>APODUTERION.

GOD IS REVEALING TECHNOLOGIES OF CRAFTING PEOPLE WHO ARE TO CAUSE AN IMPACT ON BOTH SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL ARENAS OF EXISTENCE. The following is a technology that has been used by the Greco-Roman cultures in the crafting of men to cause an impact in their society. I think in it lies some truths that are of vital help to any minister whose work is to train:bold;...the saints so that they may do the work of ministry...Ephesians 4:11-13.


APODUTERION.

DEFINITION.
Physically, in training, apoduterion was a room for undressing, oiling in readiness for combat.This room was the same place trainer- LANISTA, would come and examine the trainees for a specified period of time, to see the growth and development of their muscles and the tonation of the same.
Those who trained this way, trained in NAKEDNESS.
Nakedness is a Greek word, GUMNAZO...(Strong's Concordance #1128.)
This word is used "4 times in the New Testament and is translated variously depending on the version of the Bible you may be using as:
1. Train- 1 timothy 4:7.
2. Trained- Hebrews 5:14.
3. Trained- Hebrews 12:11.
4. Experts- 2 peter 2:14.
Gumnazo comes from GUMNOS, a Greek name for NAKEDNESS OR MINIMALLY CLOTHED.(Strong's #1131.)
This word is descriptive of the common practice of males in the Greco- Roman "gymnasia", the source of the word,literally meaning, "NAKED TRAINING IN THE PALAESTRA(Ancient Greek or Roman school for sports).

Vines expository dictionary defines gumnazo as meaning, "TO STRIVE WITH THE BODY STRIPPED. That's what the Bible calls,
Gumnazo(gymnazo means, TO EXERCISE BODILY and is descriptive of ATHLETES EXERCISING IN A GYM. Figuratively, gumnazo, means, TO EXERCISE, SO AS TO DISCIPLINE ONESELF( IN THE MORAL OR ETHICAL "GYM") or to EXERCISE VIGOROUSLY, IN ANY WAY, EITHER IN THE BODY OR MIND.
Gumnazo is used to describe THE RIGOROUS, STRENUOUS, SELF-SACRIFICING TRAINING AN ATHLETE UNDERGOES.The Greek word conveys the idea of the rigorous, strenuous training that Olympic hopefuls were willing to endure IN ORDER TO QUALIFY TO COMPETE FOR THE COVETED PRIZE.The training was not the competition itself. The training was a qualification for the competition.

2 Peter 2:14. NIV...with eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are EXPERTS in greed- an accursed brood!

Peter uses blunt words. He spares no words to describe the nature of false teachers. They have taken the wicked unredeemed hearts( STANDING FOR THE REASON, THE WILL AND THE EMOTIONS) of their disciples, to the "gym of evil thoughts and deeds". He uses the same word gumnazo to mean "experts".

The false teachers, Peter says, are operating like DEDICATED ATHLETES. They have exercised themselves DILIGENTLY to achieve their goals. In this case, they are COMPETENT PROFESSIONALS IN THE ARENA OF GREED.
1 Timothy 4:7. NIV...have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, TRAIN yourself to be godly.


On the contrally, according to Paul's address to his son Timothy, GODLINESS, OR "GODNESS" IS THE "PRIZE" BELIEVERS ARE TO BE"TRAINING" OR GUMNAZO FOR.

Contrasting this, NIV Bible says that these men( 2 Peter 2:14) were "EXPERTS IN GREED". The motivation within their hearts was not to serve others but to PROCURE, HOARD MORE AND MORE FOR THEMSELVES THROUGH OTHERS.

Hebrews 5:12-14.KJV. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses EXERCISED to discern both good and evil.
exercised...Gr. gumnazo.Naked practice.( Strong's #1128).

Trained or exercised is in PERFECT TENSE. This indicates A PAST COMPLETED ACTION WITH ONGOING EFFECT AND THEREFORE TALKS OF PERMANENCE.
Whether for godliness or for greed, gumnazo has the nature of producing a permanence in that which someone trains in.
False teachers had lived in a heart-atmosphere of covetousness for so long that their heart condition was one of a permanent state. Irredeemable and unrecoverable.

The Jewish historian, Josephus, uses gumnazo in his description of Roman soldiers;-

- Their military training exercises differ not at all from the real use of their arms, but every soldier is everyday exercised(gumnazo), and that with great diligence, "as if it were in the time of war" which is the reason why they bear the fatigue of battles so easily.

- Josephus, F. The works of Josephus. Wars 373.


The writer of the letter to the Hebrews uses the same word "gumnazo", calling the saints to train themselves NOT FOR GREED, BUT FOR GROWTH. Gumnazo is training to have the senses discerning.

DISCERN, HEBREWS 5:14. Gr. diakrisis...JUDICIAL ESTIMATION, DISPUTATION(Strong's # 1253). This word comes from another word, DIAKRINO ( Strong's #1252)...TO SEPARATE THOROUGHLY, WITHDRAW FROM, OPPOSE, DISCRIMINATE, JUDGE.
Discernment in this context has to do with a separation of the trainee from "things that would cause him to die in the war".

2 Timothy 2:4. KJV...no man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life( civilian affairs, NIV); That he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Paul calls these things that lead to "death in war", CIVILIAN AFFAIRS or AFFAIRS OF THIS LIFE
Affairs of this life Gr. pragmateia...TRANSACTIONS...NEGOTIATIONS( strong's # 4230) from # 4231..pragmateuomai...TO BE BUSY... TO BUSY ONESELF WITH...OCCUPATION OF...

