Exegetically Speaking

Psalm 46 is a psalm for our moment, and its encouraging message is amplified when read in Hebrew. The psalm reminds us that amidst the nations in uproar, and battles, and devastations, and mountains falling into the sea, the God of Jacob is our high fortress, lifting us above the chaos. Our instinct in turmoil is to tighten our grip on things. The psalmist advises us to let go and know that the Lord is God. Dr. Megan Roberts is an alumna of the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton College, and Professor of Old Testament and Program Director of Bible/Theology at Prairie College, Alberta, Canada. Her dissertation, Memory Formation in Isaiah 40–55: Healing to Accomplish Comfort, is forthcoming with Brill. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3As5Gxy M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4der6wI

1 Peter 2:23 is translated in the NIV as, "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats." Close attention to the Greek grammar can illuminate that Christ's non-retaliation was an enduring one, outlasting the repeated attacks made on him. Dr. Darian Lockett is Professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America. Among his publications are, Letters for the Church: Reading James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude as Canon and Letters from the Pillar Apostles: The Formation of the Catholic Epistles as a Canonical Collection. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3yeGTfX M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4d6MGmV

John Walton, an Old Testament scholar and Professor Emeritus at Wheaton College, dives into the complexities of Daniel 12:2-3. He challenges the interpretation of this passage as a resurrection text, suggesting it rather speaks to the moral lessons encoded in the stars. Walton proposes that everlasting life is about being remembered in stories rather than a literal afterlife. He also explores how historical context has shifted the understanding of this passage over time, questioning long-held doctrinal beliefs.

1 Timothy 4:1 is translated by the NLT, "Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith." Some take the Greek behind "the last times" to mean "the last days," the extreme end of history. But is that Paul's meaning? Dr. Jermo van Nes is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven, Belgium. Among his publications are, (co-editor) Let God Be True: Perspectives on Romans 3, (author) Pauline Language and the Pastoral Epistles, and (co-editor), Drawing and Transcending Boundaries in the New Testament and Early Christianity. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4cNrBO3 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3LujQjY

Proverbs 15:12 is translated, "mockers resent correction" (NIV), "scoffers do not like to be rebuked" (NRSV), "mockers hate to be corrected" (NLT), and in other ways. Close attention to the Hebrew wording enhances our awareness of the character type (the scoffer) and the response to reproof (does not love it). Dr. Arthur Keefer is a Presbyterian Minister at the Scots' Church in Melbourne and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Divinity (Trinity College, Melbourne). His publications include, Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World, and (co-editor) The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Wisdom Literature. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3LgaoAH M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3Yfno1t

A close and careful reading of the words and grammatical constructions of Revelation 3:20 will clarify at whose door the Lord stands, and the strong encouragement of what he is doing there. Dr. Scott Duvall is Fuller Professor of New Testament at Ouachita Baptist University. Among his publications are (with J. Daniel Hays), Grasping God's Word, Fourth Edition: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible and God's Relational Presence. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3WivvsF M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3SoN8ET

When an OT character is first introduced in narrative literature, we are typically given important clues about who they are and what they are going to do. So it is with Elijah, a foreigner who would seem to be an unlikely opponent of Baal worship. Dr. David Firth is Old Testament Lecturer at Trinity College, Bristol, UK. Among his publications are, Including the Stranger: Foreigners in the Former Prophets, 1 & 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Study Guide: A Kingdom Comes, and (co-edited with Brittany Melton) Reading the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3RMY2E5 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4cBEcU7

Among the spiritual gifts Paul lists in Romans 12 is diakonia, often translated simply as "ministry" or "service." The social context of the Greek speaking world can assist us in understanding more fully what this term signified for them. Dr. Teresa McCaskill is an independent researcher who resides in central Florida. She has authored Gifts and Ritual: The Charismata of Romans 12: 6-8 in the Context of Roman Religion, and is working on a second book. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4bvshGE M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/45HZVHQ

"Train up a child in the way he should go" (KJV) is a popular proverb, but to understand what it means we have to understand what biblical proverbs are, and what key Hebrew words of this proverb likely intend. Dr. Richard Schultz is the Blanchard Professor of Old Testament in Wheaton College Graduate School. In addition to other publications, he has authored Out of Context: How to Avoid Misinterpreting the Bible and co-edited with Daniel Block, Bind Up the Testimony: Explorations in the Genesis of the Book of Isaiah. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3VjzzqN M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4ca9xgE

Pablo Deiros is an Argentinian pastor, teacher, author, and more. He recounts his years of learning Hebrew and Greek and their importance for his work as a church historian. His publications include Historia Global del Cristianismo and Historia Del Cristianismo En America Latina. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4aVmlGB M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4b8N2ru