All the ecumenical world

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [kjv]

εγενετο δε εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις εξηλθεν δογμα παρα καισαρος αυγουστου απογραφεσθαι πασαν την οικουμενην [gnt]

… orbis [v]

In Luke, we have the start of the Christmas story to Bethlehem initiated by the taxation decree of Caesar Augustus.

The Greek word is "οικουμένην" (ee-ku-MEH-neen) ≈ "inhabited world". Note that the The modern Greek word The "οικουμένη" (ee-ku-MEH-nee) ≈ "inhabited world" is much the same (except for the ending).

The Greek word for "house" (as a prefix) is sometimes used to refer to the "entire world" as in "inhabited world" as in, at times, "the Roman Empire"

Luke 2:1

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KJV: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Greek: εγενετο δε εν ταις ημεραις εκειναις εξηλθεν δογμα παρα καισαρος αυγουστου απογραφεσθαι πασαν την οικουμενην

Latin: factum est autem in diebus illis exiit edictum a Caesare Augusto ut describeretur universus orbis

Wessex: Exiit edictum a cesare augusto. Soðlice on þam dagen waes ge-worðen ge-bod fram þan caisere auguste. þaet eall ymb-hwyrft waere to-maercod.

Gothic: warth than in dagans jainans, urrann gagrefts fram kaisara agustau, gameljan allana midjungard.

Luther: Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit, daß ein Gebot vom Kaiser Augustus ausging, daß alle Welt geschätzt würde.

Russian: В те дни вышло от кесаря Августа повеление сделать перепись по всей земле.

The modern Greek word "οίκος" (EE-kos) ≈ "house" is the source of the English word "ecology" as in the study of the "house" or "living space" (of the environment).

The ancient Greek words for "pasture", "law", "nomad", "coin" are related. The progression appears to be from a pasture, to a distribution of sheep, to the rules for such distributions, to representations of such wealth as coins, etc.

The ancient Greek word "νέμω" ≈ "distribute, pasture, graze" (as a verb)
The ancient Greek word "νομός" ≈ "pasture" (as a noun, accent on second syllable)
The ancient Greek word "νόμος" ≈ "custom, law" (as a noun, accent on first syllable)

Some English words made from this word include "economy", "astronomy", "Deuteronomy", "numismatics", etc.

Interestingly, the word the KJV (King James Version) translates as "iniquity" is a negation of that word for "law".

More: Syllable accent change over time

More: Coining a customary distribution law of iniquity

Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? [kjv]

και ειπεν ο κυριος τις αρα εστιν ο πιστος οικονομος καιο φρονιμος ον καταστησει ο κυριος επι της θεραπειας αυτου του διδοναι εν καιρω το σιτομετριον [gnt]

… dispensator … [v]

Economics is literally the "laws" or "regulation" of the house.

The Latin word "dispensator" ≈ "steward, housekeeper" and gets into the idea of a "dispensation" but that is left for another time.

Luke 12:42

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KJV: And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Greek: και ειπεν δε ο κυριος τις αρα εστιν ο πιστος οικονομος καιο φρονιμος ον καταστησει ο κυριος επι της θεραπειας αυτου του διδοναι εν καιρω το σιτομετριον

Latin: dixit autem Dominus quis putas est fidelis dispensator et prudens quem constituet dominus super familiam suam ut det illis in tempore tritici mensuram

1 Kings 4:6 And Ahishar was over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute. [kjv]

και αχιηλ οικονομος και ελιαβ υιος σαφ επι της πατριας και αδωνιραμ υιος εφρα επι των φορων [lxx]

… praepositus … [v]

… stiward of the hows… [wy]

… Hofmeister… [lu]

1 Kings 4:6

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KJV: And Ahishar was over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the tribute.

Hebrew: ואחישר על הבית ואדנירם בן עבדא על המס׃

Greek: και αχιηλ οικονομος και ελιαβ υιος σαφ επι της πατριας και αδωνιραμ υιος εφρα επι των φορων

Latin: et Ahisar praepositus domus et Adoniram filius Abda super tributa

Wycliffe: and Ahiasar was stiward of the hows; and Adonyram, sone of Adda, was on the tributis.

