Spiritual Warfare Bible: New King James Version

By Passio Faith

The Spiritual Warfare Bible is designed to help you use the Bible to access the power of the Holy Spirit against demonic strongholds and activity. With engaging study materials from Christian leaders and best-selling authors, this Spiritual Warfare Bible is perfect for both individual study and small groups. Features include:



Spiritual Warfare Declarations--More than 250 one-sentence declarations and prayers that affirm your determination to confront Satan with the Holy Spirit’s help

Spiritual Warfare Basics--216 tips for effective spiritual warfare

Lessons From God’s Warriors--Character profiles of Old and New Testament people who were equipped and anointed by the Holy Spirit for engaging the enemy in spiritual warfare

Spiritual Warfare Prayers--Scripture-based prayers on topics you can use when facing your spiritual battles

Sharpening Your Sword Interactive Study Elements--Interactive studies for deeper reflection on what the Word of God says about spiritual warfare

Preparing for Spiritual Warfare Articles--Deeper teaching on spiritual warfare and an article for each book of the Bible that covers a specific element of spiritual warfare in that book

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charisma House
• Release date: Dec 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781621362470

Book preview

Most CHARISMA HOUSE BOOK GROUP products are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchase for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, and educational needs. For details, write Charisma House Book Group, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, or telephone [phone].

SPIRITUAL WARFARE BIBLE

Published by Charisma House

Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group

600 Rinehart Road

Lake Mary, Florida 32746

www.charismahouse.com

Spiritual Warfare Bible, articles, notes, additional information, copyright © 2012 by Charisma House.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version®

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.

The text of the New King James Version (NKJV) may be quoted or reprinted without prior written permission with the following qualifications:

(1) up to and including 1,000 verses may be quoted in printed form as long as the verses quoted amount to less than 50% of a complete book of the Bible and make up less than 50% of the total work in which they are quoted;

(2) all NKJV quotations must conform accurately to the NKJV text.

Any use of the NKJV text must include a proper acknowledgment as follows:

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

However, when quotations from the NKJV text are used in church bulletins, orders of service, Sunday school lessons, church newsletters, and similar works in the course of religious instruction or services at a place of worship or other religious assembly, the following notice may be used at the end of each quotation: NKJV.

For quotation requests not covered by the above guidelines, write to Thomas Nelson Publishers, ATTN: Bible Rights and Permissions, P. O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214–1000.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011942153

International Standard Book Numbers

Hardbound: 978-1-61638-822-5

Leather: 978-1-61638-823-2

E-book: 978-1-62136-247-0

CONTENTS

FRONT MATTER

Preface to the New King James Version

Christian Leaders and Authors Who Have Contributed to the Spiritual Warfare Bible

How to Study the Bible

How to Use the Spiritual Warfare Bible

Putting Spiritual Discernment Back Into Spiritual Warfare

THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS

What Happened Between Malachi and Matthew?

THE BOOKS of the NEW TESTAMENT

MATERIAL AT THE END of the BIBLE

APPENDIXES

Appendix A: Spiritual Warfare in the Bible

Appendix B: End-Time Misconceptions About Spiritual Warfare

Appendix C: Spiritual Warfare Distinctives

Appendix D: Freedom Principles for Daily Use

Appendix E: Combat Scriptures to Defeat Our Enemy

Appendix F: Living in Triumphant Hope

CONCORDANCE

MAPS

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OLD TESTAMENT

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Genesis

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50

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Exodus

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40

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Leviticus

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27

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Numbers

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36

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Deuteronomy

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34

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Joshua

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

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Judges

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

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Ruth

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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1 Samuel

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31

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2 Samuel

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

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1 Kings

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

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2 Kings

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25

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1 Chronicles

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

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2 Chronicles

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36

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Ezra

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

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Nehemiah

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

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Esther

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

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Job

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42

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Psalms

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 100 | 101 | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | 116 | 117 | 118 | 119 | 120 | 121 | 122 | 123 | 124 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 129 | 130 | 131 | 132 | 133 | 134 | 135 | 136 | 137 | 138 | 139 | 140 | 141 | 142 | 143 | 144 | 145 | 146 | 147 | 148 | 149 | 150

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Proverbs

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31

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Ecclesiastes

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

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Song of Solomon

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

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Isaiah

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66

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Jeremiah

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52

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Lamentations

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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Ezekiel

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48

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Daniel

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

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Hosea

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

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Joel

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3

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Amos

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

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Obadiah

Introduction | 1

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Jonah

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Micah

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

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Nahum

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3

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Habakkuk

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3

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Zephaniah

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3

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Haggai

Introduction | 1 | 2

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Zechariah

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

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Malachi

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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NEW TESTAMENT

