If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113.

Singular-Meaning Lexicon and Handbook of the Greek New Testament

by Richard C. Averitt

351 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #01-0298; ISBN 1-55212-896-2; US$24.00, C$24.00, EUR16.39, £12.39

Singular-Meaning Lexicon and Handbook of the Greek New Testament is divided into two distinct sections. Together, the book is designed to show how, by studying the Greek New Testament, the word of God can be found.

Read more!

about the book      about the author      Preface      catalogue info

About the Book Singular-Meaning Lexicon and Handbook of the Greek New Testament is divided into two distinct sections. The Lexicon first gives a singular meaning for every NT Greek word. Next, the meaning is discovered by analysis of every occurrence of that word in the NT. Meanings are sifted until a singular meaning is found that adapts in every location of that word. This would be as near as a human could get to the meaning that was in the one mind of God, who is the author. The Handbook includes a treatment on the rare subject of the scriptural history of language. The Grammar section is an attempt to adapt the NT Greek grammar so that it is consistent. Issues like the passive meaning given to the middle voice, imperatival force put on the participial verb forms etc. are discussed.

---

About the Author Richard Averitt was an instructor at Carver Bible Institute and College in Atlanta, Georgia. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Greek major, a Master's degree in Biblical Literature and additional hours of graduate work including Hebrew. A lifetime student of the Greek and Hebrew Bible. He is a widower, blessed with three wonderful children. For his music book the author has been a lifetime flautist, a Craftsman Member of the Piano Technician's Guild and has directed church choirs. The family is all musically inclined, still using their talents in teaching and partaking in church music. Also by Richard C. Averitt: Supplement to the Topical Bible Commentary The Last Church Member on Earth: An Exposition of the Eight Days of God Scriptural Music

---

Preface

PREMISE     The premise of this work begins with the holiness of God. Only that which is very good or perfect derives from holiness. Therefore, his works are very good or perfect. His writings are one of his masterful works. It follows that the original documents are flawless, each word having a distinctive field of meaning. The grammatical formula would be consistent. This is the highest view of God's revelation.

    Men who made up our NT Greek grammars and lexicons had a high view of NT Greek. NT writings were distinguished from the philosophical, historical, religious and ethical writers of the time, a literary phenomenon amounting almost to a miracle. See the Introductions to the lexicons and grammars. Hence, we should not be surprised when the hopes of these men are more fully realized. It is now no great step to entertain the concept of singular meanings and consistent grammar structure.

ORIGIN     If we are dealing with a holy text, it cannot be the product of man alone. The common Greek was a language spoiled by oratorical excess, marketplace lingo, literary niceties, coining of new terms, infiltration of other tongues, expanding words to include pagan usage, etc. To imply that a holy God communicated to man through such a muddled medium, is to make god out to be careless and unclear in his instructions. But he is careful, and he gives clear meaning, that we can obey, and be judged justly.

    A study of the origin of languages, as given in the Scripture, positions God as the originator of the 6,000 or so languages that are found among men. Those languages, as originated, would reflect his perfection. Koine Greek would certainly not be of his creation. The Greek he infused into the mind of men, as in Ge.11:6-9 would be comparable to all his wondrous works. Words would communicate a clear meaning, not multiple choice options that man could interpret to his bent.

METHOD     Lexicons, generally, give a variety of meanings for one word. The student chooses the meaning of his liking -- The word meanings in this lexicon have been narrowed to a singular meaning. This narrowing is done by testing various meanings in all of the NT contexts where the word occurs. A meaning is ultimately found that fits in every context. The opinion of the analyzer takes a beating. Subjectivism is overruled, as the meaning is discovered as determined by usage in God's book. It is a fundamental proposition that the one mind of God is thus consistent when he communicates. The lexicon is complete, numbering nearly the same as the approximate 5,010 in Strong's Concordance. Strong includes c.614 proper names, with his total being 5,624.

OUTWORKING     As far as I know, this is a first ever. Even in this unperfected state, if put into practice, this hermeneutic will greatly reduce the use of private interpretation. Teachings, which depend on subjective meanings that are read into the text, will have to be altered. The great variety of meanings given in lexicons and Bible translations are eliminated. The use of new meanings in the approximately 234 English translations, and the adding of new meanings to the already long list of synonyms in lexicons, is seen to be a deluding ambition that spawns the interpretations that have divided the Christian church.
    NT Greek has no double meaning terms as "organ" in English, which may refer to a heart or liver, a musical instrument, or a periodical. For example, è(pi)i0vµéw has been assigned two meanings, both to lust and to desire. A man may look on a woman to "lust" after her. But a deacon may "desire" a good work -- same word. As it comes out, the man desires with passion, and the deacon desires with passion. 'E(pi)i0vµéw means to desire with passion, a singular meaning.

CRITICISM HELPFUL     There has been criticism of some of the word meanings. This forces the analyzer to find a better meaning, which can only sharpen the demarcation lines between the fields of meaning of words in that category of meaning. This will fine-tune the lexicon. The basic premise is not effected. See the synonyms throughout the lexicon.

RELATED READINGS     These three pertinent articles are found in the Handbook of the Greek New Testament:

The Scriptural History of Language p. 238
Revolutionary Hermeneutics p. 261
Select Words Analyzed p. 265

---

Catalogue Information

---