The original language of the New Testament.
18
votes
4answers
7k views
What does “meek” mean in Matthew 5:5?
Matthew 5:5 (NIV)
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
What does "meek" mean in the original language? Is "meek" a good translation for the original Greek word?
17
votes
5answers
715 views
“A god” or “God” in John 1:1?
John 1:1 (NWT):
In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.
This translation, the Jehovah's Witnesses New World Translation is, I think, unique in using ...
17
votes
1answer
172 views
Is NWT's translation of John 8:58 reasonable?
I already assumed the opposite in an answer to why there are so many Bible translations, on Christianity.SE. Now that we have an expert community, I'd like to check. The translators of the New World ...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
Was “Τετέλεσται” actually stamped on paid bills and debt certificates in the first century?
I've often heard some really cool explanations around the meaning for the greek word Τετέλεσται in the New Testament where Jesus said, "It is Finished". I love what I've heard, and have even preached ...
11
votes
4answers
4k views
Translation of “Hosanna” (ὡσαννά)
What does "Hosanna" (ὡσαννά) mean (as it appears in the Gospels)? What is its etymology/derivation from Hebrew/Aramaic?
11
votes
2answers
1k views
Does πορνεία mean premarital sex in 1 Corinthians 5-7?
I'm interested in this question because some liberal theologians insist that the Bible does not say anything about premarital sex*. To get a reasonable scope for the question, I limit this to just the ...
11
votes
2answers
244 views
Should John 1:19 read “the only begotten God”?
I was reading my New King James version of the Bible and found a footnote for this verse:
John 1:18 (NKJV)
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son,[a] who is in the bosom of the ...
11
votes
1answer
144 views
Does baptizing come after discipling in Matthew 28:19?
Matthew 28:19 (ESV) reads:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
In the Greek, (according to Blue ...
11
votes
1answer
229 views
Definition of Greek γενεά (genea)
What is the definition of the Greek word γενεά (genea)? I have heard that it means "nation", and that it means "generation." I am wondering because I was looking at this list. It says that the work is ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Which 'modern' English translation of the Bible is considered the 'closest' or most accurate translation?
Which 'modern' (anything inclusive of King James Version to date) English translation of the Bible is considered the 'closest' or most accurate translation from the original Hebrew & Greek texts?
...
10
votes
3answers
415 views
If Joshua can be translated why Is the name of Jesus translated “Jesus” but his name in hebrew was Joshua?
This question is in regard to Matthew 1:21, "His name shall be called Jesus for he will save his people from their sins." The question has two parts.
1) Strongs equates the name "Jesus" with the ...
10
votes
4answers
447 views
Is there a modern English translation of the Bible that uses the second-person plural pronoun?
I'm looking for a modern translation of the Bible (ideally in the public domain) that retains the distinction between second-person plural and second-person singular. In Early Modern English (the ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Translation of “abba” (Αββα, אבא)
What is the best English translation of abba (Greek: Αββα, Aramaic: אבא)? What are its senses in the original languages, and are those best captured by father, dad, daddy, or something else in ...
10
votes
2answers
220 views
Is there any significance behind Jesus' use of the word “love” in “John 21:15-17”
In John 21:15-17 (ESV), we read:
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him,
“Yes, Lord; you know that ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
Comparison of English word “fool” in original Hebrew and Greek
Question is based on this comment on Christiantity SE.
In the OT, the word fool is apparently used to describe atheists:
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1 and Psalm ...
9
votes
3answers
642 views
Why was Barabbas in prison?
It seems that there are varying accounts of the problems with Barabbas.
John 18:40
Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
Another in Mark:
...
9
votes
2answers
236 views
How authentic is Codex Sinaiticus?
From what I understand, these are the best codices available.
Codex Sinaiticus
Codex Vaticanus
Codex Alexandrinus
Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus.
Codex Sinaiticus is considered the only complete New ...
9
votes
2answers
188 views
What is the textual evidence for defining “μισέω” as “reject”?
I have heard that μισέω does not necessarily mean hate in the sense of a wrathful detestation, but can also have a judicial sense, i.e. reject. A classic example where this meaning would be applied is ...
