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Text Sermons : Greek Word Studies : Accumulate (2002) episoreuo

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Accumulate (2002) (episoreuo from epi = upon + soreuo = heap, pile = heap one thing on another like coals on one's head - Ro 12:20-note) means to accumulate in piles and figuratively means to increase greatly or significantly increase the number of something.

Episoreuo pictures the apostates (this English word is derived from the Greek verb used in the next verse for "turn away") as piling up teachers one upon another as if the sheer number of false teachers will make them right. These teachers give the people what they want, but tragically not what they desperately need for life and godliness (found only through a true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. - 2Pe 1:3-note).

Vine - "to heap upon" or "together" (epi, "upon," and No. 1), is used metaphorically in 2 Timothy 4:3 of appropriating a number of teachers to suit the liking of those who do so. The reference may be to those who, like the Athenians, run about to hear and follow those who proclaim new ideas of their own invention. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words)

Marvin Vincent remarks that episoreuo is a "vigorous and graphic statement. Episoreuo = to heap up... The word is ironical; shall invite teachers en masse In periods of unsettled faith, skepticism, and mere curious speculation in matters of religion, teachers of all kinds swarm like the flies in Egypt. The demand creates the supply. The hearers invite and shape their own preachers. If the people desire a calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found. (cf Ex 32:4) “The master of superstition is the people, and in all superstition wise men follow fools” (Bacon, Ess. xvii)." (Bolding Added) (Vincent, M. R. Word Studies in the New Testament Vol. 4, Page 320-321)
Van Oosterzee writes that "Although the idea of a load, which they thus burden themselves with, is not expressed precisely, yet the contemptible and objectionable trait of their whole striving and working is here plainly enough signified. (Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., van Oosterzee, J. J., Washburn, E. A., & Harwood, E.. A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: 1 & 2 Timothy. Page 112.)

Accumulate or episoreuo gives us a picture of multiplication so that there is a plethora of these people pleasing preachers! The professing believers will go through one teacher after another in their search to satisfy their lusts and curiosity with only one primary goal, to gratify and pander to "self". Beloved, do not be deceived...the fact that a preacher has a large congregation is not always a sign that he is preaching the Word of truth. And as Guzik astutely quips "When you have hearers with itching ears, you will have preachers with itching palms - wanting to be scratched by money, and satisfy the “market” of itching ears."

Vine observes that "It is a sad feature of the trend of things in the past centuries of the history of Christendom, that certain congregations have adopted the plan of choosing their own ministers. How paradoxical, that sheep should choose their own shepherds!"





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