Month: September 2024

Sea Grapes. The red ones are both tasty and delicious. They are ripe right now.

Sunday, 15 September 2024

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, Matthew 4:5

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Then the Traducer, he takes Him to the holy city and stands Him upon the winglet of the temple” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus answered the tempter concerning commanding the stones to become bread. Rather, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy concerning living by the word of God. Now, the second temptation begins, saying, “Then the Traducer.”

As in Matthew 4:1, the word is a definite article followed by an adjective – “the devilish.” However, it is referring to the devil. But that is a transliteration to some extent. The meaning is a slanderer or traducer. His continued target is Jesus as he intends to destroy Him before He can be any real threat to him. Therefore, it next says, “he takes Him to the holy city.”

The holy city is Jerusalem, the capital of the holy land as noted in Zechariah 2:12 where it is called admath ha’qodesh, ground the holy. Calling it the holy city is unique in the gospels to Matthew. It is seen here and in Matthew 27:53. The term is used in Revelation when referring to Jerusalem in Revelation 11:2 and the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation 21:2.

There, in the holy city of the holy land, the Traducer takes Jesus to the holiest place in the holy city. Matthew records this saying, “and stands Him upon the winglet of the temple.”

Most translations say “pinnacle,” but the word is pterugion, a winglet. This word comes from pterux, a wing. That, in turn, comes from the verb petomai, to fly. One can get an etymological hint of our word pterodactyl from these words.

As for this winglet, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon cites Eusebius saying it was the top of the temple. Also “some understand this of the top or apex of the sanctuary…, others of the top of Solomon’s porch, and others of the top of the Royal Portico.”

The idea of a wing probably means a projection like a wing, meaning something like the apex of a roof or gable. Being used with the article, “the winglet,” it was something understood to be noticeable to all. Thus, the word “pinnacle” may be correct. However, because of the dispute, a literal translation is preferred, winglet. Whatever the exact meaning, it would be a high point from which the Traducer will make his second attempt against Jesus.

Life application: The Traducer is there to tempt others into sin. This is his thing, and he will continue to do this right up until the point in time recorded in Revelation 20 –

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. ² He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; ³ and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.” Revelation 20:1-3

What this means is that there will be no relief from his machinations during our lifetime. Believers in Christ will either die or be raptured before his temptations cease for a thousand years. If you think that having a victory over his temptations is the end of the deal, think again. He didn’t stop after his first attempt at Jesus, and he will continue to tempt you as well.

When Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God, he doesn’t mean from 9 am until 3 pm. He certainly means all day every day. Temptations are sure to come, but because Jesus has prevailed, we will also prevail through Him. Until that day, we need to be sure to prepare ourselves constantly for whatever this evil entity will throw at us, especially in our times of weakness –

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13

Take time to read the rest of Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:14-20. It will take you just a moment. As for the devil, after the thousand years, he will be released to give grief to the world one last time. But his end will come –

“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10

Lord God, You have a plan that is being worked out, slowly and methodically in the stream of human existence. Thank You for the assurance we possess, knowing You have all things under control. We know this is so because Your word tells us it is. Thank You for this advanced notice that everything will turn out right in the end. Amen.

Close up of sea grape flowers. A bee is there to pollinate.

Saturday, 14 September 2024

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And having answered, He said, ‘It has been written, “Not upon mere bread – the man – he shall live, but upon every word coming out through God’s mouth”’” (CG).

In the previous verse, the tempter tried to prompt Jesus to command that the stones become bread. Now, in response to that, we read, “And having answered, He said, ‘It has been written.’”

Jesus defaults to the word of God. The tempter tried to get Jesus to lose His footing and slip up, but in order to remain on firm ground, He simply went to the book of Deuteronomy. He will do this in all three temptations.

The words in the Greek are in the perfect tense. It was written and what is written is authoritative and binding. It is of note that the very first words recorded as coming from His mouth after the initiation of His ministry through the rite of baptism rests on the absolute authority of Scripture. The words are written, they are unchanging, and they are obligatory.

The book of Deuteronomy comes at the end of the forty years of Israel wandering in the wilderness as they prepared to enter into Canaan through the Jordan River that would be cut off for them to cross over.

Likewise, citing the word by Jesus comes at the end of His forty days of testing in the wilderness in preparation for His ministry, which will culminate in His death, symbolized by the cutting off of the Jordan.

