 Okay Welcome back everybody to our second lecture BC 1306 on interpreting scripture So we're now going to get into the next Maybe we can cover two more guidelines on interpreting scripture the next one Has to do with grammar studying the the word that is used and Trying to correctly understand the meaning of the word so When we're reading scripture Must be attention to the word The grammar of the word how it is used right, so You must keep in mind that The Bible was written in a different language. So we are reading it in English But it was written in Hebrew Greek and a small portion of it in the book of Daniel Was written in Aramaic But mostly Old Testament Hebrew New Testament Greek So it was written in a different language and then it is translated for us in Right now, okay, we are reading reading it in English. It's translated to us in English Which means that we must keep in mind that the word that is translated into English of course the English translators did their best but Sometimes the actual word Could have multiple meanings Like this like in English also we have there are some words which could have different meanings depend on depending on the sentence in the context in which it is used Similarly in Hebrew and Greek the word the original word could have many different meanings and so Depending on the context You have to try to understand it But also keep in mind the possibility of that same word having another meaning Being used in that sentence or being used in that text right and so the meaning of words the tense is it Past tense is it present tense is it future is it present continuous the tense of that word is also important If it's past tense it means he's saying it is done or it is past Then we have to stay with the tense of the word how it was written, right? So that is also important So when we are studying the word Bible don't change The meaning of the word don't change the tense of the word. I mean stay with the correct grammar of the Texts That's very important Because if we change the tense then the whole meaning can change Yeah, and God says I have done something and we say God is going to do it then we are We have changed what God said God said I've already done it We're telling people God is going to do it. Hey, no, no, he has said it in the past tense We have to say it in the past tense Otherwise there'd be a lot of confusion so Understand the meaning of the word the form the function and the relationship of the words in the sentence and how and the way the Author the writer is using The word so let's look at an example. So Take for example the Greek word dunamis Okay, so the there's a Greek word or Yeah, the Greek word dunamis is Often translated in the in English. It's translated power But there is another Greek word That is also translated power Dunamis and there's another Greek word exosia exo usia exosia. So dunamis and Exosia are both are two different Greek words But in the English language, especially in King James new King James some other translations They're both translated with the same English word Power so when you're reading the English It will say Example acts up to 1 verse 8. I am giving you power No acts when I you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you Acts up to 1 verse 8 Luke 10 verse 19 She said behold. I'm giving you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions and Over all the power of the enemy And nothing will by any means hurt you so in Luke 10 19 The word power is used two times, right? In some versions it may be I'll give you the correct meaning But it's look at in Matthew 28 18 Jesus says all power in heaven and earth is given unto me Now these two Greek words dunamis means power as in ability What someone is able to do ability? Exosia correctly means power as in Delegated authority So one has to do with ability what you can do what you're able to do supernatural ability dunamis Exosia has to do with authority delegated authority What has been given to you but in English is in some versions It's the same word power that is used in some versions. They have tried to differentiate it Dunamis will be translated power exosia will be translated authority Okay, so think about this Luke 10 19 both dunamis and exosia are used behold I give you Exosia authority To tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power dunamis of the enemy so much my dear Right, I'm giving you authority over all the ability of the enemy acts one eight you will receive dunamis Ability God's ability supernatural ability you will receive dunamis power When the Holy Spirit comes upon you so There he is talking about the supernatural ability of God being given to us Through the Holy Spirit acts one eight you will receive Power dunamis So the believer has Dunamis given by the Holy Spirit the believer has Authority exosia through the name of Jesus You're understanding now, right? So in English we use the word power We use the word authority but in the Greek. They are two separate words Okay, one dunamis has to do with Ability what you're able to do Exosia has to do with Authority something that's given to you Delegated authority Okay So when you study the the Greek then you can see the difference Oh, I understand it now, you know and then when you look up the scriptures and as you study the script You ask the question oh, it's translated power But what is the Greek word behind it is that Greek word dunamis or is a Greek word Exosia because depending on the Greek word the meaning actually is different But