Each Lesson-Sermon published in the Christian Science Quarterly—Bible Lessons is designed to be complete in itself. Its Bible references (King James Version) are corroborated and explained by passages from the Christian Science textbook,
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. These notes and commentary are offered by The Christian Science Journal as indications of the possibilities for individual research.
February 2
Love
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another (Rom. 12:10)
The New Revised Standard Version gives, "... love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor."
A certain centurion's servant (Luke 7:2)
Centurions were commanding officers of a hundred foot soldiers (a century) in the Roman army. They were its working officers and backbone and maintained its discipline and efficiency. Quoting Polybius, The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible says that they were required to be "good leaders, of steady and prudent mind, not prone to take the offensive or start fighting wantonly. ..." The centurion's office was prestigious and "very attractive to the ambitious soldier."
February 9
SPIRIT
The sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias (John 6:1) Located in the Jordan River valley, this large freshwater lake is known in the Bible by other names as well: Chinnereth (see Num. 34:11) and Gennesaret (see Luke 5:1). It came to be called the Sea of Tiberias because of the important city of the same name located on the west side of the lake.
Thou sendest forth thy spirit (Ps. 104:30)
The term for "spirit" appearing here can also be rendered "breath," "wind." In Hebrew thought, "spirit" implies movement, activity; thus the creative power attributed to it here (see also Gen. 1:2). The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament summarizes the Hebrew concept by stating that this Hebrew term for "spirit" means "life-power, having the ground of its vitality in itself."
Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living (Ps. 142:5) "Portion" derives from a Hebrew term describing the division of land, goods, supplies, and so forth among several recipients. Here the Psalmist rejoices in his relationship to God and the certainty of safety and abundance which that implies. Today's English Version gives, "... you, Lord, are my protector; you are all I want in this life."
February 16
SOUL
The woman with child and her that travaileth with child together (Jer. 31:8)
The New English Bible translates it as "women with child and women in labour." But Robert P. Carroll, in his commentary on Jeremiah, explains it as "the pregnant and those who have given birth recently." He notes: "The feminine images in these poems are characteristic of the restoration theme: a land filled with overflowing life. In the poems about the destruction of city and nation the feminine is an image of the ... violated nation—the victim. Now the great reversal ... transforms the feminine back into its active state of that which gives life and sustains it."
Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed (Gen. 32:28) The learned Bible scholar William Smith in his original four-volume unabridged Bible dictionary notes that, before the translation of the Scriptures into Latin (the version called the Vulgate), "the signification of the name [Israel] was commonly believed to be man (or the mind) seeing God.' "
February 23
MIND
I know not how to go out or come in (I Kings 3:7) One common referent of this particular expression is warfare—one hears of "going out" to battle and "coming in," coming home again. The Interpreter's Bible notes that Solomon was surely under twenty years old at this time and, according to at least one ancient source, may have been as young as twelve.
An understanding heart (I Kings 3:9) The Revised Standard Version translates this as "an understanding mind," and the Hebrew text reads, literally, "a hearing heart." The verb "hear" often had the specific connotation of paying heed to a divine command and obeying it.
Bind them (Prov. 6:21) These words reflect a practice common among Jews to the present day of wearing phylacteries, leather boxes holding a copy of a verse or two from Hebrew Scripture, which were attached by straps to the forehead or forearm of the worshiper.
© 1991 The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved.
