You searched for LSJ - Marg Mowczko

LSJ Definitions of Kephalē

Here is the entry of meanings & glosses of kephalē (the Greek word for “head”) copied and pasted from Liddel, Scott & Jones’s Greek-English Lexicon (LSJ).

September 19, 2011 No Comments

Paul’s Use of Kephalē (“Head”) in Ephesians

In this article, which began as notes for a recent interview, I look at how Paul used kephalē (“head”) in Ephesians chapters 1, 4, and 5. There is a consistent theme in how Paul used this word in Ephesians.

March 29, 2025 10 Comments

Sarah’s or Abraham’s Faith in Hebrews 11:11?

Different translations focus on either Sarah’s faith or Abraham’s faith in Hebrews 11:11. Who is the subject of this verse?

January 7, 2025 13 Comments

Who is God’s Servant in Romans 13:4?

Who is the servant of God in Romans 13. Was he a Roman or Jewish leader? A spiritual entity? How are we to understand and implement Paul’s instructions?

November 17, 2024 9 Comments

1 Corinthians 11:2-16: Line by Line (4)

“A woman ought to have power on her head” is the crux of 1 Cor. 11:2-16. What did Paul mean here? And what does “because of the angels” mean?

October 13, 2024 15 Comments

(2) Submission & the Saviour in Ephesians 5

In part 2, I look at Christ’s role as the “Saviour of the body” and what this means for Paul’s words to wives in Ephesians 5:22-24 and to husbands in Ephesians 5:25ff.

May 5, 2024 16 Comments

(1) Submission & the Saviour in Ephesians 5

Here’s what I’ve been learning about the Greek “submit” verb. I also look at what it meant to Paul that Jesus is the “Saviour of the body.”

April 26, 2024 16 Comments

The Structure and Language of 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

I’ve highlighted the structure and vocabulary of 1 Cor. 14:26-40 which contains verses 33-34, “Women should be silent in the churches …”

February 24, 2024 22 Comments

“Paraclete” in Ancient Secular, Jewish, and Christian Texts

Was paraclete a military term as some claim? I look at ancient Greek texts to see how the word was used outside and within the New Testament.

January 20, 2024 8 Comments

“Paraclete” in Ancient Secular, Jewish, and Christian Texts (2)

I’ve edited and expanded this article which can be read here: https://margmowczko.com/paraclete-in-ancient-literature-and-nt/ Paraclete as “Advocate” in Ancient Literature In his commentary Letters of John and

January 18, 2024 No Comments

“Uncover-Cover” Words in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16

A short discussion on the adjective akatakalyptos and the verb katakalyptō (“cover”) used in 1 Corinthians 11:2–16.

July 21, 2023 20 Comments

바울의 사역 신학: 디모데전서 2:12

이 포스팅은 제가 2월 11일에 컨퍼런스에서 나누었던 내용 중 2부입니다. 서론을 포함하여 고린도전서 14:34~35 에 대한 토론인 1부 내용이 여기에 있습니다. 2부에서는 디모데전서 2장 12절을

June 18, 2023 No Comments

gender roles, gospels, Jesus, women, submission, Jesus em papéis de gênero

Jesus Called Her “Woman”

In this article, I look at every verse where Jesus directly addresses a woman as “woman.” These verses can sound cold and even rude in English. This article was first published in Mutuality magazine.

April 28, 2023 24 Comments

Paul’s Theology of Ministry: 1 Timothy 2:12

Here is more from a talk I gave on February 11. In part 2, I look at 1 Timothy 2:12 within its immediate context and within the context of First Timothy.

February 21, 2023 15 Comments

The thing that fell down from heaven (Acts 19:35)

What was the thing that fell down from heaven and was housed in the temple complex of the Ephesian Artemis? Was it a statue or a sacred stone?

February 2, 2023 2 Comments

Aphrodite and Temple Prostitution in Corinth

Introduction In the first-century Roman world, every major town had temples and shrines that were often attended by priestesses. Most of these priestesses came from

January 17, 2023 No Comments

sancification, transformation, maturity, prefection, trannsforming, head coverings

“Covering” or “Testicle” in 1 Cor. 11:15? (Part 2)

In part 2, I look at the two texts Troy Martin uses to support his “testicle” idea, at ancient Jewish texts that mention the Watchers, and at what Paul meant by “nature teaches” (1 Cor. 11:14).

December 14, 2022 20 Comments

Ezer kenegdo Genesis 2 Troy Martin, testicle, semen

“Covering” or “Testicle” in 1 Corinthians 11:15?

With some trepidation, I critique Troy Martin’s idea that peribolaion means testicle in 1 Cor. 11:15 and his idea that Paul thought hair is a conduit of semen.

November 25, 2022 9 Comments

An Overview of Paul’s Use of Kephalē (“Head”)

In this article, I provide an overview of how Paul uses the word kephalē (“head”) in his letters, and I give a brief note on each verse that contains the word.

August 1, 2022 44 Comments

Kephalē (“head”) as Metaphor in First-Century Texts

Here are some first-century Greek texts that use the word kephalē (“head”). They show how the word was used in Paul’s day.

July 23, 2022 14 Comments

A Close Look at Colossians 3:19 (Husbands)

Here I discuss Paul’s instructions to husbands in Col. 3:19. I look at this verse within the broader context of Colossians and explore what “bitter” means.

July 10, 2022 12 Comments

Authentein as Bad Behaviour in Ancient Texts

Drawing on ancient texts, I give 3 reasons why there should be a consensus on the general sense of “authentein” as bad bossy behaviour.

