Study to show yourself approved unto God
We are often encouraged, prompted, and instructed to read our Bible. Seldom if ever are we admonished to study the Word of God. There is a considerable difference between reading and studying. Reading provides a general overview of the subject text while studying reveals to us the details of the passage. Thirty times we find the word "read" in the New Testament. This word is translated from the Greek word "anaginosko" {an-ag-in-oce'-ko} and means literally to distinguish between, to recognize, to know accurately, to acknowledge depending on the context of the passage under consideration. In Mark 12:24 Jesus answered [the Sadducees] and said to them, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? (read Mark 12:18-24) In 2nd Timothy 15 [Timothy is admonished by Paul] Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. KJV
- *Study = spoudazo {spoo-dad'-zo} (1) to hasten, make haste, (2) to exert one's self, (3) endeavour, (4) give diligence.
- To handle the word of truth correctly, we must study the Word of God so we can understand what it means.
Many of my Christian friends' read publications such as, the daily bread, the watchtower, daily devotions, daily dose, or others published by major religious denominations. Others read a chapter from their study Bible and follow the notes of the commentator that wrote the notes contained in them. Some read a chapter or two from the O.T. and a chapter or two from the N.T. in their effort to read through the Bible in a year. Some even read a complete book and some the entire Bible. None of these applications bring us to the point of, studying the Word of God.
To properly study the Word of God we must set aside the input and opinions of men and any assumptions we make and concentrate on the Word of God. Daily reading of morning devotions and Bible reading is a great way to start our day but to study the Scripture is much more involved and requires more than a few minutes a day. In studying the Scripture it is as important to notice what God does not say as well as what God dose say. Ignoring this rule of study will leave many unanswered questions as to what the text actually says. These unanswered questions often lead Bible students to fill in with possible assumptions. We never find words in the Scripture like, maybe, it could have been, or possibly, etc.
The Bible is its own best interpreter and all the answers are to be found in the Scriptures themselves. In 1st Corinthians 14:33 [we read] "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints". The bible references used in these lessons are taken from the New King James translation of the Bible unless otherwise noted. This Bible is written for the reading level of twelve year olds. References to the original languages are taken from the exhaustive version of the Strong's Bible Concordance. A most helpful study tool and book recommended for all Bible students to own.
In the study of Hermeneutics (Hermeneutic definition is - the study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible) Merriam-Webster.
There are some simple rules for the interpretation of Scripture. Here are a few to follow.
- Read the Scripture literally when there is no obvious evidence of symbolism or vague implications found in the text.
- Study the Scripture in context.
- Allow the Scripture to interpret itself by comparing Scripture with Scripture
- Draw no conclusions until you have completed a thorough study of all related Scripture.
5. Always compare your Bible text translation to the original language.
There are enumerable passages of Scriptures that we could use to illustrate the implementation of these rules. A good illustration of an often contested and misunderstood passage of the Bible is Genesis 6:1-7.
Some interpreters offer the theory for Genesis 6: 1-7 as a sexual relationship between women on earth and fallen angels. This relationship then supposedly produced a race of giants. Admitted, this is an interesting theory but it creates more questions than answers.
Using the five rules listed above let's consider this paragraph found in the book of Genesis. After reading the complete paragraph we will apply these five rules for a Scriptural interpretation.
Increasing Corruption on Earth
Read the Scripture literally when there is no obvious evidence of symbolism or vague implications found in the text.
Genesis 6:1 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, [chapter 5]
2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.
3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."
4 There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
5 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And it repented Jehovah that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7 And Jehovah said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the ground; both man, and beast, and creeping things, and birds of the heavens; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Now read the paragraph this way:
Genesis 6:1 Now it came to pass,[in due time] when men [in this context; "adam" ruddy, i.e. a human being] began to multiply [reproduce] on the face of the earth, and daughters [female offspring] were born to them,
2 that the sons of God ["ben" a son (as a builder of the family name)], saw the daughters of men ["adam" ruddy,i.e. a human being], that they were beautiful; and they [the sons of God] took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.[Married whomever they selected]
3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive [oppose, or argue] with man ["adam" ruddy, i.e. a human being] forever, for he is indeed flesh ["basar" flesh (from its freshness); by extension, a body, or a person]; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." [Man will be allowed to live one hundred and twenty more years.]
