The Role of Commentaries For All Believers

Nobody can apply what they do not know.

Nobody can know what they do not learn. 

Nobody can learn what they do not study.

Nobody can learn what they are not taught.

Christians lets be honest.  Most of us struggle with “RTAC syndrome” (i.e. run-to-a-commentary).  I confess, when I owned my very first study bible, I found my eyes wandering down to the footnotes every time I picked up the Bible.  In fact, I caught myself reading the commentary more than I was reading the text itself!

My Dad always taught me to, “measure twice and cut once.”  I like to say, “lazy people work twice as hard.”  These principles apply to the Spiritual life.  If I fail to do the right work in Bible study (i.e. proper hermeneutics, exegesis and inductive bible study) I will spend an unnecessary (and perhaps frustrating) amount of time trying to get back on track, regain focus and properly interpret and apply a portion of  Scripture to my life and to the body of believers.

The Apostle Paul said, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV).  The ESV puts it another way, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

The point is there is much work and diligence that takes place before the word is preached, taught, or applied.  What I suggest here is that commentaries only come into the equation at the very end when all the proper work is done.  I want my thoughts about scripture to be “original.”  That is to say, I want my preaching, teaching, and writing to be a byproduct of much reading, studying, meditation, and prayer.  For me, I feel the urge to run to commentaries first when I want the answer right now.  But I might not even be getting “the answer” in reading a commentary.

I like to think of the work of exegesis as the search for a key (i.e. the “big idea” of a passage) that opens the door to the world of application.  It is a joy to find the primary meaning and then transition to a secondary application.  Once the exegesis is done and the proper steps of observation and interpretation have been made, it is time to consult what the body of Christ has concluded as well.  

Robert J. Sivigny’s approach to incorporating commentaries is the model for objective research.  He notes, “It is important to consult a variety of commentaries for exposure to different theological traditions such as Reformed, Dispensational, or Arminian.”1  Objectivity is difficult; especially in theology.  But with prayer and fasting, a Christian included to Reformed theology will benefit from reading Dispensational perspectives just as an Arminian will benefit from reading Calvin’s commentaries - so long as he or she is“doing their best to present themselves to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (by consulting commentaries at the end).  

Happy studies to all!  Be Blessed.

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1. http://www.regent.edu/acad/undergrad/ctl/twr2005/Lessons1to4/Lesson2-UsingGoodBooks/LessonTwo7-UsingBibleCommentaries.htm

What Does It Mean To Love God With All Your Heart, Soul and Mind?

I received this question in my inbox this month: "Basically I have had a hard time in my life. The Bible says to love the lord your God with all your heart mind soul and strength. How do I do this on practical terms? I want to get (find) closer to God. Regards..."

Greetings and thank you for asking such a great question.  Allow me to role model how this verse is practically applied in my life: 

First, I begin with meditation on the verse: Matthew 22:37-38:

37And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment.

Then I study the text in its context using the D.I.S.C. method.  

Discover the Context: 34But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"

Identify Key Words: LOVE | HEART | SOUL | MIND

Subject: (this is a question based on the text using only the text): What did Jesus say to the Pharisee/lawyer who asked him what the greatest commandment in the law was?

Complement: (this is the answer to the question using only the text in its original context): Jesus told the Lawyer that the greatest commandment in the law is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Second, I break down the meaning of all the key words.  This is the first time I use commentaries in my personal study.  I want to know what the original words mean.

To love (25) (agapao - see related study of noun agape) means to love unconditionally and sacrificially as God Himself loves sinful men (John 3:16), the way He loves the Son (John 3:35, 15:9, 17:23, 24). 

Heart (2588) (kardia) does not refer to the physical organ but is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and center of human life. The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will. No outward obedience is of the slightest value unless the heart turns to God. 

Souls (5590) (psuche or psyche from psucho = to breathe, blow, English = psychology, "study of the soul") is the breath, then that which breathes, the individual, animated creature. However the discerning reader must understand that psuche is one of those Greek words that can have several meanings, the exact nuance being determined by the context. It follows that one cannot simply select of the three main meanings of psuche and insert it in a given passage for it may not be appropriate to the given context. The meaning of psuche is also contingent upon whether one is a dichotomist or trichotomist. Consult Greek lexicons for more lengthy definitions of psuche as this definition is only a brief overview. (Click an excellent article on Soul in the Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology; see also ISBE article on Soul) 

TDNT writes that dianoia is the "common word for “thought” has such varied senses as (1) thought as a function, (2) the power of thought, the thinking consciousness, (3) the way of thought, (4) the result of thought, e.g., thought, idea, opinion, or judgment, (5) resolve of intention, and (6) the meaning of words or statements. The LXX uses it as an equivalent of kardia, and the usage is much the same in other Jewish works. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans)

Third, once I have been faithful to the correct handling of the text, I pray about all the practical implications of this verse in my life.  This is application.

