The KJV, Open Bible: Complete Reference System

The

KJV

Open Bible

www.ThomasNelson.com

KJV Open Bible

Copyright © 2019 by Thomas Nelson, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

ePub Edition July 2019: 978-0-785-23184-4

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018966071

All rights reserved.

Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

Please note that this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication.

Contents

of the Open Bible

How to Use This eBible

Welcome to The Open Bible

Contributors

Dedication to the King James Version

Special Abbreviations

How to Study the Bible

The Christian’s Guide to the New Life

Topical Index to the Bible

Read Your Bible Through in a Year

Old Testament Table of Contents

Visual Survey of the Bible

New Testament Table of Contents

Harmony of the Gospels

The Jewish Calendar

Jewish Feasts

Monies, Weights, and Measures

Teachings and Illustrations of Christ

Prophecies of the Messiah Fulfilled in Christ

The Parables of Jesus Christ

The Miracles of Jesus Christ

The Laws of the Bible

Between the Testaments

The Apocrypha

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

A Guide to Christian Workers

Prayers of the Bible

Concordance

Full-Color Maps

OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis

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

Exodus

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

Leviticus

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

Numbers

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

Deuteronomy

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

Joshua

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

Judges

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

Ruth

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

1 Samuel

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

2 Samuel

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

1 Kings

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

2 Kings

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

1 Chronicles

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

2 Chronicles

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

Ezra

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

Nehemiah

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

Esther

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

Job

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

Psalms

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

Proverbs

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

Ecclesiastes

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

Song of Solomon

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

Isaiah

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

Jeremiah

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

Lamentations

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Ezekiel

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

Daniel

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

Hosea

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

Joel

1 | 2 | 3

Amos

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

Obadiah

1

Jonah

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Micah

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

Nahum

1 | 2 | 3

Habakkuk

1 | 2 | 3

Zephaniah

1 | 2 | 3

Haggai

1 | 2

Zechariah

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

Malachi

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew

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

Mark

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

Luke

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

John

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

Acts

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

Romans

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

1 Corinthians

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

2 Corinthians

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

Galatians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Ephesians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Philippians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Colossians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

1 Thessalonians

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

2 Thessalonians

1 | 2 | 3

1 Timothy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

2 Timothy

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Titus

1 | 2 | 3

Philemon

1

Hebrews

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

James

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

1 Peter

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

2 Peter

1 | 2 | 3

1 John

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

2 John

1

3 John

1

Jude

1

Revelation

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

How to Use This eBible

What is the difference between an eBook and a print book?

eBook versions of Bibles contain all the content and supplementary materials found in the original print versions and are optimized for navigation in the various apps and devices used for display. eReaders recognize text as one fluid string and are formatted in a single column, which differs from the multi-column layout seen in many print version Bibles. Therefore, some content may not match the exact appearance of the original print version, but instead uses hyperlinks to navigate between related content.

How do I use the eBook Table of Contents?

* Important Note: Be sure to consult your device manufacturer’s User’s Guide for device-specific navigation instructions. *

The Table of Contents is generally formatted in the same order as the original print version and hyperlinked as follows:

• Front matter – Introductory articles

• Bible books and chapters

• Back matter – Supplementary materials

To navigate to specific Bible books, chapters, or verses, please note the following:

• Book links (Ex. Genesis) go directly to the Introduction of each book, or the beginning of that Bible book if there is no introductory text.

• Chapter links go directly to the beginning of the chapter associated with a book.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the verses in each chapter.

• Every Bible book and chapter hyperlink in the Bible text returns or goes back to the Table of Contents. Or, use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

How do I navigate supplementary materials?

Articles and Features related to Bible content are accessible through the pointer links that are interspersed throughout the Bible text.

• Select the hyperlinked content title at the end of a paragraph where referenced Bible verse(s) appear to go to its location in the Annotations section at the end of each Bible book.

• Select the hyperlinked title entry to go back to the Bible verse location, or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Cross References are marked with a small, hyperlinked letter a, to point out verses that will explain the referenced word or phrase.

• Click the hyperlinked letter in the main Bible text to the corresponding cross reference(s).

• Click the hyperlinked letter to the left of the cross reference(s) and you are returned to the main Bible text.

Translators’ Notes are marked with a hyperlinked number ¹, to indicate important textual information.

• Click the hyperlinked number to the left of the word or phrase in the main Bible text to the corresponding note.

