Why Study?

II Timothy 2:14-15

A conflict raged between missionaries to Mexico and Central America over which version of the Reina Valera Spanish Bible they should use. The newer one substituted Spirit for Ghost where ever the scriptures spoke of the Holy Ghost. Many felt that that made it a less then exact translation.

What many missionaries failed to recognize was that in Spanish, at least as used in Mexico, the word translated ‘ghost’ does not necessarily refer to a spiritual being, but merely to something that startles or scares you. As one Mexican pastor put it, To use that phrasing would cause the concept of the Holy Spirit to translate as the ‘Holy Spooky’ or ‘Holy Scary’. It doesn’t convey the same meaning. The change actually was closer to the meaning of the scripture than the older version.

There is an ongoing argument over what version of the Bible should be used in English, with some insisting that even modern versions of the King James that have updated spellings of some words are corrupt, pointing to over 600 words that have been changed. It is true that many modern versions are less than accurate translations. In fact, one of the translators of the NIV recently announced that they were redoing their translation in hopes of getting it right this time. Paul warns Timothy of the danger of getting caught up in such arguments, saying that they actually turn men from the truth.

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” (II Timothy 2:14)

Paul warns that some are so caught up in the exact words they will not accept sound teaching which is stated in other words. Their emphasis on the exact words confuses the issue and focuses attention on other things wit dire consequences. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself,” (I Timothy 6:3-5). We are to dissociate ourselves from those who are caught up in this. To associate with them exposes us to risk of being turned away ourselves.

Peter points out that not understanding the intent and meaning of the scripture leads to distortion, and finally to the destruction of those so involved. “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” (II Peter 3:15-17)

In II Corinthians 3:6, Paul emphasizes that our ministry in not about the exact words and letters, but about the meaning and intent of God’s word. “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” An improper focus destroys faith and spiritual growth. Notice he is speaking of the New Testament, not just the law. As a result Paul stresses the need for study in order to know how to please God.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15)

Imagine the embarrassment of a plumber who installed an entire plumbing system and had to remove and redo it free of charge because he had not done it in a legal manner. It was his responsibility to know and obey the code. If he had forgotten, he should have looked at the code book. It should be just as embarrassing for a pastor to teach or practice in a unacceptable manner. He has the Word of God to show him how things are to be done.

In John 5:39 Jesus told the Jews, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” In Acts 17:11, the Berean Jews are declared to be greater than those in Thessalonica. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Paul advised the Thessalonians to test everything and keep what was worthwhile. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21)

The focus of our study must be the scripture. I Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that it teaches everything we need to be pleasing to God. “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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The study is needed because it is so easy for us to misinterpret words. By searching the scripture, we can be sure we are not doing so. II Peter 1:20 reminds us, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” Scripture must be compared with scripture.

It is the Holy Spirit’s job to teach us everything we need to know, and he will use the scriptures to do so. He can only bring to memory what we have studied. John 14:6 states, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

One of the things he does to teach us is to compare scripture with scripture according to I Corinthians 2:12-14. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 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. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Without his leadership we will never attain more than a superficial understanding of the scriptures. With his leadership, the scripture will become quite obvious. John 16: 13 promises, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”