The Words of The Word

I have been doing quite a bit of exegetical Bible study recently, and I have begun to wonder just how many people really study the words of The Word. And how many ideas, beliefs and doctrines are based on incorrect definitions and interpretations of words. For words must be defined within their anthropology, their immediate context, and the greater context of the author and/or subject. Any interpretation outside this criteria, especially if it is based on supporting a particular belief or doctrine, creates a distortion of The Word. This is a problem which has lead to many of the divisions within the Church.

For an example of how difficult and important a single word can be, let us look at the Greek word kaphale. The King James Version of the Bible translates this word as head. However, after Wayne Grudem looked at 2,336 uses of this word in ancient Greek writings, it has been determined that the more accurate meaning of this word is authority over. It can also mean the source of. Interpreting this word as "authority over" presents a meaning for 1 Corinthians 11:3 which many modern Feminist Christians found very uncomfortable.

Another interesting word which has recently been re-examined is the ancient Hebrew word hayah. In Genesis 1: 2 this word is translated as was. However, the most common interpretation of this word is become, became, come to pass, or came to pass. If you change the translation of this word in Genesis 1:2 to became, it gives you an entirely different meaning for the whole verse. Not only that, it raises the possibility that there was life on Earth before the account of the six days of life creation found at the beginning of Genesis. That is quite a church shaking idea.

My point is this. We should really study The Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rather than allowing it to be spoon fed to us by our favorite preacher. And we should study it boldly without any fear that we may discover a new meaning and definition for words and phrases which is totally different from what we have been taught by tradition. After all, it is The Word of God that should be important to us; not our traditions and denominational doctrines.

May the Grace of God, the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.

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