What Does Luke 7:6 Mean in the King James?
Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
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 centurion’s sense of unworthiness measures his own fitness to host Jesus, but it does not stop him from reaching Jesus with a message.
THE MEANING
When you feel unfit to receive, that feeling can sit beside a living address to the Lord. The centurion calls Jesus “Lord” and sends his words through friends while asking him not to cross the threshold. His sense of unworthiness does not silence his appeal.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Feeling unworthy does not mean you must cut off contact or stop speaking.
THE ROOT
ἄξιος
axios
GROWS FROM
ἀξι-
axi-
Having weight or value that matches; fit or worthy.
Axios carries the sense of something weighing as much as another thing, so “not worthy” is a judgment about fitness to host Jesus. The centurion speaks about his own standing at the threshold, not about Jesus’ worth.
ALSO GROWS
axia: Worth, value
ἀξία
This branch makes the measure in “not worthy” visible: the centurion is weighing his own fitness to receive Jesus.
axioō: To consider or deem worthy
ἀξιόω
This branch shows worth as an appraisal; the centurion’s words express how he regards himself, not a final measure of his value.
THE PATTERN
A sense of unworthiness can remain in honest speech to God rather than silencing that speech.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.THE THREAD
Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.Luke 7:7 repeats the Greek word axios: the centurion says he is not worthy to have Jesus enter his house, then says he does not consider himself worthy to come to Jesus. The same measure returns as he trusts that Jesus’ word can reach his servant.
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