Monday with Mounce

It is good to be back. It’s been a busy summer full of friends at our cabin, hand surgery on my right hand, and a full knee replacement for my wife. Needless to say, nothing’s been quite normal so I had to take a break from writing. I’ll be starting up the Greek Verse of the Day and the Greek Word of the Day as well as Monday with Mounce.

Someone wrote about the use of the word “contend” in Jude 1:3. I think this is an interesting example of how a word gets into our translations that probably isn’t the best word. Jude is telling his people that they have to “fight” for the faith. Two problems with the translation “contend.”

In the near future, we are going to start selling only streaming access to our lectures. You will no longer be able to purchase flash drives. 

Here is a great example of why translation involves interpretation, and why a “word-for-word” approach can often fail. When Jesus’ parents finally find Jesus, he responds, “Didn’t you know I had to be (δεῖ εἶναί με) in my Father’s house (ἐν τοῖς τοῦ πατρός μου)? (NIV).

There is a peculiar change in the 2011 NIV. The 1984 says, “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” The 2011 edition begins the verse, “Who then is the one who condemns? No one.” Where does the “no one” come from? Not the Greek.

1 Corinthians 15:24 presents an unusual problem. Paul’s argument is that Christ’s resurrection is the firstfruits of all who have died (v 20) and that in Christ all will be made alive (v 22). This will happen in a specific order, first Christ and then those who belong to him (23). Then comes the end, εἶτα τὸ τέλος (v 24a).