"SELF-RESPONSIBILITY": “EMPOWERMENT & BIBLE STUDY”
COMMENTARY BY JARRETT L. PERDUE SR.
COMMENTARY BY JARRETT L. PERDUE SR.
The foundation for Bible study needs to be unbiased and objective. It should never be biased and subjective. If the approach is denominational and organizational, one will not see Biblical truths. As a result, they will start saying, believing and teaching what their subjective belief is and not Biblical truths. There is a difference between a denominational and organizational belief and a Biblical Truth.
Biblical Analysis should never be used to justify any biases, bigotry, and discriminatory practices.
For example: Some may quote a scripture to justify their beliefs, as though quoting a scripture is a Federal or State Law to be obeyed. That is not the reason to study the Bible.
The approach to Bible study should always be precise, comprehensive and accurate.
Why is the word Bible used?
The original writers of Hebrew and Greek knowledge, understanding, and belief in God, never used or heard the word, Bible.
The word Bible is from the Greek "Biblia" which means books. In Greek it is called
"Biblos" - Papyrus Scroll and used in Koine Greek as "Ta Biblia" which means books. It is also called the "Library Of Divine Revelation." Bible also means any large book. In Medieval Latin the term is "Biblia Sacra" meaning Holy Book.
The word Bible from a literal meaning refers to paper or scroll which later was called book.
We must also understand
that we are reading from translations and not the original writings from the original authors. The
King James Version (1611, 1769-Oxford University Press), is a very popular translation. There are people that think the KJV is the original Bible. If there
is any mention that there are some copyist errors in any
translation, people become very upset. They think you are unjustly
criticizing the Bible, when in fact, you are giving Critical Analysis. It may seem
amazing, however, that is some of the thinking of some people. You
are just pointing out statements in the translations that calls for in-depth investigation. Books of the Bible were written 2,000 - 4,000 years ago.
When studying and researching scriptural translations, we need to distinguish what is
allegorical, metaphor, literal, hyperbole, symbolism and parabolic narratives.
3 important applications to actuate in Bible Study:
Biblical Truths
Biblical Scholarship
Biblical Conveyance
English translations that can be studied such as the KJV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NIV, AMP, BLB, BSB.
KJV - King James Version
NLT - New Living Translation.
ESV - English Standard Version.
NASB - New American Standard Bible.
NIV - New International Version.
AMP - Amplified Bible.
BLB - Berean Literal Bible.
BSB - Berean Study Bible.
When studying and researching scriptural translations, we need to distinguish what is
allegorical, metaphor, literal, hyperbole, symbolism and parabolic narratives.
3 important applications to actuate in Bible Study:
Biblical Truths
Biblical Scholarship
Biblical Conveyance
BIBLICAL
TRUTHS
In Scripture, truth is
characterized by both qualitative and quantitative aspects.
personal veracity and
historical factuality. Conformity to fact or reality.
BIBLICAL
SCHOLARSHIP
Knowledge of the Bible
acquired by study. Comprehension of the Bible.
Making relevant
connections in the texts. Learning; knowledge acquired by study; the
academic attainments of a scholar.
BIBLICAL
CONVEYANCE
What was the author's
original intended meaning?
the action of making an
idea, feeling, or impression known or understandable to someone.
ALWAYS SEE AND UNDERSTAND
THIS WITH BIBLICAL WRITERS.
English translations that can be studied such as the KJV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NIV, AMP, BLB, BSB.
KJV - King James Version
NLT - New Living Translation.
ESV - English Standard Version.
NASB - New American Standard Bible.
NIV - New International Version.
AMP - Amplified Bible.
BLB - Berean Literal Bible.
BSB - Berean Study Bible.
It is great that we have
translations from Greek and Hebrew. Comparative translation study will
be very benefiting in bringing out the truths in scripture. We must
give close attention when we are studying any translation in
reference to the original text.
Other great study tools are the Greek Interlinear Bible and the Hebrew Interlinear Bible.
This is a excellent resource. The Interlinear Bible is defined as: "An interlinear will have the original language written in the order it was written: you can see which words had priority of placement at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, how the sentence was structured originally."
Here is another definition: "It's simply a way for any student of Scripture to examine the Greek and Hebrew words that lie behind our English translations. If you know the languages or not, you can still get quite a bit of the experience."
