Never Greater, Occasionally Helpful
on rare occasions, the english translation(s) of scripture will have an added emphasis that aligns with the original language(s). still, be careful not to retroject that meaning. use it in a homily whilst noting what it is. let me parable a parable for you.
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15 KJV)
ho echo ous akouo (MOUNCE)
the greek akouo means to heed, obey, or listen to. ous is the ear. the english could have said he that has ears to listen, let him listen, and that would have worked. in choosing ear and hear (you can’t say hear without saying ear) as pairs, the editors of the kjv have introduced a new element of emphasis to god’s word of life.
if we think this new element gives life in it of itself, we are in trouble. but, if we use this new element to highlight the emphasis of the original, then we have a new tool in our utility belt of instruction that feeds the breath of life.
read matthew 11:1-14 aloud to yourself, or to a weaker sibling, or to a niece, or to a stranger, or to an enemy, to see a microcosm of the context which saint matthew attributes to saint john the baptizer. notice, jesus does not just the didactic, but the didactic and the kerygmatic in their towns. him with ears to hear, let him hear.