- *G438 *4 ἄνθος (anth'-os) : a primary word; a blossom:--flower.
- ανθος *4
- James 1:10 ... is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
- James 1:11 ... it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and ...
- 1 Peter 1:24 ... of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
27. Tittle
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
… iota … apex … [v]
We see an possible reference to thorns in Matthew in reference to the tittle of jot and tittle. Remember that the original language appears to be Aramaic and Matthew (or perhaps someone working with him) would have translated it into Greek.
The original Greek word used in the verse for "
tittle" is "
κεραία". The ancient Greek word
"κεραία" ≈ "little horn, insect antenna". In writing, it could mean the top of a letter.
The modern Greek word
"κεραία" (keh-REH-a) ≈ "antenna".
28. Matthew 5:18
KJV: For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Greek: αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται
Latin: amen quippe dico vobis donec transeat caelum et terra iota unum aut unus apex non praeteribit a lege donec omnia fiant
Wessex: Soðes on eornest ich segge eow. aer þan þe gewitan heofone & eorðe an. i. oððe an prike. ne gewit fram þare lage. aer þan ealle þing gewurðan.
Wycliffe: Forsothe Y seie to you, til heuene and erthe passe, o lettir or o titel shal not passe fro the lawe, til alle thingis be doon.
Tyndale: For truely I saye vnto you till heven and erth perisshe one iott or one tytle of the lawe shall not scape tyll all be fulfilled.
Luther: Denn ich sage euch: Wahrlich, bis daß Himmel und Erde vergehe, wird nicht vergehen der kleinste Buchstabe noch ein Tüttel vom Gesetz, bis daß es alles geschehe.
29. Latin
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. [kjv]
αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν εως αν παρελθη ο ουρανος και η γη ιωτα εν η μια κεραια ου μη παρελθη απο του νομου εως αν παντα γενηται [gnt]
… iota … apex … [v]
The Latin word
"apex" ≈ "top" and is the origin of the English word "
apex". This is the Latin word used where the English has "
tittle".
30. Horns and thorns
The modern Greek word
"κέρας" (KEH-ras) ≈ "horn" and is the origin of English words such as
"cornet" (horn used to make sounds by blowing into it),
"cornucopia" (mythical horn of plenty),
"corner" (projecting point),
"triceratops" (thee-horned), etc.
The "
little horn" in Greek and the "
apex" in Latin, which in English is translated "
tittle", appear to be in reference to the Hebrew word
"קוץ" (qots) ≈ "thorn", through Aramaic, which could refer to all the rules of the law which were as
"thorns" in the side.
The Hebrew word for
"thorn" goes back to the original curse from Genesis 3:17-19.
31. Kingdom parables
Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: [kjv]
αλλα δε επεσεν επι τας ακανθας και ανεβησαν αι ακανθαι και απεπνιξαν αυτα [gnt]
In the first Kingdom parable in Matthew 13, Jesus uses the term
"thorns" in the parable and then explains what the
"thorns" represent.
First the parable. In the parable of the sower and the seed, some seed fell among thorns.
32. Matthew 13:7
KJV: And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
Greek: αλλα δε επεσεν επι τας ακανθας και ανεβησαν αι ακανθαι και απεπνιξαν αυτα
Latin: alia autem ceciderunt in spinas et creverunt spinae et suffocaverunt ea
Slavonic: другая же падоша в тернии, и взыде терние и подави их:
Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. [kjv]
ο δε εις τας ακανθας σπαρεις ουτος εστιν ο τον λογον ακουων και η μεριμνα του αιωνος και η απατη του πλουτου συμπνιγει τον λογον και ακαρπος γινεται [gnt]
Now the explanation of the
"thorns" in the parable.
Can the "
deceitfulness of riches" be part of the thorns and part of the curse of Genesis?
33. Matthew 13:22
Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. [kjv]
ο δε εις τας ακανθας σπαρεις ουτος εστιν ο τον λογον ακουων και η μεριμνα του αιωνος και η απατη του πλουτου συμπνιγει τον λογον και ακαρπος γινεται [gnt]
Can the "
deceitfulness of riches" be part of the thorns and part of the curse of Genesis?
