by Tom Wacaster
Most of our readers are
probably aware of Paul’s admonition to Timothy (KJV): “Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Strictly speaking, the Greek word that has
been translated “study” (spoudazo) means “to make effort, be
prompt or earnest…diligence, be diligent, endeavour, labour”
(Strong). It means “to hasten, make haste” (Thayer). The word was used
in ancient military literature to compliment a soldier who followed his orders
out of more than a sense of duty or obligation, but because the warrior was
convinced that the fight was worth the sacrifice. He not only followed his
orders but he believed in them. Of the infantry man who gave his all in the
line of fire, it was said he had spoudason. He was intensely in pursuit
of his objective. The King James translators selected the word “study” in view
of the closing words of the verse: “rightly dividing the word of truth.” It
seems rather obvious that in order for someone to “rightly divide the word of
truth” he must be “diligent” in something that would help him to achieve that
end; hence he must be a good “student” of the word.
Study is hard work.
There is a difference between “reading” and “studying.” A person might “read”
the newspaper, but unless he is deeply involved in the stock market, it is
unlikely that a person would spend much time “studying” the newspaper. Study is
a gathering of facts; it is determining the meaning of words, and their
relationship one to another in any given sentence, paragraph or larger context
such as a book, manuscript or essay. Study seeks to determine the meaning of a
passage based upon the intent of the author. A good student of any science or
art takes the time to study various fields related to the particular subject he
is endeavoring to learn. It is no different with the Bible.
Study begins with reading
the Bible; unfortunately most folks never get past this first step. Having
read a passage, the challenge lies in digging deep into that passage to glean
heaven’s meaning, and then make application to our life. It has been properly
observed, “The books which help you most are those which make you think most.
The hardest way of learning is by easy reading; but a great book that comes
from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep freighted with truth and
beauty” (author unknown). No book challenges the thinking of men more than the
Bible. Simple in its structure, it is a storehouse of spiritual truth that is
easily understood while at the same time challenging to even the most scholarly
of men. As one writer put it, “The Bible is an ocean of knowledge that little
children can wade around in, yet no man can fathom the depths thereof.”
Perhaps one of the reasons men do not study the Bible is due to a failure
to understand the rich value of Bible study. The following is attributed to
Henry Van Dyke:
"Born in the East
and clothed in Oriental form and imagery, the Bible walks the ways of all the
world with familiar feet and enters land after land to find its own everywhere.
It has learned to speak in hundreds of languages to the heart of man. Children
listen to its stories with wonder and delight, and wise men ponder them as
parables of life. The wicked and proud tremble at its warnings, but to the
wounded and penitent it has a mother's voice. It has woven itself into our
dearest dreams; so that love, sympathy, devotion, memory, and hope put on the
beautiful garments of its treasured speech. No man is poor or desolate who has
this treasure for his own. When the landscape darkens, and the trembling
pilgrim comes to the valley of the shadow, he is not afraid to enter; he takes
the rod and staff of scripture in his hand; he says to friend and comrade,
'Goodbye; we shall meet again'; and, confronted by that support, he goes toward
the lonely pass as one who walks through darkness to light"
Perhaps as this year draws
to a close it would benefit each of us to make our resolution a month in
advance of ushering in 2009. Let each one of us determine that we are going to
be students of God’s word so that we might reap the wonderful spiritual
benefits that comes with “Giving diligence to show thyself approved unto God.”