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A Criticism

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 12, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 29, No. 14.

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A Criticism.

By G. W. A.

IN the fifteenth chapter of the gospel by John, in the twentieth verse, the Lord threw out a few cautions to his disciples, advising them beforehand what they might expect for believing on his name. He said to them, “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they HAVE KEPT my saying, they will keep yours also.”
Some time since, I read a statement from a Baptist clergyman of celebrity, the Rev. Dr. Hague, who said that the Greek word rendered “HAVE KEPT,” in the above text, in this instance, as well as in many others, had the meaning of “HAVE WATCHED.” This to me was new light in reference to the Saviour’s instructions, and upon examination I was led to regard the Doctor’s view as the correct one.
The word rendered “have watched,” in John xv, 20, is ἐτήρησαν, [eteresan] and its first and literal meaning according to “Bagster’s Analytical Greek Lexicon,” is “to keep watch upon, guard, to watch over, to mark attentively,” &c. This would give altogether a different shade to the meaning of the Saviour’s words, and from this definition it would seem to be the right one. This view also seems to give a better harmony in the context. The 21st verse says: “BUT ALL these things WILL THEY DO UNTO YOU for my names sake, BECAUSE THEY KNOW NOT Him that sent me.”
Taken in the above light, our Lord’s words would read as follows: “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they HAVE WATCHED my saying, they WILL WATCH yours also.” Interpreted and translated in this manner, the text would inculcate on the follower of Christ, prudence, especially in the presence of his enemies, who may be “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” See Matt. x, 16.
Fully believing that the above thoughts are in harmony with reason and the Scriptures, they are submitted to the reader. G. W. A.
Battle Creek, Mich.