A word study takes a very deep look into the exact words that are being used from the original languages. There are certain nuances to the text that English has a tough time translating well. Doing a word study can be a great tool to help supplement any Bible Study method. This should not be an exclusive method used in isolation from other methods. Through it, you can have greater clarity and understanding. This guide will not do a sufficient job in explaining all the nuances of language development or how to excel in a word study, but it will give you the tools to get started.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Clarifying
- Very deep study
- Easy to start
- Can be exciting
Weaknesses
- Hard to master
- Can add more confusion at times
- If done wrong, it can cause you to misunderstand a text entirely
How To Do A Word Study
1. Select a Word
As you are reading through Scripture, select a word that you are either confused about or wish to have a deeper understanding of.
2. Utilize Resources
A good resource is necessary for this part as you will be looking into the original language. If you are old school, a Strong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon will be useful. However, there are online tools that can be utilized that make it much easier. Various Bible software can be used to dive deeper. Those that I have found most useful and use the most for my own study is Logos and Blue Letter Bible. Logos is paid, but Blue Letter Bible is free and can be downloaded from your app store, or used online at BlueLetterBible.org.
For the sake of this, lets assume you are using Blue Letter Bible. Click on the verse that contains the word you are interested in knowing more about. Go to Interlinear/Concordance and then find the word that you are wanting to know about. To study what that word is in the original language, select the Strong's number listed in the center column. This will take you to that word and give the various possible definitions of it. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the screen and play around with some of the other tools as well.
For the sake of this, lets assume you are using Blue Letter Bible. Click on the verse that contains the word you are interested in knowing more about. Go to Interlinear/Concordance and then find the word that you are wanting to know about. To study what that word is in the original language, select the Strong's number listed in the center column. This will take you to that word and give the various possible definitions of it. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the screen and play around with some of the other tools as well.
3. Consider the Context
Many words in Greek and Hebrew determine their meaning by the context around them. When presented with a host of possible definitions, it is important to consider the context that is being talked about. This will help you to know what is being intended by the original author. If done right, this can keep you from misunderstanding the text by forcing a definition into it.
4. Look at Other Usages of the Word
Tools like Blue Letter Bible make this step very easy. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will find other places that this word is used. This can help to give clarity or understanding to the words and various usages of it. This step may help you find similar cross-references to what you are looking to study as well.
5. Return to the Original Section
Now that you have gone through and done the word study, go back to the verse or section that you are diving deeper into and apply what you have learned to the verse.
6. Pray
Prayer is an essential part of any Bible study method. You should start and finish with this. Without prayer throughout Bible study, it just becomes a glorified book club.
Take this time of prayer to reflect on what it is that you have read and what that means for your life. Ask the Lord for more insight and what He would have you to do in response of the Word. Also take the time to enjoy being in the presence of the Lord. Learn to grow in the discipline of prayer just as you are in the discipline of study.
Take this time of prayer to reflect on what it is that you have read and what that means for your life. Ask the Lord for more insight and what He would have you to do in response of the Word. Also take the time to enjoy being in the presence of the Lord. Learn to grow in the discipline of prayer just as you are in the discipline of study.