Luther: Ahisar war Hofmeister: Adoniram, der Sohn Abdas, war Rentmeister.

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [kjv]

… orbis [v]

The economics of money can be viewed from a historical perspective, even if the people at the time did not have a formal basis for knowing what was happening.

From time to time, say, in the Roman Empire, inflation happened at a disturbing rate. Stable and accurate currencies and not creating too much money to fast helped, but, again, was not well understood at the time.

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [kjv]

… orbis [v]

These words are the origin of the English word "ecumenical" meaning "all-embracing" or "all-inclusive".

The ecumenical movement in churches is the concept and principle in which Christians belonging to different Christian denominations work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity. (Wikipedia)

Thought question: Could this attempt to unify churches into, ultimately, a world-wide church, be related to the apostate church as mentioned in the New Testament in general and in Revelation in particular? That is a topic for future discussion.

Let us return and look at the original Greek word from which "ecumenical" arises.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. [kjv]

και κηρυχθησεται τουτο το ευαγγελιον της βασιλειας εν ολη τη οικουμενη εις μαρτυριον πασιν τοις εθνεσιν και τοτε ηξει το τελος [gnt]

The Greek word «οικουμένην» as the "all the world" is found elsewhere in the Bible.

The Great Commission in Matthew 24:14 is to "all the world", some word as in Luke above (NT Greek and modern Greek).

Matthew 24:14

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KJV: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Greek: και κηρυχθησεται τουτο το ευαγγελιον της βασιλειας εν ολη τη οικουμενη εις μαρτυριον πασιν τοις εθνεσιν και τοτε ηξει το τελος

Latin: et praedicabitur hoc evangelium regni in universo orbe in testimonium omnibus gentibus et tunc veniet consummatio

Wessex: & þis godspel byð boded ofer ealle eorðan. on witnyssen eallen þeoden & þanne cymð seo ge-endunge.

Luther: Und es wird geprediget werden das Evangelium vom Reich in der ganzen Welt zu einem Zeugnis über alle Völker; und dann wird das Ende kommen.

Luke 4:5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. [kjv]

και αναγαγων αυτον εδειξεν αυτω πασας τας βασιλειας της οικουμενης εν στιγμη χρονου [gnt]

Luke uses this word again, so that can be important. Here the context is the end times.

Luke 4:5

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KJV: And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

Greek: και αναγαγων αυτον ο διαβολος εις ορος υψηλον εδειξεν αυτω πασας τας βασιλειας της οικουμενης εν στιγμη χρονου

Wessex: And þa laedde se deofel hyne & atewede him ealle þa rice eorðe ymbhwyrftes on anre brihtan hwile.

Luther: Und der Teufel führete ihn auf einen hohen Berg und weisete ihm alle Reiche der ganzen Welt in einem Augenblick

Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. [kjv]

αποψυχοντων ανθρωπων απο φοβου και προσδοκιας των επερχομενων τη οικουμενη αι γαρ δυναμεις των ουρανων σαλευθησονται [gnt]

Luke 21:26

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KJV: Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Greek: αποψυχοντων ανθρωπων απο φοβου και προσδοκιας των επερχομενων τη οικουμενη αι γαρ δυναμεις των ουρανων σαλευθησονται

Latin: arescentibus hominibus prae timore et expectatione quae supervenient universo orbi nam virtutes caelorum movebuntur

Romans 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. [kjv]

αλλα λεγω μη ουκ ηκουσαν μενουνγε εις πασαν την γην εξηλθεν ο φθογγος αυτων και εις τα περατα της οικουμενης τα ρηματα αυτων [gnt]

The same word is used in Acts in many places. Here is a verse in Romans that includes the "earth" and "all the world" as, in the KJV, "ends of the world".

Romans 10:18

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KJV: But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Greek: αλλα λεγω μη ουκ ηκουσαν μενουνγε εις πασαν την γην εξηλθεν ο φθογγος αυτων και εις τα περατα της οικουμενης τα ρηματα αυτων

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. [kjv]

οτι ετηρησας τον λογον της υπομονης μου καγω σε τηρησω εκ της ωρας του πειρασμου της μελλουσης ερχεσθαι επι της οικουμενης ολης πειρασαι τους κατοικουντας επι της γης [gnt]

The message of Jesus to the Church at Philadelphia includes the word.