sometimes in English they just translate it. It's power power power, but what is the Greek words? example look 619 the whole multitude sought to touch him because Power went out of him and healed them all It's power went out. Okay. What is a Greek word? dunamis Or some work some Bible transit virtue power and a power went out of him and Luke 5 17 It says there as Jesus was teaching The power of the Lord was present to heal What power? So look up the Greek. It's a power divine ability. God's power is present to heal So depending on the context, I mean depending on the Greek word there you can say it's the power meaning inability or Power as in authority Example policemen This is an easy example when policemen puts his hand up and says stop the car Does he have The dunamis to stop the car think about again. Does he have dunamis to stop the car? He has no ability But does he have exosia? He has the authority because he's in the uniform But if some admi comes in no uniform, he puts his hand here and stop the car will they stop? No, they'll honk him go They won't stop because no authority is not wearing the uniform. I just who are you what you're doing here? So it's because he has a uniform that gives him that delegated authority He doesn't have the ability. He cannot even you cannot stop even a bike bike Of us Yes, no, it doesn't have the ability to stop But because of the authority here has they will stop So the difference Okay, so Like this is one example, you know where You look up the Greek or Hebrew depending on it and you study the word How it is used. What does it mean? In the original language, what is the meaning of it? How is it used? So then when we translate in English, we have a better understanding of what is being said Even though in English we may use the same word power And it can mean different things Now some things we must not do Is just because the Greek word Sounds similar to some words in English Don't say it means the same thing example Dunamis is a Greek word It sounds very similar to two English words It sounds very similar to dynamite Or it sounds very similar to dynamo No But neither of these things neither of these words Are conveyed in the meaning of the word dunamis But sometimes you'll hear nice sermons Or dunamis you have dynamite in you Dunamis you have dynamo in you Actually, it's not correct. Now. It's a nice sermon people say hallelujah clap their hands and go fine. Nobody died. It's okay But technically it's not the right thing to do You know nowadays people can preach anything people don't understand it. So it's fine. It's illegal if you go on But technically if you look at it, it's not the correct thing because dunamis Is not talking about dynamite dynamite is You know, we use dynamite to explode text. It's explosive power. But dunamis was talking about ability Right that is dynamite is You know, it's it's a chemical reaction. It's a power that is you know used to disturb break things down, etc Etc. But it's actually not contained in the original dunamis But it sounds same Greek English word sounds same so people preach it Dynamo sounds similar to dunamis It's not contained in the word dunamis Dynamo here in dynamo what we are doing is we're converting mechanical energy to electrical energy So we put the dynamo on the bike. I don't know nowadays. We don't see it but Basically, you know Some many years ago on bicycles. They'll have a dynamite which will will attach itself to the I mean We'll rest upon the tires when the tires rotating it'll rotate You know, basically converts Mechanical energy to electrical energy. It'll power the bulb of the cycle It used to happen. I don't see I don't see it around these days But basically a dynamo converts mechanical energy to electrical energy now that idea is not conveyed in the word dunamis But just because it sounds similar you'll hear sermons on or you have received dynamo No, it's not true Okay, but people preach these kinds of sermons it goes Technically, it's not correct right because Even though the words sound similar dunamis dynamite dynamo The words dynamite and dynamo are not contained the meaning the same ideas are not contained in the greek word dunamis Okay, so we shouldn't be technically preaching that Uh, so be careful just because some words sound very similar to the english words don't preach that Understand the correct meaning Of the greek word. What does that word contain? Then use it if it's contained in it. Yeah, then you can explain that the word means this And sometimes and you will start when you study the greek word. Yes, it's some words are very fascinating because That word does mean multiple things and it does contain in it Beautiful imagery and so you can bring that meaning of that word out and that's beautiful But if it that's if the word contains it, then you bring it up Right, but don't make it up or don't do it just because it sounds similar to an english word. You've got to check Just that sing similar sounding english word. Is it contained in the original greek word? so Some guidance when we are studying the grammar And this is where eastward comes in and this is where this is where I like to use eastward And I like to use the dictionary winds dictionary and other dictionaries why Because they help us understand the meaning of the hebrew and the greek words and they will tell us, you know This word also means this and also means that and also is this is the Image behind it, you know, for example When paul says I am a servant of christ Oh, you go look at it. Oh, he's