The Kingdom Come

As Christians, we understand that the Bible isn't merely another book. It cannot be approached like a novel or even as a handbook. Studying the Bible requires humble and patient consideration. It also requires a more intense look at the words and their meanings, including examining the original languages in which the Bible was written.

In this study, I'd like to address some "tools" that are useful if not essential for a well-grounded Bible study.

As you study the Bible, at least in English you will soon notice that people use different translations and most of the time, the differences between the translations are minor. But sometimes the English word or phrase in one translation over another, dramatically affects the meaning of the text.

EXAMPLE:
Comparison of 1 Corinthians 6:9

KJV
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,...

NKJV
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,...

NIV
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders...

NASB
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,...

MSG (9-11)
Don't you realize that this is not the way to live? Unjust people who don't care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it, don't qualify as citizens in God's kingdom. A number of you know from experience what I'm talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then, you've been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit.

As you can see, the differences between these English translations may lead to a different view for example on the sinfulness of homosexuality; where the NIV may lead a person to conclude it's not sinful to be a homosexual as long as you do't "offend". Whereas the MSG doesn't address homosexuality at all in a direct way.

To help resolve the issue, we should go back to the original language, especially since some of these translations are more of a paraphrase than a word for word, literal translation.

CONCORDANCE
The first tool for Bible study is to have a concordance handy. A concordance is simply a book that contains every original language word of the Bible keyed to expanded definitions along with the English word. (see: concordance)

In today's Internet-based society, you can actually access many online methods to sue a concordance. Let's view the concordance for 1 Cor 6:9 -- Blueletterbible.com is a good source. Further, we can look how the word in question has been used -- See here

PRACTICE
Let's use our access to a concordance to examine these "difficult" verses.

1. Compae Gen 6:19 with Gen 7:2
2. Is Exodus 20:13 saying not to ever kill?
3. Compare Proverbs 18:24 in KJV and NIV
4. Compare Luke 1:15 in KJV and NIV
5. Compare the words world and age, especially in Mt 24:3

The point is, studying the Bible doesn't end at merely reading what is written in English, or even the original languages; but rather in understanding what God through the various authors was conveying.