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An opposite angle on the agony of punishment
by RS  admin@creationpie.org : 1024 x 640
1. An opposite angle on the agony of punishment
Geometry angleThe Greek mathematician Euclid formalized the field of geometry where the angle is a fundamental part of geometry. Many students have had to learn geometry and proofs, etc., though some treat it as "agony".
In Greek, the usual prefix to negate the word for "angle" would be the word for "agony". The words are not related, but a play on words or pun is possible.

Might Paul have used such a play on words in his writings?
2. Overview
To understand this better, here is on overview of the background covered.
3. Initiation into an open and shut mystery
2 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. [kjv]
ω γαρ μη παρεστιν ταυτα τυφλος εστιν μυωπαζων ληθην λαβων του καθαρισμου των παλαι αυτου αμαρτιων [gnt]

Question markThe English word "mystery" comes from the Greek word that had to do, not only with not knowing something, but had to do with initiation rites of secret societies, such as Greek philosophical societies.

It comes from the Greek word for "shut" as in the English word "myopia" as in "shut eye" which appears in 2 Peter 1:9.

Information sign More: Initiation into an open and shut mystery
4. The actual potency and inner workings of energy
Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? [kjv]
ο ουν επιχορηγων υμιν το πνευμα και ενεργων δυναμεις εν υμιν εξ εργων νομου η εξ ακοης πιστεως [gnt]

Energy is a word and concept that has ancient roots but had a different meaning in ancient times. Aristotle first used the ancient Greek word "ενέργεια" ≈ "actuality" for "actuality", literally, "in working".

The ancient Greek word "δύναμις" ≈ "power, might, strength, potentiality" and is used by Aristotle for something that has "potential". The root word is "work" and is used many times in the LXX (Septuagint) and GNT (Greek New Testament).

Information sign More: The actual potency and inner workings of energy
5. The angle on and agony of geometry
Geometry angleThe Greek mathematician Euclid formalized the field of geometry where the angle is a fundamental part of geometry. The Greek words for "angle" and "knee" are related.

Many students have had to learn geometry and proofs, etc., though some perceive it as "agony".

This is ironic (in the modern sense) in that if one adds the usual negation prefix to the Greek word for "angle", the result is the Greek word for "agony" (as in a strenuous athletic competition).
6. Angles
The Germanic tribe known as the "Angles" as in "Anglo-Saxon" gave their name to both "England" and "English".

There are many ideas as to how they became known as the "Angles". According to St. Bede, the Anglo-Saxons were descended from the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes.
7. Hebrew vav as hook and Greek hook, anchor and hug
Hebrew letter וו - hook
The Hebrew word "וו" (vav) ≈ "hook" and is made of two Hebrew "vav" letters. In some fonts, that Hebrew letter has the hook at the top end that represents a "hook".

The ancient Greek word "ἄγκιστρον" ≈ "hook" and comes from "ἀγκάλη" ≈ "bend" which is translated as "hug" in Luke. The word is related to the English word for "anchor" and is related to the word "Angles" from which we get the first part of the word "Anglo-Saxon".
Job 41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? [kjv]
αξεις δε δρακοντα εν αγκιστρω περιθησεις δε φορβεαν περι ρινα αυτου [lxx]

The LXX uses the word for "dragon" or, in modern terms, "dinosaur" for "leviathan".

Information sign More: Tartarus and the bottomless pit
Information sign More: Hebrew vav as hook and Greek hook, anchor and hug
8. Ankle
The English word "ankle" and comes from the Middle English word "ankel" ≈ "ankle" and comes the Old English word "ancol" ≈ "ankle".

The following are related.
9. Triangles
SimplifiedWhen drawing triangles, there are three points to keep in mind.

The ancient Greek word "τρίγωνον" ≈ "triangle" from "τρεῖς" ≈ "three" and "γωνία" ≈ "corner, angle". A "polygon" has "many angles". The modern Greek word "τρίγωνο" (TREE-go-no) ≈ "triangle".
The English word "triangle" comes, through French, from the Latin word "triangulum" ≈ "triangle" from the Latin word "tres" ≈ "three" and the Latin word "angulus" ≈ "corner, angle" which appears to be a calque of the Greek word.
 