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Matthew

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28

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Mark

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

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Luke

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

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John

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

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Acts

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28

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Romans

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

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1 Corinthians

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

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2 Corinthians

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

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Galatians

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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Ephesians

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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Philippians

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Colossians

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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1 Thessalonians

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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2 Thessalonians

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3

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1 Timothy

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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2 Timothy

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Titus

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3

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Philemon

Introduction | 1

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Hebrews

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

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James

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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1 Peter

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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2 Peter

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3

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1 John

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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2 John

Introduction | 1

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3 John

Introduction | 1

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Jude

Introduction | 1

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Revelation

Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22

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PREFACE TO THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION

PURPOSE

In the preface to the 1611 edition, the translators of the Authorized Version, known popularly as the King James Bible, state that it was not their purpose to make a new translation…but to make a good one better. Indebted to the earlier work of William Tyndale and others, they saw their best contribution to consist in revising and enhancing the excellence of the English versions which had sprung from the Reformation of the sixteenth century. In harmony with the purpose of the King James scholars, the translators and editors of the present work have not pursued a goal of innovation. They have perceived the Holy Bible, New King James Version, as a continuation of the labors of the earlier translators, thus unlocking for today’s readers the spiritual treasures found especially in the Authorized Version of the Holy Scriptures.

A LIVING LEGACY

For nearly four hundred years, and throughout several revisions of its English form, the King James Bible has been deeply revered among the English-speaking peoples of the world. The precision of translation for which it is historically renowned, and its majesty of style, have enabled that monumental version of the Word of God to become the mainspring of the religion, language, and legal foundations of our civilization.

Although the Elizabethan period and our own era share in zeal for technical advance, the former period was more aggressively devoted to classical learning. Along with this awakened concern for the classics came a flourishing companion interest in the Scriptures, an interest that was enlivened by the conviction that the manuscripts were providentially handed down and were a trustworthy record of the inspired Word of God. The King James translators were committed to producing an English Bible that would be a precise translation, and by no means a paraphrase or a broadly approximate rendering. On the one hand, the scholars were almost as familiar with the original languages of the Bible as with their native English. On the other hand, their reverence for the divine Author and His Word assured a translation of the Scriptures in which only a principle of utmost accuracy could be accepted.

In 1786 Catholic scholar Alexander Geddes said of the King James Bible, If accuracy and strictest attention to the letter of the text be supposed to constitute an excellent version, this is of all versions the most excellent. George Bernard Shaw became a literary legend in our century because of his severe and often humorous criticisms of our most cherished values. Surprisingly, however, Shaw pays the following tribute to the scholars commissioned by King James: The translation was extraordinarily well done because to the translators what they were translating was not merely a curious collection of ancient books written by different authors in different stages of culture, but the Word of God divinely revealed through His chosen and expressly inspired scribes. In this conviction they carried out their work with boundless reverence and care and achieved a beautifully artistic result. History agrees with these estimates. Therefore, while seeking to unveil the excellent form of the traditional English Bible, special care has also been taken in the present edition to preserve the work of precision which is the legacy of the 1611 translators.

COMPLETE EQUIVALENCE IN TRANSLATION

Where new translation has been necessary in the New King James Version, the most complete representation of the original has been rendered by considering the history of usage and etymology of words in their contexts. This principle of complete equivalence seeks to preserve all of the information in the text, while presenting it in good literary form. Dynamic equivalence, a recent procedure in Bible translation, commonly results in paraphrasing where a more literal rendering is needed to reflect a specific and vital sense. For example, complete equivalence truly renders the original text in expressions such as lifted her voice and wept (Gen. 21:16); I gave you cleanness of teeth (Amos 4:6); Jesus met them, saying, ‘Rejoice!’ (Matt. 28:9); and Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? (John 2:4). Complete equivalence translates fully, in order to provide an English text that is both accurate and readable.

In keeping with the principle of complete equivalence, it is the policy to translate interjections which are commonly omitted in modern language renderings of the Bible. As an example, the interjection behold, in the older King James editions, continues to have a place in English usage, especially in dramatically calling attention to a spectacular scene, or an event of profound importance such as the Immanuel prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. Consequently, behold is retained for these occasions in the present edition. However, the Hebrew and Greek originals for this word can be translated variously, depending on the circumstances in the passage. Therefore, in addition to behold, words such as indeed, look, see, and surely are also rendered to convey the appropriate sense suggested by the context in each case.

In faithfulness to God and to our readers, it was deemed appropriate that all participating scholars sign a statement affirming their belief in the verbal and plenary inspiration of Scripture, and in the inerrancy of the original autographs.

