A paraphrase is a rewording of a translation of the Bible into the same language. It is not “the” Bible; it is the author's ideas about what the text is saying. The Message by Eugene H. Peterson and the Living Bible by Kenneth Taylor are two examples.

One way to get more out of your Bible reading is to write your own paraphrase of the passage you're studying. Taking one or two verses at a time, change words and phrases so they are more understandable to you, doing your best to keep with the main idea.

Some verses can get rather lofty, making the collection of thoughts hard to read. One suggestion is to replace pronouns (e.g.: it, they) with the words to which they refer. Another method for muddling through phrases is writing a separate sentence for each phrase, using the same subject and/or verb for each sentence, or even making bulleted lists. You might consult more than one translation to get additional ideas. If you want to get really serious, consult a commentary or even a lexicon or Word Study Dictionary.

Your paraphrase can be as literal (close to the original wording) or as dynamic (loose interpretation for the sake of the original meaning) as you choose. Just remember, though: a paraphrase is more of a commentary to consult than a version to study.

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For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4-5, HCSB)

This would have been quite a shock to Jews; for under the Law, only certain meats were considered clean. The Gnostics, as well, became heartily against such teaching as they deemed anything but spirit to be evil. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible by Jamieson, Faucett, & Brown notes that remnants of Gnosticism remain in the Catholic church in regard to celibacy of priests and avoidance of some animal meats.

Where Jews and Gnostics found certain created things sinful, we in the church today may be tempted to do the opposite, taking for granted the liberties we have been given through the Word of God. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 stands as a reminder that we ought to give God our thanks for the things He has provided.

What kinds of things have you taken for granted? Thank God for those things right now and make an effort to do so in the future as well. For it is the Word of God and prayer that make these things not just permissible, but holy, set apart unto us.

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible ®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible ®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

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This suggestion for Bible study comes from Beth Moore’s A Heart Like His, © 1996 by LifeWay Church Resources.

We can read the Bible and use extensive resources for understanding it, but gaining knowledge about the Bible isn’t enough. It must be applied. It must effect change in our lives. For this reason, Beth Moore instructs readers of the Member Book for A Heart Like His to ask two questions following each day’s study, but the meditative questions are easily applied to Bible reading as well.
*In what ways do you believe God was speaking directly to you today?
*What is your response to Him?

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On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty,
And on Thy wonderful works, I will meditate. (Psalm 145:5, NASB)

Psalm 145 is full of praise for the Lord. In verse 5 the psalmist says he will meditate on the Lord’s wonderful works. This phrase denotes something separate, extraordinary, miraculous, astonishing.

What are some of the wonderful works you have witnessed the Lord do in your life? Meditate on these.

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He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. (Proverbs 28:13, NASB)

They say confession is good for the soul. This is true not only for the transgressor, but it should be for those around him as well. Whether a person was the one sinned against or is merely acquainted with the repentant soul, he ought to find compassion in his heart, rejoicing with the once-guilty for the forgiveness he has found.

This is not to say that every kind of sin needs to be announced to everyone the individual knows. While public sin ought to be confessed publicly, there is certainly a right and wrong place to share with those not sinned against. If confession will lift others up in the faith or help them out of their own sin, it is certainly an acceptable situation. Other times, it is best to keep private sin private.

Has anyone ever confessed to you, either one-on-one or in a group setting such as a church service, a past sin that he has overcome? How did it make you feel?

Are there any transgressions you need to confess and forsake? Be assured you will find compassion from God. Pray for wisdom to know who else needs to hear your confession and for the confidence to share it.

Are you finding it hard to forgive someone who has sinned against you and later confessed repentantly for what was done to you? Pray that you can find compassion for the individual and rejoice with him. Remember we are told to forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22,KJV).

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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Bible Store Browser has been several months in the works as I have been gathering information, reviewing resources, and selecting the suppliers I believe provide a good value to you. Over the next few weeks, I'll be adding new articles, book recommendations, and resources with the collective aim of equipping you in your life as a Christian.

As a former sales associate at a Christian book store, I had the opportunity to aid many people in choosing new Bibles. I found it to be a very rewarding experience to pass on a little bit of knowledge and to assist someone in making an informed decision about which Bible to choose.

But there are many more resources available to the earnest seeker beyond simply a Bible. The availability of devotionals, study guides, Bible references and more provides an opportunity to study the Word of God like never before.

I hope you'll make this a regular stop in your web surfing as I continue to add new articles and features (with the help of my very patient and wonderful husband.) I pray you'll be encouraged to explore all Christ has to offer you in a life lived through Him.

Stay tuned!
Dee

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