34. Matthew 13:22
KJV: He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Greek: ο δε εις τας ακανθας σπαρεις ουτος εστιν ο τον λογον ακουων και η μεριμνα του αιωνος τουτου και η απατη του πλουτου συμπνιγει τον λογον και ακαρπος γινεται
Latin: qui autem est seminatus in spinis hic est qui verbum audit et sollicitudo saeculi istius et fallacia divitiarum suffocat verbum et sine fructu efficitur
35. Matthew 13:22 Care of the age
The ancient Greek word
"μέριμνα" ≈ "care, pursuit" and is related to the Latin word
"memor" ≈ "mindful" and the Old English word
"mimor" ≈ "mindful" as in remembering. The
PIE root
"*(S)MER" ≈ "remember" is the root word of the English word
"memory".
In the first Kingdom Parable of the sower in Matthew 13, Jesus compares the
"care" of the "
age" (not world) with the "
deceitfulness of riches"
Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. [kjv]
ο δε εις τας ακανθας σπαρεις ουτος εστιν ο τον λογον ακουων και η μεριμνα του αιωνος και η απατη του πλουτου συμπνιγει τον λογον και ακαρπος γινεται [gnt]
The modern Greek word
"μέριμνα" (MEH-ree-mna) ≈ "care, pursuit".
36. Witness
The ancient Greek word for care or pursuit is related to the ancient Greek word
"μάρτυς" ≈ "witness" and is the source of the English word "
martyr" from many "
witnesses" for Christ being killed for their witness.
In this sense, one's cares, concerns and pursuits are one's witness - what one keeps in mind, is mindful of, and is in one's memory.
37. Crowned with thorns
Matthew 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! [kjv]
και πλεξαντες στεφανον εξ ακανθων επεθηκαν επι της κεφαλης αυτου και καλαμον εν τη δεξια αυτου και γονυπετησαντες εμπροσθεν αυτου ενεπαιξαν αυτω λεγοντες χαιρε βασιλευ των ιουδαιων [gnt]
… spinis … [v]
Before the actual crucifixion, the soldiers place a crown of thorns on Jesus.
If thorns represent the cares and concerns of this world, which can choke us and keep us from bearing fruit, then by taking the crown of thorns, Jesus takes these cares and concerns on himself.
The crown of thorns is different than a favorite hymn of dentists: "
Crown him with many crowns".
38. Matthew 27:29
KJV: And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
Greek: και πλεξαντες στεφανον εξ ακανθων επεθηκαν επι την κεφαλην της κεφαλης αυτου και καλαμον επι την δεξιαν εν τη δεξια αυτου και γονυπετησαντες εμπροσθεν αυτου ενεπαιζον ενεπαιξαν αυτω λεγοντες χαιρε ο βασιλευς βασιλευ των ιουδαιων
Latin: et plectentes coronam de spinis posuerunt super caput eius et harundinem in dextera eius et genu flexo ante eum inludebant dicentes have rex Iudaeorum
39. Song: Crown Him with many crowns
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. [kjv]
19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. [kjv]
19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [kjv]
The hymn "
Crown Him with many crowns", written in 1851, has illusions of Revelation 19 and the white horse (of the Apocalypse).
Brush up on your Bible studies or you will have truth decay.
40. 1 Peter 5:6-8
41. 1 Peter 5:6
KJV: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Greek: ταπεινωθητε ουν υπο την κραταιαν χειρα του θεου ινα υμας υψωση εν καιρω
42. 1 Peter 5:7
KJV: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Greek: πασαν την μεριμναν υμων επιρριψαντες επιριψαντες επ αυτον οτι αυτω μελει περι υμων
43. 1 Peter 5:8
KJV: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Greek: νηψατε γρηγορησατε οτι ο αντιδικος υμων διαβολος ως λεων ωρυομενος περιπατει ζητων τινα καταπιη καταπιειν
Latin: sobrii estote vigilate quia adversarius vester diabolus tamquam leo rugiens circuit quaerens quem devoret
Slavonic: Трезвитеся, бодрствуйте, зане супостат ваш диавол, яко лев рыкая, ходит, иский кого поглотити:
44. Devouring
An easy way to trap people, so they can be devoured, is to provide a nice way to get distracted by the cares of this world - including riches that can cause one to be unfruitful.
45. Social media
Social media is one place where the cares and concerns of this world can become a virtual and distracting environment that can choke fruitfulness.
Discussion question: Of what good and of what harm is social media of today in terms of the above verses?
46. Matthew 19:23-24 Riches
47. Paul and Timothy
1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [kjv]
οι δε βουλομενοι πλουτειν εμπιπτουσιν εις πειρασμον και παγιδα και επιθυμιας πολλας ανοητους και βλαβερας αιτινες βυθιζουσιν τους ανθρωπους εις ολεθρον και απωλειαν [gnt]
This warning is repeated by Paul to Timothy (Bishop of Ephesus).
