What the Bible says about Refined
(From Forerunner Commentary)
The word translated as "pure" is actually more closely related to the word "refined." "Pure" is not wrong, but refined means "reduced to a pure state." Every word of God has been reduced to a pure state.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Revelation 2-3 and WorksRelated Topics: God's Word | God's Word as Cleansing | God's Word as Pure | God's Word as Refined | God's Word, Purity of | Pure Word | Purity | Purity of God's Word | Purity of the Gospel | Refined | Word of God | Word of God as Pure | Word of God as Refined | Word, God's | Word, The
The word "pure" might be better translated "refined." Its background is putting something to the test and it works. The advice has been refined; it is as pure as it can be. Then he adds, "Don't add to it, and it will be a shield to you."
Why will it protect us?
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven [similar to refined, tested, pure]; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. (Psalm 18:30)
Protection from what? We need protection from all of the things that bondage and sin imply. If we lack the refined, pure, unadulterated Word of God, the only alternative is the word of men! Nowhere in God's Word does He says the word of men is pure, true, or refined. The word of men is limited to the experiences of men and by their prejudices. Even though a man may try, with all sincerity, to report something as honestly and accurately as he can, he does not have the breadth of experience or the unprejudiced mind of God.
If we trust the words of men in place of the words of God, we will not be protected from bondage. We will slide back into it.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Freedom and Unleavened BreadRelated Topics: God's Word | God's Word as Cleansing | God's Word as Pure | God's Word as Refined | God's Word, Purity of | Pure Word | Purity | Purity of God's Word | Purity of the Gospel | Refined | Word of God | Word of God as Pure | Word of God as Refined | Word, God's | Word, The