• Click the hyperlinked number to the left of the note and you are returned to the main Bible text.

Indexes are features that supplement the Bible text and are hyperlinked directly to the content-specific location following the main Bible text.

• Select the hyperlinked entry in the Table of Contents to the specific article, list, or index.

• Select the Bible reference or article hyperlink to the corresponding main Bible text or article.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Concordance includes an alphabetic list of important words.

• Select the hyperlinked letter of the alphabet to the corresponding list of entries from the Table of Contents.

• Use the device’s Next Page/Previous Page buttons or functions to scroll through the entries.

• Select the Bible reference hyperlink to the corresponding main Bible text or use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Color Maps are included as images and optimized for eReader device display.

• Select the hyperlinked entry in the Table of Contents to a specific map.

• Use the device’s back button or function to go back to the last selection.

Welcome to

. . . The Open Bible®

including Thomas Nelson’s most extensive and complete reference system!

The intent of this reference Bible is to make the Scriptures an open and rewarding book for personal Bible study, and to give an overview of the whole Bible message. In combining scholarly commentary with the trusted King James Version, the publisher is pleased to present the labors of learned and reverent men and women who have sought to clarify the meaning of the Scriptures and bring the treasures of God’s Holy Word into the possession of the reader. To that end, the following special features are provided.

The text is that of the time-honored King James Version. It has been produced with the conviction that the words of Scripture as originally penned in the Hebrew and Greek were inspired by God. Since they are the eternal Word of God, the Holy Scriptures speak with fresh power to each generation, to give wisdom that leads to salvation, that men and women may serve Christ to the glory of God.

The

KJV

has been translated according to the philosophy of complete verbal equivalence between the original languages and the English rendering. In the King James Version, italic type indicates words that are not found in the original languages but are needed for clarity in English; and the divine names LORD and GOD, when spelled using small capital letters as shown, translate the original Hebrew covenant name of God, Yahweh.

The following paragraphs describe The Open Bible’s many special features:

The verse-by-verse

KJV

text has been used, with complete in-text subheadings and references to parallel passages. Words of Christ are in red for easy identification.

An extensive set of

KJV

cross-references is included. There are two kinds of references: Scriptural cross-references are indicated by superior letters in the Bible text; translator’s notes and alternate readings are indicated by superior numerals in the Bible text. Cross-references that refer to an idea or concept are enclosed in square brackets.

Before each book of the Bible there is an introduction and a detailed outline of the book. These introductions are extensive and scholarly, and the outlines are designed to give a complete overview of the book.

The Topical Index to the Bible is one of the major study aids in The Open Bible®. A marvel in itself, this distinctive section combines the most useful features of a concordance, reference system, and index. With the Topical Index to the Bible, the serious Bible student will find the riches of the Word unfolding in logical fashion. For the busy pastor or speaker searching the Scriptures for a message, or for the serious Bible student, the Topical Index provides one of the most helpful tools to the exposition of the Scriptures in published form today.

Another very noteworthy study feature is "The Christian’s Guide to the New Life, whose thirty-two outlines cover the major teachings of the Bible. Its study notes are placed near related passages, and they are chained to the next related outline point so that you can easily follow the development of each doctrine. With the Christian’s Guide" you can cover the material of a course in systematic theology, but in a much easier and clearer manner.

For convenience in Bible study, on the Contents page you’ll find a listing of Bible Study Helps included in The Open Bible®. These helps provide a wealth of information normally found only in a complete library of books. Among these helps are How to Study the Bible, Harmony of the Gospels, The Scarlet Thread of Redemption, Teachings and Illustrations of Christ by Subject, and a handy concordance to the

KJV

.

"The Visual Survey of the Bible," which begins immediately following the Old Testament, gives you a graphic overview of the whole of Scripture. It shows you the entire flow of the Bible’s panorama of events.

Messianic prophecies are indicated in The Open Bible® by stars placed with the references. An outline star is used to indicate a prophecy later fulfilled in Jesus Christ. A solid star is used to indicate a prophecy that has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

This ultimate reference edition of the Holy Bible is intended to help make the Scriptures an open book for all. It is hoped that this unique edition will truly make the Word of God plain enough so that everyone can have an Open Bible.

The Publisher

Contributors

to the Study Aids

KENNETH D. BOA, Ph.D., D.Phil.

