Ziklag T7.23 - ParAngelos

The Arena of Life, Death and Understanding

SOS Discipline - Daily Proverb and Red Letter Reader

Shame is arrogance. Wisdom knows how to lose with dignity. cf Pr. 11:2

Understand what is in a man. cf Mt. 10:17

Sun Tzu 1:1

孫子曰：兵者，國之大事，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。

Traditional: Sun Tzu said: “Warfare is the greatest affair of the state, the ground of life and death, the path of survival and destruction, and must be thoroughly examined.”

American: Military operations are the paramount matter of the nation, for they form the arena where life and death are contested, the spectrum where preservation or obliteration are chosen. Such consideration demands meticulous scrutiny.

Poetry - To demand life in the arena of death, to navigate obliteration within the spectrum of survival, the Rules of Engagement, the Philosophy of War, is the scientific art to be thoroughly examined.

From Today’s Stack

New Testament Usage of παραγγέλλω (parangellō) and its Forms

The verb παραγγέλλω (parangellō) and its forms (e.g., παραγγείλας, παραγγελία) are used in various contexts throughout the New Testament. This study will provide a list of occurrences, focusing on the semantic kernel of authoritative commands or instructions given by Jesus, Paul, and others.

Occurrences of παραγγέλλω in the New Testament

1. Jesus' Commands

• Matthew 10:5: "These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying, 'Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.'"

• Jesus' directive to his apostles about where to preach, emphasizing specific instructions for their mission.

• Mark 8:6: "So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude."

• Jesus' command to the crowd during the feeding of the four thousand, illustrating his authority and organizational role.

2. Paul's Instructions

• Acts 1:4: "And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, 'which,' He said, 'you have heard from Me.'"

• Jesus' post-resurrection command to the apostles to stay in Jerusalem, a key instruction before the coming of the Holy Spirit.

• Acts 16:18: "And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And he came out that very hour."

• Paul's authoritative command to the spirit in the name of Jesus, reflecting his apostolic authority.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:11: "That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you."

• Paul's instructions to the Thessalonian believers about leading a disciplined and productive life.

• 2 Thessalonians 3:4: "And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you."

• Paul's expression of confidence in the Thessalonians' obedience to his commands.

• 2 Thessalonians 3:6: "But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us."

• A command from Paul for church discipline, emphasizing the need for order and adherence to tradition.

3. Other Apostolic Instructions

• Acts 5:28: "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!"

• The high priest's reference to their command to the apostles not to teach in Jesus' name, highlighting the conflict between apostolic authority and religious leadership.

• Acts 17:30: "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent."

• Paul's message in Athens, referring to God's command for universal repentance, signifying a divine directive to humanity.

Conclusion: Jesus’ Semantic Kernel of παραγγέλλω

"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may Charge some that they teach no other doctrine." 1 Timothy 1:3:5

• Authoritative Command: In all these instances, παραγγέλλω carries the connotation of an authoritative command or instruction. Whether used by Jesus, Paul, or other leaders, it signifies a directive that is meant to be followed without question.

• Mission and Obedience: Many of the occurrences relate to instructions given for specific missions or tasks, such as Jesus' commands to his apostles or Paul's directives to the churches. This underscores the importance of obedience and the hierarchical structure within the early Christian community.

• Divine Authority: The commands are often given in the name of Jesus or God, highlighting the divine backing and authority behind these instructions. This reflects the belief that the apostles and leaders were acting on behalf of a higher power.

The use of παραγγέλλω in the New Testament reflects a semantic kernel centered on authoritative commands and instructions of Jesus that are to be followed. This aligns with the early church's need for clear, authoritative guidance in maintaining order, discipline, and adherence to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.