Joshua 1 verse 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.’

You are welcome back to our discussion on how to study your Bible. I believe that the insights that I have shared so far with you will enhance and empower your Bible study experience. So without much ado let’s continue other practical steps that will help you in studying your Bible properly.

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE:

• Engage the Laws of Scriptural Interpretation in your study of the Bible. These laws will help you in understanding the Bible better. These laws will help you in understanding the Bible better. In today’s lesson we will be considering two of such laws so we here we go: 
• The Law of Original Root meanings. This simply talks about the words that are used in the original language of the Bible (i.e. either Hebrew or Greek). This will also help you to understand the Bible better. For example the word LOVE in the following scriptures; Rom13v8 (Love here in the Greek is the word ‘agapao’ which is the verb of the word ‘Agape’ which is the noun version. Basically this kind of love is unconditional and sacrificial in nature (The God kind of love) In Heb6v10; 10v24(the word there is agape)

       * Rom12v10; Heb13v1. 1Thes4v9: The word brotherly love here is Philadelphia and in Greek which is Fraternal affection, brotherly kindness, love of the brethren.

       *Eph5v18. Let’s consider the word ‘filled’ used here. From the Greek language we deduce the following:

a. The word filled here means ‘pleroo’ which means the following to make replete i.e. to cram a net (literally) level up a hollow or figuratively to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence, satisfy, execute (an office) finish (a period or task) verify (or coincide with a prediction) etc. It can also mean having much or plenty of something, very full. To fill something to overflowing or abundantly supplied.

b. The word filled is also in the present imperative. The present imperative is a command to do something in the future and involves continuous and repeated action either positive or negative, when negative is prohibits an action i.e. carries the implication of stopping an action which has been taking place.

So what is the implied meaning of this on the word filled in Eph5v18?

1. Be filled is a command and not a suggestion.
2. Be filled means be filled now (present tense)
3. Be filled also means keep being filled since it means a continuous and repeated action.
4. Be filled also means you have to take the initiative to be filled.

I hope you can see how checking up the meaning of this word has helped us in understanding this scripture better. This is why it’s really important to checkup at times on the original root meaning of some words so that you can have a better clarity.

 iii.   The Law of Context. This is how a word is used within the context of the scripture. If you will be successful in studying your Bible you must not interpret scripture out of context. To understand this law very well we need to define context.

Context:

• Discourse that surrounds a language unit and helps to determine its interpretation
• The set of facts or circumstances that surrounds a situation or event i.e. historical context that is existing culture of the day

Let’s consider an example now: Suppose you are studying 1Cor14v34. To understand what Apostle Paul meant here using the law of context:

• You need to read the entire passage or chapter. And when you, you will see he is talking about order in the operation of the gifts of the spirit.
• You also need to note what he said ‘Let your women’ not all women’ And you need to also ask why did he say your women? Some of the reasons for this (as from church history: women were not that educated as men, the prevailing culture of that time etc.

Apostle Paul was not saying a woman cannot be used by God otherwise it will be contradicting what he has said in other scriptures such as Rom16v1-4, 6 or other scriptures.

• You need to also note that the word ‘women’ here in Greek means ‘Gune’ which means a woman but specifically a wife and by reading verse 35 you will see that he was talking about married women not single ladies. All of these understanding will not have been possible without using the law of context. So always endeavor to interpret scriptures using the law of context. You can also study this passage (1Tim2v8-15) alongside (1Cor14v34.)

Another example to consider using this Law is Pro26v4-5. Did you learn anything meaningful from this lesson today? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section and see you tomorrow as we continue this series.

Other Scriptural References: Isa34v16; Jn5v39; Acts172-4, 11: 19v8-10; 2Tim2v15; 1Pet2v2.

Prayer for Today: Holy Spirit, let your fire come afresh on my bible study life today in Jesus name, amen.

CONFESSION: Thank you Jesus for these powerful revelations and insights. I receive courage and wisdom to be doer of this words. I declare by faith that my life is changing from glory to glory in Jesus name, amen.