saying he's a bond servant Oh, the word bond servant actually means a servant, you know, the picture is that of a servant. He has his ear pierced It's a sign that he has committed himself to his master for life Even though the master was ready to let him go So that picture is in the word bond So in english, we simply say servant or bond servant. We just translate it But when you study further in the greek, oh, it's a beautiful picture What it means to be a bond servant. So, you know, it is a deeper meaning than the english word So when you are explaining when you're studying you can bring out those meanings But you have to look it up So any tool that you can use The helps you study the Hebrew in the greek the dictionaries This is where those tools are very helpful for us to study. Okay, so determine The Establish usage by the writer that means when the writer was writing. What did this word mean? You know in their time, what was the meaning of the square and try to do it? Of course, you have to study to do that Also look at the context in which the word is used Also, what is very helpful is When you see how the same word Is used by the same writer in all of his writings example The apostle john Uses the word abide It is writings He likes it he keeps on using abide abide He uses john the gospel of john, you know john 15 abided me I abide in you if you abide in me and all that so many times you would abide abide abide Then you go into his episodes first john Again, a lot of time many times he uses abide abide abide. I mean the english word so This writer john He likes this word He's using it so many times in his in his writings both in the gospel of john episode 12 So then you study what How is this particular writer that is in this particular case you remember john John the apostle, how is he using this word? abide what's he trying to convey because for him It's a very big way It means a lot for him Similarly paul the apostle he uses You know The word fullness fullness paul likes to use that the fullness And the fullness of god dwells in him bodily You are filled with all the fullness of god You know I pray that you will be filled with the fullness of god Ephesians 3 collusion 2 He uses the word fullness again and again So you'll think like okay. What is he talking about fullness? And then you look up the greek. Okay. He's talking about some substance that completely fills us And and he's trying to communicate the very Essence of god filling Either christ or the believer you're filled with all the fullness of god. You are complete in him He's the one who fills all things By himself Ephesians 1 so he uses it in many places in his episodes Especially Ephesians and collusions So you study the word fullness as it is used by the writer You know because This is how the writer paul in this case was using this word fullness. So Look it up everywhere. He uses the word and then you'll get an understanding Of that meaning of that word and then you use that To interpret everywhere. He is using that word. Okay, same thing about phrases Paul the apostle example He likes the phrase pray in the spirit so How should we interpret the phrase pray in the spirit We have to interpret that phrase as What it meant in the mind of the writer What did it mean to the apostle? Paul And he used the phrase pray in the It's where he uses it often Ephesians 1 Corinthians 2 episodes that you find it quite often So what did it mean to him not what I wanted to mean And what did it mean to him So you put you take every place where you find the phrase pray in the spirit In the writings of the apostle paul And if you want you could extend it and say what did that phrase mean to the early church Because even jude uses it Do chapter 1 he also says pray in the spirit pray in the holy ghost So then you say hey That means this was a phrase That was used not only by the apostle paul but in the early church. What did it mean to them? So rather than me coming in my 21st century and trying to tell what it means I must go back To the time of paul time of the early church and say what did this phrase mean to them? You're understanding that's the correct way to interpret that Franks And it'll very easy to see because when when you go to 1 Corinthians 14 paul says You know Let's look at it 1 Corinthians 14. I just quickly give it to you 1 Corinthians 14 Verses 14 and 15 He says 1 Corinthians 14 14 15. It says for if I pray in a tongue My spirit prayers But my understanding is unfruitful What is the conclusion then I will pray with the spirit And I will also pray with the Understanding I will sing with the spirit. I will also sing with the understanding. So it is very clear that In paul the phrase Praying with the spirit is different from praying with the understanding To pray with the understanding means to pray in your own known language To pray with the spirit Is to pray in tongues Context look at the previous verse verse 14 or if I pray in an unknown tongue Very simple. I think nothing complicated So for the apostle paul The phrase pray with the spirit simply means to pray in tongues It's different from praying with the understanding understanding means in your own mind With your known language very clear Now modern bible commentators commentaries will see To pray with the spirit means to pray with a lot of energy To pray with a lot of passion To pray with a lot of excitement Is that what paul meant? No What did paul mean to pray with the spirit means to pray in tongues Now you may have excitement you may