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THINGS TO OBSERVE IN BIBLE STUDY - (3)
This month we continue with some things to observe in profitable Bible study. NOTE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE WRITING
This would be true whether one is studying either the Old or New Testament. A background is always important when considering what is being said. What are some examples of this? [1] Learn about the history, politics and customs of the times of which you are studying. Here is where dictionaries, encyclopedias, historical and even biographical works are needed. [2] Noting the condition of the city of Corinth, for example, will help us
to understand some of the problems the church in Corinth was undergoing. [3] A study of the Roman empire will help us to understand the problems of the
"seven churches of Asia."
So long as God has had a people, they have been called upon to interact in some
measure with the surrounding nations and their customs. All these being different,
it therefore follows that these will in large part determine the circumstances
God's people might find themselves in.
MAKE WORD STUDIES
Words mean things! Here we are, centuries removed from the time of the writing
of the Bible. What did a certain word mean to the Jews? To the early Christians?
Our English language is in a state of flux, and what a word means today might
not be what it meant a generation or two ago. But the Bible, and especially the
New Testament, was not at such a disadvantage, being written in the Koine Greek.
This is a % language," and what a word meant in the New Testament, it still means
today. Consider some of these words.
[1] "Gospel." When one learns that this word means "good news," it will take on a deeper meaning. It is not just an ordinary message, but is the "good news" revealing to man what he must do to be saved. [2] "Edify" (Acts 9:31; 1 Cor. 14:4). When we learn that this word is related to "ediface," we can see the idea of a house gradually taking shape. So, one can see this growth in a spiritual sense in people. [3] "Burden" (Gal. 6:2, 5). Are you aware that even though we have but one English word in these verses, they are two different words in the Greek? Learn the meaning of each and see the Bible text take on new meaning! [4] "Cubit" (Matt. 6:27). How long is this measure? LITERAL OR FIGURATIVE?
Learn to distinguish between the two. This is generally determined by the context, and is extremely important in studying such books as Revelation. This a highly symbolic, or figurate book. For example, is Satan a literal dragon (12:9)? Does Revelation 20:4 refer to a literal 1,000 years? Not making this distinction will lead one into error. Note John 10:1-18. Was Jesus literally a door? This is another important aspect of Bible study. - Bill Moseley |