Luke 12:15 Take heed, and beware of covetousness:​

Spoken to
group

Jesus addresses the group after a man asks him to divide his inheritance with him.

KJV

Luke 12:15 Take heed, and beware of covetousness:​ for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

NIV

Luke 12:15 Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.

LISTENERS HEARD

Look out and defend yourself from all greed. Because this life of his exists not in the superiority for anyone out of the current advantages for him.

MY TAKE

Any superiority does not come from any current advantanges.

GREEK ORDER

Ὁρᾶτε     καὶ φυλάσσεσθε          ἀπὸ    πάσης πλεονεξίας, ὅτι        οὐκ ἐν τῷ  περισσεύειν τινὶ
Look out and defend yourselves from all        greed.         Because not in  the superiority  for anyone

ἡ    ζωὴ αὐτοῦ   ἐστὶν          ἐκ      τῶν  ὑπαρχόντων           αὐτῷ.
this life of his    does exist, out of the   current advantages for him.

 

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Many of Jesus's words are ignored or changed in form here, in both translations. Too many to note here, see the detailed analysis below.

The "beware" and "be on your guard" is a Greek verb that means "to keep watch", "to guard", "to defend", and "to keep watch and ward." However, it is in the middle voice, "defend yourselves" or "guard yourselves." In ingoring this, the English translations must mistranslate the following preposition, "from" and change it to "of" or "against."

The verb translated as "consists" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It is usually translated as "is", but here "exists" might work better, but it does not mean "consist".  The "not" doesn't negate this verb but the phrase "in the/an abundance."

The verb translated as "abundance" means "to be superior" and "to go beyond" or "to surpass." It is an infinitive used as a verb, "being superior" or "superiority." The word also means "to abound in" so "the abounding in" or "abundance," however, this  confuses what Jesus is saying because he modifies this with "for/with/of anyone/anything." Superiority "for anyone" since Jesus wasn't speaking agains abundance for anyone.

The untranslated word primarily means "anything" or "anyone." It is not the common possessive form, though it could be. It could refer to people or things. So, "for anyone" or "with anything."

This brings us to the last phrase translated as "of the things that which he possesseth" and "of possessions." The "possess/possessions" is from a verb in the form of a participle used as a noun that means "existing circumstances", "present advantages", "possessions", "resources, "that which is in existence," and "the past record." This third-person pronound that follows could be "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
14
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This word is better translated as a form of seeing, "watch out" or "look out."
  • WV -- Wrong Voice- - This is not an active voice, but either be passive or the middle voice, someone acting on themselves. 
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek missing word "all" is in the source we use today.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "man" should be something more like "anyone."
  • WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The "of anything" doesn't belong here after "abundance."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "life" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "of his" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "consists" should be something more like "is."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "abundance" doesn't work here because it is "the abundance of anything."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "which" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This "he" is not a subject but an indirect object.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This "possesses" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing" in the present and "-ed," "en," etc. in the past. 
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
15
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WV -- Wrong Voice- - This is not an active voice, but either be passive or the middle voice, someone acting on themselves. 
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "kinds of " doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "because" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "something" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "life" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "of his" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WP -- Wrongly Placed --   The "not" doesn't belong before the verb but before the "in."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "consist" should be something more like "is."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "abundance" doesn't work here because it is "the abundance of anything."
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "an" should be something more like "the."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "these/those" before "possessions" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "for him" is not shown in the English translation.
EACH WORD of KJV

Take heed,- (CW) "Take heed," is from a Greek verb, which means "to see with the eyes," "to look," and "to observe." It has the sense ofbsighting something. Jesus uses this word often to mean "watch out" or "look out" as a warning but another verb is better translated as "watch" so "look" works more consistently.  This word is better translated as a form of seeing, "watch out" or "look out."

and - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

beware   -- (WV) "Beware" is from a Greek verb that  means "to keep watch," "to guard," "to defend," "to keep watch and ward," and "to wait in ambush for."  It is a metaphor for "preserve," "maintain,"and "cherish."  This is not an active voice, but either be passive or the middle voice, someone acting on themselves. The following "from" only works if this verb is in the middle voice.

of --- (CW) The word translated as "of" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form  usually translated as "of." Referring to time, it means "from," and "after." This "from" only works if the previous verb is in the middle voice.

missing "all"  -- (OS) The untranslated word is the word "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."

covetousness:​  - "Covetousness'" is a Greek word that means "greediness", "arrogance", "advantage", "assumption," and "a larger share of a thing." Both "greed" and "arrogance" work here but perhaps "a larger share of a thing" works best because that was what the question was about. 

for-- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. It means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question. Another common word is used for "for."