January 22, 2022 24 Comments

Woman’s Authority or Subordination in 1 Cor. 11:10?

Paul said in 1 Cor. 11:10 that a woman should have “authority on her head.” Whose authority is it?

November 14, 2021 33 Comments

Who are the 144,000 and why are they all men?

Who are the 144,000 in Revelation 7 and 14? What do they symbolise? Are women really excluded from this group?

October 13, 2021 6 Comments

Mary Magdalene and the Ascension

Mary Magdalene was the herald of Jesus’s resurrection and of his impending ascension. After his resurrection, why did Jesus tell her, “Do not cling to me”?

May 12, 2021 14 Comments

1. The Grammar of Ephesians 5:21-22: Participles

In this article, I look at the Greek participles in Ephesians 5:18-21, especially the “submit” participle in verse 21.

February 20, 2021 10 Comments

The Greek Word ‘Praus’ and Meek Warhorses

Is meekness a masculine virtue? How do ancient writers use the Greek word praus (“meek”)? What do ancient writers say about meek warhorses?

July 20, 2020 53 Comments

Mutual submission Eph 5:21 1 Peter 5:5 hypotasso

Mutual Submission in Ephesians 5:21 and in 1 Peter 5:5

Eph. 5:21 is one New Testament verse that encourages mutual submission. 1 Peter 5:5 is another. This post looks at the Greek grammar and vocabulary of 1 Peter 5:5.

May 3, 2020 19 Comments

Manhood and Masculinity in the ESV

The word “manhood” occurs twice in the English Standard Version. Does this word convey what Paul wanted to say in Eph. 4:13? In what other ways does the ESV create a masculine bias.

August 11, 2019 35 Comments

Authentein in 1 Timothy 2:12, in a Nutshell

This short post looks at the verb authenteō (authentein) in 1 Tim. 2:12. My claim is that “to have, exercise, usurp authority” is an inadequate and misleading translation.

April 21, 2018 24 Comments

4 provas que “cabeça” não significa “líder” em 1 Coríntios 11:3

1 Coríntios 11:3 é um verso difícil de interpretar, e ocorre no início de uma passagem difícil. Uma coisa é vital, no entanto, devemos ler para encontrar a intenção de Paulo para aqueles que estão “no Senhor”.

February 11, 2018 No Comments

4 reasons “head” does not mean “leader” in 1 Cor. 11:3

The Greek word for “head” rarely, if ever, meant “leader” in works originally written in Greek in Paul’s time. Here are four facts that support this claim.

August 14, 2017 55 Comments

The meaning of authentein with a brief history of authent– words

Here is a close look at the word authentein (translated as ‘to usurp authority’ in 1 Tim. 2:12 KJV). A brief history of how authent- words and their meanings developed is included.

June 29, 2017 119 Comments

Genesis 2 gender roles lightstock_102522

Is a Gender Hierarchy Implicit in Genesis 2?

Here’s a paper I presented back in 2015 and which is included in the book “The Gender Conversation.”

May 9, 2017 61 Comments

Hell (2): Eternal Torment, Eternal Fire, Eternal Death?

Several Bible verses refer to a future judgment involving eternal elements such as fire and worms. Do these verses speak of eternal conscious torment for the unrepentant?

July 19, 2016 47 Comments

God on Divorce (Malachi 2:16)

Here are some better translations of Malachi 2:16 that faithfully reflect the Hebrew grammar and do not have God saying, “I hate divorce.”

May 21, 2016 108 Comments

didaktikos, 1 Timothy 3:2, 2 Timothy 2:24

What does didaktikos mean in 1 Tim 3:2 and 2 Tim 2:24?

In 1 Timothy 3:2 and in 2 Timothy 2:24 is a rare Greek word, didaktikos. This word is usually translated as “able to teach” but it may mean “teachable.”

December 12, 2015 14 Comments

Teshuqah: The Woman’s “Desire” in Genesis 3:16

The Hebrew word teshuqah is usually translated as “desire” in Gen. 3:16: “your desire will be for your husband.” What does this mean?

November 7, 2015 122 Comments

What does “weaker vessel” mean in 1 Peter 3:7?

What did Peter mean when he said a wife is a “weaker vessel”? This article considers how “weak” is used of women in ancient documents.

August 12, 2015 14 Comments

Ephesians 5:22 codex vaticanus no verb, New Testament Greek

Freebies for Students of New Testament Greek

Here are some free online Greek texts, tools and resources that I have found useful.

June 12, 2015 26 Comments

wife has no authority over her body, 1 Corinthians 7:4

A wife has no authority of her own body? (1 Cor. 7:4)

What did Paul mean by “A wife/ husband does not have authority of her /his body” in 1 Cor. 7:4? This verse has been terribly misunderstood by some.

January 7, 2015 55 Comments

Febe una diácono de la Iglesia en Cencrea

(5) Phoebe: Deacon of the Church in Cenchrea

In Part 5, I look at 1 Timothy 3:8-13, concerning male and female deacons in the Ephesian church, and at Phoebe as a prostatis (patron). I briefly compare her ministry with that of Olympias and also Stephanas (1 Cor. 16:15-18).

November 25, 2014 13 Comments

early christian women priscilla Phoebe Junia

Diakon- Words in Major Greek Lexicons

Lexicons show that diakon- words are used in a variety of ways for a variety of ministries. Danker’s and Collin’s understanding of diakon- words, with their emphasis on agency, fits well with the broad usage of these words in the New Testament and the narrower usage in the Apostolic Fathers.

November 16, 2014 4 Comments