4 There were giants [existing] on the earth in those days, and also [giants existed] afterward, when the [righteous] sons of God came in to the daughters of [unrighteous] men and they bore children to them [built a family with them]. Those were the mighty men ["adam" ruddy, i.e. a human being] who were of old, ["owlam" concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally time out of mind (past or future).] men ["enowsh" a mortal, hence a man in general. (Singly or collectively.] of renown ["shem" an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication, honor, authority, character]. {NOTE: Mighty men applied to the descendants of the Nephalim. Mighty men likely indicates men of great size. perhaps Josh. 10:2). Elsewhere mighty men refers to valiant warriors, especially to the elite groups of three and thirty who served David (2 Sam. 17:8,10; 23:8-39; 1 Kings 1:10,38). Many of David's elite forces were mercenaries.) who were of old ["owlam" concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally time out of mind (past or future.] men of renown ["shem" an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication, honor, authority, character.] NOTE: When we research "Modern Day Giants" we find that there are many giants (exceedingly large people) on the earth today. ("Some homework for you.")
5 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness [ra`bad or (as noun) evil, naturally or morally.] of man ["adam" ruddy, i.e. a human being] was great in the earth, and that every imagination ["machashabah" a contrivance, i.e. intention, or plan] of the thoughts of his heart was only evil [ra` bad or (as noun) evil] continually.
6 And it repented ["nacham" breathe strongly; by impl. to be sorry] Jehovah that he had made man ["adam" ruddy, i.e. a human being] on the earth, and it grieved ["atsab" to worry, pain or anger] Him at his heart.
7 And Jehovah said, I will destroy man ["adam" ruddy, i.e. a human being] whom I have created from the face of the ground; both man ["adam" ruddy, i.e. a human being] , and beast ["behemah" a dumb beast; spec. any large quadruped or animal], and creeping things ["remes" a reptile or any other rapidly moving animal], and birds ["owph"
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collect.] of the heavens; ["shamayim" the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps. alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve] for it repenteth ["nacham" breathe strongly; by impl. to be sorry] me that I have made them.
References re Sons of God
Old Testament:
Genesis 6:2 that the sons [ben, a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of lit. or fig. relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc.] of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.
Genesis 6:4 There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons [ben, a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of lit. or fig. relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc.] of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons [ben, a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of lit. or fig. relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc.] of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
Job 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons [ben, a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of lit. or fig. relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc.] of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
Job 38:7 when the morning stars [kowkab, a star (as round or as shining); fig. a prince] sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
New Testament:
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
LUK 20:35-36 "But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;"nor can they die anymore, for they are equal [saggelos {ee-sang'-el-los} like the angels in that they are eternal spirit beings].to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Job 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons [bena son (as a builder of the family name)] of God came to present themselves before the LORD
[Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.], and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
MAT 22:29-30 Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels [aggelos {ang'-el-os} a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God] of God in heaven.
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God [huios {hwee-os'} apparently a primary word:
(1) a son
(1.a) rarely used for the young of animals
(1.b) generally used of the offspring of men
(1.c) in a restricted sense, the male offspring (one born by a father and of a mother) of God.
- Read the Scripture literally when there is no obvious evidence of symbolism or vague implications found in the text.
- Study the Scripture in context.
- Allow the Scripture to interpret itself by comparing Scripture with Scripture
- Draw no conclusions until you have completed a thorough study of all related Scripture.
5. Always compare your Bible text translation to the original language.
Have a blessed day.
Pastor Stan
