Tip 009 – Go Beyond the English

Why Learning to Do Word Studies Will Transform Your Bible Reading

Reading the Bible in English is a gift, but it can also be a limitation. Our English translations give us access to God’s Word, but sometimes they can’t capture the full depth and richness of the original languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

That’s why learning how to do word studies matters. Word studies slow us down and help us explore what the authors of Scripture were really saying. They take us beyond the surface, beyond the English, and into the heart of the text.

Here are five reasons why word studies are essential for going deeper in your understanding of the Bible.

1. One Word Can Carry Multiple Layers

Many Hebrew and Greek words are rich with meaning. In English, we often get just one translation—but in the original language, the same word may carry emotional, theological, and cultural depth. For example, the Hebrew word “shalom” is often translated as peace, but it also includes wholeness, harmony, and well-being. That changes how we read passages like Isaiah 26:3.

2. It Helps Avoid Misinterpretation

We sometimes bring modern meanings to biblical words that don’t align with how they were used in Scripture. A word study helps us avoid that mistake. Take the word “hope.” In everyday English, it means wishful thinking. But the Greek word elpis means a confident expectation based on God’s character. That’s a completely different foundation for faith.

3. It Reveals Connections Across Scripture

Studying how a word is used across the Bible helps us see how God’s truth is consistent from beginning to end. For example, the word “light” shows up in Genesis, the Psalms, the Gospels, and Revelation. Tracing it reveals how light represents God’s presence, truth, and redemption across the whole story of Scripture.

4. It Exposes Cultural Context

Biblical words weren’t used in a vacuum—they were tied to real people in real times and cultures. Understanding a word in its original setting gives us clarity about what it meant to the original audience. For example, the Greek word “ekklesia,” translated church, referred to an assembly with specific cultural and political meaning. That context shapes how we understand the role of the Church in the New Testament.

5. It Helps You Understand Nuance

Some English words in the Bible are actually translations of several different original words. When we study those distinctions, we gain precision in how we read and apply Scripture. A classic example is the word “love.” In English, we use one word for many things. But in Greek, phileo, eros, and agape each communicate different types of love. Knowing which one is being used helps us grasp what God is really saying.

Conclusion

If you're serious about studying the Bible, word studies are an essential next step. They open your eyes to meaning that can’t always be captured in translation. You don’t need to be a scholar. You just need the right tools and the willingness to go beyond the English.

To get started, check out Tip 008 – Use the Right Tools, where we walk through the best reference materials to help you begin doing word studies with confidence. Don’t settle for surface-level reading. Let the original words of Scripture deepen your understanding and strengthen your faith.