DEVOTIONAL QUALITY

The King James scholars readily appreciated the intrinsic beauty of divine revelation. They accordingly disciplined their talents to render well-chosen English words of their time, as well as a graceful, often musical arrangement of language, which has stirred the hearts of Bible readers through the years. The translators, the committees, and the editors of the present edition, while sensitive to the late-twentieth-century English idiom, and while adhering faithfully to the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts, have sought to maintain those lyrical and devotional qualities that are so highly regarded in the Authorized Version. This devotional quality is especially apparent in the poetic and prophetic books, although even the relatively plain style of the Gospels and Epistles cannot strictly be likened, as sometimes suggested, to modern newspaper style. The Koine Greek of the New Testament is influenced by the Hebrew background of the writers, for whom even the Gospel narratives were not merely flat utterance, but often sung in various degrees of rhythm.

THE STYLE

Students of the Bible applaud the timeless devotional character of our historic Bible. Yet it is also universally understood that our language, like all living languages, has undergone profound change since 1611. Subsequent revisions of the King James Bible have sought to keep abreast of changes in English speech. The present work is a further step toward this objective. Where obsolescence and other reading difficulties exist, present-day vocabulary, punctuation, and grammar have been carefully integrated. Words representing ancient objects, such as chariot and phylactery, have no modern substitutes and are therefore retained.

A special feature of the New King James Version is its conformity to the thought flow of the 1611 Bible. The reader discovers that the sequence and selection of words, phrases, and clauses of the new edition, while much clearer, are so close to the traditional that there is remarkable ease in listening to the reading of either edition while following with the other.

In the discipline of translating biblical and other ancient languages, a standard method of transliteration, that is, the English spelling of untranslated words, such as names of persons and places, has never been commonly adopted. In keeping with the design of the present work, the King James spelling of untranslated words is retained, although made uniform throughout. For example, instead of the spellings Isaiah and Elijah in the Old Testament, and Esaias and Elias in the New Testament, Isaiah and Elijah now appear in both Testaments.

King James doctrinal and theological terms, for example, propitiation, justification, and sanctification, are generally familiar to English-speaking peoples. Such terms have been retained except where the original language indicates need for a more precise translation.

Readers of the Authorized Version will immediately be struck by the absence of several pronouns: thee, thou, and ye are replaced by the simple you, while your and yours are substituted for thy and thine as applicable. Thee, thou, thy, and thine were once forms of address to express a special relationship to human as well as divine persons. These pronouns are no longer part of our language. However, reverence for God in the present work is preserved by capitalizing pronouns, including You, Your, and Yours, which refer to Him. Additionally, capitalization of these pronouns benefits the reader by clearly distinguishing divine and human persons referred to in a passage. Without such capitalization the distinction is often obscure, because the antecedent of a pronoun is not always clear in the English translation.

In addition to the pronoun usages of the seventeenth century, the -eth and -est verb endings, so familiar in the earlier King James editions, are now obsolete. Unless a speaker is schooled in these verb endings, there is common difficulty in selecting the correct form to be used with a given subject of the verb in vocal prayer. That is, should we use love, loveth, or lovest? do, doeth, doest, or dost? have, hath, or hast? Because these forms are obsolete, contemporary English usage has been substituted for the previous verb endings.

In older editions of the King James Version, the frequency of the connective and far exceeded the limits of present English usage. Also, biblical linguists agree that the Hebrew and Greek original words for this conjunction may commonly be translated otherwise, depending on the immediate context. Therefore, instead of and, alternatives such as also, but, however, now, so, then, and thus are accordingly rendered in the present edition, when the original language permits.

The real character of the Authorized Version does not reside in its archaic pronouns or verbs or other grammatical forms of the seventeenth century, but rather in the care taken by its scholars to impart the letter and spirit of the original text in a majestic and reverent style.

THE FORMAT

The format of the New King James Version is designed to enhance the vividness and devotional quality of the Holy Scriptures:

• Subject headings assist the reader to identify topics and transitions in the biblical content.

• Words or phrases in italics indicate expressions in the original language which require clarification by additional English words, as also done throughout the history of the King James Bible.

• Oblique type in the New Testament indicates a quotation from the Old Testament.

• Prose is divided into paragraphs to indicate the structure of thought.

• Poetry is structured as contemporary verse to reflect the poetic form and beauty of the passage in the original language.

• The covenant name of God was usually translated from the Hebrew as LORD or GOD (using capital letters as shown) in the King James Old Testament. This tradition is maintained. In the present edition the name is so capitalized whenever the covenant name is quoted in the New Testament from a passage in the Old Testament.

