James 2:9

Jim West (jwest@highland.net)
Wed, 13 May 1998 14:23:59 -0400

I am interested in your views concerning the word <gk>parabatai</gk>. This
word is a noun, and referred originally to "a warrior beside the charioteer,
or a certain kind of foot soldier". But in the NT it means "transgressor".

How does one move from a "warrior" to a "trangressor"? That is, what went
on in the history of the language that the meaning of the word seems so
drastically different? Is it that the word was used derogatorily about a
soldier who would not get into the chariot and thus was a cowardly
transgressor of the general's command?

Thanks,

Jim

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jim West, ThD
Quartz Hill School of Theology

jwest@highland.net