OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

Instead of adding more study questions for next week’s conclusion of Romans 5:12-21, I thought you might enjoy reading J.B. Phillips’ paraphrase of James 1:2-8, one of the cross references to Romans 5:3-5, where we learn that “tribulations” produce “perseverance,” which in turn creates “proven character,” which ultimately leads to “hope.”

J.B. Phillips was a Bible translator, writer and clergyman who grew up in England during the early part of the 2oth Century (1906-1982).  He felt that the language in the Authorized Version (KJV) was archaic and unintelligible to young children.

Check out his rendering of James 1:2-8 —

“When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!  Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance.  But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence.”

“And if, in the process, any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem, he has only to ask God — who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty — and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him.  But he must ask in sincere faith without secret doubts as to whether he really wants God’s help or not.  The man who trusts God, but with inward reservations, is like a wave of the sea, carried forward by the wind one moment and driven back the next.  That sort of man cannot hope to receive anything from God, and the life of a man of divided loyalty will reveal instability at every turn.”

Next Monday’s study will begin with dessert at 7 pm … see you then!

~ tr