The writers of the New Testament used several different
Greek words which have all been translated "little." The first of these
words is the adjective in the Greek, "mikros". This word has the meaning
of"small" and is used several different ways in the New Testament. It is
used of a person, with regards to age, as in Matthew 18:6, "But
whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it
were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that
he were drowned in the depth of the sea" In Acts 8:10, the same word is
used in regards to those in Samaria who had little wealth or power, "To
whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest,
saying, This man is the great power of God" The word was translated
"least" in contrast to the greatest in the city. It is also has the meaning
of size in James 3:5, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth
great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth? In comparison
to the rest of the body the tongue is a
"little" member. It can also mean quantity such as in Luke 12:32, "Fear
not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdont " When compared to those who will be lost, Jesus flock is little
in number. Jesus used this same word meaning little in time in John 7:33,
Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I
go unto him that sent me."
Another Greek word which means little is "oligos"
and it is translated "short," in Revelations 12:12, "Therefore rejoice,
ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth
and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,
because he kntnveth that he hath but a short time" It is used to
mean quantity in 2 Corinthians 8:15, "As it is written, He that had
gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no
laclc " In James 3:5, we find two Greek words translated little, "mikros"
which we looked at above and also "oligos," which in this verse is "little"
fire.
These are but two examples of how words sometimes carry
different meanings when used in different context. There are also two other
Greek words that were used in, the New Testament as adjectives meaning
"little". They are "brachus" used in Luke 22:58, and "elachistos" which
is used only in Luke 19: 17. When you read you Bible in
English take time to give "thanks" to God for the people who spend
a great number of years learning how to translate the languages of the
Bible into English.