Visual Survey of the Bible, Author; Introductions to the Books of the Bible, Co-Author

Director of Publications, Search Ministries

Atlanta, Georgia

WICK BROOMALL, A.M., Th.M.

Topical Index of the Bible

Minister, Presbyterian Church

Augusta, Georgia

W. A. CRISWELL, D.D., Ph.D.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Pastor, First Baptist Church

Dallas, Texas

ARTHUR L. FARSTAD, Th.D.

Consulting Editor

Bible Editor

Dallas, Texas

PAUL R. FINK, Ed.S., Th.D.

The Christian’s Guide to the New Life, Contributing Editor

Professor of Pastoral Ministries, Liberty Baptist College

Lynchburg, Virginia

DONALD E. HOKE, D.D.

How to Study the Bible

Pastor, Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church

Knoxville, Tennessee

GEORGE KNIGHT, B.A., B.D., Th.M.

Visual Bible Study Aids, Editor

Nashville, Tennessee

R. G. LEE, LL.D., Ph.D.

A Guide to Christian Workers

Pastor-Evangelist

Nashville, Tennessee

MYLES LORENZEN, Th.M.

Visual Survey of the Bible, Contributor

Co-Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church

Roswell, Georgia

JIM BILL McINTEER, B.A.

Harmony of the Gospels

Minister, West End Church of Christ

Nashville, Tennessee

JOSEPH B. SNIDER, B.A., Th.M.

The Christian’s Guide to the New Life, Contributing Editor

Indianapolis, Indiana

C. M. WARD, D.D.

A Guide to Christian Workers

Assemblies of God Radio Evangelist

Santa Cruz, California

BRUCE H. WILKINSON, Th.M.

Outlines to the Books of the Bible, Author; Introductions to the Books of the Bible, Co-Author and Executive Editor

Founder and President, Walk Thru the Bible Ministries

Atlanta, Georgia

NEAL D. WILLIAMS, Th.D.

The Christian’s Guide to the New Life, Contributing Editor

Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Liberty Baptist College

Lynchburg, Virginia

HAROLD L. WILLMINGTON, D.Min.

The Christian’s Guide to the New Life, Executive Editor

Vice President, Liberty Baptist College

Lynchburg, Virginia

Dedication

To the Most High and Mighty Prince

JAMES

by the Grace of God,

KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND IRELAND,

DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, Etc.

The Translators of the Bible wish Grace, Mercy, and Peace, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord

Great and manifold were the blessings, most dread Sovereign, which Almighty God, the Father of all mercies, bestowed upon us the people of England, when first he sent Your Majesty’s Royal Person to rule and reign over us. For whereas it was the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our Sion, that upon the setting of that bright Occidental Star, Queen Elizabeth of most happy memory, some thick and palpable clouds of darkness would so have overshadowed this Land, that men should have been in doubt which way they were to walk; and that it should hardly be known, who was to direct the unsettled State; the appearance of Your Majesty, as of the Sun in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists, and gave unto all that were well affected exceeding cause of comfort; especially when we beheld the Government established in Your Highness, and Your hopeful Seed, by an undoubted Title, and this also accompanied with peace and tranquillity at home and abroad.

But among all our joys, there was no one that more filled our hearts, than the blessed continuance of the preaching of God’s sacred Word among us; which is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth; because the fruit thereof extendeth itself, not only to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that eternal happiness which is above in heaven.

Then not to suffer this to fall to the ground, but rather to take it up, and to continue it in that state, wherein the famous Predecessor of Your Highness did leave it: nay, to go forward with the confidence and resolution of a Man in maintaining the truth of Christ, and propagating it far and near, is that which hath so bound and firmly knit the hearts of all Your Majesty’s loyal and religious people unto You, that Your very name is precious among them: their eye doth behold You with comfort, and they bless You in their hearts, as that sanctified Person, who, under God, is the immediate Author of their true happiness. And this their contentment doth not diminish or decay, but every day increaseth and taketh strength, when they observe, that the zeal of Your Majesty toward the house of God doth not slack or go backward, but is more and more kindled, manifesting itself abroad in the farthest parts of Christendom, by writing in defence of the Truth, (which hath given such a blow unto that man of sin, as will not be healed,) and every day at home, by religious and learned discourse, by frequenting the house of God, by hearing the Word preached, by cherishing the Teachers thereof, by caring for the Church, as a most tender and loving nursing Father.

