Studying The Word of God
Studying The Word of God
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There are many resources for studying the Word of God and getting a better understanding of. Especially with the ease of access we have from our PC's and cell phones in today's age. I am an older timer so I have my collection of printed research books which I started from and have collected. Many I have been able to find online as I spend most my off time on my PC. Here I am listing the tools I have learned to use and recommend for studying the Word of God. As many may know, there is a Concordance in the back of their Bibles with verses listed to reference particular words and show them where other usages of those particular words are used. Depending on the Bible and the brand of. My printed Bible is a Cambridge KJV Bible with wide margins for note taking in it. The Concordance in the back of it only references other verses and from select words. It does not give the Greek or Hebrew words for those words I may be looking up or does it show "all" the verses that particular word may be used in, in the Bible. Which is why I use tools like the Young's and Strong's Concordances. They are exhaustive (complete) Concordances. Showing "all" the other verses in the Bible that use or have any particular word in it. And they also give the Greek or Hebrew word for any and all the words that were translated in English in the Bible from the Greek or Hebrew. I favor the Young's Concordance as I find it easier to use most the time than the Strong's. But I use them both, using all the resources I have available for studying and for cross referencing and checking. And we all know that one word can have the same pronunciation and even spelling, but means different things according to the context of what's being said. Which is why a Concordance comes in pretty handy. Example: Some people are slow to frustration or anger, because they are patient people. Or...You could be a patient in the Doctors office. Then there's also E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible and it's an eye opener for any Biblical student. With it's Introductory notes on each book of the Bible, who wrote it and when, along with other helpful information, as notes on many verses and it's many Appendixes in the back. I also use Lamsa's Aramaic Bible and the KJV/Amplified Parallel Bible by Zondervan among others. Then I use Bible study tools like a Bible Lexicon, The New Bible Dictionary, along with other resources that translate and give a broader meaning to the words or topics I am seeking more clarity on. Able to be looking them up in the Hebrew, Greek and even Aramaic texts. And to be understanding the culture more at those times, as the places and people. I'll also take advantage of a regular dictionary and thesaurus to help me get a broader range (meaning) of a particular word I may be studying on. Like when doing "word" studies. On words like "power", "love", "prayer", "peace", and/or any word or topic I would like a greater understanding with to grow stronger in. I do this as it states in the Word what we should do and how we should do it. Like in these verses below about how to learn and apply the Word of God to our lives. 2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. If we want to be "approved" before God, what should we do? And "how" should we do it? The Word also tells us what not to do. 2 Peter 1:20 - Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 1:21 - For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (holy spirit). "Holy Ghost" can and should be translated "Holy Spirit or holy spirit". (Greek - pneuma hagion). Holy Spirit has two basic usages. One of the usages is meant for, as God. And the other is meant for the spirit of God we receive and have and at times specific operations of, that we received when we are/were born again, with "holy spirit" properly translated then, being in the lower case. The King James Bible doesn't make the correct distinction between the two of those. So then other Bibles translated from most likely won't either. And there wasn't any punctuation, capitalization, chapters and verse markings in the original text. So all of these were added by translators throughout time also. John 4:24 does show it correctly in some Bibles. With speaking of God with a capital "S" in the word "Spirit" (Pneuma), and then speaking about his gift to us that we received when we are born again, with using the lower case "s" in the word "spirit" (pneuma). John 4:24 - God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. More correctly translated in the beginning of this verse - "God is Spirit". Some other examples: Acts 1:5 - For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost (holy spirit) not many days hence. Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, (to change one's mind for the better) and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness or pardon) of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of (from) the Holy Ghost (the Holy Spirit, God). Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost (holy spirit) is come upon you: … 
2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 3:17 - That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. "Doctrine" simply means "the most beneficial and right way - of thinking, believing, and doing". 
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