EFFECTIVE BIBLE STUDY
A BEGINNING (BUT
CRITICAL) TIP
Look for Bible "echoes"
Ask: What does this remind me of?
Consider this example of when the Pharisees
and Herodians attempted to catch Jesus in his words, so they could arrest
him. They asked:
"Teacher, we know that You
are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men,
but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or
not? Shall we pay or shall we not pay?"
Mark 12:13-17
Jesus recognized their treachery and asked
for a penny. He asked
"Whose image and inscription is this?"
They replied, "Caesar's,"
to which Christ responded,
"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that
are God's."
Fair enough. The clear answer is pay your
taxes because they belong to man's system of things. But what are the things
we ought to render to God? Look back to Genesis 1:27:
"So God created man in His
own image; in the image of God He created him."
Whose image and inscription are we? Jesus'
full message is not merely to pay your taxes, but also that we are in the
image of God and must render to Him His due by reflecting (or manifesting)
His image and character.
This is not a mysterious connection. It is
merely an association gained by careful reading.
Let's learn more......
 Some
Facts About The Bible
- Holy Bible: means "holy, or separate
book" ("holy" means "set apart" or "separate;" "Bible" is derived from the
Greek word biblia, "books")
- The Bible contains 66 books
- In the Old Testament there are 39 books
- In the New Testament there are 27 books
- There were over 40 writers including
kings and peasants, doctors and fishermen, princes and herdsmen, poets and
labourers, rich and poor, educated and uneducated
- It was written over a period of 1600
years
- There are 2,930 characters in 1,551
places
- There is every imaginable literary form
(poetry, prose, etc.).
BACKGROUND
TO THE BIBLE
Even with so many different writers and
subjects, all parts of the Bible agree with one another. Though the writers
were divided by class, period, country and disposition, there is wonderful
harmony in all they wrote. There is no contradiction or disagreement. Whence
came this wonderful unity? From God! They all wrote by divine inspiration.
They were God's agents, proclaiming His message to humanity.
INSPIRATION
All Scripture is inspired by God. Often it
says in the Bible "Thus
saith the Lord . . ." or
"The word of the Lord came unto me
saying . . ."
God spoke to men who then
recorded His words, not their own.
Some examples of
inspiration:
"Now these are the last words
of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on
high. The anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel:
The Spirit of the
Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue."
Samuel 23:1-2
"The word that came to
Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Thus speaks the Lord God of Israel,
saying: 'Write in
a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.'"
Jeremiah 30:1-2
- God is the Author of the Bible:
". . . and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you
wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God
[lit., "is God-breathed"], and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped
for every good work." 2 Timothy
3:15-17
- God's Word never fails, nor should it be
added to:
"The grass withers, the
flower fades, but
the word of our God stands
forever."
Isaiah 40:8
"Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Do not add to His words, lest He
reprove you and
you be found a liar." Proverbs 30:5-6
- The Bible is the source of truth:
"The law of the Lord is
perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making
wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of
the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether." Psalm
19:7-9
THE IMPORTANCE OF READING
THE BIBLE
- God's Word will make us wise:
". . . and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise
for salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:15-17
- God's Word gives us hope:
"For whatever things were
written before were written for our learning, that we
through the patience and comfort
of the Scriptures
might have hope."
Romans 15:4
- God's Word provides salvation to those
who believe:
"For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God to
salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of
God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall
live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17
- God's Word prepares us to defend the
faith:
"But sanctify the Lord God in
your hearts, and
always be ready to give a defense
to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with
meekness and fear . . ." 1 Peter 3:15
- God's Word provides direction for daily
living:
"This Book of the Law shall
not depart from your mouth, but
you shall meditate in it day and
night, that you
may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you
will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
Joshua 1:8
THE
BIBLE INTERPRETS ITSELF
WHEN ALL ELSE
FAILS...
How many times have you heard of someone
who spent a frustrating evening assembling his child's toy only to find out
after the fact that he has assembled it incorrectly? Of course, we all know
the modern proverb
"when all else
fails, read the instructions."
