Concerning
The Word in Biblical Usage
The English word "concerning" appears frequently throughout both the Old and New Testaments as a preposition indicating the subject or topic being addressed. In the King James Version, it translates several different Hebrew and Greek words, each carrying distinct shades of meaning. Modern translations have often replaced "concerning" with more precise alternatives such as "for," "about," "as for," or "from," depending on the context.
Translation Differences Across Versions
One of the most instructive aspects of this word is how different Bible versions handle its translation. The Revised Version frequently substituted other prepositions for "concerning" and vice versa. For instance, where the KJV reads "concerning" in Romans 16:19, newer translations render it "unto that which is good." In Jeremiah 23:9, "because of" becomes "concerning," clarifying that the prophet's broken heart relates specifically to the subject of the holy words of God.
Perhaps the most significant translation shift involves Matthew 19:17, where the KJV reads "Why callest thou me good?" while the Revised Version, following a different textual tradition, renders it "Why askest thou me concerning that which is good?" This difference reflects not merely a translation choice but an underlying variation in the Greek manuscripts.
Theological Contexts
The word "concerning" often introduces weighty theological declarations. God speaks "concerning" nations and kingdoms (Jeremiah 18:7-10), prophets deliver messages "concerning" Israel's future, and the apostles write "concerning" spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1) and the resurrection of the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The preposition signals that what follows is directed, purposeful communication about a specific matter of divine importance.
God Speaking Concerning His People
Throughout the prophetic literature, God frequently speaks "concerning" His people, whether in judgment or restoration. Isaiah delivers oracles "concerning" Judah and Jerusalem (Isaiah 1:1), while Jeremiah receives the word of the Lord "concerning" the drought (Jeremiah 14:1). This pattern underscores that God's communication is never vague or directionless but always targeted toward specific situations and peoples.
New Testament Usage
In the New Testament, the Greek preposition most often translated "concerning" is "peri," meaning "about" or "around." Paul uses it when addressing specific topics in his letters, such as "concerning the things whereof ye wrote" (1 Corinthians 7:1) and "concerning spiritual gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:1). Jesus himself is described as the one "concerning" whom Moses and the prophets wrote (John 1:45), tying the entire Old Testament witness to his person and work.
Biblical Context
The word "concerning" appears across virtually every genre of Scripture. In the Pentateuch, it introduces divine commands and laws. In the prophets, it frames oracles about nations and future events. In the Gospels, it connects Jesus to Old Testament prophecy. In the Epistles, Paul and other writers use it to address specific doctrinal and practical questions raised by the churches.
Theological Significance
While "concerning" is a simple preposition, its usage reveals that God's revelation is always purposeful and directed. Scripture does not speak in generalities but addresses specific peoples, situations, and truths. The word also highlights how Jesus Christ is the central subject "concerning" whom all Scripture testifies, as he himself declared in Luke 24:27 and 44.
Historical Background
The study of how "concerning" is translated across Bible versions reflects the broader history of English Bible translation. The KJV translators in 1611 used the word more broadly than modern English permits. As the English language evolved, later revisions like the Revised Version (1881-1885) and modern translations updated the language to reflect both clearer English usage and advances in understanding the underlying Hebrew and Greek texts.