THOUGHT(S)

Destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ… 

(2 Corinthians 10:5) 

The word translated ‘thought’ is νόημα (noéma) derived from the verb noiéō which is from noús mind, so we get the product of the mind, thought, and the activity ‘thinking’; however, the suffix -ma is suggestive of the final product, and a fuller translation is therefore ‘purpose’ or ‘design’.  [Indeed, Oswald Chambers in his devotional reading for 9th September in ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ takes noéma to be ‘project’.]

Read more

LYING

When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  (John 8:44b)

Jesus is speaking of the devil, who is elsewhere in the Bible shown to be Satan and he is the original deceiver.

The Greek word translated ‘lie’ is the verb ψεύδομαι (pseudomai) and it means ‘to falsify’ or ‘to wilfully misrepresent’.

Read more