Christian Growth Through Study

MEMORY VERSE: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” —Romans 15:4

ACTS 17:10-12; II TIMOTHY 3:10-17

THE study of the Bible is essential to Christian growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Study [Greek, ‘be diligent’] to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”—II Tim. 2:15

The story of man’s creation, and the divine purpose concerning him are presented in the opening chapters of the Bible, where we are also informed concerning the transgression of our first parents and of their subsequent condemnation to death. As the Bible explains, this condemnation was passed on to the entire human creation.

In the concluding chapters of the Bible we are informed of man’s recovery from sin and death, and of the opportunity given to all to live happily on the earth forever. However, there are many details of this wonderful message of salvation presented throughout the Scriptures which need to be studied and compared in order to fit them into their proper places in the divine plan.

It is this that Paul refers to as “rightly dividing the Word of truth.” There are time elements in the plan of God—ages and dispensations. What would be true of one age might not be true of another, so we need to determine in our study of any particular passage to which period it belongs. There are heavenly promises to the followers of Jesus, and there are earthly promises which will be fulfilled on behalf of the world in general. We need to distinguish between these in our studies.

Parts of the Bible are written in symbolic language and other parts in literal language. The statement, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son,” is literal language. When John said that he saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” he used symbolic language. This distinction needs to be kept in mind as we study.—Rev. 21:1

In his ministries Paul found some who were more inclined to Bible study than others. The Jews to whom he witnessed in a synagogue in Berea are said to have been “more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

These earnest seekers after truth were quite willing to receive Paul’s message. They did not resist it, but at the same time they were cautious, lest what Paul was telling them was not supported by the Word of God. This is an essential attitude for all who would know the plan and will of God. Readiness of mind to receive the truth implies willingness to discard traditions and notions which are not taught in the Bible,

Paul was one of the inspired apostles, yet he did not ask that anyone blindly follow his teachings without comparing them with the Scriptures. No leader in the church should expect this.

It should be noted that in the expression, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” the word “is” is in italics. This indicates that there is no Greek equivalent for it, and that it has been added by the translators. The word “script,” or “scriptures,” simply means writing, and it is not true that all writing is inspired by God. What Paul really wrote, therefore, is that “all scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable, … that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

This, as our memory text reminds us, included the Old Testament Scriptures. These also were written “for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” If we rightly divide the Word of truth we will discover the glorious harmony which exists between all its parts. Thus we have a sure foundation for our faith.

QUESTIONS

How do we rightly divide the Word of truth?

Why were the Bereans called noble?

Explain why the King James translation of II Timothy 3:16 is not wholly true.

Is the Old Testament a part of God’s Word?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |