Al Maxey: "What Darrell has failed to perceive, however, is that they really mean the same thing, and indeed are essentially just differing forms of the same word --- one is just a noun (lusis) and one is a verb (luo). In the Greek language, which Darrell points out is very precise, a particular word can appear in numerous forms, with several different prefixes and suffixes depending on the form employed. A word may appear as a noun, an adjective, a verb, an adverb, etc., and yet still be the same word (with regard to root and basic meaning), but nevertheless "look" different."

In regard to the failed perception of this writer, the submission of the following source information is submitted for the consideration of the readership of this discussion.

"The first word translated 'loosed' in verse 27 (lusis) is commonly found in the papyri with reference to the 'discharge' of bonds or debts. It clearly has reference here to breaking up the marriage -- a divorce -- which Paul tells them in strong imperative terms not to do. The second word translated 'loosed' has been thought by some to mean 'divorced.' The fact that this word (luo) is the stem word for 'divorce' (apoluo) in the gospel passages does not mean that the word in this text means 'divorce.' The Greek specialists deny it." --- Gary Workman, "Key Scriptures: I Corinthians 7:1-40" in Marriage, Divorce, And Remarriage, ed. Jim Laws, (Memphis, TN: Getwell Church of Christ Pub., 1992), 399-400.

Zerwick in his grammatical Analysis of the New Testament defines the per. pass. of luo in this passage as "are you free." Page 511.

Lelusai in 1 Cor. 7:27 "appears with the meaning be free (of the marital bond to a wife) without an indication of the previous marital bond." --- Karl Kertelge, "Luo," in Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol. II, ed. Horst Balz and Gerhard Schneider, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1978), 368.

"Are you free from a wife? 1 Cor. 7:27 (a previous state of being 'bound' need not be assumed)" --- Walter Bauer, "luo" in A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, by William F. Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich, 2nd ed., (Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 1979), 483.

Lelusai refers to one who is single "whether he has already had a wife or has not yet married." --- Joseph Henry Thayer, "luo" in Thayer Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1977), 384.

"In a state of freedom from matrimonial ties and not freed from a wife by death or divorce." --- A.T. Robertson and Alfred Plummer, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1911), 140.

• Darrell Broking

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