Article October 7, 1939 Issue

Bible Notes

"We have an advocate with the Father" (I John 2:1)—It is of interest to note that the word "parakletos," which is here translated "advocate," is rendered "Comforter" in John 14:16 and other passages. It may he recalled that "parakletos" means originally "one called to one's side;" and since a person might be summoned to one's side for purposes of comfort, aid, or defense, it can justifiably be translated "comforter," "advocate," or simply "helper" (compare the Margin of the Revised Version). In I John 2:1, Goodspeed suggests: "We have ... one who ... will intercede for us with the Father;" while Moffatt prefers to retain in this context the rendering "advocate."

"Faith" (Rom. 5:1)—It may well be borne in mind that, according to Thayer (Greek Lexicon, p. 514), the primary meaning of the Greek word "pistis," which is here translated "faith," is "conviction of the truth of anything."

"Tribulation worketh patience: and patience, experience: and experience, hope" (Rom. 5:3, 4)—The Greek word "dokimos," (experience) comes from the same root as the adjective "dokimos," which was regularly employed in describing metals or coins which were "genuine or approved," as opposed to "alloyed or counterfeit." Thus Souter notes that "dokime" means "approvedness; hence 'character'" (Greek Lexicon, p. 68); while, in view of its derivation, one might well render it "sterling character." Good-speed translates: "Trouble produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope;" and Weymouth: "Affliction produces endurance; endurance, ripeness of character; and ripeness of character, hope."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

I took up the study of Christian Science for the healing...