What Does Luke 19:19 Mean in the King James?
And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
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
The increase here takes the form of responsibility for whole communities, not private wealth.
THE MEANING
The verse presents growth as authority over the shared life of others. What is entrusted reaches beyond personal gain and touches the communities where people live.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that increase is only a reward to keep for yourself: here, it becomes responsibility for a community.
THE ROOT
πόλεων
poleōn
GROWS FROM
πολ-
pol-
City; a civic community.
“cities” in this verse is poleōn. The word is a form of πόλις (polis, city), related to πολίτης (politēs, citizen) and πολιτεία (politeia, citizenship or commonwealth). The assignment reaches beyond territory to the organized life of a community: the servant is entrusted with its people and shared affairs.
ALSO GROWS
politēs: Citizen
πολίτης
A city is made up of people who share its civic life, so authority over cities touches the lives of citizens.
politeia: Citizenship; commonwealth
πολιτεία
This branch brings out the public order and shared life carried by the word for city.
THE PATTERN
Trust faithfully handled in one sphere can become authority over a wider one.
And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.THE THREAD
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.The Greek word for “city” here is πόλις (polis), the same word behind “cities” in this verse. Hebrews pictures a city as a founded and built dwelling, sharpening the appointment as stewardship over the ordered life of communities.
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