω Sense: to glue, to glue together, cement, fasten together. |
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| προσέρχεσθαι | to come near |
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Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Middle or Passive Root: προσέρχομαι Sense: to come to, approach. |
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| ἀλλοφύλῳ | to a foreigner |
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Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular Root: ἀλλόφυλος Sense: foreign. |
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| κἀμοὶ | To me |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular Root: κἀγώ Sense: and I. |
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| ὁ | however |
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Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Θεὸς | God |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: θεός Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities. |
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| ἔδειξεν | has shown |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: δείκνυμι Sense: to show, expose to the eyes. |
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| κοινὸν | common |
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Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: κοινός Sense: common. |
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| ἀκάθαρτον | unclean |
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Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: ἀκάθαρτος Sense: not cleansed, unclean. |
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| λέγειν | to call |
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Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active Root: λέγω Sense: to say, to speak. |
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| ἄνθρωπον | man |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: ἄνθρωπος Sense: a human being, whether male or female. |
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Greek Commentary for Acts 10:28
The conjunction hōs is sometimes equivalent to hoti (that). The old form of athemitos was athemistos from themisto But there is no O.T. regulation forbidding such social contact with Gentiles, though the rabbis had added it and had made it binding by custom. There is nothing more binding on the average person than social custom. On coming from the market an orthodox Jew was expected to immerse to avoid defilement (Edersheim, Jewish Social Life, pp. 26-28; Taylor‘s Sayings of the Jewish Fathers, pp. 15, 26, 137, second edition). See also Acts 11:3; Galatians 2:12. It is that middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14) which Jesus broke down. [source]
Dative case of an old adjective, but only here in the N.T. Both Juvenal (Sat. XIV. 104, 105) and Tacitus (History, Galatians 2:5) speak of the Jewish exclusiveness and separation from Gentiles. And yet unto (kamoi). Dative of the emphatic pronoun (note position of prominence) with kai (crasis) meaning here “and yet” or adversative “but” as often with kai which is by no means always merely the connective “and” (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1182f.). Now Peter takes back both the adjectives used in his protest to the Lord (Acts 10:14) “common and unclean.” It is a long journey that Peter has made. He here refers to “no one” (mēdena), not to “things,” but that is great progress. [source]
Dative of the emphatic pronoun (note position of prominence) with kai Now Peter takes back both the adjectives used in his protest to the Lord (Acts 10:14) “common and unclean.” It is a long journey that Peter has made. He here refers to “no one” (mēdena), not to “things,” but that is great progress. [source]
The word is peculiar to Peter, being used only here and 1 Peter 4:3. See note there. It emphasizes the violation of established order, being from the same root as τίθημι , to lay down or establish. The Jews professed to ground this prohibition on the law of Moses; but there is no direct command in the Mosaic law forbidding Jews to associate with those of other nations. But Peter's statement is general, referring to the general practice of the Jews to separate themselves in common life from uncircumcised persons. Juvenal says that the Jews were taught by Moses “not to show the way except to one who practises the same rites, and to guide the circumcised alone to the well which they seek” (Sat., xiv., 104,105). Tacitus also says of the Jews that “among themselves they are inflexibly faithful, and ready with charitable aid, but hate all others as enemies. They keep separate from all strangers in eating, sleeping, and matrimonial connections” (“Histories,” v., 5). [source]
Only here in New Testament. Used of the Philistines, 1 Samuel 13:3-5 (Sept.). [source]
