On March 8, 2016 2:01 PM, "Stephen Williamson" wrote:

Subject: Two words for "evil" in New Testament "Kakos"-Badness, Harm or Unjust Injury and "Poneros"-Penalty and Punishment, Breakdown, Cunning or Tricky

Hi all

Just been doing some study on that word "evil" in the New Testament, they are two different words.

  1. Kakos

    The first one meaning "unjust injury" and "badness" is used in James 1:13, "Don’t say, when tempted — "pierced through to test the quality" "peirazo" in Greek corresponding to the Hebrew word "nasa" "examined, proved" — I’m tempted of God, for God is not tempted with badness, nor does he tempt anyone that way. Yes, that included Abraham, it used that word "nasa" when talking about Abraham being tested in regards to Isaac in Genesis, but there could never be destruction or injustice involved on God's part ......

    It is used when talking about human words, thoughts, actions e.g. Don’t give back "injury for injury". Note - the root meaning of injury implies "injustice".

    Click here for a full list.

    Click here for a full list of "Evel", as used in the Hebrew Old Testament. See too "avar", the Hebrew word for "blind" and associated with "uwr,arom,arum" meaning "skins (as covering the eyes), nakedness, and leathery cunning" as describing the serpent in Genesis 3:1.

  2. Poneros

    The other word, "penalty, punishing, cunning, tricky" is used in the four gospels when referring to judgments, it’s used in the Greek when talking about God

    We are taught in James 4:7 to resist, to withstand the devil (the attacking, slandering enemy), but to not withstand Matthew 5:38-39 the punishing one i.e. the governing human authorities, that we may become children of the Father in heaven who makes His sun to rise on the punishing and the good, who sends rain on the just and the unjust.
    "Have a horror of punishing (of being cunning), cleave to what is good" Romans 12:9. Patience :-)

    Click here for a full list.

    And of course — Do not test God (actions to pierce through) according to our "injurious" – unbelieving thoughts. But trying him, examining him, as used in Malachi 3:10, to see if we can "outgive" him in our tithing / tenthing :-) to God, that’s different.

Blessings all Steve

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