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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the NT: Admonition
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Obedience to God’s law and submission to His will are essential for progressive spiritual life. Human nature being what it is, there is need for constant admonition (2Pe_1:10-21). In the NT reference is made to this subject in its family, professional, and Divine aspects.
1. íïõèåôÝù and íïõèåóßá (a later form for íïõèÝôçóéò ) are not found in the NT outside the Pauline Epp., except in St. Paul’s speech, Act_20:31. For the former see Rom_15:14, 1Co_4:14, Col_1:28; Col_3:16, 1Th_5:12; 1Th_5:14, 2Th_3:15; for the latter 1Co_10:11, Eph_6:4, Tit_3:10; cf. Isa_8:16; Isa_30:8 ff., Hab_2:2 f., Deu_31:19 ff. The terms are used in classical Greek (e.g. Aristoph. Ranœ, 1009), but are more common in later Greek (Philo, Josepbus). The root idea is ‘to put in mind’ ( ἐí ôῷ íῷ ôéèÝíáé ), to train by word, always with the added suggestion of sternness, reproof, remonstrance, blame (cf. aesch, Prom. 264; Aristoph. Vesp. 254; Plato, Gorg. 479A). The implication is ‘a monitory appeal to the íïῦò rather than a direct rebuke or censure’ (Ellicott). To admonish is the duty of a father or parent (Eph_6:4; cf. Wis_11:10, Pss.-Sol. 13:8), or brother (2Th_3:15). The object and reason of such admonition must be realized if it is to be a means of moral discipline. The admonition and teaching of Col_1:28 correspond to the ‘repent and believe’ of the gospel message.
2. ðáñáéíÝù signifies ‘recommend,’ ‘exhort,’ ‘admonish’ (Act_27:9; Act_27:22; cf. 2Ma_7:25-26, 3Ma_5:17; 3Ma_7:12 A). This word is common in classical Greek, and is also found in the Apocrypha. St. Luke would be familiar with it as a term used for the advice of a physician. Its presence in a ‘We’ section is suggestive. St. Paul as a person of position and an experienced traveller gives advice in an emergency, as a skilled doctor would admonish a patient in a serious illness (see Hawkins, Horœ synopticœ, 1899, p. 153).
3. ÷ñçìáôßæù in the active signifies ‘transact business’ ( ÷ñῆìá ), ‘give a Divine response to one consulting an oracle,’ ‘give Divine admonition’ (cf. Jer_25:30; Jer_31:2, Job_40:8). The passive is used of the admonition given (Luk_2:26; cf. ÷ñçìáôéóìüò , Rom_11:4, 2Ma_2:4), and of the person thus admonished (Mat_2:12; Mat_2:22, Act_10:22; cf. Act_11:26 and Rom_7:3 where ‘called’ is the translation; Heb_8:5; Heb_11:7; cf. Heb_12:25). This meaning of ‘Divine oracle’ is found chiefly in the NT, with the underlying idea that the mind and heart must be suitably prepared for its reception. For private and public exhortation by preachers, teachers, and communities, see Gal_2:14, 1Th_2:2, 1Ti_4:13, 2Ti_4:2. See also Chastisement and Discipline.
H. Cariss J. Sidnell.