It seems as though we preachers today stand in a closer relation to this "Methurgeman" than did the apostles and other NT writers.

No doubt, providential historic time and place was a part of the NT writers' influence. BUT (big but) they were giving inspired witness to the OT Scriptures. To my mind, that calls into question the idea that they would deliberately adopt a "stance" widely viewed as "non-authoritative." At the very least, I would expect the people listening to them would never confuse such witness for that of a mere "Methurgeman". I don't really think the apostles were scouring the alternative translations and past commentaries for "just the right language" to suit their preferred interpretation.

I'm far more impressed with the argument that these men were interpreting OT Scripture with reference to Christ, always and ever. They were conscious of the Redemptive events they had witnessed. They knew they had the Spirit. They spoke like the prophets, but also with reference to the prophets. So,when Paul in Eph 4:8 quotes Ps 68:18, he reverses the language (received gifts) and has Christ taking what he was given and in his turn dispensing gifts. If a Targum or LXX also rendered it, that could represent an alternate reading, maybe older, but also possibly influenced by later Christian interpretation. Who knows? Even if we knew for sure the order, I don't think we need to "justify" the apostolic rendering.

just my worth

__________________
Rev. Bruce G. Buchanan
ChainOLakes Presbyterian Church, CentralLake, MI


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