Meanings of Words
     1.   Standard Words
               a.   often have several meanings, so an isolated word may be unclear; eg. "light"
               b.   same words sometimes used different ways:  Rev 5:5 "lion" refers to Christ; 1
          Pet 5:8 Satan called a lion

     2.   Words change their meaning over a period of time
               a.   KJV "prevent" meant "go before, precede"
               b.   today "prevent" means "to hinder"
               c.   1 Th 4:15 (KJV) "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we
          which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them
          which are asleep."

     3.   Different words may have same or similar meaning
               a.   2 words may never mean exactly the same thing, but are close enough to be
          used interchangeably; synonyms are used for variety.
                         i.   example: Mt 20:21  "'What is it you want?' he asked.  She said, 'Grant
               that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at
               your left in your kingdom.'"
                         ii.  Mk 10:37 "They replied, 'Let one of us sit at your right and the other at
               your left in your glory.'"
                         iii. "kingdom" vs "glory"
                         iv.  example:  Mt 18:9b "It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to
               have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell."
                         v.   Mk 9:47b "It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye
               than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell."
                         vi.  "life" vs "kingdom of God"
               b.   may choose a stronger synonym for emphasis
                         i.   example:  Gal 6:2, 5  "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you
               will fulfill the law of Christ. ... for each one should carry his own load."
 
                         ii.  "burden" (v2) is same Greek word as "load" (v5)
                         iii. "Each person should carry his own responsibility, but also help others
               with theirs."

     4.   The same word may have different meanings
               a.   difference between literal & figurative uses
                         i.   example:  Isa 49:6b "I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that
               you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
                         ii.  "light" used figuratively
               b.   differences in meaning between OT & NT
                         i.   example:  righteousness
                         ii.  Psa 18:20 "The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
               according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me." --
               righteousness as result of upright moral character
                         iii. Php 3:9  "and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own
               that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the
               righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." -- righteousness is
               credited to us through Christ's sacrifice.
                         iv.  example:  hope
                         v.   OT hope was expectation that the future would be blessed by God
                         vi.  NT hope is second coming of Christ & our being like him (1 Jn 3:2-3)

Studying the Words
     1.   Use an English dictionary and/or Bible dictionary
               a.   often gives more than one definition; examine all to find possible meaning
     2.   Study word in context
               a.   2 Sam 2:14 (KJV) "Let the young men now arise and play before us."
                         i.   "play"?  v16: they fight to the death!
               b.   Psa 1:6  "For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of
          the wicked will perish."
                         i.   "Lord watches over the way of the righteous"?  Does this mean God is
               aware of what righteous people do?
                         ii.  "way of the wicked will perish" indicates stronger meaning
                         iii. may indicate way of the righteous is protected by God
               c.   Pr 14:15 "The simple man believes anything ..."
                         i.   could have positive meaning:  simple faith of believer, not questioning;
               trusts God
                         ii.  second part:  "but a prudent man gives thought to his steps", shows
               contrast between “simple” and "prudent"
                         iii. in context:  "simple" is gullible, foolish; his simplicity is a weakness
     3.   Use a concordance
               a.   examine other scriptures that use the same word.  Remember:  words often have
          different meanings, depending on context
               b.   Tit 3:4-5a "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he
          saved us ..." -- context is spiritual salvation
               c.   Acts 27:20  "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm
          continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved." -- context is
          physical rescue
               d.   Mt 24:12-13  "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will
          grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." -- more subtle