The mysteries of the above gathering together of the called out who are a first fruits offering, go far deeper than we might realize. Many times the mystery is hidden in plain sight, in the words themselves. There is an expression “lost in the translation” which seems to apply here. We see a word that Paul used that the translators of the Latin and the English did not translate in its entirety. They seem to have left out the prefix in the translation. Leaving out the prefix causes the meaning of the entire verse to change. It is a wonderful thing to read the Bible, but we have to remember (if we are reading in English or in a language that was not the original) that we are reading a version and a translation rather than what was written in the original language. This means that there can be things that we miss which then cause divisions within the Body of Christ because of these misunderstandings. In this case, the word explains the event of the gathering together of the church in the air to meet Jesus. As we continue to dig into each aspect of this subject we see how easy it would be to bring a full knowledge of the subject back into the church body. Preachers simply have to teach it. We will also look into another word where the mystery of the harpazo is within the word itself.
Paul uses the word for an “above synagogue” or an “above gathering” in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. He uses this word to describe an event we know as the harpazo. Because Paul says this in a different way than he has used before he is trying to make the point more clear. Yet we confuse the different words and phrases in an attempt to talk ourselves out of the event also known as the harpazo. By leaving the prefix untranslated, we lose the meaning of what Paul was communicating. This above gathering is what he refers to as “the time the saints are called up to meet Jesus in the air”. We want to understand that there is not one word used for the event known as “the rapture” (Latin) that is used for the word harpazo. There are many words and descriptions. Let’s see if we can make sense of the word episunagōgē, ἐπισυναγωγή.
1997 LSJ Gloss:ἐπισυναγωγή a gathering
Dodson:ἐπισυναγωγή a gathering together a gathering (collecting) together, assembling.
Strong’s:ἐπισυναγωγή a complete collection; especially a Christian meeting (for worship) Derivation: from G1996;
KJV Usage: assembling (gathering) together.
TBESG:ἐπισυναγωγή gathering
G:N-F
ἐπι-συν-αγωγή, -ῆς, ἡ
(< ἐπισυνάγω), [in LXX: 2Ma.2:7 * ;]
a gathering together, assembly: Heb.10:25; before ἐπί, 2Th.2:1 (cf. 2Mac, l.with).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) a gathering together in one place
2) the (religious) assembly (of Christians)
Trench's New Testament Synonyms
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἐπισυναγωγή
episunagōgē
ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay'
From G1996; a complete collection; specifically a Christian meeting (for worship)
KJV Usage: assembling (gathering) together.
We have all heard people use the phrase “the gathering together” to describe the catching up in the clouds. It is also described as a “collecting together” or “an assembling together”. However something is missing. The word is a compound word. Epi is the prefix and sunagō is the root. It is a noun. A noun is a person, place, or thing. What is episunagōgē? It is not a person, therefore it is either a place or a thing. It is something that exists as a whole. The word is used twice, but as for the event there are not many episunagōgē’s, there is only one. It stems from the verb form episunagō.
1996 LSJ Gloss:ἐπισυνάγω to collect and bring to
Dodson:ἐπισυνάγω I collect, gather together I collect, gather together, assemble.
Strong’s:ἐπισυνάγω to collect upon the same place Derivation: from G1909 and G4863;
KJV Usage: gather (together).
TBESG:ἐπισυνάγω to gather
G:V
ἐπι-συν-άγω
[in LXX for אָסַף, קָבַץ, etc. (Cremer, 65) ;]
__1. to gather together:
Refs Mat.23:37 24:31, Mrk.13:27, Luk.13:34; pass.,
Refs Mrk.1:33, Luk.12:1 17:37, (cf.
Refs Psa.102:23 106:47, 2Ma.1:27, al.).
