STUDY to ….

Over the centuries, words take on or lose meanings.  Study is such a one.  When the King James Version of the New Testament was translated from the Greek, the word study meant:

NT:4704 – spoudazo (spoo-dad’-zo); from NT:4710; to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:

KJV – do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

However, notice the two passages where the word study is used and see how it can still be understood today.

• “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing” (1 Thess. 4:11).
• “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

What type of person would this be talking about?

Would there be any need for a welfare program if we all obeyed 1 Thessalonians 4:11?

Would there be any need to argue about doctrine in religious settings if we all obeyed 2 Timothy 2:15?

We would do well to STUDY every day.