Robert Dane
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Former Church Bible Teacher at PDC San Jose, CA (1987–1991)1y
What if Genesis 15:6 is translated incorrectly?
What if Genesis 15:6 is translated incorrectly?
(The CAPS, below, are in the translation I’m copying from).
There is probably no other Hebrew Scripture that is either repeated verbatim or referenced as often in the New Testament. It is certain that this Scripture has been correctly translated.
Here are examples:
Gen 15:6 Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.
Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Rom_4:9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."
Gal_3:6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Heb_11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Heb_11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
and
Jas_2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
Now, let’s suppose there was some very early mistranslation of this Scripture that was perpetuated. It wasn’t, but just for discussion. Does that change anything?
No. Salvation is still and always has been a matter of Faith in God’s ability, not from self-righteousness. It is Grace, not works. Works follow faith(Eph 2:8:10).
Abraham had to believe God’s promise before he would offer Isaac. If not, it was just another human sacrifice done out of a misunderstanding of the nature and power of God.
Faith is proved over and over in the Old Testament, as Hebrews 11 shows. None of the people listed there were completely perfect, as Christ Jesus is. Take any of the people listed in Hebrews 11 and you will, given enough Scriptural discussion about them, find deep-rooted character flaws.
So, even if Genesis 15:6 did not exist, it is very clear that the way to God is not by works. Rather, it is through relationship. It is not by what we do but by what He did for us.
Running to Him and not away is an act of faith. Hiding in the Garden, hoping He won’t notice you’re naked … well, we know how that ends.
and
Jas_2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
Now, let’s suppose there was some very early mistranslation of this Scripture that was perpetuated. It wasn’t, but just for discussion. Does that change anything?
No. Salvation is still and always has been a matter of Faith in God’s ability, not from self-righteousness. It is Grace, not works. Works follow faith(Eph 2:8:10).
Abraham had to believe God’s promise before he would offer Isaac. If not, it was just another human sacrifice done out of a misunderstanding of the nature and power of God.
Faith is proved over and over in the Old Testament, as Hebrews 11 shows. None of the people listed there were completely perfect, as Christ Jesus is. Take any of the people listed in Hebrews 11 and you will, given enough Scriptural discussion about them, find deep-rooted character flaws.
So, even if Genesis 15:6 did not exist, it is very clear that the way to God is not by works. Rather, it is through relationship. It is not by what we do but by what He did for us.
Running to Him and not away is an act of faith. Hiding in the Garden, hoping He won’t notice you’re naked … well, we know how that ends.
https://www.quora.com/What-if-Genesis-15-6-is-translated-incorrectly