Matt Ferris
@ferrismattic.bsky.social
Former professional musician, theology student, language learner. Greek NT enthusiast. Neophyte Hebraist. Composer.
"Encourage the fainthearted." 1 Thess 5:14
fainthearted is ὀλιγόψυχος (oligopsuchos), lit. "small souled." It occurs only here in the NT, but at least 3X in the LXX:
"And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea...the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way."
fainthearted is ὀλιγόψυχος (oligopsuchos), lit. "small souled." It occurs only here in the NT, but at least 3X in the LXX:
"And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea...the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way."
September 30, 2025 at 12:25 PM
"Encourage the fainthearted." 1 Thess 5:14
fainthearted is ὀλιγόψυχος (oligopsuchos), lit. "small souled." It occurs only here in the NT, but at least 3X in the LXX:
"And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea...the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way."
fainthearted is ὀλιγόψυχος (oligopsuchos), lit. "small souled." It occurs only here in the NT, but at least 3X in the LXX:
"And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea...the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way."
Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thess 5:19
Quench is σβέννυμι (sbennumi) to extinguish.
We get the word "asbestos" from this. Asbestos is a mineral that among other qualities is highly fire resistant.
Quench is σβέννυμι (sbennumi) to extinguish.
We get the word "asbestos" from this. Asbestos is a mineral that among other qualities is highly fire resistant.
September 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thess 5:19
Quench is σβέννυμι (sbennumi) to extinguish.
We get the word "asbestos" from this. Asbestos is a mineral that among other qualities is highly fire resistant.
Quench is σβέννυμι (sbennumi) to extinguish.
We get the word "asbestos" from this. Asbestos is a mineral that among other qualities is highly fire resistant.
I'm happy to say my article "Two-fold Justification? An Examination of the Active and Passive Obedience of Christ" is now published in issue 181 of Bibliotheca Sacra. Must Christians be viewed as law-keepers to be "righteous"? Righteousness based on law is the kind of righteousness Paul rejects.
September 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I'm happy to say my article "Two-fold Justification? An Examination of the Active and Passive Obedience of Christ" is now published in issue 181 of Bibliotheca Sacra. Must Christians be viewed as law-keepers to be "righteous"? Righteousness based on law is the kind of righteousness Paul rejects.
A setting of verses from ch. 3 of the book of Lamentations. This "performance" uses Cantai, a tool that simulates voices pronouncing (and singing) the words.
An amazing tool that keeps getting better!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-VH...
An amazing tool that keeps getting better!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-VH...
Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah, (3rd Movement.) Text is from the chapter 3 of Lamentations.
YouTube video by Matt Ferris Music
www.youtube.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:35 PM
A setting of verses from ch. 3 of the book of Lamentations. This "performance" uses Cantai, a tool that simulates voices pronouncing (and singing) the words.
An amazing tool that keeps getting better!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-VH...
An amazing tool that keeps getting better!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-VH...
A piece I recently completed.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Symphony No. 2 (2025) - YouTube
I. Allegro \n II. Adagio \n III. Scherzo \n IV. Energetic
www.youtube.com
June 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
A piece I recently completed.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Honestly, the most annoying thing about Twitter these days isn't people saying outrageous things—that's been true for a while. It's the massive uptick in videos posted there. It's media detritus.
May 17, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Honestly, the most annoying thing about Twitter these days isn't people saying outrageous things—that's been true for a while. It's the massive uptick in videos posted there. It's media detritus.
...so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie. Heb 6:18
to lie is ψεύδομαι (pseudomai), whence the prefix "pseudo."
Is it a limitation on God's omnipotence that he "cannot" lie? Surely not.
to lie is ψεύδομαι (pseudomai), whence the prefix "pseudo."
Is it a limitation on God's omnipotence that he "cannot" lie? Surely not.
April 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
...so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie. Heb 6:18
to lie is ψεύδομαι (pseudomai), whence the prefix "pseudo."
