Understanding the Bible is not a fly-by-night task. For one, whenever we set to read the Bible, we are reading a translation. Anyone who’s involved with language translation knows words don’t always cross cultures. It’s even more challenging when we consider the Bible was written thousands of years ago, in a language far different than our own. Bible translation is a huge task, and Bible words don’t always translate according to plan. This means Bible word studies are not just optional, but essential to our spiritual growth.
That being said, sometimes we interpret Biblical terms through a modern lens. We’ve associated our cultural ideas with their meanings, thus causing us to miss the true definitions. In this two-part column, we will examine some of the most commonly misinterpreted Bible terms – and learn what they mean for ourselves.
Inspired
It’s not uncommon to meet Christians who believe the Bible is infallible. They believe that as God inspired the Scriptures, they are also error-free: in writing, content, and preserved from any form of human mistake. To them, inspiration equates a state of infallibility. They additionally believe every word in the Bible is from God, and every word is literally truth. Is this what inspired means?
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)
The word “inspired” literally means “divinely breathed in.” This grammatically clunky definition attempts to explain the mystical process by which God inspired people to write the Bible throughout salvation history. If we are to understand the concept, we must also go back in time to understand a little more about the way the ancients saw writing in Bible times.
A collaboration
Poets, songwriters, and storytellers were believed to operate under the direct power of the gods or, in the case of Bible people, God. The ability to craft words, melodies, and stories from nothing was a process nobody understood. The Bible consists of stories written down for legacy, that generations might know the deeds of God and believe in Him. The same idea of inspiration – the same idea that God gave words for a song, poem, or story – rests in Scripture. When people wrote Scripture, they were led by God to do so.
Inspiration is a collaboration between God and human beings. Inspiration doesn’t mean God spoke in one ear and the authors wrote every word down, as a dictation. It does mean that God had a hand in Scripture, as did the humans involved. If we eliminate the human component, we fail to see the miracle that is Scripture. The fact that these words stand – despite the human beings used to convey them – proves God is present within its contents. The faults, failings, errors, untranslatable words, human limitations, and missteps are part of Scripture’s inspiration. If God can use fallible humans – whether to give the message or preserve its contents – He can use all of us.
Intercession
It’s a common facet to meet people who believe they are intercessors. They might call themselves by a variety of names, including “prayer warrior,” “a type of prophet,” “good pray-er,” or “intercessory pray-er.” There’s nothing wrong with praying for someone else. Prayer is great, and an essential part of our spiritual journey. But prayer alone isn’t really what intercession is about.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV)
It’s correct to say that intercession is a type of prayer (as we can see above). But intercession isn’t just saying a prayer for someone else. The word “intercede” has a long definition, but it essentially means “a falling in with, meeting with, an interview, or a coming together.” Intercession is literally a wrangling between heaven and earth. In intercession, we bring petitions before God, and wrestle with heaven – and earth – for their fulfillment. Intercessors have the unique ability to see things from both the heavenly and earthly point of view, and stand in the gap accordingly.
Modesty
An entire generation grew up with the ravages of purity culture. If you were part of it, you probably learned that “modesty” had to do with the way you dress. We use the term “modest” to refer to clothing that conceals or hides the body in some fashion. In other words, “modest” clothing is associated with not wearing anything too tight, low cut, short, or otherwise revealing. In modern society, we associate modesty with sex.
I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1 Timothy 2:9-10, NIV)
In its basic definition, the word “modest” means “decorous:–of good behavior, modest; well-arranged, seemly.” With this term, it’s not so much about the definition, as how it was used. In every instance in the New Testament, modesty isn’t about sex. It is used to indicate believers shouldn’t flaunt wealth at church.
There were a few reasons why this was an issue. The first, and most obvious, was the issue of class difference. Christianity was embraced by poor and wealthy alike. At church, class distinctions didn’t exist. No one was better than anyone else. Salvation wasn’t bought with money, and flaunting wealth was inappropriate. The second reason was the issue of distraction. Wearing expensive, over-the-top styles drew others to notice one’s wealth, not God at work within them. Our clothing should never outshine our character.
Do I believe we should use good judgment in what we wear? Yes. More than anything, modesty is making sure our clothing doesn’t distract from our spiritual message.
Repent
When we talk about repentance, we usually use it in the context of “turning away from sin.” This is a context of repentance, but we are mistaken if we think it’s the only one.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:1, NIV)
The word “repent” literally means ” to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent; to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins.” So yes, recognizing the need to turn from sin is part of the definition. It’s not the first, or only definition, however. To repent literally means to change one’s mind, specifically for the better. As we go along our spiritual walk, we don’t just repent one time. We repent repeatedly, as God aligns our thinking to His in many ways throughout our journey.
Hate
If you want to create controversy online, post a status that says “God loves everyone.” You’ll get a flurry of responses that mention Bible passages involving divine hatred of Esau, fathers and mothers, and beyond, that don’t disprove one bit what you said. How so? The word “hate” in the Bible doesn’t mean what you think it does!
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be My disciple.“ (Luke 14:26, NIV)
The word “hate” has a diversity of meanings in the Bible. It’s definitely interesting for Bible word studies! The word “hate” in this passage literally means “to love less.” Throughout Scripture, this idea of “loving less” also translates to disfavor, regarding as an enemy, or being distant. It often doesn’t mean “hate” in the sense we use the word in modern understanding.
What words do you know?
Bible word studies are essential to our Bible understanding. What are some other Bible words you can think of that don’t mean what we assume they mean? What Bible word studies will you undertake?
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