Shine Before Men

Series: New New

Matthew 5:14-16 KJV

Matthew 5:14-16 MSG

My first Bible was given to me in 1957. It was a King James Version of the Bible.

I do not have any problem with the translation in the King James as far as accuracy, but it is in King James style. It was first published in England in 1611. The first translation of the New Testament was released in 1526.

We learn from history.com the KJV was “Published in 1611, the King James Bible spread quickly throughout Europe. Because of the wealth of resources devoted to the project, it was the most faithful and scholarly translation to date—not to mention the most accessible. “Printing had already been invented, and made copies relatively cheap compared to hand-done copies,” says Carol Meyers, a professor of religious studies at Duke University. “The translation into English, the language of the land, made it accessible to all those people who could read English, and who could afford a printed Bible.

Whereas before, the Bible had been the sole property of the Church, now more and more people could read it themselves. Not only that, but the language they read in the King James Bible was English, unlike anything they had read before. With its poetic cadences and vivid imagery, the KJV sounded to many like the voice of God himself.”

It’s also interesting to note that the publication and interest in the King James Version occurred during the English Renaissance (time of Shakespeare). It was after the time of King Henry VIII, when his daughter Queen Elizabeth I reigned in England (a Protestant), and Mary, Queen of Scots (a Catholic) were at odds.

When King James assumed the throne in England he approved the creation of this new version of the Bible. For seven years, 47 scholars and theologians worked to translate the Old testament from the Hebrew, the New Testament from the Greek, and the Apocrypha from the Greek and the Latin.

By the time it was published in 1611 the printing press had been in tested. The printing press did make the copy more affordable than hand written copies.

It’s interesting to me that my first Bible given to me in 1957 was first published in 1611, nearly 350 years before my Bible was given to me..

In Matthew 5:14-16 in the King James says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

My, oh my I’ve read that same verse in many translations! But even today with many many translations available the King James Version is beautifully translated. It reads like a theatrical masterpiece!

Even though I love that verse in the King James and in the English Standard Version, I have to admit that little by little I am warming up to the Message paraphrase of the Bible in contemporary language. The Message in Matthew 5:14-16 says, “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

You are here to be the light!

You bring God-color to the world.

So, go public with your light…

In other words, You are the light, so SHINE!

Be generous with your light.

Open your house and your life and let others in.

Extroverts, let you light shine brightly, and introverts find your own way to shine by quietly (or even secretly) by helping others.

Be who God created you to be and honor God with the gift of you. My dad was an introvert and by giving me the gift of his time, little by little he poured the love of Jesus into me. It was such a gift!

Spiritual Practice: Shine YOUR Light

Ask God to show you one way today to shine your light.

Deborah,

acrazyjourney.com