Revelation 3:10

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KJV: Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Greek: οτι ετηρησας τον λογον της υπομονης μου καγω σε τηρησω εκ της ωρας του πειρασμου της μελλουσης ερχεσθαι επι της οικουμενης ολης πειρασαι τους κατοικουντας επι της γης

Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. [kjv]

εισιν γαρ πνευματα δαιμονιων ποιουντα σημεια α εκπορευεται επι τους βασιλεις της οικουμενης ολης συναγαγειν αυτους εις τον πολεμον της ημερας της μεγαλης του θεου του παντοκρατορος [gnt]

… totius terrae … [v]

… al erthe… [wy]

The Latin word "totius terrae" ≈ "total earth".

The Wycliffe follows the Latin and combines "earth" and "whole world".

Revelation 16:14

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KJV: For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Greek: εισιν γαρ πνευματα δαιμονων δαιμονιων ποιουντα σημεια εκπορευεσθαι α εκπορευεται επι τους βασιλεις της γης και της οικουμενης ολης συναγαγειν αυτους εις τον πολεμον της ημερας εκεινης της μεγαλης του θεου του παντοκρατορος

Latin: sunt enim spiritus daemoniorum facientes signa et procedunt ad reges totius terrae congregare illos in proelium ad diem magnum Dei omnipotentis

Wycliffe: For thei ben spiritis of deuels, makynge signes, and thei gon forth to kingis of al erthe, to gadere hem in to batel, to the greet dai of almiyti God.

Exodus 16:35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan. [kjv]

οι δε υιοι ισραηλ εφαγον το μαν ετη τεσσαρακοντα εως ηλθον εις γην οικουμενην το μαν εφαγοσαν εως παρεγενοντο εις μερος της φοινικης [lxx]

… terram habitabilem … [v]

By NT (New Testament) times, the word appears to mean the entire world or entire world in consideration.

Exodus 16:35

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KJV: And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.

Hebrew: ובני ישראל אכלו את המן ארבעים שנה עד באם אל ארץ נושבת את המן אכלו עד באם אל קצה ארץ כנען׃

Greek: οι δε υιοι ισραηλ εφαγον το μαν ετη τεσσαρακοντα εως ηλθον εις γην οικουμενην το μαν εφαγοσαν εως παρεγενοντο εις μερος της φοινικης

Latin: filii autem Israhel comederunt man quadraginta annis donec venirent in terram habitabilem hoc cibo aliti sunt usquequo tangerent fines terrae Chanaan

Spanish: Así comieron los hijos de Israel maná cuarenta años, hasta que entraron en la tierra habitada; maná comieron hasta que llegaron al término de la tierra de Canaán.

2 Kings 6:1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. [kjv]

και ειπον οι υιοι των προφητων προς ελισαιε ιδου δη ο τοπος εν ω ημεις οικουμεν ενωπιον σου στενος αφ ημων [lxx]

… locus … habitamus … [v]

So, going back to the LXX (Septuagint), the word has a meaning closer to "inhabited".

2 Kings 6:1

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KJV: And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.

Hebrew: ויאמרו בני הנביאים אל אלישע הנה נא המקום אשר אנחנו ישבים שם לפניך צר ממנו׃

Greek: και ειπον οι υιοι των προφητων προς ελισαιε ιδου δη ο τοπος εν ω ημεις οικουμεν ενωπιον σου στενος αφ ημων

Latin: dixerunt autem filii prophetarum ad Heliseum ecce locus in quo habitamus coram te angustus est nobis

Psalms 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. [kjv]

και αυτος κρινει την οικουμενην εν δικαιοσυνη κρινει λαους εν ευθυτητι [lxx]

Many other places in the LXX refer to the world.

