• Reader Comments
• VW-Edition now in print -January, 2006
• Names Changed?
• Names of God
• Theological Influences?
• Genesis 24:27 - "in" vs "on"
• Matthew 28:1 - "sabbath"
• Luke 23:34 - "forgive them"
• John 3:16 - "loved" verb tense
• Romans 1:4 - "defined"
• Philippians 2:6 - not "clinging"
• 2Timothy 2:15 - "study"
• 1John 2:14 - "evil"

COMMENT:
From the textual side, I've finished reading the Pauline Epistles and I'm very pleased... It's very refreshing to see the Word of God handled correctly. I don't think I've been this stoked over a translation before.

COMMENT:
Few weeks a go I found your website through http://www.theword.gr. This free Bible program contained VW The Holy Scriptures which is the best, accurate English Translation I ever have. I reside in Greece; speak and read greek language moderately. When I compare your excellent work, The Holy Scriptures, with Received Text (Textus Receptus) is far more accurate than NIV, NASB, KJV or other English translations I own. Therefore, VW The Holy Scriptures, becomes my trusted and favourite English translation

COMMENT:
(from a person asking about UK distribution)
Thank you for your reply. My objective would be to get an accurate, Divine Name, TR-faithful translation into the hands of people, not, as you say, to make profits.... Thanks for your help and for producing this much-prayed-for and vital beyond expression translation. I have it on E-Sword.

COMMENT:
I would like to thank you for one of the most honest (and therefore, I think, one of the truest) versions of the Bible I've seen.

COMMENTS:
I am using VW Edition (PDF) now and I must let you know - I am very thankful for it. As an Asian, I am not articulate in English so I won't express more or I might sound incomprehensible. VW Edition is so much more 'edible' and 'drinkable' and so much easier to find 'diamonds' just for my own use. In all things, I thank God for them.

COMMENTS:
Nowadays, I'm using VW Edition for bible reading & got part of the OT and the whole NT printed on A5 papers (pdf ). It's real bulky, but it's the best because I read and understand that I never did before (had been a KJV onlyist).

COMMENTS:
I really enjoy your VW version, both for accuracy and readability, a hertofore difficult to find combination.

COMMENTS:
I started reading John last night on-line. I can now see the subtle changes that have been made by other versions. I particularly like that you have replaced baptism with immersion. The Word is finally being made clear.

COMMENTS:
Thank you for your help and advice - I will go back to reading God's Word. I guess I may as well use the [???] since it should be here any day now, but I wait anxiously for the VW-edition.

[From a person who had stopped reading -any- Bible due to all the controversies regarding translation issues...wanting the 'right' one.]

COMMENTS:
I have downloaded the Online Bible version of the VW Bible text, and very much like what I see. I like the fact that it is from the "Textus Receptus" and yet is readable, rather than just a re-hash of the ancient "artsy" translation.

COMMENTS:
I finally "caught" what you were saying about KJV-in this verse 1Pet3:7 the KJV made it warm and fuzzy by using the word "hindered" in stead of what you used-Cut off. If I were reading the KJV I would think that if I were a backslidden man I was only hindering my prayers but the VW-Edition just got right in my face and said-Cut off. I then look it up in the devils bible-the NIV and they worded it using the hindered but warm and fuzzied it up even more-thus taking responsiblity off a man to be head of his household. Very interesting.

COMMENTS:
From where I sit reading this VW manuscript, for someone who doesn't know much about the Bible, you are plugged in to Someone pretty knowledgeable/competent on the subject, based on what I have read thus far... This VWedition text makes me understand what I never did fully comprehend/appreciate sometime back when you were discussing how that first reading of the NKJV was like "coming home". I got some of that feeling from switching to NKJV, but I am feeling it MUCH more strongly from what I've read of VWedition plus understandings are popping out that I had never seen before in KJV, NIV, NKJV.

