Stop (5420) phrasso by Greek Word Studies

Closed (5420) (phrasso akin to phragmos = a fence) means to fence, to enclose with a fence, hedge or wall, to block up, stop up, close up and so to keep from opening. This word was used in Greek meaning to fence in, hedge round, especially for protection or defence, to fence, secure, fortify. It was used in the idiomatic phrase "stop the mouth" meaning put to silence, to muzzle or to remove any reason to speak. Here in Romans 3:19, the meaning of phrasso is that all excuse is taken away for all people, both Jew and Gentile. It is used two other times in the NT, both referring to the mouth being stopped. The writer of Hebrews describes those who by faith shut the mouths of lions (Heb 11:33-note) In his letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine (about his ministering free of charge) will not be stopped (meaning to cause his speech to cease or stop) in the regions of Achaia." (2Cor 11:10) Phrasso is found 6 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Job 38:8; Pr 21:13; 25:26; Song 7:2; Da 8:26; Ho 2:6) Phrasso pictures the effect of the Law speaking against sinners, who like a defendant in court are rendered speechless by the evidence brought against them. It has the same effect that overwhelming evidence has against an accused party in a court of law. Solomon records that... He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered. (Pr 21:13) KJV says "that every mouth may be stopped" to which Robertson quips "Stopping mouths is a difficult business." (Word Pictures in the New Testament) Ray Stedman notes that "You can always tell someone is close to becoming a Christian when they shut up and stop arguing back. Self-righteous people are always saying, "But -- but this -- but I -- yes, but I do this -- and I do that." They are always arguing. But when they see the true meaning of the Law, their mouth is shut. When you read a statement like this, there is really nothing left to say, is there?" (Stedman, R. Sermon Notes) Paul although using a different verb conveys the same idea to Titus, writing that there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced (epistomizo - muzzled, curbed) because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain." (Titus 1:10-11 - notes) At the Day of Judgment (read Re 20:11, 12, 13, 14 [see notes] for a sobering description of the "Great White Throne Judgment" where all unbelievers will be tried and sentenced), no one will be able to say that God has been unfair in His judgment. Haldane commenting on "every mouth may be stopped" writes... This expression should be carefully remarked. For if a man had fulfilled the law, he would have something to allege before the Divine tribunal, to answer to the demands of justice; but when convicted as a sinner, he can only be silent—he can have nothing to answer to the accusations against him; he must remain convicted. This silence, then, is a silence of confession, of astonishment, and of conviction. (Haldane, R: An Exposition of Romans) (Bolding added for emphasis) Wiersbe writes that... When human achievement is measured against what God requires, there is no place for pride or boasting but only for silence that lends consent to the verdict of guilty. In the various biblical scenes of judgment, the silence of those who are being judged is a notable feature. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor) Hendriksen notes that... "The figure used is dramatic, fear-inspiring, unforgettable. Everybody is standing in front of God, the Judge. The records are read, and as it were one by one the accused are given an opportunity to answer the charges made against them. However, their guilt having been exposed, they have no answer. Their mouths are silenced, stopped." (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. New Testament Commentary Set, 12 Volumes. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House) Why will no one be will be able to open his mouth in his own defense? To repeat, the Jews had God’s written Law in the Old Testament Scripture and the Gentiles had God’s Law of moral standards written in their hearts. In short, no unbeliever will have an excuse. This thought is an extension of Paul's earlier declarations (1) that "since the creation of the world (God's) invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20-note) and (2) that "therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things." (Ro 2:1-note) Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones commenting on "every mouth...closed" writes that You do not begin to be a Christian, until your mouth is shut, is stopped, and you are speechless and have nothing to say. You put up your arguments, and produce all your righteousness; then the Law speaks and it all withers to nothing—becomes ‘filthy rags’ and ‘dung,’ and you have nothing to say. (Amen) The “law” (Ro 3:19), referring to the OT, was designed to silence all mankind under the conviction that they have nothing to say against the charge of sin. Likewise, the law was intended to convince all men of their guilt, or liability to punishment, before God. Paul concludes that since all men are guilty, they cannot be “justified” by their own personal character or conduct (Ro 3:20). Justification is a legal term meaning to remove the guilt (liability to punishment) of the sinner. It does not involve making one inwardly holy, but merely declares that the demands of justice have been satisfied. Hence, there is no grounds for condemnation (Ro 8:1-note). Not even obedience to the law can justify one before God, Paul reasons, because the very nature of the law is to prove to man that he is sinful and deserves God’s punishment. Thus, the purpose of the law is to lead man to renounce his own righteousness and trust in the imputation of Christ’s righteousness as the only grounds for acceptance with God. J Vernon McGee writes that... "Man cannot attain righteousness by the Mosaic Law. It is as if mankind in desperation grabbed for the Law as the proverbial straw when drowning. The Law won’t lift him up. Actually, it does the opposite. To hold onto the Law is like a man jumping out of an airplane, and instead of taking a parachute, he takes a sack of cement with him. Well, believe me, the Law will pull you down. It condemns man. It’s a ministration of death." (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Nashville: Thomas Nelson) AND ALL THE WORLD MAY BECOME ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD: kai hupodikos genetai (3SAMS) pas o kosmos to theo: (Ro 3:9,23; 2:1,2; Gal 3:10,22) "the whole world may become liable to pay penalty to God" (Wuest) All (pas) again leaves no room for exceptions, be they a religious Jew or rank pagan. World (2889) (kosmos) in this context stands for humanity in general. "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_319-20.htm#Closed

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Stop (5420) phrasso

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