Using and abusing koine

Doug Chaplin, a.k.a. Clayboy, has posted an excellent little article on illegitimate uses by preachers of the meanings of Greek words. Here's how the article begins:

One of the biggest warning flags in a sermon comes when the preacher says: “Now, in Greek, the word is … which (literally) means …” Sometimes they know what they’re talking about. More often they are about to pull a fast one.

Clayboy goes on to give "two sorts of bad exegetical moves" common to a great deal of preaching and finally comes to this conclusion:

The next time you hear anyone saying: “The real meaning of …” or even more obviously “What this word literally means is …”, turn on your claptrap detector.

Sounds like good advice. And thanks to Eddie Arthur for the link.