John 1:12

"But as many as received him, to them he gave the out-being to be becoming children of Placer, even to those who are trusting on his name."  As noted in the post on Etymology vs. Meaning in this blog, the function of the Etymological New Testament is to cause us to slow down as we read and consider the words of scripture afresh. EXOUSIA means "authority" (or related synonyms) in English. But its etymology stems from the two Greek components "out" and "being."  This outward being is what we term authority. And those who received him, also received outward being...to be becoming Placer's children.  In the ENT, the qualifying phrase, "even to those who are trusting on his name," makes it clear that the action is linear: "are trusting."  If we believe in the sense of full faith and trust, and that continually, then we receive out-being to become children of Placer.

John 1:9

"There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every human coming into the system."  One of the distinguishing characteristics of the true light is that it enlightens every human being that comes into this KOSMOS, this system.  Any 'light' that is not universal in scope is not the true light.  Too often in this cultural system, the religious powers proclaim a very limited light, one that only they and their followers possess.  And these self appointed authorities are the ones who must dispense the light to the hoi polloi.  Much of our current versions of Christianity are severely infected with this disease.  Ironically, they have rejected their own experience of this true, genuine and universal light for a substitute glimmer.  By embracing their exclusive claim to this false enlightenment, we diminish our own capacity to see the burning light within us. 

John 1:4

"In the same was life; and the life was the light of humans."  Within the LOGOS, the word, reason, thought, logic (as Augustine understood LOGOS) was life.  Before the LOGOS becomes incarnate in Jesus (verse 14), life is to be found within.  It is quite an irony that some brief passages of scripture are often superficially cited as to why followers of Jesus should not think or otherwise engage in disciplined reasoning.  Our very life as humans lies precisely here, in LOGOS.  To reject reason is to cease living.  That much of the so-called church is characterized by pablum is the most severe indictment that can be brought against it.  In the last part of this verse,  the Logos-Life then becomes the light of humanity.  As Jesus noted, if our light is darkness, how great is our darkness.  Yes, as we shall see in the following verses, every person has the divine light.  But to reject this light is to reject the essence of being alive.

John 1:1

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was toward Placer, and Placer was the Word."  The Logos was there, in the beginning and was toward Placer. The direction of the Word was toward Placer.  And, unlike most English translations, the Etymological New Testament follows the Greek word order in this first verse of John.  That is, "Placer" precedes "Word" in the third phrase of this verse.  This is why Martin Luther, in his ground breaking German translation, the Luther Bible, also has Gott before Wort.  Part of purpose of the ENT is for the reader to slow down and reconsider the passage from a fresh perspective.  Ultra-literal language can help achieve this purpose, as can more literal word order when significant.

Matthew 5:10

"Happy are those who have been persecuted for justice' sake; for theirs is the realm of upward-vision."  The Greek word that is translated "justice" by the Etymological New Testament is typically rendered "righteousness" in most versions. It is part of a family of words stemming from the same root sense.  In the ENT, the reader can immediately see the connection between nouns (as in the case above) and a verb like "justify" in Romans 5:1.  Placer's concern is with justice. And if we have been persecuted because of our work for justice and a life lived for justice, then ours is, in fact, this realm of upward vision.  The highest vision for our human society is one where justice prevails. Jesus' ministry was often focused on this theme. Whether in personal or social or even spiritual concerns, may our lives reflect this same passion.

Matthew 5:9

"Happy are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of Placer."  As documented in the Lexicon and Concordance of the Concordant Publishing Concern (http://concordant.org/Concordant%20Lexicon/Index.html) the etymology of the Greek word THEOS is part of a family of words having to do with 'placing'. The one or that which guides, directs or "places" us is what THEOS is.  In this verse above, Jesus connects the practice of peacemaking with the very nature of THEOS.  Those who work for peace are part of the family of Placer. 

Matthew 5:8

"Happy are the pure in heart: for they shall see Placer."  This is the first appearance of the Greek word for "pure" in the NT.  The last occurrence in the NT is in Rev 21:21 where the gold is so pure that it is transparent, or as the Etymological New Testament translates ultra-literally, "through-radiant."  The purity is so great that light can through-radiate the gold. If our lives, and particularly our hearts, become that transparent, we become able to see Placer. For more on seeing Placer, go to www.holywindlivingbreath.blogspot.com and to this same verse.

Matthew 5:7

"Happy are the merciful: for they shall inhabit-mercy."  It is striking that those who are merciful begin to live in the domain of mercy. And mercy becomes a feedback loop within their lives.  The Etymological New Testament uses a hyphen to indicate that "inhabit-mercy" is one word in Greek.  It could be translated "shall be mercified."  Traditionally this is rendered "shall receive mercy."  A good translation, but perhaps not as full as it could be.  Because we often reap what we sow, we tend to create the spiritual environment that we inhabit.  Rather than live in a negative place, Jesus' encouragement is to inhabit a sphere of caring about others.

Matthew 5:6

"Happy are those who hunger and thirst for justice: for they shall be satisfied."  As one reads the Etymological New Testament, the connection between the family of words stemming from DIKE "justice" becomes more clear.  Whether one is "justified" in Romans 5:1 or one has a real "thirst for justice" as here, the semantic range of the Greek becomes apparent. In this case, the promise is to all those who hunger for justice.  Whether personal or societal, this hunger will be satisfied in those who experience it and trust it and live it.