There are infinite arguments of this right Christian and religious affection in Your Majesty; but none is more forcible to declare it to others than the vehement and perpetuated desire of accomplishing and publishing of this work, which now with all humility we present unto Your Majesty. For when Your Highness had once out of deep judgment apprehended how convenient it was, that out of the Original Sacred Tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our own, and other foreign Languages, of many worthy men who went before us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures into the English Tongue; Your Majesty did never desist to urge and to excite those to whom it was commended, that the work might be hastened, and that the business might be expedited in so decent a manner, as a matter of such importance might justly require.

And now at last, by the mercy of God, and the continuance of our labours, it being brought unto such a conclusion, as that we have great hopes that the Church of England shall reap good fruit thereby; we hold it our duty to offer it to Your Majesty, not only as to our King and Sovereign, but as to the principal Mover and Author of the work: humbly craving of Your most Sacred Majesty, that since things of this quality have ever been subject to the censures of illmeaning and discontented persons, it may receive approbation and patronage from so learned and judicious a Prince as Your Highness is, whose allowance and acceptance of our labours shall more honour and encourage us, than all the calumniations and hard interpretations of other men shall dismay us. So that if, on the one side, we shall be traduced by Popish Persons at home or abroad, who therefore will malign us, because we are poor instruments to make God’s holy Truth to be yet more and more known unto the people, whom they desire still to keep in ignorance and darkness; or if, on the other side, we shall be maligned by self-conceited Brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing, but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil; we may rest secure, supported within by the truth and innocency of a good conscience, having walked the ways of simplicity and integrity, as before the Lord; and sustained without by the powerful protection of Your Majesty’s grace and favour, which will ever give countenance to honest and Christian endeavours against bitter censures and uncharitable imputations.

The Lord of heaven and earth bless Your Majesty with many and happy days, that, as his heavenly hand hath enriched Your Highness with many singular and extraordinary graces, so You may be the wonder of the world in this latter age for happiness and true felicity, to the honour of that great GOD, and the good of his Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour.

Special Abbreviations

How to

Study the Bible

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. In it God Himself speaks to mankind. It is a book of divine instruction. It offers comfort in sorrow, guidance in perplexity, advice for our problems, rebuke for our sins, and daily inspiration for our every need.

The Bible is not simply one book. It is an entire library of books covering the whole range of literature. It includes history, poetry, drama, biography, prophecy, philosophy, science, and inspirational reading. Little wonder, then, that all or part of the Bible has been translated into more than 1,200 languages, and every year more copies of the Bible are sold than of any other single book.

The Bible alone truly answers the greatest questions that people of all ages have asked: Where have I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here? How can I know the truth? For the Bible reveals the truth about God, explains the origin of human beings, points out the only way to salvation and eternal life, and explains the age-old problem of sin and suffering.

The great theme of the Bible is the Lord Jesus Christ and His work of redemption for humankind. The Person and work of Jesus Christ are promised, prophesied, and pictured in the types and symbols of the Old Testament. In all of His truth and beauty, the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed in the Gospels; and the full meanings of His life, His death, and His resurrection are explained in the Epistles. His glorious coming again to earth in the future is unmistakably foretold in the Book of Revelation. The great purpose of the written Word of God, the Bible, is to reveal the living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ (read John 1:1–18).

Dr. Wilbur M. Smith relates seven great things that the study of the Bible will do for us:

1. The Bible discovers sin and convicts us of it.

2. The Bible helps cleanse us from the pollutions of sin.

3. The Bible imparts strength.

4. The Bible instructs us in what we are to do.

5. The Bible provides us with a sword for victory over sin.

6. The Bible makes our lives fruitful.

7. The Bible gives us power to pray.

You do not need a whole library of books to study the Bible. The Bible is its own best commentator and interpreter. With all of the instructive helps that you have in this new Bible, you have a whole lifetime of Bible study.

I. Personal Bible Study

A. Devotional Bible Study

The Bible is not an end in itself, but is a means to the end of knowing God and doing His will. The apostle Paul said, 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). God has given us the Bible in order that we might know Him and that we might do His will here on earth.

Therefore, devotional Bible study is the most important kind of Bible study. Devotional Bible study means reading and studying the Word of God in order that we may hear God’s voice and that we may know how to do His will and to live a better Christian life.

