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Studying the Word of God

In this discussing I would like to share with you what the scriptures teach about studying the word of God. Through study of the scriptures we are able to come to know Christ and his Father. There are a few things we must come to see in order to better understand the mind of Christ and His doctrines. We are to be diligently seeking Christ and through study Christ is revealed to us. But, how are we to study? Is just reading the scriptures and memorizing them enough? Are we to depend on commentaries by others? Are we to look at the scriptures as a history lesson so that we can learn how to live a good life? Many think this is how it is done. God has a different way in mind when he commands us to diligently seek him through Christ.

We are told that we are to study (be diligent) to show ourselves approved of God.

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

(Complete Apostles’ Bible) 2Ti 2:15    Be diligent to show yourself approved unto God, a worker unashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We are admonished to seek diligently so we can overcome the divisions and heresies among us.

1Co 11:18-19  For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Another reason why we are to study.

1Th 4:11-12  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Let’s look at some definitions and translations of the Greek and Hebrew for the word study. There are two Greek words and one Hebrew word translated into the English word study.

Here are Strong’s definitions for these words.

Study

G4704

σπουδαζω

spoudazo

spoo- dad’- zo

From G4710; to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: – do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study

G5389

φιλοτιμεομαι

philotimeomai

fil- ot- im- eh’- om- ahee

Middle voice from a compound of G5384 and G5092; to be fond of honor, that is, emulous (eager or earnest to do somethng.): – labour, strive, study.

Here is the Hebrew for study.

H3854

lahag

lah’- hag

From an unused root meaning to be eager; intense mental application: – study.

Ecc 12:11-14  The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Here is a definition of the word study by Webster.

1. STUDY, n. [ L., to study, that is, to set the thought or mind. See Assiduous.]

Literally, a setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence, application of mind of books, to arts or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of learning what is not before known.

Ok so do we have enough here to understand what it means to study?

Webster tells us that study is “ for the purpose of learning what is not before known.” Strong tells us that study is “to make effort, be prompt or earnest to do something, to be eager; intense mental application”.

Ok let’s look at some scriptures about being diligent.

Deu 11:13-14 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Why are we to be so diligent?

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2Pe 3:13-14  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Who will God teach knowledge? And how will he teach us? There have to be scriptures to tell us how are to seek diligently. We cannot depend on our imaginations to gain understanding of the scriptures. Isaiah gives us these answers.

Isa 28:9-14  Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

God gives knowledge and understanding to those who are weaned from the milk. Whoever can bear the meat of God’s word is given this meat to eat. Isaiah also tells us how we are to put God’s word together. “precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” This is showing us the process of getting to know the Word of God. The precepts are commands we need to be familiar with in order to go beyond the milk of the word and into the meat of the word.

First we should always ask God to give us the ability to receive these sayings he has written in our hearts.

1Jn 3:22  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Jer 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Keeping the commandments of God is necessary to move beyond the milk and into the meat of the word. If we follow the commandments of God we will move beyond the milk doctrines.

What are the commandments of God?

Mat 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Those who are given the diligence to seek Christ will “search the scriptures” and understand that Christ’s “words are spirit“. We must always keep in mind that Christ’s words are spirit and then we will begin to see as we “compare spiritual with spiritual“. Another principle to apply is the saying “is, was, and will be” to every word of scripture. Also, remember Christ speaks in parables and “without a parable spake he not to the multitudes“. Through a “multitude of counselors” we can verify doctrines. We must “meditate therein day and night” to reflect on what we have been shown. We will be shown by the whole of God’s word what is truthful because “The sum of Thy word is truth“.  And “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God”. As we “continue in his word” we will become “his disciples indeed” by “keeping those things which are written therein”. This is not to be later but now “for the time is at hand.” Now we need to “lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven“. And out of these treasures we “bring forth new and old“. We are  to have witnesses for these doctrines we study. “At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” “The shadow of good things to come” are “being understood by the things that are made”. Finally we will see what God is working in us and how he has decided to work “all things after the counsel of his own will“. God is working all things now through the “body of Christ” and this body “is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body” “from glory to glory”.

Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

1Co 2:12 – 16  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Mar 4:11  And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

Mat 13:34  All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

Pro 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psa 119:160  The sum of Thy word is truth, And to the age is every judgment of Thy righteousness!

Luk 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Joh 8:31-32  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Rev 22:7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Mat 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mat 13:52  Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Deu 19:15  One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Col2:16-17  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

1Co 15:44-46 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

So in closing we must approach the word of God with diligence to see what we are to be even if “now we see through a glass, darkly”. We are to keep from and “Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Christ is giving us all we are able to bear as he desires us to handle his word. We are a chosen generation receiving the chastening grace of our Lord. Keep his commandments.

1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Tit 3:9-11  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Is Christ speaking to you as he says the following?

Joh 14:24  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

Or is this what you are receiving from Christ?

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

And to know God we must keep his commandments.

Jer 22:29  O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.