The Foundation of the Church
Course: The
Cross
Greek word studies
Exaleiphein: to
wipe out
Title: Our sin is completely wiped away
Theme: When God forgives there remains
no record of our sin.
Text: Colossians 2:14 'Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was
against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to
his cross;'
Exaleiphein -
blotting (to wipe out)
From two Greek
words 'ek' meaning out and 'aleipho' meaning to wipe.
In New Testament
times documents were written on papyrus.
The ink was made
of soot, mixed with gum, and diluted with water.
The ink contained
no acid.
Once it had dried
it lasted a long time.
If a wet sponge
was wiped over it soon after it was written, then it could be completely wiped
away without any trace.
There is another
word in Greek that is used in regard to cancelling a debt. The Greek word is Chiazein
The first letter
is the Greek letter X
It means being
cancelled because the debt is crossed out.
A cross is put on
it but under the X the debt can still be seen.
Paul uses the word
'exaleiphein' and not the word 'chiazein' because our sin is not crossed out it
is completely wiped away.
When it is wiped
away there is no record.
Their sins and
their iniquities I will remember no more.
Hebrews
Hebrews
Bibliography
William
Barclay, New Testament Words,
Westminster John Knox Press: