"The second you write a word, you are limiting yourself to the concepts in that word" -Steve
He could not have said it better. This is why the more I read the bible it feels like it a sham. So far, from what I know, there are the King James version, New King James version, American version, New American version, International version, and the New International version and so forth.
Although many will say that the basic premises are the same, they cannot argue that a different word can take to a whole new interpretation. And each individual will have a differnent interpretation.
Let's take Ephesians 5:3 for example;
New King James version:
"5:3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;"
New International version:
"5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people."
World English Bible version:
"5:3But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;"
Webster Bible translation:
"5:3But lewdness and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;"
The New American Standard Bible:
"5:3But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;"
The American Standard version:
"5:3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;"
So the argument with my co-workers was about premarital sex. I always thought this as fundamentalisct view from the Catholic church, so I asked him to quote straight from the bible. So he showed me Ephesians 5:3, and there it was the word "fornication". Ok so I got check my bible and it says "sexual immorality".
Look, make your own judgements, but I think "sexual immorality" is far from "fornication". If all version of bibles said the word "fornication" then yes, premarital sex would be wrong according to the christian faith, but if there are other version of bibles that says "sexual immorality" or "lewdness" the its open for interpretation. Lewdness does not mean fornication, check the dictionary. And "sexual immorality" is even more open to interpretation. My interpretation of "sexual immorality" would be having multiple partners at the same time, or having sex without any thoughts. In this line of though, having sex with someone you love, is ok before marriage.
I'm not saying if premarital sex right or wrong, I'm just trying to highlight how bible is an imperfect piece of literature created by men.
Words of men, words chosen by men, does make a difference in this book written by men.
1 comment:
I have been a Bible believer for years but had a bit of confusion after my divorce. I did an extensive reading about the origin of the word "fornication" and it was an eye opener. It comes from the Greek word "porneia" meaning sex with a prostitute. The various Bible interpretors seems to add their own words and causing a twist to the original intent of meaning and causing a lot of misunderstanding of sex and our present culture. Check this out for yourself.
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