Word Study: Perverse

 The English word perverse carries a raunchy meaning today, but in the Kings James Bible it translates a different idea.

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The Greek word here is diastrepho; to distort; really to turn away toward moral corruption.

Paul is warning about grievous wolves as well as men arising out of the midst of the company of those who lead the flock. He emphasizes his warning that he has been making for three years as having been done with tears. This is not a light thing.

He warned of a similar thing in Phil 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

This does not use the word in question, but it does describe a group with the same effect.

Jesus said the same:

Matt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

But what is diastrepho? What do the translators mean by perverse?

Jesus is quoted using the word in Matt 17:17 and Luke 9:41. He uses it in relation to the generation he found around him, perverting the truth of God and his word and overthrowing the faith of many. There is a lot to be said about this story, the follow up is that his own disciples could not cast out the afflicting devil because of unbelief. Their own understanding clouded their ability to hear the word of God as emphasized in Luke 9:45. Perverse are the words which cast doubt and strengthen unbelief.

The next time we see the word is in Luke 23:2 where it is used to describe Jesus in the Jewish leaders accusations before Pilate. The disagreement was real, the mind of man versus the word of God, the very definition of perverse; but used to slander the truth.

In Acts 13:8, 10 we see the word used of Elymas the sorcerer; he seeks to "turn away" the deputy from the faith, and it is asked of him, "wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?" We see this as an example of grievous wolves, not sparing the sheep, perverting the truth continually.

Lastly we see an admonition for the positive response to stop perversity, to shine as lights in the world in the midst of the perversity. Avoid words and ways contrary to that taught by God, be the opposite of the perversity which surrounds us.

Phil 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Be warned against the mind of men, be strengthened in the right ways of God. Follow truth without entering into the strife of men. Do not agree with the diastrepho.

PS

The word crooked in Phil 2:15 means warped or winding; an apt description of the perverted truth that surrounds us in the world.

Eternal Judgment

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

Rom 5

2Pet chapter 2 and 3

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Underworld

Hell, the grave, the lake of fire and eternal punishment. What does the Bible have to say about these things. Many words are translated differently in different places, so the ability to quickly discern what is being talked about is hindered. What follows is a look at the words in Hebrew and Greek which are used in various ways to discuss the fact of a place where beings are confined and places which are contrasted with heaven.

In the future I will discuss how all these fit in time and place but for now just a repository of scripture on the subject which will be added to from time to time

Hell

G86 Hades

Matt 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell(hades): also Luke 10:15

Acts 2:27 (quoted from psalms); Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

1Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave (hades), where is thy victory?

Rev 1:18; 6:8

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell (hades) delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell (hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell (hades) shall not prevail against it.

Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell (hades) he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

H7585 Sheol

Gen 37:35; 42:38; 44:29, 31; Num 16:33 (pit); Dt 32:22; 1Sam 2:6; 2Sam 22:6; 1Ki 2:6, 9; Job 7:9; 11:8; 14:13; 17:13, 16; 21:13; 24:19; 26:6; Ps 6:5; 9:17; 16:10 (quoted in Acts 2:27); 30:3; 31:17; 49:14-15; 55:15; 86:13; 88:3; 89:48; 116:3; 139:8; 141:7; Prov 1:12; 5:5: 7:27; 9:18; 15:11, 24 (a place to stay out of); 23:14; 27:20; 30:16; Ecc 9:10; Song 8:6; Isa 5:14; 14:9, 11, 15; 28:15, 18; 38:10, 18; 57:9; Ezek 31:15-17; 32:21, 27; Hos 13:14; Amos 9:2; Jon 2:2; Hab 2:5

G5020 Tartaroo

2Pet 2:4 (referring to angels that sinned reserved unto judgment)

G1067 Ghehennah

Matt 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mar 9:43, 45, 47 (fire never quenched); Luke 12:5; James 3:6

Lake of Fire (and Brimstone)

Rev 19:20; 20:10, 14-15

tormented day and night for ever and ever; the second death

Brimstone

G2303 

Luke 17:29 (fell on Sodom); Rev 9:17-18; 14:10; 19:20; 20:10; 21:8

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

H1614 (Always associated with final judgment)

Gen 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Dt 29:23; Job 18:15; Psalm 11:6; Isa 30:33; 34:9; Ezek 38:22

Eternal judgment

Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make,

shall remain before me, saith the LORD,

so shall your seed and your name remain.

23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another,

and from one sabbath to another,

shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

24 And they shall go forth, and look

upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me:

for their worm shall not die,

neither shall their fire be quenched;

and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Paradise

Luke 23:43; today with me in paradise (2Cor 12:4; Rev 2:7)

The Pit (Sometimes Sheol, others not)

Num 16:30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.

31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. 35 And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

Job 17:16; 33:18, 24, 20, 30; Ps 30:3, 9; 55:23; 143:7 Prov 1:12; Isa 51:14; Rev 11:7; 17:8; 20:1-3

Psalm 94:13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

Isa 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell (Sheol), to the sides of the pit.

Rev 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

Judgment

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: