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Once, the A.V. translates another Greek word (politeuma) as conversation
(Phil.iii.20), "our conversation is in heaven" which, needless to say, does not mean `our
talking is in heaven', but "our citizenship exists in heaven".
CONVINCE. This word occurs in the A.V. in an obsolete sense. Its modern
meaning is convict. "Which of you convinceth Me of sin" (John 8: 46) should now
read "convicteth Me of sin". In I Cor. 14: 24 the phrase `convinced of all' means
"convicted by all". In James 2: 9 our A.V. reads "If ye have respect to persons, ye
commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors". "Convicted by the law" is
what is meant. "To convince all that are ungodly" (Jude 15) should now read "to convict
all the ungodly".
COUNTERVAIL. This is another word that has become obsolete. ". . . . . The
enemy could not countervail the king's damage" is meaningless in modern English. The
word used has the sense of `compensating' or `making up for'. The Bible in Basic
English renders it "for our trouble is little in comparison with the king's loss".
COUNTRY. John 11: 54 reads in the A.V. "Jesus . . . . . went into a country near to
the wilderness" which gives the impression that the Lord went into another land and
nation, but this is not so. The inspired Greek has the country, meaning "countryside".
The Rheims Version of 1582 correctly renders this as "the country" and John Wesley
corrected the A.V. in 1755 on this point and has been followed by modern translators
generally.
COUSIN. This word as used in the A.V. means any relative and the modern word
would be `kinsfolk'. This should be noted in Luke 1: 36 and 58.
CUNNING is used in both good and bad senses in the A.V. whereas today it is only
used in a bad sense. In a good sense it meant one who was skilful. Esau was a "cunning
(skilful) hunter" (Gen. 25: 27). Saul's servants, in order to sooth him, sought for "a
cunning player on the harp" (I Sam. 16: 16) i.e. a skilful player. In I Kings 7: 14 we
are told that Hiram was "filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all
works in brass", that is, a skilful worker in metal, and in preparation for the Tabernacle
we read of `cunning men' and `cunning workmen' and `cunning work'.
CURIOUS. The old English meant `made with care' not `peculiar'. Exod. 28: 8
rendered in the A.V. "and the curious girdle of the ephod" means "a skillfully woven
band". Bezaleel devised `curious works' (Exod. 35: 32), that is, `artistic designs'.
Psa. 139: 15 is an interesting reference to the unborn child ". . . . . made in secret, and
curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth". The formation of different members