"WRITTEN FOR OUR INSTRUCTION"

OLD TESTAMENT OR HEBREW SCRIPTURES?

The expression "old testament" is found at  2 Corinthians 3:14 in the King James Version.  In that rendering "testament" represents the Greek word di-a-the'ke.  However,  many modern translators, such as the New International Version, render di-a-the'ke as  "covenant" rather than "testament." Why?

lexicographer Edward Robinson stated:  "Since the ancient covenant is contained in the Mosaic books, [di-a-the'ke] is put for the book of the covenant, the Mosaic writings, i.e. the law."   At 2 Corinthians 3:14, the apostle Paul was referring to the Mosaic Law, which is only a part of the pre-Christian Scriptures. 

What, then, is a more fitting term for the first 39 books of the Holy Bible?   Rather than implying that this part of the Bible was outdated or old, Jesus Christ and his followers referred to these texts as "the Scriptures" and "the holy Scriptures."  (Matthew 21:42; Romans 1:2)  Therefore, in harmony with these inspired utterances, Jehovah's Witnesses refer to the Old Testament as the Hebrew Scriptures because that portion of the Bible was originally written mainly in Hebrew.  Similarly, they refer to the so9-called New Testament as the Greek Scriptures, for the Greek language was used by men who were inspired by God to write that part of the Bible.

Next time: Advice for Daily Living

Watchtower, 2007

Trust in an Imperfect World

"THE good that I wish I do not do, but the bad that I do not wish is what I practice." Do you find this to be true in your case? Be encouraged to know that the apostle Paul had the same problem; yet he was a man of outstanding Christian integrity. Is this not a contradiction? In his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul analyzed the problem: "If, now, what I do not wish is what i do,the one working it out is no longer I, but the sin dwelling in me." To what sins does he refer, and how did he overcome it so as to be a man of integrity? -Romans 7:19, 20.

Earlier in his letter, Paul wrote: "Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." The "one man" was Adam. (Romans 5:12, 14) Adamic sin-the sin of the first man, Adam -is the cause of the inbred imperfections of the human race and an underlying reason why keeping integrity is a real challenge.

Paul's view of "original sin," as it used to be termed, is not widely accepted today because the Bible's account of creation has been rejected in theological circles in favor of theories of evolution. "Scholars have thrust the whole passage aside" is how one modern commentary on Romans 5:12-145 puts it. Yet a hundred years ago, Bible commentaries consistently explained that "when Adam sinned . . .he tainted with that sin and with its consequences all his progeny."

Next time: Original Loss of Integrity

Watchtower, 19997

WHEN GENEROSITY ABOUNDS

Giving to the Greatest Giver

Having received so much, appreciative ones naturally wonder what they in return can give to the greatest King and Giver, Jehovah God. The Bible reveals that the best gift we can give to Jehovah is "a sacrifice of praise." (Hebrews 13:15) Why? Because this sacrifice is directly related to the saving of life, a major concern of Jehovah in this time of the end. (Ezekiel 18:23) Additionally, giving of one's strength and time to help the sick, the depressed, and others is an acceptable sacrifice. -1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 13:16; James 1:27.

Financial contributions play a key role. They make possible the production of Bibles, Bible-based literature, and the obtaining of places where Christians can congregate. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Contributions also provide relief funds to help victims of wars and natural disasters.

To guide us in the matter of giving, God's Word sets out some fine principles. For example, it teaches that Christians give, not some set amount, but what they are reasonably able to give, doing so willingly, out of a cheerful heart. (2 Corinthians 9:7) Some can give much; others, like the needy widow in Jesus' time, may be able to give only a little. (Luke 21:2-4) Is it not remarkable that Jehovah-the Owner of the entire universe-values every well-motivated gift and sacrifice made in his name? -Hebrews 6:10.

In order that they may give cheerfully, Jehovah's people are kept informed of various needs and of effective ways in which those needs can be met. Jehovah's holy spirit, in turn,moves willing hearts to respond. In ancient Israel this procedure was followed in the building of the tabernacle and later, the temple. (Exodus 25:2; 35:5, 21, 29; 36:5-7; 39:32; 1 Chronicles 29:1-19) In the first century C.E., that same procedure enabled Christians t o have the resources they needed to take the good news of the Kingdom to the nations and to support the brothers in Israel during a famine. -Corinthians 16:2-4; 2 Corinthians 8:4, 15; Colossians 1:23. Likewise today, Jehovah has blessed his people, and he will continue to bless them, by giving them what they need to complete the greatest preaching and teaching campaign the world has ever seen. -Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20.

Next time: What Are the Present Needs?

Watchtower, 1999

HAVE YOU MADE THE TRUTH YOUR OWN?

Treasure What We Have

"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," said Jesus. (John 8:32) Most Witnesses have had to break away from their former life-style and religious associations. Therefore, they may more readily appreciate the freedom that the truth brings. On the other hand, some young people who have been brought up by parents who are in the truth may find it difficult to appreciate their spiritual heritage. They have never been a part of false religion or a part of this world with it emphasis on pleasure - seeking, its drug addiction, and its immorality. As a consequence, they may fail to see the dark contrast between our spiritual paradise and Satan's corrupt world. Some may even give in to the temptation to taste the world's poison to see what they have missed! -1 John 2:15-17; Revelation 18:1-5.

Do we really need to burn our fingers in order to know pain and suffering? Can we not learn from the negative experiences of others? do we need to turn to "the mire" of this world to see if we have missed out on something? (2 Peter 2:20-21 ) Peter reminded Christians of the first century who had formerly been a part of Satan's world: "The time that has passed by is sufficient for you to have worked out the will of the nations when you proceeded in deeds of loose conduct, lusts, excesses with wine, revelries, drinking matches and illegal idolatries." Certainly, we do not need to experience the world's "low sink of debauchery" to see how debased life can be. ( 1 Peter 4:3, 4) On the contrary, we are taught high moral standards at our Kingdom Halls, which are centers for Bible education. And we are encouraged to use our powers of reason to prove to ourselves that we have the truth and thus make the truth our own. -Joshua 1:8; Romans 12:1, 2; 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

Next time: Our Name Not Merely a Label

Watchtower, 2001