COMMENTS:
I am pretty much of a KJV only man, but I have been reading various passages and portions of scripture from the VW edition I have found it to be a very good translation of the Bible. It would be good if you could get it published, somehow. The Lord is able.

COMMENTS:
I have been reading the VW edition since the beginning of the year. I try to stroll through the Bible at least once per year and dwell in certain areas as I feel led. I have noticed a couple of thing to date.

I tend to read slowly. I have to read a lot of tech data in my job and to be thorough I must go slow and be accurate. It has become a habit that I can't break. I have a hard time browsing or skimming. With that said reading my KJV I read very slowly. The writing style of the old English is harder for me to follow so I will re-read many passages to get it. I'm not the sharpest tool in the toll-box either :)

What I have found reading VW edition is that it just flows in today's English. As a result I can read close to double what I normally read in the same allotted time and understand what I have read. I can sit and read the whole book of Romans or Corinthians in one sitting. That would normally take a couple of days for me. It really helps me when I can read larger sections.

I must admit I still have a strange feeling not exclusively reading KJV. I feel like looking over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. I have looked up a couple of the differences and the name for the book of James vs Jacob really stands out to me. I never knew that. I love the truth!

God Bless,

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QUESTION:
When will the VW Bible version be ready to purchase?

ANSWER:
It is now available. Please click here for details.

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READER QUESTION:
I have enjoyed everything about your web site and really enjoy the questions and answers. I have also understood many thing that I questioned through your answers and then studying them again in my Bible. Today in your question and answer section I read the phrase copied below. Which translation of the Bible did it come from? I have about 5 translations and could not fine it in any of them. Each reads the same, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?" I can't find "Mighty God" in any of them.

--Quote--
When Jesus hung on the cross He cried out, "My Mighty God, My Mighty God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Ps22:1)
--endQuote--

VW ANSWER:
It comes from the VW-Edition I'm working on. Psalms was finished recently. Not intending to continually speak of the VW-Edition, but when obvious changes like this come about, in faithfulness to God's Word, it clearly catches the attentions of the astute.

Since God's names are so important, let's address this issue:

Other than some of the names that include descriptive words, such as "God-Who-Sees" [El ro'iy] (Gen16:13), and other names such as "Almighty" [Shadday] (Gen49:25), etc; based on my work from Psalms thru Malachi so far, I have found that there are essentially five different basic names for God in the O.T. Hebrew (a couple of them have slight variants), that are rendered from the KJV and onward in other English translations and KJ-upgrades typically as, "Lord" and "God". They use these 'two' to render the 'five' different Hebrew names. In so-doing, they have limited much of the 'richness' in understanding the Most High and "His wonderful works to the sons of men." (Ps107:8)

When Ps43:4 in KJV says, "..I will go unto the altar of God, unto God.." there are actually two different words used there, "Elohiym and El". When reading the KJV it merely seems like emphasis is being given by 'repeating' God's name. But they are two -different- names.

In Ex20:5 when KJV says, "..I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.." there are three different words, "Yehovah, Elohiym, El". Again, God's name is not merely being 'repeated'; but each name has a specific meaning, which we have been robbed of all these years.

Here are the five basic different names, that have been traditionally rendered, simply, as "God" and/or "Lord"

      Hebrew:    Typical/Traditional:    VW-Edition:
      ~~~~~~~    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~    ~~~~~~~~~~~
      YHWH       GOD, LORD               Jehovah
      Yahh       GOD, LORD               YAH
      Elohiym    God                     God
      El         God                     Mighty God
      Adonay     Lord                    Lord

YHWH    == the existing One; from "I AM that I AM"(Ex3:14)

Yahh    == contraction, shortened form of YHWH (Ps150:6)

Elohiym == the basic plural word for "god". Used for both
           the Most High, as well as false gods.

