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Bible Study

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 17, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 30.

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Bible Study

By F. D. STARR

F. D. STARR
BIBLE study is best pursued by making the Bible first in all our investigation, effort, and experience. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” As the Bible is the unerring guide to the kingdom, and in it is revealed the righteousness of God, it obviously follows that the study of the Bible is to be made first in all the business of life. Elder Uriah Smith, whose memory will ever be cherished by those who knew him, in giving advice on this subject, said: “Give the Bible the first place in the morning. Before taking up any other literature, read from God’s Holy Word.” We defraud ourselves of the spiritual nourishment we need for growth when we allow the daily papers or any other secular literature to take from us the early morning moments. Such reading should be given a secondary place.
It is an excellent plan to read the Bible through every year. If some other system is preferred, one should at least read enough daily to equal the amount of the entire volume in a year. The neglected marginal references should be utilized. By their aid we may compare scripture with scripture, and gain a much clearer understanding of the meaning. When a text comes to your mind, and you do not know where to locate it, go to the concordance, or get assistance in some way, and do not be satisfied until you do know where that scripture is. “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence,” it is taken by conquest, and here is a strategic point to win.
When quoting scripture by pen or voice we should be careful to be accurate. Some expressions are commonly accepted as Scripture which are not found in the sacred canon. Paul is sometimes quoted as saying, “The things I once hated, I now love; and the things I once loved, I now hate.” Those who undertake to find the chapter and verse where this imaginary scripture is found will cease using it.
Much help is often gained by consulting the Revised Version, and there are other translations that help to a better understanding. Rotherham’s “New Testament Critically Emphasized” is an excellent work. Do not avoid commentaries. They are not absolutely necessary, yet one may often gain from some of them much assistance in ascertaining the meaning of some passage hard to be understood.
Those who read the New Testament in the original Greek, will find it to their advantage to read the Septuagint. Many texts and expressions will thus be made more clear. The perusal of “Patriarchs and Prophets,” “The Great Controversy,” “The Desire of Ages,” and other such books, greatly increases the ability to comprehend the Bible, and makes one feel much more familiar with it.
The Bible must not be read in a careless, prayerless manner. He who inspired those writings has promised to give wisdom to those who ask for it, that they may comprehend what he says to them. Above all, we should be doers of the Word. Nothing impresses the practical teachings of the Bible upon the mind like living them out in our daily conduct. If sufficient time is devoted to this study there will be none for novel reading and idle gossip.