How Does Biblical Theology Differ from Word Studies, and Why Are Concepts Often More Important Than Individual Words?
Biblical theology is the theological interpretation of Scripture in and for the church, approached with historical and literary sensitivity. One of its essential distinctives is that it aims to trace the theological message of the Bible as a whole, rather than focusing narrowly on the study of individual words. While word studies can have value, biblical theology often emphasizes concepts—ideas that may be expressed through a variety of words, images, and literary forms. Understanding this difference protects interpretation from distortion and allows the church to grasp the full scope of God’s revelation in Christ.
1. Definition and Limits of Word Studies
A word study examines the meaning, usage, and nuances of a single term in Scripture. It often involves:
Lexical analysis – exploring the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek term.
Frequency counts – noting how often the word appears in the biblical text.
Contextual examination – studying how the word is used in different passages.
While such studies can clarify specific terms, they have significant limitations:
Over-reliance on vocabulary – Assuming that a word’s meaning is the same in every context.
Neglect of broader context – Focusing on a term without considering the literary or theological framework.
Risk of reductionism – Confining an idea to the specific word instead of recognizing its broader conceptual presence.
For example, studying the Greek word agapē (love) can illuminate its use, but it cannot capture the fullness of the Bible’s teaching on love, which is also conveyed in stories like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) that never use the term.
2. Nature and Method of Conceptual Study
Biblical theology moves beyond individual words to study theological concepts—truths and realities revealed in Scripture that may be expressed in many different ways. A concept-based approach:
Recognizes multiple expressions – Different authors may use different terms for the same idea.
Includes narrative and imagery – Stories, parables, and symbols often communicate core biblical truths without using specific key words.
Connects the canon – Concepts can be traced from Genesis to Revelation, even when terminology changes.
Three examples from Scripture illustrate why concepts often surpass individual words in importance:
Grace – While words like grace, mercy, and kindness appear throughout the Bible, the concept includes God’s covenant faithfulness, His unmerited favor, and His steadfast love—even in passages where none of these terms are used (e.g., God providing for Israel in the wilderness).
Exclusion and Restoration – Terms for excommunication vary widely, yet the concept appears in laws, historical narratives, and New Testament church discipline passages, all emphasizing holiness, repentance, and salvation.
Gentleness – Expressed through words like humility, meekness, and kindness, this concept is embodied in Christ (Matthew 11:29) and presented as a mark of Christian maturity.
3. Advantages of Conceptual over Lexical Focus
A conceptual approach offers several benefits for biblical theology:
Prevents tunnel vision – Avoids limiting a theme to a single vocabulary set.
Captures theological richness – Includes imagery, types, and actions that communicate the same truth.
Honors the diversity of Scripture – Recognizes that different biblical authors contribute uniquely to a concept’s development.
Facilitates whole-Bible theology – Traces the progression of a truth through redemptive history.
For instance, the biblical concept of “kingdom” is much broader than the phrase “kingdom of God.” Even when the phrase is absent (as in much of the Old Testament), the reality of God’s reign is woven throughout—seen in creation, covenant promises, and prophetic visions.
4. Christ-Centered Integration of Concepts
Biblical theology insists that all major biblical concepts ultimately find their center in Jesus Christ. This is part of what makes the “bigger Gospel” perspective essential:
Grace is embodied in Christ’s incarnation, cross, and resurrection (John 1:14–17).
Exclusion is transformed as Christ bears the curse for His people (Galatians 3:13) so that they might be brought near (Ephesians 2:13).
Gentleness is perfected in Christ’s character, calling believers to follow His example (Philippians 2:5–8).
By tracing concepts through the whole storyline of Scripture, biblical theology shows that Christ is not simply a figure who appears in the New Testament, but the fulfillment of truths introduced, developed, and anticipated throughout the Old Testament.
5. Application for the Church’s Life and Mission
A concept-focused biblical theology equips the church to:
Preach the whole counsel of God – Connecting individual passages to larger themes that point to Christ (Acts 20:27).
Disciple believers holistically – Teaching God’s truth in a way that integrates law, narrative, prophecy, and wisdom literature.
Engage in mission with depth – Presenting the Gospel not just as a set of isolated truths but as the fulfillment of God’s whole redemptive plan.
Resist theological distortion – Avoiding the trap of building doctrine on selective word usage while ignoring broader biblical teaching.
For example, when teaching on “salvation,” a word study might focus on sōtēria in the New Testament, but a conceptual study would include God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the return from exile, and the prophetic hope of a final restoration—all fulfilled in Christ.
6. Guarding Interpretation in Light of the Bigger Gospel
The difference between word studies and conceptual biblical theology is not about rejecting one in favor of the other but about recognizing their proper place. Word studies are tools; concepts are the structures those tools help to reveal. By following the Bible’s conceptual patterns, interpreters remain aligned with God’s own presentation of truth, avoiding interpretations that might distort the Gospel’s scope.
In the end, the goal is not simply to know what biblical words mean, but to understand what God means by them—and how each contributes to His overarching plan of salvation from creation to new creation.
