by Elliot Ritzema
I remember reading a description of a political meeting from the seventeenth century. In it, one speech was described as “pathetic.” That was jarring to me, since calling something or someone “pathetic” is an insult today. But back then, it merely meant that the speech was intended to move the listeners to compassion.
If word meanings change over time, even in the same language, imagine translating an ancient concept from one language to another! We often have to do this when we study the Bible, so it is always worthwhile to research the words’ ancient meanings. One example is the concept of oaths in James 5:12.
13 Terrific Bible Study Resources for Growing Your Faith
And we all know that growth comes from change, and taking the next step in your Christian life. But sometimes it’s hard to know what the next step is. It could be to ask your spouse for prayer, have an open and honest conversation with your pastor, find a new Bible study group, or start using the right tools and referencing the right resources.
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