This is also true when reading the Bible.
We need to learn from our life's experiences and recognize that the key to
easier (not easy) understanding of the Bible is found within its own pages.
Our tendency is to not look far enough for answers within the book when we
encounter something we do not understand.
A basic principle of reading the Bible more
effectively lies in this simple fact:
Your questions about what the Bible teaches are answered in the Bible.
We know this sounds obvious. However, with
human nature, the obvious solution is often our last resort. Reading the
instructions first is the obvious solution to preventing frustration with
most of life's projects.
ANSWERS ARE FOUND NEAR AND
FAR
-
Look in the same chapter or surrounding
chapters:
For example:
- Christ's explanation of the parable of
the Sower in Matthew 13:3-8 is contained in Matthew 13:18-23 (note they
are not immediately adjacent).
- Nebuchadnezzar's vision of the Image in
Daniel 2:31-35 is interpreted in 2:36-45.
-
Look in other books of the Bible:
For example:
- It was an angel who spoke to Moses in
the burning bush. Compare Exodus 3:4 with Acts 7:30-31.
- The reason why Jesus said
"My God, my God, why have You
forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46) is made
clear with a thorough reading of Psalm 22.
WHY
THE BIBLE IS DIFFICULT TO READ?
If you find the Bible difficult to read in
places, it's probably because it sometimes is difficult to read! Once we
accept this fact and realize that God has a purpose in this, then
frustration turns to challenge. Millions of readers work the Sunday
crossword puzzle. How many spend a few minutes of time to unlock the puzzles
of Scripture?
Always remember:
"It is the glory of God to
conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter."
Proverbs 25:2
WHY DID JESUS SPEAK IN
PARABLES?
The disciples posed this question to Jesus
in Matthew 13:10. His answer reveals that it is a separation process:
"Because it has been given to
you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not
been given"
(If a question of whether or not this is
fair arises, consider Paul's comment in Romans 9:18-21).
TO WHOM IS TRUTH REVEALED?
- To "babes:" Matthew 11:25
- Not to those who consider themselves
wise or "learned:" 1 Corinthians 1:17-31
HOW DOES ONE GAIN
UNDERSTANDING?
- Prayerful reading of God's Word.
- Application of time and energy.
- Slowly and carefully.
UNDERSTANDING IS
PROMISED TO THOSE WHO SEEK DILIGENTLY!
We must ask in faith (and this involves
prayer), but understanding is assured if we are patient to receive it.
"Ask, and it will be given to
you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks
it will be opened. " Matthew 7:7-8
"If any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and
it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for
he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."
James 1:5-6
REMEMBER: YOU
CANNOT SPEED READ THE BIBLE!
TIPS
ON READING
The importance of Bible reading is summed
up in 2 Timothy 3:15-17:
"ALL SCRIPTURE . . .
Makes one wise for salvation.
Is profitable for:
doctrine
reproof
correction
instruction in righteousness
. . . so that the man of God
may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE:
A STEADY
CONSISTENT DIET OF THE WORD OF GOD
We recommend a regular intake of God's Word
(the Bible) of at least fifteen to twenty minutes daily.
An example is given us of the Bereans in
the book of Acts who were:
"more fair-minded than those
in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and
searched the Scriptures
daily
to find out whether these things were so"
(Acts 17:11).
There are many different Bible reading
plans available. One such plan, the
Daily Bible Companion,
[available FREE
of charge] is structured to
take a person through the Bible in a year, reading three portions daily. By
doing two readings from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament
daily, at the end of the year, a person has read the Old Testament once and
the New Testament twice.
The people of Israel were to begin and end
their day with prayer and meditation with God during the daily and evening
sacrifice; this provides a good example for us.
HOW SHOULD WE APPROACH
READING THE BIBLE?
If we are to gain what we can from Bible
study, we need to approach it with the right attitudes. We need to be open
to the Bible's teachings, and this may mean exposing ourselves to new ideas.
