The Beauty of Greek Words

May I begin confessing that I am not a Greek scholar. I didn’t even take any formal class on Greek. In fact, I can barely read Greek. Thankfully, there are a lot of helpful tools on Greek to educate an amateur person like me. Praise be to God for Bible scholars who invested their lives to bring forth such helpful tools.

The New Testament was written in Greek from which numerous translations have come out. Sadly, at times, as you may know, a translation may not communicate the richness of the original language. At such situations, we miss the true impact of the Biblical writers’ thought and communication.

Let me share an example with you:

• Colossians 1:25, “of which (the church) I became a minister according to the stewardship from God.”  
• Galatians 1:10, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” 
• 1 Corinthians 4:1, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 

In all the above three Scriptures, Paul confesses of being a minister and servant. When we read in English, these words appear to have the same meaning. But they all do not necessarily mean the same in Greek.

The Greek root word for “minister” in Colossians 1:25 is “diákonos,” for “servant” in Galatians 1:10 is “doúlos,” and for “servants” in 1 Corinthians 4:1 is “hypēretēs.”

Just by looking at the Greek words, do they all appear the same as in English? They don’t.

“Diákonos” basically means a person who renders service and help to others. (Mounce Greek Dictionary) In Colossians 1:25, Paul confessed of being a servant of Christ’s church, meaning, a person given to serve and help the church of Christ.

“Doúlos” means “a person owned as a possession” or “a slave.” (Mounce Greek Dictionary) In Galatians 1:10, Paul acknowledged of being a slave of Christ, meaning, a person owned by Christ. The same Greek word is used when Paul spoke to slaves in Ephesians 6:5 and Colossians 3:22.

About Paul’s use of “Hypēretēs” in 1 Corinthians 4:1, John MacArthur explains, "Paul expresses his humility by using a word literally meaning “under rowers,” referring to the lowest, most menial, and most despised galley slaves, who rowed on the bottom tier of a ship."

The following picture may shed some light on understanding "under rowers" of the ancient world.

What a difference it makes when we explore these Greek words! Let us not be content by reading the Holy Bible just in our local language. Let us make effort to use the Greek tools in our Bible study and enjoy its richness.

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