Jesus doesn’t argue with Satan. He doesn’t respond to the statement “If you are the Son of God,” nor does He say that He was appointed by a voice from heaven, as if it gave Him the authority to do certain things. Instead, He cites Scripture beginning with the words “Not upon mere bread – the man – he shall live.”

Jesus is citing Deuteronomy 8:3. The NKJV translates it loosely, but it is still understandable –

“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:3

The translation from the Greek is not that far from the Hebrew, which says, “not upon the bread to separation [meaning alone] lives the man.” In this, there are two articles that should be considered, “the man,” and “the bread.” The Lord is teaching “the man,” meaning the Adam in every man, that he shall not live on “the bread” alone.

In providing the manna, the Lord was showing that what He spoke is what comes to pass. To eat, then, isn’t what ultimately sustains a person. That which has come to pass – meaning anything that we see, feel, eat, smell, and so on – came to pass because the Lord spoke it into existence.

The manna is a demonstration of this. It never existed, nobody ever knew of it, and yet it appeared. As it came at the command of God, just as the universe came at His command, then the truth is that man lives not by bread that is a result of the command, but from the spoken word (the command) itself. And that command is next explained by the words, “but upon every word coming out through God’s mouth.”

Again, the Hebrew reads, “for upon all outgoing of mouth Yehovah lives the man.” What the Lord speaks (the outgoing of His mouth) is what sustains the man.

Israel had the manna, and yet they continued to complain against the Lord. Jesus, understanding that the manna only existed because the word caused it to exist, conveyed to the tempter that the bread was only a part of God’s proclamation.

For Him to command the stones to become bread in order to satisfy His personal hunger would be to not rely on all that proceeds from the mouth of God. But later, we will see that the manna was only a shadowy type of Christ Himself – the Word of God –

“And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’” John 6:35

As Christ is the Word of God, He is everything that is needed to have life. The bread of the world can sustain life, but it cannot make man live. God, who gave the manna in the wilderness, showed that He can sustain a man apart from the common food of man. As He can do this, then He can make man live. How does the man live? He lives through Christ.

Jesus doesn’t normally cite a lot of Scripture to the people in His ministry as recorded in the gospels. Rather, He says things like, “I say unto you.” However, because He is establishing His state as a Man totally dependent on the Father, He defaults His words to Scripture when responding to the tempter.

His life would be lived wholly in accord with the word of God while at the same time conveying new information to the people who would follow Him.

Life application: Jesus has fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, meaning the entirety of the Old Testament law which came with the promise of life for the man who would keep them. That is seen in Leviticus –

“You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 18:5

Because Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly, life is found in Him. Now, when we put our trust in His completed work, that life is imparted to us. It is no longer a consideration that we must fulfill the law. Rather, it is fulfilled, and it is now set aside in Christ. Our work is not found in Moses. Instead, Jesus says, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29).

God directs us to Jesus, not to the law. He asks us to trust Him, not self. Be sure to get this right. An eternity of difference for the human soul is tied up in where we will trust. Come to Christ and be freed from the burden of the law!

Lord God, we are so thankful to You for the giving of Christ Jesus. He has done what no man could do. He has fulfilled the law and introduced a New Covenant where we are saved by grace through faith. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Seagrape bloom.

Friday, 13 September 2024

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Matthew 4:3

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And having come, the one tempting, he said to Him, ‘If Son – you are – of God, speak, that these stones – they might become bread’” (CG).

The previous verse noted that after forty days and forty nights of fasting, Jesus was hungry. Because of that weakened state, it next says, “And having come, the one tempting.”

The idea of “having come,” is one of nearness. The tempter came near to Jesus, but this does not mean he came physically. The Lord would speak to the prophets of old so that they audibly heard Him, but there was no physical presence. Likewise, Peter says this –

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8, 9

There is nothing to suggest that the tempter appears to people in a visible form. Rather, a spiritual battle is what believers are engaged in. As for the word “tempter,” it is the same word just used in verse 4:1, peirazó. At that time, it was translated as “test,” rather than tempt.

Jesus went through an extended period of testing which now culminates in being tempted by the tempter. As noted, HELPS Word Studies says, “Context alone determines which sense is intended, or if both apply simultaneously.”

Jesus will be tempted in three ways that practically mirror what happened with Adam in the Garden of Eden. That begins with the words, “he said to Him, ‘If Son – you are – of God.’”

The word Son is in the emphatic position, and thus, the temptation is based on that premise. As for the word “if,” the Greek word is ei. It does not suggest any doubt. Rather, the words presume that Jesus is the Son of God. It would be like someone saying to a very strong person, “If you are so strong, why don’t you use your strength in this case?”

The tempter fully realizes that Jesus is the Son of God and is working out his temptation based on that premise. And so, he continues with the words, “speak, that these stones – they might become bread.”

Here, the word stones is plural. In Luke 4, it is singular – this stone. It may be that the words were first stated in general. Look around you at all these stones (the area is a very rocky place). With that, the tempter may have focused on a single stone that looked exceedingly like a loaf of bread, highlighting the temptation and tempting Jesus even further, “This one! Look at how tasty it could be… go ahead and command it!”

As for the temptation, in the garden, the devil said to the woman, “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). The tempter knows that Jesus is like God because He is the Son of God, and so instead of tempting Him with becoming like God, He tempts Him with what God can do.

However, this is testing of Jesus’ humanity, not His deity. In other words, it says in Hebrews –

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

The devil gained possession of the rights to mankind by causing man to sin. If Jesus the Man were to prevail over the tempter and to also fulfill God’s law as a Man, that right would be restored to Him. If Jesus, however, were to rely on His deity to overcome the works of the devil, there would be no transfer of rights.

The story of Ruth gives detailed insights into this transfer of rights between people. Sin is what necessitated Jesus’ incarnation. His state as a Man who can regain the right to humanity is what is under consideration.

The age-old question of “Could Jesus sin?” is what is brought into focus here. This is known as the doctrine of impeccability. The tempter obviously felt He could. The account of Jesus’ life, however, bears out that He did not.

Going back to Matthew 3:17, the voice from the heavens audibly proclaimed that Jesus is God’s Son of whom God had approved. Looking around at all of the stones in His extreme hunger, it would have been an enormous temptation to appease Himself by using His divine power to satisfy His human needs. But it would have marred the entire purpose of His incarnation.

Therefore, He resisted the temptation, as will be seen in the coming verse.

Life application: Jesus prevailed over the temptation before Him. In our faith in Jesus, we are brought into a state of salvation because we transfer our headship from Adam to Him. The authority the devil possesses over humanity is broken through our faith. However, our trials do not end. In fact, they often become more pronounced –

“For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. ⁵ For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.” 1 Thessalonians 3:4, 5

The devil understands our new position in Christ, and he wants nothing more than to disarm our power in Him. The power we are given is our faith. And our faith leads us to share with others the faith we possess. Paul continues –

“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— ⁷ therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8

If our faith is weakened, then our testimony is weakened. When that happens, we are no longer telling others about Jesus, and souls that could be transferred from Adam to Jesus will never hear the gospel. The devil did not want Jesus to prevail because he hates humanity and wants nothing more than for it to be eternally condemned. However, Jesus prevailed, and His offer stands for all people to receive. But this is only going to come about by people of faith telling others the good news.

Let us hold fast, remain strong in the faith, and rely wholly on the strength of the good news of Jesus Christ to carry us through our lives as we continue to boldly proclaim what we know – for the salvation of others and to the glory of God.

Lord God Almighty, give us the strength, wisdom, and endurance to continue in our faith all of our days so that we will boldly and effectively tell others about the goodness of God in Christ. May it be so, to Your glory. Amen.

Prickly pear.

Thursday, 12 September 2024

And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Matthew 4:2

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And, having fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He hungered” (CG).

In the previous verse, it noted that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desolate where He was to be tested by the Traducer. Next, it says, “And, having fasted.”

The word is nésteuó, to fast or abstain from food. Strong’s adds in a note that such a fast is connected to religion. In other words, it is a period of self-denial to meet a set religious purpose. This word concerning fasting is mentioned eighteen times in the gospels, speaking to Israel under the law. It is almost mentioned twice in Acts 13 –

“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ² As they ministered to the Lord and fasted [nésteuó], the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ Then, having fasted [nésteuó] and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:1-3

This same word, nésteuó, is also used in some manuscripts in 1 Corinthians 7:5. Of this Spirit-led but self-imposed fast, it next says that it was for “forty days and forty nights.”

The words are drawn in parallel to two accounts from the Old Testament. The first is when Moses fasted for this period on two separate occasions, found in Exodus 24:18 & again in 34:28. These periods are repeated in Deuteronomy 9:9-18. The second is at the time of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:8 as the prophet went to Horeb, the same location where Moses had twice fasted while receiving the law.

