(The reader should always turn to the Bible and read the passages referred to.)

QUES. 4.-What did the apostle mean by saying, "I would they were even cut off which trouble you?" (Gal. 5:12). Please answer in Help and Food.

ANS.-A more exact translation of the passage is:"I would even that they would cut themselves off who throw you into confusion." The apostle's desire is that these Judaizing teachers might indeed separate themselves from the Galatian assemblies amongst whom they brought confusion by their teaching, urging the Galatians to be circumcised and keep Moses' law, ch. 6:12. Their efforts to have the Galatians circumcised is thus turned upon themselves-let them circumcise themselves, 1:e., cut themselves off from you, says the indignant apostle. From the beginning of Christianity Satan's endeavor has been to corrupt or destroy the gospel by bringing in Judaist or law teachers in the Christian assemblies. See Acts ch. 15; Phil. 3:2, 3, etc. This whole epistle (Galatians) was written to expose their subtle teachings and deliver God's people from them.

QUES. 5.-Kindly give us through Help and Food what light you can on John 3:3, 5-that is, to see the Kingdom, and enter into it. Also, When was Nicodemus born again?

ANS.-It is taught by some that seeing the Kingdom and entering it are quite different. If by "seeing" they mean just to mentally apprehend what the kingdom is, it seems too trivial to put such a thought in the Lord's words. I prefer to take the two expressions as in fact having the same meaning. In ver. 36 of this chapter it is said, "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him;" can we suppose that not to "see life" means not to mentally apprehend what life is? Or does it not plainly mean he shall not enter it? "Hair-splitting" seldom does any good, but often much harm. Let us take heed to the apostle's word to Timothy:"Charge them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers" (2 Tim. 2:14).

"When was Nicodemus born again?" Just as every one of us is:When we receive Christ by faith. See John 1:12,13; 1 John 5:12,13; 1 Pet. 1:23, 25.