The Aramaic Bible Web Log is a forum for discussing the origins of the Bible and the value of translating the Scriptures from the Ancient Aramaic Texts of the Ancient Church of the East directly into English. I believe that the Ancient Aramaic language is the true scribal language of Scriptures. My translations are posted at http://www.v-a.com/bible/. If you send me appropriate questions or comments, I will post them on this Web Log and attempt to answer or respond to them as best as I can. I will only post what I consider proper. I will not include e-mail addresses, but only your name as you wish it to appear on this blog. Click here to submit your questions or comments via e-mail. Or you may use the FORM MAIL at the bottom of this blog.
Perhaps the most profound of God’s workman who contributed toward the Bible is Paul.
After his extraction from his former life as a Pharisee, he was converted into the divinely appointed and anointed replacement for Judas. The irony of this is not lost when considering that he who betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin was replaced by one who also betrayed and persecuted Jesus and was of the Sanhedrin. As Saul he consented to the martyring of Stephen and Jesus let Him know just how personally He took it when He confronted him.
4. And he fell on the ground, and he heard a voice that told him, "Saul, Saul, why do you reject me? You have been harsh in your treatment (oppression)."
5. He replied and said, "Who are you, my Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am the victorious Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9
Saul was so radically converted from the prime example of one who was of the Old Covenant into the Apostle of the New such that virtually everything he wrote focused upon this key transition and exchange from self righteousness to the righteousness which is of the faith of Jesus.
There is a controversy concerning the establishment of Bible canon being popularized through The Da Vinci Code and the so-called scholarly works it was derived from, which is engendering a misapprehension as to just how the Bible was compiled, and the erroneous belief that prior to the council of Nicea that the Bible only existed as a scattering of disparate writings. Added to this mixed up mysticism is the concept of Gnosticism, Kabala and the plethora of New Age philosophies which borrow from the truth but like the moon, they seem to light the dark night of the soul until they eclipse the Sun and are seen for what they really are, lifeless darkness itself. On the other side of this is the equally erroneous concept of Solus Scriptura whereby the Bible is conferred with the status of the fourth person of the Godhead and by which assumption many egregious misdeeds have been engineered. Navigating a course between the blind guides who champion these causes is only managed by keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of out faith, and so that we may pray accurately according the will of God and restore such in the Spirit of Meekness, considering ourselves. I will write more about this concept in an essay on “The least in the kingdom.”
1. Because of that also, we have all these witnesses around us, like clouds circling us above, that we are relieved of our burdens, also of those sins that we are guilty of in every season, as we preach the hope [of the Kingdom] and run the course of the struggle that has been vouchsafed us,
2. We gaze upon Jesus who was the beginning and the fulfillment of faith, who instead of the joy that He possessed, He proffered the Crucifix, conquered its humiliation and sat at the right of the throne of God.
3. Look to what extent He proffered Himself on behalf of sinners, those who were their own stumbling block, that you may not stop and give up.
Hebrews 12
There is truly only One Way to rightly comprehend scripture, and that is by the Mind which first gave it. I have received revelation from virtually every translation of the Bible I have encountered but some are clearly much more touched with the stain humanism than others. Most deception comes from referring to the book instead of conferring with the author.
To comprehend any scripture generally requires at least a chapter of context, and harmonizing within the framework of the whole counsel offered by the Bible, but most importantly the quickening of the Spirit as to its God breathed intention. If you ever find yourself grasping for understanding simply do as Mary did, and sit at the feet of Jesus so He might instruct you in Peace – ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be made full.
A while back, I was grappling with Romans 8 when I was reminded of this principle, so I just gave it up to Jesus and this is what came to me while I was focused on helping a friend who had somewhat misapprehended the famous “All things work together for good…” text. It is interesting that in seeking to help yourself there is confusion but in ministering to others there comes clarity. When we minister to others in the assurance that our needs are already met, IN THEIR ENTIRETY, then we will make the way open to receive what we need when we honestly seek to give to others what they need to strengthen and confirm them in the faith of Jesus Christ.
Romans 8. VA Aramaic Translation (with commentary via me.)
