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What is the value of a "word study" - especially when it's
based on all the passages that contain that specific word (or group of
words)? With modern Bible software, it is quite easy to generate such a list.
Normally, there will be a number of verses that are not
very relevant to an issue being studied, since words can occur in many types of
contexts. On the other hand, going through such a list exposes a person to
passages that he might have otherwise overlooked.
A computer doesn't select only the "desirable" passages, but
simply lists them all. Because of this, a word study may "force" a person
to see passages that he might not want to see - those that go against
what he believes. Discovering such "unwanted" passages might be a "painful"
experience; and if the person is willing to accept what he finds (without
explaining it away), his views and actions may have to change. But in the end,
he will be more like the Lord and Savior who gave us the Word; and he will thank
God for those changes.
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The person's choice of words will also influence the
value of his study. Though a computer may provide a complete list of verses
that contain the word "the" (23,203 verses in the NIV), not many people will
benefit from it!
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It is often helpful to look at words that are
synonyms (since a concept can often be expressed in different ways), as
well as words that are opposites (since, instead of opposing
each other, they may actually complement each other).
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A verse-by-verse study of a
long passage, or an entire book of the Bible, may also be helpful in
accomplishing the same changes in a person's life, if he is in the habit of
looking only at certain passages that appeal to him.
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- About the following word studies -
- It might not be obvious why some of these studies were created.
But (believe it or not!), there was some reason for each of them.
Those with less-obvious reasons are included here, along with the others,
just in case someone somewhere may find some value in them. (After
all, it is God's Word. And he sometimes accomplishes good
things in strange ways!)
- Something from the realm of "trivia"-
- We study (and benefit from)
specific words found in Scripture. But back when Scripture was being
written, they did not use this study technique. Why? Because "words," as we
know them, didn't exist! When they wrote things down, they wrote a long
line of letters without breaks between what we call
"words." When they referred to the "Word" of God, it was in reference to
the over-all "Message" of God... and they did study
that! [If you are really interested in more about this, see:
"The Word
'WORD' and the Issue of Manuscript Variations." This information does
have technical value, but for the "average" person, it doesn't really
matter which way we view it.]
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Cannot and Impossible: "Things That Cannot Be Done;
Things That Are Impossible" |
People normally don't make word-studies out of
words such as "cannot" or "impossible." But there are some very interesting
verses that use these words. Some of the verses make demands on how we are
to live... and most people would prefer to ignore them! (People who are
genuine followers of Jesus can - and will - welcome what they say.) |
HTML / PDF |
"Fill With" |
This is a short look at passages which mention being
"filled with" something. It was made using the New International Version
(in the days before I had a computer), and is probably only useable with
that translation. (Other translations use synonyms for
"fill with," in some of the passages. So even though the passages will have
the same meaning, they don't use the English words necessary for this
study.)
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HTML / PDF |
Forbearance, Tolerance - Having an Ability to Endure
Something |
A character quality that has value in many
areas of life. |
HTML / PDF |
FOUNDATIONS - Having a Firm Foundation |
The concept of "foundation" is used (both literally and
symbolically) to teach many spiritual truths. |
HTML / PDF |
The word "FUN" in the Bible |
The Bible has a lot to say about "fun" - and it
is not always what people want to hear. |
HTML / PDF |
You may want to first contemplate this question:
How do you define "fun"? (and then go to the
word study). |
See also:
"Frivolous" Fellowship - an article that looks at this issue in a
different way. (The same conclusions are reached, of course!) |
Image, Likeness, Similarity, etc. |
This is a series of word studies that explore the
relationship between God, Jesus Christ, and people. (Example: Both
Jesus Christ and humans are said to be "in the image of God." But does this
mean the same thing in each instance, or are there differences?) Some of the
words in this study also led us to a better understanding of the
relationship of Jesus Christ to Moses and the Old Covenant. |
GROUP OF STUDIES |
Keys, Doors and Gates |
These words are often used to teach us about salvation,
life in Christ, and the coming judgment. |
HTML / PDF |
Musical Instruments of the Old Testament |
A look at all the musical instruments mentioned
in the Old Testament. In some instances, we can identify what they were; in
other instances, we can only guess. |
HTML
/ PDF |
MYSTERY - New Testament
"Mysteries" or "Secrets" |
These are secrets that have been revealed to us by God.
They cover a wide range of topics, such as God's plan, salvation, our
relationship to Christ, etc. |
HTML
/ PDF |
"Shadows," patterns, examples, etc. |
These words are used to describe the relationship
between Jesus Christ (and the New Covenant) and Moses (and the Old
Covenant). They are part of a larger study that focuses on the relationship
between God, Jesus Christ and people. My recommendation is that you first
look at the "Introduction" page, and then Sections "E" and "F" of the
summary page entitled, "PART 2 - Jesus Christ." (This will show you which of
the word studies are most relevant.) |
GROUP OF STUDIES |
To Strive / Struggle / Fight For
Something |
This word summarizes one of the dimensions of the
Christian life. We strive not only against things such as sin and
adversaries, but also for things such as spiritual growth, the
gospel (good news) about Jesus, etc. (Many people want a life of ease
and comfort...
but that is not the way Scripture describes the life of a
disciple of Jesus.) |
HTML
/ PDF |
"Temperature Words" - Hot, Cold, Lukewarm, etc. |
These words are directly or indirectly related to several
studies on this website. For instance, some words translated as "hot" are
related to the concepts of
"jealousy" and "zeal." The idea of being "lukewarm" (as well
as "hot" and "cold") is related to what Jesus says about the church at Laodicea (in Revelation 3). Since most of these concepts involve only a
couple New Testament verses each, they are all grouped here. |
A focus on the "temperature words" found in Revelation 3:15-16: Group of Studies |
Other passages that mention "temperature words": Group of Studies |
What should I Wear? (A New
Testament study about clothing and
things that are "put on.") |
This study does not focus merely on issues
related to the "physical" clothes we may wear, but it shows how the concept
of "putting on" clothes is used to illustrate some very important spiritual
realities. |
HTML / PDF |
WORTHY - Being Worthy or Deserving of Something |
Based on the New Testament Greek word axios. |
HTML / PDF |
The Bible says...
Every word of God is flawless. (Proverbs 30:5a)
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