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NASB | 1 John 2:3 ¶ By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 2:3 ¶ And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings). |
Subject: abide |
Bible Note: John, Comments well received and I agree that one must be very careful when looking outside the actual Text to support a view. First, one must support their view from the Received Greek first (or Hebrew if we are in the Old Testament). The literal meaning of the words, as received, are paramount. That is an essential part of Hermeneutics and can never be violated. Second, the Text must be viewed both in the context of the book itself (its structure, genre, etc.) AND it must be viewed in the context of all other Scripture. One Text can not contradict another, of course. Bringing in historical evidence from outside the Text (such as Greek culture, Josephus, Dead Sea Scrolls, Archeology, et. al.) should be done with the utmost caution. Especially when one uses such historical data to help support a view that is not aliened with the traditional interpretation held over a long period of time. Of course, tradition isn’t a good way to prove what the Text means either, but if one attempts to overturn even a small understanding of the Text as held by the majority over the majority of the time, that person must be in the position of needing to supply the burden of proof. In light of the post you are responding to, I have gone to great lengths to follow this through to see if the evidence is solid. After all, the whole premise of the argument rests on this historical data. Not that it contradicts the literal meaning of the words (at least I don’t think so) and it fits very good in light of other Scripture and I believe I can show with a very high degree of confidence that my view is accurate, I do recognize that still I am the one needing the burden of proof. God bless, MJH |