Article March 18, 1939 Issue

Bible Notes

"God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not" (James 1:5) — The word which is here rendered "upbraid" also means "to reproach or revile," or "to cast (favours received) in one's teeth" (Thayer: Greek Lexicon, p. 446). Consequently, Goodspeed renders: "God who gives generously to everyone, and does not reproach one with it afterward;" the Twentieth Century New Testament: "God who gives freely to every one without reproaches;" and Moffatt: "God who gives to all men without question or reproach;" though Weymouth (fifth edition) prefers: "God, who gives with open hand to all men and without upbraiding."

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8) — In the best editions of the Greek this verse does not form a separate sentence, but is joined to the preceding verse. Hence, Goodspeed has: "Such a man must not expect to get anything from the Lord — an irresolute person like him, who is uncertain about everything he does;" and Weymouth: "A person of that sort must not expect to receive anything from the Lord, being a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes."

"He hath commanded his covenant for ever" (Ps. 111:9) — The rendered "command" can also mean "constitute, make firm, appoint, establish, ordain;" so one might translate: "He has established his covenant forever." Moffatt suggests: "fixing his compact with them for all time;" and Smith: "His covenant he has ordained forever."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

I am very grateful for all that Christian Science has...