Thursday, June 28, 2012

Hebrews 11:1

"Now trust is an under-standing, a deep presence, of things hoped for, a making-visible of things not seen."

The etymology of the Greek word usually translated as "substance" in this first verse of chapter eleven, stems from two words: to "stand under".  So as not to mislead the English reader, the phrase in italics "a deep presence" is added.  The first use of this word in Hebrews is found in 1:3, "the carving of his under-standing, his deep presence."  Jesus has the character or "carving" of God's deepest attributes.  Similarly our trust is also a standing-under, a deep presence, of that for which we hope.  And further, our trust is a making visible of things that cannot be otherwise seen.

Genuine trust is felt deeply AND also makes visible in our lives our most deeply held beliefs.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

James 5:20

"let him know, that he who doth on-turn one who un-marks, from the straying of his way, shall save a breath from death and shall cover a multitude of un-marks."

In this final verse of his epistle, James' concern is that he who succeeds in the intense effort of "on-turning" one who un-marks...can know the good that comes of the effort.  Specifically, as the Etymological New Testament has it, he has saved "a breath from death" and covered "a multitude of un-marks."  In the ENT, the etymologies of the two words typically translated "spirit" and "soul" are carefully distinguished.  PSUCHE is often "soul" or "life" in most versions.  In the ENT, the ultra-literal root "breath" is always used.  Similarly, PNEUMA, often "spirit" in most renderings, is always "wind" in the Etymological New Testament.  Here, James notes that our very breath, our life-force, can die if we persist in our missing of the mark.  Helping someone turn back to way of truth makes all the difference.

Monday, June 11, 2012

James 5:19

"My same-uteruses, if any among you should stray from the way of truth, and one should on-turn him;"

After instructions about prayer and rubbing with olive oil for health, James now prepares to conclude this letter by addressing those who stray from the way of truth.  Though it may seem awkward to translate ultra literally as "same uterus", this is the etymology of the word we translate "brother" (or "sister") in Greek.  And since the Etymological New Testament is intended to convey literal etymologies as they occur in the text, this includes the word here normally translated as brethren or brothers in many translations. When someone very close to us begins to have no regard for truth, it can be very difficult to relate to them.  The word "on-turn" reflects the intensity required to help others regain their passion for the truth.

Ironically, it is often within a religious context that one begins to place more emphasis on conformity to the peer group rather than to the truth.  Thus, James' encouragement to the family is very appropriate here. Too often, when someone seems to depart from doctrinal orthodoxy in their pursuit of truth, there are those seeking to do just the opposite of James' advice.  They intend to keep someone in error, rather than allow them to stay on the way to truth.  May we all be willing to keep an open mind and heart in our pursuit of the truth.  JMW