Key terms 2

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What are key biblical terms? Words and phrases: that have special meaning in the context of Scripture

that refer to new concepts of theological importance previously unknown in the receptor culture They are a special kind of unknown idea. 2

All ideas in Scripture

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All ideas in Scripture

Unknown ideas

grapes wine denarius rudder

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All ideas in Scripture

Unknown ideas

grapes wine denarius rudder

Key biblical terms

Son of Man high priest sanctification 5

Key Biblical Terms Refer to Jewish ideas and customs synagogue, Sabbath, Temple

Refer to Christian teaching and practices baptism, apostle, resurrection

Have special meaning in the context of Scripture. They refer to new ideas which have theological importance Son of Man, salvation, Kingdom of God

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To translate Key Biblical Terms

1. Study the meaning 2. Compare with similar words 3. Think of possible solutions 4. Choose the most appropriate term 5. Test your choice 7

Key Biblical Terms Some terms have the same meaning or sense in all contexts

synagogue, Sabbath, Holy Spirit, apostle

Other terms have different meanings or senses in different contexts

spirit, grace, law, flesh

We will now focus on terms which have different meanings in different contexts.

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How can one word have different senses? Lets look at some English examples: board n. 1. He used four boards to make the shelves 2. He put the announcement on the bulletin board. 3. He pays $70 a week for room and board at the boarding house. 4. board of directors/ board of governors/ advisory board How do we know what the word means? Look at the context. 9

So a dictionary entry may look like this: One example: board n. 1. A large, flat, narrow piece of cut wood; plank: The carpenter used four boards

to make the shelves for the bookcase.

2. A flat piece of hard material used for a special purpose: He put the

announcement on the bulletin board. 3. The cost of meals: He pays $70 a week for room and board at the boarding house. 4. A group of persons responsible for making decisions and giving advice for a company, government agency, etc.: board of directors/ board of governors/

advisory board

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How do we know which meaning the word has? By the context in which it occurs.

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Another example: the verb to take

1. He took the book from my hand. 2. He takes the bus to school.

2. She took a seat.

3. He took her arm and led her down the aisle.

4. She took my photograph. How many different meanings?

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Dictionary entry for take (partial)

1. To get or lay hold of: He took the book from

the shelf. 2. To use: He takes the bus to school. 3. To occupy: She took a seat. 4. To hold with the hands: He took her arm and led her down the aisle. 5. To make a photograph: She took my photograph. And many others. 13

Key Biblical Terms Similarly, the Greek word pneuma has many different senses Many of these senses can be translated by the English word

spirit

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pneuma - Sense 1 demon, evil spirit Those troubled by evil spirits were cured. Luke 6:18

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pneuma - Sense 2 angel, good spirit Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve? (RSV)

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (New International Version) Hebrews 1:14

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pneuma - Sense 3 Spirit of God, Holy Spirit All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:4

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pneuma - Sense 4 part of the human personality The spirit is willing but the body is weak. (New International Version)

You want to do what is right, but you are weak. (Contemporary English Version) Matthew 26:41

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pneuma - Sense 5 ghost, spirit of a dead person And they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have. (RSV) They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have. (New International Version) Luke 24:37-39

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There are, however, senses of the Greek word pneuma that cannot be translated by the English word spirit. Another English word is needed.

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pneuma - Sense 6 wind The wind blows where it pleases. John 3:8

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pneuma - Sense 7 breath The Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 (RSV)

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It is important to be able to recognize how the different senses vary. Why?

The meanings of words in one language may not match up with those of another language The various senses may often need to be translated by different words 23

Think about translating these seven senses of pneuma in your language

demon, evil spirit

angel, good spirit Spirit of God, Holy Spirit part of the human personality ghost, spirit of a dead person wind breath 24

Would you use the same word each time?

Key Biblical Terms Another example: The Greek word sarx has a number of different senses in the New Testament

Lets look at some of the places in which the word occurs.

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sarx Sense 1 What does the word sarx mean in the following verses? a ghost does not have sarx and bones, as

you see I have.

Luke 24:39

How can this man give us his sarx to eat? John 6:52

In these passages, it means the physical substance that covers the bones of the body (muscle) 26

What does the word sarx mean in the following verses?

sarx Sense 2

All sarx shall see the salvation of God (Revised Standard Version) Luke 3:6

I did not confer [talk] with sarx and blood (Revised Standard Version)

Galatians 1:16

human beings, people in general 27

What does the word sarx mean in the following verses?

sarx Sense 3

You judge according to the sarx (Revised Standard Version)

John 8:15

For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is in my sarx (Revised Standard Version)

Romans 7:18

fallen human nature, human nature apart from God 28

sarx Sense 1 - English Translations the physical substance that covers the bones of the body a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you

see I have. (New International Version)

ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do! (New Living Translation)

Luke 24:39

How can this man give us his flesh to eat? (New International Version)

John 6:52

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sarx Sense 2 - English Translations human beings, people in general

All flesh shall see the salvation of God (Revised Standard Version)

All mankind will see God's salvation (Contemporary English Version) Luke 3:6

I did not confer with flesh and blood (Revised Standard Version)

I didn't talk this over with anyone (Contemporary English Version) Galatians 1:16 30

sarx Sense 3 English Translations fallen human nature, human nature apart from God

You judge according to the flesh (Revised Standard Version)

You judge by human standards (New International Version)

John 8:15

For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is in my flesh (Revised Standard Version)

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature (New International Version)

Romans 7:18

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How would you translate flesh in these contexts in your own language?

Would you be able to use the same word in all the different senses?

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sarx Sense 1 the physical substance which covers the bones of the body

a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you Luke 24:39 How can this man give us his flesh to eat? John 6:52 All flesh shall see the salvation of God. Luke 3:6 I did not confer with flesh and blood. Galatians 1:16 You judge according to the flesh. John 8:15 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is in my flesh. Romans 7:18

Sense 2 human beings, people in general

Sense 3 fallen human nature

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It is important to be able to recognize how the different senses vary. Why?

The meanings of words in one language may not match up with those of another language The various senses may often need to be translated by different words 34

Key Biblical Terms Remember to study the meaning

Many key biblical terms have more than one sense

When translating, you must first determine the sense in which a key biblical term is being used Each sense may need to be translated a different way 35

To translate Key Biblical Terms Remember

1. Study the meaning

2. Compare with similar words

3. Think of possible solutions

4. Choose the most appropriate term

5. Test your choice 36