Skip to main content

1st John Bible Nerd-Study - Week 35

Week 35 —1st John Bible Nerd-Study

*Missed last week? Click here for 1st John Bible Nerd-Study - Week 34

NASB (77' vs 95') + 4:1-6 + Westcott


I know we're deep in the study now - but remember to always, first thing, devote the "searching" to the discovery of Christ. Only if the sword of the Spirit is able to slice into our depths will the same Spirit reveal the truth hidden within that sword.

For the translation this time I'd like to settle the issue of 1977 vs 1995 with NASB (at least for 1 John). I remember talking with some like John Saunders (who introduced me to NASB) how they despised the updates in 1995. The more literal translations were still there but now in the footnotes instead of the text itself. Plus, if you're used to Thee's and Thou's then the update ruined it. The 1977 version kept that archaic language for things like Psalms and prayers. In studying 1 John I figured it'd be a great time to do some comparing so we can have something to say on the debate. It's difficult to find a 1977 version. They are treasures now. In the link above, it starts out with both compared. But if you want to just read the 1977 or 1995 version(s) I've added them afterward.

We're continuing on our focus of verse by verse memory and meditating. This time is 4:1-6. This is a strange section to most of us, talking about testing the spirits.

And for our commentary this time, we're back to a very nerdy one: B. F. Westcott. Remember, the Westcott-Hort Greek text? (WH) He's the Westcott guy of the team. Westcott gets into the very smallest of details and is focused on the Greek language. Christian Chen said this is "long recognized as one of the most thorough commentaries on the Greek text--invaluable notes on some of the most important doctrinal subjects touched upon in this Epistle such as "The Fatherhood of God", 'on the Idea of Love', etc." - (This is a note from "Bring ... the Books" - A Guide to Christian Classics by Christian Chen). Westcott is not the guy that you always agree with on conclusions but he was one of the nerdiest on the Greek text. Greek scholars are students when reading his writings.

Remember to not be overwhelmed (so many notes in his commentary!) but find your sweet spot in 1 John that you're especially studying and go to that section with this commentary. If you get carried away and read the whole thing all the better! Sometimes I get started with something like this and then 1-2 hours later (when Katherine is searching for me) discover that I got lost reading way too many pages. It is fascinating to "fellowship" with these commentaries after you know the text well enough. You don't have to keep looking things up because it's in your heart and you can quickly confirm or question something that's said.

I'm pasting the archive.org link since it gives a few options. I always like the PDF option, but they have a variety: https://archive.org/details/epistlesstjohn00dclgoog/page/n78/mode/2up

Here is another link just for the PDF in case that's easier.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Crave the word

  So glad for this verse today:    as newborn babes  desire earnestly  [crave] the pure mental milk of the word, that by it ye may grow up to salvation  - 1 Peter 2:2 Try reading 10 chapters by the  choice  of craving and then read some more by the reactive desire of it.  How often are my 5 or 10 second moments spent checking some other happiness than Christ? In 5 seconds I can check notifications or I can chew on my manna for the day. In 10 seconds I can check for new emails or rehearse that verse I've been trying to memorize. I can spend just 5 minutes listening to the news or I can spend it finishing a daily Bible reading portion.  Mother's milk is the best thing for the newborn baby. The milk of the word is the best source of joy all through the day. "crave ... the word ... if indeed ye have tasted that the Lord is good."
1 comment
Read more

The mystery of Israel: a conversation about prophecies and modern events

 This is not a message, it is more of a discussion that I’ve been having with several people by phone call or email or chat or in person. This only includes some notes on it but I wanted to share a more comprehensive view all at once.
Post a Comment
Read more

God Has Spoken Series

Question: Where can I get the audio messages of Stephen Kaung's God Has Spoken series? If I could recommend only one book or series by Stephen Kaung it would be his God Has Spoken series. He shared a message for each book of the Bible, giving a simple overview and revealing the way to find Christ as you read. It is not only his classic set but it's His way with the Scriptures. Our brother could always find Christ and find Him as He's meant to be found. For a new believer and an old believer, this is the first set to have as guide through the Bible and a reference set to go back to later on.  Below are links to each of the original messages.   Old Testament  Introduction to the Old Testament Genesis -The Will of God Exodus -The Works of God Leviticus - The Ways of God Numbers -The Walk of God Deuteronomy - The Word of God Joshua - Possessing the Land   Judges - Possessing all the Possessions Ruth - Recovery of the Inheritance I Samuel - Epoch-...
Post a Comment
Read more