Words of Current Interest

Related to the Lesson-Sermon for July 23, 1972, in the CHRISTIAN SCIENCE QUARTERLY Subject: Truth

I have many things to say and to judge of you (John 8:26)

Dummelow proposes as the meaning of this verse: "I have much fault to find with you, but I refrain. I am not sent to judge you, but to teach you; and I teach you the absolute truth about God, which I learnt from Him before I came into the world."

In the volume of the book it is written of me (Ps. 40:7)

The Interpreter's Bible comments, "Most probably the psalmist is referring to the heavenly book where men's deeds are recorded (cf. 56:8; 87:6; 139:16)." Others see some reference to the Mosaic Law.

He that doeth truth cometh to the light (John 3:21)

Phillips translates this verse, "Anybody who is living by the truth will come to the light to make it plain that all he has done has been done through God."

The finger of God (Luke 11:20)

This is an Old Testament expression (see Ex. 8:19; 31:18; Deut. 9:10). Here it points to the divine power at work among men.

Agrippa ... Paul (Acts 26:1)

The contrast between these two men was vast. Agrippa was a Hellenized Jew, the last of the Herods. Paul was a pioneer Christian, inspired by a new religious concept, the risen Christ. Agrippa's world was declining, Paul's was just being born.

Minister (Acts 26:16)

One who serves under the guidance and authority of another, an assistant or servant.

Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas (Isa. 17:12)

"Lo," "hark," or "listen," would better translate the Hebrew than "woe." The Interpreter's Bible comments: "In the midst of all the welter of human passion, Isaiah declares, the rock of Yahweh's strength stands unmoved, and the noisy strife of men will break on it in vain."

The hidden things of dishonesty, ... craftiness, ... handling the word of God deceitfully (II Cor. 4:2)

Phillips translates, "We use no hocus-pocus, no clever tricks, no dishonest manipulation of the Word of God."

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