Is it a limitation on God's omnipotence that he "cannot" lie? Surely not.
to lie is ψεύδομαι (pseudomai), whence the prefix "pseudo."
Is it a limitation on God's omnipotence that he "cannot" lie? Surely not.
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain. Heb 6:19
Inner place is ἐσωτέρω (esōterō) whence "esoteric."
Used 2X in the NT; the other when Paul and Silas are cast into the inner prison. (Acts 16:24)
Inner place is ἐσωτέρω (esōterō) whence "esoteric."
Used 2X in the NT; the other when Paul and Silas are cast into the inner prison. (Acts 16:24)
April 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain. Heb 6:19
Inner place is ἐσωτέρω (esōterō) whence "esoteric."
Used 2X in the NT; the other when Paul and Silas are cast into the inner prison. (Acts 16:24)
Inner place is ἐσωτέρω (esōterō) whence "esoteric."
Used 2X in the NT; the other when Paul and Silas are cast into the inner prison. (Acts 16:24)
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:12
Imitators is μιμητής (mimētēs), whence the English "mimetic" and "imitation."
You know more Greek than you think.
Imitators is μιμητής (mimētēs), whence the English "mimetic" and "imitation."
You know more Greek than you think.
April 27, 2025 at 2:11 PM
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:12
Imitators is μιμητής (mimētēs), whence the English "mimetic" and "imitation."
You know more Greek than you think.
Imitators is μιμητής (mimētēs), whence the English "mimetic" and "imitation."
You know more Greek than you think.
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Heb 5:14
Trained is γυμνάζω (gumnazō), whence "gymnasium."
You know more Greek than you think.
Trained is γυμνάζω (gumnazō), whence "gymnasium."
You know more Greek than you think.
April 26, 2025 at 11:50 AM
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Heb 5:14
Trained is γυμνάζω (gumnazō), whence "gymnasium."
You know more Greek than you think.
Trained is γυμνάζω (gumnazō), whence "gymnasium."
You know more Greek than you think.
For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” Heb 4:4
Seventh is ἕβδομος (hebdomos) whence the English word "hebdomadal" meaning weekly.
You know more Greek than you think.
Seventh is ἕβδομος (hebdomos) whence the English word "hebdomadal" meaning weekly.
You know more Greek than you think.
April 25, 2025 at 6:53 PM
For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” Heb 4:4
Seventh is ἕβδομος (hebdomos) whence the English word "hebdomadal" meaning weekly.
You know more Greek than you think.
Seventh is ἕβδομος (hebdomos) whence the English word "hebdomadal" meaning weekly.
You know more Greek than you think.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Heb 4:12
Two-egded is δίστομος (distomos), "two-mouthed." To speak of a sword as having a mouth is a Hebrew idiom.
"They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the mouth of the sword..." Gen 34:26
Two-egded is δίστομος (distomos), "two-mouthed." To speak of a sword as having a mouth is a Hebrew idiom.
"They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the mouth of the sword..." Gen 34:26
April 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Heb 4:12
Two-egded is δίστομος (distomos), "two-mouthed." To speak of a sword as having a mouth is a Hebrew idiom.
"They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the mouth of the sword..." Gen 34:26
Two-egded is δίστομος (distomos), "two-mouthed." To speak of a sword as having a mouth is a Hebrew idiom.
"They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the mouth of the sword..." Gen 34:26
"Business already are trying to pass tariff cost onto customers, Fed report says."
If only we knew such a thing would happen.
If only we knew such a thing would happen.
April 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
"Business already are trying to pass tariff cost onto customers, Fed report says."
If only we knew such a thing would happen.
If only we knew such a thing would happen.
The president seems in some measure to recognize his decisions on tariffs have led to the recent market turmoil. I'm reading he worries about a "1929" type of event on his watch.
It turns out the wisdom of the (investment) crowd is something you can't fight. The markets run on confidence.
It turns out the wisdom of the (investment) crowd is something you can't fight. The markets run on confidence.
April 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The president seems in some measure to recognize his decisions on tariffs have led to the recent market turmoil. I'm reading he worries about a "1929" type of event on his watch.
