KJV: To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
YLT: to the company and assembly of the first-born in heaven enrolled, and to God the judge of all, and to spirits of righteous men made perfect,
Darby: the universal gathering; and to the assembly of the firstborn who are registered in heaven; and to God, judge of all; and to the spirits of just men made perfect;
ASV: to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
| πανηγύρει | [to the] assembly |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular Root: πανήγυρις Sense: a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities. |
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| ἐκκλησίᾳ | to [the] church |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular Root: ἐκκλησία Sense: a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly. |
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| πρωτοτόκων | of [the] firstborn |
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Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: πρωτότοκος Sense: the firstborn. |
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| ἀπογεγραμμένων | having been enrolled |
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Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ἀπογράφω Sense: to write off, copy (from some pattern). |
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| οὐρανοῖς | [the] heavens |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural Root: οὐρανός Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it. |
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| Κριτῇ | to [the] judge |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: κριτής Sense: one who passes or arrogates to himself, judgment on anything. |
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| Θεῷ | God |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: θεός Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities. |
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| πάντων | of all |
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Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: πᾶς Sense: individually. |
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| πνεύμασι | to [the] spirits |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural Root: πνεῦμα Sense: a movement of air (a gentle blast. |
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| δικαίων | of [the] righteous |
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Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: δίκαιος Sense: righteous, observing divine laws. |
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| τετελειωμένων | having been perfected |
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Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: τελειόω Sense: to make perfect, complete. |
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Greek Commentary for Hebrews 12:23
Old word (from πας pas and αγυρισ αγειρω aguris class="normal greek">Πανηγυριζω ageirō). Here only in N.T. αγγελων Panēgurizō occurs in Isaiah 66:10 for keeping a festal holiday. Possibly to be connected with εκκλησιαι πρωτοτοκων aggelōn though not certain. Church of the firstborn (εκκλησια ekklēsiāi prōtotokōn). Probably an additional item besides the angelic host as the people of Israel are called firstborn (Exodus 4:22). The word απογεγραμμενων εν ουρανοις ekklēsia here has the general sense of all the redeemed, as in Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:24-32, and equivalent to the kingdom of God. Who are enrolled in heaven (απογραπω apogegrammenōn en ouranois). Perfect passive participle of κριτηι τεωι παντων apographō old verb to write off, to copy, to enroll as in Luke 2:1, Luke 2:3, Luke 2:5 (only N.T. examples). Enrolled as citizens of heaven even while on earth (Luke 10:20; Philemon 1:27; Philemon 3:20; Philemon 4:3; Revelation 13:8, etc.). To God the Judge of all (τετελειωμενων kritēi theōi pantōn). All these chief substantives in the dative case. People should not forget that God is the Judge of all men. Made perfect (τελειοω teteleiōmenōn). Perfect passive participle of teleioō perfected at last (Hebrews 11:40). [source]
Const. with ἀγγέλων ofangels, with comma after angels. Rend. “to a festal assembly of angels.” This and the next clause show what the myriads consist of, - a host of angels and redeemed men. Πανήγυρις , N.T.ois a gathering to celebrate a solemnity, as public games, etc.: a public, festal assembly. Frequently joined with ἑορτή feast. See Ezekiel 47:11; Hosea 2:11; Hosea 9:5. The verb πανηγυρίζειν tocelebrate or attend a public festival, to keep holiday, occurs occasionally in Class.: not in N.T.: lxx once, Isaiah 66:10. The festal assembly of angels maintains the contrast between the old and the new dispensation. The host of angels through whose ministration the law was given (see on Hebrews 2:2, and see on Galatians 3:19) officiated at a scene of terror. Christian believers are now introduced to a festal host, surrounding the exalted Son of man, who has purged away sins, and is enthroned at God's right hand (Hebrews 1:3). [source]