There are octagons, heptagons, hexagons, pentagons, etc. One person got very upset when I claimed there were 2-sided polygons. How did I reconcile with that person?
10. Trigonometry
SimplifiedThe field of "trigonometry", a word from the early 1600's, is concerned with the geometry of angles and comes from the new Latin word "trigonometria" ≈ "trigonometry" which comes from two Greek words.
11. Philippians 2:10 Knees bending
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [kjv]
ινα εν τω ονοματι ιησου παν γονυ καμψη επουρανιων και επιγειων και καταχθονιων [gnt]

Geometry angleThe ancient Greek word "γόνυ" ≈ "knee" which is related to the Latin word "genu" ≈ "knee" and the Old English word "cneow" ≈ "knee".
It is not hard to see how a word for "knee" could change into the word for "angle".

The Greek for "all" is singular so there are no exceptions unless modified, for example, by, say, a verb in the subjunctive tense. That is the case here.

Information sign More: Everything and all things: But wait, there's more
12. Philippians 2:10 Knees
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [kjv]
ινα εν τω ονοματι ιησου παν γονυ καμψη επουρανιων και επιγειων και καταχθονιων [gnt]

Philippians 2:10
Strong Used Unique Word Part of speech
The Greek for "all" is singular so there are no exceptions unless modified, for example, by, say, a verb in the subjunctive tense. That is the case here for "bow" or "bend".

That is, every single knee (no exceptions) should bow.
13. Geneva
The PIE (Proto Indo-European) root is "*GONU" ≈ "knee".

A related word is the English word "Geneva" as in the city in Switzerland named for the bending river there.
14. Philippians 2:10
   Philippians 2:10 
 All 
KJV: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Greek: ινα εν τω ονοματι ιησου παν γονυ καμψη επουρανιων και επιγειων και καταχθονιων
15. Modern Greek
16. Diagram- knee
Linguistic diagram of knee
17. Bowing
The following "things" should "bow" or "bend".
18. A prefix alpha to negate
Greek letter
The Greek prefix "α" (alpha) negates the word for which it is a prefix. This has come through to English in many pairs of words.
periodic aperiodic
political apolitical
synchronous asynchronous
theist atheist
typical atypical
The same idea comes through in many English words taken from the Greek.
In Greek, however, there are a number of words that developed independently of the alpha-negation prefix such that they can be play on words with those alpha-negated words.

Information sign More: Do not no way use double negatives
19. Philippians 1:30 Athletic agony
Philippians 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. [kjv]
τον αυτον αγωνα εχοντες οιον ειδετε εν εμοι και νυν ακουετε εν εμοι [gnt]

The (passive) "conflict" (as if within himself) is a Greek (active) word "fight" or "race" or "struggle" as used for athletic contests. The ancient Greek word "ἀγωνία" ≈ "competition, struggle" and is the source of the English word "agony".

In the past, one could "see" Paul persecuting the church. Now, one can "hear" Paul preaching the truth. This distinction is reemphasized later in Philippians. The Greek word for "hearing" assumes understanding of what is heard.
20. Thrill of victory

Many remember the ABC Sports line "the thrill of victory" and "the agony of defeat" as a skier, Vinko Bogataj, loses control on a downhill slope.

Many running injuries can be traced to the foot. It is the "agony of de feet".

The English word "agony" comes from the ancient Greek word "αγωνια" ≈ "competition" which in many cases resulted in pain and agony.
21. Latin
Philippians 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. [kjv]
τον αυτον αγωνα εχοντες οιον ειδετε εν εμοι και νυν ακουετε εν εμοι [gnt]
… certamen … vidistis … audistis … [v]

The Latin word "certamen" ≈ "fight, struggle".
22. Philippians 1:30
   Philippians 1:30 
 All 
KJV: Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Greek: τον αυτον αγωνα εχοντες οιον ιδετε ειδετε εν εμοι και νυν ακουετε εν εμοι
Latin: eundem certamen habentes qualem et vidistis in me et nunc audistis de me
23. Strongs - conflict
24. Punishment by punny puns
Luke 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. [kjv]
μακαριοι οι πεινωντες νυν οτι χορτασθησεσθε μακαριοι οι κλαιοντες νυν οτι γελασετε [gnt]

A pun is a play on words or double meaning for a word or phrase. Some people love puns. Some people hate puns. There are many puns, or play on words, used in Hebrew (and Greek) in the Bible. Most puns are by sound, some by meaning, etc.