It is not uncommon to read that the number forty here is a round number. Unlike the number 10, which is at times used idiomatically to signify an indeterminate period or set of events, there is nothing to suggest this with the period now being set forth. The narrative indicates forty days and forty nights is the amount of time Jesus fasted. Stating both days and nights highlights this. This is especially so because it was not forty days where He broke His fast each evening, but an entire cycle of time inclusive of both days and nights.

In the parallel account in Luke, it notes that Jesus’ testing was throughout this entire period. There it says, “days forty being tested by the devil.” Therefore, what this appears to mean is that the fasting itself was a part of the testing. In both accounts, only after it notes that He was hungry is the active trial by the devil then noted.

Jesus was led by the Spirit into this time of testing, the entire time of which is a testing by the devil. Because of this, one can see the logical reason why translating the word peirazó from the previous verse as “test” rather than “tempt” is preferred. God does not tempt anyone to sin (James 1:13 – where the same word peirazó is used, but obviously with a different intended meaning). Jesus was tested during His Spirit-led time, and we likewise are tested in our lives at times.

Therefore, even if the devil tempted Jesus after His fasting, the entire period is better described as one of testing, not temptation. As for Jesus’ time of forty days and forty nights, it next says, “afterward He hungered.”

Such a fast would certainly lead to this state. But it was during this time of fasting that the miraculous nature of Christ and His being sustained by God is truly placed on prominent display. A human cannot normally exist without food and water for even a much shorter time. Without food, yes, but water is absolutely necessary to sustain us. However, God was miraculously sustaining Moses and Elijah, and He likely did this through Jesus as well.

As Moses is reflective of the law and Elijah is reflective of the prophets, each requiring God’s miraculous hand to sustain them, we are seeing Jesus, the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, being sustained by the power of God in Christ to carry Him through what the law and prophets anticipated.

Life application: It is a common question for people to ask if fasting is required for believers. The answer must be, “No.” Though it is referred to in Scripture, and even though Jesus speaks of it as something that was commonly done, His words were to Israel, under the law. As such, those verses cannot be considered prescriptive for the church.

Likewise, in Acts, fasting is mentioned, but Acts is a descriptive account of what was occurring. It prescribes nothing. On the other hand, in the epistles – from where we are to derive our doctrine on such matters – fasting is never explicitly directed. It is mentioned once in 1 Corinthians 7:5 (in some manuscripts), but it is not a prescription. Rather, it is an allowance.

The other two times fasting is mentioned are in 2 Corinthians 6:5 and 11:27. Both are involuntary fasts. Paul was forced to fast because of a lack of food. Other than these three references, fasting is never addressed, and it is certainly not prescribed. As this is true, any fast you conduct – for whatever reason – is between you and the Lord, between you and your doctor, or between you and your spouse (as indicated in some manuscripts of 1 Corinthians 7:5).

If fasting is something that interests you, study up on it. A water diet, meaning a diet that consists of only drinking water for a set amount of time, is something that has benefitted many. The longest recorded water fast was by Angus Barbieri (1939 – 7 September 1990). He was a Scottish man who fasted for 382 days, from June 1965 to July 1966. He went from an immensely overweight and unhealthy person to a slimmed-down, healthy person in this manner. His fast, and many others, can be seen on YouTube or through general internet searches.

Study up on fasting, but: 1) It is not required according to a proper study of the New Testament. 2) It should never be mandated by a Christian leader. 3) If it is mandated by someone, you should consider not fellowshipping with that person any longer as this may lead to a form of tyrannical authoritarian leadership. 4) You will have to give up bacon. In the end, the pluses and minuses must be personally weighed.

Lord God, may our doctrine be set based on what Your word prescribes when taken in the proper context of what is being said. Help us to not get caught up in strange teachings that have nothing to do with a close and personal relationship with You. Instead, may we hold fast to Your word and be sound in our thinking in all ways. Amen.

Prickly pear flower.

Wednesday, 11 September 2024

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Then Jesus, He was led up into the desolate by the Spirit to be tested by the Traducer” (CG).

Matthew 4 begins with the temptation of Christ. However, this is not to be disassociated from what was just presented, as evidenced by the beginning word “then.” Jesus left Galilee, His home of many years to be baptized by John. This was to fulfill all righteousness.