This means that, the vitality of one's spiritual life depends on his or her "training" and his or her "diet". It means that what you ingest, you become. Daniel chose/purposed not to defile himself with the portions of the king's food and the wine that he drank. - Daniel 1:8.
Defile, is a Hebrew word gaal, Strong's #1351, meaning, TO FREE ie. REPUDIATING THAT WHICH WAS BOUND...TO SOIL...DESCECRATE...POLLUTE...STAIN. By this, we know that we were freed from the domain of darkness so that we may submit ourselves willingly to the rule and reign of the Lord as King. But by this word alone, it means that we are being sought after so that we may be freed from His reign. Actually, gaal, from strong's Concordance #1350, means, TO REDEEM SO AS TO BE THE NEXT OF KEEN TO...

Are you taking solid food so that you will be able to recognize these false teachers? Will you be among them that are carried away by "every wind of doctrine" that seeks to sweep off the unstable? How do you identify them?

2 Peter 2:1. KJV...THERE SHALL BE FALSE TEACHERS AMONG YOU...EVEN DENYING THE LORD THAT BOUGHT THEM...
1 Timothy 4:7. KJV...REFUSE PROFANE AND OLD WIVES FABLES AND...

Refuse, have nothing to do with them, shun, reject mythological tales,fables fit only for old women.
On the other hand, discipline, exercise (gumnazo). This is present tense. This calls for rigorous, streneous, self - sacrificing training.

Kenneth Wuest comments on the use of gumnazo in relation to discipline. He says:-
HERE, GUMNAZO REFERS TO THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISE WHICH THE RECEIPIENT WENT THROUGH AS A RESULT OF THE PERSECUTIONS WHICH IN THE LAST ANALYSIS WERE THE CHASTENING HAND OF GOD. THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISE CONSISTED OF THE STRUGGLES OF THE SOUL, THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE DETERMINATION TO GO BACK TO THE JEWISH TEMPLE SACRIFICES SO AS TO ESCAPE THE PERSECUTION, OR TO GO ON TO FAITH IN THE HIGH PRIEST OF THE NEW TESTAMENT INSPITE OF THEM.

- Wuest, K.S. Wuest's Word studies from Greek New Testament.

HOW DOES THE TRAINING TAKE PLACE?

A PICTURE FROM THE ROMAN GLADIATORIAL TRAINING AND COMBAT.
- Robin Fowler - October 22, 2006.

"THE ROMAN FAMILIA THAT TRAVELS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER".

Roman GLADIATORS TRAINED TOGETHER, LIVED TOGETHER, AND TRAVELLED TOGETHER AS TEAMS. THEY WERE HIGHLY- TRAINED , HIGHLY-SKILLED FIGHTERS.

GLADIATORIAL TRAINING.

GLADIATORS(who were often slaves or prisoners of war and sometimes even volunteer Romans) were highly-trained athletes with skills in weaponry and hand-to hand combat. They received their speciallized training in schools known as LUDI.

In the early times of the gladiatorial games, these schools were privately-owned, but ownership was eventually transfered to the state, in order to avoid the threat of a private army forming within the boundaries of the Roman Empire.

The LUDI provided the gladiators with intense athletic training as well as training in weaponry.

Gladiators lived in barracks specially built for them, which were usually located near their home - amphitheater.

The barracks and the ludi were expensive investments.

Gladiators were well-fed, received the very best of medical care of the day.

A gladiator did not usually fight on more than two-three matches each year.

The gladiators from their certain ludi travelled together as a group known as a FAMILIA along with their LANISTA (trainer), fron town-town throughout the entire Roman Empire, for gladiatorial games.

COMBAT OF A GLADIATOR.

Gladiators usually fought one-on-one, unless by request from the Emperor for another configuration of fighters. In such cases, other types of matches would be fought, with two or more gladiators fighting together against one another two or more fighters, or even gladiators fighting against the Emperor's personal gladiators, known as FISCALES.

Depending on the TYPE of gladiators fighting, they would be outfitted with appropriate armor and weaponry, and fight other SPECIFIC gladiators.

SOME IMPORTANT FACTS ON GLADIATORIAL TRAINING AND COMPETENCE.

The lanista was owner and trainer of individual gladiators.

He rented his troupe to the Editor of the games.

He would at times referee the gladiator contests.

In professional gladiatorship, the lanista(singular), lanistae(plural), in Ancient Rome trained gladiators, who fought against each other, WILD ANIMALS, and CONDEMNED CRIMINALS, OFTEN TO DEATH.

In the spiritual realm, this is important. Paul, in a place talked about FIGHTING THE BEASTS OF EPHESUS. These were not necessarily animals in the natural, but spiritually stratified forces against the advancement of the Apostolic Commission in his life.

In professional gladiatorship, the fights took place in arenas in many cities from the Roman Republic period way into the Roman Empire times.

264 B.C. Gladiatorial training was popular.

THUMBS DOWN or THUMBS TO THE CHEST, meant DEATH TO THE FIGHTER WHO WAS ABOUT TO BE DEFEATED.

HANDKERCHIEFS thrown into the arena meant MERCY.

GLADIATOR IS FROM A LATIN WORD "GLADIATA" MEANING SWORDSMAN.

"GLADIUS" IS A LATIN WORD FOR THE SWORD.