Growing In Grace

Most Christians wholeheartedly agree with the old adage, "Let Scripture interpret Scripture." Most agree that instead of looking for an interpretation that is foreign to the text, we should first and foremost seek to understand how the original author uses the word that we are trying to interpret. Based on the author's established usage, we should then go about seeking to understand the passage being studied.  Using this Scripture to interpret Scripture principle can also help to untangle some of the symbolism in the book of Revelation. In this post we will seek to understand what John's intended symbolism was for his 7 uses of "lampstand" in the book of Revelation (1:12, 1:13, 1:20(2x); 2:1, 2:5; 11:4).  Revelation 1:12-13 - "Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest....

The more I study the Bible the more I realize the depths of the treasures that it holds. We will never be able to exhaust it's riches, but we must press on and dig deeper throughout our lives. This word study is another one that shocked me because I had always understood the promise made to Abraham a certain way. I grew up hearing it taught a certain way, and never thought to question it. In fact, in some circles questioning the interpretation that I was taught was taboo (borderline heretical in others). However, if we truly believe the Bible is the Word of God, infallible and authoritative, then we must allow it to change even our most deeply held understandings of things if they can be proven to be untenable. This is one of those beliefs that is often bound up with so much emotion, so I would just ask that you let the Bible speak for itself and then draw your conclusions. Perhaps this will challenge a long held belief, but if this is what the Bible truly says then that belief m...

There are two main words that the NT authors use from which we get our English word temple. The BDAG (probably the most highly recognized Greek lexicon) gives us these definitions:      1) naos is used 45 times in the NT and is defined as: a place or structure specifically associated with or set apart for a deity, who is frequently perceived to be using it as a dwelling, temple.      2) hieron is used 71 times and is defined as: sanctuary, temple. (In every instance both the NASB and the ESV translate it only as temple.) Though it might be a little overly simplistic to say it this way, the general difference between the two is that hieron is used to speak of the temple as a structure, whereas naos carries with it the additional connotation of dwelling place of God. With this foundation laid fist we will look at how Paul uses these two words in the New Testament. Only in 1 Corinthians 9:13 does Paul use hieron saying, "13 Do you not know that thos...