Few (small, little, short) (3641) oligos

Little while (3641) (oligos) is an adjective which can have several nuances depending on the context... (1) Small in number ("few" - few workers = Mt 9:37, few fish = Mt 15:34, a few sick people = Mk 6:5), (2) Small in regard to the amount of time (little, small, short) and short in reference to amount or duration ("short time" Rev 12:12, Acts 26:28, Heb 12:10=of duration of paternal discipline, James 4:14, 1Pe 1:6; "rest a while" = Mk 6:31, Eph 3:3 = "in brief"). (3) Small in terms of distance (Mk 1:19). (4) Slight or little ("something on a small scale, such as a disturbance"- Mounce; "relatively low on a scale of extent or existing only to a small degree" - BDAG. Acts 12:18, 19:23, Luke 7:47) (5) Small in size (James 3:5="small fire"). Mounce adds that oligos "typically denotes a small number, a small amount of something, or shortness in size or time. There is significant overlap with mikros (small)." Luke modifies oligos with a negative particle several times in Acts which most English Bibles translate in a manner opposite of the idea of "few" -- Acts 14:28 (long time =literally "not a little time"), Acts 15:2 (great dissension = literally "not a little"), Acts 17:4 (a number = literally "not a few"), and Acts 17:12 (a number = literally "not a few"). Oligos is used as a prefix in two words in the NT - Oligopistos = little faith (Mt 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, Lk12:28) and oligopsuchos (literally "little souled") = "fainthearted" (1Thes 5:14-note) which conveys the sense of one who is fretful or worried. A little while (literally "a little" which could refer to duration and/or degree of the sufferings) (3641) (oligos) one lexicon says means "puny in extent". Our suffering may not feel "little" to us (although it may make us feel "puny"), but we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is of short duration (everything is short compared to eternity) and secondly that there will be an end to the suffering. Writing to the Corinthians Paul reminds them that we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary (cf to Peter's "after a little while"), light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Cor 4:16-note, 2Co 4:17-note, 2Co 4:18-note) Comment: Even a lifetime of suffering is only a little when measured by the standard of “eternal glory.” Phillips paraphrases it These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious, and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain Oligos - 40x in 39v - Matt 7:14 (few find eternal life); Mt 9:37 (workers in the harvest fields are few); Mt 15:34 (a few small fish in the hands of Jesus are not oligos!); Mt 22:14; 25:21, 23; Mark 1:19; 6:5, 31; 8:7; Luke 5:3; 7:47; 10:2; 12" class="scriptRef">12.48" class="scriptRef">12:48; 13:23; Acts 12:18; 14:28; 15:2; 17:4, 12; 19:23f; 26:28f; 27:20; 2Cor 8:15; Eph 3:3; 1Ti 4:8; 5:23; Heb 12:10; Jas 4:14; 1Pet 1:6; 3:20; 5:10, 12; Rev 2:14; 3:4; 12:12; 17:10. NAS translation of Oligos depends on the context - brief(1), briefly(1), few(11), few things(3), great*(1), little(7), little way(1), little while(4), long*(1), number*(2), short(3), short time(1), small(3), while(1). Here are some uses of oligos... Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Comment: Context is salvation. Matthew 9:37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Comment: Context is evangelism, missions. Matthew 15:34 And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish." Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." Comment: This is in the context of Jesus speaking to the Jews. The word called in this instance refers to being “invited,” not to the divine call to salvation as Paul used the word (Ro 8:28, 29 cp 1Cor 1:9 1Th 2:12). All Israel had been invited, but only a few would accept and follow Jesus. Not all those invited will be among the chosen of God, for not all will believe. Matthew 25:21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Matthew 25:23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Mark 1:19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Mark 6:5 And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. Mark 6:31 And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) Mark 8:7 They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well. Luke 5:3 And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. Luke 7:47 "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." Comment: The more we are forgiven, the more we should love. We have all been forgiven an unspeakable number of sins, a number which increases daily. The realization of this truth should make every believer a great forgiver, not an "oligos" forgiver! Which phrase best describes you dear brother or sister in Christ? Luke 10:2 And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Luke 12:48 but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. Luke 13:23 And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them (Lk 13:24) Acts 12:18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter. Acts 14:28 And they spent a long time (literally "not a little time") with the disciples. Acts 15:2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great (literally "no little") dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. Acts 17:4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number (literally "not a few") of the leading women. Acts 17:12 Therefore many of them believed, along with a number (literally "not a few") of prominent Greek women and men. Acts 19:23 About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; Acts 26:28 Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."29 And Paul said, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains." Comment: NIV is more accurate "“Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” In this context "short time" (oligos) conveys the sense of something that can be accomplished without much difficulty or trouble. Mounce: Oligos can also refer to a “short” time. Agrippa sarcastically asks Paul whether in a “short amount of time” he thinks he can make Agrippa a Christian (Acts 26:28, 29; cf. Heb 12:10; Rev 12:12; 17:10). MacDonald: There is considerable disagreement as to exactly what Agrippa meant. Those who follow the King James tradition feel that the king had actually been brought to the threshold of decision for Christ (Acts 26:28KJV). They feel that Paul’s answer in Acts 26:29KJV substantiates this. Others think that Agrippa was using irony, asking Paul, as it were, “Do you think that with a little persuasion you can make me a Christian?” In other words, he was evading the pressure of the apostle’s words with a joke. Acts 27:20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned. 2 Corinthians 8:15 as it is written, "HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK." Ephesians 3:3-note that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 1Ti 4:8-note For (term of explanation = Paul is explaining why we should be diligent to discipline ourselves spiritually 1Ti 4:7-note) bodily discipline is only of little (oligos) profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Comment: Beloved, as believers we will enter into eternity either as eternal "paupers" (relatively speaking of course!) or as those who are eternally "rich"! Are you paying the price by seeking to live a godly life (only possible of course as you are enabled by the Spirit of Christ)? But what is godliness? Jerry Bridges give a practical definition as "“the attitude of regarding God in everything all the time.” How are you doing? Are you adding to your heavenly "bank account" by making choices that continually take God into account? Paul wanted Timothy to know that this was so important that he told him "for it is for this we labor and strive"! (1Ti 4:10-note) Godliness is work but it is ultimately God's Spirit working in us continually to give us both the desire and the power to pursue godliness (Php 2:13-note). 1 Timothy 5:23 No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. Hebrews 12:10-note For they (earthly fathers) disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Comment: God is sovereign over our every breath beloved! The word "vapor" can in fact refer one's breath as it appears for a moment in cold air! Our life is short and could end at any breath (Scripture is trying to "get our attention" repeatedly saying in one way or another that our life is short - Shortness of our lives: Job 7:6, 7 9:25, 26 14:1, 2 Ps 37:2 39:5, 6 Ps 90:4-6, 9, 10 Ps 102:3, 11, Ps 103:15,16 Ps 144:4 Isa 38:12,13 40:6,7 Jas 1:10, 11 4:14 1Pe 1:24 2Ki 19:26). The truth that our life is "oligos", should prompt us to "redeem the time" (Eph 5:16-note) that we have been allocated. Are you investing your life in "ventures" that will yield fruit for eternity (Jn 15:16) or are you ensnared by the deceptive pleasures (not even necessarily sins, but of no spiritual value) of this passing world? 1 Peter 1:6-note In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if (since it is) necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, Comment: It is notable that Peter uses "oligos" as "bookends" in his letter, speaking of "various trials" which are "now for a little while" (1Peter 1:6) and here in 1Peter 5:10 of suffering "for a little while". When we are in the "Refiner's fire" the trials and/or suffering do not "feel" short but long. Peter knows that is our nature and wants us to think of our trials and suffering in the context of eternity. Trials and suffering will end one day (soon), but eternity and glory will continue forever and ever! 1 Peter 3:20-note who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. 