Wednesday, October 12, 2022

"As for Me and My Foot"

Titus 3.8b NASU

“…and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds.”

How do the various Bible versions compare?
“speak confidently”
New American Standard Bible
“stress these things”
New International Version
“affirm constantly”
King James Version
New King James Version
Douay-Rheims Bible
Noah Webster’s Bible (1833)
“give special emphasis”
Today’s English Version
Good News Translation
“insist on them”
New Living Translation
The Living Bible

“insist on these things”
Revised Standard Version
English Standard Version
God’s Word Translation
Holman Christian Standard Bible

“insist steadfastly”
The Amplified Bible

“insistas con firmeza”
Reina Valera-Revisada 1960 
“Ernst lehrst”
Die Bibel Luther-Übersetzung auf Deutsche 
“insist strenuously”
The Darby Bible
New Testament in Modern Speech (Weymouth)

“affirm confidently”
American Standard Version
World English Bible

“give certain witness”
Bible in Basic English

“speak with confidence”
Complete Jewish Bible

“insist that people follow”
Contemporary English Version

“be sure that the people understand”
Easy-to-Read Version

“be sure the people understand”
New Century Version

“insist on such truths”
New English Translation Bible

“be constantly strongly assertive”
Wuest Expanded New Testament

“affirm fully”
Young’s Literal Translation

Of all the translations and paraphrases I read this morning, one distills the essence of truth contained in each version of this great verse…

“I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand
on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will
concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone.”
Titus 3.8 “The Message”

So “concerning these things”…
  • the things of which Paul wrote
  • the great truths of the Bible
  • the Lordship of Jesus Christ
  • the decision to obey God
  • the love of God for you and me
  • following Jesus
  • being led by the Holy Spirit
… of these things I am commanded to put my foot down and stand firm, to stress and affirm their importance, to insist strenuously, and communicate with absolute confidence. Before I can stand I must place each foot on the ground. Before I can take a stand, I must put my foot down. As for me and my foot,[1] we will take our stand on Christ.[2]

“On Christ the solid rock I stand
 All other ground is sinking sand
 All other ground is sinking sand”

___________________

The beautiful and creative image of the foot made from drops of water was created by Canadian photographer Ronald Tsang (http://www.ronaldtsang.com/). 

[1] From Joshua's final command to the Israelites: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24.15c).   

[2] “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less,” also known as “On Christ the Solid Rock” was written in 1832 by Edward Mote, and the tune in 1863 by William B. Bradbury.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the way you compare the various versions and translations.
I, too, enjoy refreshing times in THE MESSAGE. In fact, I am reading the Bible through this year in THE MESSAGE.
Let's continue to stand and having done all to stand.
From a long-time colleague
Harry O

davescriven said...

Hi Harry,

thank you so much for posting to my blog. I so appreciate your comments.

Your Long-Time Brother of about 30 Years!!!

Dave

Anonymous said...

I fear that anything short of standing on Christ leads to our ruin. Standing steadfastly is a sign of a mature believer. Conversely, in shallow, undeveloped faith we are like "infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind, ..." (Ephesians 4:14)

In my own spiritual "adolescence" I still stumble almost ever time I try to stand in my own strength. His strength is what I need!

davescriven said...

Amen, Jeff! Thanks for sharing!

Dave