This forms a distinct clause; “and to the church,” etc. For ἐκκλησία assemblyor church, see on Matthew 16:18; see on 1 Thessalonians 1:1. The “myriads” embrace not only angels, but redeemed men, enrolled as citizens of the heavenly commonwealth, and entitled to the rights and privileges of first-born sons. Πρωτότοκος first-bornis applied mostly to Christ in N.T. See Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15, Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 1:5. Comp. Hebrews 11:28, and Luke 2:7. Properly applied to Christians by virtue of their union with Christ, “the first-born of all creation,” “the first-born from the dead,” as sharing his sonship and heirship. See Romans 8:14-17, Romans 8:29. The word also points to Christians as the true Israel of God. The analogy is suggested with the first-born of Israel, to whom peculiar sanctity attached, and whose consecration to himself God enjoined (Exodus 13:1, Exodus 13:11-16); and with the further application of the term first-born to Israel as a people, Exodus 4:22. The way was thus prepared for its application to the Messiah. There seems, moreover, to be a clear reference to the case of Esau (Hebrews 12:16). Esau was the first-born of the twin sons of Isaac (Genesis 25:25). He sold his birthright ( πρωτοτοκία ), and thus forfeited the privilege of the first-born. The assembly to which Christian believers are introduced is composed of those who have not thus parted with their birthright, but have retained the privileges of the first-born. The phrase “church of the first-born” includes all who have possessed and retained their heavenly birthright, living or dead, of both dispensations: the whole Israel of God, although it is quite likely that the Christian church may have been most prominent in the writer's thought. [source]
Ἁπογράφειν , only here and Luke 2:1, Luke 2:3, Luke 2:5, means to write off or copy; to enter in a register the names, property, and income of men. Hence, ἀπογραφή anenrollment. See on Luke 2:1, Luke 2:2. Here, inscribed as members of the heavenly commonwealth; citizens of heaven; Philemon 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8, etc. See for the image, Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28; Isaiah 4:3; Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20. [source]
Rend. “a judge who is God of all.” Comp. Daniel 7:9ff. God of all his first-born, of those whom he chastens, of all who are in filial relations with him under both covenants, and who, therefore, need not fear to draw near to him as judge. [source]
The departed spirits of the righteous of both dispensations, who have completed their course after having undergone their earthly discipline. Notice again the idea of τελείωσις , not attained under the old covenant, but only through the work of Christ, the benefits of which the disembodied saints of the O.T. share with departed Christian believers. Comp. Hebrews 11:40. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 12:23
Rev., “from the Father.” The glory was like, corresponds in nature to, the glory of an only Son sent from a Father. It was the glory of one who partook of His divine Father's essence; on whom the Father's love was visibly lavished, and who represented the Father as His ambassador. The word μονογενής , only begotten (De Wette and Westcott, “only born ”) is used in the New Testament of a human relationship (Luke 7:12; Luke 8:42; Luke 9:38). In the Septuagint it answers to darling, Hebrew, only one, in Psalm href="/desk/?q=ps+22:20&sr=1">Psalm 22:20; and to desolate in Psalm href="/desk/?q=ps+25:16&sr=1">Psalm 25:16. With the exception of the passages cited above, and Hebrews 11:17, it occurs in the New Testament only in the writings of John, and is used only of Christ. With this word should be compared Paul's πρωτότοκος , first born (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:15, Colossians 1:18), which occurs but once in John (Revelation 1:5), and in Hebrews 1:6; Hebrews 11:28; Hebrews 12:23. John's word marks the relation to the Father as unique, stating the fact in itself. Paul's word places the eternal Son in relation to the universe. Paul's word emphasizes His existence before created things; John's His distinctness from created things. Μονογενής distinguishes between Christ as the only Son, and the many children ( τέκνα ) of God; and further, in that the only Son did not become ( γενέσθαι ) such by receiving power, by adoption, or by moral generation, but was ( ἦν ) such in the beginning with God. The fact set forth does not belong to the sphere of His incarnation, but of His eternal being. The statement is anthropomorphic, and therefore cannot fully express the metaphysical relation. Of the Father is properly rendered by Rev., “from the Father,” thus giving the force of παρά (see on from God, John 1:6). The preposition does not express the idea of generation, which would be given by ἐκ or by the simple genitive, but of mission - sent from the Father, as John from God (see John 6:46; John 7:29; John 16:27; John 17:8). The correlative of this is John 1:18, “who is in the bosom ( εἰς τὸν κόλπον ) of the Father;” literally, “into the bosom,” the preposition εἰς signifying who has gone into and is there; thus viewing the Son as having returned to the Father (but see on John 1:18). [source]
