Greek Word Studies 

Advanced Level

 

Greek Words of Interest

 

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 8:12  'For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.'

Hebrews 10:17  'And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.'

Colossians 2:14 (Daily verse)

 

 

Source: William Barclay New Testament Words, Westminster John Knox Press: Kentucky, 1974, pp.116-118.

 

 

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