In the beginning of God’s creating the heavens and the earth – when the earth was astonishingly empty, . . . Genesis 1:1 JPS Stone Tanakh In the beginning – You’re probably a bit surprised by the JPS translation of the first verse of the Tanakh. While it contains some of our usual words, its…
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17 NASB From above – First let’s straighten out John 3:3. James uses the same word here (anothen) that we find in John 3:3. But the Christian evangelical world chooses to translate anothen…
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom Proverbs 9:10 NASB Fear – Do you fear God? That might seem like a strange question in an age where God is portrayed as the kindly grandfather ready to overlook all mistakes. But it would never have seemed so innocuous when this verse was written. …
And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 1:16 NJPS Mind – When were you last in the Garden, standing in front of that Tree? You know, the one that promises knowledge, that tempts you to think you can…
For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases suffering. Ecclesiastes 1:18 ISR Much grief – Well, it’s certainly not what we expected! The general consensus of our culture is that knowledge and wisdom lead to power and power leads to control and control leads to a prosperous life. If this…
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 NASB In the beginning – When does it all begin? Most believers point to the first verse of Genesis. “It begins with the creation of heaven and earth,” they reply. Theologians point to the same verse and proclaim that it all started with…
And since Jews ask for a sign, and Greeks seek wisdom I Corinthians 1:22 Sign/Wisdom – Why do Jews ask for a sign but Greeks seek wisdom? The answer is to be found in the cultural paradigms of these two groups of people. Once we uncover this difference, we can determine which paradigm fits our…
To know wisdom and instruction; to understand words of insight; to accept instruction in prudent behavior, to do what is right, and just, and fair Proverbs 1:2-3 To Know – What does it mean “to know wisdom?” Well, if you’re Greek, it means you apprehend information associated with a subject. In this case, the subject…
and when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit, and ate Genesis 3:6 To Make One Wise – I hope you aren’t getting tired of this story. We have just…
Do not become wise with yourselves. Romans 12:16 Wise – If your biblical orientation is Greek, you will have quite a struggle with this verse. Does it mean that you need to stop thinking, learning, questioning and reflecting? Does it mean that you must strive for the “simple” faith, accepting uncritically whatever is taught? Most…
