Exegetically Speaking

Eve’s words about her newborn son, Seth, which are her last recorded words, echo the Hebrew words to the serpent in Gen. 3:15, signaling Eve’s persevering hope in God’s deliverance. Dr. Ingrid Faro, who has contributed to this podcastbefore, is Professor of Old Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, IL. Among other things, she is the author of Evil in Genesis: A Contextual Analysis of Hebrew Lexemes for Evil in the Book of Genesis and Demystifying Evil: A Biblical and Personal Exploration. She is working on a new book provisionally entitled, Bold Women: Advancing the Storyline of Scripture (Zondervan). Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/415XqP6  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4fKqWON 

Michael Licona, Professor of New Testament at Houston Christian University, dives into the heart of John 1:1 and its implications on the nature of Jesus. He navigates the debate over whether Jesus is 'a god' or God Himself, dissecting Greek language nuances and translation inconsistencies. Licona discusses theological debates with Jehovah's Witnesses and analyses the term 'God' across various translations. Listeners are encouraged to explore biblical texts further for a deeper understanding of scripture.

In his previous conversation centered on Rom. 1:16-17, Roy Ciampa contextualized the unique phrase ἐκ πίστεως (translated there as, “through faith”) in Greek writings generally and Romans in particular. He now studies this phrase throughout Galatians, with special reference to Gal. 2:16. In addition to his posts at Samford University and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary mentioned in the notes to the earlier episode, Dr. Ciampa has served as manager for integrated training at American Bible Society’s Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship, lectured and taught internationally, and was earlier a missionary professor of biblical studies in Portugal where he served as a translator for the Portuguese Bible Society’s contemporary Portuguese translation of the Bible. For more detail on the topic of this episode, see Roy E. Ciampa, “Habakkuk 2:4 in Galatians: Rewritings and Snippet Quotations,” pp. 77-94 in Scriptures, Texts, and Tracings in Galatians and 1 Thessalonians. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4fYAKEC  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4eIrBiH  

Nowhere in all known Greek writings is the precise phrase ἐκ πίστεως (“out of” or “from faith”) found until the Greek version of Habakkuk 2:4, and some of the scribes transmitting that text altered it. It is this phrasing that Paul adopts in the crucial lines of Roman 1:16-17, and rewords elsewhere. What, then, was the intended sense of this unique wording? Dr. Roy E. Ciampa recently retired as S. Louis and Ann W. Armstrong Professor of Religion and chair of the Department of Biblical and Religious studies at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He is currently teaching at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, where he was previously on faculty. His publications include The Presence and Function of Scripture in Galatians 1 and 2 (WUNT 2/102) and (with Brian Rosner) The First Letter to the Corinthians (PNTC). For more detail on the topic of this episode, see Roy E. Ciampa, “Habakkuk 2:4 in Romans: Echoes, Allusions, and Rewriting,” pp. 11-29 of Scripture, Texts, and Tracings in Romans.  Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/40QfwEB  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4fLnZxd 

The Greek language Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 15 to convey the gospel’s teaching of Jesus’ resurrection lodges this in authoritative tradition dating back to months after the events. The center of God’s self-revelation and salvation is more firmly attested than anything else in Scripture. Dr. Gary Habermas is Distinguished Research Professor in the School of Divinity, Liberty University, Virginia. His many important publications include, On the Resurrection, Volume 1: Evidences and On the Resurrection, Volume 2: Refutations; there will be two more volumes in the series.  Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3O8yMWg  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/40JbMVx 

What happens when your modern English translation renders the meaning of biblical names, connecting this with the practices of the ancient Hebrews and traditional Native Americans? Terry M. Wildman, of Ojibwe and Yaqui ancestry, is the Lead Translator, Editor, and Project Manager of the First Nations Version. He is the Director of Spiritual Growth and Leadership Development for Native InterVarsity, and the founder of the non-profit Rain Ministries. He has previously served as a pastor and worship leader. Terry and his wife, Darlene, live in Maricopa, Arizona, on the traditional lands of the Pima and Tohono O’odham. Together, they are the Grammy-nominated and Nammy award-winning musical duo and recording artists known as RainSong. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4e00ejF  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3A3ZDQd 

An important verb in Gal. 5:2 could be either passive voice or middle voice. It is translated, “if you accept circumcision” (ESV) or “if ye be circumcised” (KJV) or “if you have yourselves circumcised” (NAB). Verse 4 is sometimes translated, “You are severed from Christ” (ESV) or “You . . . have been alienated from Christ” (NIV). Consideration of the Greek wording is critical for our understanding. Dr. Jeremiah Coogan, Assistant Professor of New Testament at the Jesuit School of Theology, Santa Clara University, is an alum of Wheaton College’s Classical Languages major. He was the 2021 recipient of the Paul J. Achtemeier Award for New Testament Scholarship, and his publications include Eusebius the Evangelist: Rewriting the Fourfold Gospel in Late Antiquity (Oxford University Press). Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/48lnN5o M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3UnbIXs 

Does Rom. 13:1 leave room for sanctioned rebellion against a government? Take 1775 for example. Dr. Michael Bird is Deputy Principal and Lecturer in New Testament at Ridley College (Melbourne, Australia). His many publications include Romans: Greek-English Interlinear | Paraphrase | Study Notes, Jesus among the gods: Early Christology in the Greco-Roman World, and (with N. T. Wright) Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3Y9f6X7  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4dUMkzo 

In Jesus’ prayer of John 17 he prays for future generations of believers with special emphasis on their oneness. Karen Jobes provides a close reading of the Greek of this astonishing and vital passage. Dr. Karen Jobes is Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis, Emerita, at Wheaton College & Graduate School. She has authored many books and articles, including John Through Old Testament Eyes: A Background and Application Commentary, and commentaries on Esther, 1 Peter, and 1, 2, 3 John. She served for years on the Committee for Bible Translation (responsible for the NIV translation of the Bible). Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3XW4quI  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3By5Tjq 

Greek verbs have been traditionally labeled “tenses,” but many grammarians have for some time argued that “tense” is not the best way to explain what is going on. The linguistic category of “aspect” is a more powerful theoretical explanation. But what is “verbal aspect” and how does this theory affect the reading of Greek texts? Dr. Constantine Campbell is Professor and Research Director at the Sydney College of Divinity (Norwest, Australia). He has published widely on Koiné Greek grammar and the New Testament writings. Examples include, Basics of Verbal Aspect in Biblical Greek and The Letter to the Ephesians. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. He is also a jazz saxophonist and a visiting instructor at The Australian National University School of Music.  Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4elFSSP  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3zDIfl0