NiteFox,May 14 2005, 03:15 PM Wrote:The correct Biblical quote mangled by centuries of ignorance is "the love of money is the root of all evil.""Mangled by centuries of ignorance" is a rather harsh analysis. You do understand that it does not correlate to only exactly one phrase in English? The ancient Greek can be translated with some variance.
The actual line is rhiza gar pantôn tôn kakôn estin hê philarguria
For the love of money is the root of all evil is pretty close. For example a very frequent problem is the word kakôn specifically means wickedness (in relation to wicked acts). True, it's close to the English word Evil, but the actual ancient word does not carry the same heavy connotation. The ancient Greek language does not have a word for evil, there is no entity of evil, only acts that are "wicked" or phrased differently: "not good." Hence translating it becomes an exercise in frustration, since it's nearly impossible to get the same sense the original greek had.
For the sake of this discussion, philarguria can be translated as a love of money, but it can also mean more broadly covetousness.
In context,
Rainbow Mission, INC Wrote:VI. Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed. [2] Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. [3] If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn't consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, [4] he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, [5] constant friction of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such. [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can't carry anything out. [8] But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. [9] But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows
(Full translation here, including the ancient Greek)
It's not entirely clear that one definition is better than the other: The love of money, or the love of material goods in general?
I hope you can see that its rather hard to translate correctly, and it will always be up for dispute. And if its up to dispute among scholars, I find it hard to justify a claim that it's "mangled by centuries of ignorance." It's never been unmangled in the first place!
The philogist in me just couldn't help but put in my 2 cents :P
Cheers,
Munk