Bible Works – A Tool for Ministers

W. Larry Richards

I. Quick Overview

1. Three columns
 Search [What are you looking for?]
 Browse [Search results]
 Analysis [Tons of information (parsing, definitions, etc., etc)]

2. The Tool Bar [Includes icons which can be edited by clicking on wrench
with 3 blue boxes]

II. Examples:

1. The SEARCH Window (first column)

 Get to search window with “Esc” key or cursor
 “[Enter search words or verse here]” + much more…
 d means “display”: d kjv / d net / d –kjv / d c [“c” clears everything]
 To set up combinations (e.g., English Bibles, KJV versus NKV, BASIC,
etc.), click green bar, then “Edit search favorites”  “Add” and continue
 If you have a Greek or Hebrew word in your verse in the BROWSE
window you would like to see its location everywhere in the Bible,
double click on the word and it will give you all locations in the Bible. If
you want to print the list of passages, click on the “Copy to” button on
green bar.

2. The BROWSE Window (middle column) = [What you asked for in the
SEARCH window]
 To increase font size: Tools  Options  Fonts  Select Browse
fonts…(upper left)
 To search on an English word, double click on the word in the English
version = every place the word occurs
 To search on a Greek or Hebrew word in the same form, double click
on the word. If you want to see the word in Greek or Hebrew in all
forms, right click on the word, then select “search on lemma” (this
gives you the word however parsed—the most useful)

3. The ANALYSIS Window (third column)

 “Analysis” is the default choice and gives you parsing, definition, and
lexical information on the word highlighted (wherever your cursor is)

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  “Resources” is extremely valuable: Multiple lexical entries, its use in
church history, Matthew Henry Commentary on the verse,
etc….information about a selected version, other passages in the NT
that relate to the verse, etc..
 [Clicking on the light red bar on the right allows you to see two options
at the same time. For example, lexical information plus the NET Bible
notes.]
 Here is an illustration for using the ANALYSIS column for a sermon

Example: Sermon on 1 Thess. 4:15 [For we tell you this by the

word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the
coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have
fallen asleep. ]
A. Resources:
1. Schaff
Jerome, in his letter to Marcella: (3) Paul says that some shall be “alive
and remain unto the coming of the Lord;” and that they shall be “caught up to
meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. iv. 15, 17). Are we to suppose this
assumption to be corporeal and that those assumed will escape death?
Yes, (Jerome answers), but their bodies will be glorified. = A strong anti-
Gnostic statement.

2. Matthew Henry commentary…

3. Thompson
4. Torrey

B. X-Refs
C. Verse = NET notes (scroll for notes on both sides of 1 Th 4:15)

4. Using NET Notes:

A. Luke 3:23 on genealogy (so very different from Matthew’s

genealogy)

 Luke 3:23 So Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty
years old. He was the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the
son of Heli,

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 NET Note:
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sn The parenthetical remark as was supposed makes it clear that Joseph was not
the biological father of Jesus. But a question still remains whose genealogy this is.
Mary is nowhere mentioned, so this may simply refer to the line of Joseph, who would
have functioned as Jesus' legal father, much like stepchildren can have when they
are adopted by a second parent.
tn Unlike Matthew's genealogy, this one runs from Jesus down. It also goes all the
way to Adam, not stopping at Abraham as Matthew's does. Jesus has come for all
races of humanity. Both genealogies go through David.

B. 1 Peter 3:19 In it he went and preached to the spirits in prison,

NET Note:
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tn Grk "in which." ExSyn 343 notes: "The antecedent of the RP [relative
pronoun] is by no means certain. Some take it to refer to πνεύματι immediately
preceding, the meaning of which might be either the Holy Spirit or the spiritual
state. Others see the phrase as causal ('for which reason,' 'because of this'),
referring back to the entire clause, while still other scholars read the phrase as
temporal (if so, it could be with or without an antecedent: 'on which occasion' or
'meanwhile'). None of these options is excluded by syntax. It may be significant,
however, that every other time ἐν ᾧ is used in 1 Peter it bears an
adverbial/conjunctive force (cf. 1:6; 2:12; 3:16 [here, temporal]; 4:4)." Also,
because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence
was started here in the translation.
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sn And preached to the spirits in prison. The meaning of this preaching and the
spirits to whom he preached are much debated. It is commonly understood to be:
(1) Christ's announcement of his victory over evil to the fallen angels who await
judgment for their role in leading the Noahic generation into sin; this proclamation
occurred sometime between Christ's death and ascension; or (2) Christ's
preaching of repentance through Noah to the unrighteous humans, now dead
and confined in hell, who lived in the days of Noah. The latter is preferred
because of the temporal indications in v. 20a and the wider argument of the
book. These verses encourage Christians to stand for righteousness and try to
influence their contemporaries for the gospel in spite of the suffering that may
come to them. All who identify with them and their Savior will be saved from the
coming judgment, just as in Noah's day.

