What Does Luke 14:30 Mean in the King James?
Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
An unfinished work exposes the gap between beginning and having the strength to carry it through.
THE MEANING
A beginning leaves evidence in the world, and unfinished work exposes the limit it meets. When that limit is visible to others, incompletion can become an occasion for ridicule, as the surrounding words say.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Starting is not the same as having the capacity to finish; an impressive beginning does not guarantee completion.
THE ROOT
ἐκτελέσαι
ektelesai
GROWS FROM
τελ- (tel-), from τελέω (teleō)
To bring to an end, complete, accomplish.
The English “finish” can sound like merely stopping, while the Greek names bringing a work all the way to its end. Beside it, the verb translated “was able” evokes having strength, exposing the gap between beginning and carrying through.
ALSO GROWS
telos: End, goal
τέλος
The work’s end is the point the builder fails to reach.
epiteleō: Complete, carry through
ἐπιτελέω
This related verb is used for bringing a work to completion in Philippians 1:6.
ἴσχυσεν
ischysen
GROWS FROM
ἰσχυ-
ischy-
To be strong, have strength, prevail.
“was able” in this verse is ischysen. The phrase describes a failure of strength to carry the task through, rather than a failure to start. The unfinished build makes visible the limit of what the builder can sustain.
ALSO GROWS
ischys: Strength, might
ἰσχύς
This noun makes explicit the force implied by the builder’s inability.
ischyros: Strong, powerful
ἰσχυρός
This related adjective names the strength the builder lacks for completing the work.
THE PATTERN
A work’s beginning does not settle its outcome; preparation and sustaining power determine whether it reaches completion.
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:THE THREAD
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:Luke’s “finish” comes from the τελ- (tel-) word family, meaning to bring something to completion. Philippians uses the related ἐπιτελέω (epiteleō), “complete, carry through”: Luke shows a builder unable to finish, while Philippians speaks of God bringing the good work in you to completion.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us