How to Study the Bible
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
How to Study the Bible
DBS HSB #040
Analyzing the Remote Context
Today's Lesson:
Analyzing the Remote Context
We now can begin to analyze the remote context - comparing Scripture with Scripture. The easiest way to do this is by using a concordance that lists all of the places where a given word is used. By tracing where these words are used, we are led to other places in the Bible where the same subject is considered.
Different concordances work in different ways. Becoming familiar with how one works is an important first step to studying the Remote Context. Two well-known and very helpful concordances are the Englishman’s Greek Concordance and the Englishman’s Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance. These arrange references by the Greek or Hebrew words. Thus all the locations of a specific word such as KALOS, “good,” would be found under that particular heading.
The most common concordance, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, arranges (by English) every instance of every word. For example, every passage containing the English word “good” is listed. There are, however, several different Greek and Hebrew words translated into English as “good,” and each one generally qualified as “good,” has its own nuance, or shade of meaning.
In our detailed study of the Bible, it is important to know which word, rendered “good”, is being used. For this purpose Strong’s has assigned a number to every Greek and Hebrew word in the Bible. For example, beside each passage containing the English word “good” is a number corresponding to the Greek or Hebrew word used in that instance (The particular Greek and Hebrew word is then referenced in the back of the concordance).
It looks something like this:
GOOD:
Matt 3:10 which bringeth not forth good fruit-2570
Matt 5:45 sun to rise on the evil and on the good-18
The word for “good” used in Matthew 3:10 (reference #2570), is the Greek word KALOS, which means “intrinsically good,” or, “good by nature.” On the other hand, the word “good” used in Matthew 5:45 (reference #18), is the Greek word AGATHOS, which meant to the Greeks, “that which becomes good.”
Descriptions of fuller meanings of the Greek and Hebrew words are also found in books called “Lexicons,” which are dictionaries of meanings. Use of these books will be extremely helpful for detailed Bible study.
Now look at the word “imitator” which is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:6. Some English translations translate the Greek word “MIMETES” as “follower” (King James Version) instead of “imitator.”
The Greek word means to imitate or mimic, and is used six times in the New Testament.
It is found in the following passages:
1 Cor 4:16 “I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me.”
1 Cor 11:1 “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”
Eph 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;”
1Thess 1:6 “You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”
1Thess 2:14 “For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they {did} from the Jews,”
Heb 6:12 “that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
By studying a few passages where the word “imitate” is used, we can get a pretty clear understanding of the Remote Context on the subject of imitation. The major points would be:
1- In 1 Corinthians 4:16 we read that Paul wants members of the Corinthian church to imitate him. In the Immediate Context of the verse (V14-15), we find this means they ought to behave the same as a child imitating his father.
2- In 1 Corinthians 11:1, we discover that imitating Paul has a qualification: We are not to imitate his sins or bad habits (if we read Romans 7, we find out that even Paul had an ongoing battle with sin), but rather the way Paul imitated Jesus Christ.
3- In Ephesians 5:1, we are told to imitate God as a child would his father.
4- The Thessalonian church did imitate Paul and the Lord. 1 Thess 1:6
5- The Thessalonian church also imitated the Judean churches in their endurance of suffering (1 Thess 2:14). Note that this passage is within the same book, so we get a look at the Intermediate Context.
6- An important part of this imitation is ministry. Heb 6:9-12
If we put all these passages together, we can see that we are encouraged by Scripture to do three things:
1- Imitate God, Jesus Christ and Paul.
2- Imitate them like a child would his father, even in the midst of suffering.
3- Imitate them by ministering to others.
We can now validly expand the concept of imitation (in relationship to 1 Thessalonians 1:6) because we have determined what Scripture has to specifically say about it. We know that when Paul commended the Thessalonians on their imitation of him and his group, he was viewing that commendation in light of his own imitation of Jesus Christ; not in regard to his human weaknesses and frailties (compare Romans 7).
For purposes of application, we must determine a few of the qualities of the Father and Son that we are to imitate. For example, we can cite the importance of character, or the significance of fulfilling a promise, or the importance of living in truth (when we begin talking about the Lord, the possibilities are endless). The extent of what we yield and teach from God’s Word must be a matter of ongoing, consistent prayer. As teachers of God’s Word we must realize that new and immature Believers can not and should not be expected to understand deep theology (Heb 5:11-14). We must be aware of the level of spiritual maturity of our audience and communicate to that level.
