Hello ES,

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Hello ES,

Forum: Theological Expressions
Re:

What is the doctrine of devils based on the Word ? (Eternally Saved)
Re:

Please state your facts and support of your notions.... (Emmanuel)
Re:

For Emmanuel (Bill Roth)
Re:

Hi Bill (Eternally Saved)
Date: 2001, Nov 06
From: Bill Roth bmadroth

Hello ES,
I appreciate your stand on the scriptures and your enthusiasm to share the truth and gospel with others. We share many of the same views.
In theological discussions, typically the person initiating the discussion will set forth a view, idea or belief. Then, using exegesis will "interpret" the scriptures to prove that idea as scripturaly sound.
There is much more than context to consider when attemtpting to "rightly divide" the scriptures. Sometimes the approach one uses can make or break the discussion from the beginning.
If we use an adversarial approach it may puts those whose ideas may differ, on the defensive. If a person perceives that he is being personally attacked it is not likely that much fruit will come from the discussion.
Likewise, opening a discussion with a only a question, waiting for others to respond with myth, falacies and wrong doctrine, and then "ambushing" them with the truth, is probably not a very good approach. You may win the discussion on technical merit but alienate a brother or sister with the approach. What is the profit?
A kind word brother, consider your approach.
That being said, I will share with you a few things concerning exegesis. Exegesis is simply "interpretation" of the scriptures.
Let me quote from 1 Peter 1:20 (KJV)

20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

In this verse the word "private" in the Greek text,is the word "idias". Idias means "one's own." The word "interpretation" in the Greek is the word "epiluseos." Epiluseos. "Epi" means "upon", and "lou" means loose or let loose.
So we could say that "private interpretation", (idias epiluseos) is "one's own letting loose". When the scriptures are let loose, they unfold, they have more meaning. So the scriptures are not to be of our own personal letting loose. Our own unfolding. Many would do well to understand this most important key to accurately understanding the scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

16. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The word for "study" is from the Greek "spoudazo" which is also translated endeavor,labour and "give dilligence". This is the only verse where it is translated "study". Now the word "approved" is very interesting. It is the word "dokimos". It is used of coins that are of full weight. Here is a quote from Strongs Concordance.

"In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into moulds and allowed to cool. When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins were comparatively soft and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty laws were passed in Athens, to stop the practice of shaving down the coins then in circulation. But some money changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money. They were men of honour who put only genuine full weighted money into circulation. Such men were called "dokimos" or "approved". - Donald Barnhouse -

The words "rightly divide" are from the Greek "orthotomounta". Orthos - straight and "tomoteros" which means to "cut" as in a single as opposed to "kopto" implies repeated blows ie. hacking.
So this sheds much light on the meaning of this scripture.
We are to labour diligently to show ourselves approved unto God by cutting straight God's Word. It is not to be hacked up by our own personal opinions. To the end that we rightly divide God's word we stand approved as labourers, without shame. We can be called "dokimos."
This brings up another point. Let's not confuse our standing and our state. We are approved in Christ as sons and daughters by the acomplishment of Christ. This is our standing our salvation and righteousness which is through Christ. This is grace. We cannot do this for ourselves.
Yet as labourers in His Word we are only approved as "dokimos" to the end that we are dilligent in his Word. This is by works - labor. It takes effort on our part. Jesus can't do this for us. We must do this for Him.
That is all for now. I hope you find this helpful.
God Bless,
Bill