Tag Archive

“Flesh” is not “Human effort” in Gal 3:3

By Jason A. Staples

Stephen Carlson has put up a good post on why the translation of σάρξ as anything other than “flesh” in Gal 3:3 is “weak tea.” Carlson observes that Paul is making a point concerning literal flesh—the foreskin—but many translations unfortunately treat Paul’s language as metaphoric, translating σάρξ as “human effort” or other related phrases. I’ll... »

SBL Annual Meeting 2009 Highlights

By Jason A. Staples

Just got back from the 2009 SBL Annual Meeting; I’m exhausted, but it was a fun and very productive trip. Some highlights (in no particular order): 1) The “Early Jewish-Christian Relations” section on Saturday morning. Though I don’t think any of the participants “nailed it” exactly, there was a lot of good material in this... »

Paul’s Conversion or Paul’s Call?

By Jason A. Staples

Mark Goodacre’s most recent NT Pod (as usual posted at NT Blog as well) deals with Paul’s “conversion,” or, as Goodacre prefers, Paul’s “call.” He says (thanks to Loren Rosson for typing up the quote): »

“That day will come like a thief”: Misinterpreted Bible Passages #4

By Jason A. Staples

You've probably heard about how Jesus will return without warning, "like a thief in the night." But did you know this only refers to the unfaithful being surprised by the return, while Paul says Christians should not be taken by surprise? »