Word Study Shortcuts
While I recommend you learn how to do your own word studies, here are some shortcuts you can take to save time, to get past “study block” or compare your ideas with someone else’s.
How to Study Psalms & Proverbs
How to Study Psalms & Proverbs made simple. Spot parallelism, read in stanzas, and apply God’s wisdom with simple, clear steps.
14 How To Confront With the Meekness of Christ (2 Corinthians 10)
In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul shows how spiritual authority follows the example of the meekness of Christ. He is gentle with the church and courageous with deceivers, using truth, not theatrics, to dismantle lies and build people up in the Lord.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
Why some in Corinth said Paul was “humble in person” but “bold in letters,” and how he answers that charge with pastoral clarity.
What the “meekness and gentleness of Christ” means, and how Jesus used authority to serve, not to dominate.
What it means that our weapons are not “of the flesh,” and how truth demolishes strongholds and takes every thought captive to obey Christ.
How to spot teachers who impress with charisma but lack faithfulness, and why boasting belongs to the Lord, not to ourselves.
Paul’s resolve to be tender with the church yet bold with opponents, protecting the flock without lording authority over their faith.
After listening, you’ll be able to recognize leadership that serves rather than showboats, measure messages by Scripture instead of polish, and practice discernment that brings your thinking under Christ. You will see that meekness is not weakness; it is strength directed by love, and it is the way of Jesus for all who follow him.
How to do a word study
Word studies are one of the basic tools of Bible study. With today’s tools, you don’t have to know Greek and Hebrew to do a good word study. Here’s how.
How to Cross Reference
Learn how to cross reference Scripture with a simple method: start near, test relevance, and let clear verses explain hard ones. Tools, examples, FAQs.
13 Cheerful Giver: How to Sow for a Lasting Harvest (2 Corinthians 8-9)
In 2 Corinthians 8–9, Paul calls the Corinthian church to be cheerful givers and complete a promise they once made with joy: to support their fellow believers in Jerusalem. But this appeal is about much more than money. It’s a spiritual invitation to live out faith through sacrificial generosity, restore broken trust, and affirm unity across cultural and spiritual divides.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
Why Paul views the Jerusalem collection as both charity and spiritual responsibility
How the Corinthians’ initial enthusiasm faded and what that reveals about faith
The example of the Macedonians and what it teaches about grace-driven giving
Paul’s emphasis on integrity, transparency, and voluntary generosity
What it means to “sow bountifully” and reap a harvest of righteousness
How generosity reflects both love for God and love for others
By the end of the episode, you’ll see how generosity is more than a good deed—it’s a reflection of spiritual health, unity in Christ, and trust in God’s provision. This message will encourage you to think not just about what you give, but how and why you give.
Understanding the Gospels
The gospels are unique in content, although they are similar in form to ancient biographies.
How to Study Epistles
Learn a simple six-step method to study New Testament epistles: trace arguments, define key terms, and apply Scripture with confidence. Free checklist.
12 Why Gentiles Gave to Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8-9 Background)
2 Corinthians 8–9 records Paul’s advice to Corinth about the Jerusalem Collection. But it isn’t just about fundraising. In order to understand this event, we trace the story behind the Jerusalem Collection. We look at various passages in Acts, Galatians and Romans. so we can hear Paul’s appeal to Corinth the way his first listeners did.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
Paul’s path from persecutor to apostle (Acts 9; Gal 1).
How a famine prophecy in Antioch launched the first relief gift and why “remember the poor” became Paul’s standing charge (Acts 11:27–30; Gal 2:10).
How the Jerusalem Council’s decision shaped Paul’s mission strategy (Acts 15).
Paul’s theological rationale behind the collection (Romans 15) and his prayer that the gift would be accepted despite real risks in Jerusalem (Acts 21).
Three intertwined motives behind the Collection.
By listening you’ll gain: an example of how to do a background study; and a clear understanding of the historical situation behind 2 Corinthians 8–9.
Understanding Prophecy
Studying biblical prophecy is an often overwhelming task. Much of it is written in Hebrew poetry. The names and places are foreign, and the metaphors don’t always resonate with our modern ears. Yet we can usually understand the main point. If studying an Old Testament prophet overwhelms you, here are some tips to get you started.
September 2025 Reflections
Here’s what’s new on Wednesday in the Word in September, 2025. Two new resources this month: a free Bible Study Starter Kit and a brand-new page with all my free downloads in one place. NEW Free Resources Bible Study Starter Kit a simple, text-first method...
11 Godly Grief and Worldly Sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:2-16)
In 2 Corinthians 7:2–16, the Apostle Paul reflects on a painful moment in his relationship with the Corinthian church where he chose to speak hard truth out of love. His “sorrowful letter” caused grief, but it also sparked repentance and renewed connection. This passage offers profound insight into how godly sorrow can produce lasting spiritual change.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
Why Paul wrote a sorrowful letter instead of visiting in person.
How the Corinthians responded and what it revealed about their hearts.
The difference between godly grief and worldly sorrow.
What Titus reported back to Paul and why it mattered.
How we can apply Paul’s approach when facing difficult conversations today.
By listening, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how confrontation, when done with humility and love, can strengthen relationships and deepen faith. Krisan Marotta walks through the text with clarity and insight, helping you see how Scripture speaks into real-life challenges.
About the Author
Krisan Marotta is a Bible teacher and host of Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.