have passion you may or that but correctly For paul to pray with the spirit mean to pray in tongues So what these bible commentators are doing is they're taking 21st sanctuary idea and pushing it off on paul paul never meant that To correctly understand the phrase pray with the spirit you have to start with what did paul mean What did it mean to the church at that time don't push our idea now on him go back to him Go back to his stamp correctly understand from that perspective How can you do it? example Look at how he used the phrase in his writings And be faithful to that So interpret it from that perspective Because he's very clear and you can compare all the scriptures Okay, so I'm just giving an example where a word or a phrase Has to be interpreted correctly As it was originally used in the language by the writer The one who was writing So consider the context Not the usage of the word by the same right in the same book Not the user but same right in his other books And not the usage by other writers in the bible Okay So keep that in mind So now I'd encourage you you know to Do some studying and I've just given Some examples here if you're interested you can study A few Hebrew and Greek words Hell and death Gehena and Hades so here's again another thing There are parallel words in Hebrew and Greek Okay, so Hebrew, Gehena, Hell Greek, Hades, Hell Parallel words Okay, so they're used across the testaments Hebrew Ruach, Spirit Numa In Greek for spirit So here's again a very very challenging thing There's only one word He in Hebrew Or one word in Greek For spirit Both these words Ruach and Numa Literally mean breath Air Breath Air Ruach Numa Hebrew But Depending on the context that word spirit could mean holy spirit It could mean the spirit of man It could also mean evil spirit Same Ruach or Numa So now this is a different kind of a challenge One word could mean three different things Depending on how it is being Used But it means the same thing it means Air Breath But when it is Ruach of God Then it is spirit of God With a capitalist When it is the Ruach of man It's the spirit of man Some person And it's an evil spirit Evil Ruach It's an evil spirit But the same Hebrew word Or you come in the Greek So here's a different kind of a challenge So here you have to look at the context very carefully And then interpret So now example The fruit of the spirit Is love, joy, peace, kindness, meekness, goodness, temperance, faith Galatians 522 The word spirit is Numa And it can refer to the Holy Spirit It can refer to the human spirit It can refer to the Evil spirit So my question The fruit of the spirit Which spirit is he referring to? Which spirit? Why do you say that? Capitalist was put by the translator Because The translator thought See in the Greek it's Numa Translator said Context has to be Holy Spirit So I'll put it capital But it is debatable Why is it debatable? Question Who bears the fruit? Who bears the fruit? Believer or the Holy Spirit? Ask the question again Who bears the fruit? The Holy Spirit bears the fruit or the believer has to bear the fruit? Believer has to bear the fruit So that Numa there Is a little debatable Because fruit Of the Spirit Context definitely is the Holy Spirit Because Paul says walk in the spirits You will not fulfill the lust of the flesh Be led by the spirit You will Not fulfill So context He has talked about Holy Spirit But The debate is The fruit has to be born by the Believer So how you can say fruit of the Holy Spirit? We have to say Fruit of the human spirit I'm just making it confusing for you I'm just saying This is a debate So don't get surprised Suddenly somebody is preaching a sermon You have to bear the fruit That is also true Jesus said I am the mind You bear the fruits Right? So If you hear somebody say Galician's by 22 The fruit of the spirit That spirit Refers to the human spirit No need to fight about it No need to fight I can agree with this Yes, I as a believer Have to bear the fruit But the fruit I bear Comes through the work of the Holy Spirit It's not my own fruits So whether you translate it With a capitalist or a small less I'm happy Doesn't matter The Holy Spirit has to work in me Only then I can bear the fruit So how do you fight? You all fight, I'm happy Because it is only the Holy Spirit Who can help me bear The love, the joy, the peace, the kindness Only the Holy Spirit So While I understand the debate Should it be capitalist or small less Because the Greek word is the same Greek word, I understand the debate For me, I take it as Hey, the Holy Spirit Has to work In my human spirit He has to help me Only then I can bear all of this So for me Both We understand how it works The Holy Spirit is saying that It is debatable And both are right Because that's how it actually works The Holy Spirit Helps the believer in his spirit Produce the fruit So whether you say fruit of The spirit with a capitalist Or whether you say fruit of the spirit With a small less I'm happy, doesn't matter I understand what you're saying No need to fight about it Similarly, if you study the word love It's very interesting You'll find English It is translated with love Greek, I think there are four or Five words, maybe four words Different Greek words So It is always good to go back and say Which Greek word is he using here In this context Is it agape, is it filio Is it There are four different Greek words Four or five, I think Four Greek words Similarly Faith and hope Sorry, faith and belief Faith is a noun, belief is a verb But they come