Many times I have been asked," Why bother to research? Just buy a modern translation of the Bible." Modern day translations of the Bible are not always accurate. Being accurate when dealing with God's Word is very important. I use a King James version because most of the more accurate research tools are based on the King James. Research that is done by yourself provides a much more in depth veiw of God's Word. When somebody shows me something concerning the Bible, I always research it myself before accepting it as truth. Sometimes when I research a verse or section of scripture that someone has shown me, the point they were making is no longer valid. At other times I understand the verse more clearly. Sometimes when checking the research of others, I find it not to be accurate. Not being accurate is a common mistake that we all make from time to time.
     I feel conifident that my research is correct or I would not post/publish it. However, being a human being, like yourself, I too make mistakes from time to time. Also by checking the research of others you get a better grasp of the content. If you are new to research, you can, "get the hang or feel of how it is done", by checking the research of others. Then you can move on, researching the topics or questions that you have, for a greater understanding of these topics or find accurate answers to your questions.
1 Corinthians 13:3)" And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profit me nothing."
     Just from reading this verse it does not appear to make sense. Is not giving your goods away to feed the poor, charity? In today's world it is, or that is how most people today would define it. The King James Bible was first published in 1611. It was translated a few years before that.
     When I was a young child, if you said that somebody was gay, it meant that they were happy. Today, it usually means they are a homosexual. In the short span of about fifty years, this word has taken on a completely different meaning. Could it have been, that some 400 years ago, the word charity had a different meaning?
     Most bookstores sell a book called a concordance. They sell for about $30.00. A good investment, if you are serious about studying the Bible. You look up a word you do not understand. It list all the places it was used. You find the verse it occurs in. It will tell you the Greek or Hebrew word it was translated from and usually a brief definition of the word in question. The better and more accurate concordances have Hebrew and Greek lexicons in the back of them. The Old Testament was translated from Hebrew. The New Testament was translated from Greek. If you look up the Greek or Hebrew word in these lexicons, they tell you every word that was translated from the paticular Greek or Hebrew word you are researching. You would be surprised at how many different ways many words were translated.
     Now, lets take a look at this verse using a concordance. Lets begin with the word bestow. It is translated from the Greek word PSOMIZO. To feed is the immediate definition given. Looking up the word PSOMIZO in the Greek lexicon, we find that, it was translated bestow to feed one time and feed one time. I think we can all agree that this would involve selling your goods and using the money to feed the poor, or trading your goods for food in order to feed the poor.
     The word goods was translated from the word HUPARCHO. Looking that word up, we find, that it was translated be 42 times, live one time, after 1 time, goods 7 times, substance 1 time, things that one hath 1 time, the things that one posseth 2 times.
" Hmmmm,"some of you are likey saying about now," I could have guessed that"! True, but now you know what you guessed or suspected is indeed true. Nobody can come along and prove you wrong by proper research because, you arrived at this conclusion by proper research, rather than guesswork.
     Now, lets take a look at the word charity. It is translated from the Greek word AGAPE. The definition given is love. It was translated charity 27 times, feast of charity 1 time, love 86 times, dear one time. Now, how many of you would have guessed that?
      Everywhere in the New Testament the word AGAPE/AGAPAO were translated they were translated  charity or love. I feel it safe to conclude therefore that charity is love. What type of love? The love of God. Several other words in the New Testament were also translated love. However, these other words that were translated love always refer to other types of love. The love of friends, family, money, the love of your fellow man, the love between a husband and wife, ect.                                                                                                                                                                                       
      Everywhere in the New Tesyament that charity or love is translated from the words AGAPE/AGAPAO it is in reference to Gods Love. His Love for us, Our Love for Him, or utilizing His Love as we live our lives. (I Corinthians 13 for example)  Therefore, I feel it safe to conclude that charity as well as love, when translated from the words AGAPE/AGAPAO are the Love of God. 

     The word profit is translated from the word OPHELO . The difinition given is to profit. It was translated prevail 2 times, profit 7 times, be advantaged 1 time, be bettered 1 time, be profited 3 times. A synonym is gain.                                                                                       " And though I sell all my goods, substance, or possessions to feed the poor, and give my body to be burned, if I do not have the love of God, I gain nothing".
     Now, we could have read that in a more modern version of the Bible. True, but likely not that in depth. We may have even remembered it for a day or two. From proper research however, we have a more in depth understanding of the words we researched. The word love for example. Not only did we find that charity could have been translated love, but we also found out what type of love. Also, we are more likely to remember what we have learned because, we, ourselves did the research.

                                                                          Gary Jones
                                                                           Posted 3/22/9

II TIMOTHY 2:15)" Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
     Shew is translated from the word PARISTEMI. It was only translated shew 2 times. It was translated present 9 times. If we use the word present rather than shew, it gives the verse a clearer meaning. Study to present thyself unto God, a workman ( ERGATES- Labourer) that needeth not to be ashamed,( ANEPAISCHUM- without cause for shame) rightly dividing ( OTHOTOMEO- to cut straight or right) the word of truth.
" Study to present thyself unto God, a workman that has no cause for shame, rightly dividing the word of truth."
     So, we need to study to present ourselves unto God. Study what? God's Word, the Bible, of course! Study comes in handy for many other reasons as well. We are always finding things from God's Word that will work in our lives. Many times in a group conversation, or even in a one on one conversation, some other person mentions something from the Bible. Quite often it is distorted or incorrect. If you have studied what they are talking about you can clear the matter up. " Hmmmmm rightly dividing the word of truth?" Rightly dividing ( ORTHOTMEO- to cut straight or right.)
     Some of the New Testament is addressed to us, as christians. Some of it is not and may not directly apply.
James 1:1)" James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting:"
     Are you one of the twelve tribes of Israel? I am not, at least as far as I know. Have I learned anything from the book of James? Yes, many things have I learned from this book. Some of which I will share in future articles.
II TIMOTHY 1:2)" To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
     I am not Timothy, yet I have learned quite a lot from reading this book that Paul wrote to Timothy, Paul explains many things that were going on at the time of the writing. Some of these things are still going on today! He also offers very much pratical advise. Although the advice is not written to me, it has helped me quite a lot. Much of what would work for Timothy, will also work for Gary and yourself as well!
I CORINTHIANS 1:2)"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"
     No, I do not live at Corinth. I do however, call upon the name of Jesus Christ, so this book is addressed to you and I, as well as the Corinthians. If what we read in another part of the Bible, that is not addressed to us, contradicts what is addressed to us, it can not directly apply to us.
                                       Gary Jones
                                        Posted 4/19/9