Ready to try anything crafty

The KJV (King James Version) uses the word "crafty" for a Greek word that means "ready to try anything" as in the phrase "grasping at straws" or "stopping at nothing".

The English word "crafty" means "skillful at deceiving", "sneaky", etc. This meaning appears to be only in the GNT (Greek New Testament) and comes from the Latin word "dolus" ≈ "trickery, deceit".

The ancient Greek word "πανοῦργος" ≈ "ready to try anything" but usually in a bad sense and comes from two Greek words.

"πᾶν" ≈ "everything, anything" as in the Greek god "Pan" an appears in English words such as "pan-American", "pandemic", "panorama", etc.
"ἔργον" ≈ "work" as in the physics measurement term "erg" the English word "ergonomics" as, literally, "work laws", and "liturgy" as, literally, "work of the people" or "work of the laity".

Ready to try anything.
Grasping at straws.
Last ditch effort.
Bet everything on one roll of the dice.
Stopping at nothing.

Luke 20:22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? [kjv]

εξεστιν ημας καισαρι φορον δουναι η ου [gnt]

20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? [kjv]

κατανοησας δε αυτων την πανουργιαν ειπεν προς αυτους [gnt]

… dolum … [v]

The "Why tempt ye me?" is not in some Greek manuscripts.

The ancient Greek word "πανοῦργος" ≈ "ready to try anything" but usually in a bad sense.

The English word "crafty" means "skillful at deceiving", "sneaky", etc. This meaning appears to be only in the GNT and comes from the Latin word "dolus" ≈ "trickery, deceit".

Luke 20:22

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KJV: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

Greek: εξεστιν ημιν ημας καισαρι φορον δουναι η ου

Luke 20:23

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KJV: But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

Greek: κατανοησας δε αυτων την πανουργιαν ειπεν προς αυτους τι με πειραζετε

Latin: considerans autem dolum illorum dixit ad eos quid me temptatis

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1 Jesus teaches people

2 Matthew writes Gospel

3 Luke writes Gospel

Luke records and correctly reports what people remembered as to the meaning of what Jesus said, sometimes using other words. This often loses the additional meanings as recorded in Matthew.

More: Parables and secret codes explained by Jesus

Many of the differences between Matthew and Luke can be explained by the context in which each was written.

Jesus: Jew, spoke Aramaic and Greek.
Matthew: Jew, spoke Aramaic and Greek, eyewitness, took notes.
Luke: Greek, spoke Greek, interviewed eyewitnesses about their memory.

More: An errant look at Biblical inerrancy and infallibility

More: Shock and awe

Luke 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? [kjv]

κατανοησας δε αυτων την πανουργιαν ειπεν προς αυτους [gnt]

… dolum … [v]

Luke is based on what people remembered when interviewed by Luke some twenty years later.

Matthew 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? [kjv]

γνους δε ο ιησους την πονηριαν αυτων ειπεν τι με πειραζετε υποκριται [gnt]

Matthew was an eye-witness and took shorthand which appears to get closer to what Jesus actually said. The "Why tempt ye me?" in Luke appears to have been added from Matthew.

The Greek for "wickedness" is that of oppression.
The Greek for "tempt" is that of examination using what the person believes to be true.
The Greek for "hypocrites" is that of acting or pretending.

More: Evil training is toilsome work: no pain no gain

More: Matthew 4:1-11, 6:13: Examining evil temptations

More: An actor as a hypocrite is not real

More: Hypocritical behavior not called hypocritical

Matthew 22:18

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KJV: But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

Greek: γνους δε ο ιησους την πονηριαν αυτων ειπεν τι με πειραζετε υποκριται

*G3834 *5 πανουργία (pan-oorg-ee'-ah) : from G3835 πανοῦργος; adroitness, i.e. (in a bad sense) trickery or sophistry:--(cunning) craftiness, subtilty.

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πανουργια *4

1 Corinthians 3:19 ... the wise in their own craftiness.
2 Corinthians 4:2 ... not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word ...
2 Corinthians 11:3 ... Eve through his subtilty, so your minds ...
Ephesians 4:14 ... the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

πανουργιαν

Luke 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, ...