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

man's -- (WW, WP) The Greek word translated as "man's" in the singular means "anyone," "someone,"  "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."  This word doesn't mean "man." The "of anything" doesn't belong here after "abundance." The form is an indirect object which can be a possessive, but it could also means "by anything," "for anyone," or "with anything. 

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

life . -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property."Jesus uses it to mean the "existence" of physical life, spirit plus body. To learn more read this article on life eternal, For more on how Christ uses this word with other words about human existence (soul, heart, spirit, body, etc.), read this article.

missing "of his"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "his" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English.  The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his."

consisteth -- (WW) The verb "Consisteth " here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.  The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. This word doesn't mean "consists." 

not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. 

in   -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with an indirect-object form object.  About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

abundance - (CW)  The verb translated as "abundance" is a verb that means "to be superior" and "to go beyond" or "to surpass." It is an infinitive used as a verb, "being superior" or "superiority." The word also means "to abound in" so "the abounding in" or "abundance," however, this  confuses what Jesus is saying because he modifies this with "of anything." Superiority "for anyone" since Jesus wasn't speaking against abundance for anyone.

of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by" based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs. 

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

things - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the following participle.

which -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.

he --   (WF) The word translated as "he" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person,  indirect object pronoun. This is not a subject but an indirect object.

possesseth. - (WF) "Possesses" is from a participle of a verb. The verb means "to take the initiative", "to begin." As a participle used as a noun, it means, "possessions", "resources, and "the past record." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing" in the present and "-ed," "en," etc. in the past. 

EACH WORD of NIV

Watch out!,-  "Watch out" is from a Greek verb, which means "to see with the eyes," "to look," and "to observe." It has the sense ofbsighting something. Jesus uses this word often to mean "watch out" or "look out" as a warning but another verb is better translated as "watch" so "look" works more consistently.  This word is better translated as a form of seeing, "watch out" or "look out."

missing "and"  -- (MW) The untranslated word   "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

Be on your guard --  (WV) "Be on your guard " is from a Greek verb that  means "to keep watch," "to guard," "to defend," "to keep watch and ward," and "to wait in ambush for."  It is a metaphor for "preserve," "maintain,"and "cherish." This is not a command, but an active verb, "you should defend." This is not an active voice, but either be passive or the middle voice, someone acting on themselves.   The following "from" only works if this verb is in the middle voice.

against --- (CW)  The word translated as "against" means "from" in both locations and when referring to a source or a cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done and "away from." It is not the word form  usually translated as "of." Referring to time, it means "from," and "after."  This "from" only works if the previous verb is in the middle voice.

all -- The word "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."

kinds of -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.

greed:​  - "Greed'" is a Greek word that means "greediness", "arrogance", "advantage", "assumption," and "a larger share of a thing." Both "greed" and "arrogance" work here but perhaps "a larger share of a thing" works best because that was what the question was about. 

missing "because"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. It means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question. Another common word is used for "for."

missing "for anyone"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "anyone" in the singular means "anyone," "someone,"  "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why." The form is an indirect object which can be a possessive, but it could also means "by anything" or "with anything."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

life . -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property."Jesus uses it to mean the "existence" of physical life, spirit plus body. To learn more read this article on life eternal, For more on how Christ uses this word with other words about human existence (soul, heart, spirit, body, etc.), read this article.

missing "of his"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "his" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English.  The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his."

does -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.

not -- (WP)  The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.  The "not" doesn't belong before the verb but before the "in."

consist -- (WW) The verb "Consisteth " here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics.  The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. This word doesn't mean "consists." 

in   -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time),  or "among"  with an indirect-object form object.  About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."

an -- (WW) The word translated as "an" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.  This word doesn't mean "an." 

abundance - (CW) The verb translated as "abundance" is a verb that means "to be superior" and "to go beyond" or "to surpass." It is an infinitive used as a verb, "being superior" or "superiority." The word also means "to abound in" so "the abounding in" or "abundance," however, this translation creates a redundancy with the end of the verse.

