Steerings

Summary:

It is written in the Bible that "STEERINGS" (1 Corinthians 12:28) are listed among the spiritual gifts.

The Greek word is used for example to describe the action of someone who STEERS a ship in a certain direction. Their action is a "STEERING" of the ship.

The Greek word is used 3 times in the Old Testament, specifically in ancient Greek manuscripts of the book of Proverbs, where it describes the STEERING of others toward a certain direction by providing THOUGHTFUL COUNSEL. 

The Greek word comes from the same root as the Greek word for "HELMSMAN", which describes someone tasked to STEER a ship in the right direction. Interestingly, in Acts 27, as a HELMSMAN would not have STEERED a ship in the right direction, Paul came and gave THOUGHTFUL ADVICES for the right strategic direction to take.

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Steerings:

It is written in the Bible that "STEERINGS" (1 Corinthians 12:28) are listed among the spiritual gifts.

This is a spiritual gift among the list of other spiritual gifts available.

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List of spiritual gifts:
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Paul wrote: "God placed some in the church (as) first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then powers [miracles]; then gifts (of) healings, helps, STEERINGS [kübernēseis 2941 in Greek], kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28).

The Greek word for "STEERINGS" [kübernēseis 2941 in Greek] (1 Corinthians 12:28) comes from "TO-STEER" [kubernao, which is a word of Latin origin]. 

The Greek word is used for example to describe the action of someone who STEERS a ship in a certain direction. Their action is a "STEERING" of the ship.

Describing actions, not people:

The Greek word for "STEERINGS [kübernēseis 2941 in Greek]" (1 Corinthians 12:28) is a plural noun describing actions (instead of describing people). 

In Greek, nouns ending in -σεις (-seis) are almost always abstract nouns of actions. 

​Actions Word: Kübernē-seis = The acts of steering / steerings.

​Persons Word: Kübernē-tai = The ones who steer / the steerers.

​If Paul wanted to say "steerers" (the people), he likely would have used the masculine plural kübernētai. By using the feminine plural kübernēseis, he is pointing to the actions of "steerings".

Steerings in the book of Proverbs:

The Greek word for "STEERINGS [kubernésis 2941 in Greek]" is only used 1 time in the entire New Testament: only in 1 Corinthians 12:28.

But it is also used 3 times in the Old Testament, specifically in ancient Greek manuscripts of the book of Proverbs. 

In Proverbs 1, it is written: "the THOUGHTFUL person will acquire STEERING [kubernésis 2941 in Greek]" (Proverbs 1:5).

In Proverbs 11, it is written: "Where there is no STEERING [kubernésis 2941 in Greek], a people falls; but there is safety in MUCH COUNSEL" (Proverbs 11:14).

In Proverbs 24, it is written: "WAR is waged with STEERING [kubernésis 2941 in Greek], and help is supplied by a COUNSELED heart" (Proverbs 24:6).

In Proverbs, the one who is described as "STEERING [kubernésis 2941 in Greek]" is:

- A "THOUGHTFUL person" (Proverbs 1:5).

- Can provide "MUCH COUNSEL" (Proverbs 11:14).

- Can help to wage "WAR" (Proverbs 24:6) by supplying "a COUNSELED heart" (Proverbs 24:6).

All in all, it is describing the STEERING of others toward a certain direction by providing THOUGHTFUL COUNSEL. 

Steering like a helmsman:

The Greek word for "STEERINGS" [kubernésis 2941 in Greek] comes from the same root as the Greek word for "HELMSMAN" [kubernétés 2942 in Greek].  

A HELMSMAN is someone tasked to STEER a ship in the right direction.

Interestingly, in Acts 27, as a HELMSMAN would not have STEERED a ship in the right direction, Paul came and gave THOUGHTFUL ADVICES for the right strategic direction to take, as it is written that "Paul WAS-ADVISING, saying (to) them, “Men, I-perceive that the voyage will-certainly be with damage and great loss, not only (of) the cargo and the ship, but also (of) our lives”. But the-centurion was-being-persuaded more (by) the HELMSMAN [kubernétés 2942 in Greek] and the captain than (by) the (things) being-said by Paul" (Acts 27:9-11).

Not having listened to Paul STEERING them to do something, it happened that they were then "violently storm-tossed" (Acts 27:18) and "And (on) the third (day) they-threw-off the equipment (of) the ship with-(their-)own-hands. And neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no small storm lying-upon (us), finally all hope (that) we-(might)-be-saved was-being-taken-away. And much abstinence-from-food being-present, at-that-time Paul, having-stood in their midst, said, “O men, having-obeyed-me, (you) indeed should-have not put-to-sea from Crete and gained this damage and loss" (Acts 27:19-21).

Paul then went on to STEER them again, saying: "(as to) the (things) now, I-ADVISE (that) you cheer-up. For there-will-be no loss (of) life from(-among) you, only (of) the ship. For (an) angel stood-before me (on) this night (from) the God Whose I am, Whom also I-serve, saying, ‘Do not be-afraid, Paul. You must stand-before Caesar. And behold, God has-granted you all the (ones) sailing with you’. Therefore, cheer-up, men. For I-believe God that it-shall-happen in-this-manner, in-accordance-with the way it-has-been-spoken (to) me. But we must run-aground on (a) certain island”" (Acts 27:22-26).

It can be of note that Paul did not command others to do something, nor took authority on them. He simply ADVISED. Yet after they did not follow his advice, he noted that they did not OBEY him, as he said: "O men, HAVING-OBEYED-ME, (you) indeed should-have not put-to-sea from Crete and gained this damage and loss" (Acts 27:21). Yet even though they did not obey his advice, he did not go on to give a command to them now, but he continued to STEER them toward a certain direction by means of an ADVICE again. Indeed, someone merely STEERING a ship is distinct from "the captain" (Acts 27:9) of that ship. 

Steerings and helps:

Paul mentioned the spiritual gifts of "HELPS" and "STEERINGS" next to each other, as he wrote: " Paul wrote: "God placed some in the church (as) first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then powers [miracles]; then gifts (of) healings, HELPS [antilēmpseis 484 in Greek], STEERINGS [kübernēseis 2941 in Greek], kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28).

In ancient maritime metaphors, the "helmsman" [kybernētēs 2942 in Greek] was doing the acts of STEERINGS for the ship, and the helpers [hyperetas in Greek] who were doing the acts of HELPS were the crew who handled the rigging. 

For example it is written in Plutarch, Moralia (Precepts of Statecraft) 807b: "For the helmsman [kybernētēs 2942 in Greek] has his helpers [hyperetas in Greek] and sailors who do the heavy lifting, but he alone holds the mind of the ship."

For more information on "HELPS":

Helps:
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