Francisco,
When I was a boy, I used to go to
the priest for clarity and understanding, since only he knew
Latin, and I did not. Back then (I'm dating myself, here),
the mass was in Latin, except for the homily. Not only
myself, but all my friends, neighbors and all my extended
family, did not understand Latin. We all depended upon the
priest to teach us and guide us, since only he knew the
ancient, dead language. So, now, what about Christians who
don't know Greek? To really understand the scriptures, they
will have to first study Koine Greek for a few years, or
perhaps they can simply trust the "priests" like John
MacArthur, who really know the Greek, to give them the true
and deeper understandings?
I had recently written the
following, in response to a different letter, here, on
FiveDoves:
It is better to
get insight on scripture from the Holy Ghost, rather
than from Greek syntax or lexicons. It would seem
counter to the Lord's character, to think that unless
we go back and learn the ancient, dead language, that
the real, deep meanings, would remain hid to us. Would
the Lord expect the average Christian to not be able
to understand, since all they have is the word of God
and the indwelling Holy Ghost - and how could that
compare to asking someone with advanced college
education, where they mastered the ancient, dead
language? No, the meaning of a passage comes from the
true author, not from Greek syntax - it is not the
Greek language that gives life and power to the
scriptures. We should not expect to get spiritual
insight from "digging into the Greek". A lost person
could "dig into the Greek", as well, and get the same
mechanical, scientific information - but that is not
where spiritual insight comes from. The lost person
still cannot understand many of the things written, no
matter how much they study Greek, because only the
Holy Ghost opens our understanding - and he does it
even with those that only can speak one language, yet
are able to read the Bible in their lap.
Luke 10:21 In that
hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid
these things from the wise and prudent, and hast
revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it
seemed good in thy sight.
btw - why stop at Greek? Why shouldn't
Christians need to understand Hebrew, which is a far
more difficult language for us Gentiles to master?