Synthetic Bible Studies by James Gray

• Title Page
  • Original Publisher’s Note
  • Introduction by the Author
• Pentateuch
• History
• Poetry
• Prophets
• Post Captivity Prophets
• Gospels, Acts
• Pauline Epistles
• General Epistles

The last rule, but not the least by any means, is to read the lesson prayerfully. There are two reasons for this: In the first place, the Bible cannot be studied “just like any other book,” because it is unlike every other book in the world. It is God’s own Book. The Holy Spirit wrote it through holy men of old (II Peter 1:21), and its Author is its only true and safe interpreter. Coleridge said: “The Bible without the Holy Spirit is a sun-dial by moonlight,” and a greater than he said: “We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Corinthians 2:12).

But then the other reason is this: Do we not desire our Bible study to be something more than a feast of intellect? Do we not desire Him whom our soul loveth to tell us where He feeds His flock, where He maketh them to rest at noon? (Song of Solomon 1:7). Do we not wish to lie down in the green pastures and be led beside the still waters? Do we not desire a rich blessing in our souls? But how can this be without the power of the Holy Ghost through the Word, and how shall we obtain this power except as we ask? (Luke 11:13). Cultivate prayer, I beseech you. Punctuate the reading of every book, and chapter and verse with it if you would have this study to be a real delight.

James M. Gray