The earliest English concordances were published in the 16th century. Since then they have become an invaluable tool in Bible study. Computers’ searching capabilities have made long hours of collecting words from the Bible a task that takes only a few seconds.

Yet, concordances and word search software fails at the point of context. It is not enough to find every instance of a word in the Bible. Every word must be rightly divided; it must be put in its proper dispensational context. Read more …

It is not uncommon for an explanation of John 21:15-17 to include secret underlying meanings in the Greek for our English word “love”. It is said that the Greek has many words for ‘love’ which supposedly give more clarity to the passage than the English translation.

The word ‘agapao’ is used in John 21:15 and 16 and the word ‘phileo’ is used by Jesus in John 21:17. It is explained that ‘agapao’ is an unconditional wholehearted love, while ‘phileo’ is merely a brotherly sort of love. What is not explained is that they can also have the same meaning.

The idea that our English translation is somehow lacking in substance is false and is a great disservice to the church. Not only is there nothing missing from the English translation of John 21, but the critics are wrong. Here’s why. Read more …

Under the covenant obligation with Israel, God blessed those who were obedient to the commandments and cursed those were disobedient.

This is why Paul declares that being under the law was a curse to sinful humanity since even one transgression was a breach of the covenant. Read more …

In the opening verse of all of Paul’s epistles, except the Thessalonians, it is clear that Paul was an apostle or servant of Jesus Christ. Even in Thessalonians you find verses such as 1 Thess 2:4 and 13 that declare his granted position from the Lord.

Inevitably, despite this servant relationship to Jesus, when I compare the messages of Paul or Peter (Gal 2:8-9), consider what the apostle of Jesus Christ says (2 Tim 2:7), or magnify his office as an apostle of Jesus Christ (Rom 11:13), the retort is always that I make too much of Paul. Read more …

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? – Micah 6:2

The law was given to teach what the Lord requires. Meditation on the law taught judgment, the severe punishments of the law demanded mercy, and through the sacrifices and prayers humility was openly displayed as thousands of animals bled for sins. Read more …