Handling Scripture Faithfully

What You Will Learn

• Read a verse in its context before writing about it
• Recognize and avoid proof-texting
• Quote Scripture word for word with a correct reference
• Explain why the KJV may be quoted freely in the U.S. and why modern translations require checking permissions

Lesson Notes

Read the Whole Neighborhood

When Ezra read the law to the people, the Levites gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading (Nehemiah 8:8). Before you write about a verse, understand its sense. Read at least the whole chapter, and ask:

• Who wrote it, and to whom?
• What was happening before and after this verse?
• What kind of writing is it: history, poetry, prophecy, gospel, or letter?
• What does it show about God?
• What did it mean then, and how does that truth apply now?

The Problem With Proof-Texting

Proof-texting means pulling a verse out of its setting to support an idea it does not teach. When Satan tempted Jesus, he quoted Psalm 91 out of context: cast thyself down: for it is written (Matthew 4:6). Jesus answered, It is written again (Matthew 4:7). Scripture explains Scripture.

Example: Jeremiah 29:11 promises thoughts of peace, and not of evil. In context, God was writing to exiles in Babylon and had just said they would be there seventy years (Jeremiah 29:10). He told them to seek the peace of the city where they were (29:7). The promise is real, and it includes faithful living while waiting. That context speaks powerfully to a woman serving time.

Example: Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ, follows Paul's words about learning to be content in want and in plenty (4:11–12). It is about strength to be faithful in every circumstance, not a promise to win at anything we want.

Quoting Accurately

• Copy from a printed Bible, not from memory. Check it twice, word for word.
• Give the book, chapter, and verse, and name the translation: (Psalm 46:1, KJV).
• Use an ellipsis (...) when you leave words out, and never change words or add your own. Add thou not unto his words (Proverbs 30:6).
• Make sure the shortened quotation still means what the full verse means.
• Watch for famous sayings that are not in the Bible at all, such as God helps those who help themselves.

Translations and Permissions

The King James Version is in the public domain in the United States, so you may quote it freely in a work published there. (Rules differ in some other countries, such as the United Kingdom.) This program uses the KJV.

Many modern translations are copyrighted. Publishers often allow limited quotation with a required notice and require written permission beyond that, but rules differ by translation and can change. Before publishing with any modern translation, check the publisher's permissions page and follow it exactly.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Context Detective

Read Jeremiah 29:1–14. Answer: Who is writing? To whom? Where are they? How long will they wait (verse 10)? What are they told to do while they wait (verses 5–7)? Now write one sentence on what Jeremiah 29:11 means in context.

Spot the Misquote

Check each quotation against your Bible and correct it: (1) God helps those who help themselves. (Proverbs 3:5) (2) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my way. (Psalm 119:105) (3) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:19) (4) Be still, and know that I am God. (no reference) (5) Money is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10)

Assignment: Context Study

Choose one verse: Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 43:19, Lamentations 3:22–23, Romans 8:28, or Philippians 4:6–7. On one to two pages:

• Copy the verse word for word from the KJV with its reference.
• Answer the five context questions from the lesson.
• Write what it meant to its first readers and how that truth applies today.
• Name one way the verse is sometimes misused, and how context corrects it.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Acts 17:11 says the Bereans searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Have you ever believed something was in the Bible that was not, or misunderstood a verse? How does careful reading protect you and your future readers?

Prayer focus: Pray Psalm 119:18: Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Ask God to make you careful and honest with His Word.

Every Word Counts

When you quote Scripture, you are handling something holy. Readers will trust that the words you print are God's words. That is why devotional writers copy carefully from a printed Bible, check twice, and give the reference every time.

Context matters just as much. A verse lifted out of its chapter can be made to say almost anything. Jeremiah 29:11 is loved by many, and rightly so, but it was first written to exiles who would wait seventy years in Babylon. That context does not shrink the promise. It deepens it: God's thoughts of peace were with them in the waiting.

Shonda used to quote Philippians 4:13 before every hard thing, as if it meant she would always win. (Shonda is a composite example.) When she read the whole chapter, she found Paul talking about being content in want and in plenty. The verse became even more precious to her: Christ's strength to be faithful, whatever came.

The King James Version is in the public domain in the United States, which is one reason this program uses it. If you ever publish with a modern translation, check that publisher's permissions page first.

Think About It

1. Is there a verse you have used without knowing its context? ______________________
2. Why does accuracy matter when quoting God's Word? ______________________
3. What habit will help you quote carefully? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 2

Rightly Dividing

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.— 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

Handling Scripture well takes study, like a craftsman learning her trade.

Reflect: What passage do you want to study more deeply?

Pray: Lord, make me a careful workman with Your Word.

Do: Read a whole chapter around your favorite verse.

Searching Daily

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.— Acts 17:11 (KJV)

The Bereans checked what they heard against Scripture. Writers must do the same.

Reflect: What have you heard that you should check in the Bible?

Pray: Lord, give me a ready mind and a searching heart.

Do: Look up one saying you think is in the Bible.

Giving the Sense

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.— Nehemiah 8:8 (KJV)

The goal is understanding. Good devotions help readers grasp what the passage really means.

Reflect: Which passage would you like someone to explain to you?

Pray: Lord, help me understand Your Word and help others understand it.

Do: Explain one verse to yourself in plain words.

Every Word Is Pure

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.— Proverbs 30:5 (KJV)

God's words need no improvement from us. We quote them exactly and add nothing.

Reflect: How does God's Word shield you?

Pray: Lord, thank You for Your pure Word.

Do: Check one quotation in your notebook against the Bible.

Open My Eyes

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.— Psalm 119:18 (KJV)

Before we study, we pray. God opens our eyes to see what is there.

Reflect: What do you want God to show you this week?

Pray: Lord, open my eyes.

Do: Pray this verse before every study session.