__2. to gather together against (
Refs Mic.4:11, Zec.12:3, 1Ma.3:58, al.).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) to gather together besides, to bring together to others already assembled
2) to gather together against
3) to gather together in one place
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἐπισυνάγω
episunagō ep-ee-soon-ag'-o From G1909 and G4863; to collect upon the same place
KJV Usage: gather (together).
We see episunagō is the verb, the action or occurrence of what Paul called a noun, in this case a place or a thing. Episunagō is also a compound word stemming from epi and sunagō. Epi is a prefix meaning upon, on, above, up, over, or before. Sunagō means gather together.
1909
ἐπί
epi ep-ee'
A primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive case], that is, over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.
KJV Usage: about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, [where-]) fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-) on (behalf of) over, (by, for) the space of, through (-out), (un-) to (-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
The prefix epi gives the root word a time, a place, or an order. When we see how many different ways it is used we realize there isn’t any reason not to translate it. It is not an obscure prefix but used quite often. When we add the root word to epi it changes the place of this noun.
4863 LSJ Gloss:συνάγωto bring together, gather together, collect, convene
Dodson:συνάγωI gather together I gather together, collect, assemble, receive with hospitality, entertain.
Strong’s:συνάγω to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably) Derivation: from G4862 and G71;
KJV Usage: + accompany, assemble (selves, together), bestow, come together, gather (selves together, up, together), lead into, resort, take in.
TBESG:συνάγω to assemble
G:V
συν-άγω
[in LXX chiefly for אָסַף, also for קָבַץ, etc. (cf. Kennedy, Sources, 128) ;]
to gather or bring together: of things, Jhn.6:12-13; before εἰς, Mat.3:12, al.; ἐκεῖ, Luk.12:18; ποῦ, Luk.12:17; συναγαγὼν πάντα (sc. εἰς ἀργύριον; see Field, Notes, 68, MM, xxiv), having sold off all: Luk.15:13; of persons, Jhn.11:52; esp. of assemblies,
Refs Mat.2:4, Jhn.11:47, Act.14:27, al.Pass., to be gathered or come together:
Refs Mat.22:41, Mrk.2:2, Luk.22:66, al.; before ἐπί
Refs Mrk.5:21, Act.4:27; πρός,
Refs Mat.13:2, Mrk.4:1, al.; εἰς, Rev.19:17; ἐν, Act.11:26; μετά, Mat.28:12; οὗ, Mat.18:20; ὅπου, Mat.26:57; ἐκεῖ, Jhn.18:2, al.
In late writers (see Kennedy, Sources, 128; cf. Deu.22:2, al.), to receive hospitably, entertain:
Refs Mat.25:35, 38 25:43(cf. ἐπι-συνάγω)
(AS)
Thayer:
1) to gather together, to gather
1a) to draw together, collect
1a1) of fishes
1a2) of a net in which they are caught
2) to bring together, assemble, collect
2a) to join together, join in one (those previously separated)
2b) to gather together by convoking
2c) to be gathered i.e. come together, gather, meet
3) to lead with one's self
3a) into one's home, i.e. to receive hospitably, to entertain
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
συνάγω
sunagō soon-ag'-o From G4862 and G71; to lead together, that is, collect or convene; specifically to entertain (hospitably)
KJV Usage: + accompany, assemble (selves, together), bestow, come together, gather (selves together, up, together), lead into, resort, take in.
Sunagō is a verb and also a compound word from sun and agō. Now we understand that the two words that make up sunagō tell the story of this word.
4862
σύν
sun soon A primary preposition denoting union; with or together (but much closer than G3326 or G3844), that is, by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.
KJV Usage: beside, with. In compounds it has similar applications, including completeness .
71
ἄγω
agō ag'-o A primary verb; properly to lead; by implication to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specifically) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
KJV Usage: be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open.
