Updated American Standard Version
Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant
Some have suggested that the prohibition against the fruit of this tree is symbolic, the fruit standing for sexual intercourse. Others have suggested that it stood for having a knowledge of or an awareness of right and wrong. Still, others have suggested that it stood for the knowledge that they would have attained upon reaching maturity, by way of experience, which could be used for good or bad.
Jehovah told Noah after he had completed the ark: “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, the male and its mate.” (Genesis 7:1-2)
The Hebrew word for “seventh” comes from a root meaning, “to be full, complete, entirely made up.” God “blessed” the seventh day by setting it apart as different from the others.
In creating men and women, God had something different in mind than He did for the other creatures. The latter are spoken of as having been created “according to their kinds” (Gen 1:25). Humans, however, are described as being made in the image and likeness of God (1:26–27).
We have had religions that have set dates for Christ’s return or constantly say, ‘the end is near!’ We have many Christians always yelling from the rooftops that “the end is coming!” Avoid these!
At times, it may simply be a case of needing to slow down and carefully read the account, considering exactly what is being said.” If we slow down and get at what Paul, Jesus and James meant by what they said, we will see there are no contradictions.
Philippians 3:12 Updated American Standard Version (UASV) 12 Not that I have already obtained it or am already perfect [τελειόω teleioō], but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:15 Updated American Standard Version (UASV) 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect [τέλειος teleios], have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.
Proverbs 6:26 This is a problematic verse to translate from Hebrew,[6] but most commentators agree that the verse makes a contrast between the consequences of being with a prostitute and of being with an adulteress.
Sooner or later, every young Christian comes across passages in the Bible which are hard to understand and difficult to believe. To many young Christians, these difficulties become a serious hindrance in the development of their Christian life. For days and weeks and months, oftentimes, faith suffers partial or total eclipse.
Christians can save another person’s soul by turning them away from a sinful course that would have cost them their eternal life had they not turned around and repented.