It turns out the wisdom of the (investment) crowd is something you can't fight. The markets run on confidence.
It turns out the wisdom of the (investment) crowd is something you can't fight. The markets run on confidence.
One of the most effective arias of the St. Matthew Passion, sung by the great Walter Berry.
Make yourself pure, my heart,
I want to bury Jesus myself.
World, get out, let Jesus in!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SguN...
Make yourself pure, my heart,
I want to bury Jesus myself.
World, get out, let Jesus in!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SguN...
41 Mache dich, mein Herze, rein
YouTube video by Win Georgia
www.youtube.com
April 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
One of the most effective arias of the St. Matthew Passion, sung by the great Walter Berry.
Make yourself pure, my heart,
I want to bury Jesus myself.
World, get out, let Jesus in!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SguN...
Make yourself pure, my heart,
I want to bury Jesus myself.
World, get out, let Jesus in!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SguN...
Tom planted a field of cannabis, which he noticed, had a strange attraction to a flock of terns, who ate the buds.
Their flight patterns became erratic, leaving no tern unstoned.
@irahall.bsky.social I have to cross post because you left me to pun alone over there.
Their flight patterns became erratic, leaving no tern unstoned.
@irahall.bsky.social I have to cross post because you left me to pun alone over there.
April 4, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Tom planted a field of cannabis, which he noticed, had a strange attraction to a flock of terns, who ate the buds.
Their flight patterns became erratic, leaving no tern unstoned.
@irahall.bsky.social I have to cross post because you left me to pun alone over there.
Their flight patterns became erratic, leaving no tern unstoned.
@irahall.bsky.social I have to cross post because you left me to pun alone over there.
And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” Mark 3:32
To seek is ζητέω (zēteō), whence the English adjective zetetic, proceeding by inquiry.
You know more Greek than you think.
To seek is ζητέω (zēteō), whence the English adjective zetetic, proceeding by inquiry.
You know more Greek than you think.
March 30, 2025 at 10:51 AM
And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” Mark 3:32
To seek is ζητέω (zēteō), whence the English adjective zetetic, proceeding by inquiry.
You know more Greek than you think.
To seek is ζητέω (zēteō), whence the English adjective zetetic, proceeding by inquiry.
You know more Greek than you think.
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. Acts 17:11
Provoked is παροξύνω (paroxunō), whence "paroxysm."
Idolatry cause a spiritual paroxysm in Paul.
Provoked is παροξύνω (paroxunō), whence "paroxysm."
Idolatry cause a spiritual paroxysm in Paul.
February 13, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. Acts 17:11
Provoked is παροξύνω (paroxunō), whence "paroxysm."
Idolatry cause a spiritual paroxysm in Paul.
Provoked is παροξύνω (paroxunō), whence "paroxysm."
Idolatry cause a spiritual paroxysm in Paul.
“...and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:31
Assurance is πίστις (pistis), the word used for faith over 240X in the NT. The word has a wider semantic range than our English term.
Assurance is πίστις (pistis), the word used for faith over 240X in the NT. The word has a wider semantic range than our English term.
February 13, 2025 at 1:58 PM
“...and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:31
Assurance is πίστις (pistis), the word used for faith over 240X in the NT. The word has a wider semantic range than our English term.
Assurance is πίστις (pistis), the word used for faith over 240X in the NT. The word has a wider semantic range than our English term.
We remained in this city [Philippi] some days. Acts 16:12
To remain is διατρίβω (diatribō), transliterated into English as diatribe, but it's a "false friend" or only distantly related, as one meaning is "a prolonged discourse."
To remain is διατρίβω (diatribō), transliterated into English as diatribe, but it's a "false friend" or only distantly related, as one meaning is "a prolonged discourse."
February 12, 2025 at 12:32 PM
We remained in this city [Philippi] some days. Acts 16:12
To remain is διατρίβω (diatribō), transliterated into English as diatribe, but it's a "false friend" or only distantly related, as one meaning is "a prolonged discourse."