Sunagō literally means “to bring about a union” or “to lead together”. Now when we add epi we have the idea of “a place or thing above or upon or with motion up or to”. When we leave the prefix epi out from Paul’s sentence we have a gathering together or a union together, but when it is added the word takes its position as “up or above”. We can look at Paul’s idea as “a gathering together above” because his word is a noun suggesting a complete event. Not the process of the event, the process of gathering, rounding up, and uniting, but the completed union together somewhere. Where is this united group of people? Up.
2 Thessalonians 2:1...G2532 and G1473 our G1997 assembling together G1909 unto G1473 him,
Paul uses the words “episunagōgē epi autos”, meaning “above gathering together to himself."
The “thing” is the event of gathering to Jesus Christ. The “place” is above. We are speaking of an above assembly, an above gathering. There is another way to look at episunagōgē. We can look at it as the “above gathering together before him”, Jesus. Jesus calls from the clouds and we meet him in the air. Paul is making a statement here.
Paul has a really sneaky way of emphasizing his points. If we remember how he spoke about Romans 1:17 it sounds rather confusing, using the same word three times in one statement.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
But when we break it down:
“Righteousness for Elohim uncovered in us, from out of persuasion into persuasion…
or
“Righteousness for Elohim uncovered in us, from out of credence into fidelity…
or
Righteousness for Elohim uncovered in us, from out of acceptance into loyalty, just as written “but the just live from our of persuasion”.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2023/01/trust-equity-credence-into-fidelity.html
Paul speaks of faith three different ways, from out of acceptance moving into loyalty, because the just live by their moral conviction. This is a more exaggerated way of communicating the word “faith". Paul is trying to get people to think. Most of the time we do not think about what is being said we just try to memorize what we are reading. School trains us to memorize for the test but we do not think about what is being communicated. A teacher or professor may tell us their idea but they may not always be correct. Therefore we have to think about what Paul is communicating. He is trying to point out that the saints are gathered up, first in order of time as we noted in 2 Thessalonians 2:13:
“But we should be thankful the Elohim always about you brothers loved by Yahweh because takes up you the Elohim away off first, the first fruits into rescue, in purification spirit and trust truth into this and summon you through the gospel of (from) us into acquisition glory the Yahweh of us Jesus Messiah.”
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2023/07/taken-up-and-away-first-above-synagogue.html
Therefore using the prefix epi as “above” in the words “gathering together” then the word epi as an adverb, “before”. Paul is drawing attention to what he is saying by saying it creatively. Remember the sentence is “episunagōgē epi autos” And just like the word pistis “faith”, when we use other words to describe what Paul is saying, his sentence takes on a deeper meaning. Paul is telling us that the above congregation before Jesus, is taken away off first, and is a first fruits offering.
Now we come to the word sunagōgē which is the noun form of the verb sunagō. In the noun form, a sunagōgē is a person, place, or thing. We know it is not a person therefore leaving a place or a thing. A sunagōgē can be a building a synagogue (a place) or it can be the assembled people (a thing).
4864 LSJ Gloss:συναγωγή a bringing together, uniting
Dodson:συναγωγή an assembly, congregation, synagogue
an assembly, congregation, synagogue, either the place or the people gathered together in the place.
Strong’s:συναγωγή an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a Christian church
Derivation: from (the reduplicated form of) G4863;
KJV Usage: assembly, congregation, synagogue.
TBESG:συναγωγή synagogue
G:N-F
συν-αγωγή, -ῆς, ἡ
[in LXX chiefly for עֵדָה, also for קָהָל, etc. ;]
prop., a bringing together;
