You can learn some interesting and useful things by doing a simple word study. I’m not talking about knowing Hebrew or Greek but simply noting how an English word is used in Scripture. All you need is a notebook and concordance. If you don’t own a concordance, there are free ones online (example).
How many references you find will depend on the translation you use. For example, there are 725 results in the NIV.
Take time to check out one or two each day during your quiet time. No need to rush. The first reference to heart in the Old Testament is Genesis 6:5, an especially sad verse. The first New Testament occurrence is in Matthew 6:21, an important truth for Christians to grasp.
You may need to check out the historical and chronological context to understand the verse, especially in the Old Testament. And it can also be helpful to understand when and why a New Testament was written. If it’s not obvious to you, you can use a commentary.
But don't make it difficult for yourself and don't get hung up on the details. Do it for enjoyment!
To give you a taste of what this simple kind of word study is like, check out the verses below which I've linked in the NIV, ESV, KJV, NKJV, and NASB, and consider how they speak to you:
I also encourage you to read Spice Up Your Quiet Time and Pieces Parts Doesn't Work for Scripture.
Free Subscription to 1-Minute Bible Love Notes. Have a one-minute devotion like this one delivered to your email each weekday.
10 Reasons You'll Love the book Wisdom for Life. A collection of 100 one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs and a great gift for people who love God's Word.
Full description of the book Lies in Disguise. A much needed book to uncover half-truths that misuse Scripture and weaken Christian faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment