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The Ten Most Misunderstood Words in the Bible
Where do you expect to spend eternity? Heaven? Hell?
What do you need to do to be saved? Have faith? Repent?
Who are lost people? What does it mean to perish?
What is everlasting life? Can it be forfeited?
Do you fear final judgment?
What is the gospel? And what is the truth of the gospel ?
Do you believe you must earn God s grace?
Words are the building blocks of ideas. Without words, we could not communicate accurately. We d be reduced to pointing and gestures. While all the words in the Bible are important for us to understand, some stand out as being especially important. The ten words discussed in this book are foundational to our eternal destinies and our eternal well-being.
What do you need to do to be saved? Have faith? Repent?
Who are lost people? What does it mean to perish?
What is everlasting life? Can it be forfeited?
Do you fear final judgment?
What is the gospel? And what is the truth of the gospel ?
Do you believe you must earn God s grace?
Words are the building blocks of ideas. Without words, we could not communicate accurately. We d be reduced to pointing and gestures. While all the words in the Bible are important for us to understand, some stand out as being especially important. The ten words discussed in this book are foundational to our eternal destinies and our eternal well-being.
- GenresTheology
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
46 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 11, 2025
"My desire with this book is to get people to read the Word of God more carefully, especially concerning these ten vital words. Even if people do not agree with my conclusions on each word, if they would ask themselves what these words mean each time they see them, I will feel that I’ve accomplished much of what I set out to do with this book."
October 29, 2015
I really liked this book. It was very challenging and made me think!
April 11, 2022
This book teaches the reader to let the Bible speak for itself.
The ten words the author chose to explain were well chosen and consequential. In many cases, it is the author’s own initial misunderstandings that launched a personal expedition to discover what the words mean in their biblical contexts. The prime example is his own doctoral dissertation on the meaning of repentance, which he came to realize had misunderstood repentance. His testimony is compelling, his methodology (largely concordance studies) transparent, and his conclusions always interesting, if not also convincing. Even his occasional speculation about such things as the nature of hell is clearly indicated. This puts the reader at ease and invites participation in the important exercise of wonder.
Though the book is a bit “inside baseball,” written for those of the Free Grace Movement who generally accept his theological convictions, it challenges any student of Scripture to “question answers” that have been assumed on the basis of tradition, convention, education, or questionable translations of the original texts. Thus, the book promotes critical thinking especially for people raised or educated in a particular theological mold.
Each chapter stands alone, making the book a good topical reference book. The writing is straightforward, unencumbered with unneeded technical detail, repetition, or stilted vocabulary. Many readers will be startled to realize that Jesus Himself, not the good news about Him, is the object of saving faith. Jesus has made our sins a non-issue by having actually taken away the sins of the world. As a result, a person’s eternal destiny depends not his works—past, present, or future—but on believing Jesus’ promise of everlasting life to all who believe in Him.
Wilkin’s brief but pointed discussion of additional words that are commonly misunderstood, together with his excursus of principles of interpretation, demonstrate genuine concern that his readers are not just “given a few fish,” so to speak, but also “taught how to fish” for themselves.
Though Wilkin is a disciple of the late Zane Hodges, his comments are fresh and appear to be very much his own. Whether you agree with him on every point or not, you have to respect his honesty in seeking to understand what God meant by what God said. He sets a good example of humility, integrity, and responsible scholarship. For these reasons, I recommend the book highly.
The ten words the author chose to explain were well chosen and consequential. In many cases, it is the author’s own initial misunderstandings that launched a personal expedition to discover what the words mean in their biblical contexts. The prime example is his own doctoral dissertation on the meaning of repentance, which he came to realize had misunderstood repentance. His testimony is compelling, his methodology (largely concordance studies) transparent, and his conclusions always interesting, if not also convincing. Even his occasional speculation about such things as the nature of hell is clearly indicated. This puts the reader at ease and invites participation in the important exercise of wonder.
Though the book is a bit “inside baseball,” written for those of the Free Grace Movement who generally accept his theological convictions, it challenges any student of Scripture to “question answers” that have been assumed on the basis of tradition, convention, education, or questionable translations of the original texts. Thus, the book promotes critical thinking especially for people raised or educated in a particular theological mold.
Each chapter stands alone, making the book a good topical reference book. The writing is straightforward, unencumbered with unneeded technical detail, repetition, or stilted vocabulary. Many readers will be startled to realize that Jesus Himself, not the good news about Him, is the object of saving faith. Jesus has made our sins a non-issue by having actually taken away the sins of the world. As a result, a person’s eternal destiny depends not his works—past, present, or future—but on believing Jesus’ promise of everlasting life to all who believe in Him.
Wilkin’s brief but pointed discussion of additional words that are commonly misunderstood, together with his excursus of principles of interpretation, demonstrate genuine concern that his readers are not just “given a few fish,” so to speak, but also “taught how to fish” for themselves.
Though Wilkin is a disciple of the late Zane Hodges, his comments are fresh and appear to be very much his own. Whether you agree with him on every point or not, you have to respect his honesty in seeking to understand what God meant by what God said. He sets a good example of humility, integrity, and responsible scholarship. For these reasons, I recommend the book highly.
August 7, 2023
This book is Calvinist. It twists the Scriptures.
It Falsely Claims that both the Old Testament and the New Testament teach that Repent means to Repent of Sin, to Turn from Sin.
Repent of Sin is Not in the Bible.
FYI God Repents in the Bible more than anyone else. God Does Not Sin. Every time God Repents he changes his mind.
You will Not find Jesus, or any of his Disciples, Apostles, any Salvation passage that says to be Saved you have to Repent of Sin, Turn from Sin, Forsake Sin.
Bible Salvation is Believing in Jesus, Believing the Gospel Only.
The Gospel is: Jesus Death, Burial and Resurrection to pay for the Sins of the entire World.
Beware this book is not Biblical. It adds to the Bible.
It Falsely Claims that both the Old Testament and the New Testament teach that Repent means to Repent of Sin, to Turn from Sin.
Repent of Sin is Not in the Bible.
FYI God Repents in the Bible more than anyone else. God Does Not Sin. Every time God Repents he changes his mind.
You will Not find Jesus, or any of his Disciples, Apostles, any Salvation passage that says to be Saved you have to Repent of Sin, Turn from Sin, Forsake Sin.
Bible Salvation is Believing in Jesus, Believing the Gospel Only.
The Gospel is: Jesus Death, Burial and Resurrection to pay for the Sins of the entire World.
Beware this book is not Biblical. It adds to the Bible.
November 30, 2018
Excellent. All believers need to read this.
April 14, 2023
The first and last chapters were good. The author was not clear or concise. This might have been better as a booklet.
May 18, 2016
I started out quite enjoying this book, and I do agree with the Author that it is vital that we examine and re-examine Scripture to see if we are using "words" in the way that they are intended. Even further, I agree with many of the criticisms that the Author raises about the misuse of the "words" he has chosen, and even agree with many of his conclusions about how the "word" in question should be used.
So what changed as I continued to read? Well several issues I think, and any one of them probably would not have been a problem. However all of them made the book a little less satisfying for me.
First, the Author assumes that the Premillennial Hermeneutic is not only correct, but the only option available. Whilst I lean far more to an Amillennial approach, I have no problem reading theology by most reasonable Premil authors. However on a few occasion the Author seems to build a significant part of his argument on a Premil approach, when I think he could appeal to a far wider audience if he didn't do that. A Young Earth Creationist viewpoint is similarly assumed but that isn't forced on the reader like the Premil side of things.
Second, the Author keeps referring to when he did his doctorate he believed A, and now that he has really looked at Scripture he believes B. That is marvellous and all well and good. But it gets painful I think the number of times this is used. Plus (and this may be just me) he seems to come across as discovering all this "real meanings" and kind of ignores others who have gone before. In fact, some of the words in question, I have never accepted what the Author indicates as the "wrong meaning" and have always seen what he indicates as the "right meaning". So perhaps the Author's enthusiasm is just lost on me...
Third, the Author seems to be repeatedly attacking Reformed / Calvinist Authors of note. Can't say that I am a big fan of some of the Authors he mentions. However given the voluminous output of these Authors, to claim that they believe something from a sentence or paragraph quoted; and to then tear that argument down - does seem a little of a "straw man" type approach. Don't get me started on his arguments for adult full immersion Baptism as the only Scriptural approach ;-)
I also think that the Author is not really allowing for any of the "words" to have levels of meaning, and that this may make for better dialogue with those he disagrees with (mentioned above).
On the plus side, this book does make you think - and that it will make you think about your understanding (and whether that understanding is Scriptural) is a good thing. Just think it had a lot of potential that it didn't take advantage of :)
Oh, and it would've been really nice at the end of each Chapter if there was a nice little Bibliography of other books to read on the topic!
So what changed as I continued to read? Well several issues I think, and any one of them probably would not have been a problem. However all of them made the book a little less satisfying for me.
First, the Author assumes that the Premillennial Hermeneutic is not only correct, but the only option available. Whilst I lean far more to an Amillennial approach, I have no problem reading theology by most reasonable Premil authors. However on a few occasion the Author seems to build a significant part of his argument on a Premil approach, when I think he could appeal to a far wider audience if he didn't do that. A Young Earth Creationist viewpoint is similarly assumed but that isn't forced on the reader like the Premil side of things.
Second, the Author keeps referring to when he did his doctorate he believed A, and now that he has really looked at Scripture he believes B. That is marvellous and all well and good. But it gets painful I think the number of times this is used. Plus (and this may be just me) he seems to come across as discovering all this "real meanings" and kind of ignores others who have gone before. In fact, some of the words in question, I have never accepted what the Author indicates as the "wrong meaning" and have always seen what he indicates as the "right meaning". So perhaps the Author's enthusiasm is just lost on me...
Third, the Author seems to be repeatedly attacking Reformed / Calvinist Authors of note. Can't say that I am a big fan of some of the Authors he mentions. However given the voluminous output of these Authors, to claim that they believe something from a sentence or paragraph quoted; and to then tear that argument down - does seem a little of a "straw man" type approach. Don't get me started on his arguments for adult full immersion Baptism as the only Scriptural approach ;-)
I also think that the Author is not really allowing for any of the "words" to have levels of meaning, and that this may make for better dialogue with those he disagrees with (mentioned above).
On the plus side, this book does make you think - and that it will make you think about your understanding (and whether that understanding is Scriptural) is a good thing. Just think it had a lot of potential that it didn't take advantage of :)
Oh, and it would've been really nice at the end of each Chapter if there was a nice little Bibliography of other books to read on the topic!
February 22, 2016
Refreshing! Solid doctrine articulated in a simple easy-to-read style. All those who wish to preach the Word, by standing on a pulpit or by sharing with a friend at the office, should read Mr. Wilkin's book.
February 28, 2015
Difficult writing style
The writing style of this book was an impediment to enjoying it. I don't think i can agree with some of the arguments, still, it had some good thoughts on some topics and made me wrestle with a few others.
The writing style of this book was an impediment to enjoying it. I don't think i can agree with some of the arguments, still, it had some good thoughts on some topics and made me wrestle with a few others.
February 12, 2016
New perspectives on many different Biblical terms! Especially helpful on the term of "Election".
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews