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with the elaborate Massoretic system of pointing will realize how far this has been carried
in our present Hebrew text. Even in reading the English version it is essential that we
"give the sense" intended by the translators. For instance, the words of Rom. 6: 17 can
be made to mean the exact opposite of the true sense, unless stress is rightly placed: "But
God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin." So also Luke 24: 25: "O fools, and
slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken", can be misread as though the
Lord called His disciples fools for believing all that the prophets had spoken.
The sense of Heb. 6: 1 is most certainly not found in the A.V., for what sane person
would believe that the apostle actually taught the believer to "leave the first principles of
the doctrine of Christ?" The truth of the passage is found in the margin in verse 12.
If these two exercises are prayerfully attempted, namely:--
(1) Read and speak "distinctly", giving "point" to the message, both by clear
enunciation, and clear appreciation of the meaning; and
(2) Giving the sense, both by correct punctuation and emphasis, and also by ascertaining
the actual meaning of the words by their usage in other passages, then, the third point
of the passage in Nehemiah will be secured.
"They caused them to understand the reading."--Without understanding, the hearer
cannot receive edification (I Cor. 14: 17). Without understanding, the reading of the
Word may degenerate into a mere fetish. Read distinctly, give the sense, and so use tools
appropriate to a workman who desires to produce work of which he need not be
ashamed--work to the glory of God and to the blessing of His people.
#15.
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"As a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundations" (I Cor. 3: 10).
We have seen the necessity in teaching that there should be "distinctness" and
"sense". We would now direct attention to another feature.
The wise architect lays a foundation; the unwise hurries on with the super-structure
only to see his work collapse. There can be no doubt as to the great foundation for all
true doctrine and practice:--
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (I Cor. 3: 11).
Following the example of Paul, the teacher and the preacher will see to it that Christ in
His Person and work is ever foremost. The gospel of God is concerning His Son
(Rom. 1: 1-4), and to "preach Christ" one has to distinguish between the gospel of the
kingdom, the gospel of the grace of God, the gospel of peace, and the gospel of glory.
The wise master-builder will give prominence to the work of Christ. He will display the