G1163 δεῖ (deî)

Must be (1163) (dei from deo = to bind or tie objects together, put in prison and also root of doulos, bond-servant) refers to what is not optional but needful (binding) out of intrinsic necessity or inevitability. Dei refers to inward constraint which is why it is often translated "must". Dei describes that which is under the necessity of happening or which must necessarily take place, and as stated above, conveys a sense of inevitability. To express the sense of necessity dei is translated "one ought", "one should", "one has to" or "one must". In English dictionaries must means to be obliged and expresses both physical and moral necessity or insistence. Must speaks of something that should not be overlooked or missed. Must is used to indicate requirement by immediate or future need or purpose. Dei is used 98x in the NT (Mt 16:21; 17:10; 18:33; 23:23; 24:6; 25:27; 26:35, 54; Mk. 8:31; 9:11; 13:7, 10, 14; 14:31; Lk 2:49; 4:43; 9:22; 11:42; 12:12; 13:14, 16, 33; 15:32; 17:25; 18:1; 19:5; 21:9; 22:7, 37; 24:7, 26, 44; Jn. 3:7, 14, 30; 4:4, 20, 24; 9:4; 10:16; 12:34; 20:9; Acts 1:16, 21; 3:21; 4:12; 5:29; 9:6, 16; 14:22; 15:5; 16:30; 17:3; 19:21, 36; 20:35; 23:11; 24:19; 25:10, 24; 26:9; 27:21, 24, 26; Ro 1:27; 8:26; 12:3; 1Co 8:2; 11:19; 15:25, 53; 2Co 2:3; 5:10; 11:30; Ep 6:20; Col. 4:4, 6; 1Th 4:1; 2Th 3:7; 1Ti 3:2, 7, 15; 5:13; 2Ti 2:6, 24; Titus 1:7, 11; Heb 2:1; 9:26; 11:6; 1Pe 1:6; 2Pe 3:11; Re 1:1; 4:1; 10:11; 11:5; 17:10; 20:3; 22:6) The NASB translates dei as follows: due(1), had(7), have(2), must(56), necessary(4), needed(1), ought(17), ought to(1), should(9). The TDNT comments that dei expresses the character of necessity or compulsion in an event. The term itself does not denote the authority which imparts this character. It is thus given its precise significance when conjoined with this power. In most cases the word bears a weakened sense derived from everyday processes. It thus denotes that which in a given moment seems to be necessary or inevitable to a man or group of men...In the language of philosophy the term expresses logical and scientific necessities...Ethical or even religious obligations may also be denoted (as used here in Titus 1:7). (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) In regard to overseers the verb "must" (dei) expresses the moral fitness (in the 15 or so characteristics that follow) that is absolutely necessary in order for one to qualify to lead the local church. In Paul's first epistle to Timothy, he used dei twice in his description of qualifications for an overseer, writing that An overseer, then, must be (dei) above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must (dei) have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1Ti 3:2-7) In his second epistle Paul emphasized that "the Lord's bond-servant (of whom elders, overseers and deacons would surely classify) must (dei) not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged..." (see note 2 Timothy 2:24) Paul uses dei once more in Titus in reference to "rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must (dei) be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain." (see note Titus 1:10; Titus 1:11) Paul is clearly instructing Titus that it is a must and not an option that he silence these rebels! Dei can refer to that which is divinely destined or decreed as illustrated by the following NT passages. Jesus declared that “the gospel must (dei) first be preached to all the nations." (Mk 13:10) Before the end of this age (and prior to the 1000 year reign of Messiah) there must be (because Jesus declared it so) a worldwide proclamation of the gospel which may refer to the supernatural proclamation of the gospel (Revelation 14:6 {note}; Revelation Lectures Pt 2, Pt 3, Pt 4; Resources on Revelation; Summary Charts of Revelation Chapters 4-22) at the mid-point of the last 7 year period of Daniel's Seventieth Week (see Chart of Daniel's 70th Week; Daniel Lectures), just before God pours out His final wrath on the kingdom of the Anti-Christ and rebellious mankind (referring especially to the "bowl judgments" as described in Rev 16). In another use of dei we read For as yet they (Jesus' disciples) did not understand the Scripture, that He must (dei) rise again from the dead. (Jn 20:9). Peter declared And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must (dei) be saved” (Acts 4:12) (Comment: Referring to the only way of salvation which is by faith in Jesus Christ) For salvation one absolutely MUST enter the small gate and travel the narrow road, for it is the only path that leads to eternal life. Finally, one more "must" that applies to all believers is found in Paul's declaration that we (only addressing genuine believers) must (dei) all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2Cor 5:10-note) Dei is also used in Scripture to refer to that which is right as prescribed by law, duty or custom. For example when the Jewish council (the "Sanhedrin") rebuked