Education

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

Two words come to mind when I approach the study of God’s word. One is exegesis and the other is eisegesis. The first means to extract from within the word its foundation and applied meaning. To not perform this task is to eisegete or put something into the text that was not intended. This is a common occurrence in oratory.

In the New Testament, Paul addresses himself as an “Apostle” (Apostolos) of Jesus Christ. This is part of his signature and a way by which his writings are addressed. At a glance, it would seem that this word is a title. However, there is much to this word not revealed by surface reading.

The first part of this word (Apo) is a Greek preposition meaning “away from.” The second part (Stelos) is a shipping term used to identify a vessel laden with cargo. Paul puts these two parts together to state not his title but his function and purpose. He had been laden with the precious cargo of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and sent away from one landing to another to deliever it.

“Open my eyes that I might see.” ~ Gauguin