Happy are those concious of their spiritual need?

by NikL 5 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • NikL
    NikL
    That was the title of the public talk given by the CO today. It's a statement I've heard over the years many many times.
    It's based on the NWT translation of Matthew 5:3
    I always use a different version of the bible when I follow the scriptures because it lets me get a better view of the scripture in question.
    Well, imagine my surprise when I read the scripture in the NRSV bible to realise it says something completely different.
    The NWT renders it...
    3 “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.
    However the NRSV says...
    3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    I was quite surprised at the completely different meaning so I looked at other translations and they pretty much all say the same thing. The only one who says anything like spiritual need is the NWT. Even the Kingdom Interlinear doesn't.
    So the point of this whole talk was rendered meaningless unless you happen to use the NWT bible. It's supposed to be a public talk. Surely anyone visiting will have their own bible (assuming anyone was visiting which is doubtful).
    The CO droned on about our spiritual need and how we fill it yadda yadda yadda.
    I guess it sounds better than talking about how we should be "poor in spirit".
  • darkspilver
    darkspilver

    Interesting.

    TBH surprising then that the CO apparently didn't use the NWT Appendix as a WT-thought 'explainer' to introduce the concepts he was talking about:

    NWT - Appendix A1: Principles of Bible Translation, page 1719

    During his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used an expression that is often translated “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” (Matthew 5:3, King James Version) But in many languages, a literal rendering of this expression is obscure. In some cases, a strictly literal translation could imply that “the poor in spirit” are mentally unbalanced or lacking in vitality and determination. However, Jesus was here teaching people that their happiness depended, not on satisfying their physical needs, but on recognizing their need for God’s guidance. (Luke 6:20) Thus, such renderings as “those conscious of their spiritual need” or “those who know their need for God” convey more accurately the meaning of the original expression.—Matthew 5:3; The New Testament in Modern English.

  • scratchme1010
    scratchme1010

    Happy are those concious of their spiritual need

    I actually agree with that statement, I'd add: "Happier are those who know better than looking to satisfy their spiritual needs elsewhere".

  • hoser
    hoser

    Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need. That means if you're not happy it's your own fault. Blame the victim.

  • venus
    venus

    Mat 5:3 is the most simple verse in the Bible that doesn't require any interpretation. It simply speaks about people who do not have any baggage of attachment or sense of ownership because they know such things do not last forever (1 John 2:17) hence look for its opposite (Kingdom of God)

    Unfortunately, JW Translators missed the whole point.

  • smiddy
    smiddy

    Human beings give their"interpretations" as to what GOD Jehovah meant in his word.

    Whereas God himself is silent .[ He`s always silent ]

    What the bloody hell do imperfect humans know what God meant when he said this or that .? I ask you.

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