Paul makes quotations from classical writers in three places: Acts 17:28, 1 Corinthians 15:33, and Titus 1:12. Acts 17 – at the Areopagus in Athens Acts 17:28 contains two key quotations. The first is: “For in him we live and move and have our being” (ἐν αὐτῷ γὰρ ζῶμεν καὶ κινούμεθα καὶ ἐσμέν [En autō […]
What does apokatastasis mean?
The Greek word apokatastasis – made up of apo-kata (again) and stasis (establishing) – occurs once in the Greek New Testament and does not occur in the Greek Old Testament, but is not otherwise a very unusual Greek term – coming from the common Greek verb “restore” – as for example Elijah coming first and […]
Why did God know, but Jesus not know, the day of his return? (Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32)
The question relates to Jesus’ clear statement that he did not know the day of his return: Matthew 24:36 No one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Mark 13:32 No one knows the day or hour when […]
What are ‘nomina sacra’ abbreviations in Greek New Testament manuscripts?
Nomina sacra (the Latin for sacred names) are a common system of abbreviations used, mainly, but not only, for sacred names in some New Testament manuscripts. The main ones are as follows, where the abbreviation gives the first and last letter of the word – usually ending in -S for nominative case, and -Y for […]
What is the fish symbol for Jesus? Greek ichthys
The fish symbol for Jesus is an early Christian symbol playing on the initials of the Greek word for fish, ichthys. In Greek capitals this is written ἸΧΘΥΣ where the letters stand for Ἰησοῦς Χρῑστός Θεοῦ Υἱός Σωτήρ, Iēsoûs Khrīstós, Theoû Huiós, Sōtḗr Jesus Christ God’s Son Saviour The single letters do not display the […]
What is the New Testament verse that is a pangram, a sentence which uses every Greek letter of the alphabet?
A pangram is a sentence which uses every letter of a language – a famous example in English is “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”. The only New Testament verse that is a pangram, a sentence which uses every Greek letter of the alphabet, is Matthew 5:30? There is also another verse […]
“the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62)
BibleQ aims to provide answers to questions and also to offer assistance where verses are ‘wrested’. However one might have though that a verse like Mark 14:62 could not be misread: “you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark […]
What does John’s test for antichrist “come in the flesh” mean? (1 John 4:2-3, 2 John 1:7)
John’s test is as follows. The text in verse 2 “come in the flesh” is not repeated in verse 3 in modern versions, but is repeated in the Majority Text manuscripts, followed by KJV in verse 3 also: 1 John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus […]
Does theopnustos in 2 Timothy 3:16 mean “inspired” or “inspiring”?
Translation is consistent across all modern Bible versions Major modern versions read: 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (NRSV) 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, […]
Revelation 1:6 “kingdom of priests” and 5:10 “kings” or “kingdom” and priests?
The question is a textual one. Revelation 1:6 reads: καὶ ἐποίησεν ἡμᾶς βασιλείαν, ἱερεῖς τῷ θεῷ καὶ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ— αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων· ἀμήν. “and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (NRSV) Revelation 5:10 […]