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Bible Dictionaries
Noble
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament
or Two Greek words are thus translated in the Authorized Version . (1) εὐγενής, ‘well-born,’ ‘of noble birth,’ and secondarily, as the natural outcome of that privileged condition, ‘of noble mind or spirit,’ is used in its primary sense in 1 Corinthians 1:26, ‘not many noble.’ The negative phrase is not to be taken as if it meant ‘none’ (see J. Orr, Neglected Factors in the Study of the Early Progress of Christianity, 1899, p. 99 ff.). In its secondary sense, it is applied to the Jews of BerCEa, who were ‘nobler,’ i.e. of a better and more generous spirit, than those of Thessalonica ‘in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily whether these things were so’ (Acts 17:11). The use of the comparative does not imply that the Jews of Thessalonica had any nobility of spirit. (2) κράτιστος, ‘most mighty,’ or, as a title of honour, ‘most noble or excellent,’ is used by Claudius Lysias in his letter to Felix (Acts 23:26); by Tertullus in addressing Felix (Acts 24:3); and by St. Paul in addressing Festus (Acts 26:25). The Revised Version in all three instances translates it ‘most excellent.’ It was a title usually given to magistrates, and was regarded as a high compliment. An appellation of Achilles was κράτιστος Ἑλλήνων (Soph. Philippians 3).
John Reid.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Noble'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdn/n/noble.html. 1906-1918.
