Saturday, February 21, 2026

"Without a Cause" or "Rashly" in Matt. 5:22?

Recently I purchased a copy of this book through Amazon. 

It's Adam Boyd's translation of the Byzantine Text. Haven't had a chance to look at it much but I did take the time to open to Matt. 5:22 today and was a little taken aback at how the word eikē was rendered. Here's how Boyd renders the first clause of Matt. 5:22:

"But I say to you that everyone who is rashly angry with his brother will be subject to judgment...."

Good reader, I'm not sure the word "rashly" works here. The term implies a notion that seems foreign to the Greek word. "Rashly" carries the negative connotations of impulsiveness and lack of foresight. It suggests a failure to consider potential hazards, that is, a decision that acts recklessly and over-hastily. Jesus, on the other hand, seems to be condemning anger that happens without a reason, justification, or cause. The anger in view is unwarranted, arbitrary, and indefensible. It's groundless, it's baseless, it's unjustified. 

I approach this one gently, because I know just how difficult the work of translation can be. But if we're looking to use one English word to render the one Greek adverb, instead of "rashly" maybe we should consider something like "unjustifiably" or "groundlessly." Then again, I'm just fine with the NKJV's "without a cause." 

Have a wonderful Lord's Day tomorrow!