from the same root Word in Greek Faith and belief They come from the same root word You can use them interchangeably Just that one is a noun, one is a verb In the Greek In English We're using two different words Faith, belief But if you go back to the root In the Greek, it's talking about the same thing Talking about the same thing Believe God or trust in God Have faith in God And the word power We have already seen Okay So I'll just try to Emphasize the importance of studying The Hebrew, the Greek Looking at the grammar The usage of the word So that we can correctly interpret The scripture Look at it, pay attention to the word Let me see Let me look at some questions here Roshan has some questions here on the Chat Praying in tongues Includes passion and excitement In the Holy Spirit Well We can pray in tongues Without necessarily being Excited Or having Feeling Passion and excitement has to do with that emotion Now the fact is Many times when you pray in tongues There may not be any emotion Usually when you're praying for hours In tongues, you're just praying In tongues, you may not have That passion and excitement Sometimes you do, sometimes you may not So I wouldn't equate the two I wouldn't necessarily say Every time we pray in tongues There has to be passion, fervor And excitement It doesn't have to be that way Next one Yes, source is the Holy Spirit But we are the instrument through which The fruit manifests So that's fine, so we stay open To both capitalist and smallness When you talk about the fruit Of the Spirit Any other questions from Those online or those in class Any questions? Grammar? Yes, Sean We know that We have Hebrew and Greek And from there we translate English But why are there so many translations In English For people reading the Bible In English? There's King James, there's NIV And there's good news Why can't I just feel like King James Because since it's more Closer to the translation A more direct translation Sean's question is Why do we have So many translations Of the Bible? So Yeah, I think we Will be doing this Maybe I'll just share it with you But we will be looking at this In our course on apologetics Which I think we do it In our Third semester But let me just share With you Very quickly Why? I will just share it So if you see this chart It might help you understand Why? So next year when we do apologetics We will cover this But let me I don't know, did we cover it In this class? Oh actually we did Right? I think I did Oh yeah, we did it In interpreting scripture We did it and let me go back I think we did it In tools and methods Yeah, in lesson number three We did this Yeah, we looked at this Yeah, so we did it in this course as well So we will repeat it there in apologetics But yeah, we did it in lesson number three So Why are there different translations? So we explained right Earlier in this course In lesson number three We explained that When the translators Set out to translate From the original Hebrew and the Greek They decide how they want to translate it And there are different Methodologies for translation So they can be word for word Thought for thought or paraphrase So we have Bibles that are paraphrase Like message bible, living bible Contemporary English, good news bible New living translation, all of that Paraphrase means Paraphrase means they're not an exact word for word They're like a summary A gist of what was said And the reason they do that Is because they're targeting a different audience They're targeting an audience of people Who want Something easy to read It's more like reading a story Something light There are people who like to do that And then there are these word for word translations So New King James, King James Revised Standard Version English Standard Version New American Standard Bible And Interlinear Greek New Testament So these are the word for word translations So they are the ones that are very meticulous And they want to do the word For word translation So those are closer to the original text And then you have a whole Lot of ones In the middle that thought for thought Meaning for meaning But they do a little bit of interpretation for us They say this is what we think The writer was thinking And so we put that down for you So it's not exactly a word for word But a thought for thought and a meaning for meaning So passion translation Others are like that So that's why we have this translation Meaning the translators Have a different objective And then we are given the opportunity To choose what we want If somebody wants to read Paraphrase It's very easy to read If somebody wants to read King James For some people it may be very difficult To do that So that's why we have many of these Translations Okay Sir, but how can we Say that We know that those three Word for word, thought for thought Paraphrase are all right We can't say any of them are wrong But the thing is that We are talking to someone about the Bible And suppose let's take I'm trying to talk from good news But he's read KJV Something that's more Closer like word for word So how does that work Like what I'm saying is also right But what he's saying also is right We are not able to agree We are having a disagreement because of this Yeah, so especially when it comes To establishing doctrine Right We must go as close to the original texts We must apply these principles Of how many texts Interpretation, so we must go So regardless of where we start Whether we start from a Paraphrase version of thought for thought Meaning for meaning or even