Matthew 18:1,2

"In that hour came the learners unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the realm of upward-vision?  And he called to him a little girl, and set her in the midst of them,"

Those who travelled with and followed Jesus were not called "disciples", but "learners."  That is, the Greek original stems from the word for learning rather than from the word for discipline.  Our attitude toward life is to be one of learning.  And part of this learning involved the understanding the essential nature of greatness. At least in the "realm of upward-vision", this openness to life, that every child begins with, is the hallmark of greatness.

The Etymological New Testament twofold purpose is to provide literal etymological information concerning the Greek text AND to cause the reader to think a little more deeply of Jesus' message. In this passage, the Greek word means a boy or girl.  Virtually all English translations imply through male pronouns that the child is a boy.  In order to convey the possibilities, the ENT opts for the feminine sense. Thus, Jesus calls "a little girl" to himself and "set her in the midst of them."

May our hearts and minds continue to be open to Life.

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Matthew 5:48

"You therefore shall be mature, as your upward-vision Abba is mature."

The Etymological New Testament consistently translates the Greek "TELOS" family of words by the root sense of maturity.  The basic meaning is that of full grown, perfect, ripe, etc.  It is striking to see the various contexts in which this word is used. In this verse, we are to grow into maturity in the same way our "upward-vision Abba" is mature.  Rather than a call for religious perfection, Jesus' concern if for grown-ups: people who are mature and ready for living life to the full.