Dictionary

Blaspheme. [Gr. blasphemeo 987]. To pervert and ruin a person’s character and reputation through accusations regarding their behavior and motives. This can also be achieved when the character and reputation of one are bound to another. For example, people often judge the character and reputation of Christ by His followers; it is often the case that if Christians speak and behave in an evil manner that unbelievers speak evil of Christ.

Censure. To strongly criticize someone for something they have said or done. In the Scriptures, it describes someone who habitually censures a particular person or people in general. See Judge (krino 2919).

Commitment. (i) As it pertains generally: to pledge oneself to uphold and live according to ideals, principles, and doctrines of a political or religious cause. (ii) As it pertains to a Christian: to pledge oneself to uphold and live according to the ideals, principles, and teachings of God.

Covetousness [Gr. Pleonexia 4124]. A strong desire to have something. This may be an object, a person, sex, power, etc. See Mark 7:22; Luke 12:15; Romans 1:29; 2 Corinthians 9:5; Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:5; 2 Peter 2:3, 14.

Doublethink. To hold two contradictory ideas at the same time.

Doublejudge. To condemn something in another but justify it or something similar in yourself.

Drunkenness [Gr. Methe 3178], orig. ‘Strong drink’ then ‘habitual intoxication.’ Komos [2970], is closely associated as it is often the result of drunkenness.

Envy [Gr. Phthonos 5355]. An envious person is consumed with disappointment and resentment at another’s advantage or prosperity, and actively seeks to deprive that one of their prize.

Hope [Gr. Elpis 1680]. A longing [for something unseen] accompanied by a confident expectation of its fulfilment. The Christian’s hope is to be with Jesus is heaven throughout eternity, and is confident that this expectation will be realized. The ground of this hope is his faith.

Humility [Gr. Tapeinosis 5014]. The word ‘humility’ denotes, ‘low-lying’. ’Humility’ was a constant characteristic of Jesus, and so it is to be of everyone that has put on Christ. Pride is the opposite of humility. Both terms, humility and pride, are manifestations of what one thinks of one’s self. One who is proud thinks highly of himself. One who is humble thinks meanly of himself.

Hypocrite [Gr. Hupokrites 5273]. A hypocrite is a person who attempts to live two lives simultaneously: the public persona is an act or pretence. The real persona is lived out in private. In many cases, though, such people are often ‘caught out’ when they are seen in private behaving contrary to their public persona or when their true persona ‘peeks out’ in public.

Insult [Gr. loidoria 3059]. An insult may be intentional or unintentional; it is something you say that injures a person’s feelings. Open insults are plain to see but some insults are said in a stealthily manner, e.g., ‘Do you like my dress? Of course, it only looks good on people who have the figure to carry it off.’ Many veiled insults are perceived but the person, if challenged, is likely to deny it was meant as an insult.

Jealousy [Heb. Qin’ah 7068]. We understand the English word jealousy to describe a feeling that arises within the heart when one sees another person with the very thing we ourselves desire, or a thing that we believe rightfully belongs to us. Here are three examples, i. someone you know may buy a new car which you also have desired. ii. Perhaps your parents give your favorite toy to your brother. iii. Maybe your spouse starts seeing someone. What you feel, amongst other things, is jealousy. However, the Hebrew word, qin’ah, may also mean envy, i.e., a feeling of pain at another’s good fortune, it is an ill-natured and embittered jealousy. Further, qin’ah may also describe the zeal or enthusiasm of someone for something.

Kindness [Gr. Philanthropia 5363], an affection for mankind that displays itself in the seeking and doing of good for others. The love of God floods the inner most depths of the heart and overflows in kindness [toward others].

Murder [Gr. Phonos, 5408], denotes ‘the taking of another man’s life unlawfully.’

Long-suffering [Gr. Makrothumia 3115], is an example and demonstration of a passion governed by love.

Love [Gr. Agape 25]. Christian agape not only considers but provides the physical and spiritual needs of all men, regardless of their position or worthiness, and in spite of personal feelings.

Love [Gr. Phileo 5368]. This more closely approximates to the English word “love”; it is that affection we feel, for example, for a fiancé.

Love [Gr. philanthropia 5363]. This describes one who is a ‘lover of man’. It is distinguished from philadelphía in this: the former regards persons as merely fellow human beings while the latter regards persons as brothers.

Love [Gr. philadelphía 5360]. This denotes one who has affection for his brother.

Majesty [Gr. megaleiotes 3168]. Any object that emanates great beauty and splendour, or inspires a sense of awe and reverence, or in which we recognize great authority and power.

Malicious [Gr. kakia 2549]. An evil intent to do harm and injure another; whether to their body or character.

Peace [Gr. eirene 1515]. The word ‘peace’ describes (i) a mind free of turmoil, conflict, and anxiety, (ii) the relationships between men that are free of all kinds of conflict.

Pride [Gr. Phusioo 5448]. The Greek word literally means to ‘puff up, inflate’ and denotes one who is full of pride.

Principle. Ā general truth that can be applied in many situations.

Revellings [Gr. Komos 2970], originally, described an occasional celebration that ran into a temporary excess. In the New Testament, denotes the loutish behaviour and crude speech that accompanies those under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

Selfishness [Gr. Eritheúo 2052], is an attitude of mind that puts self before others. There are many degrees of selfishness that lie between total selfishness and total selflessness. Pride is the root of selfishness and humility is the root of selflessness. Satan is totally selfish and Jesus is completely selfless.

Slander [Gr. katalaleo 2635]. To speak evil of another person with the intention of damaging their character and reputation.

Zeal [Gr. Zeloo 2206] is a feeling of great enthusiasm, a strong feeling about something. One can have a zeal for something that is good or bad. The context determines how this word is translated.