This series will be a presentation of the instances of λογιζομαι in Greek literature contemporary with the New Testament. This verb is variously translated as “credited,” “reckoned,” and “impute.” Often, Reformed apologists, both historical and modern (e.g., Buchanan; James White) will argue that this term means “to impute,” and therefore, supports the Reformed interpretation of texts such as Gen 15:6 as well as the Reformed view of soteriology in general. Of course, we have already discussed Gen 15:6, and have shown, exegetically, that it does not support Reformed theology, especially when the life of Abraham as a whole is examined, including Heb 11:8-12 which ascribes “saving faith” to Abraham and his wife chronologically prior to Gen 15:6, something inconsistent with Reformed soteriology.
This study will show that the predominant meaning ascribed to λογιζομαι in Greek literature contemporary with the Greek New Testament is not “to impute” (seeing in someone something that is not intrinsically there but is labelled such based on an alien source) but instead, refers to a mental representation or a declaration based on the inward reality of a person/object (i.e., what is intrinsic, whether naturally or through infusion/impartation) and not a declaration based on legal fiction from the perspective of the person engaging in the action of the λογιζομαι
In this post, we will examine the LXX Apocrypha; the English translation provided will come from the NRSV unless otherwise stated.
On that day she was grieved in spirit and wept. When she had gone up to her father's upper room, she intended to hang herself. But she thought (λογιζομαι) it over and said, "Never shall they reproach my father, saying to him, 'You had only one beloved daughter but she hanged herself because of her distress.' And I shall bring my father in his old age down in sorrow to Hades. It is better for me not to hang myself, but to pray the Lord that I may die and not listen to these reproaches anymore." (Tobit 3:10)
Now, day by day, Tobit kept counting (λογιζομαι) how many days Tobias would need for going and for returning. And when the days had passed and his sons did not appear, he said, "Is it possible that he has been detained? Or that Gabaeal has died, and there is no one to give him the money? (Tobit 10:1-2)
Was not Abraham found faithful when tested, and it was reckoned (λογιζομαι) to him as righteousness? (1 Maccabees 2:52 [this refers to Gen 22 and Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac, something recounted in Jas 2; both texts view Gen 22 in way consistent with LDS soteriology, not Reformed])
Here the Gentiles are assembled against to destroy us; you know what they plot [alt. imagine] (λογιζομαι) against us. (1 Maccabees 3:52)
He lay there for many days, because deep disappointment continually gripped him, and he realised (λογιζομαι)he was dying. (1 Maccabees 6:9)
Judas therefore resolved (λογιζομαι) to destroy them, and assembled all the people to besiege them. (1 Maccabees 6:19)
As for the three districts that have been added to Judea from the country of Samaria, let them be annexed to Judea, so that they may be considered (λογιζομαι) to be under one ruler and obey no other authority than the high priest. (1 Maccabees 10:38)
Now I urge those who read this book not to be depressed by such calamities, but to recognise (λογιζομαι) that these punishments were designed not to destroy but to discipline our people. (2 Maccabees 6:12)
[Lysia] gathered about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and came against the Jews. He intended (λογιζομαι) to make the city a home for Greeks. (2 Maccabees 11:2)
For with such a harsh and ruthless spirit were they being sent off all together, by the generals in the several cities, that at the sight of their unusual punishments, even some of their enemies, perceiving the common object of pity before their eyes, reflected (λογιζομαι) on the uncertainty of life and shed tears at the most miserable expulsions of these people. (3 Maccabees 4:4)
The king, after considering (λογιζομαι) this, returned to his drinking, and ordered those present for the banquet to recline opposite him. (3 Maccabees 5:16)
But David, though he was burning with thirst, he reasoned (λογιζομαι) that a drink regarded (λογιζομαι) as tantamount to blood was a dreadful danger to his soul. (4 Maccabees 3:15)
Let us consider (λογιζομαι), on the other hand, what arguments might have been used if some of them had been cowardly and unmanly. Would they not have been the following? (4 Maccabees 8:16)
O men and brothers, should we not fear the instruments of torture and consider (λογιζομαι) the threats of torments, and give up this vain opinion and this arrogance that threatens to destroy us? (4 Maccabees 8:19)
For they reasoned (λογιζομαι) unsoundly, saying to themselves, "Short and sorrowful is our life, and there is no remedy when a life comes to its end, and no one has been known to return from Hades. (Wisdom 2:1 [while opponents might want to use this to support a concept of legal fiction as the person was wrong in their thinking, from the perception of these people, they were not engaging in imputation and/or a declaration that was tantamount to legal fiction--the opposite meaning ascribed to it by Reformed theologians!])
We are considered (λογιζομαι) by him as something base, and he avoids our ways as unclean; he calls the last end of the righteous happy, and boasts that God is his father. (Wisdom 2:16)
Thus they reasoned (λογιζομαι), but they were led astray, for their wickedness blinded them. (Wisdom 2:21)
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought (λογιζομαι) to be a disaster. (Wisdom 3:2)
But the ungodly will be punished as their reasoning (λογιζομαι) deserves those who disregarded the righteous and rebelled against the Lord. (Wisdom 3:10)
Even if they live long they will be held of no account (λογιζομαι), and finally their old age will be without honour. (Wisdom 3:17)
These are persons whom we once held in derision and made a byword of reproach--fools that we were! We thought (λογιζομαι) that their lives were madness and that their end was without honour. (Wisdom 5:4)
Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all gold is but a little sand in her sight, and silver will be accounted (λογιζομαι) as clay before her. (Wisdom 7:9)
When I considered (λογιζομαι) these things inwardly and pondered in my heart that in kinship with wisdom there is immortality. (Wisdom 8:17)
For even one who is perfect among human beings will be regarded (λογιζομαι) as nothing without wisdom that comes from you. (Wisdom 9:6 [i.e., people are intrinsically nothing without divine wisdom/σοφια])
And the multitude, attracted by the charm of his work, now regarded (λογιζομαι) as an object of worship the one whom shortly before they had honoured as a human being. (Wisdom 14:20)
For even if we sin as yours, knowing your power, but we will not sin, because we know that you acknowledge (λογιζομαι) us as yours. (Wisdom 15:2)
But they considered (λογιζομαι) our existence an idle game, and life a festival held for profit, for they say one must get money however one can, even by base means. (Wisdom 15:12)
For they thought (λογιζομαι) that all their heathen idols were gods, though these have neither the use of their eyes to see with, nor nostrils with which to draw breath, nor ears with which to hear, nor fingers to feel with, and their feet are of no use for walking. (Wisdom 15:15)
The less you rely within yourself on this, the more alarming it is not to know (λογιζομαι) the cause of your suffering. (Wisdom 17:13 [New Jerusalem Bible])
If he can pay, his creditor will hardly get half, and will regard (λογιζομαι) that as a windfall. If he cannot pay, the borrower had robbed the other of his money, and he has needlessly made him an enemy; he will repay him with curses and reproaches, and instead of glory will repay him with dishonour. (Sirach 29:6)
Children and the building of a city establish one's name, but better than either is the one who finds wisdom. Cattle and orchards make one prosperous; but a blameless wife is accounted (λογιζομαι) better than either. (Sirach 40:19)
