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Sunday, May 29, 2022

A Word Not in the Bible

By Clifton Angel

 

    I am thinking of word that needs to take priority in our lives, yet nowhere in the English Scriptures will you find it.  It is the word "Bible."  That's right. Nowhere in the English Scriptures of the Bible will you find the word "Bible." However, you CAN find the Greek words biblos or biblion in the original language of the New Testament and in the Greek translation of the Old Testament. These words are the origin for our English word "Bible."  Interestingly, these Greek words are not typically used to refer to the Scriptures as a whole, as we do with the word "Bible" today (and have been for a few centuries now). The simple definition of its word of origin is book, or books.

    Even if you cannot find the word "Bible" in the English Scriptures of your Bible, it is a word that still needs priority in our lives.  Why? First, it needs priority in our lives because it is one of the most common words we have to refer to our copy of God's Word. Second, the word "Bible" needs priority in our lives because its contents are what teach us so many vital answers to life's questions. Where do we come from? Who are we? Who is God? What is right? What is wrong? What is sin? Why do people die? How can we be saved from our sins?  Where do we go when we die?  Will I be judged by God? These are only a few of the vital questions that are answered in the Bible.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

— 2 Timothy 3:16–17 —

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain

unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

— 2 Peter 1:3–4 —

    According to the Bible: Our desire for salvation begins with faith that is produced  from hearing the Bible (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6); Our desire for salvation begets repentance—change which begins in the mind, but is manifested in our lives (2  Corinthians 7:10;  Acts  2:38);  Our  desire for salvation brings about a public confession of Jesus as Savior (Romans 10:10; Acts 8:37); Our desire for salvation becomes reality in the waters of baptism (Mark 16:16). Our indebtedness for salvation bolsters our faith unto death (1 Corinthians 15:57; Revelation 2:10).  May we all look to the Bible, obey its teachings, and sing the words written by Priscilla J. Owens:

Give me the Bible,

star of gladness gleaming,

To cheer the wand’rer

lone and tempest tossed;

No storm can hide that

radiance peaceful beaming,

Since Jesus came to seek and save the lost. 

 

Give me the Bible,

when my heart is broken,

When in and grief have

filled my soul with fear;

Give me the precious

words by Jesus spoken,

Hold up faith’s lamp to

show my Savior near.

 

Give me the Bible,

holy message shining;

Thy light shall guide me

in the narrow way; 

Precept and promise, 

law and love combining,

Till night shall vanish

in eternal day.

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/


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