[boatbums]

That is the beauty modern day Christians have that those in past centuries didn't...we can go to the expert Greek and Hebrew scholars' publications and see what words were actually used from the start. We can then see what those words meant in the original languages, how they were used IN CONTEXT, how these words may have changed over time or because of translations and come away with a very good basis for knowing the truth that God is communicating with His people. Of course, we must rely upon the Holy Spirit illuminating that truth to our hearts so that we can be corrected, edified, strengthened and able to use the Sword of the Spirit in battling against those who would pervert the word of God.

One doesn't NEED to be a language expert because of the diligent work of those who followed God's leading to do that for us all. A good student of the Bible has at his/her fingertips the knowledge of hundreds of "experts" with which to understand the truths of Scripture.

[Resettozero]

One doesn't NEED to be a language expert because of the diligent work of those who followed God's leading to do that for us all. A good student of the Bible has at his/her fingertips the knowledge of hundreds of "experts" with which to understand the truths of Scripture.

This is something we non-scholarly, non-ordained, everyday believers can be deeply thankful for. It's a crookstaff ready for the use of The Good Shepherd in keeping us from wandering away too far.

This FR thread has been a little like the friends of Job stopping by for a few days of speculating what sins Job must have committed, and yours and SR's responses have been akin to The Almighty showing up and setting matters straight.

[af_vet_1981]

we can go to the expert Greek and Hebrew scholars' publications and see what words were actually used from the start.

There are several problems with this approach
1. Except one is using the same translation all the time for a particular language, or except one (still) dreams in the original language(s), which it seems to me only a few of us here do, one is reduced to a couch ensconced sports fan, as it were, composing a fantasy team to assist oneself in forming doctrine in the National Polemics League.
2. It seems to me that this also opens up the question of whether the Textus Receptus and it's English KJV is the inspired words of the Holy Spirit, which I had thought the traditional Protestant, Fundamentalist, while perhaps not Evangelical (that team is free agent all the way) persuasions.
3. It seems to be one should use the same translation for a native tongue, except your Hebrew and Greek are flawless, and be consistent. Do not cherry-pick translations to argue doctrine.