Article March 6, 1943 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 March 21, 1943.]

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing" (John 6:63)—The word which is here rendered "quickeneth" has the literal sense of "brings to life" or "makes alive"; while that which is translated "profiteth" can also be rendered "benefits, helps, is useful." Weymouth (Fifth Edition) suggests: "It is the Spirit which gives life. The flesh confers no benefit whatever;" while Moffatt has: "What gives life is the Spirit: flesh is of no avail at all."

"Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay" (Isa. 29:16)—The Hebrew term "haphkekem" is connected with a root which sometimes means "overturn"; hence the rendering found in our Common Version, "your turning of things upside down;" but Dr. Skinner reminds us that the form "haphkekem" can also mean, "O your perversity!" Smith suggests: "O the perversity of you ! Is the potter of no more account than the clay?" and Moffatt: "Perverse creatures that you are! Is a potter no more than his clay?"

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