A great scientist and medical doctor, Howard A. Kelly (Professor of Gynecology at Johns Hopkins University from 1889 through 1940), was also an avid student of the Bible. He once said: The very best way to study the Bible is simply to read it daily with close attention and with prayer to see the light that shines from its pages, to meditate upon it, and to continue to read it until somehow it works itself, its words, its expressions, its teachings, its habits of thought, and its presentation of God and His Christ into the very warp and woof of one’s being.

For your devotional reading and study of the Bible, here are several important, practical suggestions:

1. Begin your Bible reading with prayer (Ps. 119:18; John 16:13, 14, 15).

2. Take brief notes on what you read. Keep a small notebook for your Bible study (see number 4 below).

3. Read slowly through one chapter, or perhaps two or three chapters, or perhaps just one paragraph at a time. After reading, ask yourself what this passage means. Then reread it.

4. It is often very helpful in finding out the true meaning of a chapter or passage to ask yourself the following questions, then write the answers in your notebook:

a. What is the main subject of this passage?

b. Who are the persons revealed in this passage: Who is speaking? About whom is he speaking? Who is acting?

c. What is the key verse of this passage?

d. What does this passage teach me about the Lord Jesus Christ?

e. Does this passage portray any sin for me to confess and forsake?

f. Does this passage contain any command for me to obey?

g. Is there any promise for me to claim?

h. Is there any instruction for me to follow?

Not all of these questions may be answered in every passage.

5. Keep a spiritual diary. Either in your Bible study notebook mentioned above (number 2), or in a separate notebook entitled, My Spiritual Diary, write down daily what God says to you through the Bible. Write down the sins that you confess or the commands you should obey.

6. Memorize passages of the Word of God. No one is ever too old to memorize the Word of God. Write verses on cards with the reference on one side and the verse on the other. Carry these cards with you and review them while you’re waiting on a train, standing in lunch line, and so on.

Other persons prefer to memorize whole passages or chapters of the Bible. A small pocket Bible will help you to review these passages when you have spare moments. One of the best ways is to spend a few minutes every night before going to sleep, in order that your subconscious mind may help you fix these passages of God’s Word in your mind while you’re asleep (Ps. 119:11).

To meditate means to reflect, to ponder, to consider, to dwell in thought. Through meditation the Word of God will become meaningful and real to you, and the Holy Spirit will use this time to apply the Word of God to your own life and its problems.

7. Obey the Word of God. As Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. The Bible has been given to us that we may live a holy life, well-pleasing to God. Therefore God says, But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only (James 1:22).

8. The Navigators, a group of men who banded together just before World War II to encourage Bible study among Christian servicemen, developed a splendid plan for a personal, devotional study.

a. After prayer, first read the Bible passage slowly and silently; then read it again aloud.

b. In a large notebook divide the paper into columns and head each column as follows: Chapter title, Key verse, Significant truth, Cross-references, Difficulties in this passage (personal or possible), Application to me, and Summary or outline of the passage. In each of these columns, write the information desired.

Do not try to adopt all of these methods at once, but start out slowly, selecting those methods and suggestions that appeal to you. You will find, as millions of others have before you, that the more you read and study the Word of God, the more you’ll want to read it. Therefore, the following suggestions of Bible study are made for those who wish to make a more intensive study of the Bible truths.

B. Study for Bible Knowledge

There are many valuable methods of Bible study. One may study the Bible, as if with a telescope, to see the great truths that stand out in every book. Or one may study the Bible as if with a microscope to find all the marvelous details that are in this mine of spiritual riches. In this section there are several proven methods with which a person may conduct more intensive Bible study. The most important thing is to follow faithfully some systematic method of Bible study.

Bible Study by Chapters. In the Bible there are 1,189 chapters in the Old and New Testaments. In a little over three years, a person could make an intensive study of the whole Bible, taking a chapter a day. It is usually a good practice to start your Bible study in the New Testament.

1. Read through the chapter carefully, seeking to find its main subject or subjects.

2. As you read each chapter, give it a title that suggests its main content. If you are reading the Gospel of John, for example, you might give each chapter titles like this:

ch. 1 Jesus Christ, the Word of God

ch. 2 The Wedding at Cana

ch. 3 The New Birth

ch. 4 The Woman at the Well

ch. 5 The Healing of the Man at the Pool of Bethesda

ch. 6 The Feeding of the 5,000

3. Reread the chapter and make a simple outline, including its main thoughts. For example, for John 1, you might make an outline like this:

Jesus Christ, the Word of God:

a. Jesus Christ was the eternal Word of God, 1–9.

b. Jesus Christ came into the world, 10–18.

c. John witnesses that Christ is to come, 19–28.

d. John says that Jesus is the Lamb of God, 29–37.

e. Jesus Christ calls His first disciples, 38–51.