Psalms 9:8

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KJV: And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

Hebrew: והוא ישפט תבל בצדק ידין לאמים במישרים׃

Greek: και αυτος κρινει την οικουμενην εν δικαιοσυνη κρινει λαους εν ευθυτητι

Latin: et ipse iudicat orbem in iustitia iudicat populos in aequitatibus

Psalms 49:1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: [kjv]

εις το τελος τοις υιοις κορε ψαλμος ακουσατε ταυτα παντα τα εθνη ενωτισασθε παντες οι κατοικουντες την οικουμενην [lxx]

Psalms 49:1

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KJV: Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

Hebrew: למנצח לבני קרח מזמור שמעו זאת כל העמים האזינו כל ישבי חלד׃

Greek: εις το τελος τοις υιοις κορε ψαλμος ακουσατε ταυτα παντα τα εθνη ενωτισασθε παντες οι κατοικουντες την οικουμενην

Latin: victori filiorum Core canticum audite hoc omnes populi auribus percipite universi habitatores occidentis

Psalms 97:4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. [kjv]

εφαναν αι αστραπαι αυτου τη οικουμενη ειδεν και εσαλευθη η γη [lxx]

Psalms 97:4

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KJV: His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

Hebrew: האירו ברקיו תבל ראתה ותחל הארץ׃

Greek: εφαναν αι αστραπαι αυτου τη οικουμενη ειδεν και εσαλευθη η γη

Latin: apparuerunt fulgora eius orbi vidit et contremuit terra

Jeremiah 51:15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. [kjv]

ποιων γην εν τη ισχυι αυτου ετοιμαζων οικουμενην εν τη σοφια αυτου εν τη συνεσει αυτου εξετεινεν τον ουρανον [lxx]

Jeremiah 51:15

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KJV: He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

Hebrew: עשה ארץ בכחו מכין תבל בחכמתו ובתבונתו נטה שמים׃

Greek: ποιων γην εν τη ισχυι αυτου ετοιμαζων οικουμενην εν τη σοφια αυτου εν τη συνεσει αυτου εξετεινεν τον ουρανον

Latin: qui fecit terram in fortitudine sua praeparavit orbem in sapientia sua et prudentia sua extendit caelos

Let us look at the constituent parts of the word «οικουμένη».

The Bible times and modern Greek word "οίκος" (EE-kos) ≈ "house" comes from the same ancient Greek word.

Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. [kjv]

ιδου αφιεται υμιν ο οικος υμων [gnt]

More: Parish the neighborhood thought

The more common Modern Greek word for house is "σπίτι" (SPEE-tee) ≈ "house" which comes from the Latin word for "hospitality".

More: Greek house and village and city

Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. [kjv]

και λεγει αυτοις γεγραπται ο οικος μου οικος προσευχης κληθησεται υμεις δε αυτον ποιειτε σπηλαιον ληστων [gnt]

Matthew 21:13

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KJV: And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Greek: και λεγει αυτοις γεγραπται ο οικος μου οικος προσευχης κληθησεται υμεις δε αυτον εποιησατε ποιειτε σπηλαιον ληστων

Latin: et dicit eis scriptum est domus mea domus orationis vocabitur vos autem fecistis eam speluncam latronum

Wessex: & cwaeð te heom. hit ys awriten min hus ys bed-hus. Witodlice ge worhten þt to þeof-coten.

Wycliffe: And he seith to hem, It is writun, Myn hous schal be clepid an hous of preier; but ye han maad it a denne of theues.

Tyndale: and sayde to them: It is wrytten my housse shalbe called the housse of prayer. But ye have made it a denne of theves.

Luther: Und sprach zu ihnen: Es stehet geschrieben: Mein Haus soll ein Bethaus heißen. Ihr aber habt eine Mördergrube daraus gemacht.

Slavonic: и глагола им: писано есть: храм Мой храм молитвы наречется: вы же сотвористе и вертеп разбойником.

Russian: и говорил им: написано, -дом Мой домом молитвы наречется; а вы сделали его вертепом разбойников.

The English word "ecology" means the study of ("olgy") the living area (e.g., "house" for most humans).

John 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. [kjv]

ταυτα λελαληκα υμιν παρ υμιν μενων [gnt]

The modern Greek word "μένω" (MEH-no) ≈ "stay, remain, reside, live" forms the second part of the word.

But what is the difference between a house and a home? To be continued.