9
votes
1answer
155 views
What does 1 Corinthians 9:27 literally say?
I'm used to reading the Bible in Finnish, so 1 Corinthians 9:27 seems very non-literal in most English translations. The Finnish 1992 translation is usually quite dynamic, but in this case it starts ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
Has the meaning of “Love” changed enough to warrant substitutions in Bible translations?
The culturally accepted uses of the word "Love" seem to be a trite shadow of its biblical meaning. Common use of "Love" is now interchangeable with "Like," "Enjoy," or "Emotionally attachment" of ...
8
votes
1answer
562 views
“Sealed” (ἐσφραγίσθητε) in Eph. 1:13
Eph. 1:13 (NASB) says:
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
What ...
8
votes
1answer
183 views
Justify (δικαιόω) in James 2:24, Romans 3:28
James 2:24 says:
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Romans 3:28 says:
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
What are ...
8
votes
2answers
67 views
Why does the Peshitta use the word ‘baptism’ for ‘enlightened’ in Hebrews 6:4?
In Hebrews it talks about certain apostates that can’t be renewed to repentance because they have undergone certain things, which they have then rejected, signifying something terribly wrong and ...
8
votes
4answers
555 views
What does “guardian/tutor” mean in Galatians 3:24
Galatians 3:24 reads in the ESV (and several modern translations)
So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.ESV
In the KJV it reads:
...
8
votes
2answers
693 views
Was 'σκύβαλον' (skubalon) profanity?
In Philippians 3:8, Paul uses the word σκύβαλον (skubalon), which is usually translated as "dung" , "garbage", or "rubbish". I've heard that this was considered an impolite word with much stronger ...
8
votes
1answer
54 views
Will glory be revealed “in us” or “to us” in Romans 8:18?
Here's Romans 8:18 in ESV:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
and here is Romans 8:18 in NKJV:
For I ...
8
votes
1answer
196 views
Pros and Cons of Barth's Commentary on Romans
What are the merits/problems with Karl Barth's commentary on Romans?
How much does he treat the details of the Greek?
What is his overall hermeneutic of the book? (Please steer away from explaining ...
7
votes
4answers
911 views
Forgive us our “debts”? “sins”? “trespasses”? Which is the most accurate translation?
It seems that there are three popular versions of this passage in the Lord's prayer. "Forgive us our sins", "Forgive us our debts", and "Forgive us our trespasses".
I see one version here in the ...
7
votes
2answers
90 views
Is the usual translation of “ηὐχόμην” as “I could wish” justified in Romans 9:3?
In the early part of Romans 9, Paul speaks fervently of his hope and anguish concerning his fellow-countrymen, even contemplating losing his own salvation if it could gain theirs:
1I am speaking ...
7
votes
1answer
84 views
Is there any research that challenges the standard definition of 'προορίζω' (predestine)?
The definition of προορίζω in the Enhanced Strong's Lexicon is:
4309 Six occurrences; AV translates as “predestinate” four times,
“determine before” once, and “ordain” once. 1 to predetermine, ...
7
votes
3answers
309 views
What is the meaning of “calculate” in Revelation 13:18?
This is perhaps the most famous prophesy in popular culture:
This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his ...
7
votes
3answers
155 views
Does Theophilus of Antioch's statement have any bearing on interpreting Mathew 5:28?
I found a quote on this site which calls into question the accuracy of Matthew 5:28 in the KJV according to a quotation of Theophilus of Antioch:
"ἡ δὲ εὐαγγέλιος φωνὴ ἐπιτατικώτερον διδάσκει ...
7
votes
2answers
82 views
Was Jesus 'delivered from his fear' or 'delivered because he had fear' of God?
In Hebrews 5:7 Jesus has his 'prayer heard in what he feared' or 'heard in respect to what he feared' - 'εισακουσθεις απο της ευλαβειας'.
The ESV had his prayer was heard 'because of his reverence' ...
7
votes
2answers
81 views
Sense of περἰ in Romans 8:3
Romans 8:3 says the following
καἰ περἰ ἁμαρτἰας (and for sin)
Many translations suggest as an offering for sin as an alternate translation. I can see how περί can mean in place of, but is as an ...