4. Concerning each chapter, ask and answer the questions suggested in item number 4 of devotional Bible study hints above. Especially take note of any practical or theological problems in this chapter. Then, using your concordance, look up the key words in those verses and find out what other portions of the Bible say about this question or problem. Compare Scripture with Scripture to find its true meaning. Usually, to understand a Bible chapter, you must study it together with the preceding or following chapters.

Bible Study by Paragraphs. A paragraph is several sentences of thought in writing. When an author changes the subject of emphasis in writing, he usually begins a new paragraph. The beginning of a paragraph in this Bible is indicated by a subheading; subdivide further where necessary. Studying the Bible by paragraphs like this is often called analytic Bible study.

1. Read the paragraph carefully for its main thought or subject.

2. In order to find the relation of the important words and sentences in this paragraph, it is often helpful to rewrite the text. For example, if you were going to study the paragraph on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 6:5–8, you could rewrite this text:

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

3. From the text you’ve now rewritten so that you can see the relationship of the various parts of the paragraph, it is easy to make a simple outline. For example, using Matthew 6:5–15, your outline of this passage would be something like this:

Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray—Matthew 6:5–15.

a. How not to pray: Matthew 6:5, 7, 8.

(1) Hypocritically in public, 6:5.

(2) With useless repetition, 6:7, 8.

b. How to pray: Matthew 6:6, 9–13.

(1) In private to your heavenly Father, 6:6.

(2) Following the pattern of Jesus’ model prayer, 6:9–13.

4. It is helpful also to look up in a concordance important words that occur in this paragraph, for example, the words hypocrites and heathen. By comparing other passages of the Bible that teach about prayer, you’ll be kept from making any mistakes concerning the true nature, conditions, and results of prayer according to the will of God.

Bible Study by Verses. In studying the historical passages of the Bible, such as most of the Old Testament or parts of the Gospels, each verse may have only one simple meaning.

But many verses in both the Old and New Testaments are rich with many great Bible truths that will demand more detailed study. There are many ways for you to study a single Bible verse.

1. Study it by the verbs in the verse. For example, if you were studying John 3:16 you would find the following verbs: loved . . . gave . . . believeth . . . should not perish . . . have . . .

You could make a comparative list like this:

God loved . . . Whoever believes

God gave . . . They shall not perish . . . They have everlasting life

Or simply take the nouns in this wonderful verse: God . . . world . . . only begotten Son . . . whosoever . . . everlasting life.

2. Study a verse through the personalities revealed. For example, once again taking John 3:16, these very simple but significant points are brought to light: God . . . only begotten Son . . . whoever . . . Him.

3. Study a verse by looking for the great ideas revealed in it. Let us look again at John 3:16 as our example. We might title this verse, The greatest verse in the Bible. The following ideas are found in it:

God—the greatest Person

so loved—the greatest devotion

the world—the greatest number

he gave—the greatest act

his only begotten Son—the greatest gift

that whosoever believeth—the greatest condition

should not perish—the greatest mercy

have everlasting life—the greatest result

4. Sometimes a combination of these various ideas applied to a verse will bring the richest results. For example, take Romans 5:1:

Therefore—This verse depends on 4:25. Our justification is based on and is guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection.

justified—made righteous.

by faith—method of our justification (see also 3:24; 4:9).

have—not future, but present tense—we have this now.

peace with God—We were enemies, but now there is peace between us and God because of what Christ has done.

through our Lord Jesus Christ—the way to peace with God is only through Jesus Christ.

Bible Study by Books. After you have begun to study the Bible by chapters or paragraphs or verses, you will be ready to study the Bible by books.

1. There are several methods of Bible book study.

a. One is called the inductive method. This is a method of studying in detail the contents of a Bible book and then drawing from these details general conclusions or principles concerning the contents and purpose of the book.

b. Another method of book study is called the synthetic method. By this method, one reads the Bible book several times to receive the general impressions of the main ideas and purpose of the book without attention to the details. (It is sometimes hard to distinguish these two methods.)

c. In some cases the study of a Bible book becomes a historical study, if that book relates the history of a nation or an individual in a particular period of time. For example, the Book of Exodus tells the history of the children of Israel from the death of Joseph in Egypt until the erecting of the tabernacle in the wilderness in the time of Moses. This covers approximately 400 years.

