what i asked for is a secular source, outside of the Bible, that confirms the interpretation you suggest for this word.
because what i have heard is that this word is only found in Paul's writings -- not just that the other authors of the NT did not use it, but that other people outside of the church didn't appear to ever use this word.
that is -- i have been told that there is no evidence in ancient Greek/Roman texts that this was a common word or even a word at all.
you are telling me it was a common word everyone knew and that it doesn't mean what the contracted word literally means, and that everyone knew that.
can you give evidence from any source outside of Paul's writings that this was a commonly used Greek word explicitly having the meaning 'becoming an adult' ?
I know what you asked, and I did mention the history book.
As far as Paul's intended usage is concerned, as I explained in my first response here, much of his writings are obviously related to the exact custom that I'm describing.
Again, at a Roman "adoption" or coming-of-age ceremony, two main things happened:
1. A new garment was donned, the "toga virilis", which signified that the child how now passed into adulthood.
You can see an example of this here:
https://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/mint...ga-virilis-the-sign-he-had-entered-adulthood/
2. The child was formally recognized as an heir.
If you properly understand this Roman custom of "adoption", then it sheds a lot of light on Paul's epistles.
In other words, Paul regularly used language in line with taking off an old garment and putting on a new garment, figuratively speaking.
For example:
I Corinthians chapter 15
[
51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[
52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[
53]
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
[
54]
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[
55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
This taking off of our corruptible bodies and putting on of incorruptible bodies, and this putting off of mortal bodies and putting on of immortal bodies, are directly related to the example of Roman "adoption" that Paul was consistently using.
Paul also regularly spoke of our FUTURE INHERITANCE which won't be ours until time of Christ's second coming because, as Christians, we're still waiting for our "adoption" to be complete:
Romans chapter 8
[
15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
[
16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
[
17] And
if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
[
18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
[
19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
[
20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
[
21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
[
22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
[
23] And not only they,
but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Again, as Christians, we are still "WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION, to wit, THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY".
Our "adoption" is NOT YET COMPLETE, and it won't be complete until we receive glorified bodies or until the time comes that, figuratively speaking, we take off our old garment or body and replace it with a new garment or body. When this happens, we will share Christ's INHERITANCE with him, just like a Roman child during his "adoption" or coming-of-age ceremony.
Please don't miss THE FACT that our "adoptions" are not yet complete.
For this very reason, Paul said that God has given us "the spirit of adoption" (Rom. 8:15) or "the earnest of the Spirit" (II Cor. 1:22, 5:5), as in "earnest money" or a down payment, because the purchase won't be completed until the time comes that our own "adoptions" (the redemption of our bodies - Rom. 8:23) is complete.