If we approach all ideas with a "fortress mentality" --thinking that our
main job is to defend the walls that we have built up--we will have very
little space for growth.
The Bible is a book of strength that has
withstood all kinds of attacks during its history. As in all other areas of
study, scholars build upon and re-evaluate the work of earlier scholars. We
need not fear examining new ideas and evaluating them carefully in the light
of all the teachings of the Bible.
We need an attitude of willingness to
meditate on what we are learning and to think through for ourselves how our
learning can and should be applied in our own lives. To do this, it is
usually helpful to share our ideas and interpretations with other Bible
students for discussion and evaluation. We can learn from each other.
Bible study is trying work. It is also
exhilarating and life changing. The study of the Bible can enrich us as no
other study can. You will experience a new exhilaration as you learn to make
your own judgments based on firm principles, and the Bible will become more
alive and powerful in your life. Remember, God intended for you to
understand this remarkable book and to meet Him in its pages.
BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR
READING THE BIBLE
- Study every passage within its literary
context. Literary context includes both a text's immediate setting (the
verses around it) and its relationship to the entire book.
- Recognize that the cultural, social and
historical environment represented in a biblical passage differs from that
of today, and then try to understand a passage in light of those
differences.
- Translations often reflect the
translator's understanding. Therefore, when studying a passage, compare
several translations, or versions, to try and discover the most likely
meaning of a word or phrase.
- Interpret any single passage in light of
what the author has written elsewhere.
- Interpret the Bible as a whole. That is,
interpret the Bible in light of the entire message of the Bible.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
WHEN READING:
- What is the main subject?
- Who are the main people?
- What does it say about God?
- What does it say about Christ?
- What is the key or main verse?
- What is the central lesson?
- What are the main promises?
- What are the main commandments or
instructions?
- What error should I avoid?
- What example is there to follow?
- What do I need most in this chapter to
apply to my life today?
- Are there cross references that can be
used to develop the theme of the passage or add clarity of understanding?
- Are there any key words or phrases? Do
they appear in other sections of the same book as well as other books?
- Are there any words I should look up to
clarify a definition?
HOW READEST THOU?
- It is one thing to read the
Bible through,
- Another thing to learn and
read and do.
- Some read it with desire to
learn, and read,
- But to their subject pay
but little heed;
- Some read it as their duty
every week,
- But no instruction from the
Bible seek;
- While others read it with
but little care,
- With no regard to how they
read or where;
- Some read it as a History,
to know
- How people lived two
thousand years ago,
- Some read it to bring
themselves into repute,
- By showing others how they
can dispute;
- While others read because
their neighbors do,
- To see how long it takes to
read it through.
- Some read it for the
wonders that are there,
- How David killed a lion and
a bear;
- While others read it with
uncommon care,
- Hoping to find some
contradictions there.
- Some read as though it did
not speak to them,
- But to the people at
Jerusalem.
- One reads it as a book of
mysteries,
- And won't believe the very
thing he sees;
- One reads with father's
specs upon his head,
- And sees the thing just as
his father said;
- Some read to prove a
pre-adopted creed,
- Hence understanding but
little as they read,
- For every passage in the
book they bend
- To make it suit that
all-important end.
- Some people read, as I have
often thought,
- To teach the Book, instead
of being taught;
- And some there are who read
it out of spite
- I fear there are but few
who read it right.
- One thing I find, and you
may find it too,
- The more you read, the more
you find it true;
- But this to find, an open
eye is needful,
- With often prayer, and
humble heart all heedful;
- The one who reads with
pride or inattention,
- Will only find full causes
of dissension,
- The one who reads with
modest penetration,
- Will find the joy of
comfort and salvation.
