English-only Fallacy

Often we read the scripture; we may come across a word which means one thing in English, but the original biblical (Hebrew & Greek) meaning is different. Thus we may read the passage into English word meaning which does not quite fit in the original meaning.

The English-only fallacy occurs when we base our word study on the English word rather than the underlying Greek or Hebrew word, and as a result, draw unreliable or misleading conclusions.[1]

Examples: John 3: 16 – ¹⁶“For God so loved the world that he gave his begotten Son,^[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The Greek term for so loved is “in this way” rather than “so much” in English.

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[1] J. Scott Duvall, and J. Daniel Hays. “Word Studies.” Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-on Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. 2001. Reprint. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2001. 133. Print.