Paraphrasing

The paraphrasing workout

This is an exercise that people tend to shy away from, and yet when they experience it they realise how much it can help them get to grips with Bible.  Sometimes we pass over the more difficult parts of the Bible, and if someone were to ask us to explain what we have read, we wouldn’t know how to go about it.  ‘Paraphrasing’ can really help you understand the meaning behind the words.  ‘Paraphrasing’ is a fancy word for using your own words to express the meaning of the passage.  Even familiar verses can have a new freshness about them.  We need, of course, to be careful that we don’t change the meaning of the passage but just express it in a different manner.  After you have paraphrased a piece of Scripture, look up The Living Bible, which is a paraphrase of the Bible, or perhaps look up a commentary to see if you have altered the meaning at all.  Try the following verse and you will see how easy it is.

This week’s EXERCISE

Paraphrase 1 John 3:1a

This is an amazing verse - so much truth in it.  Try putting it into your own words.  You’ll find it will bring a real freshness to the verse.  Remember to look at The Message or The Living Bible (both of which are paraphrases of the Bible), or a commentary on the Bible to make sure you haven’t altered the meaning of the verse.

There are many other exercises in my book ‘Spiritual Health Workout’ which will further your walk with God.  You can purchase this book online on the shop page.  Join me next week for a new exercise.