THE OLD TESTAMENT TEXT

The Hebrew Bible has come down to us through the scrupulous care of ancient scribes who copied the original text in successive generations. By the sixth century A.D. the scribes were succeeded by a group known as the Masoretes, who continued to preserve the sacred Scriptures for another five hundred years in a form known as the Masoretic Text. Babylonia, Palestine, and Tiberias were the main centers of Masoretic activity; but by the tenth century A.D. the Masoretes of Tiberias, led by the family of ben Asher, gained the ascendancy. Through subsequent editions, the ben Asher text became in the twelfth century the only recognized form of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Daniel Bomberg printed the first Rabbinic Bible in 1516–17; that work was followed in 1524–25 by a second edition prepared by Jacob ben Chayyim and also published by Bomberg. The text of ben Chayyim was adopted in most subsequent Hebrew Bibles, including those used by the King James translators. The ben Chayyim text was also used for the first two editions of Rudolph Kittel’s Biblia Hebraica of 1906 and 1912. In 1937 Paul Kahle published a third edition of Biblia Hebraica. This edition was based on the oldest dated manuscript of the ben Asher text, the Leningrad Manuscript B19a (A.D. 1008), which Kahle regarded as superior to that used by ben Chayyim.

For the New King James Version the text used was the 1967/1977 Stuttgart edition of the Biblia Hebraica, with frequent comparisons being made with the Bomberg edition of 1524–25. The Septuagint (Greek) Version of the Old Testament and the Latin Vulgate also were consulted. In addition to referring to a variety of ancient versions of the Hebrew Scriptures, the New King James Version draws on the resources of relevant manuscripts from the Dead Sea caves. In the few places where the Hebrew was so obscure that the 1611 King James was compelled to follow one of the versions, but where information is now available to resolve the problems, the New King James Version follows the Hebrew text.

THE NEW TESTAMENT TEXT

There is more manuscript support for the New Testament than for any other body of ancient literature. Over five thousand Greek, eight thousand Latin, and many more manuscripts in other languages attest the integrity of the New Testament. There is only one basic New Testament used by Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Orthodox, by conservatives and liberals. Minor variations in hand copying have appeared through the centuries, before mechanical printing began about A.D. 1450.

Some variations exist in the spelling of Greek words, in word order, and in similar details. These ordinarily do not show up in translation and do not affect the sense of the text in any way.

Other manuscript differences such as omission or inclusion of a word or a clause, and two paragraphs in the Gospels, should not overshadow the overwhelming degree of agreement which exists among the ancient records. Bible readers may be assured that the most important differences in English New Testaments of today are due, not to manuscript divergence, but to the way in which translators view the task of translation: How literally should the text be rendered? How does the translator view the matter of biblical inspiration? Does the translator adopt a paraphrase when a literal rendering would be quite clear and more to the point? The New King James Version follows the historic precedent of the Authorized Version in maintaining a literal approach to translation, except where the idiom of the original language cannot be translated directly into our tongue.

The King James New Testament was based on the traditional text of the Greek-speaking churches, first published in 1516, and later called the Textus Receptus or Received Text. Although based on the relatively few available manuscripts, these were representative of many more which existed at the time but only became known later. In the late nineteenth century, B. Westcott and F. Hort taught that this text had been officially edited by the fourth-century church, but a total lack of historical evidence for this event has forced a revision of the theory. It is now widely held that the Byzantine Text that largely supports the Textus Receptus has as much right as the Alexandrian or any other tradition to be weighed in determining the text of the New Testament. Those readings in the Textus Receptus which have weak support are indicated in the footnotes as being opposed by both Critical and Majority Texts.

Since the 1880s most contemporary translations of the New Testament have relied upon a relatively few manuscripts discovered chiefly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Such translations depend primarily on two manuscripts, Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, because of their greater age. The Greek text obtained by using these sources and the related papyri (our most ancient manuscripts) is known as the Alexandrian Text. However, some scholars have grounds for doubting the faithfulness of Vaticanus and Sinaiticus, since they often disagree with one another, and Sinaiticus exhibits excessive omission.

A third viewpoint of New Testament scholarship holds that the best text is based on the consensus of the majority of existing Greek manuscripts. This text is called the Majority Text. Most of these manuscripts are in substantial agreement. Even though many are late, and none is earlier than the fifth century, usually their readings are verified by papyri, ancient versions, quotations from the early church fathers, or a combination of these. The Majority Text is similar to the Textus Receptus, but it corrects those readings which have little or no support in the Greek manuscript tradition.

