How to do a Bible Word Study Online

Learn how to use these free tools to do a Bible word study online with these 6 simple steps. Every Christian should know how to do this type of study.

Learn how to use these free tools to do a Bible word study online with these 6 simple steps. Every Christian should know how to do this type of study. 

Last week I finished writing the materials for ABIDE: A MINI COURSE on abiding in Christ. One of the things I did as I prepared for the course is a word study.  I studied the word “consider” found in Romans 6:11.

Studying that one word was so rich I became convinced everyone needs to know how to do a basic Bible word study! So if you are new to word studies, or just want to know how to do it online using free tools, this post will teach you how to do just that.

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Check out these 6 simple steps to do a Bible word study online using free tools. Every Christian should know how to do this!

 

When you come across a word in scripture that you wonder about, or a key word is repeated in a chapter, use these steps to do a word study on it. It will deepen your understanding of the passage and draw you closer to the heart of God.

Disclaimer: I do own bible study software that I use to study the scriptures. However, I also use online tools because many things can be done completely free online, including word studies. So today I’ll walk you through 6 simple steps for doing a Bible word study using free online tools.

6 Steps for a Bible Word Study:

How to do a Bible word study in 6 simple steps... using free online tools!

1. Look up the English meaning of your word.

Once you have your word chosen, begin by looking it up in a dictionary. Although we want to see the word in the original language, this step will give you a frame of reference for your word and get you thinking a little deeper about it’s meaning. I normally use the Miriam Webster dictionary for this step.

2. Go to biblestudytools.com to search your word.

So here’s where you’re going to get busy. I’ve included screen shots to help you quickly navigate the site.

What you’re going to do is search reference materials to find the original word in Hebrew or Greek, as well as the meaning and intent of your word in the original language.

Not all versions of the Bible are searchable for some of the reference tools (such as Strong’s Concordance or the New Testament Greek Lexicon), so you’ll need to select the New American Standard Bible to do a word study search. Just enter the scripture reference your word appears in and select the New American Standard Bible. Below is an example:
Bible Word Study 1

Once you’ve made your selection, hit “Find It!” Your verse will pop up. All the words in blue text are searchable. Simply click on the word you are studying like so:

7 Simple steps to do a Bible word study online!

3. Write down the definitions for your word.

When you click on the blue text, it will pull up a detailed list of the word in it’s original language, the part of speech it is, it’s meaning, where it is found in the Bible, and more.

Go ahead and read through the definitions and write down what it means in your own words.

7 Simple steps to do a Bible word study online!

 

4. Make observations about the word.

Once you’ve looked at the definition, you’ll want to make some basic observations about the word such as:

>What part of speech it is

>How many times this word is used in Scripture

>What books/writers use this word

>The contexts the word is mentioned in

>Where it first occurred in Scripture

Then, if possible, look up all the verses that contain this word.

 

7 Simple steps to do a Bible word study online!

To complete this step, jot down your observations about how this word is used in the Bible.

5. Find the root meaning.

The next thing you’ll want to pay attention to is the word origin. This will give further insight into the root word and overall intent/ connotations associated with your word.

7 Simple steps to do a Bible word study online!

For example, when I did my study, I found the root word associated with “consider” is “logos.” This was another rich study in and of itself and I drew several conclusions as to how these words relate and what it means for me as a follower of Christ.

6. Write out an application.

The final step is to make a personal application. Bible study should result in a changed life. Here is where you’ll take everything you found and write out a personal, practical conclusion.

That’s it! Now that you know how to do it, share what word you’re going to study first~ I’d love to hear it!

 

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20 Comments

  1. Love this! My dad started me in inductive Bible study when I was 9…years before we had the internet. So I learned to do word studies with hard copy books. Since then, I’ve always LOVED getting into the Word this way. Another good reference site is BlueLetterBible.com. It has many of the same things you taught us above, along with some other language references that deepen my understanding of the word’s meaning. I really enjoy using both sites if I’m not using the study software we own. Thanks for this post!

  2. I love using BibleStudyTools.com as a quick reference guide during study and teaching prep. We also use the Olive Tree Bible app, which I love for pulling up different versions of scripture quickly to see the application and context within different versions. Praying this tutorial will bless many women, esp. those new to digging in and studying His word!

  3. I like this a lot! I usually just use my blueletterbible app, which does a pretty good job but I think I’ll try this approach for future word studies.

    Lovies!!!
    Jodi

  4. Great post. Such useful info. I love word studies! I use them a lot in my writing. I use biblestudytools.com primarily, but Lifeway also has a version that is good, especially for lexicon use.

  5. This was really helpful. Still having a little trouble using it but will continue to do so. Love digging deeper into the Word and learning root words and meanings. Thank you for this! !

  6. This is great and so helpful. I have a word that has been plaguing me for a couple of weeks and wasn’t sure what to do with it now I know exactly. Thank you for this great insight x

  7. Hi I was wondering if I missed something here. While reading your blog about biblestudytools.com I opened a window on my computer and tried to follow your directions. I learn best by doing. I found the site and did the search. My problem was that no words were blue. No matter what verse I put in. Any suggestions?

    1. Make sure you are using the New American Standard Bible translation. Also, click on the settings cog and check the box next to Strongs Numbers.

    2. I am having the same problem. I think they’ve updated the website since this post was written. Hopefully there will be an updated post soon.

      1. M.Stacey:

        Try hitting the Interlinear button. (I’ve copied and pasted here the screenshot). The words should turn blue AND you’ll also see the entire verse in either Hebrew or Greek depending upon its original language usage.

        11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
        Romans 6:10 Romans 6 Romans 6:12
        In Context Parallel
        Interlinear Compare

        Hope this helps!

  8. *This is How I found what she was talking about*

    1) Type in Romans 6:11
    2) Click FIND IT
    3) Click NASB
    4) Look for GEAR ICON, next to PRINTER Icon
    5) I clicked * CROSS REF * FOOTNOTES and *STRONG NUMBERS
    6) Close that box out
    7) Click Consider (or whatever word YOU are wanting to find out about
    8) Then finish following her tutorial

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