We have spent some time in previous articles dealing with problems connected with our Bible study as well as principles and practices that will improve it. It remains for us to consider some additional tools for Bible study. We have previously discussed a good Bible and a good dictionary.
- An exhaustive concordance for the Bible.
This is the third tool which every student of the Bible should have. The concordance lists the words of the Bible with references of all the places where each word is used, and an identifying quote from each text. Notice, I wrote “all the places where each word is used.” There are many concordances that are not exhaustive, including the one in the back of your Bible. They are not complete tools. I would liken finding a particular text with them to chopping down a giant oak with a hatchet instead of an axe. You must have the tool to fit the job. If your job is to find a text through a single word you remember, you need all the places where that word is used shown in your concordance. If your purpose is to interpret Scripture with Scripture you must know all the different contexts in which a word or idea is used.
Though there are other concordances I would suggest either a Young’s or Strong’s concordance. Both have useful “extras” and an easy to read format. Once again, if you spend a little extra to get a better quality book, you will have a tool that will last for many years.
Every Protestant Reformed home should have (at least) a good quality Bible, a good dictionary, and an exhaustive concordance. These three are tools of the trade.
Recently another tool for Bible study has become accessible to the layman. The tool is a lexicon for Greek or Hebrew. A lexicon of the Bible is like a dictionary of the languages of the
Bible. It gives the basic meaning of the Greek or Hebrew word and then explains the meaning of the word in the various places it is used.
Previously this tool was of use only to the student of the Bible who knew Greek or Hebrew. Now, the Strong’s concordance has been numerically coded to the Thayer’s Greek lexicon and Gesenius’ Hebrew lexicon. The result is that the Bible student can do a word study without knowing any Greek or Hebrew. Though I would certainly encourage you to learn Greek or Hebrew, I realize it is not practically possible for most of you. This combination of concordance and lexicon is a way for you to get to the original language of Scripture. Your minister can testify to the usefulness of a lexicon. In fact, he probably uses it to prepare every sermon he preaches. The only publishers of this set to my knowledge is Baker Book House of Grand Rapids, Michigan, though perhaps more companies have published their own sets.
If you recall, I wrote previously that the child of God is able to interpret the Bible on his own. This aid for getting to the original languages of the Bible should greatly help us carry out that principle of our heritage.
May God bless you as you study His Word. Study it yourself in order that you may have discernment in this evil day. Be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily. God will use your study of His Word to enable you to stand in a day when many winds of doctrine are blowing. Then too, you will be strengthened for your place in the church of Christ as you take your place in the pew under the preaching of the Word and as you live your faith in your daily work.
II Timothy 3:16, 17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”