Emphatic, by contrast with ye. “Ye know,” etc., “but God hath showed me. ” [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 10:28
The old word was αλλοπυλος allophulos (Acts 10:28), but αλλογενης allogenēs occurs in the lxx, Josephus, and inscriptions. Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, p. 80) gives the inscription from the limestone block from the Temple of Israel in Jerusalem which uses this very word which may have been read by Jesus: Let no foreigner enter within the screen and enclosure surrounding the sanctuary (Μητενα αλλογενη εισπορευεσται εντος του περι το ιερον τρυπακτου και περιβολου Mēthena allogenē eisporeuesthai entos tou peri to hieron truphaktou kai peribolou). [source]
Dramatic historical present of αγω agō plural “they” for the Sanhedrists (Luke 23:1). John gives no details of the trial before the Sanhedrin (only the fact, John 18:24, John 18:28) when Caiaphas presided, either the informal meeting at night (Mark 14:53, Mark 14:55-65; Matthew 26:57, Matthew 26:59-68; Luke 22:54, Luke 22:63-65) or the formal ratification meeting after dawn (Mark 15:1; Matthew 27:1; Luke 22:66-71), but he gives much new material of the trial before Pilate (John 18:28-38). Into the palace For the history and meaning of this interesting Latin word, praetorium, see note on Matthew 27:27; note on Acts 23:35; and note on Philemon 1:13. Here it is probably the magnificent palace in Jerusalem built by Herod the Great for himself and occupied by the Roman Procurator (governor) when in the city. There was also one in Caesarea (Acts 23:35). Herod‘s palace in Jerusalem was on the Hill of Zion in the western part of the upper city. There is something to be said for the Castle of Antonia, north of the temple area, as the location of Pilate‘s residence in Jerusalem. Early Technically the fourth watch (3 a.m. to 6 a.m.). There were two violations of Jewish legal procedure (holding the trial for a capital case at night, passing condemnation on the same day of the trial). Besides, the Sanhedrin no longer had the power of death. A Roman court could meet any time after sunrise. John (John 19:14) says it was “about the sixth hour” when Pilate condemned Jesus. That they might not be defiled Purpose clause with ινα μη hina mē and first aorist passive subjunctive of μιαινω miainō to stain, to defile. For Jewish scruples about entering the house of a Gentile see Acts 10:28; Acts 11:3. But might eat the passover Second aorist active subjunctive of the defective verb εστιω esthiō to eat. This phrase may mean to eat the passover meal as in Matthew 27:17 (Mark 14:12, Mark 14:14; Luke 22:11, Luke 22:15), but it does not have to mean that. In 2 Chronicles 30:22 we read: “And they did eat the festival seven days” when the paschal festival is meant, not the paschal lamb or the paschal supper. There are eight other examples of πασχα pascha in John‘s Gospel and in all of them the feast is meant, not the supper. If we follow John‘s use of the word, it is the feast here, not the meal of John 13:2 which was the regular passover meal. This interpretation keeps John in harmony with the Synoptics. [source]
Ingressive second aorist active participle, not present. So punctiliar, “saw come,” not “saw coming.” So also “say” or “speak,” not “saying.” Luke repeats the account of this vision to Cornelius twice (Acts 10:30; Acts 11:13) and also the story of the vision to Peter (10:1-16, Acts 10:28; Acts 11:5). [source]
First aorist passive of this strong word κολλαω kollaō to glue to, common in Acts (Acts 5:13; Acts 8:29; Acts 9:26; Acts 10:28) No sermon is a failure which leads a group of men (ανδρες andres) to believe (ingressive aorist of πιστευω pisteuō) in Jesus Christ. Many so-called great or grand sermons reap no such harvest. [source]
Present middle infinitive of κολλαω kollaō old verb to cleave to like glue as in Luke 15:15 which see. Seven times in Acts (Acts 9:26; Acts 10:28; Acts 17:34). The outsiders (the rest) preferred, many of them, to remain outside for the present, especially the rulers. Howbeit the people (αλλο λαος all'̇̇ho laos). Probably individuals among the people, the populace as distinct from the rulers and hostile outsiders. [source]
Second aorist active indicative, I never did anything like this and I shall not do it now. The use of pan (everything) with oudepote (never) is like the Hebrew Common and unclean (Koinon kai akatharton). Koinos from epic xunos (xunsun together with) originally meant common to several (Latin communis) as in Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Titus 1:4; Judges 1:3. The use seen here (also Mark 7:2, Mark 7:5; Romans 14:14; Hebrews 10:29; Revelation 21:27; Acts 10:28; Acts 11:8), like Latin vulgaris is unknown in ancient Greek. Here the idea is made plain by the addition of akatharton (unclean), ceremonially unclean, of course. We have the same double use in our word “common.” See notes on Mark 7:18. where Mark adds the remarkable participle katharizōn (making all meats clean), evidently from Peter who recalls this vision. Peter had been reared from childhood to make the distinction between clean and unclean food and this new proposal even from the Lord runs against all his previous training. He did not see that some of God‘s plans for the Jews could be temporary. This symbol of the sheet was to show Peter ultimately that Gentiles could be saved without becoming Jews. At this moment he is in spiritual and intellectual turmoil. [source]