Information sign More: Punishment by Spoonerisms: switched consonants
Information sign More: Punishment by mondegreens: misheard lyrics
Information sign More: Romans 16 A belly-ache pun on useful Christ-like words
Information sign More: A pause for rest
Information sign More: Punishment by punny puns
25. Possible puns
Given the background, let us see of any of the places where Paul uses the (more active) word "agony", often translated as the (more passive) word "conflict", Paul might have had a double-meaning or pun in mind.
26. Word usage
The usage of the Greek word for "agony" in 18 verses is as follows.
27. Possible puns
The letters to Corinth and Ephesus (Timothy), as well as Hebrews, use the word "agony" in the context of athletic competition - the primary meaning of the word.

The leading candidate for possible puns is the letter to the city of Colossae which has many explicit mention of (Greek) philosophy and allusions to Greek mathematics and logic on which much of that philosophy is based.

The other pun possibilities are in the letters to Philippi and Thesolonica.
28. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Effectual working
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. [kjv]
και δια τουτο και ημεις ευχαριστουμεν τω θεω αδιαλειπτως οτι παραλαβοντες λογον ακοης παρ ημων του θεου εδεξασθε ου λογον ανθρωπων αλλα καθως αληθως εστιν λογον θεου ος και ενεργειται εν υμιν τοις πιστευουσιν [gnt]

How does the "effectually worketh" compare with the Aristotelian idea of "actuality"?

Information sign More: Taking a vacation on praying without ceasing
Information sign More: A pause for rest
Information sign More: The actual potency and inner workings of energy
Information sign More: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20
29. Colossians 1:29
Colossians 1:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. [kjv]
εις ο και κοπιω αγωνιζομενος κατα την ενεργειαν αυτου την ενεργουμενην εν εμοι εν δυναμει [gnt]

The words for "working" and "mighty" had an additional special meaning in the philosophy of Aristotle.

Information sign More: The actual potency and inner workings of energy
Paul is working as in an active laboring, the base meaning of "agony". This verse is a lead-in to chapter 2 which talks about the dangers of philosophy using additional terms that had meaning in philosophy.

Could Paul have a double meaning in that he is "not an angle" in that he is aware of the dangers of (passive) philosophy thinking?

Information sign More: Colossians 1:1-29
30. Colossians 2:1 Philosophy and empty deception
Colossians 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; [kjv]
θελω γαρ υμας ειδεναι ηλικον αγωνα εχω υπερ υμων και των εν λαοδικεια και οσοι ουχ το προσωπον μου εν σαρκι [gnt]

This verse starts the chapter about the dangers of philosophy and empty deception.

Paul is actively laboring in the Greek "agony" rather than passively thinking in philosophy as in "not an angle" as in "this is not geometry class".
31. Colossians 2:1
   Colossians 2:1 
 All 
KJV: For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Greek: θελω γαρ υμας ειδεναι ηλικον αγωνα εχω περι υπερ υμων και των εν λαοδικεια και οσοι ουχ εωρακασιν εορακαν το προσωπον μου εν σαρκι
32. Colossians 4:12 Epaphras
Since the other two verses where the word for "agony" may have a double-meaning, the remaining verse, at the end of the letter, is included.

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. [kjv]
ασπαζεται υμας επαφρας ο εξ υμων δουλος χριστου ιησου παντοτε αγωνιζομενος υπερ υμων εν ταις προσευχαις ινα τελειοι και πεπληροφορημενοι εν παντι θεληματι του θεου [gnt]

To be "complete" one should be actively laboring in the Greek "agony" rather than passively thinking in philosophy as in "not an angle".
33. Colossians 4:12
   Colossians 4:12 
 All 
KJV: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Greek: ασπαζεται υμας επαφρας ο εξ υμων δουλος χριστου ιησου παντοτε αγωνιζομενος υπερ υμων εν ταις προσευχαις ινα στητε σταθητε τελειοι και πεπληρωμενοι πεπληροφορημενοι εν παντι θεληματι του θεου
34. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Competition
1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. [kjv]
αλλα προπαθοντες και υβρισθεντες καθως οιδατε εν φιλιπποις επαρρησιασαμεθα εν τω θεω ημων λαλησαι προς υμας το ευαγγελιον του θεου εν πολλω αγωνι [gnt]

Here the word for "agony" is translated by the KJV as "contention". Greek has other words that would indicate contention or commotion.

Information sign More: Eristic reasoning creates strife and contention
Information sign More: A mania for confusing commotions
The Greek translated as "contention" is that of "competing" as in an athletic competition.

