Quote:
Originally Posted by Suannehill
It is also possible that later translators injected "opinion" and "customs" into later translations.
Sue
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Even more worrisome is that we current readers inject our "interpretive customs" into our reading process. Peter Debelak's word on "elders" in 1 Timothy 5 is a perfect example. He points out that the phrasing renders our interpretation as suspect.
Suppose I said, "Workers who work have double honor. First, because they work, and second because they work. Workers who
don't work only have a single honor." Doesn't make sense.
Or, "Leaders who lead are counted worthy of double honor. First, because they lead, and second, because they lead. Leaders who
don't lead only get single honor." Doesn't make sense.
Now look at verse 17 -- "Elders who direct the affairs of the church are worthy of a double honor, especially those who preach and teach." How can you say "Elders who
don't direct the affairs in the church"? Doesn't make sense.
But, if you say "The more elderly among us who lead are worthy of double honor: first because they are more mature, second because they labor. Those elder
ly who
don't labor still get single honor because of their time on the earth." Makes sense.
We have possibly been injecting our own conceptual, cultural, traditional "translation" into this word for how long now? And how many other cases over the last 2000 years? Oh Lord, guide us today! Help us to see You in the maze and tangle of human affairs, thoughts, customs, traditions, and opinions. Lord save us from our complicated selves! We weave a tangle of our thinking and then we lay down in it, and Satan tricks us into sleep, thinking we are "home". Lord, bring us on! The fighting among the saints must wake us up to the fact that we are not home yet. Lord, bring us closer to the Father today. Amen.