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 July 16, 1967.

The covenant...in the land of Moab, beside the covenant... in Horeb (Deut. 29:1)

At Mount Sinai, otherwise called Horeb, Moses had entered into a covenant, or agreement, with God —thus early in Israel's desert experience—that they would hear and obey God's commandments (Ex. 19:5, 8) as recorded in the following chapter. Some forty years later, when Israel had reached the land of Moab on the verge of entering the Promised Land of Canaan, the covenant was renewed (Deut. 29: 1, 9, 10; 31:12, 13; 32:45, 46).

This commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off (Deut. 30:11)

Moffatt suggests the following: "This command which I am enjoining upon you to-day is not beyond your power, it is not beyond your reach."

The Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them (John 5:21)

When the King James Version was prepared, "to raise up the dead"' and "to quicken them" were virtually synonymous phrases. The verb rendered "quicken" means to give life, make alive, or to preserve life. Phillips renders the verse thus: "For just as the Father raises the dead and makes them live, so does the Son give life to any man he chooses."

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (Matt. 6:27)

The Greek pechus (cubit) means literally "forearm," thus indicating the distance from a man's elbow to the tip of his middle finger. This would obviously vary with individuals. Some consider the cubit as being about 18 inches, and others 21. It was also used figuratively as a measurement of time. Weymouth has. "Which of you by being overanxious can add a single foot to his height?"; and Goodspeed, "Which of you with all his worry can add a single hour to his life?"

The prisoner of the Lord (Eph. 4:1)

The Greek preposition en, here rendered "of," has the primary meaning of "in," although it is used in a variety of senses. Good-speed translates, "the prisoner for the Lord's sake"; while Moffatt has, "the Lord's prisoner." Many believe that Paul wrote the letter during his captivity at Rome: so that whether the phrase be taken literally or metaphorically, it is readily understandable.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit