IN definition of the term "substance" Mrs. Eddy has said that "Spirit ... is the only real substance;" that it "is eternal and incapable of discord and decay;" and that, man reflects "the divine substance of Spirit" (Science and Health, p. 468). In the chapter entitled "Glossary" the word "substance" is also lexically used, in its spiritual meaning, to define God, Mind, intelligence, and temple. It is also used in connection with universe, God's thoughts, Truth, Life, Love, Soul, reality, man, eternity, infinite Principle. In common conversation this word substance is used to convey the thought of matter, material possessions, that which the senses cognize in the way of material structure, etc.
The student who goes beneath the surface and with the aid of an unabridged Bible concordance notes the many Hebrew and Greek words translated "substance" will reap a rich reward. Mrs. Eddy says: "Acquaintance with the original texts, and willingness to give up human beliefs, . . . open the way for Christian Science to be understood, and make the Bible the chart of life, where the buoys and healing currents of Truth are pointed out" (Science and Health, p. 24).
What is here brought out in relation to this word substance is in greater or less degree true of hundreds of other important words used in the Bible. Recent investigation, and research has placed in the hands of scholars a vast amount of new material in the way of manuscripts and inscriptions of various dates which are enabling them to arrive at the clearer, more definite meaning of the original texts, and therefore to a more comprehensive and fuller meaning of the words themselves and of their usage by the original writers.
