I have done this about 10 years ago, when I was in struggle over the decision to accept Christ into my life. I thought I had finally found the grace from Him. I was foolish and selfish because I didn't really documented my studies and findings. Now I am doing it on my blog! I hope it will help all the people around the world to understand God's word better.
My study methodology is by referring to the different version of translated Bible. It will fascinate you to discover how different it is! I shall start the analysis from the Words written by Paul.
1 Timothy 1:9-11 (KJV) 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
1 Timothy 1:9-11 (NIV)
9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
1 Timothy 1:9-11 (Codex Sinaiticus) 9 ειδωϲ τουτο οτι δι καιω νομοϲ ου κι ται · ανομοιϲ δε και ανυποτακτοιϲ αϲεβεϲι και αμαρ τωλοιϲ ανοϲιοιϲ και βεβηλοιϲ πα τρολωαιϲ · και μη τρολωαιϲ · ανδρο 10 φονοιϲ · πορνοιϲ αρϲενοκοιταιϲ ανδραποδιϲταιϲ ψευϲταιϲ · επιορκοιϲ και ει τι ετερον τη ϋγιαινουϲη διδα ϲκαλια αντικειται 11 κατα το ευαγγελιο τηϲ δοξηϲ του μα καριου θυ ο επιϲτευ θην εγω
Lets explore the key word "αρϲενοκοιταιϲ" in the scripture and it's occurrence in the Bible. It only occurs twice (1 Corinthians 6:9). The argument made for this word is actually combination of the word arsen (“male” or “man”) and koite (“bed”).
The medieval Latin translation in the Vulgata Clementina was "masculorum concubitoribus," implying concubinage or pimping, not homosexuality specifically. Martin Luther's 1545 German translation employs the word "Knabenschänder" (from "Knaben", boys or young children), implying that "arsenokoites" was interpreted as pedophilia as early as the 16th century. A modern German translation speaks of "Kinder sexuell missbrauchen" ("to abuse children sexually").
Arsenokoites is extremely rare in ancient Greek - so rare, there is no other extant use predating or contemporary to the Bible (a linguistic phenomenon known as a hapax legomenon).
Under this circumstances, I know that my knowledge is limited. Sometimes, Jesus will speak of something which even the 12 disciples unable to understand Him. I would pray and surrender this to God. No man would fully understand the Word of God. He or she who claimed that he knows 100% of what God wants, then he must be a liar. I was accused for being ignorant by my previous JW mentor. However, it makes me strongly believe that my wisdom had a limit when I saw the children and adults in Bethany Home (hospice for mentally disabled people) singing praises to the Lord. Do they understand Bible? God do not judge people on their mental ability. They are like the angels. Who am I to call somebody a fool when they unable to read and understand the Bible at all but have faith in their heart?
I have faith, I read the Bible and do not understand 100%. Amen. Next
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