The Junia topic redirected

[Diogenes]

The term is there used in a non-Biblical sense. Biblically, apostles second class cannot be found - Paul only nominates one kind of apostle.

Andronicus, Junia, and Barnabas predate Paul.

Without going into all the ifs, buts, and maybes:
An apostle is a commissioner (if a person) - according to Paul, first rank in the church hierarchy.

The the term apostolos (G652) is translated as "messenger" in Philippians 2:25 and 2 Corinthians 8:23.

[tabibito]

Andronicus, Junia, and Barnabas predate Paul.

As believers, certainly. As apostles - no data. Barnabas and Paul were appointed apostles in the same time. Timothy, and Silas apparently later. Apollos - no data. There is quite a lengthy list of named apostles ... and never anything to indicate that there is a rank of apostle second class.

The the term apostolos (G652) is translated as "messenger" in Philippians 2:25 and 2 Corinthians 8:23.

Paul apparently didn't expect that. 2Cor 8:23 is an interesting interpretative exercise.

Theological redefinitions of the words used don't occur until long after the Bible was written. If the author invented a new definition for a preexisting word, he would know that anyone who had not been instructed in the use of the new definition would misinterpret what had been said. Nor would it be viable for the man who defined the apostle's rank as foremost in the church to use that same word to indicate a different role without mentioning that he was doing so.

[Diogenes]

Gee ... that IS a hard one. But an apostle by definition cannot be God himself, nor can a messiah.

As a quick aside from what I have saved, Hebrews 3:1 would disagree.

Edit: Apparently it got deleted . It's fair and what I deserved for the aside .