There are a lot of phrases in the Word of God which have been misunderstood and abused by many over the years. It is the purpose of this special issue to look at a number of them in the hope that all of us will be motivated to study more to increase our understanding.

The Bible commands us to "study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Studying the Bible is an individual responsibility but is essential if we are to rightly divide truth. The apostle Paul urged young Timothy, "Ti11I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (1 Tim. 4:13).

True, there are many things in the Word of God which are difficult to understand just as Peter wrote, "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things: in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction" (2 Pet. 3:16). One of the dangers of misunderstanding Bible phrases is the very thing Peter warned Christians of in his day: "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, be-ware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness" (2 Pet. 3:17).

The Ephesians were admonished: "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:17). In order not to be ignorant of God's will, we must heed Holy Spirit instruction that, "...when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Eph. 3:4-5).

Please take the time to read, study, and file the articles on the following pages which will help in understanding a number of misunderstood Bible phrases.

Guardian of Truth XLI: 4 p. 1
February 20, 1997