Who We Are

I was trying to translate something from Paul out of II Corinthians and I was having a really hard time, I actually did not finish what I set out to do. Paul was an extremely well educated man trained in Jewish law and tradition, and it really shows in his Greek. Not to say that I cannot translate Paul, it's just that he had an very amazing grip on the Greek language and used it very well to prove his points, so it takes such a long time. When you look at Paul and then Mark or John's Greek, there are big differences. Differences in style, usage, depth, and intricacy show that all of the authors of the New Testament were very different from each other in walks of life, backgrounds, and education. It's wonderful to see how God takes the man and uses who they are to bring the Word to everyone. Luke was classically trained, while Mark liked to put things directly, but both were used as humans to bring good news. It's really neat to see the differences between the various authors and see how God works in the lives of those who love Him, not by taking them out of character, but by using that character to further the kingdom.

Translation of John 3:38-39, 45-49

38 But Jesus turned around and observed those who were following. He said to them, "What are you seeking?" "Rabbi, (What he had said translates to teacher) where are you staying (living)?
39 He said to them, "Come and you all will see." They then went and they saw where he was staying and with him they stayed that day. The occasion was at ten (in the morning).
45 Phillip found Nathaniel and he said to him, "The one Moses and the Prophets wrote about in the law we (Referring to him, Andrew, and Simon) have found, Jesus the son of Joseph from Nazareth."
46 And Nathaniel said to him, "Out of Nazareth is something good able to be?" Phillip said to him, "Come and behold*."
47 Jesus saw Nathaniel coming towards him and he said about him, "Behold, a true Jew in whom there is no deceit."
48 Nathaniel said to him, "How are you knowing me*?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Phillip called while under the fig tree, I saw you.
49 Nathaniel answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel*."

The Greek in this passage has several interesting points of note. First, the statement "Come and Behold" made by Phillip is an imperative command. It's not just like saying, "hey you may want to come and see this", it's saying that "you need to see this now" due to the sheer magnitude of the truth that Phillip had learned about Jesus. This shows that it really was something amazing for Phillip and his friends to have heard and seen. Also, when Nathaniel said to Jesus "how are you knowing me?" an ongoing action for "knowing" is used. In this situation, as expounded upon by Ravi Zacharias in Jesus Among Other Gods, it is like Jesus is looking right into the thoughts of Nathaniel's heart as he approached; he was probably thinking the exact phrase that Jesus spoke in reference to him. Finally, the last charge by Nathaniel is noteworthy. The Greek word "eimi" is used twice in the statement "you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel". This is the word for "to be or exist" and it links the subject of Jesus with the two definite statements of his character, or the predicate Rabbi (Jesus) is affirmed by the copulative of "Son of God" which makes a strong theological statement in the original text.

New Blog!

This is a separate blog for the Greek work that I do, so that I think it's not going to waste when I'm done translating. I hope it's interesting and fun, it is for me. The name "paristemi" is a Greek word for "I present, or offer". I choose this word because it is pretty when spoken, but also because I am presenting and offering my work and thoughts to anyone who reads.