Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment. James 3:1 NASB Teachers – didáskaloi. “Teachers.” “imparting theoretical and practical knowledge with the highest possible development of the pupil as the goal.”[1] Oh, how this verse terrorizes me. I teach. Frankly, I can’t help it. It’s…
Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. Genesis 32:24 NASB Wrestled with him – In my book Crossing: The Struggle for Identity I show that this very unusual story has a deep psychological element. No explanation of who this strange opponent is really satisfies until we recognize that Jacob is…
All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him [a]not even one thing came into being that has come into being. John 1:3 NASB Apart – chōris is an important Greek word, not only because it shows up in a critical text in John’s gospel but also because it is pivotal in Paul’s statements…
So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.” Genesis 41:39 NRSVA God – English doesn’t quite reveal what is happening in this story. Why? Because the English translation “God” can cover both elohim and YHVH. And in this case, it’s important…
From the openings of the righteous ones is heard her voice; and from the congregation of the pious ones her song. Psalm 154:12 DSS The righteous ones – Go ahead. Look this psalm up in your Bible. Ah, wait a minute. It isn’t there. In the Masoretic text there are only 150 psalms. But the…
And Joshua had charged the people, saying, “You shall not shout and you shall not let your voice be heard, and no word shall come out of your mouths until the moment I say to you, “Shout,’ and then you shall shout.” Joshua 6:10 Robert Alter And Joshua had charged the people, saying – One…
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “But the righteous one will live by faith. Romans 1:16-17 NASB From faith to faith –…
For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelled in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. 2 Timothy 1:5 NASB First dwelled – Where does the Bible start? You’ll immediately respond, “Why, in Genesis, of course!” and that is textually true, but it…
