Read It

I was told by one of my favorite Bible professors (all but one were fantastic and my favorites really) that when studying a book of the Bible, one should read through the book three times in three different translations. I find it interesting to read in Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase, The Message, to get a bird’s eye view of a book. But translation is really a matter of preference – there are several good ones out there. Some are more accurate word-for-word and others thought for thought. I have a New Geneva Study Bible that was given to me at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Muncie, Indiana on December 22, 1997. This Christmas gift was presented to the youth director (me) from the youth group. My well-worn, teal green NIV student Bible was falling apart at the seams from all the use and abuse from four years of study as a Christian Education major at Taylor University. So there was a welcomed need for a new Bible, although it can be a challenge to break in a new Bible. We love the familiar, don’t we? In time, my new Bible became the new familiar. And I even got used to the New King James version, which I have grown to like over the years.
So, before we dive into a more in-depth look at this letter from Paul to the church in Philippi, take some time to read through at least once in a reliable translation. There are only four short chapters and this can be done in less than an hour. Go grab a cup of coffee and read through Philippians. Read it aloud. Stand up and read it. Get on your knees and read it. Read it to a friend or a spouse or a child. Or just read it like you usually read the Word. And as you read, ask the Holy Spirit of God to guide your thoughts and open up your heart to hear the Word of God – the precious, holy words of our awesome God.