How To Study The Bible Bible Class
F. The Sixth Step In Bible Study Is To Determine The Meaning Of Words In The Passage.
The Bible is a book, which communicates information verbally. That means that it is filled with words. Thoughts are
expressed through the relationship of those words. Each individual word contributes something to the whole of the content expressed. The better we understand the
individual words used in biblical statements, the better we will be able to understand the total message of Scripture.
How Do You Conduct A Word Study?
A. The First Step In Conducting A Word Study Is To Isolate The Significant
Word Or Words In The Passage That Need Special Study.
1. Example: “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority
over a man; she must be silent“
(1 Timothy 2:11, 12 NIV).
“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man,
but to be in silence”
(1 Timothy 2:11, 12 KJV).
2. If you were studying this passage, what words do you think need to be defined in order to understand the interpretation
of the passage?
Silence.
Authority.
B. The Second Step In Conducting A Word Study Is To Study The Word In Its Original Language.
1. Before you can study a word in its original language, you must first find out what that word is in its original language.
2. There are several ways to do this.
a. You can look that word up in the Greek or Hebrew text.
b. You can use an interlinear Bible.
c. You can use a computer software package.
d. You can use a concordance.
e. You can use a Bible word dictionary.
f. You can use a Bible that has the Strong’s numbering system.
3. Once you have identified the word in its original language, you then begin to see what the scholars say about it.
a. What does the NIV Concordance say about the word?
It says that this word is used four times in the NT.
It is translated quiet, quietness, settle down, and silent.
b. What does the Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of OT and NT Words say about the word?
It says that the word means “quietness” when used as a noun.
c. What does the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible say about the word?
First, it has a transliteration of the word to help you better pronounce the word “hay-soo-khee’-ah”.
It says it means “stillness, quietness, or silence.”
d. What does the Complete Word Study Dictionary of the NT say about the word?
In the sense of stillness, it means, “silence.”
4. At this point, does the word mean “quietness, silence or stillness.” Since a word can have different meanings, how do you
know which definition should be used.
a. First, go to each verse in the NT where that word is used and see how it was defined in that context.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 KJV “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now
them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing”
2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 NIV “We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and
urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.”
Acts 22:1-2 KJV “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense which I make now unto you. And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew
tongue to them, they kept the more silence…”
Acts 22:1-2 NIV “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they
became very quiet. Then Paul said…”
From this word study, One can conclude the Greek word (hesuchai) means “quietness and not total silence.” This passage
is not teaching that women cannot say anything for instance in Bible class.
Woman can ask questions and make comments just like men can. However, women are to learn in quietness and not
assume a lead teaching role over men.
1 Timothy 2:11, 12 NAS “Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to
teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.”