Information sign More: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20
35. Luke
The verses in Luke, Isaiah and Daniel are interesting though it appears that no double meaning can be discerned here.
36. Luke 13:23-24 Gates in Luke
Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, [kjv]
ειπεν δε τις αυτω κυριε ει ολιγοι οι σωζομενοι ο δε ειπεν προς αυτους [gnt]
13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. [kjv]
αγωνιζεσθε εισελθειν δια της στενης θυρας οτι πολλοι λεγω υμιν ζητησουσιν εισελθειν και ουκ ισχυσουσιν [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "αγονία" ≈ "contest, competition". This is an active striving as in athletic competition. It is not a passive thought process.

What people remembered in Luke is not what is in Matthew. The two "gates" become one. The word for "door" is changed and thus loses the play on words. The "strait" is not "straight" but "narrow" as in the "strait" of "Gibraltar" or the "Bering" "strait".

The KJV translates as "not be able" the Greek that is "not strong (enough)". To be "strong" enough to "enter in" the "gate" to "loss" or "destruction" one needs to be a "wolf" or "bird" and "few" do this.

Information sign More: Matthew 5:39 Turning the other cheek
Information sign More: Matthew 7:13-14 Strait talk about narrow and wide gates
37. Luke 22:44 Prayer in Luke
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. [kjv]
και γενομενος εν αγωνια εκτενεστερον προσηυχετο και εγενετο ο ιδρως αυτου ωσει θρομβοι αιματος καταβαινοντες επι την [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "αγονία" ≈ "contest, competition" and is the source of the English word "agony". An active striving, as in a sports competition, is a very strenuous and tiring experience. The KJV word of "agony" is somewhat misleading in this respect.

The KJV translates as "as it were" (as a given fact) what in the Greek is "as if" as an analogy or comparison. That is, a "potentiality" (in Greek) and not an "actuality" (in English).

The ancient Greek word "θρόμβος" ≈ "piece, lump, clot" and is the source of the English word "thrombosis" as a "blood clot". The "great" is added in the KJV as an assumption. The "drops" could be small, medium, large, etc.

The ancient Greek word "αἷμα" ≈ "blood" and is the source of the English word "anemic".

Note the common linguistic connection between "blood dropping" to "drop of blood" to "droplet".

Information sign More: The one drop of blood salvation fallacy
38. Isaiah 7:13 Isaiah
KJV:
Isaiah 7:13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? [kjv]

LXX:
και ειπεν ακουσατε δη οικος δαυιδ μη μικρον υμιν αγωνα παρεχειν ανθρωποις και πως κυριω παρεχετε αγωνα [lxx]
And he said, Hear you° now, O house of David; is it a little thing for you to contend with men? and how do you° contend against the Lord? [bs3]

39. Isaiah 7:13
   Isaiah 7:13 
 All 
KJV: And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
Hebrew: ויאמר שמעו נא בית דוד המעט מכם הלאות אנשים כי תלאו גם את אלהי׃
Greek: και ειπεν ακουσατε δη οικος δαυιδ μη μικρον υμιν αγωνα παρεχειν ανθρωποις και πως κυριω παρεχετε αγωνα
Brenton: And he said, Hear you° now, O house of David; is it a little thing for you to contend with men? and how do you° contend against the Lord?
40. Daniel 6:14 Den of lions
KJV:
Daniel 6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. [kjv]

LXX:
τοτε ο βασιλευς ως το ρημα ηκουσεν πολυ ελυπηθη επ αυτω και περι του δανιηλ ηγωνισατο του εξελεσθαι αυτον και εως εσπερας ην αγωνιζομενος του εξελεσθαι αυτον [lxx]
Then the king, when he heard the saying, was much grieved for Daniel and he greatly exerted himself for Daniel to deliver him: and he exerted himself till evening to deliver him. [bs3]

41. Daniel 6:14
   Daniel 6:14 
 All 
KJV: Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
Hebrew: אדין מלכא כדי מלתא שמע שגיא באש עלוהי ועל דניאל שם בל לשיזבותה ועד מעלי שמשא הוא משתדר להצלותה׃
Greek: τοτε ο βασιλευς ως το ρημα ηκουσεν πολυ ελυπηθη επ αυτω και περι του δανιηλ ηγωνισατο του εξελεσθαι αυτον και εως εσπερας ην αγωνιζομενος του εξελεσθαι αυτον
Brenton: Then the king, when he heard the saying, was much grieved for Daniel and he greatly exerted himself for Daniel to deliver him: and he exerted himself till evening to deliver him.
42. End of page
by RS  admin@creationpie.org : 1024 x 640