The principles of Bible book study, whether inductive or synthetic, are very similar. Such study will require more time than the previous methods mentioned, but it will be amply rewarding.

2. Here are some methods for Bible study by books:

a. Read the book through to get the perspective and the general emphasis of the book.

b. Reread the book many times, each time asking yourself a relevant question and jotting down the answers you find as you read. Here are the most important questions to ask:

First reading: What is the central theme or emphasis of this book? What is the key verse?

Second reading: Remembering the theme of the book, see how it is emphasized and developed. Look for any special problems or applications.

Third reading: What does it tell me about the author and his circumstances when he wrote this book?

Fourth reading: What does the book tell me about the people to whom the book was written and their circumstances, needs, or problems?

Fifth reading: What are the main divisions of the book? Is there any outline apparent in the logical organization and development of the book? During this reading, divide the text into the paragraphs as you see them and then give a title to each paragraph. Draw a line down the right side of the outline and on the other side write any problems, questions, words, or ideas that require further study by comparison with other passages in the Bible.

Sixth and successive readings: Look for other facts and/or information that your earlier readings have suggested. By now certain words will stand out in the book. See how often they recur. (For example, as you read Philippians, you will soon find that the word joy occurs many times. This is one of the key words of the book, so note its occurrences and the circumstances surrounding it.)

As you read and reread a book, you’ll find that you begin to see its structure and its outline very clearly. It is true, however, that there are other outlines for any given book. It depends on the principle of division that you select. For example, as you study Paul’s letter to the Romans, you might adopt the outline that Dr. G. Allen Fleece, president of Columbia Bible College, has written:

The Book of Romans

Subject: The Gospel, 1:16

I. The Gospel for the lost sinner, 1–5

II. The Gospel for the Christian, 6–8

III. The Gospel for the whole world, 9–11

IV. The Gospel applied to daily living, 12–16

Of course, each of these great sections of this remarkable book can be divided into smaller subjects with great profit.

This method, applied to a book that is mainly historical, will also enable you to find a clear outline. In the case of a historical book, the outline will be largely chronological. The Book of Acts lends itself to this kind of study and outline.

The Book of Acts

Subject: The Gospel Witness in the First Century

Key verse: 1:8

Outline:

I. Introduction: The apostles receive power, 1:1–2:4

II. The witness in Jerusalem, 2:5–7:60

III. The witness in Judea and Samaria, 8:1–11:18

IV. The beginning of the witness to the end of the earth, 11:19–28:31

Once again, more careful study will give the details and further subdivisions of each of these great units of gospel history in this inspired record of the origin of the Christian church.

Bible Study by Words. There are two profitable and helpful ways of studying great words or subjects in the Word of God.

1. Word study by Bible books: Certain words have special significance in certain Bible books. For example, after studying the Gospel of John as a book and by chapters, you’ll find it instructive and inspiring to trace the words believe and belief. They occur almost 100 times. By reading the book through and underlining each passage where the words believe and belief occur, you’ll understand why Bible scholars contend that the purpose of the Gospel of John is expressed by the author in John 20:31.

2. General word study: The fine Topical Index in this Bible will be a great help. Through the study of great Bible words, you can soon become familiar with the great doctrines of the Bible and understand the great theological principles which the Bible reveals.

With the concordance you might begin with the study of the word grace. By tracing the occurrences of this word through the Old Testament and then into the New Testament, you will come to see that God has always dealt with His people in grace, and you will find in a concrete way the great truth of Ephesians 2:8.

Bible Study by Topics. Closely related to the method of study by words is the study according to great topics or subjects: Bible prayers, Bible promises, Bible sermons, Bible songs, Bible poems, and so on.

Or one might study Bible geography by reading rapidly through and looking for rivers, seas, and mountains highlighted in Scripture. For example, the mountaintop experiences in the life of Abraham are a thrilling study.

Another challenging study is to read rapidly through the Gospels and Epistles looking for the Lord’s commands to us. The list of Bible topics is unlimited.

