The King James Bible says: “Study to show thyself approved,” (2 Timothy 2:15) but the word study isn’t in the Greek. Almost all the other translations stay faithful to the original Greek and avoid the word “study.” The Greek word used instead of “study” means “be diligent.”

Because the King James translators put a word in their translation that isn’t in the Greek, many people have been misled to think that Christians need to study and be taught the Bible in an academic, analytical way. They focus more on searching for, evaluating, and/or memorizing information from the Bible than on diligently absorbing and applying the Bible in their daily life.

The Bible should be read with an open heart instead of with mental analysis. It’s a living book anointed by the Holy Spirit who speaks to people who humbly read its pages and causes the words to burn in their heart. The Bible is a love letter from the living God to soak up and savor. It’s not a systematic theology textbook to study and scrutinize.

To analytically “unpack” a love letter is to entirely miss its point! Set aside study and be diligent about devouring, savoring, and absorbing the Bible with your whole heart.

Jesus said: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” He didn’t say, “Study the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

With all his academic study, John Calvin said: “”Ambiguity is the fortress of heretics.” He even ordered a man to be executed in Geneva because he disagreed with the other man’s belief.

However, I believe that Calvin was wrong. Ambiguity is the voice of humility and wisdom. It’s freedom from religious arrogance. It’s openness to being led and changed by the Holy Spirit. Christ’s parables were ambiguous by design. Love isn’t legalistic like the Pharisees; it’s merciful and forgiving. It boldly speaks the truth while overflowing with compassion, the way Jesus did.