Article December 7, 1963 Issue

WORDS OF CURRENT INTEREST

[The words in this issue are related to the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly designated to be read in Christian Science churches on December 15, 1963.]

Use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do (Matt. 6:7)

The rare Greek verb battologeo (use ... vain repetitions) is variously rendered by scholars. Cremer takes it to mean "chatter or babble"; while Thayer suggests that it is simply an onomatopoeic word meaning originally "stammer." and then, "since stammerers are accustomed to repeat the same words ... to babble, prate." J. B. Phillips suggests, "Do not rattle off long prayers like the pagans"; and Moffatt, "Do not pray by idle rote like pagans."

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive (Matt. 6:12)

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