FINDING WHAT OUR PREDECESSORS HAVE REAPED a talk In the eighteenth century, so-called textual criticism was very
ry, so-called textual criticism was very popular in
given on February 18, 1950
In studying the Bible it is crucial that we not despise "the light from the
prophets." We should not despise the light our predecessors have gained.
Throughout the ages many people have learned many things from the Lord. They
have received much enlightenment from His Word. We have to look up and study
their work.
PAYING ATTENTION TO THE ORIGINAL TEXT
Second, in studying the Word we have to pay attention to the original text. As far
as translations are concerned, the Chinese Union Version is much better and
more accurate than the King James Version in English. The Greek text on which
the Chinese Version is based is a much better text. Of course, in some areas it is
inferior to other versions. The Revised Standard Version of 1881 is also better
than the King James Version. Its translation is better, and it is superior to the King
James Version in many respects. Of all the English versions, Darby's translation
tops the list in terms of its understanding of the meaning of the original text.
Many denominations do not accept unauthorized versions. As a result, Darby's
version has not been very popular. But a student of the Bible should always look
up Darby's translation.
Perhaps we can use the Interlinear Greek New Testament (Stephanus Greek text),
Tischendorf's text (Codex Sinaiticus), the Revised Standard Version, Darby's
translation, plus the Chinese Union Version. With these five different versions,
we will probably arrive at an accurate understanding of a passage.
PARAPHRASING
Paraphrasing means rewriting the words of the Bible in language that can be
easily understood. In the New Testament Paul's Epistles occupy a pivotal place.
We can try to rewrite his Epistles using our own words. If we do not understand a
certain passage, we can look up Conybeare's and Howson's commentaries. Their
writings are of the same nature as Darby's Synopsis of the Bible, and they are
excellent expositional writings. Through paraphrasing we will realize that every
word in the Bible is meaningful and crucial. If our paraphrasing is done properly,
we will come to know God's will. If our paraphrasing is done improperly, we will
end up with many serious mistakes.
Germany. This criticism was mainly of two categories. One was lower criticism
being done by believers. This was like the textual research work done by many in
the late Ching dynasty. The other was higher criticism being done by unbelievers.
This was like the ancient Saduccees. The higher critics are today's modernists.
They are the liberals. Lower critics include such people as Wordsworth,
Bloomfield, and Henry Alford. They spent much time to evaluate every word of
the Bible. They were familiar with every word and carefully studied classical
Greek as well as biblical Greek. Today our study of the Bible is based on the result
of their research. In order to train ourselves in paraphrasing, we have to
reference their works. Of the critical works of these three, Alford's writings are
the best. If there is any doubt, his interpretation should be taken as the standard.
BIBLE EXPOSITION
The best books on Bible exposition are found among the Brethren. Among the
Brethren writers, Darby's work tops the list. In the course of a few decades, God
gave many of them particular gifts. In order to study the Bible well, we have to go
to their books.
William Kelly and F. W. Grant also have written fine works on Bible exposition.
They were distinguished students of Darby. Spurgeon once said that Kelly's mind
was as broad as the universe, but his view was limited by Darby's influence. His
writings show a high degree of scholarship. Grant was very short in physical
stature, but he wrote with much foresight. He had great spiritual capacity. Even
when he criticized others, his criticism was like music to the listeners' ears. His
writings were more inspirational than Kelly's.
There are also the writings of H. C. G. Moule. Many British highly recommend his
writings because they are somewhat critical in style. There is also F. L. Godet. He
was a highly respected and spiritual Swiss theologian.
ASSIGNING CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES TO EACH PERSON
FOR STUDYING THE BIBLE, THEN COMING TOGETHER TO
SHARE THE RESULTS
The co-workers should have Bible study meetings. They can begin with the book
of Romans. Use the following way: First, one brother should read Romans 1:1
aloud. Then another brother should read this verse aloud according to the
Revised Standard Version. A third should read Darby's translation. A fourth
should compare these versions with the original language and read the result
aloud. Finally, the leading brother should decide which translation is the best.