DO:
- Look first to the Bible for answers to
questions
- Read all of the Bible to find answers to
your questions
- Use clear passages to explain the more
difficult ones
- Write down your questions (it may be a
while until you get to the answer)
DON'T:
- Expect quick answers
- Look at isolated passages and draw
conclusions
TIP
1: PREPARATION
- Allow Time
- Select a Translation
- Be Comfortable
TIP
2: HOW TO READ
- Read Aloud
- Listen for Echoes
- Ask Yourself Questions
TIP
3: WHEN YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND
- Be Patient
- Use Other Translations
- Use Study Tools
- Seek more experienced Bible readers
VERSIONS
OF THE BIBLE
The great number of versions available in
the English language is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing
because the diverse range of English translations of God's Word provides us
with a wealth of alternative renderings that can help us in our reading and
study of the Bible. It is somewhat of a curse because the veritable babel of
translations can be confusing and make it harder for us to memorize
Scripture. In this section we will consider briefly the history of the
English Bible and outline the characteristics of the four main types of
Bible translation.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
ENGLISH BIBLE
From the early Middle Ages until the
Reformation of the sixteenth century, the Latin Vulgate was the official
Bible of the Church. This was unfortunate, since only a few educated people
could read Latin. Thus the Bible was a closed book to the majority of
people.
The later Medieval period, however, saw the
production of several partial translations into Old English (Anglo-Saxon).
The first full translation of the Bible in our language was the Middle
English translation of John Wycliffe in 1382.
Still, it was not until the time of William
Tyndale in the Reformation that the Bible was translated into English from
the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. From Tyndale's
translation work at the beginning of the sixteenth century to the
translation of the King James Version early in the seventeenth century,
several English versions were produced:
- 1525 Tyndale's New Testament
- 1535 The Coverdale Bible
- 1539 The Great Bible
- 1560 The Geneva Bible
- 1568 The Bishop's Bible
- 1611 The King James Version
The King James Version reigned dominant
until well into the twentieth century, and still remains popular. Whereas
almost all English translations from Tyndale to the American Standard
Version tended to be literal, the twentieth century saw the rise of other
less literal forms of translation.
THE FOUR MAIN TYPES OF
BIBLE TRANSLATION
1. WORD-FOR-WORD (LITERAL)
- 1611 The King James or Authorised
Version (KJV or AV)
- 1881-5 The Revised Version (RV)
- 1901 The American Standard Version (ASV)
- 1946-52 The Revised Standard Version
(RSV)
- 1971 The New American Standard Bible (NASB)
- 1982 The New King James Version (NKJV)
- 1989 The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
2. MEANING-FOR-MEANING
- The Good News Bible / Today's English
Version (GNB or TEV)
- The New English Bible (NEB)
3. WORD-FOR-WORD AND
MEANING-FOR-MEANING BLENDS
- The New International Version (NIV)
- The Jerusalem Bible (JB)
- The New Jerusalem Bible (NJB)
- The Revised English Bible (REB)
4. PARAPHRASE
- J.B. Phillips
- The Living Bible
GENERAL GUIDELINES AND
SUGGESTIONS
- The literal (word-for-word) versions are
the most accurate renditions of God's Word and include the least amount of
translational bias.
- Since the literal versions are the most
accurate, they are usually the best for Bible study.
- The King James Version is linked to more
study aids (such as Strong's and Young's Concordances) than any other
English Version.
- Because of their literary style, many of
the less literal versions (such as the NIV) make good versions for
personal reading.
- It is helpful to include both literal
and less literal translations on your bookshelf.
- It is best to stay with a single version
for most of your reading and study (this aids in memorization).
- When choosing your main Bible, look for
durable binding, cross-references and perhaps wide margins (for your
personal notes).
- Study Bibles, since they do not
encourage personal study, are best used as bookshelf references.
MYSTERY?
In these pages we have looked at ways we
can gain an understanding of God's Word through reading and studying the
Bible. But what about the claim that the Bible contains unfathomable
"mysteries"? It is certainly true that God's ways are higher than our ways
and his thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9), and that our
minds are too finite to understand such things as the mechanics of creation
(Job 38:4-7) or how God could know the end from the beginning (Isaiah
46:10).
Yet, it would be wrong to conclude that
scriptural teachings are unfathomable or that the Bible is a mysterious
book. At least two reasons lead us to this belief. First, God expressly sent
His Word (the Bible) as a message to mankind; therefore, it was written in a
way that men and women could understand it. Second, while the Bible does
speak of mysteries, it also makes it clear that these mysteries have been
revealed. Here it is helpful to remember that the entire Bible is in fact a
revelation--a book revealed by God.
Perhaps part of the problem lies in our
modern sense of the word "mystery" as it is used in religious contexts. In
the New Testament the Greek word mysterion simply refers to something
formerly unknown that has been revealed, or something that is only
understood by an inside group. Because of this meaning, some translators
feel the word "secret" more accurately captures the meaning of the word
mysterion.
But who are the people that make up this
inside group? No-one more mysterious than Bible readers! Let's begin by
looking at an important New Testament example.
THE "MYSTERY" OF THE
GOSPEL
During the ministry of Christ, his
disciples preached the Gospel of the Kingdom without teaching about his
sacrificial death. They never thought such a thing would happen.
"He sent them to preach the
kingdom of God and to heal the sick."
Luke 9:2
"'Let these words sink down
into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands
of men.' But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from
them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him
about this saying." Luke 9:44-45
Had the apostles understood the things
spoken by Jesus, his death would have confirmed their belief that he was the
Christ.
"For as yet they did not know
the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead."
John 20:9
"His disciples did not
understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they
remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done
these things to Him." John 12:16
After Christ's ascension to heaven, the
Spirit revealed this "mystery" of the Gospel to the apostles before they
resumed their preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom.
THE MYSTERY REVEALED
The Apostle Paul speaks about another
crucial aspect of the Gospel that was revealed in New Testament times. He
deals with this in Ephesians 3:1-7, a section the New King James Version
entitles "The Mystery Revealed."
First Paul begins by telling the Ephesians
about "the dispensation of
the grace of God which was given to me for you . . ."
(Ephesians 3:2). What was this dispensation of grace?
". . . that by revelation He
[God] made known to me the mystery . . ."
(Ephesians 3:3)
This mystery was not fully understood
before the coming of Christ:
". . . which [mystery] in
other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has
now
been revealed
by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets . . ."
(Ephesians 3:5)
What was this particular mystery that God
revealed to Paul and other Christians?
". . . that the Gentiles
should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in
Christ through the Gospel . . ."(Ephesians
3:6)
Other aspects of the Gospel were revealed
in a complete sense in the New Testament as well:
". . . and the preaching of
Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation
of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began but
now
has been made
manifest . . ."
Romans 16:25-26
". . . the mystery which has
been hidden from ages and from generations, but
now
has been revealed
to His saints." Colossians 1:26
The prophecies concerning Jesus Christ that
have been fulfilled are the facts embraced in the Gospel of the Kingdom; the
mystery made known is an important theme connected with the Gospel (see also
Acts 8:12), and involves the teachings of the Kingdom and of the Messiah.
". . . preaching the kingdom
of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ . . ."
Acts 28:31
The conditions of salvation are based upon
the revealed mystery.
SUMMARY
- God intended His message to mankind to
be understood
- Aspects of the Gospel were a "mystery"
to the world only until the apostles' day
- The apostles received an understanding
of the mystery of Christ
- What was once a mystery is no longer a
mystery
- God has revealed His plan gradually
through the ages
- The revelation is complete with the New
Testament
- The "mysteries" of the Bible can be
understood by Bible readers
STUDY
TOOLS
CONCORDANCES AND LEXICONS:
Concordance:
an alphabetical index of all the
principle words in the Bible listed with the phrase in which they occur
Lexicon:
analogous to a dictionary; it is an
alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language with their definitions
USING A CONCORDANCE:
- Useful when trying to locate a verse
when you just remember a word or phrase from that verse.
- Useful in performing word studies by
looking at other passages that might relate.
Recommendations:
- Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (includes
lexicons)
- Young's Analytical Concordance (includes
lexicons)
- Englishman's Hebrew-Chaldee Concordance
of the Old Testament
- Englishman's Greek Concordance of the New
Testament
- Cruden's Concordance
- On-Line Bible (Free Software for
Computers)
USING A LEXICON:
- Its principle use is for looking up word
definitions.
