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.