Hopefully, all of us take seriously our obligation to study God’s word regularly. Even better hopefully we are growing to see this as a great privilege, not just a, obligation. There are some tools we can posses for very little expense that will make our Bible study easier, more enjoyable, and more profitable.

A GOOD CONCORDANCE – If you study your Bible electronically, whether with a computerized program or with a Franklin electronic Bible, it is easy to look up a word or words to find passages of scripture. But not everyone feels comfortable with a computer, and not everyone owns one. A good concordance is the answer.
A good concordance allows you to take any word that occurs in the Bible and quickly look up all the passages that contain that word. These 2 major concordances that can help any serious Bible student.

1.
Young’s Analytical Concordance is a great study tool. (I’m not sure if it is still in print.) This concordance shows the words in English and also shows their Greek or Hebrew counterpart, so it is easy to see what verses have the same original word passages.
2.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. This is still in print and can be purchased relatively cheaply. It has the same advantages of the Young’s plus at least one extra. This tool has each word from the original language numbered. Strong’s includes a lexicon, which is a dictionary of foreign words. You can use the Strong’s numbers to look up words in Hebrew and Greek in their lexicon, without having to know those languages.

DICTIONARIES – There are many words that are seen in the Kings James Version which we do not hear in everyday conversation. I was recently handed the following list of words to define:

1. Vex (Job 19:2) – to irritate, trouble, or provoke
2. Recompence (Heb 2:2) – as a noun, reward or penalty
3. Chasteneth (Hebrews 12:6) – to discipline
4. Scourgeth (Heb 12:6 – to beat or punish
5. Intreated (Job 19:17) – to ask or beg
6. Abhorred (Job 19:19) – to hate, despise, or detest
7. Effeminate (1 Cor 6:9) – soft, feminine (homosexuals)
8. Supplication (Acts 1:14) – request (often made in prayer)
9. Bishoprick (Acts 1:20) – office, position

It is easy to see that a dictionary would be helpful in our Bible study. Use an English dictionary to help understand difficult English words. For more in depth study use a Bible dictionary (Unger’s, Smith’s etc.) You can also look up a word in Strong’s concordance and use the number for the original word to look it up in the Strong’s lexicon.
Another good dictionary is Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. This lets you look up words in English, then shows you the Hebrew or Greek meanings and usage.

VERSIONS – I do not recommend relying on many of the modern versions. The Kings James Version and the New King James version are based on better texts than the American Standard Version, the New American Standard, the Revised Standard, etc.
However, it is sometimes helpful in understanding a particular word to look it up in more than one version. Stay away from versions which use modern translation techniques (the New International Version) or which paraphrase rather than translate. Many books which are called the Bible are really paraphrases. This makes them the ideas of man, not the word of God.

CONCLUSION
Whether we are talking about an English dictionary, and Strong’s concordance, or a lexicon, these tools are man-made. They are helps in understanding the Bible. W should not forget that sometimes men make mistakes or errors in doctrine in the things they produce.
In the end, the ultimate meaning of any Bible word or concept is to be found in the context and usage within scripture itself. An English dictionary may give an erroneous definition of baptism. But without being an English or a Greek scholar, I can learn the meaning of the word from a study of John 3:23 (baptism takes much water), Matthew 3:16 and Acts 8:38-39 (baptism involves going down into and coming up out of the water), and Romans 6:4 (baptism is a burial).
Let us study; Let us learn to love and delight in the law of God.

Family Bulletin Board

Remember in prayer those who have chronic illnesses prayer, visits, phone calls, and cards. Jamie Farmer, Delsie Bishop, Lola Mae Hamlett, Ella Brumitt, Louise Hunt, Reva Brewer, Savannah Green, and Elizabeth Fowler.

EYG MEETING - February 25th, from 6:45 - 8:00 pm.

CONGRATULATIONS –to Lonzo and Laveal (Poe) Reed who were married Tuesday, the 18th. Please add their anniversary to your directory.

POTLUCK - We have a theme for March’s potluck.
“Try Something New”–Bring something you’ve never made before (not strange, just something different). For example, a new casserole, or salad, or flavored tea. Not everything you bring has to be different, but this time, Try Something New!

MAILING PROGRAM – Following the afternoon service (2:00)
next Sunday, we will begin our new mailing program. We will be doing a little over twice as many pieces, but we will not be doing tabs. This means we need your help. Please plan to stay and help with this important outreach. What could be more important than working together as brothers and sisters to spead the good news of the Kingdom of Christ?