(Underlining marks a quotation/allusion. [Brackets] mark a textual variant.fnWhen two (or more) different copies of an original manuscript disagree on any given word or phrase — addition, omission, word order, etc. — the disagreement is called a "textual variant". ~99% of existing textual variants are either minor (like spelling), obviously not original (often appearing only in a few late manuscripts), or don't affect meaning (like "Jesus Christ" vs. "Christ Jesus"). The ~1% that remain do not affect any central doctrine of Christianity. The BOS Bible only marks significant textual variants that affect the meaning; smaller variants that do not affect meaning won't be marked for readability. "Love" with a caret ("^love") is agapé.fn"agapé" The Greek words ἀγάπη (agapé, noun), and ἀγαπάω (agapaó; verb) are typically translated "love". However, unlike our English word "love" – which primarily speaks of affection and feelings — agapé centers on choice and behavior. It’s the "love" based on will, choice, behavior, and action; not feelings. (Feelings-based love is the Greek word φιλέω (phileó), which properly means "brotherly love/affection".) Thus, you could hate someone passionately and still treat him with "agapé". Agapé "love" is best understood as the pursuit of what is most beneficial to someone or something, regardless of the cost to yourself or the type of response received from the person or thing. It can also indicate a preference for someone or something over other things. An asterisk (*) indicates a verb in the Greek perfect tense.fnThe Greek perfect tense signifies a completed action in the past with a result and/or an ongoing state that extends into the present. For example, Hebrews 12:2 says in part: "He *sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"; the verb for "sat" is in the perfect tense, indicating that He sat down once (completed action in the past), and also that He remains seated until the present moment (ongoing state).)
Glossary
Note: this glossary is currently a work in progress; entries that do not expand will be added as time permits
Ages/of ages
“ages” and “of ages” are the Greek words “αἰών” (aión, noun form) and “αἰώνιος” (aiónios, adjective form) respectively. The adjective form is typically translated “eternal”, as in “eternal life”. The noun form refers to a whole time period, (Keizer, “Life Time Entirety”) such as a person’s lifetime (an older Greek sense), an age/epoch (e.g., 2 Cor 4:4), or even time in its entirety, making its meaning similar to “forever” (e.g., John 14:16). The adjective form is similarly context-dependent, and the New Testament context often dictates a meaning similar to “forever” (but not always: e.g. 2 Tim 1:9). Alternately or additionally, it can indicate the quality of a time period — indicating greatness/severity — like the English idiom “of ages” (e.g. “battle of the ages”). Thus, “of ages” was chosen for the adjective form so that both the time and quality senses remain visible.
Clean/unclean
Covenant
Faith
Flesh
Forgive/forgiveness
Grace
The Greek word is “χάρις” (charis), most often translated “grace”, “gift”, or “thanks”. It was a technical term in the 1st century, referring to the Patronage system in place. The Patron (from “pater” = “father”) would give gifts or do favors (both called a charis). A charis was always given/done freely to anyone who would be grateful for it, and this person then became a “client” of the patron. The clients were expected to reciprocate by telling everyone what the patron had done, and offering their services to the patron whenever the patron needed them. This reciprocal act was also called “charis”, and the ones who reciprocated were “being faithful” by giving thanks in this way. Both were done out of gratitude, not legal obligation. A client who wasn’t faithful and grateful probably wouldn’t receive any more charis from his patron, or any other patrons. The patron was responsible for taking care of all his clients, and making sure their needs were met. New Testament usage typically casts God the Father as a Heavenly Patron, to whom Christians should be grateful and faithful because of the gifts He has given us. (e.g. salvation, provision, protection, etc.)
