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NASB | 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] |
Subject: Is sinless perfection possible on earth? |
Bible Note: Hi Tim, YOU SAY : There is in Greek an historical present, were the present tense can be used to describe past events or actions. Not everyone agrees that Romans 7:14-25 is an historical present, but it is possible. Thus, tense alone will not answer this question. :-) MY REPLY IS: It is true that sometimes the present can be viewed historically, but not when it is specifically contrasted with the past in the same context. Then the contrast emphasises the true nature of the present tense. Thus in this passage I consider it incontrovertible that in using the present Paul is speaking of the present. We cannot just switch tenses around at will. We can equally say that the past tense can mean the present. What then is the value of tenses? The answer is that they must be interpreted in context. Paul was writing knowing that his letter would be read out to the Roman churches. He would expect them to be able to follow his meaning as they went along. And when he therefore in the same context switched from the past to the present he would expect them to see it accordingly. The historic present cannot then come into account, unless language is to be meaningless. Why do people not like the present tense here? It is because what Paul says does not fit in with their preconceptions. We would do better to ask, given that he is spsaking of the present, what does he mean? Best wishes |