*G3835 *0 πανοῦργος (pan-oor'-gos) : from G3956 and G2041; all-working, i.e. adroit (shrewd):--crafty.

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πανουργος

2 Corinthians 12:16 ... you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

*G3834 *5 πανουργία (pan-oorg-ee'-ah) : from G3835 πανοῦργος; adroitness, i.e. (in a bad sense) trickery or sophistry:--(cunning) craftiness, subtilty.

*G3835 *0 πανοῦργος (pan-oor'-gos) : from G3956 and G2041; all-working, i.e. adroit (shrewd):--crafty.

Words: πανουργια=4 πανουργιαν πανουργος

Strongs gives the idea of being clever or subtle or "crafty" which appears to come from the Latin and not from the original Greek.

The Greek meaning is closer to "ready to try anything" as in "grasping at straws".

When someone is desperate and "ready to try anything", they are not always clever or subtle and tend to make mistakes as a "last ditch effort".

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. [kjv]

η γαρ σοφια του κοσμου τουτου μωρια παρα τω θεω εστιν γεγραπται γαρ ο δρασσομενος τους σοφους εν τη πανουργια αυτων [gnt]

… astutia … [v]

… wisdom… [wy]

… craftynes. [ty]

wise

The Latin word "astutia" ≈ "cunning, full of tricks" and is the source of the English word "astute".

1 Corinthians 3:19

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KJV: For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Greek: η γαρ σοφια του κοσμου τουτου μωρια παρα τω θεω εστιν γεγραπται γαρ ο δρασσομενος τους σοφους εν τη πανουργια αυτων

Latin: sapientia enim huius mundi stultitia est apud Deum scriptum est enim conprehendam sapientes in astutia eorum

Wycliffe: For the wisdom of this world is foli anentis God; for it is writun, Y schal catche wise men in her fel wisdom;

Tyndale: For ye wisdome of this worlde is folysshnes with god. For it is writte: he compaseth the wyse in their craftynes.

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; [kjv]

δια τουτο εχοντες την διακονιαν ταυτην καθως ηλεηθημεν ουκ εγκακουμεν [gnt]

4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. [kjv]

αλλα απειπαμεθα τα κρυπτα της αισχυνης μη περιπατουντες εν πανουργια μηδε δολουντες τον λογον του θεου αλλα τη φανερωσει της αληθειας συνιστανοντες εαυτους προς πασαν συνειδησιν ανθρωπων ενωπιον του θεου [gnt]

… astutia … [v]

4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [kjv]

ει δε και εστιν κεκαλυμμενον το ευαγγελιον ημων εν τοις απολλυμενοις εστιν κεκαλυμμενον [gnt]

What is Paul saying in verse 2?

2 Corinthians 4:1

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KJV: Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

Greek: δια τουτο εχοντες την διακονιαν ταυτην καθως ηλεηθημεν ουκ εκκακουμεν εγκακουμεν

2 Corinthians 4:2

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KJV: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Greek: αλλ αλλα απειπαμεθα τα κρυπτα της αισχυνης μη περιπατουντες εν πανουργια μηδε δολουντες τον λογον του θεου αλλα τη φανερωσει της αληθειας συνιστωντες συνιστανοντες εαυτους προς πασαν συνειδησιν ανθρωπων ενωπιον του θεου

Latin: sed abdicamus occulta dedecoris non ambulantes in astutia neque adulterantes verbum Dei sed in manifestatione veritatis commendantes nosmet ipsos ad omnem conscientiam hominum coram Deo

2 Corinthians 4:3

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KJV: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Greek: ει δε και εστιν κεκαλυμμενον το ευαγγελιον ημων εν τοις απολλυμενοις εστιν κεκαλυμμενον

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [kjv]

φοβουμαι δε μη πως ως ο οφις εξηπατησεν ευαν εν τη πανουργια αυτου φθαρη τα νοηματα υμων απο της απλοτητος και της αγνοτητος της εις τον χριστον [gnt]

2 Corinthians 11:3

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KJV: But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Greek: φοβουμαι δε μηπως μη πως ως ο οφις ευαν εξηπατησεν ευαν εν τη πανουργια αυτου ουτως φθαρη τα νοηματα υμων απο της απλοτητος και της αγνοτητος της εις τον χριστον

2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. [kjv]

12:16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. [kjv]

εστω δε εγω ου κατεβαρησα υμας αλλα υπαρχων πανουργος δολω υμας ελαβον [gnt]

12:17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? [kjv]

Was Paul being clever and deceptive?
Was Paul ready to "grasp at straws" and "ready to try anything"?