Koinos from epic xunos (xunsun together with) originally meant common to several (Latin communis) as in Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Titus 1:4; Judges 1:3. The use seen here (also Mark 7:2, Mark 7:5; Romans 14:14; Hebrews 10:29; Revelation 21:27; Acts 10:28; Acts 11:8), like Latin vulgaris is unknown in ancient Greek. Here the idea is made plain by the addition of akatharton (unclean), ceremonially unclean, of course. We have the same double use in our word “common.” See notes on Mark 7:18. where Mark adds the remarkable participle katharizōn (making all meats clean), evidently from Peter who recalls this vision. Peter had been reared from childhood to make the distinction between clean and unclean food and this new proposal even from the Lord runs against all his previous training. He did not see that some of God‘s plans for the Jews could be temporary. This symbol of the sheet was to show Peter ultimately that Gentiles could be saved without becoming Jews. At this moment he is in spiritual and intellectual turmoil. [source]
“Men having uncircumcision.” It is a contemptuous expression. They did not object to Peter‘s preaching to the Gentiles, but to his going into the house of Cornelius and eating with them, violating his supposed obligations as a Jew (Hackett). It was the same complaint in principle that the Pharisees had made against Jesus when he ate with publicans and sinners (Luke 15:12). The Jews had not merely the Mosaic regulations about clean and unclean food, but also the fact that at a Gentile table some of the meat may have been an idol sacrifice. And Peter himself had similar scruples when the vision came to him at Joppa and when he entered the house of Cornelius in Caesarea Acts 10:28). Peter had been led beyond the circumcision party. [source]
Present middle (direct) infinitive of conative action again. Same word κολλαω kollaō in Luke 15:15; Acts 10:28. See note on Matthew 19:5 for discussion. Were all afraid of him (pantes ephobounto auton). They were fearing him. Imperfect middle picturing the state of mind of the disciples who had vivid recollections of his conduct when last here. What memories Saul had on this return journey to Jerusalem after three years. He had left a conquering hero of Pharisaism. He returns distrusted by the disciples and regarded by the Pharisees as a renegade and a turncoat. He made no effort to get in touch with the Sanhedrin who had sent him to Damascus. He had escaped the plots of the Jews in Damascus only to find himself the object of suspicion by the disciples in Jerusalem who had no proof of his sincerity in his alleged conversion. Not believing They had probably heard of his conversion, but they frankly disbelieved the reports and regarded him as a hypocrite or a spy in a new role to ruin them. Was (παντες εποβουντο αυτον estin). The present tense is here retained in indirect discourse according to the common Greek idiom. [source]
So Paul takes his stand with the “strong” as in 1 Corinthians 8:4., but he is not a libertine. Paul‘s liberty as to food is regulated by his life in the Lord. For this use of κοινος Koinéos not as common to all (Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32), but unhallowed, impure, see note on Mark 7:2, note on Acts 10:14, and note on Acts 10:28. God made all things for their own uses. Save that (ει μη ei mē). The exception lies not in the nature of the food (δι εαυτου di' heautou), but in the man‘s view of it (to him, εκεινωι ekeinōi dative case). [source]
A.V. misses the force of the imperfect, marking Peter's custom. Not only at church feasts, but at ordinary meals, in defiance of the Pharisaic that this prohibition was not binding (Acts 10:28; Acts 11:8, Acts 11:9), and had defended that position in the apostolic conference (Acts 15:7ff.). [source]
Lit. draw nigh. To approach as one who confidingly accepts another's proffer. Hence, to assent to. Comp. Acts 10:28; 1 Peter 2:4; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:22. Often in lxx, and habitually in the literal sense. The figurative sense, 4:15; 6:26. oP. The phrase only here. [source]
Literally, “thou knowest better (than I),” for he did those things in Ephesus where thou art. Only N.T. example of βελτιον beltion in D text of Acts 10:28. [source]