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C. Gal. 3:22
NET But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under
sin so that the promise could be given– because of the
faithfulness of Jesus Christ– to those who believe.

NRS But the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of
sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ
might be given to those who believe.

BGT ἀλλὰ συνέκλεισεν ἡ γραφὴ τὰ πάντα ὑπὸ ἁμαρτίαν,

ἵνα ἡ ἐπαγγελία ἐκ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δοθῇ τοῖς
πιστεύουσιν.

[Translating εκ as δια can only be explained by saying

that the translators were influenced by a long line of
traditional translations that began with Martin Luther. See
my published chapter on “Martin Luther’s Legacy on
English Translations…” under “Published Works” of my
web site. The preposition εκ never means “through.”

NET Note:
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tn Or "so that the promise could be given by faith in Jesus Christ to those who
believe." A decision is difficult here. Though traditionally translated "faith in Jesus
Christ," an increasing number of NT scholars are arguing that πίστις Χριστοῦ
(pistis Christou) and similar phrases in Paul (here and in Rom 3:22, 26; Gal 2:16,
20; Eph 3:12; Phil 3:9) involve a subjective genitive and mean "Christ's faith" or
"Christ's faithfulness" (cf., e.g., G. Howard, "The 'Faith of Christ'," ExpTim 85
[1974]: 212-15; R. B. Hays, The Faith of Jesus Christ [SBLDS]; Morna D.
Hooker, "Πίστις Χριστοῦ," NTS 35 [1989]: 321-42). Noteworthy among the
arguments for the subjective genitive view is that when πίστις takes a personal
genitive it is almost never an objective genitive (cf. Matt 9:2, 22, 29; Mark 2:5;
5:34; 10:52; Luke 5:20; 7:50; 8:25, 48; 17:19; 18:42; 22:32; Rom 1:8; 12; 3:3; 4:5,
12, 16; 1 Cor 2:5; 15:14, 17; 2 Cor 10:15; Phil 2:17; Col 1:4; 2:5; 1 Thess 1:8;
3:2, 5, 10; 2 Thess 1:3; Titus 1:1; Phlm 6; 1 Pet 1:9, 21; 2 Pet 1:5). On the other
hand, the objective genitive view has its adherents: A. Hultgren, "The Pistis
Christou Formulations in Paul," NovT 22 (1980): 248-63; J. D. G. Dunn, "Once
More, ΠΙΣΤΙΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ," SBL Seminar Papers, 1991, 730–44. Most
commentaries on Romans and Galatians usually side with the objective view.
sn On the phrase because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, ExSyn 116, which
notes that the grammar is not decisive, nevertheless suggests that "the
faith/faithfulness of Christ is not a denial of faith in Christ as a Pauline concept
(for the idea is expressed in many of the same contexts, only with the verb
πιστεύω rather than the noun), but implies that the object of faith is a worthy

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 object, for he himself is faithful." Though Paul elsewhere teaches justification by
faith, this presupposes that the object of our faith is reliable and worthy of such
faith.

III. Helping your church members to choose a version for themselves, for
giving to a friend, grandchild, study purposes, devotional, etc. 
 Formal OR Dynamic: 1 Cor. 7:1 EXAMPLE

καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ γυναικὸς μὴ ἅπτεσθαι·

 NKJ It is good for a man not to touch a woman. [Formal]
 NET "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a
woman." [Dynamic]

[To see all English versions: click on “English” on search bar or the
number of the display squares above the “search” line in BW 10.]

For specific information on English versions (published date, etc., in

“Analysis” window, click “Versions” on the version given in your
Browse window

IV. KJV and NKJ Compared

1. Updated Definitions:

KJV 1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord,
that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent
them which are asleep.

NKJ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and
remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are
asleep

NET For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are
left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen
asleep.

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2. Offensive Expressions:

 1 Kings 21:21
 KJV Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity,
and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him
that is shut up and left in Israel,

 NKJ Behold, I will bring calamity on you. I will take away your posterity,
and will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both bond and free.

 NET The LORD says, 'Look, I am ready to bring disaster on you. I will
destroy you and cut off every last male belonging to Ahab in Israel,
including even the weak and incapacitated.

 [Original Hebrew and Greek read “everyone who urinates

on the wall.” Same in 1 Sm 25:22; 25:34; 1K 14:10, 16:11;
and 2K 9:8]

2 Peter 2:16
 KJV But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with
man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

 NKJ Βut he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking
with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

 NET Υet was rebuked for his own transgression (a dumb donkey,
speaking with a human voice, restrained the prophet's madness).

Hebrews 12:8
 KJV
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are
ye bastards, and not sons.

 NKJ
But if you are without chastening, of which all have become
partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.