2 Corinthians 12:15

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KJV: And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

Greek: εγω δε ηδιστα δαπανησω και εκδαπανηθησομαι υπερ των ψυχων υμων ει και περισσοτερως υμας αγαπων ηττον αγαπω ησσον αγαπωμαι

2 Corinthians 12:16

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KJV: But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

Greek: εστω δε εγω ου κατεβαρησα υμας αλλ αλλα υπαρχων πανουργος δολω υμας ελαβον

2 Corinthians 12:17

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KJV: Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

Greek: μη τινα ων απεσταλκα προς υμας δι αυτου επλεονεκτησα υμας

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [kjv]

ινα μηκετι ωμεν νηπιοι κλυδωνιζομενοι και περιφερομενοι παντι ανεμω της διδασκαλιας εν τη κυβεια των ανθρωπων εν πανουργια προς την μεθοδειαν της πλανης [gnt]

Paul talks of deception in various ways in Ephesians 4:14. The ancient Greek word "μέθοδος" ≈ "following after, pursuit" and is used here for as "deception". The KJV translates this as "lie in wait". Who are the "they"?

The ancient Greek word "πλάνη" ≈ "wandering, roaming" and, figuratively, "going astray" or "in error". as in wandering off-target.

The ancient Greek word "πανοῦργος" ≈ "ready to try anything" and is often translated as "crafty".

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [kjv]

ινα μηκετι ωμεν νηπιοι κλυδωνιζομενοι και περιφερομενοι παντι ανεμω της διδασκαλιας εν τη κυβεια των ανθρωπων εν πανουργια προς την μεθοδειαν της πλανης [gnt]

The following is conducive to a play on words in the Greek. Paul appears to do this once in Ephesians 4:14. The Greek for "doctrine" is that of "teaching".

"ἄνεμος" ≈ "wind, breeze, gale" and often used in verses with Satin or the devil as "accuser" throwing/breathing accusations.
"ἄνομος" ≈ "without law" which could be "lawless", "impious", "unmusical", "illegal", etc.
English: ... carried about by every wind of teaching.
Play on words: ... carried about by every without-law teaching.

Any teaching that goes against "Loving God" or "Loving neighbor as yourself" would be "without-law" or "against-law".

More: Ephesians 6: Defending the full armor of God

More: An unlawful wind as an air of the spirit

Ephesians 4:14

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KJV: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Greek: ινα μηκετι ωμεν νηπιοι κλυδωνιζομενοι και περιφερομενοι παντι ανεμω της διδασκαλιας εν τη κυβεια των ανθρωπων εν πανουργια προς την μεθοδειαν της πλανης

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [kjv]

ινα μηκετι ωμεν νηπιοι κλυδωνιζομενοι και περιφερομενοι παντι ανεμω της διδασκαλιας εν τη κυβεια των ανθρωπων εν πανουργια προς την μεθοδειαν της πλανης [gnt]

… astutia … circumventionem erroris [v]

The Greek translated as "deceive" is that of wandering off course as a "planet" which comes from that Greek word.
The Greek translated as "lie in wait" is that of having a "method" of "wandering". Is the method that "wanders" and is, perhaps, not well though out.

The "slight of men" is that of "rolling the dice".

cunning craftiness

ready to try anything

Ephesians 4:14

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KJV: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Greek: ινα μηκετι ωμεν νηπιοι κλυδωνιζομενοι και περιφερομενοι παντι ανεμω της διδασκαλιας εν τη κυβεια των ανθρωπων εν πανουργια προς την μεθοδειαν της πλανης

Latin: ut iam non simus parvuli fluctuantes et circumferamur omni vento doctrinae in nequitia hominum in astutia ad circumventionem erroris