Should I memorize the bible, or part of the bible literally?

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obzajd

Guest
#1
#1
English is not my primary language, despite of that, I really love to read more, and also hear more of bible verses in beloved English.

The problem is-somehow silly for you I think- is I can't literally memorize english words.
I don't misspell, or do common mistakes; but the problem is, I may replace a word with another in the same meaning-If I'm talking with somebody about it.

And, when searching, I really found lots of word replacements, from a christian site and another.
So, is it okay to replace a word by a word, or should I memorize the bible verses literally as they appear?
 
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SpaceCowboy

Guest
#2
#2
Well I think as long as you tell the person your talking to that your quote isn't word for word for conscience sake, if you do replace a word.
 
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Laodicea

Guest
#3
#3
I have never memorized the Bible but, I have studied the Bible and read the Bible. If you read and study the Bible over time it will become easier to know the Bible. The Holy Spirit can always bring to remembrance what you study if it is needed
 
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obzajd

Guest
#4
#4
SpaceCowboy you've told me the word I've been going round; my conscious can't bare a mistake qouting the holly bible (especially from a Muslim Qur'an reader which I can't make a mistake), so thanks for relieving me :D and Laodicea, yes, I'd reread the bible, because I adore it, try to imagine the living as I live among the characters from our past; maybe I'll reach the point that I spontaneously remembering fine holly lines from the holly book God bless you both
 
Canadian36

Canadian36

Banned
#5
Oct 20, 2011
490
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#5
I think it's wise. yes for sure. memorize some verses that you can think of when times get tough and you might not have a bible handy
 
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jkalyna

Guest
#6
#6
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. IT IS BETTER TO DO WHAT IT SAYS THEN TO SAY WHAT IT SAYS. I DO MEMORIZE AND WE DO NEED TO KNOW SCRIPTURES IN ORDER TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND AND HEALTH. WHEN ONE IS SUFFERING IT IS LIKE MEDICINE TO APPLY THESE VERSES TO YOURSELF, AND ENCOURAGE YOURSELF, FOR REPROVE, REBUKE AND COUNCIL. SATAN ALSO KNOWS THE BIBLE THROUGHOUT, THE DIFFERENCE IS THIS, HE DOES NOT DO IT.
 
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wwjd_kilden

Guest
#7
#7
amen to what was said above

if you do not know the bible, but have accepted Christ, repented, and act in love, you do better than someone knowing the bible by heart, yet not living by it. Of course, both knowing it and living by it would be an advantage :) but it is more important to know WHAT is says (content/ context) than word by word, translations will vary anyway.
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#8
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
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#8
obzajd said:
English is not my primary language, despite of that, I really love to read more, and also hear more of bible verses in beloved English.

The problem is-somehow silly for you I think- is I can't literally memorize english words.
I don't misspell, or do common mistakes; but the problem is, I may replace a word with another in the same meaning-If I'm talking with somebody about it.

And, when searching, I really found lots of word replacements, from a christian site and another.
So, is it okay to replace a word by a word, or should I memorize the bible verses literally as they appear?
Click to expand...
The object is not to memorize Bible verses. The object is to learn what the will of the Lord is, through prayer and studying his Word, and then to do his will. If you are doing this, you are doing well.

 
K

krisbrian

Guest
#9
#9
resurrection33 said:
The object is not to memorize Bible verses. The object is to learn what the will of the Lord is, through prayer and studying his Word, and then to do his will. If you are doing this, you are doing well.
Click to expand...
I agree. Way too much emphasis put on memorizing bible verses. Nothing wrong with memorizing verses, but the object is to learn what they say, not memorize what they say.
 
secularhermit

secularhermit

Banned
#10
May 3, 2013
8,719
75
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#10
On my part, I consider PRACTICING . Memorizing without PRACTICE is nothing but reading.
 
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hattiebod

Guest
#11
#11
I agree with all that's been said. I have learnt scripture verses over the years , sometimes deliberately, others have just been ingrained through frequent reading etc. I just love it when I am going about my daily life and I see something, someone, or I am confronted with a situation and then a verse will come to me. It's a wonderful gift from God. I have found it especially powerful when witnessing, after all, God promises us, ' So shall my Word that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return void, but will accomplish that which i please and it shall prosper in the thing where i sent it' I love that verse! We need not be legalistic, we do not 'have' to learn verses but if one really speaks to you...why not learn it? it will not be arduous and is such a blessing, to have the Word of God in our hearts. God Bless, <><
 
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yaright

Guest
#12
#12
obzajd said:
English is not my primary language, despite of that, I really love to read more, and also hear more of bible verses in beloved English.

The problem is-somehow silly for you I think- is I can't literally memorize english words.
I don't misspell, or do common mistakes; but the problem is, I may replace a word with another in the same meaning-If I'm talking with somebody about it.

And, when searching, I really found lots of word replacements, from a christian site and another.
So, is it okay to replace a word by a word, or should I memorize the bible verses literally as they appear?
Click to expand...
Actually, what you are doing when using related words is no different than many scholars who seek interpretation; which usually is a pick of several other related words. In my own studies, I comb through these various inflections to gain a better understanding. So, if the original interpreters of the bible used the best of several words that have similar meaning, than as much as the argument goes concerning someone adding or taking away does not apply. Every translation uses questionable terms (including the King James). THE LANGUAGE BEING INTERPRETED DOESN'T CHANGE. Maybe knowing this might help you; but there are instances that helped me when I researched the word being translated. One example would be when Jesus speaks to Peter, asking, "Who pays the temple tax, sons or strangers?" When using the term 'tax' the reader is inclined to believe that it is a type of law similar to the requirement of a government. This 'coin' Jesus speaks of comes from the mouth of a fish. Yes, the fish is about each and every christian; and in this parable language Jesus reveals how He causes a law to be fulfilled within that person. It is a requirement that a verbal law speaks of, but Jesus reveals it is giving tribute to the One who called you in to be counted in the census of God's people. In the Old Testament it is referred to as a memorial (a witness) of the things that happened in your life to cause you to give witness of the things God had just done in your life. The coin has two parts and this is revealed when Jesus said to give that coin to the temple priest "for Me and for you." When you heard the word of God, repented and gave witness; at that very moment Jesus caused that law to be fulfilled within you. I don't want to extend this beyond your patience. To say these things more fully might bring better understanding. Let me know either way.
 
MarcR

MarcR

Senior Member
#13
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
183
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#13
As long as you tell people that you are not reciting word for word it is fine. What you are speaking of is called a paraphrase. There is nothing wrong with a paraphrase if you call it what it is.
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#14
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
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#14
Because of the many translations of the Holy Bible today, there are many ways to say an important theme. I "talk" bible talk all the time but it doesn't sound like the King James Version because that is not how we speak.

For instance, I will take the verse in Jeremiah (I don't remember the chapter and verse) "Is not my word like fire? Does it not shatter rock like a hammer?" and maybe say to someone "Every word of scripture is like fire which burns hot - and it is so powerful - like a huge hammer - that it shatters even a heart or an obstacle that is like a rock."

Now I know there are many who would take issue with this - but at least the Spirit of the scripture is made plain. And since I have trouble memorizing, I read the bible aloud to get it into my vocabulary and to hear it at the same time. It has really helped to know most of it without spending hours memorizing.

And anyone who hears me automatically knows that I'm paraphrasing it. Or someone else would say "teaching it".

Hattiebod said it well - a lot of the bible gets ingrained in you if you read it over and over. The word meditate actually means to verbalize repetitively a part of scripture. That is why I read it aloud. And there are some parts that I read over and over and over aloud until it has sunk deep into my heart.
 
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