Bible Notes

"Honest, ... of good report" (Phil. 4:8)—The primary meaning of the word "senna," here translated "honest," is "august, venerable, reverend"; then it came to have the sense of "venerated for character, honourable" (Thayer: Greek Lexicon, p. 573); while "euphema" (of good report) means literally "sounding well"; and Thayer holds that, as employed in this context, it connotes "things spoken in a kindly spirit with good will to others" (ibid., p. 263).

"Though Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13)—The best manuscripts of the original agree in omitting the word "Christ"; and are followed by the Revised Version, Waymouth (5th edition), Moffattm and others. For example: The Twentieth Century New Testament has: "I can do everything in the strength of him who makes me strong;" and Good-speed: "I can do anything through him who gives me strength." (See also Tischendorf: Novum Testamentum Graece, and Souter: Novum Testamentum Graece.

"God doeth it, that men should fear before him" (Eccles. 3:14)—In Henrew the verb "yare'" is often used in the sense of awe or reverence, implying respect rather than terror. The above verse is translated as follows in Brown, Driver, Briggs: Hebrew Lexicon (p. 431): "God doeth it that we should stand in awe before him." Moffatt has: "God orders things, that men may stand in awe of him;" and Smith: "God has made it so that they shall be in awe before him."

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

September 21, 1935
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit