Meek and Mild

to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people.  Titus 3:2  NASB Gentle – One of the consistent themes of my Sunday school education was the characterization of Jesus as meek and mild.  What did that mean?  Well, it meant, of course, that 1) he never did anything wrong, 2) he…

Coming to Blows

to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people.  Titus 3:2  NASB Contentious – The NASB translation is only one of several possible choices for the Greek term ámachos.  Other English Bibles provide “peaceable,” “not brawlers,” “avoid quarreling,” and “avoid fighting.”  The reason for this is that the Greek term is the…

Image Eraser

to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people.  Titus 3:2  NASB Slander – You might not recognize the intensity of this word in Paul’s letter unless you read it in Greek.  Then it would be obvious. Why?  Because the word is blasphēmein.  Yes, the same root that verbally violates and…

How Could You Forget?

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,  Titus 3:1  NASB Remind – You’ve probably never asked, “Why do these followers of the Messiah need reminding?  Aren’t they new men and women in the Lord?  Haven’t they given up the old life and adopted the way…

An Exegetical Review of Hebrews 8:13

(First published on 26 December 2010.  Now with corrections)  I apologize.  This is long. Hebrews 8:13 is often cited by Christians as positive proof that the Mosaic laws have been abolished.  Wayne Jackson’s remarks are a typical Christian view: “The vast majority of the Jewish community had rejected the Messiah and his New Covenant arrangement….

The Uncertain Sinner

Now if a person sins and does any of the things [a]which the Lord has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware, he is still guilty and shall bear his punishment.  Leviticus 5:17 NASB Is still – Choose your Bible carefully!  Depending on the translation you read, you might be guilty of things you didn’t even know…

Translation, History, and Faith

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.’  Leviticus 17:11 NASB Life/ souls/ life – “Life is in the blood.”  How many times have we heard this…

A Sexual Comedy

Now when the king returned from the palace garden into the place where they had been drinking wine, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen with me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.  Esther…

The Destiny Question

And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14b  NASB Who knows – Yesterday we noticed that Mordecai’s remark implies alternative pathways to divine fulfillment.  Life is not cast in stone.  Our choices alter the direction and outcome of the universe.  Things change.  Today we see that…