__1. of things,
__(a) a gathering in of harvest;
__(b) a collection of money.
__2. Of persons,
__(a) a collecting, assembling (Polyb.);
__(b) an assembly (MM, xxiv; Deiss., LAE, 101 ff.):
Refs Rev.2:9 3:9; esp. of a Jewish religious assembly, a synagogue:
Refs Luk.12:11, Act.9:2, al.; of a Christian assembly, Jas.2:2. By meton., of the building in which the assembly is held, a synagogue:
Refs Mat.10:17, Mrk.1:21, al.(cf. Cremer, see word ἐκκλησία)
SYN.: ἐκκλησία (which see) (AS)
Thayer:
1) a bringing together, gathering (as of fruits), a contracting
2) in the NT, an assembling together of men, an assembly of men
3) a synagogue
3a) an assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures; assemblies of that sort were held every sabbath and feast day, afterwards also on the second and fifth days of every week; name transferred to an assembly of Christians formally gathered together for religious purposes
3b) the buildings where those solemn Jewish assemblies are held. Synagogues seem to date their origin from the Babylonian exile. In the times of Jesus and the apostles every town, not only in Palestine, but also among the Gentiles if it contained a considerable number of Jewish inhabitants, had at least one synagogue, the larger towns several or even many. These were also used for trials and inflicting punishment.
Berry's New Testament Synonyms
Trench's New Testament Synonyms
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
συναγωγή
sunagōgē soon-ag-o-gay' From (the reduplicated form of) G4863; an assemblage of persons; specifically a Jewish “synagogue” (the meeting or the place); by analogy a Christian church
KJV Usage: assembly, congregation, synagogue.
In the context of 2 Thessalonians 2:1 is Paul speaking of a building or a gathering? He is speaking of a “thing”, a group of gathered people. Here comes the part that is hard to hear, not everyone who attends a church is necessarily above gathered together to Jesus. Every church or denomination believes they have all the right doctrines and will be called up by Jesus. Yet we see Jesus explain that not all who were invited will enter as five of the ten virgins ended up outside the door. This means that half the people who should have entered into the kingdom of heaven actually did. Out of two billion people who claim to be Christians on the earth, are only half going to be called up?
The church is a bag of mixed nuts. Some people are in the church building to be a blessing to others, some are there to receive those blessings, while some are in the building for intentional evil. The group that is above gathered together are individuals, not entire buildings of people. The people being united as a first fruits offering are from every tribe on earth. This means that they may not be in a building or associated with a building but only connected to Jesus Christ himself. This group of united people are the called out, the ekklēsia. The very name given to the people who believe Jesus is Lord and believe he rose up on the third day are called the summoned. Why? They will be summoned when Jesus calls.
1577 LSJ Gloss:ἐκκλησία an assembly of the citizens regularly summoned, the legislative assembly
Dodson:ἐκκλησία an assembly, congregation, church an assembly, congregation, church; the Church, the whole body of Christian believers.
Strong’s:ἐκκλησία a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)
Derivation: from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564;
KJV Usage: assembly, church.
TBESG:ἐκκλησία assembly
G:N-F
ἐκκλησία, -ας, ἡ
(< ἐκ-καλέω), [in LXX chiefly for קָהָל, otherwise for one of its cogn. forms ;]
__1. prop., an assembly of citizens regularly convened (in Thuc., ii, 22, opp. to σύλλογος, a concourse):
Refs Act.19:32, 39 41.
__2. In LXX of the assembly, congregation, community of Israel (Deu.4:10 23:2, al.):
Refs Act.7:38, Heb.2:12" (LXX)>Refs . __3. NT, esp. of an assembly or company of Christians, a ; __(a) :
Thayer:
1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
1b) the assembly of the Israelites
1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
1d) in a Christian sense
1d1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
1d2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake
1d3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
1d4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
1d5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
Berry's New Testament Synonyms
Trench's New Testament Synonyms
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἐκκλησία
ekklēsia ek-klay-see'-ah From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both) KJV Usage: assembly, church.
The word ekklēsia is a compound word, ek meaning “from out of” and kaleō “call”. In other words “called out”. We call ourselves the church but we are not a building, we are people. We are not walls and a foundation, we are individuals. Herein lies another mystery. We are the “called out” or the “called from out of”. Called from out of denotes movement from one place to another. Our very name the church tells us that we are the ones who will be called from out of the rest of the people. Doesn’t that signify the time Jesus calls from the clouds? The name we give ourselves indicates the harpazo.
