Chapter 6
Good Monday Morning to this week 6 of 2023
This past week we had a huge misunderstanding about a word. It worked in one language but meant something else in another.
For example the use of the word; “Gift” (English) vs “Gift” (German) – in English, “gift” means a present, while in German, it means “poison.”
Apart from that misunderstanding, I heard a very questionable interpretation of a verse in the bible … leading me to write a few very basic thoughts on this topic.
Here some misunderstood verses from the bible to which interpretation and use of wordage can be of utter importance;
- “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) – this phrase is often interpreted to mean that the punishment for sin is death, but the word “wages” in the original Greek actually means “payment.” So the phrase is better understood as “The payment for sin is death.”
- “The eye is the lamp of the body” (Matthew 6:22) – this phrase is often interpreted to mean that our eyes give us light and help us see, but the word “lamp” in the original Greek actually refers to a source of light, not the eye itself. So the phrase is better understood as “The eye is a source of light for the body.”
- “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21) – this phrase is often used to justify paying taxes to the government, but its original context was much more complex. Jesus was actually challenging the Pharisees to consider the source of their authority and whether it was from God or from the government.
- “Money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10) – this phrase is often quoted as a general statement about money, but the original text actually says “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” So the problem is not with money itself, but with the love of it.
- “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13) It is sometimes used to argue that Christians should not be politically active or engage in activism. However, other passages in the Bible, such as the prophets and Jesus’ teachings, show that God’s people have always been called to speak out against injustice and to advocate for the marginalized.
- Exodus 21:20-21 deals with the punishment for causing harm to a slave. The passage reads as follows: “If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod” This passage has been widely criticized and misunderstood due to its endorsement of the use of violence against slaves. Consider the broader message of the Bible, which consistently calls for compassion, justice, and the protection of the vulnerable. The New Testament, in particular, teaches that in Christ there is no distinction between slave and free (Galatians 3:28), and that all people are equal in the eyes of God. Therefore, this passage should not be taken as a endorsement of slavery or violence, but rather as a reflection of the cultural norms and laws of the time, and a call to do better in the treatment of all people.
Or how about some pronunciation? - Christians around the world know the Christ of the Bible as “Jesus,” but this was not His real name – in fact, He probably wouldn’t even have been able to pronounce it. The letter J did not exist in any language until about the 14th century – and remains absent from the Hebrew alphabet. Jesus most likely spoke either Aramaic, in which He would have pronounced His name as “Eashoa,” or Hebrew, in which His name would have been “Yeshua.” He could also have known Greek and gone by “Iisoús.”
- The Bible condones certain divination and fortune-telling techniques … but many modern Christian churches shun mysticism, fortune-telling, and magic of any sort, but these things were all alive and well in biblical times. Though the Bible does condemn dark magic, it doesn’t forbid magical arts outright, as the following verses demonstrate: Jewish high priests regularly used divination stones called Urim and Thummim to obtain oracles and signs from God (Exodus 28:30, 1 Samuel 28:6). People often cast lots – stones or sticks bearing symbols, similar to runes – to determine the will of God (Proverbs 16:33). Daniel, of “Daniel and the Lion’s Den” fame, was not only a renowned magician and interpreter of dreams, but also “made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers” by the King of Babylon (Daniel 5:11). At the command of God, Moses engaged in what more or less amounted to a wizard’s duel with the magicians of Egypt (Exodus 7:9-12).
Learning to be more careful in the use and interpretation of words, especially when it comes to cultures and languages, requires a combination of knowledge and sensitivity. Here are a few steps that may help:
- Study the context: To understand the meaning of a word or passage in the Bible, it’s important to consider the cultural and historical context in which it was written. This can help to avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations that are based on our own cultural assumptions.
- Seek out diverse perspectives: Engage with people from different cultural and religious backgrounds, and learn from their experiences and perspectives. This can help to broaden your understanding and increase your sensitivity to different interpretations and meanings.
- Read multiple translations: There are many different translations of the Bible, and each one can offer a slightly different perspective or interpretation. Reading multiple translations can help you to see the richness and depth of the text, and to avoid relying on one narrow interpretation.
- Consult commentaries and study resources: There are many resources available that can help you to better understand the meaning and context of specific passages in the Bible. Commentaries, study Bibles, and online resources can provide valuable insights and information.
- Pray and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. Ask for wisdom and discernment, and trust that God will lead you in your understanding of his word.
I’ll conclude with one of my favourite biblical jokes:
Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
Noah! … he was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.
Wishing you a good week as you wrestle with misunderstanding and interpretation!
Philemon