Study

2 Timothy 2:15 tells us to “Study to shew thyself approved…”

What are you currently studying? Or what's the last thing you studied?
Now, I’m not asking about the last thing you knew to Biblically true that you sought to put into practice. I mean that thing where you sought what the Word of God really says about a certain topic.
What tools do you employ when studying? So many good study bibles are available, which also means that there are some that miss the mark. A good systematic theology book is also a useful tool to help see broad scope as well as minutiae in regards to certain things.
Thing is, I believe that God honors study because it reflects a sincere desire to “know” and if you investigate Scripture, Our Heavenly Father emphasizes ‘being known’.

Here’s an example of study – I’m interested in the word “peculiar”. It’s not used a whole lot but when it’s used, it’s a distinguishing characteristic of God’s people as opposed to people who are not His.
People of the world may be good, morally upstanding, kind to strangers and possibly easily mistaken for His, but this also means that we can think we’re His because of the presence of these attributes, yet actually not be.

Using the KJV version, searching for peculiar, we see its first usage in Exodus 19, verse 5. Blue Letter Bible.org has tools that show the original Hebrew for the Old Testament, and original Greek for the New. This helps us see the definition and gives an insight into the context of why that word was chosen.

Old Testament Hebrew - סְגֻלָּה
seg-ool-law'; feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to shut up; wealth (as closely shut up):—jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special.

New Testament Greek - περιούσιος
per-ee-oo'-see-os; from the present participle feminine of a compound of G4012 (Pere- about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near ) and
G1510;(eimi) to be, to exist, to happen, to be present  being beyond usual

If you go after the usage of this word and the contexts in which its used, of course you get the idea of special value, unusual and personal ownership. However, you’ll also see, even from its first use that our peculiarity comes at a condition.

Here’s The Word:

Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

These are the first and last Bible verses that use the word peculiar. So you see, that your peculiarity is not an automatic endowment, it comes from the right response of recognizing that we are servants and that we have a LORD that has spoken His covenant to us. Also, notice the result in 1 Peter 2. It seems that a mark of peculiar people is that they “shew forth praises”, knowing His mercy and grace that met us in an underserving place and gave us all things. This peculiarity is not only what God desires, but also what He requires. Micah 6:8 encompasses the idea perfectly. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

This is where the application of what we’ve studied takes on a distinguishing expression. Following what the Scriptures say will make more of a difference in us than simply being kind or generous or pleasant to be around. Continually desiring and being filled with the Spirit as emphasized in Ephesians 5:18 – 20. When you look at the expressiveness of that verse…..you see “peculiar”.

In closing, search your heart and think to yourself, what would I love to learn from The Father today, and go after it. Study. Take Him at His Word: He’s more than willing to have you know more and more of Him.


In Him,
Cros