word for word I think when we want to Establish doctrine and establish What is the real thing That was said, we need to go Do a thorough study Apply all these rules And then say this is what I am convinced So whether I start from a good news Bible Or whether I start from a King James version I need to go back and say Yeah, I have studied And I'm convinced This is what it means So if we come from Bad perspective of a thorough study Then okay If somebody still differs with me So it's fine, I know what I've studied I've searched for it myself And I'm convinced That this is what it actually means So I can be firm in my Conviction And if somebody differs Okay, I'm not going to fight with them They are free to hold to their opinion That's fine But at least I've studied From the original I know what it actually means And convinced But of course When it comes to the core doctrines Of who is Christ God the Father, God the Son Those things we can't compromise But other things, yeah, it's fine That doesn't matter But the core doctrines That we cannot compromise So anyway So you can study Hebrew and Greek words If you're interested Now let me just introduce one more topic I think we'll continue this next week Let me see if there are any questions on the Live chat Roshan, you raised your hand Do you have a question? Yes, pastor I have a question in regards to the NIV translation That is, there are some verses that I found out Which are there in King James Which are very important verses But you don't find that in NIV Like for example in the epistles Of John, he says that There are three that bear witness In heaven, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit And when you check it in NIV It's not there, so there are some verses That have been skipped in the NIV So my question is Is it authentic, like the NIV To recommend it to others Thank you, pastor So what Roshan is pointing out Is That In some versions He mentions NIV And there are others as well Where Certain scriptures, maybe The text of certain scriptures may be omitted Now the reason That happens is like we said, Roshan There are two sets Of manuscripts One set of manuscripts And the translators take One of the two approaches They wanted One set of translators Wanted to go back to the manuscripts That were as close To the original The others use The approach of What is most commonly found So there are two approaches For translation So in that process They would leave out Certain verses and they would say In most Bibles There will be a footnote somewhere They will say These verses are not Found in these kind Of manuscripts So that's what you will find in the NIV They will say there will be a footnote Somewhere That says we have left these verses Because it was not found in these Set of manuscripts So they are saying, we use these Set of manuscripts and these verses Were not found there So that's when we have to go back And say, hey Let's go back to the original Let's go back to the one that was And see if it is there And then go from that So most of these verses That were left out in the NIV Would have these footnotes Indicating that the translators Have left them out Because they are staying With one set of A certain set of manuscripts And these verses were not found there Therefore they have left them out But that doesn't mean they are not in the original They are there in The manuscripts that go back As close to the original Yeah, so that Causes a little bit of confusion Like you said But it's always good for us to go back And check the original And also to ask another basic question Is this an essence Of the teaching of the scriptures I don't know if we have time We have two minutes So example, Mark chapter 16 The verses 16 to 20 Are left out in Certain translations of the Bible But then the basic question you have to ask is Are these scriptures Consistent with the teachings of Jesus The answer is the exact years So perfectly fine You can believe it and live by it It's not contradictory to the rest of the scriptures Is there is that some Translations leave it out because The set of manuscripts they used Didn't have it Quickly, Nina Is years, right? So Ephesians 6, 18, Paul says Praying all this with all prayer and supplication In the spirit So we interpret Ephesians 6, 18 Consistent to do how The writer, in this case the apostle Paul Used that phrase And so when he says pray in the spirit He always means praying in tongues We can say that with utmost confidence Because we see, like we saw earlier 1st Corinthians 14, 14 and 15 Yeah 13 and 14, what the phrase Praying in the spirit means In the mind of the writer, which is the apostle Paul Yeah So if you look at some commentaries on Ephesians 6, 18 You'll find those commentaries saying Oh, to pray in the spirit means To pray with a lot of fervency A lot of zeal, a lot of passion All that is nice, but that's not The actual meaning of the phrase In the mind of the writer, Paul The actual meaning of the phrase Praying in the spirit means Ephesians 6, 18 Okay We're going to close, we'll pick this up next week And take this forward We're kind of putting things together piece by piece On how to interpret scripture Let's close in prayer, please Bala, we thank you For the learning I pray that Lord, these things will be imprinted In our hearts and minds So that we can use them To study your word And as we minister your word To people Thank you, Father, in Jesus' name Amen Okay, thank you, Rowan Take your break and you can be ready for the next class Thank you, God bless