Please note that throughout this document, “Heb.” indicates a Hebrew word and/or a definition for a Hebrew word. Hebrew is the original language of the Bible’s Old Testament. Likewise, “Gk.” indicates a Greek word and/or a definition for a Greek word. Greek is the original language of the Bible’s New Testament. Also, all Scripture quoted in this study is from the Authorized King James Version of the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:12-17: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof [Gk. “elegchos” = rebuke, conviction], for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
—Scripture ultimately comes from God. The Bible serves many purposes including provision of doctrine, rebuke, corrective guidance, and righteous instruction.
2 Peter 1:19-21: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.”
—Prophecy came from God via the Holy Spirit, who directed the Bible writers as they wrote their text.
Psalms 119:103-105: “How sweet are thy [the Lord’s] words unto my [David’s] taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts [Heb. “piqqu(w)d” = precept, instruction, statute] I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
—The Lord’s words (found in Scripture) give direction for our daily activities.
John 5:39: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye [a group of Jews] think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me [Jesus].”
—The holy Scriptures tell about Jesus.
Luke 24:44-47: “And he [Jesus] said unto them [Cleopas and another disciple of Jesus], These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved [Gk. “dei” = necessary, something that must be done] Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
—The Old Testament predicted the life and sufferings of Christ, along with salvation elements that Jesus would provide to those He redeemed.
Isaiah 28:9-10: “Whom shall he [the Lord] teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”
—We must study various (many) verses on a given subject before we truly understand any given topic.
Acts 17:10-11: “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were 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.”
—The Bereans were more upright because they studied the Bible to verify if the preacher was accurately sharing Bible truth.
Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
—God’s word is powerful, deeply impacting the reader’s thoughts and determinations!
Proverbs 2:1-6: “My son, if thou wilt receive my [Solomon’s] words, and hide [Heb. “tsaphan” = treasure or store up, hide] my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
—Knowledge, wisdom, and connection with God comes as we accept God’s words, including treasuring His commandments in our hearts.
Psalms 119:5-11: “O that my [David’s?] ways were directed to keep thy [the Lord’s] statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
—Fill your mind with God’s word and experience cleansing and freedom from sin.
Romans 15:4: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
—God’s word gives us instruction, comfort, and hope.
Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and spake unto them [Jesus’ 11 disciples], saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
—The great commission to ALL Christians is to teach everyone the things God has commanded in His word.
2 Peter 3:13-18: “Nevertheless we [Peter and fellow believers], according to his [the Lord’s] promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest [Gk. “strebloo” = twist, distort, torture], as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
—Some parts of the Bible are hard to understand, but we must not fail to hold on to solid truth. We are warned against accepting misinterpreted Scripture.
Jeremiah 31:31-33: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: 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.”
—The Bible includes God’s covenant with His people, into whom He imparts His law.
SUMMARY
The Bible is God’s special book, graciously provided to all mankind. It presents doctrine, rebuke, corrective guidance, and righteous instruction. It gives direction for our daily endeavors. Additionally, the Bible tells about Jesus and the work He has done and is continuing to do to save those who believe on Him. This wonderful book provides essential knowledge, wisdom, connection to God, comfort, and hope. The words of Scripture can powerfully transform our thoughts, desires, and actions, and work to cleanse us from sin. The Bible can also embed God’s laws within our inner being. We are encouraged to actively study the Bible like the faithful Bereans who researched to determine if what they heard regarding God’s word was actually true. Finally, the Great Commission given by Jesus’ to His followers, commands us to share biblical truth with people throughout the whole world.
Please feel free to direct comments and questions regarding this study to Andrew Manthe by email at andrew.manthe@att.net.