THE PROLOGUE
OUTLINE
35
IN
literal rendering. The Authorized and Revised Versions read `with
Whom we have to do', while alternative renderings given in other
translations are either `to Whom we must give an account', or `about
Whom is our discourse'. The original is pros hon hemin ho logos, or,
translating literally `with Whom for us the Word'. We may compare
this with John, Kai ho logos en pros ton theon, `And the Word was
with the God'. There is so much in common between John 1:1-5 and
Hebrews 1 which we must consider later, that we are compelled to ask
why Hebrews 4:13 should not be accepted literally:
`For the word of God is quick, and powerful ... all things are naked
and opened in the eyes of Him, with Whom for us is the Word'.
The argument in Hebrews concerning Christ is much the same as
that of John. Hebrews 4:14-16 follows the reference to the Word that
was `with' God (pros) by an encouraging statement concerning the
sympathy of Him, Who has now passed through the heavens to the
place where He was before. However, we must leave this very
intricate point and turn to the wider consideration of the distinctive
meaning of the preposition pros. It has been pointed out by others that
pros is used very much with the verbs lego, laleo, &c., meaning `to
speak'. One very common translation of pros is `to', as for example,
`He brought him to Jesus' (1:42). It is also sometimes translated
`toward' as in Ephesians 2:7. `Unto' is also a very common
translation, as in John 1:29, and occasionally we meet with `for,' as in
the sentence: `If ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say
on' (Acts 13:15).
A very suggestive rendering is found in 13:28, `Now no man at the
table knew for what intent He spake this unto him'. Observe also the
usage of pros in the following passages: