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NASB | Matthew 7:21 ¶ "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 7:21 ¶ "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. |
Subject: Christians? |
Bible Note: Hi John, I agree with you that we are able to receive God's truth even from a poor translation. I think that Webster has more to say about the translator's choice than about the original expression, but I have a great deal of confidence in many who have translated the Holy Scripture, and a little more insight in how they decided to express God's Word in English is a good thing. Esau's cry for repentence is, I think, a great example of just what you say, that the context is extremely useful in showing us the nuance even though we don't know the original language. I totally believe that it is the Holy Spirit that teaches us from the Bible, and He can overcome these minor issues in translation. I do not mean to denigrate the many fine translations that have been made in obedience to Jesus' instruction, go ye into all the world . . . teaching them. I personally believe that God uses each one. But I will also say that some are better than others, and some give a more accurate or complete expression of God's Word, simply because they differentiate a little more distictly. I do not say that we shouldn't use a dictionary. I use them frequently myself, even for words I already "know", just to be sure I am actually using them correct. Sometimes I find I am not. I am saying that we need to keep in mind that Webster simply tells us about the word which a man chose to translated a different word God wrote, and Webster contributes to our knowledge to the extent that the English definition agrees with the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek definition. And that's something that can't really be known until one confirms tha original definition, something that Webster can't do. Again, though, let me stress my belief that we have many very fine translations to read and study from, and read them and study them I do! As always, it is a pleasure it discuss these things with you, John, and I'm glad you found our little corner of the www. Love in Christ, Mark |