6
votes
2answers
181 views
Does John 7:15 mean Jesus was untaught?
John 7:15 (ESV):
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning,1 when he has never studied?”
The footnote is:
7:15 Or this man knows his letters
So there ...
6
votes
1answer
66 views
Who are the πρεσβυτέροις in 1 Peter 5:1-5?
ΠΕΤΡΟΥ Α΄ 5:5 (SBLGNT)
ὁμοίως, νεώτεροι, ὑποτάγητε πρεσβυτέροις. πάντες δὲ ἀλλήλοις τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην ἐγκομβώσασθε, ὅτι Ὁ θεὸς ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν χάριν.
1 ...
6
votes
1answer
37 views
What is a “reinked” ms?
So, I'm checking a variant in the CNTTS critical apparatus and look up some info on a couple MSS that support a reading. According to CNTTS the manuscript is "a reinked ms. of the entire NT." What is ...
6
votes
1answer
101 views
Women and chief men stirred up - Acts 13:50
Acts 13:50 says in part that the Jews "stirred up the devout and prominent women AND the chief men of the city" raising up persecution against Paul and Barnabus, causing them to be expelled from the ...
6
votes
3answers
118 views
Is the phrase “sin shall no longer be your master” in Romans 6:14 a command?
Paul in his letter to the Romans writes in 6:12-13:
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument ...
6
votes
5answers
657 views
Who is being “taken” in Matthew 24:40-41?
Matthew 24:40-41 (ESV)
Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two
women will be grinding oat at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
One of the interpretations ...
6
votes
1answer
41 views
Does the NLT translate Luke 9:7 accurately?
In Luke 9:1-6, Jesus sends the 12 apostles out to tell the Good News and to do miracles, specifically healing the sick. In Luke 9:10, the apostles come back and tell Jesus about what they had done. In ...
6
votes
1answer
72 views
Does the LXX of Proverbs 1:7 have influence on the use of εὐσέβεια in the NT?
Is there any New Testament text wherin an influence of this LXX expanded translation is of interpretive importance in the NT (esp. with regard to εὐσέβεια)?
Edit (question clarification):
I find this ...
6
votes
1answer
87 views
The will of God in Ephesians 1: εὐδοκία, βουλή, θελήμα
Paul places an emphasis on the will and plan of God in Ephesians 1. In addition to the verbs προορίζω ("I predestine") and ἐκλέγω ("I choose"), three nouns factor large in this theme. Here they are, ...
6
votes
1answer
53 views
1 Cor 7:21 Is there any justification to translate this “remain a slave”?
I'm an Englishman and so am used to seeing the verse from 1 Cor 7 translated something like this:
20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
21Were you a slave when ...
5
votes
3answers
106 views
Does John distinguish between terms for love?
It's fairly common knowledge that there are four Greek words for love, but it's not clear from the Wikipedia article whether certain distinctions persist from Ancient Greek to Koine, namely the ...
5
votes
3answers
596 views
How should ἱλαστήριον (hilasterion) be translated in Romans 3:25?
The word ἱλαστήριον (hilasterion) is often translated in Romans 3:25 as "propiation," "atonement," or "sacrifice [of atonement]" in Western conservative biblical translations. In Hebrews 9:5 it is ...
5
votes
1answer
57 views
Does Mark 1:32 indicate two separate time periods?
The NET Bible reads:
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and demon-possessed.—Mark 1:32 (NET)
Two time references are present:
"When it was evening" ...
5
votes
2answers
75 views
Meaning of ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου in Philemon 6
What is the meaning of ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου in Philemon 6? I have seen it rendered fellowship, sharing, communication, et cetera, but I haven't been able to clearly ascertain Paul's ...
5
votes
1answer
191 views
What is the difference between “righteous” and “just” in the NT?
I've basically always used these words synonymously. Can someone elaborate on whether there is a difference?
5
votes
2answers
181 views
Why do many chinese Bibles translate “Logos” in John 1:1 as 道 (dao)?
道（dao) is the concept which the entire Dao De Jing seeks to expound upon and discuss. Dao De Jing is the central text of Daoist philosophy. I don't know how to define "dao" beyond an extremely ...