Peter (and the apostles) for teaching in the Name of Jesus, Peter replied We must (dei) obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29) The point is that Christians must obey the government authority but only as long as the rules or decrees of the government are not contrary to God’s Word. Then they must obey God. Peter informs his readers that In this (the benefits of the salvation, living hope and future inheritance) you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary (dei), you have been distressed by various trials." (1Pe 1:6-note) The trials of this life are a "must" for they are God's training ground (His "school of affliction") for our life in the future in eternity. The following passage presents an excellent sense of the "binding" nature of the verb dei and helps one understand how strong Paul feels about the qualifications for overseers! As Jesus' time to be offered as the sacrificial Lamb approached, He began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day" (Mt 16:21) Dei emphasizes the inevitableness of the Cross, because it was for this very purpose Jesus took the form of man and He was constrained to fulfill His purpose (cf Jn 4:34, 17:4). Dei in fact is often used by Jesus regarding His work and it's inevitable fulfillment on the Cross of Calvary. (eg, Mark 8:31; Luke 4:43; 9:22; 13:33; 24:7, 26; John 3:14; 12:34) In summary, dei means ‘it is necessary’, ‘one must,’ or ‘one ought,’ and is used... (a) of a necessity lying in the nature of the case. (Jn 3:30-note; 2Ti 2:6-note) A familiar OT use of dei in this sense (one of 23 uses in the Septuagint) is Boaz's declaration to the nearest kinsman redeemer that On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must (dei) also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance." (Ru 4:5-note) Comment: The nearest kinsman knew that was a necessity, not an option, and therefore he gave up his right to Ruth! (b) of necessity brought about by circumstances, (John 4:4) and regarding Christ speaking of a necessity brought about by reason of the Father’s will (Luke 2:49) (c) of necessity as to what is required that something may be brought about, (Acts 9:6); In Hebrews we read And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must (dei) believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." (He 11:6-note) (d) of a necessity of law, duty, equity, custom (Acts 25:10, Acts 15:5, Ro 12:3 {note}, Lk 22:7) (e) of necessity arising from the sovereign will of God, (Mt 16:21; Mt 24:6; 1Cor 15:53) One of the most famous illustrations is John record of The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him (Jesus) to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John." (see Rev 1:1-note, see also see Re 4:1, 20:6, 22:6 notes Re 4:1, 20:6, 22:6) Comment: These things (the incredible events in the Revelation of Jesus Christ) must happen because the sovereign God decreed them to happen. (cp God's declaration's that speak of His sovereign control of history in Isaiah - Is 42:9, 46:9, 10, 11, Isa 48:3) Note that dei conveys a slightly different meaning than does the closely related verb opheilo (3784) which means “to owe, to be a debtor, to be under obligation or bound by duty”. Opheilo speaks of a moral obligation in contrast to a binding necessity as brought out with dei. For example, Paul uses opheÃlo writing to the Romans: I am under obligation (noun form of opheÃlo) both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish." (Ro 1:14-note) The apostle saw himself as a debtor to those who spoke Greek and to those who did not. The word opheilo refers to a special, personal or moral obligation to do something, in contrast to the basic meaning of dei, which speaks of a necessity, something that must be accomplished. From this overview of dei and above reproach one can better understand that the candidate for overseer must possesses these traits in the following list and if he does not he must not be appointed an overseer. Spiritual leaders not only must teach truth but also must live out the truth in their life as examples of godliness to their flock. Damage to the leader’s reputation is damage to God’s reputation. In short, the verb dei speaks of what is necessary, not optional -- once you understand that dei has no "option clauses", Peter's solemn pronouncement is even more sobering: Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought (dei) you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!" (2Pe 3:11, 12-note) Peter's exclamation means “How astoundingly excellent you ought to be!” which is a no nonsense, straightforward challenge regarding the necessity for Christians to conform their lives to God’s standards in light of the coming judgment and relative brevity of this world compared that which is to come. If you really understand the NT implications of dei, you will agree that holy conduct and godliness are a necessity not an option! 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