πράσσω - perform repeatedly

G4238

Greek - πράσσω

English spelling is prassō

It is pronounced pras'-so

A primary verb; to “practise”, that is, perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from G4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication to execute, accomplish, etc.; specifically to collect (dues), fare (personally): - commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts.

The following is a scripture containing the word prassō .

John 3:20 - For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

When I first read this scripture years ago, the words that I have highlighted really bothered me because I knew that I made decisions at times to do things that were wrong. Yet I knew in my heart that I had a love for Jesus and that He was truly the light that came into the world as stated in the previous verse.

In prior verses I found that whoever didn't believe in the only Son of God was judged already by his love for darkness, shadiness more than the light that was manifest to man. Why? Because their deeds were hurtful or evil. Yes, that does describe my human nature, yet I do believe in and love the Son of God, but sometimes I mess up and do something that's hurtful to another without thinking about it, only to find myself asking whoever I hurt to forgive me later. Couldn't everyone identify somehow with the way I was feeling about the words "that does" found in this verse. This is how it is worded in the KJV version which has been used since the 1600's?

I thank God for the literal Greek translation that is so readily available to me today, that helps me to understand how I can make human mistakes and yet I continue moving to the light instead of away from the light. I can say that I am not among those described as hating the light, as stated in the last part of verse twenty.

....neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

The apostle John explains in his own language, that everyone who "prassō phaulos" hates the light; not "poieō phaulos". The Greek words prassō phaulos translate to literally say that all "who practices, performs repeatedly foul or wicked (evil) " detests the light.

Before I spent time researching the literal translation from the Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary, it was as though John was saying that all who do wrong indeed hate the light and do not go to the light. Now I know that my feelings were right in that I loved and was indeed "going to" the light, even when I made mistakes along the way.

The key is recognizing our evil deeds, accepting God's reproval and going on towards the light so that our deeds may manifest that they are committed to Jehovah. Don't run away when you mess up! God reproves our wrong deeds, because He loves us and wants the best for our lives in eternity.

πληρόω - to cram, to satisfy

G4137

Greek - πληρόω

The English spelling is plēroō

It is pronounced play-ro'-o

Definition from Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary - to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

This word is found in the following scripture.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Galations 5:14

It was nice to see that the literal Greek translation for the word plēroō which is used in this passage means to cram full or to satisfy. When I thot about the law being crammed or leveled up to the point of satisfaction it brought a new sense of relief in my spirit, just as it did for those who received this message in Galatia from Paul back in the day. I also thot about the satisfaction we feel when we have acheived something that we know is well done. It seems much easier to satisfy the law of God, knowing it is wrapped up in one word or motive. Doesn't it?

Interestingly enough, the satisfying of the law is summed up to just "one word" and this one word actually means something much greater when we look at the literal Greek meaning behind "one word". Let's look a little deeper into the actual meaning of the word "word" which holds the key to fulfillment of the entire law in the eyes of God.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Galations 5:14

Greek - λόγος

The English spelling is logos

It is pronounced log'-os

Definition - something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ): - account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

In this research we find that this scripture would be understood to mean that the whole law is crammed or satified in one single motive or intention and that is to show much love for those who are near to us, just as we also love and care for ourselves. If you care to verify the full meaning of this scripture yourself, as I have, you can obtain a free copy of Strong's Hebrew and Greek Distionary available online.

απαλλάσσω - deliver

G525

Greek - απαλλάσσω

English spelling is apallassō

It is pronounced ap-al-las'-so

Definition from Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary = to change away, that is, release, (reflexively) remove: - deliver, depart.

The following is a scripture in which this word is found.

Luke 12:58 When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, as you are in the way, give diligence that you may be delivered from him; lest he hale you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer orders you to prison.

In our time, you might say that Luke was a diligent follower of Jesus and he kept up with every tweet that Jesus posted. He left out no details of this very important message for the followers of Christ. In previous verses Jesus had told them that they would be expected to use what was given them or they can expect punishment, rather than reward. After hearing this, I can only imagine that Luke began to pay very close attention and record this for us in the scriptures to follow.

The use of this word apallassō, in reference to the release from an opponent who is taking you to court, may appear as basic common sense for most people. If you have ever had to stand before a judge to defend yourself, you know how it feels to be accused and dragged down by an opponent while the judge decides who is right or wrong. When the accuser is not being truthful, it may not end the way you had thought it would.