NET
But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have
shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons.

[Same in 2 Peter 2:16; Deut. 23:2; Zech. 9:6]

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V. KJV Only helps.

Professor Veith’s flawed arguments…

1. Use of “Jesus” [Professor Veith states that the modern versions

leave out the word Jesus in places to “belittle the saving role of
Jesus.”]

FACTS:

 Display KJV  set search limits to the NT enter on the

search line: .Jesus  enter = bottom of search column
you see that the KJV uses the word “Jesus” 973 times.
 Display NET and repeat the process = NET uses “Jesus”
1181 times, over 200 times more than the KJV (All
modern versions use “Jesus” over 1,100 times…)
 Plus, the KJV omits “Jesus” in the following verses while
the modern verses all have “Jesus”: Luke 5:3-4; 7:15;
John 12:1; Acts 3:16; 9:22; 10:48; 16:7; and18:20

2. A priest after the order of Melchizedek (4 Hebrews ref.)

[Professor Veith states that by omitting Heb. 7:21 the modern
versions want to eliminate the high priesthood of Jesus.]

Hebrews 7:21 reads: NKJ (for they have become priests without an oath,
but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: "The LORD has sworn And will
not relent,`You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek ' "),

FACTS

 This verse is indeed omitted, BUT it is found just a few

verses earlier, once in chapter 5 and again in chapter 6
 On the search line enter ‘priest forever  enter
 NET
Heb. 5:6 as also in another place God says, "You are a
priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."
 NET
Heb. 6:20 where Jesus our forerunner entered on our
behalf, since he became a priest forever in the order of
Melchizedek.
 NET
Heb. 7:17 For here is the testimony about him: "You
are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek."

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 3. Veith argues that the Lordship of Jesus is done away with by
the omission of the OT quote (Ps 24:1) within 1 Corinthians
10:28.

FACTS

 The reading in the NKJ, 1 Cor. 10:28: But if anyone says to you,
"This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who
told you, and for conscience' sake; for "the earth is the LORD'S,
and all its fullness."
 OT quote (bold) is indeed missing in modern
versions.
 BUT, on search line write ‘the earth  and you
find the OT quote in 1 Cor. 10:26, two verses
earlier!!

VI. Statistics that impress…Be able to speak with authority on key words or
phrases.

Examples:

 Kingdom of heaven / Kingdom of God

 Faith / faithfulness
 Works

VII. Theology:

 The meaning of “soul” –ψυχη [ψυχικόν is adjective for ψυχη]

 1 Corinthians 15:44 it
is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual
body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

 σπείρεται σῶμα ψυχικόν, ἐγείρεται σῶμα πνευματικόν. Εἰ

ἔστιν σῶμα ψυχικόν, ἔστιν καὶ πνευματικόν.

 Right click on ψυχικόν,  “Send to Lexicon Browser” = results:

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  ψυχικός, ή, όν of life in the natural world and what pertains
to it; (1) as governed by sensual appetites and lived apart
from the Spirit of God natural, unspiritual, worldly (1C
2.14; JU 19); (2) as being a characteristic of the earthly
body physical, natural (1C 15.44); neuter as a
substantive τὸ ψυχικόν what is physical (1C 15.46)

 PLUS: In “Analysis” window, click on “X-Refs” (here is

one text of many…)
 1Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of
the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him…

ψυχικὸς δὲ ἄνθρωπος οὐ δέχεται τὰ τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ θεοῦ;

μωρία γὰρ αὐτῷ

 NOTE on immortality:

 1 Cor. 15:53 For this perishable body must put on the

imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

 Δεῖ γὰρ τὸ φθαρτὸν τοῦτο ἐνδύσασθαι ἀφθαρσίαν καὶ

τὸ θνητὸν τοῦτο ἐνδύσασθαι ἀθανασίαν.

 Punctuation in Luke 23:43 [The issue about “today” and “paradise.”]

 ,
And Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth today you will be with
me in paradise."

,
 εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἀμήν σοι λέγω σήμερον μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ ἔσῃ ἐν τῷ
παραδείσῳ (USB)
 The highlighted commas in both the English and Greek texts came
into the Greek text during the 9th century (or later). All Greek
manuscripts had no punctuation whatsoever until 935 AD and later.

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  In “Analysis” window, click on “MSS”
 Highlight Sinaiticus and right click; send to clipboard  in
WORD, hit Ctrl + V to paste

The reading below is from codex Sinaiticus, a manuscript dated

around 350 AD. To help you read it, here is a modern-day script of
the ancient manuscript:

 Line 2: ειπεν αυτω α

 Line 3: μην λεγω σοι ση
 Line 4: μερον μετ εμου
 Line 5: εση εν τω Παρα
 Line 6: δαισω
[No comma]

For all of the key additions in BW 10, go to their web site and click on what is new.

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