Analysis #1 for Account

Introduction

Here we will perform Analysis Item #1

• How are other Greek words that are translated into the same English word/clause.
• How does the contextual use of these other words in other verses inform our understanding of the use of the same English word in this verse.

In summary, we are identifying whether the word in this verse should be thought of in the same sense that we typically think of the word in English OR are there some refinements and/or boundaries on how we should understand this word in this context.

English Definition of Account

There are multiple senses of account.  We will only look at the relevant senses.  One of the relevant senses is most easily portrayed by also looking at the definition of a closely related word, accountable.

1. account
   1. an oral or written description of particular events or situations
   2. an explanatory statement of conduct, as to a superior
   3. to answer concerning one’s conduct, duties, etc.
2. accountable
   1. subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something; responsible; answerable.

Note

In Analysis #2 we will look at logos by itself.  A brief note needs to be made about one finding there to assist this portion of analysis.  It will be shown that the selection of the English word account for logos is rare.  The reason logos is translated as account in these contexts rather than the more common ways of translating it is because of the verb that precedes it in each of these cases.  In order to properly perform this analysis (Analysis #1) we will need to account for these preceding verbs and one or two clauses that contains logos that are translated to account.

Greek Words Translated to Account

• (76%) 13 0f 17 – logos [noun] (Strong’s 3056) – only looking at the sense of logos which is translated account
  • logos preceded by apodidomi or apodidomi ho
    • Matthew 12:36; Luke 16:2; Acts 19:40; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 4:5
  • logos preceded by sunairo
    • Matthew 18:23, 25:19;
  • logos preceded by didomi
    • Romans 14:12
  • logos preceded by protos
    • Acts 1:1
  • logos in a clause, ego ho logos
    • Hebrews 4:13
  • (not analyzed) logos preceded by miscellaneous minor words/clauses like the, you and your
    • Mark 1:45; Philippians 4:17; 1 Peter 3:15
• #1 – (12%) 2 of 17 – ellogeo [verb] (Strong’s 1677) – charge to one’s account
  • Romans 5:13;
  • Philemon 18 (compound construction – houtous ego ellogeo)
• #2 – (6%) 1 of 17 – diegesis [noun] (Strong’s 1335) – narrative
  • Luke 1:1
• #3 – (6%) 1 of 17 – hupodikos [adjective] (Strong’s 5267) – answerable to
  • Romans 3:19

Additional Greek Words Considered

• Verb – 3 occurrences – sunairo (Strong’s 4868) – reckon, settle
• Verb – 48 occurrences – apodidomi (Strong’s 591) – pay, render, give
• Verb – 415 occurrences – didomi (Strong’s 1325) – give

We will not look at protos (Strong’s 1325).  It is not needed for this study.  You can review it’s meaning in Strong’s Lexicon and see how it used to confirm.

Roadmap for Comparing and Contrasting

There aren’t too many words to consider and the number of verses is also pretty small.  We will review all of them.  Since we have to understand the Greek word that precedes logos, we are looking at each of the phrases that are translated into account with the exception of apodidomi logos .  We will look at apodidomi logos in Analysis #2.

Having already narrowed the set of words by excluding sense of account such as “on account of” (sense: because of), we don’t have to many words/clauses that are opposed to what we find in Hebrews 13:17.  Most of this study will be on looking at words/clauses that are relevant for refining.  We do have a few clauses (logos preceded by another word) which we haven’t filtered out yet.

• Relevant for Refining – words that are similar or complimentary that help us gain a refined understanding of apodidomi logos
  • ellogeo (verb)
  • hupodikos (adjective)
  • sunairo logos (clause)
  • didomi logos (clause)
  • ego ho logos (clause)
• Not Very Relevant – words that don’t provide much extra information after looking at the previous words “in opposition” and “for refining”
  • diegesis (noun)
  • protos logos (clause)
  • logos preceded by common words like the, you, your

See Keyword – sunairo and review the definitions of this word.

Matthew 18:23 – For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man–a king–who wanted to settle accounts (sunairo logos) with his slaves.

Matthew 25:19 – Now after a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts (sunairo logos) with them.

logos in a clause, ego ho logos

Hebrews 4:13 – And no creature is hidden in the sight of him, but all things are naked and laid bare to the eyes of him to whom we must give our account (ego ho logos).

ellogeo – to reckon, lay to one’s charge

See Keyword – ellogeo and review the definitions of this word.

Romans 5:13 – for till law sin was in the world, but sin is not charged to one’s account (ellogeo) when there is no law.

Philemon 18 (clause)- But if in anythnig he has caused you loss or owes you anything, charge this to my account (houtos ego ellogeo).

hupodikos – under judgment, debtor to someone

See Keyword – hupodikos and review the definitions of this word.

Romans 3:19 – Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those under the law, in order that every mouth may be closed and the whole world may become accountable (hupodikos) to God.

logos preceded by didomi

See Keyword – didomi and review the definitions of this word.

Romans 14:12 – So each one of us will give an account (didomi logos) concerning himself

Not Very Relevant

logos preceded by protos

See Keyword – protos and review the definitions of this word.

Acts 1:1 – I produced the former account (protos logos), O Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and to teach

This is clearly a different sense of the word account and it doesn’t add to our study.

diegesis – a narration, narrative

See Keyword – diegesis and review the definitions of this word.

Luke 1:1 – Since many have attempted to compile an account (diegesis) concerning the events that have been fulfilled among us

This is a case of account where Luke is giving an account which doesn’t denote any personal responsibility.  He is just giving a narrative of what he witnessed.

Summary