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 January 31, 1965.]

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34)

This verse is often read with an almost complete disregard of the semicolon, but the Greek, as well as the English, suggests a somewhat definite pause after the word "another" before proceeding with the remainder of the sentence. Goodspeed suggests this even more clearly by giving the following punctuation and translation: "I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must love one another."

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth (Matt. 5:4, 5)

Phillips offers interesting translations of these familiar Beatitudes: "How happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort! Happy are those who claim nothing, for the whole earth will belong to them!"

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (Matt. 5:6)

The New English Bible offers the rendering, "How blest are those who do hunger and thirst to see right prevail; they shall be satisfied."

The sermon on the mount

This name, generally given to the fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of Matthew's Gospel, does not occur in the Bible. Many students feel that Luke 6:14-49 records a condensation of the Master's memorable address.

A certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him (Luke 10:25)

The verb used with reference to the tempting of Jesus by the devil during his time in the wilderness (see Matt. 4:1) is the Greek peirazo, meaning either "test" or "tempt"; while here, in Luke 10:25, the same verb is used in its intensive form ekpeirazo, meaning, basically, "put to a thorough test."

Thieves (Luke 10:30, 36)

The Greek word thus translated refers more strictly to brigands or robbers; the distinction being that while a thief does his work stealthily or secretly, a robber effects his ends by force or intimidation.

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