Sending of Apostles, leaving family
Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.
The one discovering that self of his might lose it. And, the one losing that self of his on account of me will find it.
The word translated as "lose" normally means "destroy" but Jesus uses it occasionally to mean "lose." Here, we can tell by the context because it is contrasted with "find." Jesus's use of this word to mean "lose" is fairly unique in Greek.
The word translated as "life" here is not the word usually translated as "life" but usually as "soul." It was used in Matthew 10:28 in contrast with killing the "body." These concepts are explored in this article.
We have the life we are born into and the life we can make.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "find" is not an active verb but a participle, "finding."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "life" is the Greek word usually translated as "soul" and not the word usually translated as "life."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "lose" is not an active verb but a participle, "losing."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "life" is the Greek word usually translated as "soul" and not the word usually translated as "life."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "find" is not an active verb but a participle, "finding."
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "their" is translated as plural but it is singular, "his."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "life" is the Greek word usually translated as "soul" and not the word usually translated as "life."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "lose" is not an active verb but a participle, "losing."
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "their" is translated as plural but it is singular, "his."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "life" is the Greek word usually translated as "soul" and not the word usually translated as "life."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "if" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "you" should be something more like "the one."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "cling to" should be something more like "find."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "cling to" is not an active verb but a participle, "finding."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "your" should be something more like "his."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "life" is the Greek word usually translated as "soul" and not the word usually translated as "life."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "you" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "but" should be something more like "and."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "if" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "you" should be something more like "the one."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "give up" should be something more like "lose."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "give up" is not an active verb but a participle, "losing."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "your" should be something more like "his."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "life" is the Greek word usually translated as "soul" and not the word usually translated as "life."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "you" doesn't exist in the source.
He that -- The word translated as "he that" is the Greek definite article, "the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
findeth -- (WF) The term used for "findeth" means "find out" and "discover." It is a participle acting as an adjective acting like a noun with the article, "the one finding." It is in the tense indicating something that happens at a certain point in time. This word is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves.
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
life -- (CW) The word translated here as "life" is psyche, a common word in Greek meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." Jesus uses it to mean primary the "self" or "ego," but the Bible usually translates this as "soul." This Greek word is our source of the English word "psyche." This is not the word usually translated as "life" in Gospels.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
lose -- The word translated as "lose" primarily means to "destroy" or "demolish." However, Jesus clearly uses it to mean "lose" in certain contexts. Here, the context is obvious because it is contrasted with "find."
it: -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun in the form of an object matching the form of "life" or "soul.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
he that -- The word translated as "he that" is the Greek definite article, "the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
loseth -- (WF) The word translated as "loseth" primarily means to "destroy" or "demolish." However, Jesus clearly uses it to mean "lose" in certain contexts. Here, the context is obvious because it is contrasted with "find." It is a participle acting as an adjective acting like a noun with the article, "the one losing." It is in the tense indicating something that happens at a certain point in time.
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
life -- (CW) The word translated here as "life" is psyche, a common word in Greek meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." Jesus uses it to mean primary the "self" or "ego," but the Bible usually translates this as "soul." This Greek word is our source of the English word "psyche." This is not the word usually translated as "life" in Gospels.
for -- The word translated as "for" means "on account of," "because," and "in consequence of."
my -- "My" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek in the possessive form, so "my" or "of me." This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
sake -- This is added to complete the "on about of me" phrase started with "for."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
find -- The term used for "find" means "find out" and "discover."
it. -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun in the form of an object matching the form of "life" or "soul.
Whoever -- The word translated as "whoever" is the Greek definite article, "the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
finds -- (WF) The term used for "finds" means "find out" and "discover." It is a participle acting as an adjective acting like a noun with the article, "the one finding." It is in the tense indicating something that happens at a certain point in time. This word is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves.
their -- (WN) The word translated as "their" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun is singular and follows the noun so "of his."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
life -- (CW) The word translated here as "life" is psyche, a common word in Greek meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." Jesus uses it to mean primary the "self" or "ego," but the Bible usually translates this as "soul." This Greek word is our source of the English word "psyche." This is not the word usually translated as "life" in Gospels.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
lose -- The word translated as "lose" primarily means to "destroy" or "demolish." However, Jesus clearly uses it to mean "lose" in certain contexts. Here, the context is obvious because it is contrasted with "find."
it: -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun in the form of an object matching the form of "life" or "soul.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
whoever -- The word translated as "whoever" is the Greek definite article, "the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
loses -- (WF) The word translated as "loses" primarily means to "destroy" or "demolish." However, Jesus clearly uses it to mean "lose" in certain contexts. Here, the context is obvious because it is contrasted with "find." It is a participle acting as an adjective acting like a noun with the article, "the one losing." It is in the tense indicating something that happens at a certain point in time.
their -- (WN) The word translated as "their" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun is singular and follows the noun so "of his."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
life -- (CW) The word translated here as "life" is psyche, a common word in Greek meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." Jesus uses it to mean primary the "self" or "ego," but the Bible usually translates this as "soul." This Greek word is our source of the English word "psyche." This is not the word usually translated as "life" in Gospels.
for -- The word translated as "for" means "on account of," "because," and "in consequence of."
my -- "My" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek in the possessive form, so "my" or "of me." This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
sake -- This is added to complete the "on about of me" phrase started with "for."
will -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
find -- The term used for "find" means "find out" and "discover."
it. -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun in the form of an object matching the form of "life" or "soul.
