What Does It Mean to Prosper? How to Study God's Word (Part 4)

As we begin to a diagram of 3 John 2 it is very important to break down the parts and whole of this particular verse of scripture (2 Tim. 2:15). It is quite unfortunate that many within the leadership of the church today "spiritualize" that of scripture to make it say what the Bible does not affirm (2 Pet. 3:16).  The apostle Peter refers to such men as "ignorant and unstable" who distort the truth as they do also the other scriptures unto their own destruction. Whenever the leadership are taught to pervert the truth of God's Word adversely affect those who are followers of their churches and ministries. It is a tragedy of all tragedies whenever God's people are taught a wrap sense of scripture so as to led others astray (2 Tim. 3:13).

   Now let us begin by reading 3 John 2 where it says, "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." (NIV)  There are a few key points within this particular passage of scripture. So let us begin to do a diagram on 3 John 2 where it says,

 Dear Friend,

I pray that you may

enjoy

good health

and that

all may go well

with you, 

even as

your soul

is 

getting along well. 

   Why is it so important to do a diagram on 3 John 2?  Many times leaders within the church today especially among Charismatics and Pentecostal movements will run over reading the verse of scripture by which they miss what is most important within the context of scripture.  In order to understand clearly that of God's Word is comparing scripture with scripture (1 Cor. 2:13, 14).  Any biblical passage of scripture that is under study must be compared with other scriptures in light of its context. Context, context, context rules. For any interpreter of the Bible that violates the basics of hermeneutics ("science of interpretation") is to grossly misinterpret God's Word. This is the basis of Bible interpretation. Even those Bible passages that are difficult to understand is that there are other passage of scripture that will shed light upon those difficult verse of the Bible (2 Pet. 3:15, 16).  

   Secondly it is also very important that we understand the wording of the passage of the Bible by which the Bible in and of itself can also shed light upon its biblical meaning. Never should the interpreter of the Bible pour "new" meaning into biblical words but that the Bible must be the standard definition of such biblical terminologies. Their are particular sects and cults that utilize biblical words ("Firstborn") at will but gives a different meaning of those words.  They have in fact "redefine" biblical words to fit within the ideology or beliefs of such cultic movement (Rom. 16:17-18). Just because Jehovah's Witness mentioned the word "firstborn" according to the Bible does not mean that it is based upon the standard definition of the Bible (2 Cor. 11:3) but that we must insist that they define those terms in light of scripture.  The most powerful arsenal of cult evangelism is the semantic jungle of how they confuse the minds and hearts of people to penetrate the wall of deception and manipulation (2 Cor. 4:1-4).  Thus it does not apply to cults that are out there but that there are cults within the walls of the Church who wave the flag, "Jesus Is Lord" but fall under the category of such fringe groups.  Those who are proponents of the prosperity-faith message are "guilty" by default of pouring "new" meanings into the words of scripture ("prosper") according to 3 John 2.

   Third, it is also important that we understand the history of the context of the Bible that surrounds a Bible verse or passages of scripture. For example according to 3 John 2 is that the apostle John was writing a letter or salutation to his recipient Gaius (v. 3).  In order to know the history of the text of scripture is to ask the "five" interrogatives: that of the who, what, when, where, and why.  As the student of the Bible begins to ask questions regarding the Bible passage under study is to be honest in answering the text of scripture (e.g. 3 Jn. 2).  There are leaders within such "fringe" groups who believe that it is not necessary to questioned that of the Bible but to "blindly" except what it says or to get such spiritual "revelation" so as to go beyond the "mere" words of scripture.  The Bible warns against mysticism in the church today (Col. 2:18, 19).

   In order to help the student of the Bible is to get a good study Bible (i.e. "NIV" "ESV") so as to understand the words of the passage of scripture along with scriptural margins and commentary notes.  A good Greek-Hebrew concordance are also excellent for the student of the Bible to understand the "original" words in light of history.  We must also understand the word "love" have three different meanings ("phileo," "agape," "eros") by which it does not mean the same. 

   As the student of the Bible begins to do a diagram on 3 John 2 it is very important to breakdown the parts as well as the whole of this particular passage of scripture. But also compare the scripture with each parts of this particular Bible passage so as to get such a clear understanding (2 Cor. 2:13, 14). Always remember that there are several other Bible passages that shed light upon the text of scripture under study but must be within its proper context. That is the basis of Bible interpretation.  Context, context, context rules; not proof-texting that of scripture (2 Cor. 2:13, 14; 2 Pet. 3:16).


Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" He is the Podcast Host of, "ASK DARRYL" which airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."