Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Acts 20:7 – Preach or Teach?
In Acts 20:7 when Luke discusses Paul speaking, the Greek is dialegomai suggesting Paul’s “preaching” (KJV) is more like our “teaching.” We can learn the meaning of a word both through its denotative and connotative definitions.
First, look up dialegomai in a lexicon and it is denotatively defined as “to say thoroughly” (Mickelson) and “1. to think different things with one’s self, mingle thought with thought” (Thayer). Put together both definitions and the idea is “thinking and saying, thoroughly; then thinking and saying, thoroughly.” Within the word there is an inherent back and forth at least within the mind of the speaker.
Second, not contained within this simple definition is how this is applied, or carried out in real life (i.e., context is the connotative meaning). But looking at some passages on its use, we see that it definitely can include a verbal back and forth aspect (Mark 9:34). Therefore Luke’s description allows for a back and forth dialogue in Acts 20:7. Showing this understanding is correct are five Greek experts, the first four specifically mention Acts 20:7 in the overall comments:
- Vine – “The AV translates it ‘preached,’ in Acts 20:7,9; this the RV corrects to discoursed,’ lit., ‘dialogue,’ i.e., not by way of a sermon, but by a ‘discourse’ of a more conversational character.”
- Helps Bible – “exercising ‘dialectical reasoning.’ This is the process of giving and receiving information with someone to reach deeper understanding – a ‘going back-and-forth’ of thoughts and ideas so people can better know the Lord (His word, will).” (http://concordances.org/greek/1256.htm)
- Vincent Word Studies – “Better, as Rev., discoursed with them. It was a mingling of preaching and conference. Our word dialogue is derived from the verb.” (Vincent’s Word Studies)
- Thayer – “as very freq. in Attic, to converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss” (Thayer).
- Mickelson – “2. to converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss “
Here are all the passages in which the word is used, suggesting again the likelihood in most if not all that what is being described is not a “sermon” in the sense of no back and forth discussion:
- Mar. 9:34 — they [the disciples] had disputed (dialchithesan) among themselves. (Gr. eta signa alpha nu)
- Acts 17:2 – Paul reasoned (dielechiasto autois) with them
- Acts 17:17 — disputed (dielegeto) reasoned (ASV), disputed (KJV) in the synagogue
- Acts 18:4 — He reasoned (dielegeto) in the synagogue every Sabbath
- Acts 18:19 — He reasoned (dielegeto) with the Jews
- Acts 19:8 — spoke three months disputing (dialegeomenos) and disputing (peithon)
- Acts 19:9 — disputing (dialegomenos) in the school of Tyrannus
- Acts 20:7 — discoursed (ASV), preached (KJV) unto them
- Acts 20:9 — Paul discoursed (ASV), preached long(er) (KJV) (dialegomenou)
- Acts 24:12 — They did not find me disputing (dialegomenon) with any man…
- Acts 24:25 — And he reasoned (dielegomenon) of of righteousness…
- Heb. 12:5 — the exhortation which reasoned (dielegetai) with you as sons
- Jude 9 — Michael, contending with the devil, disputed (dielegato) about the body of Moses
Our modern ecclesiastical culture is colored by the word “preach,” which does not for us normally include discussion. However, look at Luke 3 and the forerunner of Christ preaches and the crowd engages him in conversion by response.
Third, etymology of modern words can contain helpful links of clarification. Our English “dialogue” is derived from dialegomai and a dialogue is “an exchange of ideas or opinions on a particular issue, especially a political or religious issue, with a view to reaching an amicable agreement or settlement” (dictionary.com).
Fourth, many versions indicate this is exactly what happened in Acts 20:7:
- (ASV) And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.
- (RV) And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.
- (AMP) And on the first day of the week, when we were assembled together to break bread [the Lord’s Supper], Paul discoursed with them, intending to leave the next morning; and he kept on with his message until midnight.
- (EMTV) Now on the first day of the week, the disciples being assembled to break bread, Paul was discussing with them, being about to leave on the next day, and extended his message until midnight.
- (CEB) On the first day of the week, as we gathered together for a meal, Paul was holding a discussion with them. Since he was leaving the next day, he continued talking until midnight.
- (ESV) On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
- (LEB) And on the first day of the week, when we had assembled to break bread, Paul began conversing with them, because he was going to leave on the next day, and he extended his message until midnight.
From the definition, application, our modern etymological use, and many Bible translations, we can conclude dialegomai can be used for both types of speaking; what we call preaching and what we call teaching. I wonder if our differentiation is as important a demarcation in the Bible as it is to us. I also wonder if our definition of preaching (no back and forth) and teaching (back and forth) is accurate. Isn’t preaching teaching, and can’t teaching be preaching (Mt.11:1; Acts 4:18; Rom.2:21)? What we call “The Sermon on the Mount” is Jesus “teaching” (Mt.5:2). Therefore, it would be scriptural for a sermon to be conducted like a class with questions. There would be nothing “out of order” if such was conducted orderly. While there is nothing unscriptural in preaching a one-way sermon, there is nothing unscriptural with having a discussion within the assembly either. I submit Acts 20:7 as Biblical authority for such an arrangement.
Comments