Article June 22, 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.]

"Lively stones" (I Pet. 2:5)—The term which is here rendered "lively" is simply the regular Greek word for "living," and is identical with that which is used in a previous verse in speaking of "the Lord" (verse 3) as a "living stone" (verse 4). Consequently, in verse 5 most modern translators have the rendering "living stones."

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way" (Ps. 119:1)—It may be observed that the Hebrew word which is here translated "undefiled" is very often rendered "perfect" in other passages of the Old Testament, while it can also mean "innocent, simple, upright, or honest." So we find that Smith renders: "How happy are they whose way is blameless;" while the American Standard Version suggests: "Blessed are they that are perfect in the way."

"Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness" (Ps. 119:40)—Here, as in so many Biblical passages, the word "quicken" represents a term in the original which has the literal meaning of "revive" or "make alive." Smith translates: "Lo, I have longed for thy precepts; revive me through thy righteousness;" while Moffatt prefers to transpose the clauses and reads: "As thou art true, revive me; I am yearning for thy will."

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