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 February 23, 1969.

I have planted, Apollos watered (I Cor. 3:6)

During his first visit to Corinth, where he remained for "a year and six months" (Acts 18:11), Paul actively taught and preached to the Corinthians, and so could justly claim to have founded or "planted" this church. Apollos played his part in evangelizing the Corinthians by watering this good seed; for we learn that in Corinth "he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ" (Acts 18:28)

It is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness (I Cor. 3:19)

"It is written" usually introduces a quotation from the Old Testament—the citation in this instance being from Job 5:13; while in I Cor. 3:20 appears another quotation, from Ps. 94:11.

At the same place (James 3:11)

The Greek words thus translated can mean more strictly "from the same opening," as Wey-mouth puts it; while Goodspeed renders, "from the same crevice."

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8)

In the best editions of the Greek text this verse does not form a separate sentence but is joined to the preceding verse. Hence Wey-mouth, taking verses 7 and 8 together, translates, "A person of that sort must not expect to receive anything from the Lord, being a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes."

Ponder (Prov. 4:26)

The usual meaning of the word thus translated is "weigh" in the literal sense, and consequently "to make level," since when the two scales of a balance are equally weighted, the rod which joins them is found to be level. Hence, in this verse, Smith translates, "Keep level the track for your foot."

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned (Isa. 50:4)

The word translated "learned" means literally "those who are taught," and so does not necessarily imply a high degree of "learning" in the generally accepted sense.

He that speaketh of himself (John 7:18)

The Greek preposition apo, here rendered "of," means literally "from." Moffatt translates, "He who talks on his own authority aims at his own credit."

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February 15, 1969

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