To remain is διατρίβω (diatribō), transliterated into English as diatribe, but it's a "false friend" or only distantly related, as one meaning is "a prolonged discourse."
Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Acts 16:24
Inner is ἐσωτέρω (esōterō), whence "esoteric", “belonging to an inner circle.” Used 2X, (Heb 6:19)
Inner is ἐσωτέρω (esōterō), whence "esoteric", “belonging to an inner circle.” Used 2X, (Heb 6:19)
February 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Acts 16:24
Inner is ἐσωτέρω (esōterō), whence "esoteric", “belonging to an inner circle.” Used 2X, (Heb 6:19)
Inner is ἐσωτέρω (esōterō), whence "esoteric", “belonging to an inner circle.” Used 2X, (Heb 6:19)
He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” Acts 12:7
Here's how we know that the angel whacked Peter directly in the torso. The word for side is πλευρά (pleura) whence "pleurisy."
In the LXX God made Eve from Adam's rib (πλευρά.)
Here's how we know that the angel whacked Peter directly in the torso. The word for side is πλευρά (pleura) whence "pleurisy."
In the LXX God made Eve from Adam's rib (πλευρά.)
February 6, 2025 at 1:38 PM
He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” Acts 12:7
Here's how we know that the angel whacked Peter directly in the torso. The word for side is πλευρά (pleura) whence "pleurisy."
In the LXX God made Eve from Adam's rib (πλευρά.)
Here's how we know that the angel whacked Peter directly in the torso. The word for side is πλευρά (pleura) whence "pleurisy."
In the LXX God made Eve from Adam's rib (πλευρά.)
...not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses. Acts 10:41
"Chosen" is the rather long προκεχειροτονημένοις. It is a participle, built around the word for hand, χείρ (cheir). Pro is before, thus, previously hand-picked.
Single NT occurrence.
"Chosen" is the rather long προκεχειροτονημένοις. It is a participle, built around the word for hand, χείρ (cheir). Pro is before, thus, previously hand-picked.
Single NT occurrence.
February 3, 2025 at 5:11 PM
...not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses. Acts 10:41
"Chosen" is the rather long προκεχειροτονημένοις. It is a participle, built around the word for hand, χείρ (cheir). Pro is before, thus, previously hand-picked.
Single NT occurrence.
"Chosen" is the rather long προκεχειροτονημένοις. It is a participle, built around the word for hand, χείρ (cheir). Pro is before, thus, previously hand-picked.
Single NT occurrence.
“He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” Acts 10:6
Lodging with is ξενίζω (xenizō) to receive a guest, entertain. From the word for foreign, ξένος (xenos), whence "xenophobia."
Lodging with is ξενίζω (xenizō) to receive a guest, entertain. From the word for foreign, ξένος (xenos), whence "xenophobia."
February 3, 2025 at 4:29 PM
“He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” Acts 10:6
Lodging with is ξενίζω (xenizō) to receive a guest, entertain. From the word for foreign, ξένος (xenos), whence "xenophobia."
Lodging with is ξενίζω (xenizō) to receive a guest, entertain. From the word for foreign, ξένος (xenos), whence "xenophobia."
And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner. Acts 9:43
Tanner is βυρσεύς (burseus). A bursar is the treasurer of a university, college or school. This comes from the word for leather, βῠ́ρσᾰ, whence our English word purse.
You know more Greek than you think.
Tanner is βυρσεύς (burseus). A bursar is the treasurer of a university, college or school. This comes from the word for leather, βῠ́ρσᾰ, whence our English word purse.
You know more Greek than you think.
February 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner. Acts 9:43
Tanner is βυρσεύς (burseus). A bursar is the treasurer of a university, college or school. This comes from the word for leather, βῠ́ρσᾰ, whence our English word purse.
You know more Greek than you think.
Tanner is βυρσεύς (burseus). A bursar is the treasurer of a university, college or school. This comes from the word for leather, βῠ́ρσᾰ, whence our English word purse.
You know more Greek than you think.