June 23, 2012

  • It's all Greek to me

    I was thinking about Greek the other day, and how much I've forgotten it.  I have made it a project of mine to memorize the Lord's Prayer in Greek this summer.  The question is....which one? 

    Matthew uses the word opheilēmata which translates as debts.  Luke uses the word hamartias which translates as sins.  Both talk about other our debtors, but what to do with the personal nature of debts and sins?  The curious thing is that a lot of churches use "trespasses" and of course the ending, "for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and glory forever, Amen," which is not in the text.  Right now I'm leaning towards sin, but Matthew's version has an important part lacking in Luke.  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  I dare say though, that Matthew's version seems more "low" theology than "high" theology if there are such things.  There's a certain social justice ring to isn't there?

    On another note....the one line I haven't forgotten in Greek.  Amēn, amēn legō hymin (Truly, Truly, I say to you)