Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:7 (KJV)
Him – When translations go awry, so do our doctrinal paradigms. For example, the grammatical gender of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) is female, not male. This tells us that all pronouns referring to the Spirit should be feminine, not masculine. Continue reading “Gender Issues”
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
John 4:10 (KJV)
Living water – Any New Testament reader would recognize this phrase immediately. It’s a term also mentioned in chapter 7 when John makes a comparison between it and the Spirit. But the question begs itself, IF she had asked for the living water, would Yeshua have given her the Spirit right then and there? Continue reading “Living Water”
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
John 1:17 (KJV)
But – We’ve stumbled upon another word added by the translators. The word “but” is not in the original Greek text, but it sure does help those with the paradigm that the old law is separate from the new and improved grace, right? Continue reading “No ‘Buts’ About It”
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:44 (KJV)
Draw – Often times we’re like little miserable untrained children. If left to our own devices we’d surely choose to satiate our fleshly desires and our lives would be about the immediacy of what we want. And if we were ever deterred by some other means than our own, we’d start kicking and screaming… like little children. “No!” we’d yell. And we’d fight with every bit of strength that we have to resist. Continue reading “Kicking and Screaming”
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:17 (KJV)
Truth – This is the classic example of Greek vs. Hebrew thought. What is truth? Or more importantly what is Yeshua’s implication when He declares that God’s word is truth? We’ll quickly recognize the differences as we break down the word truth in both the Greek and then into Hebrew. Continue reading “Understanding the Truth”
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
John 19:13 (KJV)
Gabbatha – Ready for some confusion? This is a Chaldean word with Aramaic origin, not translated into Greek, but left in its Hebrew pronunciation, and it ultimately means pavement. It’s only mentioned once in the New Testament, and its Hebrew equivalent is found only once in 2 Kings 16:17. Now remember it’s really not a Hebrew word, so there is no exact equivalent, but the meaning of the word in the Hebrew context can be found in 2 Kings. Continue reading “Pavement of Stones”
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:36 (KJV)
Believeth not – Do you think it mattered if Noah actually believed God was going to open the depths of earth and the skies above to bring a flood? Do you think it mattered if Joshua believed God would mysteriously destroy Jericho after blowing trumpets and shouting at it? The answer is “no”. All that mattered was for them to perform what God instructed. Their job was to listen and obey. They were not asked to take counsel with God on whether or not this approach would work, or how exactly the waters might flood the earth – they were given a command and expected to follow through. Continue reading “Disobedience is Rewarded with Punishment”
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:36 (KJV)
Believeth – What does it mean to believe? Greek theology would have you interpret belief as an internal state of cognition. As long as your neurons transmit the correct signals of belief that Yeshua is the Son of God, then all is well. You will receive everlasting life. And thus we have the doctrine of the separation between faith and works – a Greek theological doctrine. But to the Hebrew, there is no separation. Faith without works is dead. Continue reading “Believing is Obedience”