of -- (CW) The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." The word also means "beyond," "on," "in," "since," or "by" based upon its context, but it indicates separation "from" something rather than being a part "of "it like "of" does. It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.

missing "these/those"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. Here, it changes the following participle into a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.

possessions. -  "Possessions" is from a participle of a verb. The verb means "to take the initiative", "to begin." As a participle used as a noun, it means, "possessions", "resources, and "the past record." This is not a noun, but technically the participle used as a noun, "possessings," but the noun form works better.

missing "for him"  -- (MW) The untranslated word  "for him" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English.  The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

Ὁρᾶτε [20 verses](verb 2nd pl pres imperat act) "Take heed" is from horao, which means "to see with the eyes," "to look," "to observe," "see," "aim," "have sight," "behold," "keep in sight," and as a metaphor of mental sight, "discern," and "perceive." Jesus often uses it as a warning as we would use "watch out" or "look out."-

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as." -

φυλάσσεσθε [6 verses]  (verb 2nd pl pres imperat mp) "Beware" is from phylasso, which means "to keep watch," "to guard," "to defend," "to keep watch and ward," "to wait in ambush for," and "to observe" [at an appointed time]. It is a metaphor for "preserve," "maintain," and "cherish."

ἀπὸ [190 verses]​(prep) "From" is apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause. It also means the instrument "by" which a thing is done. Referring to time, it means "from," and "after."  Usually takes the genitive object.

πάσης [212 verses] (adj sg fem gen) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether."

πλεονεξίαι, [2 verses]( noun pl fem nom ) "Covetousness'" is from pleonexia, which means "greediness," "arrogance," "advantage," "assumption," and "a larger share of a thing."

ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "for" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." This is the same word can be translated as both "because" and "that" in the same verse when answering two different types of questions.

οὐκ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during,"  and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."

τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

περισσεύειν  [8 verses] (verb pres inf act) "Abundance" is perisseuo which means "to be over and above," "to go beyond," "to abound in," "to be superior," and, in a negative sense, "to be superfluous." -

τινὶ [252 verses] (pron sg dat) "A man's" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες.  It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point?  to what end?

[821 verses](article sg fem nom )  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  --

ζωὴ[42 verses]  (noun sg fem nom ) "Life" is zoe, which means "living," "substance," "property," "existence," and, incidentally, "the scum on milk." It has the sense of how we say "make a living" to mean property. Homer used it more to mean the opposite of death

αὐτοῦ [142 verses](adv/adj sg masc gen) "His/" is autou, which means is the singular adjective used as the genitive pronoun, which is used as a possessive form or the object of prepositions and sometimes verbs as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In its adverbial form, this means "just here" or "exactly there." This form is often used as the object of a preposition, him." This form of an object of a preposition means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. The time sense of a genitive object is that the event occurred within a specified time. Though the form is masculine, it refers to masculine words, not people.  The masculine form is used to refer to people in general, not just men.

ἐστίν [614 verses] (3rd sg pres ind act) "Consisteth" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed.  "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it."  With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."

ἐκ  [121 verses] (prep) "From" is ek , which means 1) [of motion] "out of," "from," "by," "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond," "outside of," "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after," "from;" 4) [of rest] "on," "in," 5) [of time] "since," "from," "at," "in;" 7) [of materials] "out of," "made from;" 7) cause, instrument, or means "by." It is also used to describe the author or means "by" which something is done, especially with passive verbs.

τῶν [821 verses](article pl neut nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

ὑπαρχόντων  [5 verses] (part pl pres act neut nom) "Things which he possesseth"is from hyparchonta, which is the participle form of hyparcho, which means "to take the initiative", "to begin", "take the initiative in","to be the beginning", "to exist really", "to be laid down", "to be taken for granted", and of persons "to be devoted to one." In this form, a participle used as a noun, it means "existing circumstances", "present advantages", "possessions", "resources, "that which is in existence," and "the past record." -

αὐτῷ [106 verses](pron/adj sg masc/neut dat) "He" is  is auto, the dative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord." The form is the third person, plural as an indirect object of the verb or the object of a preposition.  When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same."A dative object of a preposition implies no movement but in a fixed position. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "his."

Wordplay

There a several words here that carry a double meaning relating either positions or attitude. Arrogance and superiority which could related to possessions or current advantages. 

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