The general sense of αποστολους ekklēsia as in Matthew 16:18 and later in Colossians 1:18, Colossians 1:24; Ephesians 5:23, Ephesians 5:32; Hebrews 12:23. See list also in Ephesians 4:11. See note on Matthew 10:2 for προπητας apostolous the official title given the twelve by Jesus, and claimed by Paul though not one of the twelve. Prophets (διδασκαλους prophētas). For-speakers for God and Christ. See the list of prophets and teachers in Acts 13:1 with Barnabas first and Saul last. Prophets are needed today if men will let God‘s Spirit use them, men moved to utter the deep things of God. Teachers Old word from αποστολος didaskō to teach. Used to the Baptist (Luke 3:12), to Jesus (John 3:10; John 13:13), and of Paul by himself along with επειτα δυναμεις apostolos (1 Timothy 2:7). It is a calamity when the preacher is no longer a teacher, but only an exhorter. See note on Ephesians 4:11. Then miracles (δυναμεισ ιαμητων γλωσσων epeita dunameis). Here a change is made from the concrete to the abstract. See the reverse in Romans 12:7. See these words (γλωσσων dunameisαντιλημπσεις iamētōnαντιλαμβανομαι glōssōn) in 1 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 12:10 with κυβερνησεις glōssōn last again. But these two new terms (helps, governments). Helps Old word, from Κυβερνητης antilambanomai to lay hold of. In lxx, common in papyri, here only in N.T. Probably refers to the work of the deacons, help rendered to the poor and the sick. Governments (επισχοποι kubernēseis). Old word from πρεσβυτεροι kubernaō (cf. οι προισταμενοι Kubernētēs in Acts 27:11) like Latin gubernare, our govern. So a governing. Probably Paul has in mind bishops (οι ηγουμενοι episcopoi) or elders (presbuteroi), the outstanding leaders (hoi proistamenoi in 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Romans 12:8; hoi hēgoumenoi in Acts 15:22; Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:17, Hebrews 13:24). Curiously enough, these two offices (pastors and deacons) which are not named specifically are the two that survive today. See note on Philemon 1:1 for both officers. [source]
The phrase occurs seven times in Revelation. Compare Luke 10:20; Hebrews 12:23, and see on Revelation 3:5. The figure is founded on the register of the covenant people. Isaiah 4:3; Ezekiel 13:9; Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28; Daniel 12:1. The phrase was also used by the Rabbins. Thus in the Targum on Ezekiel 13:9: “In the book of eternal life which has been written for the just of the house of Israel, they shall not be written.” God is described as “the king, sitting upon the judgment-seat, with the books of the living and the books of the dead open before Him.” [source]
But the one who sees Jesus has seen God (John 14:9). See this verbal adjective Predicate adjective again and anarthrous. This passage is parallel to the Λογος Logos passage in John 1:1-18 and to Hebrews 1:1-4 as well as Philemon 2:5-11 in which these three writers (John, author of Hebrews, Paul) give the high conception of the Person of Christ (both Son of God and Son of Man) found also in the Synoptic Gospels and even in Q (the Father, the Son). This word (lxx and N.T.) can no longer be considered purely “Biblical” (Thayer), since it is found In inscriptions (Deissmann, Light, etc., p. 91) and in the papyri (Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary, etc.). See it already in Luke 2:7 and Aleph for Matthew 1:25; Romans 8:29. The use of this word does not show what Arius argued that Paul regarded Christ as a creature like “all creation” (πασης κτισεως pāsēs ktiseōs by metonomy the act regarded as result). It is rather the comparative (superlative) force of πρωτος prōtos that is used (first-born of all creation) as in Colossians 1:18; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 1:6; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 1:5. Paul is here refuting the Gnostics who pictured Christ as one of the aeons by placing him before “all creation” (angels and men). Like εικων eikōn we find πρωτοτοκος prōtotokos in the Alexandrian vocabulary of the Λογος Logos teaching (Philo) as well as in the lxx. Paul takes both words to help express the deity of Jesus Christ in his relation to the Father as εικων eikōn (Image) and to the universe as πρωτοτοκος prōtotokos (First-born). [source]
Predicate adjective again and anarthrous. This passage is parallel to the Λογος Logos passage in John 1:1-18 and to Hebrews 1:1-4 as well as Philemon 2:5-11 in which these three writers (John, author of Hebrews, Paul) give the high conception of the Person of Christ (both Son of God and Son of Man) found also in the Synoptic Gospels and even in Q (the Father, the Son). This word (lxx and N.T.) can no longer be considered purely “Biblical” (Thayer), since it is found In inscriptions (Deissmann, Light, etc., p. 91) and in the papyri (Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary, etc.). See it already in Luke 2:7 and Aleph for Matthew 1:25; Romans 8:29. The use of this word does not show what Arius argued that Paul regarded Christ as a creature like “all creation” It is rather the comparative (superlative) force of πρωτος prōtos that is used (first-born of all creation) as in Colossians 1:18; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 1:6; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 1:5. Paul is here refuting the Gnostics who pictured Christ as one of the aeons by placing him before “all creation” (angels and men). Like εικων eikōn we find πρωτοτοκος prōtotokos in the Alexandrian vocabulary of the Λογος Logos teaching (Philo) as well as in the lxx. Paul takes both words to help express the deity of Jesus Christ in his relation to the Father as εικων eikōn (Image) and to the universe as πρωτοτοκος prōtotokos (First-born). [source]
