Common Word-Study Fallacies

Without commenting on anything else, I would like to point out that Strong's, although very weak as far as reference works go, is very, very handy because of the numbering system. This numbering system is indispensible to word studies. But, you do need a lexicon, and one that looks at the Greek instead of denominational beliefs will be superior. Although, I do think that it would be impossible for anyone with any particular doctrinal beliefs to completely ignore them. That is why when looking to the etymology of an English word, I look to secular sources, as their interest is in the English language and not a pet doctrine.

 

I also think it's fallacious to do an English word study for a Biblical term rather than (particularly when it's to the exclusion of) a word study on the Hebrew/Greek behind the English word translated. Perhaps it was assumed that such would be recognized as fallacy, but I have seen it happen before.

Michael

 

We also have to be carful about placing English or American idioms on words in the text. We need to make sure that we are using Hebrew or Greek idioms, and in some instances, period idioms.

 

The Goodrich/Kohlenberger (I may not have spelled their names right) numbering system is also helpful. As the saying goes, Young's isn't young, and Strong's isn't strong :laugh: But the Strong's numbers are helpful. I use them with my Online Bible software, but most of my indepth word studies are with materials that support the G/K numbers.

 

I have a handy little freeware program that has the NA text that is searchable by word, you can define it further by grammar, w/without other words, etc. It will print the lists for you, and even parse the verses out.

When studying a word, I study the secular meaning of it, since most liturgical words were borrowed from the secular world. Then, I look at the verses that use the word and compare them by context, grammar, etc.

BTW, anyone intrested in doing serious word studies, if you want this program, drop me a message. It's old, so it's not point and click friendly, but I can also point you to a version of it online that is available part time that is point and click friendly.