We must consistently return to the context from which we began so that we do not miss the main point of the chapter and paragraph. The Thessalonian church members imitated Paul, and the Lord, and became an example for every Believer to follow.
In looking at the Immediate Context, we find some qualities of a model church. Paul’s thanksgiving to the Thessalonians (V2) was for three things:
1- Their work of faith;
2- their labor of love; and
3- their steadfastness of hope.
Throughout the New Testament there are so many references to work (173), faith (246), labor (19), love (115), steadfastness (32), and hope (56) that one could spend weeks or months studying or teaching these topics. The numbers in parenthesis give the number of times the nouns are used. The related verbs are also used numerous times. These topics are extremely important in the understanding of what it means to be a model church.
Free Online Bible All Versions
"You Version" Bible Software all versions
and lots of translations including Duetsch,
Espanol, Italiano and many, many more. No d/l.
http://www.youversion.com
Today's Questions:
1- Read 1 Thessalonians 1 again and determine other major topics that need further study.
2- In 1 Thessalonians 1, determine the qualities of a model church (the areas that Paul commends them on).
Remember, send your answers to (PastorJeffLilley@Gmail.com), I will grade them and after the study is finished, those of you with a passing grade will receive a certificate from JJL Ministries.
Ask any questions you may have below in the comments.
Abundant Blessings
Pastor Jeff
Many of You have asked How You can Help our Ministries:
There is no charge for our JJL MInistries Bible Studies.
You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
JJL Ministries
1463 Senita Dr
Beaumont, CA 92223
"How to Study the Bible" is a dynamic life changing ministry of JJL Ministries Inc.
Please Support our ministry online, JJL Ministries
is a Federal 501(c)3 Org on file with the IRS.
Remember donations are Tax Deductible.
http://bit.ly/19PY0f
Pastor Jeff & Janette Lilley
PastorJeffLilley@gmail.com
JanetteLilley@gmail.com
Copyright © 1999-2009
All Rights Reserved
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Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
How to Study the Bible
DBS HSB #040
Analyzing the Remote Context
Today's Lesson:
Analyzing the Remote Context
We now can begin to analyze the remote context - comparing Scripture with Scripture. The easiest way to do this is by using a concordance that lists all of the places where a given word is used. By tracing where these words are used, we are led to other places in the Bible where the same subject is considered.
Different concordances work in different ways. Becoming familiar with how one works is an important first step to studying the Remote Context. Two well-known and very helpful concordances are the Englishman’s Greek Concordance and the Englishman’s Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance. These arrange references by the Greek or Hebrew words. Thus all the locations of a specific word such as KALOS, “good,” would be found under that particular heading.
The most common concordance, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, arranges (by English) every instance of every word. For example, every passage containing the English word “good” is listed. There are, however, several different Greek and Hebrew words translated into English as “good,” and each one generally qualified as “good,” has its own nuance, or shade of meaning.
In our detailed study of the Bible, it is important to know which word, rendered “good”, is being used. For this purpose Strong’s has assigned a number to every Greek and Hebrew word in the Bible. For example, beside each passage containing the English word “good” is a number corresponding to the Greek or Hebrew word used in that instance (The particular Greek and Hebrew word is then referenced in the back of the concordance).
It looks something like this:
GOOD:
Matt 3:10 which bringeth not forth good fruit-2570
Matt 5:45 sun to rise on the evil and on the good-18
The word for “good” used in Matthew 3:10 (reference #2570), is the Greek word KALOS, which means “intrinsically good,” or, “good by nature.” On the other hand, the word “good” used in Matthew 5:45 (reference #18), is the Greek word AGATHOS, which meant to the Greeks, “that which becomes good.”
Descriptions of fuller meanings of the Greek and Hebrew words are also found in books called “Lexicons,” which are dictionaries of meanings. Use of these books will be extremely helpful for detailed Bible study.
Now look at the word “imitator” which is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:6. Some English translations translate the Greek word “MIMETES” as “follower” (King James Version) instead of “imitator.”
The Greek word means to imitate or mimic, and is used six times in the New Testament.
