It is a stirring exhortation — rich in describing the believers lofty and secure position in Christ and yet with an emphasis on the stern responsibility we have to continually walk in His Light. But though I have always preferred the NAS version, believing it to generally be the most accurate in conveying the original language text of the Bible, thinking and praying through that passage yesterday reminded me that any translation needs to be looked at carefully and in comparison with others, if not the language of the original text itself.
That NAS passage yesterday raised two red flags for me. The first problem was the first capitalization of “Light.” There were no capitalizations, of course, in the original Greek. It is merely a practice of English translators (natural and right enough) to identify proper nouns; that is, names of persons and places. But, in this case, the capitalization of “Light” unavoidably suggests that it is God. (The only other possibility is that the editors were personalizing a force in the same way Greek philosophers would personalize and thus give a capital letter to wisdom or nature or truth. Such a practice, of course, has continued into our day as people use capital letters for nature, providence, and, in the case of some Marxists, history.)
But I’m pretty sure the NAS guys weren’t using a personification for a force or an ideal here. That certainly isn’t the practice they use elsewhere. So, again, I figure they must be equating the “Light” they capitalize as another name, as it were, for God. That would be wrong, however, as it would then equate the Christian recipients of Paul’s letter with God. That can’t be. Faith in the atoning death of Jesus for one’s salvation from the penalty of sin creates a relationship between two distinctly separate beings – man and God. Man doesn’t become God. Man isn’t absorbed into God. No, each man’s unique identity remains (although gloriously changed) after his salvation decision. The capitalization in the verse is inappropriate. Again, please note — this isn’t an error in the original text. It’s an error by the NAS translation committee.
By the way, that first “light” is not given a capitalization in the King James, the New King James, the ASV, the Common English Bible, the Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition, the ESV, the Geneva Bible, J.B. Phillip’s New Testament, the NABRE, the NIV, the RSV, Young’s Literal Translation, and others.
The second problem was in verse 10 and that was the phrase, “trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” After thinking through this for quite awhile yesterday, especially in comparing the phrase with the rest of the passage, I was kinda’ muddled. What or who was “trying to learn?” The “fruit of the Light?” The “Light” itself? The three virtues mentioned just before? None of these made sense to me. So, it had to be the believer, the one who had been called “Light” earlier. Yet if one displays the fruits of the Spirit (“all goodness, righteousness and truth”), it must be because he is abiding in Christ (walking in the Spirit) and is thus already pleasing the Lord. So where does this “trying to learn what is pleasing to God” fit in? Answer -- it doesn't.
As I talked to God about my confusion, I began to remember another verse that seemed to deal with the same matter. But the more I tried to remember it, the more I began to think I was already remembering this same passage…but in a different translation. And, sure enough, when I got home I found that the King James version (and others) cleared up my confusion completely. And that’s because the Greek word that the NAS translates as “trying to learn” is “dokimazontev” which doesn’t mean “trying to learn” at all. Rather it means to test, examine, prove, or to recognize as something as genuine after examination. Thus the King James translates verse 10 as “proving what is acceptable to God.”
Now, of course, that makes sense. A Christian walking in the light of the Holy Spirit will produce the fruits of His light – all goodness, righteousness, and truth. And it is that lifestyle of obedience to God that will prove to the watching world that we are truly His disciples. Our authentic sanctification is what we offer to be evaluated. Are we the real deal? Do we truly know Christ and are living in His light? Then it will show. Verse 10 is, therefore, a grand promise of our effectiveness as His followers if we only yield to the Holy Spirit.
It was neat to experience. The use of a Bible text in my prayers led me to a careful consideration of the text’s meaning. And then honestly seeking out answers produced them. Those answers then led to some profound new applications of that text to my life and ministry and future. So, thank you, Lord, for being the Light…for being my Light…and for revealing Your holy truths through the Word.
