You tell me what other option there is.
I have often wondered just where J. Strong got this impression of "love less" as an "extension" (an odd view that even Mounce adopted).
The actual Greek word used, as was noted, is
μισέω (G3404) which just means "to hate," plain and simple.
I provide for you a
LINK to the Liddell Scott Lexicon for G3403, where one can see that there is just no application of this verb to mean "love less." I rather think that Mr. Strong was trying to "cover" for Christ.
A. hate, e.g. Zeus hated (would not suffer) that...
(The Cambridge Greek Lexicon adds, "
detest, loath, resent," as well as "
be appalled by")
I also provide for you a
LINK to the Liddell Scott Lexicon for Strong's primary word μῖσος (misos).
A. hate, hatred:
(The Cambridge Greek Lexicon adds "
loathing" and "
detestation.")
Again there is no indication whatsoever for even
this word to imply "love less."
If there is any context, it would be to "not suffer" or "not permit" or "not let" (to the point of loathing) father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life, to override one's devotion to and implementation of the teachings of Jesus. I have found quite often that there are people who "suffer" Christianity to override or supplant the teachings of Jesus. And since I find this detestable (G3403) it is difficult at times to filter this out of my voice.
Strong did his best with the information he had available back then, but his definitions ought not to be taken as gospel.
Kindly,
Rhema
