Study Tools

Step Bible

This free tool, among many others I have been using, hath served me exceedingly well for some months now, and I give thanks unto God for His kindness in providing such gifts unto His church through the labor of faithful men. We often enjoy these benefits so readily that we forget they are the fruit of countless hours of study, diligence, and devotion undertaken by those whom the Lord hath equipped for such work.

For many years I was content merely to read the Scriptures in English, and indeed God greatly blessed even that. Yet there hath been a peculiar richness in returning to the sacred text through its original languages. In doing so, many truths have appeared with greater clarity and beauty, as though familiar passages long viewed through a window were suddenly seen standing in the open light.

This is no fault of the English tongue, which hath served the church nobly, but every translation must bear the limitations of language. Certain shades of meaning, emphases, and connections are difficult to carry fully from one tongue unto another. Thus, by God's mercy, the study of the original languages hath often magnified truths already present in the text and opened vistas of understanding that I had not previously perceived.

Yet even in this, all praise belongs unto God alone. For knowledge itself is not the treasure, but Christ revealed through the Scriptures. The language is but the lamp; the glory is the Light to which it points.

On a related note, I have found great benefit in reading certain passages of Scripture in Tagalog (Magandang Balita Revised Version) side by side with the English (while comparing it to the original languages, of course). There are many instances wherein a truth that seemed familiar in English language is brought into sharper relief by the Tagalog. Many a phrase, an emphasis, or a particular expression often stands forth with greater clarity when viewed through both lenses together. This has given me a deeper appreciation not only for the text itself, but also for the context and richness of the message being conveyed. At times the English translation clarifies a thought that seems less apparent in Tagalog; at other times the Tagalog rendering carries a warmth, force, or nuance that greatly enriches my understanding of the passage. The two, rather than competing, often serve to illuminate one another.

Android Version

By God's kindness, this practice hath proven a tremendous help to my study. It teaches me that while no translation can ever exhaust the depth of the inspired text, each faithful rendering may reveal facets of truth that lead the soul into a fuller meditation of God's Word. Thus what began as a simple comparison of languages hath often become a means of deeper understanding and greater delight in the Scriptures.

I would again like to extend my gratitude to dear brother Jeff Chavez for pointing me towards studying the original languages. I have come to love them because of his labor and kindness. May the grace of the LORD keep you.