Word Studies
A "word study" is the idea of taking each occurrence of a particular word (e.g. faith, love) in a single book or the entire Bible and examining those passages to learn more about the topic in question. However, there are several pitfalls and fallacies to be aware of when undertaking such a study.

• Unless you have real expertise in original languages, word studies are not what they may appear to be on the surface!
• Words in the original language (OT- mostly Hebrew, NT- Greek) are not always translated to the same English word.
• Example: The Greek term "parakaleo" is variously translated in the NIV as "comfort" (Mt 2:18, 5:4), "asking for help" (Mt 8:5), "begged" (Mt 8:31), "pleaded" (Mt 8:34), "call on" (Mt 26:53), "exhorted" (Lk 3:18), "invited" (Ac 8:31), "urged" (Ac 9:38), "encouraged" (Ac 11:23), "appease" (Ac 16:39), "request" (Ac 24:4).
• Different translations handle words differently.
• Example: In the same passages as above, the NASB differs from the NIV with "entreating" (Mt 8:5, 8:31, 8:34, Ac 9:38), "appeal" (Mt 26:53, Ac 16:39), "exhortations" (Lk 3:18, notice switch from verb to noun), "beg" (Ac 24:4).
• Some translations add words to assist in translation and flow.
• Example: 1 Th 1:3 in NIV: " We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
• Example: 1 Th 1:3 in NASB: "constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father."
• Not only the the NIV add the words "produced," "prompted" and "inspired, it puts the entire passage into one sentence. The NASB translates 1:3 as a phrase, a part of a much larger statement.
• What if you were doing a word study on "inspiration" and came across this passage in the NIV? You might think the Bible teaches endurance is "inspired by" hope. But that's foreign to the original text!
• Technical terms: Certain words are used as "technical terms" and are not as open to some of the other issues raised here.
• Example: The Greek "baptidzo" is always translated "baptize."
• Caution: Ideas can be discussed though the technical term normally used to describe it may not be. Example- Jn 3:5, Tit 3:5 where baptism is referred to but not stated explicitly.
• Did you notice in the first sentence in the paragraph above how I used "word" in the first part of the sentence, and "topic" in the second part, as though they are equivalent concepts? They are not! This is the chief pitfall in word studies, but it also points the way to a better way to study out ideas and concepts.

• Directness: Rarely will the Biblical writer directly answer your question (usually because it wasn't relevant to his discussion). In fact, he is answering someone else's question. His answer to that question can help answer your question, but certain aspects of your question may remain unaddressed.
• Relevance: Make sure the topic you are considering is addressed in the passages you are examining.
• Understand which passages apply to the topic at hand.
• Jewish Age: The Old Testament
• Christian Age: Acts through Revelation (Be careful to distinguish the apostolic age from the post-apostolic age)
• What about the Gospels? Sometimes the gospels address the Jewish age (e.g. Mt 5:23), sometimes the Christian age (Mt 18:20), and sometimes both ages (e.g. Mt 6:2-4). Consider the context!
• Explicit or Implicit? Differentiate between explicit teaching (what do the Scriptures explicitly say?) and teaching by example (what do the Scriptures say the early church believed and/or practiced?).
• What do the Scriptures teach, and how did the early church put that teaching into practice?
• Normative or Informative? Differentiate between normative and informative passages. Consider if the example is meant as an example (normative) or simply mentioning what someone did (informative).
• Example: Acts 2:38-41 appears to be normative teaching on conversion in the early church, whereas Acts 10:9 appears to be informative about what Peter happened to be doing (praying at noon on the roof).

Assignment
Word Study Assignment.