48. 1 Timothy 6:9
KJV: But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Greek: οι δε βουλομενοι πλουτειν εμπιπτουσιν εις πειρασμον και παγιδα και επιθυμιας πολλας ανοητους και βλαβερας αιτινες βυθιζουσιν τους ανθρωπους εις ολεθρον και απωλειαν
Latin: nam qui volunt divites fieri incidunt in temptationem et laqueum et desideria multa inutilia et nociva quae mergunt homines in interitum et perditionem
Wycliffe: For thei that wolen be maad riche, fallen in to temptacioun, and`in to snare of the deuel, and in to many vnprofitable desiris and noyous, whiche drenchen men in to deth and perdicioun.
Luther: Denn die da reich werden wollen, die fallen in Versuchung und Stricke und viel törichter und schädlicher Lüste, welche versenken die Menschen ins Verderben und Verdammnis.
49. The rich and powerful words of the kingdom of the Goths
The Gothic word "
amalric" means, literally "
rich-ruler" or "
powerful-ruler" where the terms "
rich" and "
powerful" have a lot in common. The German word "
reich" as in "
rich" or "
Third" "
Reich" is related.
English names from this word include "Emory", "Emmerich".
Italian names from this word include "Amerigo", "Amelia", "Ameri-kay" or, in short form, "Kay".
Spanish names from this word include "Americo".
The first name of the Spanish explorer "
Amerigo Vespucci" was used to name the area of the New World called "
America". The name "
America" first appeared in print in a 1507 map.
50. Discussion
Has this rich and powerful status been a "thorn in the side" for America?
Has this rich and powerful status, and the related concerns, had any impact on the spiritual fitness of America?
How does what Jesus, Paul and Peter say impact your view?
51. End of page
Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [kjv]
וקוץודרדר … [he]
ακανθας και τριβολους ανατελει σοι και φαγη τον χορτον του αγρου [lxx]
Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: [kjv]
αλλα δε επεσεν επι τας ακανθας και ανεβησαν αι ακανθαι και απεπνιξαν αυτα [gnt]
Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; [kjv]
τω δε αδαμ ειπεν οτι ηκουσας της φωνης της γυναικος σου και εφαγες απο του ξυλου ου ενετειλαμην σοι τουτου μονου μη φαγειν απ αυτου επικαταρατος η γη εν τοις εργοις σου εν λυπαις φαγη αυτην πασας τας ημερας της ζωης σου [lxx]
Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [kjv]
וקוץודרדר … [he]
ακανθας και τριβολους ανατελει σοι και φαγη τον χορτον του αγρου [lxx]
Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [kjv]
וקוץודרדר … [he]
ακανθας και τριβολους ανατελει σοι και φαγη τον χορτον του αγρου [lxx]
Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [kjv]
וקוץודרדר … [he]
ακανθας και τριβολους ανατελει σοι και φαγη τον χορτον του αγρου [lxx]
Let us move back to "thorns".
James 1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. [kjv]
ο δε πλουσιος εν τη ταπεινωσει αυτου οτι ως ανθος χορτου παρελευσεται [gnt]
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [kjv]
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλας η απο τριβολων συκα [gnt]
1 Peter 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: [kjv]
διοτι πασα σαρξ ως χορτος και πασα δοξα αυτης ως ανθος χορτου εξηρανθη ο χορτος και το ανθος εξεπεσεν [gnt]
1 Peter 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: [kjv]
διοτι πασα σαρξ ως χορτος και πασα δοξα αυτης ως ανθος χορτου εξηρανθη ο χορτος και το ανθος εξεπεσεν [gnt]
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [kjv]
5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. [kjv]
πασαν την μεριμναν υμων επιριψαντες επ αυτον οτι αυτω μελει περι υμων [gnt]
5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [kjv]
νηψατε γρηγορησατε ο αντιδικος υμων διαβολος ως λεων ωρυομενος περιπατει ζητων καταπιειν [gnt]
Matthew 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
ο δε ιησους ειπεν τοις μαθηταις αυτου αμην λεγω υμιν οτι πλουσιος δυσκολως εισελευσεται εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων [gnt]
19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. [kjv]
παλιν δε λεγω υμιν ευκοπωτερον εστιν καμηλον δια τρηματος ραφιδος η πλουσιον εις την βασιλειαν του θεου [gnt]