First, for a topical study on prayer, look up the word prayer or pray in the Topical Index and the concordance. Look up every form of these words and such related words as ask and intercession. After you have looked up these verses, study them and bring together all the teaching on prayer that you find. You will find conditions of prayer, words to be used in prayer, results to expect from prayer, when to pray, and where to pray.

Bible Study Through Biography. The Bible is a record of God’s revealing Himself to people and through people. The Old Testament as well as the New is rich in such biographical studies. Here are a few:

The life of Noah: Genesis 5:32–10:32

The life of Abraham: Genesis 12–25

The life of Joseph: Genesis 37–50

The life of Deborah: Judges 4; 5

Let us summarize various methods for studying the great Bible biographies:

1. Read the Bible book or passages in which this person’s life is prominent, for example, Abraham in Genesis 12–25, plus references to Abraham in Hebrews 11 and Romans 4.

2. Trace character with your concordance.

3. Be careful to note indirect references to the person in other portions of Scripture.

Conclusion. There are many other methods of studying the Bible, for example, the psychological method, the sociological method, the cultural method, and the philosophical method. Use all the Bible study methods suggested above. From time to time, change your method so that you’ll not become too accustomed to any one method or tired from delving too deeply into one type of study.

The great thrill of Bible study is discovering these eternal truths of God’s Word for yourself and embarking on the adventure of obeying them and experiencing the blessing in your personal life.

II. Family Bible Study

Nothing is more important in a Christian home than the family altar. At a convenient time, when all members of the family are home, father or mother should lead them in worship of God and in reading His Word. A simple program for family worship includes singing a hymn, an opening prayer by a family member, a brief Bible study, and a concluding period of prayer in which all members take part.

The family altar and Bible study will bind the family together, eliminate juvenile delinquency, foster deeper love, and enable each member to become a stronger, better Christian. Since family Bible study usually includes small children, it is wise to avoid deep, difficult topics and study something of interest and help to all. Such subjects might be Bible biographies as outlined above, stories of miracles and deeds of Jesus as revealed in the Gospels, miracles in the Old Testament, and other narrative portions of the Bible. It is wise to keep the study brief and to concentrate on a short passage of Scripture. For example, a study of the life of Moses could be divided into units like this:

First day: The birth of Moses: Exodus 2:1–10

Second day: Moses’ great choice and great mistake: Hebrews 11:24–27; Exodus 2:11–15

Third day: Moses’ wilderness training: Exodus 2:16–25

Fourth day: Moses’ call to serve God: Exodus 3:1–22

Fifth day: Moses’ argument with God: Exodus 4:1–17

Sixth day: Moses’ return to Egypt: Exodus 4:18–31

Here are several practical hints on how to make your family Bible study interesting and profitable to all:

1. Keep your family Bible study reasonably short: one brief chapter or several paragraphs a day.

2. Have each member read a verse.

3. Appoint one family member to lead in worship each day and select the passage to read. This one may appoint others to help in the family worship.

4. Read through a Bible book, a chapter, or several paragraphs each day. As you read, together decide on a name or a title for each chapter and memorize this.

5. After reading the passage, have each member in the family explain one verse or one paragraph.

6. Let the leader prepare five or ten questions on the Bible passage and ask various members of the family to answer these questions after the passage has been read.

7. Study the beautiful maps in your Bible together, and trace Paul’s journeys or the wandering of the children of Israel in Egypt.

8. Study Bible topics together. Assign verses concerning a topic or great word to each member of the family. Let each read a verse and tell what the verse teaches about the topic or word.

9. After the Bible reading, have each member tell what this verse means or how it can be applied to personal life.

10. Make up Bible games by having each member make up questions to try to stump the others.

11. Study a Bible book together, using the hints given above. There are many wonderful ways to make the Bible the heart of your home.

III. Principles of Bible Interpretation

Since the Bible was written by many men over a period covering 1,500 years, and since the last author of the Bible has been dead 1,900 years or more, there are definite problems in understanding the exact meaning of certain passages of the Bible.

There is a need to interpret clearly certain passages of the Bible because there is a gap between the way we think and the words we use today and the way of thinking and the words that these Bible writers used thousands of years ago. Bible scholars have pointed out that there are language gaps—differences in words that we use; there are cultural gaps—different customs were in vogue then. There are geographical gaps—certain rivers that are spoken of in the Bible have long since dried up. Some places that are spoken of frequently in the Bible are not on our modern maps. And then