Today, scholars agree that the science of New Testament textual criticism is in a state of flux. Very few scholars still favor the Textus Receptus as such, and then often for its historical prestige as the text of Luther, Calvin, Tyndale, and the King James Version. For about a century most have followed a Critical Text (so called because it is edited according to specific principles of textual criticism) which depends heavily upon the Alexandrian type of text. More recently many have abandoned this Critical Text (which is quite similar to the one edited by Westcott and Hort) for one that is more eclectic. Finally, a small but growing number of scholars prefer the Majority Text, which is close to the traditional text except in the Revelation.

In light of these facts, and also because the New King James Version is the fifth revision of a historic document translated from specific Greek texts, the editors decided to retain the traditional text in the body of the New Testament and to indicate major Critical and Majority Text variant readings. Although these variations are duly indicated in the present edition, it is most important to emphasize that fully eighty-five percent of the New Testament text is the same in the Textus Receptus, the Alexandrian Text, and the Majority Text.

NEW KING JAMES TRANSLATORS’ NOTES

Significant explanatory notes, alternate translations, and cross-references, as well as New Testament citations of Old Testament passages, are supplied.

Important textual variants in the Old Testament are identified in a standard form.

The textual notes in the present edition of the New Testament make no evaluation of readings, but do clearly indicate the manuscript sources of readings. They objectively present facts without such tendentious remarks as the best manuscripts omit or the most reliable manuscripts read. Such notes are value judgments that differ according to varying viewpoints on the text. By giving a clearly defined set of variants the New King James Version benefits readers of all textual persuasions.

Where significant variations occur in the New Testament Greek manuscripts, textual notes are classified as follows:

1. NU-Text

These variations from the traditional text generally represent the Alexandrian or Egyptian type of text described previously in The New Testament Text. They are found in the Critical Text published in the twenty-seventh edition of the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament (N) and in the United Bible Societies’ fourth edition (U), hence the acronym, NU-Text.

2. M-Text

This symbol indicates points of variation in the Majority Text from the traditional text, as also previously discussed in The New Testament Text. It should be noted that M stands for whatever reading is printed in the published Greek New Testament According to the Majority Text, whether supported by overwhelming, strong, or only a divided majority textual tradition.

The textual notes reflect the scholarship of the past 150 years and will assist the reader to observe the variations between the different manuscript traditions of the New Testament. Such information is generally not available in English translations of the New Testament.

CHRISTIAN LEADERS AND AUTHORS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE BIBLE

The following Christian authors and leaders have contributed to the Spiritual Warfare Bible with excerpts from their books, which were published previously by Charisma House. Each excerpt is identified with a footnote at the place in this Bible where it was used. The list below shows the names of these contributors and the books from which text has been excerpted or adapted.

We greatly appreciate their contributions and would encourage readers to purchase the individual books for each of these authors. If desired, you may order these books from the Charisma House website at www.charismahouse.com.

John Bevere / The Bait of Satan (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 1994, 1997, 2004)

John Bevere, founder of John Bevere Ministries, is a best-selling author and popular conference speaker.

Kimberly Daniels / Clean House, Strong House (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2003)

Give It Back! (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2007)

Prayers That Bring Change (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2009)

Spiritual Boot Camp (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2012)

Apostle Kimberly Daniels, pastor of Spoken Word Ministries in Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a Jacksonville councilwoman, is a sought-after conference speaker, preacher, and powerful prayer warrior.

Iris Delgado / Satan, You Can’t Have My Children (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2011)

Satan, You Can’t Have My Marriage (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2012)

Iris Delgado is the founder and president of Crowned With Purpose Ministries. With a doctoral degree in theology and counseling, she has traveled the globe ministering with her husband, Dr. John Delgado.

Don Dickerman / Keep the Pigs Out (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2010)

When Pigs Move In (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2009)

Don Dickerman, a Spirit-filled, anointed Southern Baptist minister, has directed an evangelistic ministry to prisons since 1974, preaching in more than 800 prison facilities and seeing more than 100,000 inmates respond to the altar call.

John Eckhardt / Prayers That Rout Demons (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2008)

Prayers That Break Curses (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2010)

Prayers That Bring Healing (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2010)

Prayers That Release Heaven on Earth (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2010)

God Still Speaks (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2009)

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Power (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2010)

Apostle John Eckhardt is overseer of Crusaders Ministries, Chicago; ministers in more than eighty nations; is a sought-after international conference speaker; and has authored more than twenty books.

Steve Foss / Satan’s Dirty Little Secret (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2012)

Steve Foss has traveled the nations for more than twenty years ministering to millions of people and training tens of thousands of pastors and leaders.

Francis Frangipane / The Shelter of the Most High (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2008)

Francis Frangipane is the founder of River of Life Ministries in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, director of In Christ’s Image Training school, and a best-selling author.