If -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "if" in the Greek source.
you -- (WW) The word translated as "you" is the Greek definite article, "the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
cling to -- (WW, WF) The term used for "cling" means "find out" and "discover." It is a participle acting as an adjective acting like a noun with the article, "the one finding." It is in the tense indicating something that happens at a certain point in time. This word is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves.
your -- (WW) The word translated as "your" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun is singular and follows the noun so "of his."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
life -- (CW) The word translated here as "life" is psyche, a common word in Greek meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." Jesus uses it to mean primary the "self" or "ego," but the Bible usually translates this as "soul." This Greek word is our source of the English word "psyche." This is not the word usually translated as "life" in Gospels.
you -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "you" in the Greek source.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
lose -- The word translated as "lose" primarily means to "destroy" or "demolish." However, Jesus clearly uses it to mean "lose" in certain contexts. Here, the context is obvious because it is contrasted with "find."
it: -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun in the form of an object matching the form of "life" or "soul.
but -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "but" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also") and, In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."
if -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "if" in the Greek source.
you -- (WW) The word translated as "you" is the Greek definite article, "the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
give up -- (WW, WF) The word translated as "loses" primarily means to "destroy" or "demolish." However, Jesus clearly uses it to mean "lose" in certain contexts. Here, the context is obvious because it is contrasted with "find." It is a participle acting as an adjective acting like a noun with the article, "the one losing." It is in the tense indicating something that happens at a certain point in time.
your -- (WW) The word translated as "your" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun is singular and follows the noun so "of his."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
life -- (CW) The word translated here as "life" is psyche, a common word in Greek meaning "life," "soul," "consciousness," and "a sense of self." Jesus uses it to mean primary the "self" or "ego," but the Bible usually translates this as "soul." This Greek word is our source of the English word "psyche." This is not the word usually translated as "life" in Gospels.
for -- The word translated as "for" means "on account of," "because," and "in consequence of."
me -- (WF) "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek in the possessive form, so "my" or "of me." This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
you -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "you" in the Greek source.
will -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
find -- The term used for "find" means "find out" and "discover."
it. -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun in the form of an object matching the form of "life" or "soul.
ὁ (article sg masc nom) "He that" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
εὑρὼν (part sg aor act masc nom) "Findeth" is from heurisko, which means "to find," "to find out," "to discover," "to devise," "to invent," "to get," and "to gain."
τὴν (article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). --
ψυχὴν (noun sg fem acc) "Life" is from psyche, which means "breath," "life," "self," "spirit," and "soul." It has the clear sense of the conscious self and is often translated as "life" in the Gospels. It is also used to describe "the spirit" of things. It is often translated as "soul."
αὐτοῦ (adj 3rd sg masc gen) "His" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
ἀπολέσει (3rd sg fut ind act or verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "Shall lose" is apollymi, which means "to demolish," "to lay waste," "to lose," "to perish," "to die," "to cease to exist," and "to be undone."
αὐτήν, (adj sg fem acc) "It" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ὁ (article sg masc nom) "He that" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
ἀπολέσας (part sg aor act masc nom) "Loseth" is from apollymi, which means "to demolish," "to lay waste," "to lose," "to perish," "to die," "to cease to exist," and "to be undone." --
τὴν (article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). -
ψυχὴν (noun sg fem acc) "Life" is from psyche, which means "breath," "life," "self," "spirit," and "soul." It has the clear sense of the conscious self and is often translated as "life" in the Gospels. It is also used to describe "the spirit" of things. It is often translated as "soul."
αὐτοῦ (adj 3rd sg masc gen) "His" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
ἕνεκεν (prep ) "For...sake" is from heneka, which means "on account of," "as far as regards," "in consequence of," and "because."
ἐμοῦ (pron 1st sg masc gen) "Me" is from emou, which means "me," and "mine." -- "Me" is from the regular first-person pronoun in Greek
εὑρήσει (3rd sg fut ind act) "Shall find" is from heurisko, which means "to find," "to find out," "to discover," "to devise," "to invent," "to get," and "to gain."
αὐτήν. (adj sg fem acc ) "It" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
“But most of your students are young, with nothing to lose,” complained Scribbler. “I was just discovering myself in a lucrative career.”
Everyone laughed, knowing how much he had hated his profession.
“The one who has discovered that self of his?” responded the Master. “He should destroy it.”
This generated more laughter.
“When you asked, I instantly followed,” noted the Scribbler.
“And, the one who has destroyed himself on account of me?” replied the Master. “He is going to discover himself.