Words of Current Interest

Related to the Lesson-Sermon for November 28, 1971, in the CHRISTIAN SCIENCE QUARTERLY Subject: Ancient and Modern Necromancy, alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced

Mark them which cause divisions and offences (Rom. 16:17)

Moffatt has, "Keep your eye on those who stir up dissensions and put hindrances in your way."

Simple concerning evil (Rom. 16:19)

The Greek word translated "simple" means "unmixed," and was originally used with reference to precious metals "not mixed" with alloy. Later it came to be employed of men whose thoughts were not mixed with evil, thus gaining the sense of innocent, without guile. Phillips translates freely, "I want to see you experts in good, and not even beginners in evil."

They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search (Ps. 64:6)

The New English Bible translates, "They hatch their secret plans with skill and cunning, with evil purpose and deep design."

Gath (I Sam. 17:4)

Gath, from which Goliath came, was one of five great Philistine cities, and was noted as the residence of a remnant of the Anakim, men of great physical stature (see Num. 13:33).

Shepherd's bag . . . scrip . . . sling (I Sam. 17:40)

"Scrip for containing his daily food . . . Shepherds in the East carry a sling and stones still, for the purpose of driving away, or killing, the enemies that prowl about the flock" (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown).

What have we to do with thee (Luke 4:34)

The passage can be taken literally as, "What is there to us and to thee?" or "What have we in common?"

He began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy (Luke 12:1)

Phillips renders the thought as follows: "Jesus, speaking primarily to his disciples, said, 'Be on your guard against yeast—I mean the yeast of the Pharisees, which is sheer pretence.' "

Wise as serpents (Matt. 10:16)

The Greek word translated "wise" has the literal meaning of "mindful," and is often employed with reference to those who are "prudent" in the sense of being "mindful of their own interests."

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