Jentezen Franklin / Fasting (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2008)

Fasting Journal (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2008)

Jentezen Franklin is the pastor of Free Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia, and Orange County, California, and a New York Times best-selling author.

Joe Hurston / Run to the Roar (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2006)

Joe Hurston is a long-time missionary pilot who has flown more than 2,500 missions since forming Air Mobile Ministries and has received wide media attention for developing the Vortex portable water purifier, which he has delivered to many global disaster sites.

Judy Jacobs / Take It by Force! (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2005)

Judy Jacobs, founder of His Song Ministries, is a recording artist, sought-after conference speaker, and best-selling author. She and her husband, Jamie Tuttle, pastor Dwelling Place Church International.

Larry Keefauver / The Holy Spirit Encounter Bible (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 1997)

Larry Keefauver, MDiv, DMin, executive director of Your Ministry Counseling Services, is the general editor of the Holy Spirit Encounter Bible and a best-selling author. He and his wife, Judi, lead international family and ministry seminars on marriage, parenting, leadership, and prayer.

Jennifer LeClaire / News editor, Charisma

Jennifer LeClaire is news editor at Charisma. She is also the author of several books, including The Heart of the Prophetic.

Ron Phillips / Everyone’s Guide to Demons and Spiritual Warfare (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2010)

Our Invisible Allies (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2009)

Ron Phillips is senior pastor of Abba’s House in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has a weekly television and daily radio program that broadcasts worldwide and on the Internet. He is a sought-after speaker and a best-selling author.

Fuchsia Pickett / How to Search the Scriptures (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 1999)

Possess Your Promised Land (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2003)

Presenting the Holy Spirit (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 1997)

Dr. Fuchsia Pickett was a best-selling author and international conference speaker and teacher. Her books and speaking presentations were filled with fresh revelation and deep spiritual truths.

Chuck D. Pierce / Redeeming the Time (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2009)

Time to Defeat the Devil (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2011)

Dr. Charles D. Chuck Pierce has been used by God to intercede and mobilize prayer throughout the world. An ordained minister, he is president of Glory of Zion International Ministries in Denton, Texas, and of Global Sphere, Inc. He is also a best-selling author.

Jim Raley / Hell’s Spells (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2012)

Jim Raley pastors and oversees the multi-campus ministry of Calvary Christian Center, located in the greater Daytona Beach, Florida, area. He hosts Jim Raley TV and radio programs, and he travels extensively offering a voice of hope and restoration.

John Rea / Charisma’s Bible Handbook on the Holy Spirit (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 1998)

John Rea, ThD, professor emeritus of Old Testament at Regent University, has theological degrees from Wheaton College, Grace Theological Seminary, and Princeton University. He has been an important author and/or contributing editor for many important books, including the Holy Spirit Encounter Bible.

John and Paula Sandford / The Elijah Task (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2006)

John Sandford pastored churches for many years and founded Elijah House Ministries. He is considered a pioneer in the prophetic and healing movements and is a best-selling author of many books. Paula Sandford joined her husband in the team ministry of Elijah House from its beginning and was ordained in 1995.

John Sandford and R. Loren Sandford / Life Transformed (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2009)

John Sandford pastored churches for many years and founded Elijah House Ministries. He is considered a pioneer in the prophetic and healing movements and is a best-selling author of many books. R. Loren Sandford is the founding pastor of New Song Fellowship in Denver, Colorado.

Cindy Trimm / The Art of War for Spiritual Battle (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2010)

Commanding Your Morning (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2007)

The Rules of Engagement (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2008)

The Prayer Warrior’s Way (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2011)

Cindy Trimm is a best-selling author, former senator (Bermuda), and sought-after empowerment specialist and transformational leader.

Bill Wiese / 23 Minutes in Hell (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2006)

Bill Wiese is the New York Times best-selling author of 23 Minutes in Hell and an accomplished speaker with a global speaking ministry.

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE

The Bible deserves our devoted systematic study.

PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

Preview: Regular and systematic reading of the Bible is essential for Christian growth. Spiritual success for both an individual and a church can come only through Bible study and meditation. A greater use and deeper understanding of the Word of God by believers is essential to a living dynamic church. D. L. Moody said, I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible. If a man neglects his Bible, he may pray and ask God to use him in His work, but God cannot make much use of him, for there is not much for the Holy Spirit to work upon. We must have the Word itself, which is sharper than any two-edged sword.

The Bible is God’s Book, given to us to tell us about God. We know there is a God because we see His creation—the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the plains, the rivers, lakes, and oceans. All these and a thousand more are indications of the presence of a powerful Creator.