John 14:25

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KJV: These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

Greek: ταυτα λελαληκα υμιν παρ υμιν μενων

Latin: haec locutus sum vobis apud vos manens

Wycliffe: These thingis Y haue spokun to you, dwellynge among you; but thilke Hooli Goost,

Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: [kjv]

ειδως δε τας ενθυμησεις αυτων ειπεν αυτοις πασα βασιλεια μερισθεισα καθ εαυτης ερημουται και πασα πολις η οικια μερισθεισα καθ εαυτης ου σταθησεται [gnt]

Sometimes the word "house" can refer to more than just a simple family "house" as in a kingdom divided or a house divided.

Abraham Lincolns "House divided" speech was given in 1858 after accepting the Illinois Republican Party nomination for senator of the United States. The speech started as follows.
A house divided against itself, cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved - do not expect the house to fall - but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other. Abraham Lincoln (16th U.S. President)

The "house divided against itself cannot stand" is from Mark 3:25 of the Bible.

More: Abraham Lincoln

Matthew 12:25

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KJV: And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

Greek: ειδως δε ο ιησους τας ενθυμησεις αυτων ειπεν αυτοις πασα βασιλεια μερισθεισα καθ εαυτης ερημουται και πασα πολις η οικια μερισθεισα καθ εαυτης ου σταθησεται

Latin: Iesus autem sciens cogitationes eorum dixit eis omne regnum divisum contra se desolatur et omnis civitas vel domus divisa contra se non stabit

Mark 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. [kjv]

και εαν οικια εφ εαυτην μερισθη ου δυνησεται η οικια εκεινη στηναι [gnt]

Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. [kjv]

αυτος δε ειδως αυτων τα διανοηματα ειπεν αυτοις πασα βασιλεια εφ εαυτην διαμερισθεισα ερημουται και οικος επι οικον πιπτει [gnt]

Matthew uses the Greek word for "city" but Mark and Luke use the word for "house". Luke uses the word for "house" twice. Are any of these differences important?

Luke was, in part, writing to the Romans who had experienced many civil wars, so this verse would be well understood.

Mark 3:25

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KJV: And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Greek: και εαν οικια εφ εαυτην μερισθη ου δυναται σταθηναι δυνησεται η οικια εκεινη στηναι

Luke 11:17

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KJV: But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

Greek: αυτος δε ειδως αυτων τα διανοηματα ειπεν αυτοις πασα βασιλεια εφ εαυτην διαμερισθεισα ερημουται και οικος επι οικον πιπτει

Latin: ipse autem ut vidit cogitationes eorum dixit eis omne regnum in se ipsum divisum desolatur et domus supra domum cadet

A phrase that expresses this idea is the following.

United we stand. Divided we fall.

In the process of creating the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin expressed the idea as follows (paraphrased).

We must all hang together or we will certainly all hang separately.

Being united is "good" only if the goals are "good". Some pastors say that we are "better together". This brings to mind the following saying of Jesus.

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [kjv]

εισελθατε δια της στενης πυλης οτι πλατεια και ευρυχωρος η οδος η απαγουσα εις την απωλειαν και πολλοι εισιν οι εισερχομενοι δι αυτης [gnt]

7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [kjv]

οτι στενη η πυλη και τεθλιμμενη η οδος η απαγουσα εις την ζωην και ολιγοι εισιν οι ευρισκοντες αυτην [gnt]

Matthew 7:13

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KJV: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Greek: εισελθετε εισελθατε δια της στενης πυλης οτι πλατειαη πυλη και ευρυχωρος η οδος η απαγουσα εις την απωλειαν και πολλοι εισιν οι εισερχομενοι δι αυτης

Latin: intrate per angustam portam quia lata porta et spatiosa via quae ducit ad perditionem et multi sunt qui intrant per eam

Luther: Gehet ein durch die enge Pforte! Denn die Pforte ist weit, und der Weg ist breit, der zur Verdammnis abführet; und ihrer sind viel, die darauf wandeln.

Matthew 7:14

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KJV: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Greek: οτι στενη η πυλη και τεθλιμμενη η οδος η απαγουσα εις την ζωην και ολιγοι εισιν οι ευρισκοντες αυτην