El      == somewhat of a generic middle-eastern word from
           O.T. times for "god". Often used in conjunction
           with other words to attach God's name to them.
           e.g. Beth-el (house of God), Dani-el (God my
           judge), Nathana-el (gift of God), Ishma-el (God
           who hears), Isra-el (God prevails), etc.

           However, unlike Elohiym, the word itself also
           means "god-like, mighty one, might, strength,
           power". That's why Jacob's name was not changed
           to Isra-elohiym. El is a word denoting strength
           Indeed, there are a few places where, when the
           context is not referring to -a- "god", but to
           "strength", the word "el" is translated, for
           instance: "..the -power- [el] of my hand.."
           (Gen31:29)

           Thus, even though in Hebrew it can be said with
           a simple single word, "El", to convey its full
           meaning into English it was imperative to add a
           helping word and render it "Mighty God" when
           referring to the Most High.

Adonay  == This word "lord" can be used of both the Most
           High, as well as men. If a person was bowing
           before a king and saying, "My lord..." the word
           is this same (or variations of) "adonay"

Now, back to Ps22:1, where this question started: Notice in Mt27:46, Jesus does not call out "Jehovah, Elohiym or Adonay". It is a modified (Syro-Chaldaic) form of "El", which is the word we find in Ps22:1. Thus, while Jesus was hanging on the cross, in utter agony, separated from the Father, the One with the 'power' (el) for His "deliverance", He cries out to the only One who was "Mighty" (el) enough, who 'could' rescue Him, if it could have been God's plan, and still have saved sinful man.

Now, while we have referenced the "KJV" in this explanation, we're not 'bashing' on anybody here. But it should be understood that the KJV has been the 'standard' against which many translations are compared, and upon which most study tools are based. There have been many "KJ" updates and variations. KJV is somewhat the "root" from which all the rest of today's English translations have branched out. NKJV and LITV come closest to correcting many of KJV's problems, aside from the primary old-English linguistic concerns. But in the matter of God's names, I don't know of any that go nearly far enough in fixing KJV's errors. Sorry if this offends any KJ-onlyists who feel that the KJV actually 'corrects' the 'original' Heb/Grk from which it was taken; but if a person compares between the texts, facts are undeniable facts.

Some names do not roll-off-the-tongue as 'liturgically' smoothly (a la Third Millennium Bible's publishers' stated goals) as "Lord" and "God" do...maybe that's why they did it? I don't know. But in doing so, they are not 'faithful' to God's Word; to God's -names-. They have robbed Bible readers of the full richness of God's essence in many places, and God of His full honor and glory. Ps22:1 is merely one of many, many, -MANY- such instances. That's why the VW-Edition is being compiled.

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QUESTION:
I just wondered, when working on the VW, how do you restrain yourself from possibly influencing word choice based upon your own theological understanding. It would seem that it would be a tough thing not to have some theology influence word choice. Would appreciate any comments along these lines. I believe I have read answers on the web site that are somewhat directed to the methodology, but possibly not directed to this particular question.

ANSWER:
It's not really all that tough. It is a matter of where my -heart- is in this. During the past 7-8 years, there have been some doctrines I had been raised up with, that in recent years as the Lord has burdened my heart for this ministry, as I have been immersed into God's Word the way I have, some of those doctrines have been shown to be false...and this light came from God's Word. The Lord knows the honesty of my heart in this. That's all I can tell you. As I work on the VW-Edition, all I can say is that there are 'tons' of places where my eyes sparkle up when a little nugget is exposed with correct words, that had been more obscured in the other translations...and my mind/heart exclaim, "Well, of course!!"

Let me say it this way...where major important doctrines are concerned, there is no question as to word 'choices'. The words are quite clear when searched out with an honest heart. Yes, there are places that pop up where I do a bit of head-scratching, and searching...but I have yet to have any of those be a situation where a primary doctrine was involved. It had more to do with non-critical things...but in my desire to have things as they should be, I spend the time to try to ferret the matter out carefully.

