Study Tools: The Amplified Bible
Value
of the Amplified
If I could only
have two translations of Scripture, The
Amplified Bible would be my
second pick. It provides an easy step into another level of
depth and richness in Scripture.
Words are included in brackets and/or parentheses which
expand on the meanings of a single word. As you read a
passage thus rendered, you get a better idea of what the
people of the time would have intuitively understood when
these words were spoken or written.
This translation draws on knowledge of the Hebrew and Greek
languages as well as cultural and archeological background
of Biblical times…rich treasure of scholarship!
How
To Use the Amplified for Prayer
Exercise
1
Look
at a comparison between Ephesians 1:4-5 in the NKJV and
in
The Amplified:
NKJV
Ephesians
1:4-5
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the
world that we should be holy and without blame before Him
in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by
Christ Jesus to Himself according to the good will of his
pleasure.
Amplified
Ephesians
1:4-5
Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out
for himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of
the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set
apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above
reproach, before Him in love.
For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for
us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through
Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [
b. because it pleased Him and was His kind intent].
b. Marvin
Vincent, Word Studies in the NT
As you can see, the Amplified version is
longer…longer because of the expanded word meanings.
These expanded word meanings are usually a gold mine to
pray scripture.
For instance, read the selection above from the NKJV. Your
mind stumbles over the word “holy”.
“I’m not holy…just ask my friend and
family!” If you don’t have time to study out
the meaning of “holy”, you’ll probably
keep scanning until you find verses that feel more
comfortable for immediate prayer.
Now look at what the
Amplified does with
“holy”: (consecrated and set apart for Him).
This is not so intimidating, “more reachable”,
you say. You ponder these words, rolling them over and over
in prayer (meditation). Then you find yourself in a prayer
dialogue with God:
“Lord,
I commit my heart to be consecrated to You, to be totally
focused on You. Teach me what it means to be “set
apart”. What do I need to detach from? What do I need
to attach to? Lord, lead me and guide me in this way of
holiness for I truly desire to be blameless in your
sight.”
(Author’s prayer)
Exercise
2
Let’s
look at one more passage. When I minister at Teen Challenge
I like to open with Isaiah 61: 1-7 in the
Amplified. This is a
lengthy, so let’s just sample verse three to get a
sense of the depth and texture in the Amplified
translation.
NKJV
Isaiah
61:3
To console all who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty
for ashes, the oil of jour for mourning, the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called
trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He
may be glorified.
Amplified
Isaiah
61:3
To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in
Zion - to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of
beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of
mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a
heavy burdened, and failing spirit – that they may be
called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and
magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and
right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He
may be glorified.
Does the
Amplified ever open up this verse of Scripture!
Thank
you, Lord, for calling me to be an oak of righteousness:
lofty, strong and magnificent, distinguished for
right-standing with God. Thank you, Lord! I am an oak that
You have planted that You may be glorified in my life. Be
glorified in me, O God: in all I think, in all I do, in all
I become. I go forth clothed with praise and oiled with
joy! (author’s
prayer)
The Amplified makes it so easy to pray!
Some
Study Helps Included
Now if you get
the expanded version, it will have a fairly extensive
concordance in the back that was developed just for
the
Amplified translation. Very handy!
There is also some cross-referencing. The referenced
Scriptures come in brackets at the end of a verse. These
references are convenient, but there are not enough of them
to make this a study Bible. Study Bible or not, the
richness of this translation makes The
Amplified Bible a must-have!
More
Resources
26
Translations - New
Testament and poetic books of the Old Testament
Concordance
Strong's Concordance
for word meanings