Ziklag T 7.16 Untwisted

Way, City and Nation

SOS Discipline - Daily Proverb and Red Letter Reader

There is a way that always holds true, and a twist that never works out. cf Pr. 10:29

Hospitality is forward motion. cf Mt. 10:12

Liquidity is capacity. cf Sun Tzu 6.28

Proclaim the Kingdom with the Spirit's Tongue

Matt 10:5 Wisdom Category Quadrant Analysis

Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.

1. ὁδός (hodos)

1. Way, path

2. Journey

3. Manner, conduct

2. πόλις (polis)

1. City

2. Town

3. Settlement

3. ἔθνος (ethnos)

• Meanings:

1. Nation

2. People

3. Gentiles

4. Σαμαρείτης (Samarites)

1. Samaria (region)

2. Watcher, keeper (root meaning from שׁמר)

3. Guard, protector

Comparative Analysis

• In the ancient context, the “way” represents a journey, path, or process, often without fixed location, dynamic and transitional. In contrast, the “city” is a fixed, settled place representing stability, community, and governance.

• Modern English Analogy: As way is to city, so journey is to destination.

Nation (ἔθνος) vs. Samaritan (Σαμαρείτης)

• “Nation” (ἔθνος) refers broadly to any group of people, often outsiders or gentiles. “Samaritan” (Σαμαρείτης) is a specific subgroup, historically despised and distinct in cultural and religious practices.

• Modern English Analogy: As ethnicity is to a specific minority group.

Comparative Analysis of The Wisdom Quadrant as Framework

Way (ὁδός) vs. City (πόλις)

Nation (ἔθνος) vs. Samaritan (Σαμαρείτης)

• The contrast in the passage between “way” (hodos) and “city” (polis) can be understood as a contrast between a journey or path (dynamic, ongoing) and a settled, stable place (fixed, established).

• Similarly, “ethnos” (nations, gentiles) and “Samarites” (Samaritans) illustrate a broader vs. more specific or localized distinction within cultural or ethnic groups.

Conclusion: As way is to city, so ethnicity is to minority. The Christian Disciple is neither to travel the manners of the world nor settle down as an insular people.