PRACTICAL THEOLOGY
Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
In this edition of Practical Theology we will be focusing on how to properly study the Bible. In an age in which truth is proclaimed as relative and the Bible is said to contain errors that can only be corrected by certain groups and/or individuals, or is used as a blank check by some, to be spent on whatever it is that our heart desires, it would only be logical to the serious critic and/or student of scripture to see what this notorious Book of books has to say about itself. Just how do we go about this task? Lets see how this works. After all, this department is called “Practical Theology,“ so lets practice!
Our Exercise: 3 John 1, 2 (NKJV)
“THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray
that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.“
Here we have a simple greeting at the introduction of a short letter in which the writer uses a customary salutation that is the equivalent to our typical “Good Luck,” “Have a nice day” or “May the road rise up to meet you,” etc. What becomes even more apparent as we study this text is what the Apostle John is not saying to Gaius: that God is obligated to bless him with material possessions and physical healing as he travels his way.
The most significant thought being expressed in this passage is concerning Gaius’ prosperous spiritual walk. It is one that is characterized by truth. As we read on we find that Gaius was well known for helping brothers in Christ as well as strangers. Consider:
- The writer has received a report of Gaius’ walk in truth from the brethren - vs. 3
- The writer rejoiced greatly at this report of Gaius' integrity - vs. 3
- The brethren testified of Gaius’ character, faithfulness, charity and service in truth - vs. 3,5,6
In any fundamental study of a passage of scripture, it is imperative that we do a word study on the keywords it contains. This shines light on any pertinent information necessary to arrive at an accurate interpretation of what is truly being said. Part of doing this word study involves defining the word via an expository dictionary that translates Hebrew and/or Greek words since the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. Vine’s Expository Dictionary is recommended. By tracing a word back to the original language, we can attain an overall grasp of that word, thereby giving us an insight into what the intention of a writer truly was in the specific passage we are studying.
One can also perform an exhaustive study on a particular translated word by tracking its usage in different passages throughout the Bible by means of an exhaustive concordance with a limited Hebrew and Greek dictionary in the back such as Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. This type of study will give the student of scripture an insight into the different nuances reflected in the different Hebrew and Greek words translated for prayer or prosperity to see how they are interpreted throughout the Bible.
For the purpose of this edition of Practical Theology, however, we will limit our study to the particular words translated in the passage we are studying.
1) PRAY (PRAYER)
- Text:: Middle Voice of a primary verb; to wish; by implication, to pray to God: -- pray, will, wish. - Strong’s Greek Dictionary { The Middle Voice represents the subject as acting in some way upon himself or concerning himself. Since English does not have a Middle Voice, it is usually difficult to render the middle into smooth English.}Specifically as it pertains to the text we are studying, the Middle Voice shows us that John {the Subject }is performing the act of wishing {the Primary Verb }that Gaius would prosper and be in good health. In other words, I wish you well Gaius!
2) PROSPER (PROSPERITY)
- Text: "to help on one's way" (eu, "well," hodos, "a way or journey"), is used in the passive voice signifying "to have a prosperous journey," in Romans 1:10, KJV; - Vine’s Greek Dictionary {The Passive Voice represents the subject as receiving the action of the verb and English usually uses a form of the verb “to be” to express the passive.}
Applying this information to the text at hand we find that Gaius is the Subject that is to receive the Action of being helped on his way, i.e. John is wishing for Gaius to be helped on his way and be in good health.
Also, this word prosper is in what is identified as the "optative mood" in Greek grammar. The optative mood is rare in New Testament Greek. It is weaker than the subjunctive mood, which makes an assertion about which there is some doubt, uncertainty, or indefiniteness, and usually expresses a wish. This is the clearest evidence that this passage is simply talking about a wish on the part of the writer towards Gaius, and not a proclamation of faith by which God is obligated to make Gaius rich and immune to sickness and death!
Lets talk about Context:
As a rule of interpretation, the context surrounding a particular translated word is determinative of the interpretation of that word in that passage. Further, once one has made a determination as to what is being said in a given passage, he/she then must move beyond the immediate context in which his/her determination has been made to what is called the “Broader Context of Scripture” to ensure that it doesn’t contradict the overall teaching concerning that particular subject in the Word of God. If an interpreta-tion of a particular word or passage contradicts the established doctrine of scripture as a whole, then it must be discarded immediately and without partiality! And what does the broader context of scripture teach concerning the subject matter identified in our exercise passage? It is clear from the rest of scripture that our focus should not be on being healthy and becoming wealthy, consider the following passages:
- “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” - Colossians 3:1,2-3 (NKJV)
- “Then one from the crowd said to (Jesus), ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ But He said to him, ‘Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?’ And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'' - Luke 12:13-15 (NKJV)
- “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!” - Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
- "For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.'' - Luke 14:11 (NKJV)
In particular, lets take a look at what the Apostle Paul had to say on this issue of prosperity in 1 Timothy 6:3-19:
“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt minds, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief's. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (NKJV)
Now the choice is ours. We’ve just looked into the mirror of God’s Word and seen ourselves; are we going to turn away and forget what we’ve just seen?
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19,20)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. (James 1: 22-25)
