Article May 4, 1940 Issue

Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in this column can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons.]

"Maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge" (II Cor. 2:14)—The Greek word rendered "savour" means literally "odor" or "fragrance." Thus we find that Moffatt translates: "diffusing the perfume of his knowledge;" and Weymouth (Fifth Edition): "displaying ... the sweetness of the knowledge of Him."

"Them that are lost" (II Cor. 4:3)—The verb which is found at this point can also mean "to perish," a translation which is preferred by various modern translators. Moreover, "them that are lost" represents a participial phrase which means literally "the perishing"; that is, "those who are on the way to destruction" (compare Goodspeed's rendering) or to "perdition," for the process is conceived of as not yet complete. The Revised Version suggests: "them that are perishing."

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not" (II Cor. 4:4)—Literally, translation "in whom," which is found in our Authorized Version, would seem to present some ambiguity. Goodspeed brings out the sense as follows: "in their case, the god of this world;" while Moffatt gives the following rendering: "there the god of this world."

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