Featured Ambiguous Words lead Us into Temptation

Here are five words frequently found in our New Testaments, translating Greek words with more than one meaning.

1) Baptism - does this refer to our water baptism in obedience to Christ, or our spiritual baptism into Christ?
2) Sanctification - does this refer to being set apart spiritually into Christ, or being progressively conformed to the image of Christ?
3) Called - does this refer to being invited to put our trust in Christ, or being spiritually transferred into Christ by God?
4) Hell - does this refer to Hades or to Gehenna or to Tartarus?
5) Things - does this refer to all things or some of the things?​

We all should know that some Christians believe these words mean one thing in a verse, while other Christians believe something else is meant. And this divide leads to squabbles and factions and other hindrances to the ministry of Christ.

It would seem possible to remove or minimize the confusion in our translations by addressing the specific meaning the translators believe is the intended meaning. For example, rather than saying baptize say either water baptize or spiritually baptize. Say positional sanctification or progressive sanctification. Remove "hell" and use either Hades, Gehenna or Tartarus as indicated by the text.
Address the specific things in view, or if unknown translate using "these thing" to suggest the reader to consider the contextual meaning.

 

Yet another taint so post. If the verse is referring to being spiritually set apart in Christ, positional sanctification makes that clear.
If the verse is referring to our growing more mature, progressive sanctification works too.

Romans 6:19 NASB
I am speaking]in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented the parts of your body as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your body’s parts as slaves to righteousness, resulting in [progressive] sanctification.

Romans 6:22
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in [positional] sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.​

Now we might use a different English word or phrase for each meaning. For example positional could be "placement in Christ" and progressive could be growth in behavioral holiness. I am sure others could come up with other words or phrases.

 

The NASB mistranslates Gehenna as "hell" nine times.
Matthew 5:22, 5:29, 5:30, 10:28,18:9, 23:15, 23:33;
Mark 9:43, 9:45, 9:47;
Luke 12:5;
James 3:6.

In addition to the above mistranslations, the KJV also mistranslates Hades as "hell" 10 times.

Hades and Gehenna are two very different locations and to translate them both as "hell" creates needless ambiguity and facilitates speculative interpretations.

 

Apparently some do not think avoiding needless ambiguity is worthwhile. I do.

 

You seem to have sidestepped my point which by Bible Study we can find flaws in various translations and discern a better understanding of God's word.

Do you disagree?

 

Not to put to fine a point on it, but progressive sanctification seems a concept with which you are unfamiliar.

 

Still no evidence of any comprehension of the concept of "progressive sanctification." But plenty of "you, you, you" violations of board decorum.

 

I give up Sir. I asked a question and was answered with a question. With bible study we can improve our understanding of God's word, and one of the ways is to discern poor or corrupt translation choices.

I am asking you to study to show yourself approved, and you are asking me to translate and publish the entire bible. Sounds like something the Biden DOJ would say is justified.

 

Ever wonder why these pundits think petty personal remarks indicate they have Christ as the Lord of their lives and word choices.

With bible study we can improve our understanding of God's word, and one of the ways is to discern poor or corrupt translation choices.

I am asking you to study to show yourself approved, and you are asking me to translate and publish the entire bible. Sounds like something the Biden DOJ would say is justified.