1. Therefore, there is no obligation (need to fulfill the requirements of the Law) for those who do not walk according to the flesh, with Jesus Christ.* (In other words, you do not have nor need to be circumcised in your flesh as you already have been in your heart – you are of Israel of the Spirit, not Israel of the flesh)
2. For the Law that [leads to eternal] Life, that which is through Jesus Christ, shall free you from the Law of sin and death. (Shall free you from the entanglements of the flesh and from the Law which governs the flesh and which is given for transgressions)
3. Because the Law was bolstered through the sickness of the flesh, God sent his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, because of sin, so as he may subjugate sin through his flesh,
4. So that the righteousness of the Law may be fulfilled in us, that it was not by flesh that we walked, (not being governed or justified by the commandments which are given to govern the flesh) except by the Spirit. (By being in subjection and subjugation to the Spirit)
5. For those who are of the flesh, see Him in the flesh. And those who are in the Spirit, see Him in Spirit. (This is an incredibly important key to freedom – and determines how we see Christ in each other, thus how we see Christ at all. If we judge others according to the flesh, we judge Christ who is all in all, according to the flesh – we are still on the wrong side of the cross in this respect and have not truly comprehended the totality of the sacrifice of Jesus and the resurrection from the dead – and that includes me!)
6. For the appreciation of the flesh is Death and the appreciation of the Spirit is Life and Peace.
7. Because the appreciation of the flesh (Valuing of or assessment according to the flesh) is hostility toward God, for it does not submit to the Law of God (The Law is the gatekeeper to Christ), because it cannot. (For as surely as you have not done it for the least – as surely as you have failed to manifest Love, Grace and Mercy to the least of these – you have not done it to Me, says Jesus)
8. And those who are of the flesh, (Those who judge according to the flesh) cannot adore God.
9. You, however, live not through the flesh, except by the Spirit, if truly the Spirit of God abides in you. (It is no longer “ you” which lives, but Christ which lives in you – He is your life and must become your will – you and everyone else are His workmanship)
10. And if thus Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, then the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. (YOU have been bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body, which is the Lord’s)
11. And if the Spirit of the One who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the grave,* abides in you, He that raised Jesus Christ from the grave, shall also [resurrect] your dead bodies to Life,* because of the Spirit that abides in you.
12. Now, brethren, we are in subjugation, even though being of the flesh (Being of Israel according to the flesh) we walk in the flesh (Appearing to others as if being in flesh),
13. For if you live in the flesh (by the Law and according to your natural identity), you are destined to kill the flesh (It becomes you who must mortify your flesh), and if walking in the Spirit (self control to the mortifying of the deeds of the flesh is a consequence of the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, not a work of the will) you thus kill the body (reckoning it dead), you shall Live. (So, in other words, if you live according to the dictates of your former life you become responsible to be your own Lord and Savior, but if you live according to your NEW LIFE, which is Christ in you, then you become yielded to that new nature of righteousness) Compare Galatians 5:13-26 at the end of this.
14. For those who are chosen* by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God. (Ben Elohim)
15. For you did not receive the Spirit for performing works out of fear again, except you received the Spirit through which you have been consecrated children, that through Him we call the Father our Father.
16. And that Spirit testifies onto our Spirit that we are children of God.
17. And even children, then also heirs of God, and the children of Jesus Christ's heirdom, thus if we sorrow with him, we shall also be glorified with him.
18. For I reckon that the sorrows of this age are nothing compared* with the glory which is destined to be revealed through us.
19. For all creation shall receive the Hope [of the Kingdom] and shall grasp the revelation of the children of God.
20. For creation worshipped emptiness, not by its own will, except for the sake of the One who makes her worship the Hope [of the Kingdom.]
21. That also creation may be freed from destructive practices, through the liberating glory of the children of God.
22. For we know ourselves that all creatures were sighing and in torment in anticipation* of this Day.
23. And not only they, except we also, as there is in us the awakening of the Spirit, we sigh deep in our soul and grasp onto our consecration as children, for the salvation of our bodies. (The saving grace of God in Jesus Christ, by the Manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit is what saves us from the destructive practices which result from the implications and applications of our willful desires)
24. For we live by that Hope. Hope, however, which is apparent is not Hope. If we see [the Hope,] what are we grasping it for?
