Article August 8, 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 August 23, 1942.]

"A sound mind" (II Tim. 1:7)—The Greek word which is thus translated in our Common Version has also been rendered "self-control" or "self-discipline." Goodspeed suggests: "For the Spirit God has given us is a spirit not of timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline;" while the Twentieth Century New Testament has: "For the Spirit which God gave us was not a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power, love, and self-control."

"Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me" (Ps. 119:98)—The Hebrew consonantal text can be read either, "Thy commandments make me wiser ..." or, "Thy commandment makes me wiser ... for it is ever with me." In any event, it is clear from the idiom of the original that it is the "commandment" (or "commandments") that is said to be "ever with me"—and not the "enemies." Moffatt suggests: "Thy commands make me wiser than my foes; I am never without them;" and Smith has: "Thy command makes me wiser than my foes; for it is always mine."

"I have not departed from thy judgments" (Ps. 119:102)—The Hebrew word translated "depart" means more exactly "to turn aside." Thus Kent renders: "From thy judgments I do not turn aside my steps;" while Moffatt prefers: "Never do I swerve from thine instructions."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Recently a minister of another...