Holy
Justification
Law (Torah)
Make purification
Pure/Impure
Purification offering
In the Old Testament, this is typically the Hebrew “חַטָּ֖את” (khat-tat); in the New Testament, it’s typically “περὶ ἁμαρτίας” (peri hamartias), which is what the Septuagint (an ancient translation of the Old Testament into Greek) used to translate the Hebrew. It’s traditionally translated “sin offering”, but that translation has less support in high-level scholarship. The Hebrew word can mean “sin”, but it can also mean “purification” (e.g. Numbers 8:7). This offering was used to purify uncleanness, whether or not a sin was committed. Thus, it was required even when no sin was committed, such as after childbirth (Leviticus 12:1-8), for certain diseases (Leviticus 14), etc. High-level, peer-reviewed scholarship dedicated to the field (e.g. Milgrom, Levine, Gane, Sklar, Wright, Gorman, etc.) is largely united on the “purification offering” understanding. The BOS Bible has aligned itself with that high-level, peer-reviewed scholarship in its translation.
Ransom
Redemption
Repent/repentance
Righteous/righteousness
Salvation/save
Soul
“soul” is the Greek word “ψυχή/psuché” and Hebrew word “נֶפֶשׁ/nephesh”. The BOS Bible translates these words as “soul” for consistency, and so the full meaning of “soul” isn’t obscured by different translations in different places. They closely overlap in meaning and are typically translated “soul” or “life”. They refer to the animating force of a living thing, and thus can also refer to its life, or to the whole of any person or creature, including animals (e.g. fish in Revelation 8:9 and Genesis 1). They are frequently used as an emphatic reference to a person’s whole self, including longings, deep emotions, and inner life. (e.g. Ps 42:11) Note: while “soul” has significant overlap in meaning with “spirit”, the words have distinct meanings and usages throughout scripture. For example, lions tear apart a soul in Psalm 7:2, and a “dead soul” is mentioned in Leviticus 21:11; “spirit” has no analogous usages, and it returns to God at death (Ecc 12:7; Acts 7:59). The adjective forms of soul and spirit are contrasted in 1 Corinthians 2:14-15; see also: Hebrews 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
Sin
Click to Collapse the GlossaryGod’s righteous, impartial judgement
(Parallel teachings: Matthew 7:1-5, 15-23)
- 1 Therefore, O man — every man of you who’s judging — you are without excuse. For by what you judge the other man, you condemn yourself; for you — the man judging — practice the same things.
- 2 Yet we *know that the judgement of God against the men practicing such things is in accordance with the truth.
- 3 And do you suppose this, O man — you man judging the men practicing such things even while doing them yourself — do you suppose that you will escape the judgement of God?
- 4 Or do you scorn the richness of His benevolence, and forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the benevolence of God leads you to repentance?
- 5 And in accordance with your hardness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrathfnquotation/allusion to Zephaniah 1:14-18 (also quoted/alluded to by Rev 6:17) and the revelation of the righteous judgement of God,
- 6 who will repay each man in accordance with his deeds.fnquotation/allusion to Psalm 62:12, Proverbs 24:12, Ezekiel 18:30, and numerous other echoes exist (also quoted/alluded to by Matt 16:27; 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Pet 1:17; Rev 2:23; Rev 20:12; Rev 22:12;).
- 7 To the men indeed seeking glory, and honor, and incorruptibility by endurance in good work: the life of agesfn“of ages” this adjective is typically translated “eternal” here. The noun form refers to a whole time period, such as a person’s lifetime, (e.g., John 8:35) an age/epoch (e.g., 1 Cor 8:13), or even time in its entirety, making its meaning similar to “forever” (e.g., John 14:16). The adjective form is similarly context-dependent, and the New Testament context usually dictates a meaning similar to “forever” (but not always: e.g. 2 Tim 1:9). Alternately or additionally, it can indicate the quality of a time period — indicating greatness/severity — like the English idiom “of ages” (e.g. “battle of the ages”). Thus, “of ages” was chosen to communicate both senses.
- 8 But to the men of selfish ambition and to the men disobeying the truth (also being persuaded by unrighteousness): wrath and fierce anger.
- 9 Affliction and anguish will come upon the soulfn“soul” this Greek word (ψυχή/psuché) refers to the animating force of living things, and thus can also refer to its life, or to the whole of any person or creature, including animals (e.g. fish in Rev 8:9; see also Gen 1 and footnotes). It’s virtually identical in meaning to the Hebrew word “נֶפֶשׁ/nephesh”. It’s frequently used as an emphatic reference to a person’s whole self, including longings, deep emotions, and inner life. (e.g. Ps 42:11) Note: while “soul” has some overlap in meaning with “spirit”, the words have distinct meanings and usages throughout scripture. For example, lions tear apart a soul in Psalm 7:2, and a “dead soul” is mentioned in Leviticus 21:11; “spirit” has no analogous usages, and it returns to God at death (Ecc 12:7; Acts 7:59). See also: Hebrews 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:23. of every man practicing wickedness, both the Jew first and also the Greek.