The law set forth precepts to be followed. That included following the words of God’s prophets who spoke on His behalf. This can be inferred from the words of Deuteronomy where false prophets were to be ignored. If this is so, then true prophets were to be acknowledged and heeded.

Jesus came to heed the call of the prophet. In His baptism, the Holy Spirit came upon Him and the voice from the heavens acknowledged that Jesus was His Son and that He stood approved of God. With that divine approbation acknowledged, Jesus now begins His ministry.

However, as judgment begins at the house of God, Jesus’ ministry begins with a time of testing. That is what is now seen at the opening of Matthew 4 where it says, “Then Jesus, He was led up into the desolate.”

As seen in Chapter 3, the word describing the area is an adjective, even if it expresses a noun. To retain the form of an adjective, “desolate” rather than “wilderness” is used. Regardless, in Scripture, such an area is considered a place of testing as well as one that can (and should) result in a closeness to God.

Without the distractions of the world of man, one can more fully commune with his Creator and contemplate his position and purpose before God. This leading was “by the Spirit.” Mark’s gospel uses a more forceful term, saying Jesus was essentially driven by the Spirit into the desolate.

This area of Judea is especially barren, and walking through it, even for a day, is challenging for the mind and body. The testing Jesus was to endure would be great, and His reliance on God would be absolutely paramount. This was because He was “to be tested.”

The word is peirazó from peira; to test (objectively). HELPS Word Studies says, “‘The word means either test or tempt’ (WP, 1, 348). Context alone determines which sense is intended, or if both apply simultaneously.”

Almost all translations say “tempted.” Only the SLT uses “tried.” There is temptation involved in this testing, but this is a test or a trial more than anything else. The temptation will come after an extended period of fasting.

Thus, the entire time is to be considered, not merely the temptations at the end of it, even if the point of waiting is to lure Jesus with temptations. This translation is more likely because of what it says in Luke 4:13 –

“Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”

The time is one of looking for a weakness that can later be exploited. It was just said by the voice from heaven that Jesus is the One “in whom I approved.” He is now being tested in this capacity, just as Adam was tested concerning obeying his Creator in the garden. As for Jesus, this period of testing is set to be conducted “by the Traducer.”

The word is an adjective, diabolos, devilish. However, being preceded by the definite article, a noun form becomes necessary to make a separation between its uses without the article. Vincent’s Word Studies says –

“The word means calumniator, slanderer. It is sometimes applied to men, as to Judas (John 6:70); in 1 Timothy 3:11 (slanderers); and in 2 Timothy 3:3, and Titus 2:3 (false accusers). In such cases never with the article. The Devil, Satan, the god of this world (ὁ διάβολος [ho diabolos]), is always with the article and never plural. This should be distinguished from another word, also wrongly rendered devil in the A. V. – δαίμων [diamon], and its more common neuter form δαιμόνιον [diamonin], both of which should be translated demon, meaning the unclean spirits which possessed men, and were cast out by Christ and his apostles.”

As for the translation, the use of “devil” is almost universal. But that is a transliteration. As noted, the word is not a name. Rather, it has a meaning. Vincent’s says “calumniator” or “slanderer.” Strong’s says, “a traducer.” Traduce means “to expose to shame or blame by means of falsehood and misrepresentation.”

The difference between slander and traduce is that traduce stresses the resulting humiliation and distress of a victim. This is closer to the role of the devil. As noted, being an adjective, a literal translation would be “the devilish,” but to set this entity apart from others who may be devilish, using a capitalized noun appears to give the best sense – the Traducer.

Life application: There are times when following the herd mentality is seen in translations. There may be only one translation that deviates from what every other translation says. It may be that this is an entirely wrong translation, but it may be that following the herd was the easiest path to take for all the others.

Be careful not to accept a translation just because it is different, but be sure not to reject it for this reason as well. See if a commentary exists that may give a clue as to why there are differences. In the end, you will only get out of your time in God’s word what you put into it.

Enjoy what He has given, revel in the detail, and consider each passage as to how it fits into the surrounding context. This word is a sacred treasure passed on to us as it flowed forth from the mind of God. Rejoice in it! And above all, rejoice in the One who has given it to us. God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – has blessed us with this word. Thank You, O God, for it!

Yes, Lord God, we are grateful to You for Your kind hand of blessing. You have created us, redeemed us, and have given us Your word to understand how it all came about. Thank You, above all, for Jesus, the Subject of this precious word. Hallelujah and Amen.