THE SIMPLICITY AND JOY OF BIBLE STUDY
GOD’S COMMAND
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
• We are to STUDY.
• We are to be a WORKMAN
• We must RIGHTLY DIVIDE
• God will give His approval.
GOD’S METHOD
I Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
• Not by man’s wisdom
• The HOLY GHOST will teach.
• We are to COMPARE spiritual things.
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
• WE DO NOT INTERPRET the meaning of scripture. The Holy Spirit will teach us the truth.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
• We must SEARCH the scriptures.
• The Lord Jesus Christ will be revealed to us.
A STUDY OF 1 Cor.2:13 FOLLOWING GOD’S METHOD
I Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
How does the Holy Ghost teach? By our comparing spiritual things
Let’s look at “spiritual things” first.
What are spiritual things?
Are they spiritual gifts, or spiritual songs, or spiritual sacrifices, or spiritual wickedness, or spiritual truths, or spiritual blessings, or spiritual meat, or spiritual drink etc. etc? The Bible will give the answer!
28 times we find the word “spiritual” in the Bible, [we should check them all out.
We’ll be truly blessed!
Only twice do we find the exact same phrase “spiritual things”. [1 Cor.2:13 & 1Cor.9:11] This is significant.
I Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
Here the Holy Spirit teaches us that spiritual things are sown. That’s what the Bible says! It’s not a personal interpretation at all.
‘spiritual things’ are ‘sown’. So this gives us another clue. In the Bible, what does the sower sow? The answer will be very revealing.
Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside;…
Mark 4:14 The sower soweth the word…
Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed Is the word of God
[See also Mat. 13:37, 2Cor.9:10 etc…]
Thus “spiritual things” is clearly defined by the Bible as the word of God. The Bible g;Vesthe meaning.
There’s still more! Let’s summarise what we’ve learnt re this exciting little bible study on 1Cor.2:13.
• We are to compare spiritual things [1cor.2:13), – and spiritual things are sown, [1Cor.9:11]
• A sower sows. [Luke 8:5]
• The sower sows seed [Luke 8:5]
• The seed is the word of God. [Mark 4:14, Luke 8:11]
• Therefore, we’re to compare the word of God with the word of God. [1Cor.2:13]
• The Bible defines and refers to the word of God as scripture:- Eg
2 Tlmothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, …
The word “scripture” occurs 32 times in the Bible. The word “scriptures” occurs 21 times in the Bible, and both listings a/ways = The word of God.
Other wordings identify scripture with the word of God, and include: ‘the Scripture saith…,’ (4 times) ‘what saith the scripture?’ (2 times) ‘that scripture might be fulfilled’. (4 times).
We are to COMPARE scripture
The word “comparing” is found only twice in the Bible. [1Cor.2:13, and 2Cor.10:12]. This too is significant. In both verses the context gives the plain, common-sense meaning, “to examine in order to observe resemblances or differences”. [It’s not surprising that the identical word “comparing” in both verses, comes from the one Greek word ‘sugkrino’.]
When we compare scripture, we don’t just read it, or note it. No, we take the word or phrase and evaluate, compare and contrast it with other scripture having the same w-o-r-d-s. This is why it is so important for the believer to trust God’s promise, that He has preserved all His words. [Check out Ps. 12:6-7, Matt.24:5 etc..]
Studying the word of God, by comparing scripture with scripture, can take the bible-believing Christian on an exciting journey. Before you reach your destination, your Guide, the Holy Spirit, might show you glimpses of many other precious treasures and gems, concealed, but just waiting to be discovered. Your eyes will be opened to avenues of new and unexpected journeys that you’ll be impatient to begin.
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discemer of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Dr. Dennls Spackman.
Auckland, New Zealand
Tel: 625-4123.