25. If, however, we have Hope in that which is invisible, we shall be strengthened through the preaching of that Hope.
26. Thus also that same Spirit shall minister to our infirmity. For how is it that we pray not knowing what we ask for: except the Spirit prays on our behalves through our unspoken sighs.
27. He that revives hearts, He knows what is the intention of the Spirit, thus according to God's will He prays on behalf of the saints.
28. We know then that those who love God in everything, He helps them toward goodness, those whom He consecrated beforehand to be called.
29. And beforehand He knew them and gave them the mark in the likeness of His Son's image, that he shall be the holy Sacrament* of many brethren.
30. To those whom He beforehand gave them the mark, He called, and to those whom He called, he sanctified, and to those whom He sanctified, he glorified.
31. What shall we thus say about that? If God is on our side*, who is against us?
32. And if He did not interdict His Son, except on behalf of us all, He delivered him, how is He not going to give us everything with him?
33. Whoever receives the election of God, God sanctifies.
34. Who holds [them] responsible? Christ died and rose, and is on the right of God and prays on our behalf.
35. Who will separate me from the love of Christ? Tribulation, poverty,* danger, the sword?
36. As it is written in Scriptures,
"Because of you we die every day,
and are reckoned as sheep for slaughter."
37. Except through all these we are victorious, by whom that loves us.
38. For he delivers us, that neither death, nor life, nor kings, nor governments, nor armies; neither those that shall rise, nor that are destined,
39. Neither height, nor depth, and neither any creatures can separate me from the love of God who is our Lord Jesus Christ.
*8:1 Lit. Ar. id. retained: reference to the uncircumcised.
*8:11.1 Lit. Ar. id.: "House of Dead."
*8:11.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Enliven..."
*8:14 Lit. Ar. id.: "Fetched."
*8:18 Lit. Ar. id. expression: "Do not lay out," or pan out.
*8:22 Lit. Ar. id. figure of speech: "Until."
*8:29 Lit. Ar. id.: "first born," or "first offering."
*8:31 Lit. Ar. id.: "Behalf."
*8:35 Lit. Ar. id.: "Nakedness."
13. You were called to His freedom, brethren, however, let not your freedom be for the sake of the flesh (For the flesh lust after the Spirit), except let your submission to each other be in love.
14. For all the Law is fulfilled by one manifestation, that you love your kin as (If they were) yourself (Which they are – for as surely..).
15. If, however, you grind one another down and chew each other out, see that you do not eliminate (sift) each other.
16. I am telling you then, walk in the Spirit and never be a slave to the pleasures of the flesh.
17. For the flesh enjoys what lowers the spirit, and the spirit enjoys what lowers the flesh, and both of them are a hindrance to each other, so that you can never do what you wish.
18. If then you were fetched by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19. For you know the manifestation of the flesh, fornication, evil doing, dissolution,
20. The making of idols, witchcraft, hostility, destructiveness, backbiting, resentfulness, stubbornness, divisiveness, apathy,
21. Killing, murder, drunkenness, [outrageous] singing and the like. And those who devote themselves to such things, as I told you from the start, I tell you now as well, they shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (Which is peace, joy and righteousness in the Holy Spirit).
22. The fruit of the Spirit, however, are love, joy, peace, compassion, fulfillment, grace, faith,
23. Gentleness, hope -- the Law does not consecrate these. (Establish or define these)
24. These belong to Christ, they (The fruit of the Spirit) crucified the flesh together with all its wounds and lusts.
25. To live thus is by the Spirit and in submission to the Spirit.
26. And [those that live so] are not lacking in bliss that they should torment one another and cut down each other.
To you it was shown; that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; that there is none other besides Him. Deut 4:35.
Although Christianity is under attack in the world, we need to stay objective in discussing the origins of the Scriptures. The Internet provides an opportunity for free discussions. Thank you for participating and expressing your opinions, as I have.