Protherapeia; or, Conciliation
Protherapeia; or, Conciliation
The securing of Indulgence for what is about to be said
Pro-ther-a-pei-a. Greek, , previous care or treatment, from (pro), before, and (therapeia), service.
The Figure is used when, by way of precaution, we secure indulgence, or conciliate others, with reference to something we are about to say.
It is called also PROEPIPLEXIS, pro-ep-i-pleex-is, from (pro), before, and , blame, a blaming (of ones self) beforehand: i.e., in order to secure the attention or favour of another.
When it is added at the end of what is said, it is called Epitherapeia (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ).
Joh 3:2.-Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God, etc.
Mat 19:16.-And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master. See under Synocosis. So Mar 10:17. Luk 18:18.
Act 17:22.-Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are very religious. This is the meaning of the word (see R.V. [Note: The Revised Version, 1881.] margin) (deisidaimonesteros), careful in the discharge of religious services. For religion in itself is nothing. It depends entirely on what the religion is, whether true or false.
There are only two religions in the world; and there never have been more from Gen 4:1-26 to the present day. They are put in the forefront of Revelation. Abels and Cains; Gods way and mans way; Gods way, and mans attempted improvement on it.
All kinds of false religion agree in one thing. They are all alike, and all at one in demanding that the sinner must do something, be something, give, pay, feel, experience, or produce something, to merit Gods favour. They quarrel bitterly as to what that something is to be. Controversies rage concerning it; the blood of martyrs has been shed; battles have been fought; but yet they are all agreed that the sinner must say, Something in my hand I bring.
Whereas the one and only true religion is expressed in the words,
NOTHING in my hand I bring.
So that a man may be very religious, and yet be unsaved, and far off from God (Eph 2:13).
Act 26:2-3 is another beautiful example of true Protherapeia. See also 22:3-6, etc.