Article February 14, 1942 Issue

Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in these columns can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons. The Notes in this issue are related to the Lesson-Sermon designated to be read in Christian Science churches on February 22, 1942.]

"Which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1)—In classical Greek, the word "latreia" was used to denote "service" of any sort; but in the Greek of the New Testament it is used particularly with reference to "service rendered to God," and so "worship." The term rendered "reasonable" means "in accord with reason or soul," and sometimes "spiritual." Thus the Revised Version (Margin) has: "your spiritual worship"; and Goodspeed: "your rational worship."

"He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity" (Rom. 12:8)—The Greek word rendered "simplicity" can also mean "singleness" in the sense of "sincerity, mental honesty," while another possible rendering is "liberality." Thus Weymouth (Fifth Edition) has: "One who gives should be liberal;" and Goodspeed: "... the giver of charity, with generosity."

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit" (Col. 2:8)—The Greek verb which is here translated "spoil" means to "plunder, or carry off," rather than "spoil" in the sense of "harm or injure." The Twentieth Century New Testament suggests: "Take care there is not some one who will carry you away by his 'philosophy'—a hollow sham!"

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