Safeguard (804) (asphales from a = w/o + sphallo = throw down, trip up, totter, bring to the ground, make someone fall) literally means that which cannot be thrown down, tripped up, tottered or overthrown. It describes that which is secure and safe from stumbling or falling. Asphales thus means firm, sure, secure, safety, unshakeable, certain, steady, immovable (as of the anchor in He 6:19-note - see below - or in Septuagint referring to the sky above in Pr 8:28) and then figuratively referring to a state of safety, stability and security which can be relied on and hence free from danger and secure from peril. Asphales describes something that cannot be made to totter when put to the test. In Acts 2:36 the related adverb asphalos means certainly, surely, speaking of that which is known beyond a doubt. NIDNTT has the following note on the uses of this word group in classic literature... Asphaleia occurs in classic Greek. with the following meanings: security against stumbling (Thuc., History, 3, 22), assurance from danger (Aeschylus onwards), caution (in post-Christian writings), assurance, certainty (Thuc. History, 2, 11), the certainty or convincing nature of an argument (Xenophon, Memorabilia, 4, 6, 15), and as a security, bond or pledge as a technical law term (Arrianus, Epicteti Dissertationes, 2, 13, 7; BGU 1149, 24; P. Teb. 293, 19; The Amherst Papyri, 78:16). The adjective asphales occurs from Homer onwards in the sense of immovable, steadfast, unshaken, unfailing both literally and in the case of friends etc., and safe both literally and figuratively. The verb. asphalizo is used in the sense of secure, safeguard and, in 1st cent. B.C. literature, arrest. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) Compare Luke's use of the noun form asphaleia in his introductory comments writing... "so that you might know the exact (asphaleia) truth (logos - word) about the things you have been taught" (Luke 1:4) thus speaking of teaching or instruction which affords certainty and reliability. The related noun asphaleia is found in the Septuagint or LXX of Deut 12:10 where Moses records that... "When you cross the Jordan and live in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies around you so that you live in security (asphaleia)" (Dt 12:10) This word group was also used as a technical legal term for keeping a prisoner securely guarded security (see Acts 5:23). The noun form asphaleia (803) is used by Paul in the phrase "Peace and safety (asphaleia)" in 1Th 5:3-note, where the "safety" or security from peril is false and deceptive for it is focused on this world which is passing away instead of looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus (Titus 2:11-note). The verb form asphalizo (805) is used by Matthew referring to Jesus' burial site where it was said "give orders for the grave to be made secure (asphalizo)" (Mt 27:64) and Pilate's orders "make it secure (asphalizo) as you know how (referring to Jesus' grave). And they went and made the grave secure (asphalizo), and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone." (Mt 27:65, 66). Luke uses the verb form to describe the incarceration of Paul and Silas writing that the jailer "threw them into the inner prison, and fastened (asphalizo) their feet in the stocks." (Acts 16:23). Aphales is used in Hebrews presenting every believer with a powerful word picture of our unshakeable position safe in Christ... (In the storms and trials of life) This hope (embodied in Christ Himself and since we are "in Christ" this reflects the truth that our glorification is as certain as if it had already happened which is truth that should keep us from drifting on the wild waves of doubt and despair) we have as an anchor (note that the anchor is not cast onto the shifting sands of this world but actually into the sanctuary in heaven = safe and secure!) of the soul, a hope both sure (aphales) and steadfast and one which enters within the veil (He 6:19-note) Aphales is used 5 times in the NAS and is translated certain, 1; definite, 1; facts, 1; safeguard, 1; sure, 1. Acts 21:34 But among the crowd some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts (literally = not being able to know the certainty) on account of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. Acts 22:30 But on the next day, wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him before them. Acts 25:26 "Yet I have nothing definite (no certain thing) about him to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. Philippians 3:1 (note) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, As noted above aphales is taken from a verb meaning to trip up, overthrow or cause to stumble. Here the negative prefix ("a") is added and thus describes that which has stability and firmness so as not to be easily tripped up or overthrown. Philippians 3:2 Beware (2PPAM) of the dogs, beware (2PPAM) of the evil workers, beware (2PPAM) of the false circumcision (NASB: Lockman) Greek: Blepete (2PPAM) tous kunas, blepete (2PPAM) tous kakous ergatas, blepete (2PPAM) ten katatomen Amplified: Look out for those dogs [Judaizers, legalists], look out for those mischief-makers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) Lightfoot: Be on your guard. Shun these shameless dogs, these workers of mischief, these mutilators of the flesh. I call it mutilation, Phillips: Be on your guard against these curs, these wicked workmen, these would-be mutilators of your bodies! (New Testament in Modern English) Wuest: Keep a watchful eye ever upon the dogs. Keep a watchful eye ever upon the evil-workers. Keep a watchful eye ever upon those who are mutilated, doing this for the purpose of bewaring of and avoiding the same. (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: look to the dogs, look to the evil-workers, look to the concision; BEWARE OF THE DOGS: Blepete (2PPAM) tous kunas: (Pr 26:11; Is 56:10,11; Mt 7:6,15; 24:10; Gal 5:15; 2Ti 4:14,15; 2Pe 2:22; Rev 22:15) Literally he says "Look to the dogs" with the implication that you will be warned against them. As Eadie says "Observe them so as to understand them, the inference being that when they are understood, they will be shunned." Beware (991) (blepo) means perceive with your eyes. Have your eye on so as to beware of. Paul says to pay especially close attention to these men. Paul uses blepo three times in this verse, each time in the present tense (continual action called for = make this the habit of your life) active voice (choice of your will = he can't force them) and imperative mood (command not a suggestion). Wuest conveys the sense of the verb tense and mood rendering it "Keep a watchful eye ever upon". The idea is constantly observing with a view to avoiding, constantly be looking at in the sense of continuing to be wary. Paul gave a similar, albeit positive command in (Philippians 3:17 see notes) exhorting the saints at Philippi to look closely at other believers who were following Paul's example. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives a similar imperative, warning citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven to continually Beware (present imperative) of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (see note Matthew 7:15) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/philippians_31-6.htm#safeguard