Lessons in Greek
By Elisabeth Duckworth
Today's Greek words: deacon; presbyter; bishop; pastor; teacher; evangelist; apostle; disciple; preacher; prophet; witness; imitator; interpreter.
- Preacher: herald – keryx (ο κηρυξ)
- Disciple: student, learner – mathetes (ο μαθητης)
- Witness: one who bears witness, testifies, gives evidence in court – martyr (ο μαρτυς)
- Follower: imitator, mimic – mimetes (ο μιμητης)
Last time, we looked at the Greek terms for apostle, evangelist, teacher, prophet, and pastor. Now, we'll look at four more Christian callings: preacher, disciple, witness, and follower.
The Biblical word often translated as “preacher” is the Greek word for “herald” (keryx – ο κηρυξ), along with its more commonly used verb “to herald”, and the less common noun describing the message to be heralded. A herald is a public messenger or town crier who gives notice or makes public proclamations on behalf of the town leadership. The herald announces the coming of important persons or calls the people to a meeting or event. We don't find the word “herald/preacher” in the Old Testament, however Peter calls Noah a herald in II Peter 2:5. The verb often translated as “to preach” is actually the Greek verb “to evangelise”. Even the author of Ecclesiastes is not a “preacher”, but rather an “ecclesiast”, someone who gathers together a public assembly. The New Testament word “ecclesia” for the Christian church refers to an assembly of believers.
The “herald” noun and verb is used by Matthew 4:17 to describe the launch of Jesus' ministry: “From that time, Jesus began to herald and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.’” (See also Mt. 10:7, 27; 11:1; 24:14; 26:13; Mk 1:39; 6:12; 14:9; 16:20; Lk 4:44; 24:47 – Luke uses to evangelise interchangeably with to herald.) The same herald verb is used to describe the ministry of John the Baptist: Mt. 3:1 “In those days began John the Baptist to herald in the desert of Judea.” (See also Mark 1:7)
In the book of Acts, Luke seems particularly loath to use the word herald. He uses evangelise, bear witness, report, or speak as often or more so than herald. Luke does use herald to describe Philip preaching to the Samaritans (Acts 8:5) and Paul heralding Christ in Damascus after his conversion (Acts 9:20). Luke quotes Peter as using herald in Acts 10:37, and again Paul in Acts 13:24; 19:13.
It is Paul who uses the herald verb and noun most extensively: Rms 2:21; 16:25; I Cor. 1:21; 2:4; 9:27; 15:12, 14; II Cor. 1:19; 11:4; Col. 1:23; I Thess. 2:9; I Tim. 3:16. In Romans 10:14 he asks “… how shall they hear without someone heralding; and how shall they herald except they have been sent/apostled. As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those evangelising good things.’” Like Luke, Paul uses the word herald interchangeably with apostle, evangelising, and speaking. In I Timothy 2:7 Paul calls himself a herald and an apostle; in II Timothy 1:11 he is herald, apostle and teacher.
There really doesn't appear to be any indication that the preacher/herald is a specific church office nor is it limited to an exclusive group of people within the church. Rather it is to be the natural and on-going action of all believers to speak out and herald the Good News to unbelievers wherever they be.
Our next word is disciple. The Greek word is mathetes (ο μαθητης) meaning student or learner. Its root is found in the English “mathematics”. For some reason, Biblical translators opted to use the Latin word “disciple” (one under discipline) to translate this simple Greek word. It would make much more sense to us if Jesus the “teacher” were followed by His “students”. It was normal practice in ancient times for a renowned teacher to acquire a following of students who studied and learned under a favourite teacher. Throughout the NT, Christians are always called “students”, not Christians, not believers: Students. We tend to restrict the word “disciples” to that one group of fortunate people who were privileged to follow Jesus around in person during His three-year ministry. Not so! We are all of us Jesus' disciples/students by virtue of our following our Teacher Jesus.
A witness is a technical term derived from the legal court system. A witness bears witness, testifies and gives evidence in a court of law. The Greek word for a court witness is martyr (ο μαρτυς). The word martyr became so identified with Christians who were constantly arguing the case for their beliefs, and who so often lost their case and were condemned for it, that it is now exclusively used to describe the Christian who is persecuted and killed for their faith.
In Matthew 24:14 we have a fine example all in one verse of the words we've been looking at: “This evangelion/good news message of the kingdom shall be heralded throughout the whole world as a martyrion/witness testimony to all nations….” Throughout the Gospels, Jesus refers to Himself as a martyr/witness, e.g. John 5:31ff; 8:18; 10:25; 15:27; 18:37.
The authority of the apostles in part stemmed from the fact they were eyewitnesses/martyrs of everything Jesus said and did, especially His resurrection (Acts 2:32). The criteria for Judas' replacement included that s/he be a martyr to Jesus' entire ministry (Acts 1:21-22). Paul particularly liked the witness/martyr image for the Christian. The entire book of Romans is modelled on the formal rebuttal of the defendant in a court of law (called an Apology). In keeping with the courtroom theme, Peter encourages his readers to “always be ready to give your Apology (your formal defendant's statement) to anyone who asks you the reason (logos – logic) behind the hope that is in you.” (I Peter 3:15)
Anywhere in the NT we find the word witness we can be sure it is a translation of the Greek word martyr. E.g. Titus 1:13; Heb. 12:1; Rms. 8:16; I Pt 5:1; I Tim. 6:12; I Jn. 1:2; I Jn. 5:6-10; Rev. 3:14.
Finally, our last word for today is follower from the Greek word mimetes (ο μιμητης), a word familiar to us as mimic. Again we have another example of a word that is used almost as a synonym for the Christian. Indeed, the nickname “Christian” first used to describe the believers in Antioch (Acts 11:26), was really a derogatory term. Believers were called mimics of Christ. It is like being called someone who mindlessly apes the mannerisms and expressions of another. I'm sure the Christians of the day found it a compliment and something to which to aspire. Paul calls on all believers to be mimics or imitators of Christ: “Be therefore, mimics of God as beloved children” (teknons – remember that word?) Eph. 5:1. Paul also uses the term when he encourages new believers to mimic him (Phil. 3:17; I Thess. 1:6; 2:14).
Next time we'll look at those most debated of Christian callings: Deacon, Bishop, Elder, Interpreter.
