Word Meanings in the New Testament

Dr. Earle had two goals in mind as he wrote and compiled these fascinating word studies: 1) to help the preacher understand the Scriptures more clearly and to expound their message more accurately and effectively; 2) to help all students of the Word to discover the rich mine of truth awaiting those who study the original language of the biblical text.

As an aid to the layperson, all Greek words have been transliterated, and the accompanying discussion is always practical rather than technical.

All words and phrases are treated in canonical order—book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse. Cross references are numerous. Each study is introduced with a verse number and the word or words (from the King James Version) in bold print. Layout and design provide for quick reference.

Although translations help to convey the meanings of many words and phrases in the original Greek of the New Testament, no translation can possibly bring out all the varied nuances of the Greek. That is why Word Meanings can be an important tool for the person who desires to understand the Word of God more fully.

Ralph Earle has served as Distinguished Professor of New Testament Emeritus at the Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri, where he first began teaching in 1945.

In more recent years he has served on the fifteen-man Committee on Bible Translation, the governing body for the New International Version of the Bible.