# PAROUSIA="NEARNESS"

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Posted by Not presence [Bibleman] on October 29, 1999 at 22:48:22 {CAtoZJLIp2MSSTtTA17sslyACFuF8c}:

# "PAROUSIA" AS "PRESENCE" AT LAST, IS A BAD TRANSLATION AT MATTHEW 24:3 - IT SHOULD BE "NEARNESS"

Well folks, the NWT of the Greek term parousia as "presence" or the KJV as "coming" are probably both misleading and inadequate to truly represent what Jesus was referring to. The correct concept really should be "nearness." Here is a specific definition of the term:

> G3952 parousia, par-oo-see'-ah; from the pres. part. of G3918; a being near, i.e. advent (often, RETURN; spec. of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by impl.)phys. aspect:--coming,presence.

The WTS and most translators do consider the basic meaning of the term to mean "presence" since the basic term in context works that way. But when you really consider the first part of the word which is "par" it really means "around" (i.e. Lat: "para-meter"). The WTS points out it means "along side" which gives the same concept. But the emphasis is wrong.

That is, someone who is "present" is alongside, true. And someone who is "present" is around you. But in actuality, they are NOT you! That is, parousia in terms of being alongside is better understood as being CLOSE TO or NEAR TO. When it is speaking, therefore, of a future event associated with the arrival of the Messiah, the term "parousia" would refer to what happens NEAR TO his coming.

That is, "along side" is a poor concept since time is conceived to be in a direct line. Thus, if you were approaching someone and there was someone along side them, you could be seen as approaching them both. But if that person were proximal or nearby that person, such as directly IN FRONT OF THEM, then you would reach that one person before reaching the other.

And that is what really "parousia" in this context is actually conveying. What the disciples are really asking is what will be the sign of your NEARNESS or CLOSENESS. "Nearness" or "closeness" are appropriate translations and understanding for the term "parousia."

CONTEXT:
We know this is appropriate because of CONTEXT. And what does the context tell us? It tells us that there is a specific timing for the Messiah's COMING, when he actually arrives. Matthew 24 talks about the things that occur JUST BEFORE he arrives; the things that LEAD UP to his arrival, not which occur after he arrives.

So "presence" is really a misleading term since the Messiah can't really be "present" until he actually "arrives." And all these signs happen BEFORE his arrival, including and in particular, the "great tribulation" which Matthew 24:29 clearly indicates it is "immediately after the tribulation of those days... Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in the clouds."

So everything is better understood when "parousia" is understood and translated as "nearness" or "closeness" rather than presence. And that is particularly clear since "presence" gives the idea that the Messiah would have already arrived, when in fact, during the "signs" leading up to his final arrival, he is not yet present, particularly not present in kingdom power.

So while "presence" does work out for other scriptures where there is a reference to someone being "present" or "nearby" or "close to" someone else, it makes a critical difference when it is used in a chronological setting such as at Matthew 24. In this case, the term "presence" is actually contraindicated since the Messiah does not yet arrive until all those "signs" are over. He is not actually PRESENT until he actually arrives near the end of that generation.

But when translated as "What will be the sign of your closeness..." referring to those things that would occur just before his arrival, then there is no conflict between the concept of Jesus' "closeness" and his actual "coming" or "arrival."

By the way, while the WTS goes out of it's way to expound their translation of "parousia" as "presence" rather than "coming", they really still fail to make a clear distinction that the "parousia" and the "coming" are two separate concepts! And translated as "presence" it seems there is no difference in his "coming" and in his "presence."

But they are different. The PAROUSIA refers to what happens before the Messiah arrives, are are signs of his NEARNESS, not his "presence".

IN SUMMARY:
So, in summary. Not only is it an improved translation for parousia at Matthew 24:3 to be understood and thus translated more appropriately as "nearness" or "closeness" (vs. "presence" or "coming"), but the current NWT of that term as "presence" is actually misleading. It's a BAD translation of that term at Matthew 24:3, even though it works well elsewhere. "Parousia" here refers to those things that happen AROUND or NEAR to his actual coming; more specifically, just before or leading up his actual coming. That is what those signs were and that is what the disciples were asking about.

SORRY NWT! But "presence" just isn't going to get it here.

COMMENTS ARE WELCOME! Especially if there is any academic references which use "closeness", "nearness" or similar. I have not yet checked various translations.

Thanks all!

Cheers,
Bibleman

P.S. More on this if I find anything. I believe somewhere parousia has been actually translated as "nearness" before. I'll post more supporting details when I find them. Cheers...

Follow Ups:

- *PAROUSIA="NEARNESS" honhea 09:29:16 10/30/99 (3)
  - **PAROUSIA="NEARNESS" Bibleman 12:31:11 10/30/99 (0)
  - **PAROUSIA="NEARNESS" mntzion 12:27:07 10/30/99 (1)
    - ***PAROUSIA="NEARNESS" Bibleman 16:50:44 10/30/99 (0)
- *PAROUSIA="NEARNESS" More! 23:37:56 10/29/99 (4)
  - **PAROUSIA="NEARNESS" JanG 04:43:05 10/30/99 (3)
    - ***PAROUSIA="NEARNESS" Bibleman 09:05:45 10/30/99 (2)
      - ****PAROUSIA="NEARNESS" mntzion 12:30:09 10/30/99 (1)
        - *****PAROUSIA="NEARNESS" Bibleman 17:06:44 10/30/99 (0)

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