After studying the text, they should study the expositional writings of these few
writers, as well as the commentaries. After they have studied this way, they will
realize that not only were they too sloppy in studying the Word. The worst thing
is for a person to have only one version and to treat it as a foolproof text. Some
people go even further; they do not read any reference books at all. Some of us
have a good foundation in Bible study because by nature we like to read
reference books. This study is much more reliable. Both Brother Witness and I
study the Bible according to the above method. I hope that some brothers and
sisters will put forth the effort to study the Bible this way.
Collected Works of Watchman Nee, The (Set 3) Vol. 62: Matured Leadings in the
Lord's Recovery (2), Chapter 5, Section 1
Concerning the Triune God—the Father, the Son, and the Spirit
Second Corinthians 3:17 says, "The Lord is the Spirit." The "Lord" spoken of here,
of course, is the Lord Jesus; and "the Spirit," of course, is the Holy Spirit. Does this
not clearly and definitely tell us that the Lord Jesus is the Holy Spirit? Our Lord is
the Holy Spirit. He is the Father, and He is also the Spirit. He is everything!
Many brothers and sisters have Darby's New Translation of the Bible. Darby was
considered the one with the greatest knowledge of the Bible in the previous
century. Some called him the king of expositors. In his New Translation of the
New Testament, he puts the verses preceding 2 Corinthians 3:17, from verses 7
through 16, in parentheses, indicating that verse 17 immediately follows verse 6.
The last part of verse 6 says, "The spirit giveth life." Therefore, according to
Darby's realization, verse 17, "The Lord is the Spirit," indicates that the Lord is
that Spirit which gives life, as mentioned in verse 6, and this Spirit which gives life,
of course, is the Holy Spirit. Therefore, this proves that Darby acknowledged that
the Lord Jesus is the Holy Spirit.
Besides Darby, according to our knowledge, there were the following persons
who, in their writings, based on 2 Corinthians 3:17, also acknowledged that the
Lord Jesus is the Holy Spirit:
1. In his book The Spirit of Christ, chapter twenty-five, Andrew Murray says, "It
was when our Lord Jesus was exalted into the life of the Spirit that He became
'the Lord the Spirit.'...The disciples knew Jesus long, without knowing Him as the
Lord the Spirit....There may in the ministry be much earnest gospel preaching of
the Lord Jesus as the Crucified One, without the preaching of Him as the Lord the
Spirit....It is as the knowledge and acknowledgement of Christ as the Lord the
Spirit, and of the Spirit of Christ as changing believers into His likeness, lives in
the Church, that the ministry among believers will be in Life and Power,—in very
deed, a Ministry of the Spirit."
2. Henry Alford (an authority on the meaning of Greek words of the New
Testament) in The New Testament for English Readers, vol. II, page 265, says, "
'The Lord' as here (2 Cor. 3:17) spoken of, 'Christ,' 'is the Spirit,' is identical with
the Holy Spirit....Christ, here, is the Spirit of Christ."
3.Marvin R. Vincent in his Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. III, page 308,
says, "The Lord Christ of verse 16 is the Spirit who pervades and animates the
new covenant."
4. J. Oswald Sanders in his Spiritual Maturity (published by Moody Press), page
144, says, "William Barclay comments: Paul seems to identify the Risen Lord and
the Holy Spirit. We must remember that Paul was not writing theology; he was
setting down experience. And it is the experience of the Christian life that the
work of the Spirit and the work of the Risen Lord are one and the same. The
strength, the light, the guidance we receive come alike from the Spirit and from
the Risen Lord. It does not matter how we express it so long as we experience it."
We are not the only ones who have seen from the revelation in 2 Corinthians 3
that the Lord is the Spirit; a number of spiritual men have seen it as well. Christ
the risen Lord today is the life-giving Spirit. That is why the apostle Paul called
Him the "Lord Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:18, Gk.). He is not only the Lord, but also the Lord
Spirit.
Concerning the Triune God—the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, Chapter 1,
Section 9