Ἡγεῖσθαι tocount or deem means a conscious judgment resting on a deliberate weighing of the facts. See Romans 12:10; Philemon 2:3. Here it implies a deliberate, contemptuous rejection of the gifts of the new covenant. The fundamental idea of κοινὸς is shared by all, public. Thus Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Titus 1:4; Judges 1:3. Out of this grows the idea of not sacred; not set apart for particular uses by purification, and so (ceremonially) unclean or defiled, as Mark 7:2, Mark 7:5; Acts 10:14, Acts 10:28; Acts 11:8. In these cases it is not implied that the thing is defiled or filthy in itself, but only unclean through the absence of that which would set it apart. Comp. Romans 14:14. Here the word admits of two explanations: (1) that Christ's blood was counted common, having no more sacred character or specific worth than the blood of any ordinary person; (2) that in refusing to regard Christ's blood as that of an atoner and redeemer, it was implied that his blood was unclean as being that of a transgressor. The former seems preferable. There was no specific virtue in Christ's blood as blood; but a peculiar and unique virtue attached to it as the offering of his eternal spirit (Hebrews 9:14), as the blood shed in ratification of a sacred covenant established by God, and as having sanctifying virtue. This view is further justified by the combination of blood and spirit, as sources of sanctification allied in the writer's mind. [source]
Only here, and by Peter in Acts 10:28. More literally, unlawful, emphasizing the idolatries as violations of divine law. [source]
No copula in the Greek, probably εστιν estin (is) rather than δυναται dunatai (can). Late and rare verbal adjective from αρκεω arkeō to suffice, in the papyri several times, in N.T. only here and Matthew 6:34; Matthew 10:25, apparently referring to Christ‘s words in Matthew 6:34 (possibly an axiom or proverb).To have wrought (κατειργασται kateirgasthai). Perfect middle infinitive of κατεργαζομαι katergazomai common compound (κατα εργον kataτο βουλημα ergon work) as in 1 Corinthians 5:3.The desire Correct text, not πεπορευμενους thelēma Either means the thing desired, willed. Jews sometimes fell in with the ways of Gentiles (Romans 2:21-24; Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-3) as today some Christians copy the ways of the world.And to have walked (πορευομαι peporeumenous). Perfect middle participle of κατειργασται poreuomai in the accusative plural of general reference with the infinitive εν ασελγειαις kateirgasthai Literally, “having walked or gone.”In lasciviousness All these sins are in the locative case with επιτυμιαις en “In unbridled lustful excesses” (2 Peter 2:7; 2 Corinthians 12:21).Lusts (οινοπλυγιαις epithumiais). Cf. 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:2.Winebibbings Old compound Old word (from ποτοις keimai to lie down), rioting drinking parties, in N.T. here and Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13.Carousings Old word for drinking carousal (from ατεμιτοις ειδωλολατριαις pinō to drink), here only in the N.T. In the light of these words it seems strange to find modern Christians justifying their “personal liberty” to drink and carouse, to say nothing of the prohibition law. The Greeks actually carried lust and drunkenness into their religious observances (Aphrodite, for instance).Abominable idolatries (ειδωλον λατρεια athemitois eidōlolatriais). To the Christian all “idolatry,” (τεμιτος eidōlonτεμιστος latreia), worship of idols, is “abominable,” not allowed (alpha privative and τεμιζω themitos ατεμιτος themistos the old form, verbal of themizō to make lawful), but particularly those associated with drinking and licentiousness. The only other N.T. example of athemitos is by Peter also (Acts 10:28) and about the Mosaic law. That may be the idea here, for Jews often fell into idolatrous practices (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 274). [source]
To the Christian all “idolatry,” (τεμιτος eidōlonτεμιστος latreia), worship of idols, is “abominable,” not allowed (alpha privative and τεμιζω themitos ατεμιτος themistos the old form, verbal of themizō to make lawful), but particularly those associated with drinking and licentiousness. The only other N.T. example of athemitos is by Peter also (Acts 10:28) and about the Mosaic law. That may be the idea here, for Jews often fell into idolatrous practices (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 274). [source]