But we know little about God until we study the Bible. There we learn who God is, what He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He shall yet do. Man comes to the end of his search for truth when he see the manifestation of God in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in God’s written Word. From the Bible we learn that God is holy and that He hates our sins. But the Bible shows that God loves us so much that He gave His Son to save us from our sins.

The Bible tells us that we have sinned. It tells us that Jesus came into the world to save sinners, that He took our place at Calvary, that He arose from the dead, and that He is seated at the right hand of the Father, from whence He shall come to receive His own unto Himself.

These are the glorious truths related in fascinating detail in the Bible. Pray with the psalmist: Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law (Ps. 119:18). Prayerful study of the Bible will help us gain a full-length picture of God’s provision and plan for us.

Many Christians do not get much joy and satisfaction—that extra something—from their Bible study. They have failed to learn how to make studying the Word a feeding process that results in spiritual nourishment and growth. Most Christians read a portion of Scripture each day as a devotional exercise. This is good; it is necessary and profitable. But too many believers follow the practice of merely reading Bible portions; they never read the Bible in any other way.

The Bible should be studied systematically. A knowledge of the Bible, or of any one book of the Bible, comes by a definite plan of reading and studying. Reading Bible portions will feed the soul, but a Christian needs to grasp and understand the great truths and doctrines the Bible teaches.

Bible study must not be an end in itself. God has given us the Bible; it is to do something in us and through us.

A PLAN OF ACTION

• Study daily.

• Study prayerfully.

• Study systematically.

• Study with enjoyment.

PREPARATION FOR STUDY

My son, if you receive my words,

And treasure my commands within you,

So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding;

Yes, if you cry out for discernment,

And lift up your voice for understanding,

If you seek her as silver,

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,

And find the knowledge of God.

—Proverbs 2:1–5

Personal Bible study is a battle. One does not find too many people today who seek a quiet place with a book; the number is even fewer when it comes to Bible study. Distractions are manifold, and time runs short.

Christians need to evaluate how they spend their time. Unwise use of time is one of the greatest deterrents to Christian growth.

Bible study is the most effective tool of the Holy Spirit to bring the Christian into conformity to Christ. Understandably, Satan uses every device possible to keep us from the Word of God.

RULES TO FOLLOW

1. The Bible is God’s Word.

My son, if you receive my words… We must come to the Bible with the conviction that it is the Word of God through which God will surely speak to us. We do not need to prove the Bible first and then accept it; we accept it and then let it prove itself. If we doubt the authority of the Word, we cannot expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6–7). We need to be like the Thessalonians and receive the Word of God as truth (1 Thess. 2:13). Many receive no benefit because they do not receive the Word with faith (Heb. 4:2).

2. Obedience is required.

And treasure my commands within you. The soul must be exercised by the Word. The Word must school us and change our lives. If we fail to translate the Word into daily practice, we will be spiritually anemic. Bible study brings renewed devotion to God. Even more, it produces discipline and determination resulting in the transformation of human nature. There is no better way to blind ourselves to Bible truth than to refuse to heed and obey it. The prophet Hosea said, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you (Hos. 4:6). We do not truly study the Word, or really know it, until we put it into practice in our lives. Be doers of the word (James 1:22).

3. Listening is demanded.

Incline your ear to wisdom. The word incline means, to listen, to take heed. Luke 8:18 says: Therefore take heed how you hear. We need to incline our ears to the voice of the Holy Spirit. A first principle in Bible study is to learn to read intelligently. But more than that, we need the illumination of the Holy Spirit, for the Bible is a revelation of spiritual truth and its understanding is dependent upon spiritual sensitivity. Consider every phrase, every word of Scripture. Let the Holy Spirit make it real to the listening ear.

4. The heart must be yielded.

Apply your heart to understanding. Heart-searching should precede Bible study. The Word has been likened in Scripture to seed. We must prepare the soil of our hearts to receive the Word so it will bear fruit. The psalmist prayed: Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Ps. 139:23–24). Unless the heart is prepared, we will miss the truths of the Word. We must have a regenerated heart (John 3:3), a humble heart (Matt. 11:25), a willing heart (John 7:17), and a devoted heart (Ps. 119:67). We need to open our hearts to God and let Him prepare them to receive the truth of His Word.

5. Prayer is necessary.

Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding. We cannot, by our own wisdom, understand the Bible. In all our study we must carefully seek the help of the Holy Spirit. He alone can remove the veil from our minds. It is impossible to know the Bible without prayer. We need to join the psalmist in his prayer, Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law (Ps. 119:18). When we breathe this prayer in faith, we can expect the Lord to open our understanding as He did for two men on the Emmaus road after His resurrection: Their eyes were opened and they knew Him.…And they said…‘Did not our heart burn within us…while He opened the Scriptures to us?’ (Luke 24:31–32). And also for Lydia, the seller of purple: Now a certain woman named Lydia…the Lord opened her heart (Acts 16:14).