It is found in the following passages:
1 Cor 4:16 “I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me.”
1 Cor 11:1 “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”
Eph 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;”
1Thess 1:6 “You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”
1Thess 2:14 “For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they {did} from the Jews,”
Heb 6:12 “that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
By studying a few passages where the word “imitate” is used, we can get a pretty clear understanding of the Remote Context on the subject of imitation. The major points would be:
1- In 1 Corinthians 4:16 we read that Paul wants members of the Corinthian church to imitate him. In the Immediate Context of the verse (V14-15), we find this means they ought to behave the same as a child imitating his father.
2- In 1 Corinthians 11:1, we discover that imitating Paul has a qualification: We are not to imitate his sins or bad habits (if we read Romans 7, we find out that even Paul had an ongoing battle with sin), but rather the way Paul imitated Jesus Christ.
3- In Ephesians 5:1, we are told to imitate God as a child would his father.
4- The Thessalonian church did imitate Paul and the Lord. 1 Thess 1:6
5- The Thessalonian church also imitated the Judean churches in their endurance of suffering (1 Thess 2:14). Note that this passage is within the same book, so we get a look at the Intermediate Context.
6- An important part of this imitation is ministry. Heb 6:9-12
If we put all these passages together, we can see that we are encouraged by Scripture to do three things:
1- Imitate God, Jesus Christ and Paul.
2- Imitate them like a child would his father, even in the midst of suffering.
3- Imitate them by ministering to others.
We can now validly expand the concept of imitation (in relationship to 1 Thessalonians 1:6) because we have determined what Scripture has to specifically say about it. We know that when Paul commended the Thessalonians on their imitation of him and his group, he was viewing that commendation in light of his own imitation of Jesus Christ; not in regard to his human weaknesses and frailties (compare Romans 7).
For purposes of application, we must determine a few of the qualities of the Father and Son that we are to imitate. For example, we can cite the importance of character, or the significance of fulfilling a promise, or the importance of living in truth (when we begin talking about the Lord, the possibilities are endless). The extent of what we yield and teach from God’s Word must be a matter of ongoing, consistent prayer. As teachers of God’s Word we must realize that new and immature Believers can not and should not be expected to understand deep theology (Heb 5:11-14). We must be aware of the level of spiritual maturity of our audience and communicate to that level.
We must consistently return to the context from which we began so that we do not miss the main point of the chapter and paragraph. The Thessalonian church members imitated Paul, and the Lord, and became an example for every Believer to follow.
In looking at the Immediate Context, we find some qualities of a model church. Paul’s thanksgiving to the Thessalonians (V2) was for three things:
1- Their work of faith;
2- their labor of love; and
3- their steadfastness of hope.
Throughout the New Testament there are so many references to work (173), faith (246), labor (19), love (115), steadfastness (32), and hope (56) that one could spend weeks or months studying or teaching these topics. The numbers in parenthesis give the number of times the nouns are used. The related verbs are also used numerous times. These topics are extremely important in the understanding of what it means to be a model church.
Free Online Bible All Versions
"You Version" Bible Software all versions
and lots of translations including Duetsch,
Espanol, Italiano and many, many more. No d/l.
http://www.youversion.com
Today's Questions:
1- Read 1 Thessalonians 1 again and determine other major topics that need further study.
2- In 1 Thessalonians 1, determine the qualities of a model church (the areas that Paul commends them on).
Remember, send your answers to (PastorJeffLilley@Gmail.com), I will grade them and after the study is finished, those of you with a passing grade will receive a certificate from JJL Ministries.
Ask any questions you may have below in the comments.
Abundant Blessings
Pastor Jeff
Many of You have asked How You can Help our Ministries:
There is no charge for our JJL MInistries Bible Studies.
You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
JJL Ministries
1463 Senita Dr
Beaumont, CA 92223
"How to Study the Bible" is a dynamic life changing ministry of JJL Ministries Inc.
Please Support our ministry online, JJL Ministries
is a Federal 501(c)3 Org on file with the IRS.
Remember donations are Tax Deductible.
http://bit.ly/19PY0f
Pastor Jeff & Janette Lilley
PastorJeffLilley@gmail.com
JanetteLilley@gmail.com
Copyright © 1999-2009
All Rights Reserved
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