- It provides insight into how else a
given word is used in the Bible.
Recommendations:
- Strong's
- Young's
- Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon of the
Old Testament
- Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the
New Testament
WHEN HEBREW AND GREEK MAKE
A DIFFERENCE:
"Make yourself an ark of
gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with
pitch." Genesis 6:14
There are two different words here for
"pitch." According to Strong's Concordance, the first occurrence is #3722
and the second one is #3724 (Strong's provides number codes for each Hebrew
and Greek word; this makes using the lexicons easier). Looking it up in
Strong's Lexicon we have:
3722
- kaphar, kaw-far'; a prim. root; to cover (spec. with bitumen); fig. to
expiate or condone, to placate or cancel: -appease, make (an) atonement,
cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put
off, (make) reconcile (-liation).
3724
- kopher, ko'-fer; from 3722; prop. a cover, i.e. (lit.) a village (as
covered in); (spec.) bitumen (as used for coating), and the henna plant (as
used for dyeing); fig. a redemption price:- bribe, camphire, pitch, ransom,
satisfaction, sum of money, village.
Another example . . .
"So when they had eaten
breakfast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love
Me more than these?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love
You.' He said to him, 'Feed My lambs.' He said to him again a second time,
'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You
know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Tend My sheep.' He said to him the
third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved
because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to
Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to
him, 'Feed My sheep.'" John 21:15-17
Two different words are used for "love" in
this passage. Christ uses one and Peter another. Christ uses #25 and Peter
#5368. In Strong's Concordance we have:
25
- agapao, ag-ap-ah'-o; perh. from agan (much) [or comp. 5689]; to love (in a
social or moral sense):- (be-) love (ed). Comp. 5368
5368
- phileo, fil'-eh'-o; from 5384; to be a friend to (fond of [an individual
or an object]), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a
matter of sentiment or feeling; while 25 is under, embracing espec. the
judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle,
duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as 2309 and 1014,
or as 2372 and 3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and
the latter of the head); spec. to kiss (as a mark of tenderness):- kiss,
love.
In addition to the concordances and
lexicons that we have already considered, there are also many other works of
a more general nature that can prove helpful in your reading and study of
God's Word. Below are a few suggestions.
BIBLE DICTIONARIES
- Unger's Bible Dictionary
- Smith's Bible Dictionary
- Nelson's Expository Dictionary of the
Old Testament
- Vine's Expository Dictionary of New
Testament Words
BIBLE ATLASES
- The Macmillan Bible Atlas
- The Oxford Bible Atlas
- The NIV Bible Atlas
- The Harper Atlas of the Bible
BIBLE HISTORY AND
ARCHAEOLOGY
- The Bible as History (Werner Keller)
- Old Testament Bible History (Alfred
Edersheim)
- The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
(Alfred Edersheim)
- Josephus
COMMENTARIES
- Speaker's
- Pulpit
- Eerdman's Bible Handbook
- Halley's Bible Handbook
GENERAL
- Harper's Encyclopedia of Bible Life
- Nave's Topical Bible
- Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
- Harmony of the Gospels (Robertson)
A WORD OF CAUTION
Commentaries, dictionaries and
encyclopedias are the work of uninspired men and women commenting about
inspired scripture passages. Such books are very useful as works of
reference, but they should always be read carefully with an eye towards the
potential for personal bias. Never place total confidence in these writings.
Verify or disprove what they suggest for yourself, from the Scriptures.
USING
CROSS REFERENCES
There is no better commentary on the Bible
than itself and no-one is better suited for interpreting God's Word than God
Himself. It is here that cross references can be so valuable.
WHAT IS A CROSS REFERENCE?
Cross references are verse "references"
supplied by the translators that direct the reader to other locations in the
Bible where the same (or similar) phrase, word or event can be found.
