THE APOSTLE OF THE RECONCILIATION

Tekmerion (1:3), `infallible proof'.- The legal or the commercial mind would have expressed itself in the other

word available; the physician is betrayed by his choice.

Hyperoon (1:13), `upper room'.- This word indicates in medical terminology, `the palate'.

Sunchuno (2:6), `confounded'.- Galen uses it for `difficult respiration'. In 19:29 sunchusis is used for a

commotion, a word indicating a `disturbance of the system'. Again the physician is betrayed by his choice of word.

Epidemeo (2:10), `strangers'.- Our word `epidemic'.

Apokatastasis (3:21), `restitution'.- The physician's term for complete convalescence, or the re-setting of a

dislocated joint.

Diacheirisasthe (5:30), `slew'.- This word denotes `a surgical operation'. Luke had before him at least six other

Greek words which are translated `slay' in the New Testament, and occurring from Matthew to Revelation over 30

times. Luke the physician passes them all by, and uses one out of his own medical vocabulary.

Othone and archais (10:11), `sheet' and `corners', are both terms of the physician pure and simple. Othone

means `a bandage', and would not naturally enter the mind of the average person. Archais, which etymologists

would say meant `beginnings', technically meant `the end of a bandage': here the physician is manifest.

Metakalein (10:32), `to call'.- When Luke would tell us that Cornelius sent for Peter, he used the professional

term for `calling in a doctor'.

Epakroaomai (16:25), `heard'.- The writer had a wide range of words from which to choose, yet again he uses

one peculiar to himself and his profession. The word denotes `hearing by placing the ear to the body'! How

beautifully this describes the attitude of the prisoners who `heard' through the wall of the inner prison those midnight

Epineuo (18:20), `consented'.- A term indicating the muscles which bend the head forward.

Sunthruptein (21:13), `break'.- Luke had the choice of seven other words which are found in the New Testament;

instead, he uses his own which is allied with thruptein, meaning `the crushing of the calculus'.

Asemos (21:39), `mean'.- A medical term for denoting the well marked symptoms of a disease.

Diaginoskein (23:15), `diagnosis'.- Who but a physician would call a soldier's examination or a Caesar's decision

a `diagnosis'.

Paraineo (27:9), `admonish'.- Paul is revealed as giving professional `advice'.

Boetheia (27:17), `helps'.

Hupozonnumi (27:17), `undergirding'.- Here are two medical terms. The first is used of the natural mechanical

contrivances of the human body for its support, and of artificial supports, bandages, etc. In the second, the primary

meaning is the `diaphragm', the membrane investing the thorax.

Therme (28:3), `heat'.- Luke alone uses this medical term, which is in use with us today.

These are but samples. Obvious medical terms and descriptions of disease are omitted: these also betray the

professional observer.

Luke, or Loukas, is the Greek form of the Latin Lucanus, just as Silas is the Greek form of the Latin Silvanus.

Luke was a physician as his peculiar wording shows. He was a Gentile, not being included in the list of the

`circumcision' (Col. 4:11 and 14). He uses the Latin word semicinctura for an apron (Acts 19:12). We are perfectly

satisfied, from the testimony brought together in this chapter, with regard to the following statements, all of which

we shall assume as true throughout this volume.

1. Luke, the beloved physician, and faithful companion of Paul's journeys, is the writer both of the Gospel

which bears his name, and of the Acts as a whole.