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VW ANSWER:
Are you questioning the word "clinging"? Traditional versions use the word "robbery". The context is Jesus leaving His lofty place to become a servant-man, and suffering man's death. Thus, He did not "cling" to, glom onto....hold-to-His-bosom... His position in the Heavenlies. To be "equal with God" was not something Jesus needed to go "robbing" from God, as satan wanted to do, because Jesus was -already- in that position; since the "Word was God". (Jn1:1) But neither did He cling to that position, refusing to leave it for awhile, in order to come to earth to save mankind, whoever might believe....but -did- so, humbling Himself to save the sinner, "[giving] His life a ransom for many". (Mt20:28)

READER FOLLOW-UP:
Thanks - yes this is what I had in mind.

But to be honest, the NIV reads a bit strangely as well - saying that Jesus "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped".

VW ANSWER:
NASB does that, as well....which, really, is not that far off...and is not all that different in meaning from "cling". The word having to do with how a thief will steal something, and "hang on" to it, "clutching" it....which, that "thief" aspect I suspect is why KJV and others use "robbery". But the word isn't really about "robbing", as much as it is about... well... 'clinging' to the plunder once it has been stolen. Not so much the act of "breaking in", but, once having broken in, of 'grabbing' the loot, and 'hanging on' to it....like the monkey that won't let go the peanut it stole.

The NIV and NASB mix around, grammatically, what things belong to what. They have the infinitive "to be" associated with "grasped", whereas it is actually associated with "equal with God". The word for "robbery/grasped/clinging" is nominative, which they have made verbal. The VW-edition took a verbal word "cling" and added an "ing" to make it into a gerund, which is a verbal-noun, thus retaining the proper grammatical order of things.

Yes, I recall having spent a good deal of time on that spot with the VW-edition, and I figured some might wonder about the word "clinging"... but it just seemed like the closest word to the correct meaning there.

I suspect the word "grasping" could equally be fitting. However, to grasp suggests reaching out for something one doesn't yet possess; whereas to cling is the act of, well... clinging to something one does possess; which is what the case was with Jesus...by the context within that verse. Thus, the word "robbery" is not correct there, either, because by definition, to rob indicates the taking of something not belonging to the thief. But the context is quite clear: "..being in the form of God.." He -already- was there, He already possessed; He said: "the Father and I are One" (Jn10:30); but did not 'cling' to that position, in order that He could humble Himself to man-hood, to effect our redemption.

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READER QUESTION:
In my Scripture reading this morning, I was reading Gen 24:27:

"And he said, Blessed be Jehovah the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His goodness and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, Jehovah has led me to the house of my master's brethren.?

being in the way

Most translations say "I BEING IN THE WAY" and yet, in the VW Edition, it is "BEING ON THE WAY."

There is a volume of difference in meaning by just one preposition here, and I want to make sure I am understanding this correctly.

VW ANSWER:
As 'perfect' as Scripture is...'language' is not always nearly so neatly perfect, and also changes over time.

The difference you are noticing is 'old' English vs 'modern' usage. If you read other places in the KJV and others, it has people going up "into" the mountains, too. Or "in" the mountains. Old English often used "in" somewhat synonymously to the way we use "on". And as I think on this, this likely comes from English's (Romance) Latin ancestry...if one remembers singing "O Come all ye faithful" in Latin, there is the phrase "venite, venite in Bethlehem"; where "in" is what we sing in English as "to".

However, for the Genesis passage, if Abraham's servant had been "in" the way, the way we use English, would that not indicated a "hindrance" to God....you know, like being "in the way"....so the person says, "get out of the way....and let me...." The way we speak English today, we go "on" journeys, not "in" them. We travel "on" paths, not "in" them. The servant was "on" his way, in obedience to Abraham.

