The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Two questions

1) I've been using my trusted NASB Bible since the late 70s, and I have this question. I didn't realize the NASB has been revised but in Hebrews 12:2 instead of 'fixing our eyes", it reads "Looking only". All other translations (I guess as I only checked the ESV and KJV) use looking, not fixing. I really like 'fixing', so I wonder why it was changed as the NASB has the reputation as being the most literal.

2) I've always got the impression that Philip Melanchthon took Luther's theology more away from Calvin into what we see today in Lutheranism. I have read some history lately (Needham) that implies that Melanchthon was good friends with Calvin and was accused by other Luther's followers as becoming to Calvinistic. What is the story on that?

In the Greek, the work "looking/fix" is apharao which is typically translated "look". It is more than a mere passing look however and more correctly means to consider attentively, or we might say "stare at with great interest". The context, IMO, would not discount the translation of "fixing our eyes", although "looking unto Jesus..." does seem to convey the idea of not only "staring intently" but "relying solely" upon Jesus.