Opportunity (874) (aphorme from apó = from + horme = has various senses denoting the start of a rapid movement, a rushing on, a setting into rapid motion) means to make a start from a place. It describes a starting point, an occasion, an opportunity or a circumstance from which another action becomes possible. Aphorme is a place from which a movement or an attack can be made. In context aphorme describes a starting point or base of operations for an expedition. It was frequently used to denote a “base of operations” in war. Paul is saying that the commandment provided sin with a base of operations, an attack upon the soul. 2.3.2.1. It’s hard fighting an enemy on their soil…but even harder to fight against hidden terrorist in our own country! And such is sin! Vincent has an example of the use of aphorme in secular Greek writing... The Lacedaemonians agreed that Peloponnesus would be aphormen hikanen or a good base of operations (Thucydides, i., 90). Thus (aphorme means), the origin, cause, occasion, or pretext of a thing; the means with which one begins. Generally, resources, as means of war, capital in business. Here the law is represented as furnishing sin with the material or ground of assault, “the fulcrum for the energy of the evil principle.” Sin took the law as a base of operations. A T Robertson writes that aphorme here in Romans 7:8 describes... a starting place from which to rush into acts of sin, excuses for doing what they want to do. Just so drinking men use the prohibition laws as “occasions” for violating them. Sin uses the specific requirements of the law as a base of operation from which to launch its evil work. Confronted by God’s law, the sinner’s rebellious nature finds the forbidden thing more attractive, not because it is inherently attractive, but because it furnishes an opportunity to assert one’s self-will. In other words, law was not intended to be the means by which sin would launch its attack, but sin took advantage of this opportunity to attack man. Aphorme is used 7 times in the NT... Romans 7:8 (note) But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. Romans 7:11 (note) for sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. 2 Corinthians 5:12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, that you may have an answer for those who take pride in appearance, and not in heart. (Comment: Here aphorme is used in a positive sense for Paul is saying that his irreproachable conduct provided his friends with a base of operations against his detractors) 2 Corinthians 11:12 But what I am doing, I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. (Comment: In the first use of aphorme Paul is saying that by his refusal of support at Corinth the detractors had been deprived of the ability to set up a base of operations [second use] their against him). Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity (starting point or base of operations) for the flesh (that evil disposition that dwells in the physical body of believers and unbelievers), but through love serve one another. Comment: Other translations help us understand this passage... After all, brothers, you were called to be free; do not use your freedom as an opening for self-indulgence, but be servants to one another in love. (New Jerusalem Bible) For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another. (Amplified Bible) My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love. (CEV) As for you, my friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another. (TEV) You however, brethren, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an excuse for giving way to your lower natures; but become bondservants to one another in a spirit of love. (Weymouth) The flesh (that aspect of the human self which refuses to acknowledge God and which leads to the doing of evil instead of good) seeks a base of operations in the believer's new freedom in Christ. How does it manifest itself? By turning liberty to license, indulging self, using freedom as an excuse to do anything the sinful natures wants to do! Paul is saying "Don't allow your freedom to become an excuse to allow your fleshly evil desires to control you." The flesh here represents lovelessness and selfishness. Christian freedom is not to be abused for selfish ends. What is the antidote or defense against this misuse of the freedom? By doing all things to others out of love. The flesh seeks to get. Agape love led and enabled by the Spirit seeks to give.) 1 Timothy 5:14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy (the adversary, literally one set over against another - in this context not Satan per se but the human enemies of Christianity) no occasion for reproach (scolding in a harsh, loud or abusive manner) (Comment: Here Paul is saying that unrighteous behavior on the part of young widows [and all believers for that matter] would provide the enemy with a base of operations against the Christian faith.) Barnes adds that aphorme... properly denotes any material, or preparation for accomplishing anything; then any opportunity, occasion, etc. of doing it. Here it means that the Law was the exciting cause of sin; or was what called the sinful principle of the heart into exercise. But for this, the effect here described would not have existed. Thus, we say that a tempting object of desire presented is the exciting cause of covetousness. Thus, an object of ambition is the exciting cause of the principle of ambition. Thus, the presentation of wealth, or of advantages possessed by others which we have not, may excite covetousness or envy. Thus, the fruit presented to Eve was the exciting cause of sin; the wedge of gold to Achan excited his covetousness. Had not these objects been presented, the evil principles of the heart might have slumbered, and never have been called forth. And hence, no one understand the full force of their native propensities until some object is presented that calls them forth into decided action. (Ed note: Dearly beloved, can you not identify with this analysis?) The occasion which called these forth in the mind of Paul was the Law crossing his path, and irritating and exciting the native strong inclinations of the mind." PRODUCED IN ME COVETING OF EVERY KIND: kateirgasato (3SAMI) en hemoi pasan epithumian: (Jas 1:14,15) Produced in me - The command not to lust actually accomplished the goal of making me lust even more! Tholuck writes that... To man everything forbidden appears as a desirable blessing; but yet, as it is forbidden, he feels that his freedom is limited, and now his lust rages more violently, like the waves against the dyke "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/romans_77-13.htm#opportunity