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NASB | 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 2:15 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. |
Bible Question: I've always wondered if it is correct (for lack of a better word) to "claim" a verse from the Bible as our own, as though the verse was addressed personally to us, even though in the Biblical context the verse was addressed to a specific group or a specific person; ie., to the exiles, or to King David, etc.. How can we exclude the fact that it was originally written or spoken to someone else and "pretend" through faith it was meant for us? For example, Jer. 29:11 God was speaking through Jeremiah to the surviving elders among the exiles, to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem in Babylon. How can we take His words out of that situation and apply it to our own particular circumstances? We've always been told "don't take verses out of context but isn't that exactly what we're doing when we "name and claim" a verse? |
Bible Answer: Hi heseeshisson, I think that a lot of people do take verses out of context, and make application beyond what God intended. We need to be very careful to consider the context and nature of a statement before making an application. Sometimes, the statement is specifically addressed to a particular group of people, and should only be applied to that group at that time. Other times, God addressas a particular group, but make a statement of principle that applies to all people, or states something qualitative about Himself. An example of this would be from Ezekiel 18: Ezekiel 18:31-32 Cast away all your transgressions from you by which you have transgressed in them, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit; for why will you die, O house of Israel? (32) For I do not have delight in the death of him who dies, declares the Lord Jehovah. So turn and live. This passage is specifically addressed to the house of Israel, yet it says something about God that is true of all people. The example you brought up, Jer 29:11, is specifically directed to the exiles, and uses personal pronouns throughout that would prevent a wider application. Now, we know from other passages that God has kind intent towards us, such as Eph 2:7, but its better to use those passages, in my opinion, to teach about God's relationship with us, then to use passages that do not specifically, textually, apply to us. I have no problem with "claiming a verse", so long as we are accurately understanding what Scripture actually says, and we are using these verses correctly. Personally, I just love the phrasing in the Old Testament. "but the ones waiting for Jehovah shall renew power; they shall go up with wings as the eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint!" "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I hope this helps! Love in Christ, Mark |