Deep, Thorough Bible Study
By J. A. M. Chapman
LET me say to the young forming habits: One fact or truth looked at in all its phases, traced in all its relations, thoroughly mastered, is worth more to head, heart and life than a thousand superficially grasped and partially comprehended. Take a subject, think through it, round it, over it, under it, turn it over, look at it in all possible phases and relations; master it, make it your own; one book—read it, question it, doubt it, discuss it and analyze it; master it, and it will be worth a dozen read in a cursory and superficial manner. One text of Scripture—fathom it, measure its length and breadth; try to detach it and find the ligaments by which it is held; think down into it until you come according to its own path to Christ—for be sure as he is the truth, every truth leads to him in its own way—get into its very heart and look at it, for the peculiar glory of spiritual truths, like some temples, can be seen only from within. Climb to its summit. As literally, so spiritually, the best, widest, grandest prospect is from the top of its heights. It is the beaten oil that gives the brilliant flame. It is the thoroughly-digested food that gives us strength and health. I would not say, read the Bible less, but meditate upon what you read more. He is not the best Bible student that remembers the greatest number of verses, or that is the most skillful exegete of its difficult passages, or that has at his command the greatest number of its facts and truths; but rather that man who best understands its great fundamental principles that lie at the foundation and manifest themselves through every verse, and is the most thoroughly imbued with its spirit, that has the key of interpretation to the deepest meaning of the whole.—J. A. M. Chapman, D. D.