1 Peter 5:10-note After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:12-note Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! Comment: Oligos in this passage means in essence "in a few words." Revelation 2:14-note 'But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. Revelation 3:4-note 'But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. Revelation 12:12-note "For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time." Comment: Satan is cast out of heaven at the midpoint of Daniel's Seventieth Week leaving him a "short time" or only 3.5 years (42 months, 1260 days) to inflict his woe on planet earth. Revelation 17:10-note and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. Oligos - 45x in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (Lxx)- 9.20" class="scriptRef">Ge 29:20; Lev 25:52; Nu 11:32; 13:18; 26:56; Deut 4:27; 28:38; Josh 7:3; 1 Sam 14:6; 1Kgs 17:10, 12" class="scriptRef">12; 2Kgs 10:18; 2Chr 14:11; 24:24; 29:34; Neh 2:12; 7:4; Job 8:7; 10:20; 14:21; 15:11; Ps 17:14; 37:10, 16; 73:2; 109:8; Prov 5:14; 6:10; 15:29; 24:33; Eccl 5:2, 12; 9:14; 10:1; Isaiah 10:7; 21:17; 24:6; Jer 10:24; 42:2; 44:28; Ezek 5:3; Dan 11:23; Hag 1:6, 9; Zech 1:15 Deuteronomy 4:27 (A prophecy given through Moses predicting their corrupt behavior and idol worship, both of which transpired. Here is the punishment) "The LORD will scatter you (Jews) among the peoples (Gentiles), and you will be left few in number among the (Gentile) nations where the LORD drives you. Psalm 37:10 Yet a little while (oligos) and the wicked man will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there. Psalm 37:16 Better is the little of the righteous Than the abundance of many wicked. TDNT comments on the importance of oligos in the Septuagint... The idea of “little” is important in the Septuagint (Lxx). God can work with few means (1 Sam. 14:6), and so can the righteous with God’s help (cf. Job 8:7). A poor man who is wise can do much with little (Eccl. 9:14-15), and a little wisdom means much (Ecc 10:1). Such sayings may express practical experience, but they also denote the eschatological transvaluation of all values. Rather different is the thought that we are limited by a short span of life (Job 10:20). This is a punishment for sinners (Ps. 37:10). It is also a punishment that only a few remain in times of distress (Dt. 4:27), or that little is left of the harvest (28:38). The suffering of the righteous, however, is of little account (Zech. 1:15). SUFFERING: A PROPER PERSPECTIVE According to Peter and Paul (1Peter 5:10, 2Cor 4:17-note;2Cor 4:18-note) TIME WEIGHT CHARACTER SUFFERINGS "Little" "Momentary" "Temporal' "Little" "Light" "Seen" GLORY "Eternal" "Weight" (Heavy) "Unseen" Be encouraged especially by the contrast between the "eternal glory" with the "temporal trials". Regarding a "little while", Barton writes that "For believers, suffering will not last forever. If you’re under stress, if food is scarce, if disease is spreading, God promises that suffering will last “just a little while more.” No matter what trouble you face, hard as it is, God has stamped your life “temporarily out of order,” with emphasis on “temporarily.” A day is coming when the Great Repairman will wrench evil from the world and restore your life so that it works as God intended. You will be in mint condition, guaranteed to function as God designed. Many times all we can do is trust God and look forward to Jesus’ return, when God will restore us. Our hope is in him!" (Barton, B, et al: The NIV Life Application Commentary Series: Tyndale) You may be called to suffer for a season, but it will soon be over. The psalmist writes "I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me." (Ps 119:75) (Spurgeon) Guzik quips don't we all "wish we were called to His eternal glory on the "no suffering" plan." Barnes - The Greek is, "having suffered a little," and may refer either to time or degree. In both respects the declaration concerning afflictions is true. They are short, compared with eternity; they are light, compared with the exceeding and eternal weight of glory. John MacArthur - We're to live with the understanding that God's purpose realized in the future requires some pain in the present... It may seem intense and it may seem long but it's really very brief, just a little while." (Sermon: Fundamental Attitudes for Spiritual Maturity) THE GOD OF ALL GRACE: ho de theos pases charitos: (Ps 86:5,15; Micah 7:18,19; Ro 5:20,21; 15:5,13; 2Co 13:11; Heb 13:20) The Psalmist writes... For (term of explanation - always check context to see what the author is explaining - Ps 84:9,10) the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Ps 84:11-note = This is a great verse to memorize so that you can meditate on it and be blessed - Ps 1:1-note, Ps 1:2-note, Ps 1:3-note, Joshua 1:8-note) All grace - No exceptions! The ONLY Source of Grace is the God of Grace! And remember two principles (among others) for partaking of that grace - (1) Humility (James 4:6-note) and (2) Weakness (2Cor 12:9-note). God is the God of all grace in the Old and New Testaments... But Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. (Ps 86:15) (Spurgeon's note) Who is a God like Thee, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:18,19) And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Ro 5:20, 21-note) The God of all grace is also the God of hope... Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that (term of conclusion) you may abound in hope by the power (dunamis) of the Holy Spirit. (Ro 15:13-note) The God of all grace is also the God of peace... Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, Raymond Ortlund - The Christian life is never just our part! Real Christianity always begins with God, not with us. It is sustained by God, not by us. Our final triumph will be of God, not of us.

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Few (small, little, short) (3641) oligos

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