I ask myself, "am I really loving God?"  Then I think of passages in 1 John where the word links obedience to loving God.  Am I being obedient to God's word and yielding to the convictions of the holy spirit in my life.  This morning, I felt the temptation to skip time in the word with browsing Instagram and YouTube.  I was victorious this morning, but yesterday the internet "got me."  I was not loving God yesterday in my laziness.  

I ask myself, "am I loving God with all of my heart?"  If the heart is the deepest part of my being, then God will have dominion in every area of my life.

I ask myself, "am I loving God with all my soul?" In this context, the soul is part of the thinking capacity of the person.  Does God fill my thought life?  Is he constantly on my mind?  Do I take every thought captive and make them obedient to Christ?  When I love God with all my soul, I am surrendering all of my life to him.  I don't even have "me time" anymore.  There is no such thing.  I begin and end my day with this prayer, "Lord, what are you doing today?  Becuase I want to get on board with THAT!  I want to please you in all I do today."

I ask myself, "am I loving God with all of my mind?" This also refers to my thought life.  But I also understand this progression to be referring to the totality of the person: we are bio/psycho/socio.  We are heart, soul, and mind.  There are different aspects of me that make up who I am.  I think this passage is covering all of the person. Therefore, have I filled my mind with God to the point where I do nothing without thinking about how it is may be linked to pleasing the Father.  When I study the scriptures, I want to be faithful and diligent in studying it.  I don't want to turn to commentaries early on because I don't want to take shortcuts.  I want to do the work and study to show myself approved unto God.  A workman that needs not to be ashamed; one who correctly handles the word of truth.  That is loving God with all of my mind.  

Most of all, I want to be like Jesus who's mission was to please the Father.  All throughout his earthly ministry he constantly shifted his focus to doing that which pleased the Father. When people wanted him to heal, he often stopped and said, healing was not why he came, but he came to do what the Father has told him to do.  To preach about the Kingdom of God.  At the end of his earthly ministry, he did not even want to go to the cross!  He asked, "if is it possible, may this cup pass...but not my will but your will be done!"  He was constantly in line with pleasing the Father.  

And that is how I want to be as well.  This is what this passage looks like in practical terms. I love the Lord God with all my heart, soul, and mind. I give him all of me in my life, my study, my devotion, and in my body.  

I hope this helps answer your question.  Looking forward to more dialogue on this subject.

The Exegetical Assessment Tool 3.0.

Years ago led a Bible study and a visitor sat in.  She had many questions about eschatology and questioned my pre-millennial handling of various texts that came up.  Basically, she didn't like that I was teaching that Jesus would come and snatch up his Church before all hell broke loose.

Looking back, I confess that I spent too much time debating texts and chasing rabbits down fox holes.  At one point, I felt like I was taken back to 1998 when I was in Bible College arguing with a dorm room full of 18 year olds.  I was so, "over it."  And she never came back to fellowship with us either.  I think the enemy looked at that situation and said, "yes!  I got them to argue theology and nobody had time to confess and repent from any sin!  That's another win for me!  muahahahahahaha."  Something like that.

I'm getting ready to discuss a very difficult topic with a Bible study group.  They want to discuss some of the most debated passages in the history of the Church; one of which is James 2:14.  A passage so "difficult" that Martin Luther considered James the epistle of straw and tossed it out.  But it didn't have to end that way,  in my opinion.

Here's my approach and suggestion for discussing passages that have typically resulted in splits, divisions, and in worst cases anger and bitterness.  Approach the study using an Exegetical Assessment Tool.  It's simple.  It's objective.  And whoever is mishandling the text will either admit it and be silenced, or they will violate their conscience and there's nothing one can do in response.

I suggest beginning the study in prayer and supplication asking God to reveal himself and to give clarity to his Word using the context of Scripture in the surrounding verses, chapters, genres, and totality of Scripture.  Everyone must realize that when Iron sharpens Iron sparks fly, but we must also be aware of how the enemy might capitalize on that situation.

For every passage where one side cannot explain the text in its context (i.e. Who, Why, What, When, Where, How), then that passage must be put on a "visit next time" list.  What may happen is that there are only a few passages that will be taken into consideration.  John 3:16 may be a place to start and end.  It's simple, straight to the point, and it's Jesus speaking!

I would end the study in prayer and going around the group asking where hearts lay.  This is a time to be honest and not give the Devil a foothold.  Sin ALWAYS levels the playing field.  I will start off by exposing what needs to die in me.  And I will confess a specific stronghold that I am battling with. I will know it is "real" if I am reluctant to share.  God always answers my prayer when I ask, "Lord, what is my sin and what needs to be exposed and killed today."  I have no doubt he will deliver.

In the round table of confessions, there will be those who participate because they know their struggle is not with flesh and blood and they will be all in for the sake of killing their sin and glorifying God.  The others will choose shame, guilt, and condemnation as well as self-defense; making excuses as to why they don't need to confess sins.  At that point, they cannot be helped. If they say they are without sin, they lie and the truth is not in them.  They call God a liar and the situation is, as they say, "doneskis!"

All in all, the truth must be spoken in love.

Now go forth bravely into battle knowing that HE has won the war.  It is finished.