SPECIAL TOPIC: GENEROUS/SINCERE (HAPLOTES)

SPECIAL TOPIC: GENEROUS/SINCERE (haplotēs)

This term (haplotēs) had two connotations, "generous" or "sincere." It was a metaphor related to vision. In the OT the eye was used as a metaphor for motive in two ways.

1. evil eye (stingy, cf. Deut. 15:9 and Pro. 23:6; 28:22)

2. good eye (generous, cf. Pro. 22:9)

Jesus followed this usage (cf. Matt. 6:22-23; 20:15).

Paul uses this term in two senses.

1. "simplicity, sincerity, purity" (cf. 2 Cor. 1:12; 11:3; Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22)

2. "liberality" (cf. Rom. 12:8; 2 Cor. 8:2; 9:11,13)