Aphesis
Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 10:59 am
Greek lexicons given the following as the primary definition of the Greek noun
"αφεσις" ("aphesis", using English alphabetic characters):
859 αφεσις (aphesis) deliverance, freedom from, release from bondage, remission (disappearance of the signs and symptoms of)
The following verse is a clear example in which the noun is used in this way:
Lu 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty (859) to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty (859)those who are oppressed...”
What would you say to someone who insisted that the word Greek word “αφεσις” means “forgiveness”? In the passage above, would it be appropriate to proclaim forgiveness to the captives? They don't need “forgiveness”; they need “liberty.” They need “deliverance” from their bondage. And those who are oppressed don't need “forgiveness”; they need deliverance from oppression.
Yet, virtually all translations render the word “forgiveness” when applied to sins.
There are 16 cases in which this is done, the following 8 cases are quoted from the NASB:
Mt 26:28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness <859> of sins.
Mr 1:4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness <859> of sins.
Mr 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness <859>, but is guilty of an eternal sin"—
Lu 1:77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness <859> of their sins,
Ac 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness <859> of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Ac 13:38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness <859> of sins is proclaimed to you,
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness <859> of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
Heb 9:22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness <859>.
Once again, we don't need mere forgiveness from sin; we need deliverance from sin, so that we are no longer in bondage to sin. (To “sin” is to do that which is harmful to other people or to ourselves).
Jesus didn't die so that our sin could be forgiven, but so that our sin could be forsaken.
It seems to me that fallen human beings love their sins, and don't want to be delivered from them. They just want to be forgiven every time they sin, so that they can keep on sinning without having to suffer the consequences of their wrong doing.
"αφεσις" ("aphesis", using English alphabetic characters):
859 αφεσις (aphesis) deliverance, freedom from, release from bondage, remission (disappearance of the signs and symptoms of)
The following verse is a clear example in which the noun is used in this way:
Lu 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty (859) to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty (859)those who are oppressed...”
What would you say to someone who insisted that the word Greek word “αφεσις” means “forgiveness”? In the passage above, would it be appropriate to proclaim forgiveness to the captives? They don't need “forgiveness”; they need “liberty.” They need “deliverance” from their bondage. And those who are oppressed don't need “forgiveness”; they need deliverance from oppression.
Yet, virtually all translations render the word “forgiveness” when applied to sins.
There are 16 cases in which this is done, the following 8 cases are quoted from the NASB:
Mt 26:28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness <859> of sins.
Mr 1:4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness <859> of sins.
Mr 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness <859>, but is guilty of an eternal sin"—
Lu 1:77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness <859> of their sins,
Ac 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness <859> of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Ac 13:38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness <859> of sins is proclaimed to you,
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness <859> of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
Heb 9:22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness <859>.
Once again, we don't need mere forgiveness from sin; we need deliverance from sin, so that we are no longer in bondage to sin. (To “sin” is to do that which is harmful to other people or to ourselves).
Jesus didn't die so that our sin could be forgiven, but so that our sin could be forsaken.
It seems to me that fallen human beings love their sins, and don't want to be delivered from them. They just want to be forgiven every time they sin, so that they can keep on sinning without having to suffer the consequences of their wrong doing.