1537
ἐκ, ἐξ
ek ex ek, ex A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote)
KJV Usage: after, among, X are, at betwixt (-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for (-th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, . . . ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with (-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion .
2564 LSJ Gloss:καλέω to call, summon
Dodson:καλέω I call, invite, name(a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name.
Strong’s:καλέω to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
Derivation: akin to the base of G2753;
KJV Usage: bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-)name (was (called)).
TBESG:καλέω to call
G:V
καλέω, -ῶ,
[in LXX chiefly for קרא ;]
__1. to call, summon: with accusative of person(s),
Refs Mat.20:8 25:14, Mrk.3:31, Luk.19:13, Act.4:18; before ἐκ, Mat.2:15 (LXX); metaph., 1Pe.2:9.
__2. to call to one's house, invite:
Refs Luk.14:16, 1Co.10:27, Rev.19:9; εἰς τ. γάμους,
Refs Mat.22:3, 9 Luk.14:8, 9 Jhn.2:2; ὁ καλέσας, Luk.7:39; οἱ κεκλημένοι, Mat.22:8; metaph., of inviting to partake of the blessings of the kingdom of God (Dalman, Words, 118f.):
Refs Rom.8:30 9:24, 25 1Co.7:17, 18; before εἰς,
Refs 1Co.1:9, 1Th.2:12, 1Ti.6:12; ὁ καλῶν (καλέσας), of God,
Refs Gal.1:6 5:8, 1Th.5:24, 1Pe.1:15, 2Pe.1:3; οἱ κεκλκλημένοι, Heb.9:15; before ἐν (ἐπί),
Refs 1Co.7:15, Gal.5:13, Eph.4:4, 1Th.4:7; κλήσει,
Refs Eph.4:1, 2Ti.1:9.
__3. to call, name call by name: pass.,
Refs Mat.2:23, Luk.1:32, al.; καλούμενος,
Refs Luk.7:11, Act.7:58, al.; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 210),
Refs Luk.6:15 22:3 23:33, Act.10:1, Rev.12:9, al.; with pred nom.,
Refs Mat.5:9, Luk.1:35, Rom.9:26, Jas.2:23, 1Jn.3:1. (Cf. ἀντι-, ἐν-, εἰσ- (-μαι), ἐπι-, μετα-, παρα-, συν-παρα-, προ-, προσ-, συν-καλέω.)
(AS)
Thayer:
1) to call
1a) to call aloud, utter in a loud voice
1b) to invite
2) to call i.e. to name, by name
2a) to give a name to
2a1) to receive the name of, receive as a name
2a2) to give some name to one, call his name
2b) to be called i.e. to bear a name or title (among men)
2c) to salute one by name
For Synonyms see entry G5823
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
καλέω
kaleō kal-eh'-o Akin to the base of G2753; to “call” (properly aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) KJV Usage: bid, call (forth), (whose, whose sur-) name (was [called]).
“From out of call” is the name of the church, the idea is held within the name itself. We will be called, invited, or summoned from out of the world into the air united together to Jesus first, as a first fruits offering. The idea that the called out are called up is easy to remember. Again, not everyone in the building of the called out is called up, it is the individual beings world wide. We have to understand this correctly, because there are requirements to being a first fruit offering. Today many Christians are quick to compromise with the world and give people the easy gospel of salvation. The hard part is living it, by taking up our cross and dying to ourselves.
As Paul was giving the Thessalonians this message of hope, he told them to summon or call near others. However the translators did a poor job translating this sentence so that no one understands what Paul just said to do. The word kaleō is used here with a different prefix. We are “the called (kaleō) out” and we are to “call (kaleō) near” other people.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 G5620 So then G3870 comfort G240 one another G1722 by G3588 G3056 these words! G3778
“Therefore summon each other in these logos.”