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MATTHEW 28:1 (Sabbath)

READER QUESTION:
Would you kindly comment on Matt 28:1 (and similar verses)...SHOULD this actually be rendered "first of the sabbaths" rather than "first day of the week". I see the Greek word "sabbatoon" (??). Which do you feel is actually correct, or better? I have a VW translation on order; nad someone is also giving me a New Testament (for now) of the KJ3. I like both translations, but so far I like the VW a bit better. Thanks a lot.

VW ANSWER:
To use the word "sabbath" would be technically more 'literal' in a word-for-word sense.

But in looking at such a passage, one must also understand how words and concepts have been twisted and distorted. The word "sabbath" means, literally, "rest". The fact that God "rested the seventh day" (Gen2:2) as Israel balked and rebelled against God, they also distorted God's Laws and made "sabbath" into meaning "seventh day". True, they were to "rest" on the last day of the week. But by definition, "sabbath" does not -mean- "seven" or "seventh". They also had other non-Saturday holy days during which they were to rest/sabbath.

The other evening I was browsing the website of a particular denomination, having just gotten better acquainted with a neighbor (several houses away from where I live, with whom we have been waving back and forth as we drive by each others' yards the past couple years) who belongs to it, to have a better idea of 'where' they stand on various things, for next time we might find ourselves chatting; and the website spoke of "sabbath principle"; which is something I have gravitated towards, myself. Sabbath ("rest") for me might occur on Saturday; it might occur on Sunday. Or if it is a holiday, perhaps another day.

But back to this passage: what sense is it to say, essentially: 'As sabbath was ending, sabbath was dawning' ..? Since they had made "sabbath" to mean "seventh", it was not only the last day of the week when they 'rested', but had also come to mean a week of seven days. In our English, western, non-Jewish vernacular we keep time by means of the "week". Thus, when "sabbath" refers to the 7-day week, does it not make better sense to translate it "week" when doing so in western English?

Yes, their 'rest'-day of the "sabbath" (which for them was Saturday) was at an end, and the new week was beginning... when Jesus rose from the dead.

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LUKE 23:34 (forgive them)

READER QUESTION:
Just curious about the verse truncation in Luke 23:34, where what Jesus says, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do," (using NKJV for comparison) was left out [in the VW-edition].

VW ANSWER:
I no longer remember the source (somebody way more knowledgable regarding the manuscripts than me), but the Lord sent it along right about the time I was working near that area; and when I read it, my spirit agreed: that it was added by later copyists, but was not in the original. I know we've been used to it being there, traditionally... but even as you read the passage as the narrative progresses, can you also see how it does -not- 'fit'. Such a comment, considering the flow of the narrative, is out-of-place.

And how would such a "forgiveness" agree with Jesus' comment to Pilate about the "greater sin". (Jn19:11) and His comment, "... but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he was never born." (Mt26:24) Those are not words of (unconditional) forgiveness; especially also considering how that false doctrine is taught by so many, specifically using that verse with that insertion.

Certainly also, Scripture must agree with Scripture. Do we know of any other passage that agrees?

"He has been oppressed, and He was afflicted; yet He OPENS NOT HIS MOUTH. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before its shearers is MUTE, SO HE OPENS NOT HIS MOUTH." (Is53:7)

If Jesus had been talking while He was being crucified (which is what the immediate context is), it would have made Isaiah a false prophet.

This matter of copyist additions raises a question about other places like Mt24:15b also: "(whoever reads, let him understand)" That was left in because the Lord didn't send along an 'alert' regarding it. But then, too, it is a more benign sentence; no doctrine, prophecy or truth hinges on it.

This is why I don't like "study" Bibles, and why the VW-edition was produced in "plain jane" format, with no page headers, paragraph marks, chapter headers, etc of any kind. As "helpful" as some people find such things, there are also people who look at those added 'labels' almost more than they do the text. Instead of reading the text, they read what the label and inline commentary says -about- the text. Just like those who read umpteen zillion different commentaries and suppose that, as a result of all their reading, they know all -about- the Bible.

But they do not know God's Word.