6. Seek as for silver.

If you seek her as silver… Silver is a standard of money. Men will do almost anything for money because money gives them so many of the things they want. The Bible states, Money answers everything (Eccl. 10:19). Men work for the paycheck. But there is something of far greater worth than the silver of this world. David said, The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times (Ps. 12:6). As a man disciplines himself to hard toil to get a share of this world’s goods, the Christian must prepare for the discipline of businesslike Bible study, coupled with businesslike prayer. It takes earnestness of purpose, concentration of effort, and determination of mind and heart.

7. Search as for hidden treasure.

And search for her as for hidden treasures. The word search is equivalent to dig. One translation (the Vulgate) reads: to dig out. The treasures of God’s Word are to be found by the one who will give himself to diligently dig for them. We need to use the same untiring energy with which men dig for hidden treasure in our search for the riches of the Word. The perseverance of the seeker after material wealth often puts to shame the seeker after spiritual wealth. This matter of searching is important. Jesus said, Search the Scriptures (John 5:39).

RESULTS TO EXPECT

The serious seeker after spiritual wealth can expect the following results from study:

• Understanding

Then you shall understand the fear of the LORD… (Prov. 2:5). Our hearts will be filled with wonder and praise, and we will receive the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:14).

• Knowledge

…and find the knowledge of God (Prov. 2:5). Purposeful study will do more than merely give us the facts of the Bible; we will learn to know God. The divine Personality, infinite and unfathomable, will reveal Himself. We know the Living Word as we understand His revelation given to us in the written Word.

PROVISION FOR STUDY

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

—John 14:26

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

—John 16:13–15

THE BIBLE IS GOD’S MESSAGE TO US.

Every word has value and importance in the total revelation. The general theme of the Bible is redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. Every part of the Bible is perfect because it is the Word of God. But the Old Testament by itself is incomplete, for it is anticipatory. It looks forward to the coming of the promised Redeemer. From beginning to end it is a book of promise, looking forward to something not yet fulfilled.

On the other hand, the New Testament speaks of the fulfillment of that expectation. The mighty sweep of God’s purpose is given to us in Matthew 16:13–27. Here we have:

• The revelation of His person: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (16:16).

• The revelation of His purpose: On this rock I will build My church (16:18).

• The revelation of His program: He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day (16:21). In the Gospel of Luke, God’s purpose for this age is given in three steps: It was necessary for the Christ [a] to suffer and [b] to rise from the dead the third day, and [c] that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46–47).

• The revelation of the opposition to His program: Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You! (Matt. 16:22).

• The revelation of the cost to be His follower: If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (16:24).

• The revelation of the culmination of His purpose: For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works (16:27).

THE BIBLE IS CLEAR IN ITS CENTRAL MESSAGE.

There are depths of meaning that challenge the greatest minds and elude the grasp of the greatest thinkers, but generally the truths of the Scriptures are plain and clear. Satan wants to make us think that it is very difficult for the ordinary person to understand the Bible. Anyone who stands upon the Word need not be troubled with the fear of not being able to understand it, for understanding and enlightenment do not rest with us.

THE BIBLE DEALS WITH MATTERS THAT ARE DIVINE, INFINITE, AND ETERNAL.

The Bible transcends man’s understanding. But divine enablement comes to us through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13–15; 1 Cor. 2:13–14). A yielded Christian, even though he may have a limited intellectual capacity and may lack formal education, can nevertheless make great progress in his understanding of the Bible, because he knows the Teacher and has daily fellowship with Him.

God has made provision for us to understand His Word by giving us the Holy Spirit. The Spirit who authored the Word is the divine Teacher who explains it. We must allow Him to guide us. Then it will be amazing how He will open our spiritual eyes.

The Word of God will not degenerate into a mere textbook of history or a manual on religion if we come to it always expecting an encounter with the Lord. Study, illumined by the Holy Spirit, will bring us to worship. Meditation will bring us to praise, and praise will bring us to adoration. No better illustration can be found than the warmth of worship expressed by the psalmist as he dwelt on the wonders of the Word in Psalms 1, 19, and 119.

PRINCIPLES OF STUDY

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

—2 Timothy 3:16

God wants us to study the Bible. He has provided the Book and the Teacher. Through His servants we have an abundance of help in the form of Bible study books and study methods. If we have a desire to know the Word, a willingness to give time for that purpose, and a resolve to keep on despite obstacles, we will find the joy of learning