FORMATS FOR CROSS REFERENCES:
- Centre or side margin references
- Footnote references
- Separate books (e.g. The Treasury of
Scripture Knowledge)
- Computer reference systems
USES OF CROSS REFERENCES:
- Linking teachings and prophecies
between the Old and New Testaments
Example 1:
Link: Luke 1:31-33
31 "And behold, you will
conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name
Jesus.
32 "He will be great, and
will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the
throne of His father David.
33 "And He will reign
over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."
With: 2 Samuel 7:14-17
"'I will be his Father, and
he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the
rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not
depart from him, as I took it from Saul, who I removed from before you.
And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you.
Your throne
shall be established forever.' According to these words and according to
all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David."
Example 2:
Link John 1:19-21
19 Now this is the testimony
of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him,
'Who are you?'
20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, 'I am not the Christ.'
21 And they asked him, 'What then? Are you Elijah?' He said, 'I am not.'
'Are you the Prophet?' And he answered, 'No.'
With: Deuteronomy 18:15,18
"'The Lord your God will
raise up for you a
Prophet like me from
your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear . . . and will put My
words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command him.'"
Example 3:
Link Luke 4:16-21
16 So He came to Nazareth,
where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the
synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had
opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 "The Spirit of the
Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the
poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to
the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those
who are oppressed,
19 to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat
down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your
hearing."
With: Isaiah 61:1,2
"The Spirit of the Lord God
is upon Me, because the Lord has annointed Me to preach good tidings to
the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to
the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to
proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our
God."
- Filling in details on persons,
places and subjects
Example 1:
Hebrews 6:20
where the forerunner has
entered for us, even Jesus,
having become High Priest
forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Who is Melchizedek?
"Then Melchizedek king of
Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High."
Genesis 14:18
Example 2: Matthew 12:42
42 "The
queen of the South
will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she
came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed
a greater than Solomon is here."
Who was the queen of the South?
"Now when the queen of Sheba
heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to
test him with hard questions."1 Kings
10:1
Example 3: Acts 1:1
"The former account I
made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,"
What was the former account?
"It seemed good to me
also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first,
to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus."
Luke 1:3
- Filling in the details of parallel
accounts
Example 1: History of Kings of
Israel & Judah
1 Kings 15:34
34 "He did evil in
the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin
by which he had made Israel sin."
With:
"After this event
Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but again he made priests from
every class of people for the high places; whoever wished, he consecrated
him, and he became one of the priest of the high places. And this thing
was the sin of the house of Jeroboam, so as to exterminate and destroy it
from the face of the earth." 1 Kings
13:33
1 Kings 15:23
23 "The rest of all
the acts of Asa, and his might, all that he did, and the cities which he
built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of
Judah? But in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet".
With:
"And in the
thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his
malady was very severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but
the physicians." 2 Chronicles 16:12
1 Kings 22:44
44 "Also Jehoshaphat
made peace with the king of Israel."
"Jehoshaphat had riches
and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab [king
of Israel]." 2 Chronicles 18:1
Example 2: Gospel Accounts
Luke 9:7-9
7 Now Herod the
tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because
it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,
8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old
prophets had risen again.
9 And Herod said, "John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear
such things?"
And he sought to see Him.
With:
"But when Herod's
birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and
pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she
might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, 'Give me John
the Baptist's head here on a platter.'"
Matthew 14:6-8
Matthew 27:44
44 "Even the robbers
who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing."
"Then one of the
criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, 'If You are the Christ,
save Yourself and us.' But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, 'Do
you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we
indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man
has done nothing wrong." Luke
23:39-41
- Clarification of meanings and
teachings
Example 1: Matthew 9:10-13
10 And so it was, as
Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and
sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does
your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
12 But when Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no
need of a physician, but those who are sick.
13 "But go and learn what this means 'I
desire mercy and not sacrifice.'
For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
With
"For I desire mercy
and not sacrifice, and knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."
Hosea 6:6
Example 2: John 4:5
So He came to a city
of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave
to his son Joseph.
With:
"And he bought the
parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor,
Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money."
Genesis 33:19
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