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JOHN 3:16 ("loved" verb tenses)
Why did you not change loved to loves as you did in John 15:9?

VW ANSWER:
Your question has to do with the Greek "aorist" tense. It is a tense that indicates action, without indication as to past/present/future. American Heritage Dictionary says: "A form of a verb in some languages, such as Classical Greek, that expresses action without indicating its completion or continuation."

To use "love" without any indication of tense, about the only way to do so in English is to use "love"....period... and whatever word endings that are appropriate grammatically in -English-. In English we would not say, "the Father love me". Thus, when an "s" is added, it makes it seem like "present" tense. "I also love you" in English could be rendered in many ways: I am loving you (now), I (always) love you, etc. But to simply say, "I also -love- you" can leave it open for various 'hints'. It can mean I (have) loved you in the past, I (am) loving you now, and always (will) love you. But in order to keep it more word-for-word 'literal', simply the word "love" is used.

However, in Jn3:16....one must also observe the surrounding 'context'. Is it appropriate to say, "God loves....that He gives...His...Son"? Well...that "has been finished" (Jn19:30) it is obviously some sort of "past" tense. Both "love" and "give" are the same...aorist tense. So, if "love" is to be "loves", then "give" needs to be "gives"....in order to be consistent. But Jesus -died- (past tense)....and the matter was done "once for all" (Heb7:27)....He is not "ever (continually) bleeding" on the cross, as the catholics proclaim. So, if it needs to be "gave", then for consistency it also needs to be "loved". Make sense?

However, this question brings up another aspect (parameter) of Jn3:16 that we don't usually associate with it. God says to Israel, "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jer31:3) Notice the past-perfect tense of "have loved". That is something God has been doing since way-back-when. But the love is also "everlasting". That goes on into the future, on-and-on-and-on, forever and ever and ever. Is that not the definition of "eternal"? Without beginning and without end. Time-LESS-ness. Is that not an "aorist" kind of thing...it is never 'completed', as it continues on.

We know that, while Jesus di[ed] (past tense) at a certain point in time in history, around 2000 years ago; His crucifixion is said to be "..slain from the foundation of the world.." (Rev13:8) Those who are saved were chosen "before the foundation of the world" (Eph1:4) Jesus' shed blood was "foreordained before the foundation of the world" (1Pet1:18-20) and eternal life was "promised before the beginning of time" (Tit1:2)

Thus, in a very real sense, John3:16 cannot be translated fully -literally-, to get its full meaning. Here is a case where -paraphrasing- might be more appropriate...? (Any of you who have been fluent in more than one language understand what we are getting at here. Some grammatical forms in one language simply do not carry over -directly- to another, without some amount of 'manipulation', to convey the meaning and full intent.)

Perhaps Jn3:16 should sound more like: "God's boundless (eternal) love for the world provides the gift of His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish but have eternal life."

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ROMANS 1:4
you use the word "defined" to be the son of God. is that the best word to use concerning the Saviour?

The greek means:

1) to define
	1a) to mark out the boundaries or limits (of any place or thing) 
	1b) to  determine, appoint 
	1b1) that which has been determined, acc. to appointment, decree 
	1b2) to ordain, determine, appoint 

The Greek word is "horizo"...I suspect from where our "horizon" comes. The horizon marks the boundary between the visible and non-visible...light and dark. In marking a "boundary" is that not the gist of what it is to "define" something.