- 10 But glory, and honor, and peace to every man practicing good; both to the Jew first and also to the Greek,
- 11 for there‘s no partiality with God.fnquotation/allusion to Deuteronomy 10:17 and 2 Chronicles 19:7 (also quoted/alluded to by Acts 10:34; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25; 1 Pet 1:17)
- 12 For as many as sinned without the law will also perish without the law. And as many as sinned with the law will be judged by the law.
- 13 For the hearers of the law aren’t righteous with God, but the doers of the law will be proved righteousfnquotation/allusion to Ezekiel 33:30-33 –
- 14 (For when the gentiles not having the law do the things of the law by nature, these men not having the law are a law to themselves,
- 15 who clearly demonstrate the work of the law written in their hearts,fnquotation/allusion to Jeremiah 31:33 (also quoted/alluded to by 2 Cor 3:3; Heb 8:10; Heb 10:16) their conscience testifying with them, and between one another, their thoughts accusing or even defending them.)
- 16 – on that day when God judges the hidden things of menfnquotation/allusion to Ecclesiastes 12:14 (also quoted/alluded to by 1 Cor 4:5) through Jesus the Anointed in accordance with my good news.
Obedience matters, not circumcision
(Parallel teachings: Matthew 23, Colossians 2:10-12)
- 17 But if you bear the name of ‘Jew’, and rely on the law, and boast in God,
- 18 and you know His will, and you test the things that excel to prove them genuine, being taught from the law,
- 19 and you are *confident that you yourself are both a guide of blind men and a light to men in darkness,fnquotation/allusion to Isaiah 42:6-7 and Isaiah 49:6 (also quoted/alluded to by Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47)
- 20 an instructor of foolish men, a teacher of immature men, having the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
- 21 Therefore, you man teaching another, don’t you teach yourself? You man preaching not to steal, do you steal?
- 22 You man saying not to have sex with another man’s wife,fn“have sex with another man’s wife” is one word in the Greek, typically translated “commit adultery”. However, the Greek word (and Hebrew too) is more limited in scope than our English word adultery. In English, “adultery” means illicit sex between a married person – man or woman – and someone who isn’t their spouse. In Greek (and Hebrew also), it meant “a man having sex with another man’s wife”. A married man having sex with an unmarried woman was called fornication. do you have sex with another man’s wife? You man detesting idols, do you rob temples?
- 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God through a deliberate violationfn“deliberate violation” is one word in Greek. It denotes an intentional stepping over a known boundary, not an accidental violation of that boundary. In this context, it’s deliberately violating God’s commands in the Law; see also Numbers 15:30-31 of the law?
- 24 For: “God’s name is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you“fnquotation/allusion to Isaiah 52:5 and Ezekiel 36:20 just as it’s *written.
- 25 For circumcision indeed benefits you if you practice the law. But if you are a deliberate violatorfn“deliberate violator” see note on verse 23. of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
- 26 Therefore, if the uncircumcised man keeps the ordinances of the law, won’t his uncircumcision be credited as circumcision?
- 27 And the uncircumcised man by birth who’s fulfilling the law will judge you to be a deliberate violatorfn“deliberate violator” see note on verse 23. of the law through the letter of the law and circumcision.
- 28 For the man with the outward appearance of a Jew isn’t a Jew, nor is circumcision something outward in the flesh,
- 29 but the man who’s a Jew internally is a Jew, who also has circumcision of the heartfnquotation/allusion to Deuteronomy 10:16, Deuteronomy 30:6, and Jeremiah 4:4 (also quoted/alluded to by Acts 7:51; Col 2:11); see also Jeremiah 9:25-26 and Ezekiel 44:7-9 in spirit, not in the letter, whose approval isn’t from men, but from God.
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