word study means that we go back and look at the original word used and determine what the intent of that word is...for those that don't know what word study is...a quick word study of the word meek means this...
mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness.
The Chinese have a saying.... a word can have a thousand different meanings, depending upon how it was said.
The Greek and Hebrew languages had modifiers for words that could totally change emphasis and intent. Reading words studies are a help, but can be totally misleading as well.
Only someone who knows how to speak the languages is qualified to extract exact meanings when that would be critical in getting what was intended correctly.
In my early years I spent many hours trying to scour word studies and Bible dictionaries in two different Bible college libraries... and in my time of travels stopping at different Christian bookstores to search their reference book shelves....
Nothing beats learning from men whom God has chosen to dedicate their life to studying and teaching. Nothing. Some think they are qualified and become quite jealous and upset when they are finally exposed to the few God had reserved for himself to benefit the body of Christ. Benefit in a time that "many" are functioning as self satisfied ... self appointed... and inspired by spirits that counterfeit being the Holy Spirit. We are in a gigantic war. Real war. Not make believe war. The self satisfied are causalities of this war. We should all do our personal study. But, very few should ever teach others. We can teach a thing or two, here and there. But, not in the position of being a teacher.
Here is what we are now facing...
1 Timothy 4:3
"For the time will come when they will not put up with sound doctrine.
Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a
great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
A large number of lousy teachers. Marketing experts who instinctively know what a segment of the body of Christ "prefer" to hear. Opportunists. They sell a product and market it by distorting God's Word to make it sound like what a particular believer with certain natural inclinations wants to hear.
That is why Jesus said we must take up our own cross and deny self if we are to follow him! He was the Word made flesh! He insulted. He infuriated. He did not spare anyone's arrogant feelings. Yet, He was the Truth. Unless one can accept correction? And, then take their erroneous thinking to their own cross and deny themselves of having their pride satisfied? They will not be true disciples of him. They will be marketing opportunists selling a false doctrinal product that will be snapped up by folks craving junk food.
Paul warned Timothy that there would be a great number of teachers who will not be genuinely teaching sound doctrine. Some are more obvious than others.
James tells us that when the Holy Spirit has his way with believers we would find only a very few teachers amongst us. Not many. Paul said that there will be many who teach what is not sound doctrine!
"For the time will come when they will not put up with sound doctrine.
Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a
great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
James tells us?
"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because
you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." Ja 3:1
Many are teaching believers walking in their flesh what their flesh wants to believe. Its the gimmick most preachers follow today. They learn the system of what people want to create their theological product... and in doing so find a way win approval of by others and even to make a means for living. That is, if they are not some self depriving type who by nature who teaches we are to all suffer for Christ at all times.... And sadly, their teaching guarantees they will always suffer.