Shining a light on the weekly Bible Lessons published in the Christian Science Quarterly®

Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it.

Here God’s activity is depicted as permanent, complete, and secure. This verse echoes another scriptural statement: “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it” (Deuteronomy 4:2).

Ekklēsiastēs, the Greek term that provides the title for the book of Ecclesiastes, is qohelet in Hebrew. Both terms generally mean “speaker in an assembly” and are commonly rendered preacher or teacher. Tradition names Solomon as the book’s author, but most sources consider Ecclesiastes to be the work of an unknown sage or group of philosophers. Like Proverbs, it offers instruction for finding wisdom and contentment.

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The Bible Lessons serve as weekly study guides as well as the sermon in every Christian Science Sunday church service. Learn more at BibleLesson.com

Resources quoted in this issue

Cit. 1: Keck, Leander E., et al., eds. The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 3, Introduction to Hebrew Poetry, Job, Psalms, Introduction to Wisdom Literature, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Nashville: Abingdon, 2015.

Cit. 5: Green, Joel B., et al., eds. The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Common English Bible, 2013.

Cit. 7: Keck, Leander E., et al., eds. The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 7, The Gospels and Narrative Literature, Jesus and the Gospels, Matthew, Mark. Nashville: Abingdon, 2015.

Cit. 12: Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Luke. Edinburgh: Saint Andrew, 1955. Revised and updated by Saint Andrew, 2001. Reprinted as The New Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Luke. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2001–04

Cit. 15: Ellicott, Charles John, ed. A Bible Commentary for English Readers by Various Writers. London: Cassell, 1897–1905. Also available at studylight.org/commentaries.

Cit. 18: Buttrick, George Arthur, Nolan B. Harmon, et al., eds. The Interpreter’s Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes. Vol. 11, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Pastoral Epistles, Philemon, Hebrews. Nashville: Abingdon, 1951–57.

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