ALT says designated
Darby - marked out (as do both the LITV and MKJV)

What is the 'definition' of Jesus Christ (if one were to look Him up in a heavenly 'dictionary')? the "Son of God with power"

This is a case where there are several different words that can serve the same function. However, to say "designated" sounds like a "pick/choose" situation. Certainly, John pointed out, "Behold the Lamb of God..." (Jn1:29) To "mark out" to my mind sounds like a cross between the two. But when one is sorting out the "boundaries", it is a matter of 'territory' and of 'definitions'. If a person has a deed for property, how is that property defined? By its boundaries. -This- is what 'encompasses' who Jesus Christ is....He is the "Son of God". It just seemed to my mind/heart that "defined" does that a little better...besides which, the definition of the Greek begins with the word "to define". But then, I realize this gets into "English" a little beyond the lower-common vernacular of stuff like "Yo, dude! W'zup?" sort of mentality. A person needs to know what words 'mean' to understand it. -smile-

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2TIMOTHY 2:15 (study)

READER QUESTION:
The Holy Scriptures Bible (VW-edition) does not use the word "study" in 2 Timothy. However, many others do. Should it say, "Study diligently to present yourself approved to God, a workman unashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth ?"

as presented in KJ3
2:15 Be eager, study to present yourself approved to God, a workman unashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

VW ANSWER:
Hmmmm...so is -this- why he's now calling it a "KJ"?! In the (2001) LITV Green had rendered it "give diligence to present...." Indeed, KJ-onlyists argue and complain if somebody uses anything other than the word "study" there. And KJ-onlyists then use the verse to exhort students in school regarding their school work, exhort young people to go on after high school to Bible college, and regarding Bible study, etc.etc.

But that's not what the greek says. From an interlinear, word-for-word in Greek word-order we would see: "hurry yourself unadulterated to God"

And according to the lexicons the various words that agree with 'spoudazo' include: hasten, make haste, exert one's self, endeavor, give diligence. Nothing about "study", the way "study" is used in current English. The word means to "work hard at it", not: "open some text books and do some homework for school"

Perhaps in 200-400 year old English the word "study" might have included such notions as "really working at it"?

According to the 1828 Webster's, study starts out with a definition: "setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject" With such a definition, "study" might be OK

The Tyndale (1525) uses "study" As does the Geneva (1599)

But the Wycliffe (1384) says " Bisili kepe to yyue thi silf a preued preisable werkman to God" or.... "busily keep to you thyself"

From the more current American Heritage dictionary: 1) "act or process of studying, pursuit of knowledge" 2) attentive scrutiny While the "attentive" part fits, "scrutiny" is usually thought of in terms of studying something 'else'....not one's own 'diligence' in any given matter.

Apparently, it's a matter of how the English language -usage- has changed over time.

For current modern English, the way we understand and use the words, "study" is a wrong word there.

And when the KJ3 says -both- "eager" -and- "study", Green has doubled a word that is not doubled in the Greek. Ditto for the concept of "study diligently". The meaning of the word is not to 'crack-the-books', but of giving something one's "best efforts"; in this case: being presentable to God.

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1JOHN 2:14
I'm just writing with a question about the translation in 1John 2:14 I am just wondering why you have just put evil rather than evil one. Every other tranlation I have looked at bar the LITV has the one on the end, and even the greek to english interlinair has it in brackets?

VW ANSWER:
Being "in brackets" means that there is a question as to how it should be. The Greek for "evil" could equally be 'masculine' or 'neuter'. But the word is not, itself, a -personal- sort of word, but a description of...well..."evil, wickedness, etc" It's the same sort of thing as in Mt6:13....where I think you'll find most translations leave it as "evil" there, not adding "one" to the sentence. The ALT (Analytical Literal Translation) says "evil" with "[or, the evil one]" in brackets.

Doctrinally....what is it that sends the sinner to hell? Satan? or sin? Yes, we are to be on guard against the evil 'forces' in the heavenlies. (Eph6, 1Pe5:8) But the "soul that sins shall die" (Ezk18:4,20) the wages of "sin" is death (Rom6:23) We are enticed into sin by our own lusts. (Ja1:14-15) The serpent might have made contact with Eve, but it was her own lust for more knowledge and what she thought was (withheld) wisdom. (Gen3:6) The serpent did not force-feed them.

Did "the devil make me do it"? ....or does our own lust for evil?

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