Comp. Hebrews 2:10. The fundamental idea in τελειοῦν is the bringing of a person or thing to the goal fixed by God. Comp. Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:19; Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 10:14; Hebrews 11:40; Hebrews 12:23. Here of Christ's having reached the end which was contemplated in his divinely-appointed discipline for the priesthood. The consummation was attained in his death, Philemon 2:8; his obedience extended even unto death. [source]
To prove his point the writer quotes Psalm 22:22 when the Messiah is presented as speaking “unto my brethren.” Congregation The word came to mean the local church and also the general church or kingdom (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:23). Here we have the picture of public worship and the Messiah sharing it with others as we know Jesus often did. [source]
As in Hebrews 12:23, of disembodied spirits, though the word ψυχαὶ , souls, is used elsewhere (Revelation 6:9; Revelation 20:4). [source]
The language is plain enough except that it does not make it clear whether Jesus did the preaching to spirits in prison at the time or to people whose spirits are now in prison, the point of doubt already discussed. The metaphorical use of εν πυλακηι en phulakēi can be illustrated by 2 Peter 2:4; Judges 1:6; Revelation 20:7 (the final abode of the lost). See Hebrews 12:23 for the use of πνευματα pneumata for disembodied spirits. [source]
First aorist passive (deponent) participle of πορευομαι poreuomai and first aorist active indicative of κηρυσσω kērussō the verb commonly used of the preaching of Jesus. Naturally the words mean personal action by Christ “in spirit” as illustration of his “quickening” (1 Peter 3:18) whether done before his death or afterwards. It is interesting to observe that, just as the relative εν ωι en hōi here tells something suggested by the word πνευματι pneumati (in spirit) just before, so in 1 Peter 3:21 the relative ο ho (which) tells another illustration of the words δι υδατος di' hudatos (by water) just before. Peter jumps from the flood in Noah‘s time to baptism in Peter‘s time, just as he jumped backwards from Christ‘s time to Noah‘s time. He easily goes off at a word. What does he mean here by the story that illustrates Christ‘s quickening in spirit?Unto the spirits in prison (τοις εν πυλακηι πνευμασιν tois en phulakēi pneumasin). The language is plain enough except that it does not make it clear whether Jesus did the preaching to spirits in prison at the time or to people whose spirits are now in prison, the point of doubt already discussed. The metaphorical use of εν πυλακηι en phulakēi can be illustrated by 2 Peter 2:4; Judges 1:6; Revelation 20:7 (the final abode of the lost). See Hebrews 12:23 for the use of πνευματα pneumata for disembodied spirits. [source]
Lit., the book of the life. For the figure, see Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28; Daniel 12:1; Philemon 4:3. Compare Luke 10:20; Hebrews 12:23. [source]
This book has already been mentioned (Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8). “It is the roll of living citizens of Jerusalem” (Swete), “the church of the first born enrolled in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23). The books are “the vouchers for the book of life” (Alford). We are saved by grace, but character at last (according to their works) is the test as the fruit of the tree (Matthew 7:16, Matthew 7:20; Matthew 10:32.; 25:31-46; John 15:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:10; Revelation 2:23; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 22:12). [source]
First aorist passive of ανοιγω anoigō Like Daniel 7:10. The record of each human being has been kept in God‘s books.Were judged (εκριτησαν ekrithēsan). First aorist passive indicative of κρινω krinō The sentence upon each rests upon written evidence.Another book which is the book of life This book has already been mentioned (Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8). “It is the roll of living citizens of Jerusalem” (Swete), “the church of the first born enrolled in heaven” (Hebrews 12:23). The books are “the vouchers for the book of life” (Alford). We are saved by grace, but character at last (according to their works) is the test as the fruit of the tree (Matthew 7:16, Matthew 7:20; Matthew 10:32.; 25:31-46; John 15:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:10; Revelation 2:23; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 22:12). [source]