Genitive Singular
ThsEkklhsias
GENITIVE SINGULAR
ths ekklhsias (tays ek’klaysi-ahs / της εκκλησιας – Matthew 18:17, Acts 11:22, 12:1, 5, 15:3-4, 20:17, Romans 16:1, 23, 1 Corinthians 11:22, 14:12, Ephesians 3:10, 5:23, Colossians 1:18, James 5:14, 3 John 10
Matthew 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it TO THE MULTITUDE. And finally, if even in the case OF THE MULTITUDE he should still not listen, THEN let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Application
By using the word ecclesia to represent some kind of litigation, Jesus could be making the same point as Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, that legal litigation should be a LAST resort. If you have a problem DON’T bring it to court. First deal with it man to man. And then if he doesn’t listen, don’t bring it to court, bring some other brothers. And finally if you have tried everything and nothing seems to work, THEN bring him to court. And FINALLY after all of that if he still does not repent, as a last action, consider him as an unbeliever and an enemy. Notice Jesus did not tell them to kick him out of the ek’klaysia, possibly because He could be talking about a legal hearing. Jesus simply said to view him no longer as a brother.
By using the word ecclesia to mean qahall, this verse would simply be saying that after telling a few brothers and he doesn’t listen then you should tell ALL the brothers. Jesus certainly didn’t mean church specially since the Pentecost event hadn’t happened yet.
I suggest the word simply means Multitude and it is meant to be used the same way as Qahall.
Acts 11:22 The report of them came to the ears OF THE MULTITUDE (that in Jerusalem) and THEY sent Barnabas to Antioch.
Acts 12:1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on SOME FROM THE MULTITUDE.
Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God BY THE MULTITUDE.
Acts 15:3 So, being sent on their way BY THE MULTITUDE, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
Acts 15:4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed in BY THE MULTITUDE, and the messengers and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
Acts 20:17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders OF THE MULTITUDE to come to him.
Romans 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe at Cenchreae, a servant OF THE MULTITUDE,
Romans 16:23 Gaius, who is host of me and OF THE WHOLE MULTITUDE, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.
* (qualified “of God” to distinguish it from the normal legal community CONGRESS) 1 Corinthians 11:22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise those OF THE MULTITUDE (who belong to God) and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
1 Corinthians 14:12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in the building OF THE MULTITUDE.
Ephesians 3:10 so that THROUGH THE MULTITUDE the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head OF THE MULTITUDE, Savior of the body.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head OF THE MULTITUDE body. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders OF THE MULTITUDE, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
3 John 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and throws them out OF THE MULTITUDE.
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Revelation of John 2:1 “Write to THE MULTITUDE’S messenger in Ephesis: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
Revelation of John 2:8 “And write to THE MULTITUDE’S messenger who’s in Smyrna: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
Revelation of John 2:12 “And write to THE MULTITUDE’S messenger who’s in Pergamum: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
Revelation of John 2:18 “And write to THE MULTITUDE’S messenger who’s in Thyatira: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.
Revelation of John 3:1 “And write to THE MULTITUDE’S messenger who’s in Sardisia: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your (singular) works. You (singular) have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
Revelation of John 3:7 “And write to THE MULTITUDE’S messenger who’s in Philadelphia: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
Revelation of John 3:14 “And write to THE MULTITUDE’S messenger who’s in Laodicea: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
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Ekklhsias:GS
GENITIVE SINGULAR NO ARTICLE
ekklhsias (ek’klaysi-ahs / εκκλησιας) – 1 Timothy 3:5, Hebrews 2:12, 3 John 6, Revelation of John 2:1, 8, 12, 18, 3:1, 7, 14
* (you can’t care for or manage a conference, this verse must be referring to people but it is singular) 1 Timothy 3:5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for A MULTITUDE who belongs to God?
Hebrews 2:12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst OF A MULTITUDE I will sing your praise.”
3 John 6 who testified about your love in the presence OF A MULTITUDE. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.