3870 LSJ Gloss:παρακαλέω to call to
Dodson:παρακαλέω I summon, entreat, admonish, comfort
(a) I send for, summon, invite, (b) I beseech, entreat, beg, (c) I exhort, admonish, (d) I comfort, encourage, console.
Strong’s:παρακαλέω to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
Derivation: from G3844 and G2564;
KJV Usage: beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.
TBESG:παρακαλέω to plead/comfort
G:V
παρακαλέω, -ῶ,
[in LXX chiefly for נחם ni., pi. ;]
__1. to call to one, call for, summon: Act.28:20 (R, mg.; R, txt., entreat); hence (of the gods: Dem., Xen., al.), to invoke, call on, beseech, entreat: τ. πατέρα μου, Mat.26:53; τ. κύριον, 2Co.12:8; in late writers (Polyb., Diod., al.; rarely in LXX; in π., see Deiss., LAE, 17614), also of men: absol., Phm 9; with accusative,
Refs Mat.8:5, Mrk.1:40, Act.16:9, al.; with inf.,
Refs Mrk.5:17, Luk.8:41, Act.8:31, al.; before ἵνα (see M, Pr., 205, 208), Mt 14"36, Mrk.5:18, Luk.8:31, al.
__2. to admonish, exhort: absol.,
Refs Luk.3:18, Rom.12:8, 2Ti.4:2, al.; with accusative,
Refs Act.15:32, 1Th.2:11, Heb.3:13, al.; id. before inf.,
Refs Act.11:23, Rom.12:1, Php.4:2, 1Th.4:10, al.; before ἵνα (see M, Pr., l.with),
Refs 1Co.1:10, 2Co.8:6, 1Th.4:1, al.
__3. to cheer, encourage, comfort (Plut., LXX: Jb 43,
Refs Isa.35:3, Sir.43:24, al.): with accusative,
Refs 2Co.1:6, Eph.6:22, Col.2:2, al.; id. before ἐν, 1Th.4:18; διά, 2Co.1:4; pass.,
Refs Mat.5:4, Luk.16:25, Act.20:12.
SYN.: παραμυθέω (cf. M, Th., 25). (AS)
Thayer:
1) to call to one's side, call for, summon
2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.
2a) to admonish, exhort
2b) to beg, entreat, beseech
2b1) to strive to appease by entreaty
2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort
2c1) to receive consolation, be comforted
2d) to encourage, strengthen
2e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging
2f) to instruct, teach
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
παρακαλέω
parakaleō par-ak-al-eh'-o From G3844 and G2564; to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) KJV Usage: beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray.
3844
παρά
para par-ah' A primary preposition; properly near, that is, (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local [especially beyond or opposed to] or causal [on account of]). In compounds it retains the same variety of application KJV Usage: above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give [such things as they], + that [she] had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side . . . by, in the sight of, than, [there-] fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.
The prefix para means “from the side of” “beside” “near”. When we add it to the word summon we are calling near or inviting beside.
The called out are to call near before they are called up. The calling near is to invite or implore with the logos Paul just gave us. What was the context? The harpazo. We are to invite people to the harpazo. We are to exhort people to the harpazo. We are to tell people about it. We are to educate people about it. There is no reason for the church to be in such disagreement that they can’t even have a civil conversation regarding the seizing of the body of Christ. If the church doesn’t rise up to teach it, plainly and boldly the laity will not understand why they are to take up their cross and lay down their life.
We see that leaving one prefix untranslated caused a lot of confusion in the church body. The answer to this mystery has always been right in front of us, hiding in plain sight. Look at the actual words, not the translated words, to build church doctrine. This is not a hard task. The tools are readily available. Do not let mistranslated words have preeminence over the actual words. The mystery of the above gathering together is that it is above or up. How do the saints who gather together end up up? How do they get above? They are called from out of. They are called out from the earth. Now we are to call others near.