Correct text, not πεπορευμενους thelēma Either means the thing desired, willed. Jews sometimes fell in with the ways of Gentiles (Romans 2:21-24; Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-3) as today some Christians copy the ways of the world.And to have walked (πορευομαι peporeumenous). Perfect middle participle of κατειργασται poreuomai in the accusative plural of general reference with the infinitive εν ασελγειαις kateirgasthai Literally, “having walked or gone.”In lasciviousness All these sins are in the locative case with επιτυμιαις en “In unbridled lustful excesses” (2 Peter 2:7; 2 Corinthians 12:21).Lusts (οινοπλυγιαις epithumiais). Cf. 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:2.Winebibbings Old compound Old word (from ποτοις keimai to lie down), rioting drinking parties, in N.T. here and Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13.Carousings Old word for drinking carousal (from ατεμιτοις ειδωλολατριαις pinō to drink), here only in the N.T. In the light of these words it seems strange to find modern Christians justifying their “personal liberty” to drink and carouse, to say nothing of the prohibition law. The Greeks actually carried lust and drunkenness into their religious observances (Aphrodite, for instance).Abominable idolatries (ειδωλον λατρεια athemitois eidōlolatriais). To the Christian all “idolatry,” (τεμιτος eidōlonτεμιστος latreia), worship of idols, is “abominable,” not allowed (alpha privative and τεμιζω themitos ατεμιτος themistos the old form, verbal of themizō to make lawful), but particularly those associated with drinking and licentiousness. The only other N.T. example of athemitos is by Peter also (Acts 10:28) and about the Mosaic law. That may be the idea here, for Jews often fell into idolatrous practices (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 274). [source]
All these sins are in the locative case with επιτυμιαις en “In unbridled lustful excesses” (2 Peter 2:7; 2 Corinthians 12:21).Lusts (οινοπλυγιαις epithumiais). Cf. 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:2.Winebibbings Old compound Old word (from ποτοις keimai to lie down), rioting drinking parties, in N.T. here and Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13.Carousings Old word for drinking carousal (from ατεμιτοις ειδωλολατριαις pinō to drink), here only in the N.T. In the light of these words it seems strange to find modern Christians justifying their “personal liberty” to drink and carouse, to say nothing of the prohibition law. The Greeks actually carried lust and drunkenness into their religious observances (Aphrodite, for instance).Abominable idolatries (ειδωλον λατρεια athemitois eidōlolatriais). To the Christian all “idolatry,” (τεμιτος eidōlonτεμιστος latreia), worship of idols, is “abominable,” not allowed (alpha privative and τεμιζω themitos ατεμιτος themistos the old form, verbal of themizō to make lawful), but particularly those associated with drinking and licentiousness. The only other N.T. example of athemitos is by Peter also (Acts 10:28) and about the Mosaic law. That may be the idea here, for Jews often fell into idolatrous practices (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 274). [source]
Old compound Old word (from ποτοις keimai to lie down), rioting drinking parties, in N.T. here and Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13.Carousings Old word for drinking carousal (from ατεμιτοις ειδωλολατριαις pinō to drink), here only in the N.T. In the light of these words it seems strange to find modern Christians justifying their “personal liberty” to drink and carouse, to say nothing of the prohibition law. The Greeks actually carried lust and drunkenness into their religious observances (Aphrodite, for instance).Abominable idolatries (ειδωλον λατρεια athemitois eidōlolatriais). To the Christian all “idolatry,” (τεμιτος eidōlonτεμιστος latreia), worship of idols, is “abominable,” not allowed (alpha privative and τεμιζω themitos ατεμιτος themistos the old form, verbal of themizō to make lawful), but particularly those associated with drinking and licentiousness. The only other N.T. example of athemitos is by Peter also (Acts 10:28) and about the Mosaic law. That may be the idea here, for Jews often fell into idolatrous practices (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 274). [source]
Old word for drinking carousal (from ατεμιτοις ειδωλολατριαις pinō to drink), here only in the N.T. In the light of these words it seems strange to find modern Christians justifying their “personal liberty” to drink and carouse, to say nothing of the prohibition law. The Greeks actually carried lust and drunkenness into their religious observances (Aphrodite, for instance).Abominable idolatries (ειδωλον λατρεια athemitois eidōlolatriais). To the Christian all “idolatry,” (τεμιτος eidōlonτεμιστος latreia), worship of idols, is “abominable,” not allowed (alpha privative and τεμιζω themitos ατεμιτος themistos the old form, verbal of themizō to make lawful), but particularly those associated with drinking and licentiousness. The only other N.T. example of athemitos is by Peter also (Acts 10:28) and about the Mosaic law. That may be the idea here, for Jews often fell into idolatrous practices (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 274). [source]