The Word

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT 

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Translation, Interpretation, Paraphrase, Commentary, and Revelation.

The Word of God in written form is our Bible. Yet there are many versions of it and many views as to what it means to us today. It can be confusing to most of us. Even though the original was written in Hebrew (Old Testament), Aramaic and Greek (New Testament), we of English speak countries seem to think the version we have is the correct one. 

Many even argue that the King James Version is the only true Bible. Well there are many other versions. Some are translations from the original Hebrew and Greek like the NIV (New International Version) and NLT (New Living Translation) versions. Others are interpretations or paraphrases of one of the translations like the TLB (The Living Bible). And then there are many commentaries found as individual books or even as study notes in the different versions.

I believe God knows what we are reading. And He knows what we need to hear for the moment. As we read our favorite version either randomly or with some preset method God reveals to us what we need to have. As we read He puts thoughts in our mind that may not even seem to fit the scripture we are reading; He gives us those Ah Ha moments. He fills us with exactly what we need for that moment. He gives us new revelation.

As this scripture points out, all scripture is good to teach us right from wrong and how to live godly lives. It says ALL not SOME. It is not a menu to pick and choose from. As we read God's Word He teaches us and then it is up to us to apply it to our daily lives and become the person He designed us to be.