Other great study tools are the Greek Interlinear Bible and the Hebrew Interlinear Bible.
This is a excellent resource. The Interlinear Bible is defined as: "An interlinear will have the original language written in the order it was written: you can see which words had priority of placement at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, how the sentence was structured originally."
Here is another definition: "It's simply a way for any student of Scripture to examine the Greek and Hebrew words that lie behind our English translations. If you know the languages or not, you can still get quite a bit of the experience."
First,
I believe it is important to define what STUDY
is
defined as. Here are some definitions:
- The pursuit of knowledge, as by reading, observation, or research.
- Attentive scrutiny.
- A work, such as a thesis, that results from studious endeavor.
- A literary work on a particular subject.
- To apply one's mind purposefully to the acquisition of knowledge or understanding of (a subject).
- To read carefully.
- To inquire into; investigate.
- To examine closely.
- To give careful thought to.
- To apply oneself to learning, especially by reading.
- To be engaged in the learning or understanding of a subject.
- To investigate or examine (something) by observation and research.
- Applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject.
From
the above definitions, one can see, to have knowledge and expertise
in any subject matter, study
is
a definite prerequisite.
There
are no shortcuts and no quick easy to learn methods. Study
is a discipline that requires work and continuity. It
will require work to become proficient. Whether it is mathematics,
business,
manufacturing,electronics, technology, physics, finance, economics,
accounting, medicine, science or law,
it is going to take discipline and dedication.
One
can go as high in the field(s) of their subjects as they want to go.
This exposition is about those that profess Christianity and the
importance of having understanding and knowledge of God's Word. Just
as it takes time to become proficient in any discipline, it takes
time to understand the Bible and make daily practical application in
our lives. If you are just copying & repeating information that you have read in a Commentary Translation, you will not get an in-depth understanding of Scriptural Research.
The Bible is comprehensive. It is broad in scope. The student works to become proficient in Biblical understanding. The definition of a scholar is a student. One who studies. A specialist. A learned person. If one wants to be a scholar, then they need to be a serious student, learner, pupil, thinker and reader.
The Bible is comprehensive. It is broad in scope. The student works to become proficient in Biblical understanding. The definition of a scholar is a student. One who studies. A specialist. A learned person. If one wants to be a scholar, then they need to be a serious student, learner, pupil, thinker and reader.
We
cannot put our trust in what people say the Bible states and their
interpretation of scripture, and live on that. We have to know for
ourselves if it is accurate or not. It is amazing that so many
Believers in Christianity do not put the time and effort it takes to
really see if what they are taught and have been believing over the
years concerning God's Word from someone else is true or not.
Many
people repeat what they have heard and read as factual and have never
examined the information for themselves. I am not talking about
people who want to be contrary just for the sake of arguing with no
value or substance. I am speaking of people who really want to know
about the truths of God’s Word. Studying
the Word of God applies to all Born
Again Believers,
so we may obtain sound doctrine of the scriptures.
This
is what the Apostle Paul stated to Titus on sound doctrine in the BLB translation:
Titus 2:1(BLB) "But you, speak the things that are consistent with the sound doctrine."
Titus 2:1(BLB) "But you, speak the things that are consistent with the sound doctrine."
SOUND
- Greek = hygiaino
(hu-ge-i-no) "Of
Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error."
DOCTRINE
- Greek = didaskalia
(de-da-ska-le-a) "Teaching,
instruction, precepts."
The Amplified Bible's translation: Titus 2:1 "But
[as for] you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome)
doctrine [the character and right living that identify true
Christians]."
The New Living Translation (NLT).
“As
for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome
teaching.”
Then,
in the same chapter of Titus, in verse 8 of the BLB translation, Paul
told Titus, "And sound
speech beyond reproach."
In
this context of scriptural translation here are the meanings:
SOUND
- Greek = hygies
(hu-ge-as) "Teaching
which does not deviate from the truth."
SPEECH
- Greek =
logos
(lo-gos) "Of
the moral precepts given by God."
We
should look at the meaning of Sound
Doctrine
and Sound
Speech
according to contextual
understanding
of the original Greek in the New Testament meaning given by God.
1
Timothy 4:11(BSB)
“Command and teach these things.”
Command
in Greek is paraggellō
(pä-rän-ge'l-lō)
– (1)
to transmit a message along from one to another, to declare,
announce. (2) to command, order, charge.
Teach
in the Greek is didasko
(did-as'-ko)
- to
hold discourse with others in order to instruct them. To impart
instruction.
Here
are 2 scriptures that show where self-responsibility
in studying
is for the members of the Body of Christ. Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 2:15.
Here is Acts 17:11 translated from Greek to English in the
"SCRIPTURE DIRECT INTERLINEAR BIBLE."
Acts 17:11 "Now these ones were more open-minded than those in Thessaloncia who received the message with all eagerness examining thoroughly the Scriptures day by day if these things were so."
This scripture is referring to all believers in Christ. This
is talking about the Bible students at Berea. Berea was a city of
Macedonia where Paul, Silas and Timothy went. Those students searched
the Word as a daily duty because they had eagerness and a positive
feeling of wanting to push ahead for the truth.
The NLT (New Living Translation) states:
The NLT (New Living Translation) states:
Acts
17:11(NLT)
"And
the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica,
and they listened eagerly to Paul's message. They searched the
Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the
truth."
"Readiness
of mind"
in
the KJV,
means
ready, willing and eagerness.
2
Corinthians 8:11(KJV)
“Now
therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness
to
will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.”
The Amplified Bible states: “So now finish doing it, that your [enthusiastic] readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means.”
Searched in Acts 17:11 in the Greek is anakrinō (ä-nä-krē'-nō) - to investigate, examine, enquire into, scrutinize, to check and sort carefully, question. To judge of, estimate, determine (the excellence or defects of any person or thing).
The Bible student takes time and discipline to search the scriptures and make a thorough examination seeking out the truths of God's precious Word. Scriptures have definite and specific meanings.
The Amplified Bible states: “So now finish doing it, that your [enthusiastic] readiness in desiring it may be equalled by your completion of it according to your ability and means.”
Searched in Acts 17:11 in the Greek is anakrinō (ä-nä-krē'-nō) - to investigate, examine, enquire into, scrutinize, to check and sort carefully, question. To judge of, estimate, determine (the excellence or defects of any person or thing).
The Bible student takes time and discipline to search the scriptures and make a thorough examination seeking out the truths of God's precious Word. Scriptures have definite and specific meanings.
2
Timothy 2:15(KJV)
“Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
- Workman in Greek is ergatēs (er-gä'-tās) a toiler, a teacher, a labourer.
- Rightly is defined as, in a straight manner, upright, correctly.
- Dividing in Greek is orthotomeō (or-tho-to-me'-ō) to make a straight cut. To dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message).
We
are all workmen in the Body of Christ. We cannot afford to be
unskillful, unfaithful, lackadaisical, which is cause to be ashamed.
However, those in the Body of Christ, who are faithful and keep to
the work of the Lord and take the understanding of God’s Word
seriously, need not be ashamed. For members in the Body of Christ,
there must be consistent systematic spiritual care and love for the
study
of God’s Word.
Here
are the words of the Lord in:
Matthew
22:29 (KJV)
“Jesus
answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures,
nor the power of God.”
The Greek word for knowing in this context of scripture is eidon (ā'-don), which means “perceive, be sure, understand, discover, to inspect, examine, to have a clear and certain mental apprehension. The force and meaning of something which has definite meaning. Evidencing the possession of inside information, alert and fully informed, and highly educated; having extensive information or understanding.”
Our Lord is stating to us with declaration, the great importance of knowing the Word and teaching and applying it in our lives and the lives of others.
Here
are 2 links on our BLOG for Methods and Principles of Bible Study.
METHODS
OF BIBLE STUDY
PRINCIPLES
OF BIBLE STUDY
Remember, that it is important to have a daily relationship with God as a Believer in Christ. See my commentary entitled:
"EMPOWERMENT AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.”
God's
Word, which has been given to us, is so important in understanding
the correlation of scriptural principles with daily application. In
the final analysis, it is our self-responsibility
to
study,
know and implement God's Word in our daily living.
Jarrett
L. Perdue Sr.
