Resources by Kenny Boles:
Kenny Boles
Kenny Boles taught Greek and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, MO, for 45 years. Kenny is a graduate of Ozark Christian College (B.Th., 1968) and Abilene Christian University (M.A. in Biblical and Patristic Greek, 1972). He has held located ministries in Tyro, KS, and Abilene, TX. He has authored six books. Kenny and his wife Linda have two grown children.
Shepherd
*Editor’s Note: Around Christmastime, “shepherd” bring to mind images of tranquility and warmth. Yet it was not always so. What did ancient people generally think of shepherds? And how does the Bible use the word? As a longtime expert in New Testament Greek, Kenny Boles explains the historical background of this profession, as well as...
Kenny Boles
It Is Finished
“It is finished!” The cry from the cross rings out across the years. In the Greek New Testament, it is only one word (tetelestai—teh TEL es tie), but that word is packed with meaning. A brief look at the many ways the word was used in those days will greatly enlarge our appreciation for what...
Kenny Boles
Covenant
What is a covenant? In English the word usually means an “agreement” or “a written contract.” But what did the word mean in Greek—specifically in the original Greek New Testament? When Paul and others wrote about God’s covenant with humans, there were two Greek words from which to choose: syntheke (soon THAY kay) and diatheke (dee...
Kenny Boles
Peddle
The wine merchant of ancient times had a reputation somewhere between that of a used-car salesman and a dope peddler. He eagerly hawked his merchandise in the marketplace, promising an ample measure of the finest quality wine. In truth, his product was usually watered down and adulterated, measured out in false measure to make a...
Kenny Boles
Mansion
“In my Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). A mansion! Now you’re talking! Someday yonder—just over the hilltop—I’m going to have a mansion! I want a gold one, that’s silver lined. The Greek word for ‘”mansion” in this verse is mone (mo NAY). It is used only...
Kenny Boles
Immanuel
What’s in a name? Sometimes a great deal! Take, for instance, the name Immanuel. Joseph had taken Mary as his betrothed fiancée. Upon learning that she was pregnant with a child not his own, Joseph determined to divorce her. At this point the angel of the Lord stepped in to explain that the child was...
Kenny Boles
Planet
Did you ever lie back and watch the stars on a summer evening? As the earth rotates, the starry hosts of heaven march grandly across the sky in perfect formation. But wait—there’s a star out of formation! It’s not in the same place as before! What is this wandering star? The Greeks had a name...
Kenny Boles
Meek
If you were going to illustrate the word “meek” by using one of God’s animal creatures, which one would you choose? A mouse? A chicken? The lowly turtle? Perhaps you would choose the dodo bird—stupidly waiting to be clubbed into extinction! It may surprise you to know that the Greeks used this word to describe...
Kenny Boles
Admonition.
Felix carried a real grudge against Jonathan the high priest. He was bitter about the priest’s frequent admonitions to be a better governor. And as Josephus recorded this story he commented that “incessant rebukes are annoying to those who choose to do wrong.” So Felix paid a great sum to certain evil men to get...
Kenny Boles
Triumph.
Hail the conquering hero! Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian, had won a great victory. Jerusalem and all Palestine had fallen! When Titus returned to Rome the senate voted to honor him with a “triumph”—a special parade of high honor. Leading the procession were wagons of silver and gold, the spoils of war. Then came...
Kenny Boles
Itching Ears.
Clement of Alexandria was fed up with the Sophists—the self-proclaimed wise teachers of the second century. He said they were enslaved to pleasures and chose to disbelieve; they laughed at the truth which is worthy of all reverence. They were “babbling away in their own jargon…greater chatterers than turtle-doves; scratching and tickling…the ears of those...
Kenny Boles
Abba.
In the darkness of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed alone. Despite the coolness of the evening there were sweat-drops on his brow. Despite the apparent calmness of the hour there was agony in his heart. With loud crying and tears he lifted up his voice to God, saying, “Abba, Father” (Mark 14:36). This was the first time...
Kenny Boles