In the previous verses Jesus has been telling His followers that they need to be awake and watching for the coming of their Lord. According to the Greek translation, this can apply to the condition of their spirit and the readiness to stand before their Lord.

As we relate the scriptures prior to verse fifty-eight, we can see that the judge in this verse refers to God and the adversary will be satan. Satan will be doing all he can to cause us to be found guilty before God. Jesus also warns us that there will be division between relatives because of our beliefs and doing what is right according to the Word. In vewrse fifty-seven Jesus says to his disciples,"why even of yourselves do you not make the right decisions?". He said that the signs are there for you to know, but you still allow yourself to be set up for the adversary's attack before the day of judgement.

Jesus wants us all to make the right decisions right now and every day of our lives and find deliverance from our opponent before that day of judgement comes, for it is a day when we will not escape some form of punishment, as is described to His followers in the previous verses. To whom much is given, much will be expected. See Luke 12:46 -48

αδικέω - to be unjust

G91

αδικέω

English spelling is adikeō

It is pronounced ad-ee-keh'-o

Definition from the Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary - to be unjust, that is, (actively) do wrong (morally, socially or physically): - hurt, injure, be an offender, be unjust, (do, suffer, take) wrong.

The following scripture gives us an example of the Greek word adikeō.

He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; He that overcomes will not be hurt of the second death. Revelation 2:11 NKJV

In order to get the full meaning of this use of the word adikeō as it is used in this text, we must also do a little research into the words that come just prior to this word. Even though the words "shall not be hurt" seem clear enough, what I learned was quite interesting as I researched the Greek translation for this phrase. The words "shall not" come from the following combination in the Greek translation. I included this definition also that you may view for your full benefit.

G3364

ου μή

English spelling is ou mē

It is pronounced oo may

Definition from the Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary - a double negative strengthening the denial; not at all: - any more, at all, by any (no) means, neither, never, no (at all), in no case (wise), nor ever, not (at all, in any wise). Compare G3378.

As you can see, the Greek language used this combination to create a stronger denial than in a typical use of the words "not" or "no" in a sentence. Comparing the instructions for a child to not open the door and to instruct a child to not ever walk in the street, we see the vast difference of the word "not" and it's purpose. The first use is mere guidance which comes with little consequence if not followed (unless it was the car door, of course), but the second instruction is a matter of life or death.

It is in this manner of speech that God has spoken to John concerning the assurance of the church of Smyrna that they which prevail "will not at all be unjust at the second death", at a time when we all stand before God at the Great White Throne of judgement. This is also documented in the scriptures found in Matthew 25, beginning with verse thirty-one.

לב - the heart

לב - Hebrew

English spelling is lêb

It is pronounced labe

Definition by Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary - the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything: - + care for, comfortably, consent, X considered, courag [-eous], friend [-ly], ([broken-], [hard-], [merry-], [stiff-], [stout-], double) heart ([-ed]), X heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind (-ed), X regard ([-ed)], X themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly, wisdom.

The following scripture contains the hebrew word heart as described above.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and don't depend on your own understanding. In all your ways (modes of life) acknowledge him, as he will direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

While researching the word heart found in this scripture that is used so often by believers, it occured to me that many individuals, like myself, may not fully understand the benefits of trusting in the Lord with all their heart without knowing the Hebrew description of heart. What are we putting our trust in the Lord for when we quote these treasured words of comfort recorded by Solomon?

Strong's certainly gives us much to consider trusting the Lord with, besides that muscle pumping blood through our body every minute of the day.

I am told to trust the Lord with my whole heart, figuratively used often to mean our feelings, our will and our intellect. All of these feelings will pretty much cover every single thing we do with our lives, day or night. We even shop using our feelings about different products and how good or bad they are for us or our family.

In order to trust Jehovah, it takes faith on my part to know something in advance about Him and His promises. It is when we yâda‛ ( to know He is there, acknowledge him) in verse six , that we can truly trust in Jehovah with our whole lêb (heart) without a doubt.

Where we find the Greek word for heart used also in Luke, it is found to have a similar definition.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:34

καρδία

English spelling is kardia

It is pronounced kar-dee'-ah

Definition by Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary - the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle: - (+ broken-) heart (-ed).

Looking at both uses by Solomon in the Hebrew language and Luke in the Greek language, we can see in both cases that the life course and choices of a man will be greatly determined by where he places his (heart, kardia, lêb); his feelings; his will and his intelligence. In himself or in Jehovah. Find out what a man treasures and you can know where he places his trust.