What does loyal mean?

by Unknown

The New World Translation published by the Watchtower Society, as well as the associated concordance, use the word loyal (for Greek: hosios) in the following Bible texts:

1 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 Timothy 2:8; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 7:26; Revelation 15:4, and the word not loyal (Greek: anosios) in 2 Timothy 3:2). The word anosios also appears in 1. Timothy 1:9, but is surprisingly reproduced there with since there is a lack of loving kindness, while the English New World translation in its interlinear edition for it in the interlinear translation unloyal ones, so Unloyale, but in the normal English text, which is the basis of the German translation, it says lacking lovingkindness, so because there is a lack of loving kindness. Why one chose this term here, which deviates far from the Greek text, cannot be made justified nor comprehensible.

But let us go back to the word loyal. The term loyal does not originate from the German language, but is a foreign word. How is it defined?

In the large foreign dictionary of Brockhaus it is said to it:

  1. to government, standing to superior, laws, respecting the form of government, law-, government-loyal
  2. respecting the interests of others, faithful to contracts, decent, honest
    1. loyalty to the ruling power, the government, the superior; loyalty to the law, government
    2. Contractual loyalty, respect for the interests of others, decency, honesty.

It becomes clear here that the concepts of loyalty and loyalty are essentially on the interpersonal level. Of course it can be said that a Christian also wants and is loyal to God and Christ. Nevertheless, the word itself does not contain any meaning that would point in the direction of God.

And also in the writings of the Organization of Jehovah's Witnesses the word is generally used in the same way, namely in relation to the obligation to loyalty to the Faithful and Intelligent Slave and the Governing Body. It becomes a means of discipline.

The practical application

The loyalty of Jehovah's Witnesses

Recently, in a lecture on loyalty, only this aspect was highlighted. For example, it was said that someone who was present at the meetings but who let his thoughts wander and did not listen was disloyal. Other similar examples of disloyalty were cited and in the end the listeners were asked to see for themselves whether they were loyal – to the organization and its instructions, of course.

Here the word "loyal" was and is applied to the human level – in the sense of its normal meaning. But does the Greek word hosios (and anosios) have this meaning? Is the English and German rendition with loyalty to the original meaning of the word somewhat corresponding?

How then do other German translations of the Bible reproduce the word hosios in the passages mentioned (including 1 Timothy 1:9)? We predominantly find the word holy, in individual cases also consecrated, pure, pious, fearing God. The word anosios, on the other hand, is translated as godless, unholy, unholy, unclean, unholy, unholy and unformed.

These words all have an inherent direction of meaning upwards, that is, in the direction of God; they all stand with their meaning in the direction of God, of Christ, and only in connection with this also in the direction of other people, just as a Christian way of life also stands in connection with Christ, but then also in connection with fellow human beings. Loyalty (to God and Christ in the first place) is certainly included, but the word loyal in no way covers the breadth of meaning of these words.

But what do Greek dictionaries say about the words hosios and anosios? Here are some details of such dictionaries:

  • Greek-German dictionary by Bauer-Aland: hosios: pious, godly, holy; anosios: unholy, godless
  • Theological glossary of terms for the New Testament by Brockhaus: hosios: heilig anosios: unheilig
  • Exegetic dictionary on the New Testament: hosios: holy, pious godly; anosios: unholy, without piety, godless
  • The complete Wordstudy Dictionary – New Testament: hosios: sacred, holy; anosios: a* without, hosios consecrated, hallowed, holy, righteous, unpolluted with wickedness. Unholy, ungodly,(hallowed, holy a* without, hosios consecrated, hallowed, holy, just, not polluted by evil, anosios: unholy, godless

Did the translators directly translate wrongly when they reproduced hosios and anosios with loyalty and with disloyalty? They have covered up the essential meaning of the Greek words and they then use the word loyal in a way that does not correspond to the Greek words.

Perhaps the Watchtower slave has difficulty reproducing the word, like most translations, with a word that clearly indicates the relationship with God. Perhaps he also has difficulty with the word holy, because according to the teachings of the Witnesses, among the nearly 7 million Jehovah's Witnesses, there are few who are considered saints. But perhaps the word loyal is also much better suited for manipulation. One can demand obedience and loyalty to every instruction. In any case, a word that should teach believers to look up is used here to direct their attention to the organization and its leadership. It is up to each to draw his own conclusions. It is not uncommon for inaccuracies and errors to be intentional, intentional, especially when they are so well suited to manipulating and controlling people. Certainly, one can deceive people, especially if one teaches them to use only New World translation. But does the slave believe he can deceive God?

Comments

All Pictures

Write a comment:
Name:   E-Mail:

I read the New World Privacy Statement very carefully. I am extremely excited about the New World Privacy Statement. I am allowed to stop the processing and storage of my data immediately with an email to antichristwachtturm[at]gmail.com if I feel like it.

Important note: The fields for name and e-mail address are not mandatory.

Your comment will appear on this page after 24 hours at the latest.
Why aren't all comments published?
Creation date: February 08, 2008 ♦ Printable versionLinks to other websitesPrivacy statementSitemapContactImprint
🔎 de