Foreword

The Word of God may, in one respect, be compared to the earth. All things necessary to life and sustenance may be obtained by scratching the surface of the earth: but there are treasures of beauty and wealth to be obtained by digging deeper into it. So it is with the Bible. “All things necessary to life and godliness” lie upon its surface for the humblest saint; but, beneath that surface are “great spoils” which are found only by those who seek after them as for “hid treasure.”

These words, written November, 1899 by E. W. Bullinger in his unparalleled research volume, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, succinctly describe the priceless rewards discovered by the workman of God’s Word. Over a century later, seekers of truth continue to enjoy the great spoils extracted by one of history’s greatest workmen of the Word. The legacy of Ethelbert William Bullinger’s life of Biblical scholarship has left vast resources for the continued exploration of Godly treasures for generations to come. Yet, while recognized and referenced by many scholars, the full measure of Bullinger’s contribution to Christianity remains unknown or undervalued by most.
A total of 171 published works have been verifiably attributed to Dr. Bullinger, including twenty books and twenty-seven pamphlets. His major works: A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament; Figures of Speech Used in the Bible; and The Companion Bible are exhaustive reference works indispensably utilized in Biblical research.

The legacy of Bullinger’s life extends beyond his published works, though. Throughout his life, E. W. Bullinger did not seek to simply inform students of certain truths; nor did he desire that anyone would accept and believe a point simply because he taught it. Rather, he instructed students in the method of Biblical interpretation that would enable them also to let the Bible speak for itself; and in so doing, they too were equipped to stand approved before God as workmen of His Word. As one who builds a bridge for the benefit of those who shall come after him, E. W. Bullinger looked to the day when others might surpass the reaches of his own journey.

Dr. Bullinger revealed remarkable Biblical truths through his utilization of certain keys or principles of Biblical research. He also widely promoted that same method of learning. Bullinger believed that just as different scientists would independently arrive at the identical result if they employed the same methodology, any two Biblical scholars would arrive at the same conclusion regarding a passage of Scripture if they employed the same principles of Biblical research.

This was demonstrated in the life of Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille. Having devoted his life to the study of God’s Word, Wierwille reached many of the same conclusions Bullinger had arrived at nearly a century earlier, although initially unfamiliar with Bullinger’s work. In fact, it was only as he began to share his findings in his classes that one enthusiastic student, Dr. E. E. Higgins, , introduced Wierwille to Bullinger’s writings. V. P. Wierwille thrilled at such books as Figures of Speech; The Companion Bible; and How to Enjoy the Bible, and he subsequently incorporated much of the material into his classes.

As noted earlier, Dr. Bullinger was a prolific writer whose extensive contribution to the field of Biblical research covered a wide array of important topics. While his major reference works continue to be widely studied, however, most people are unfamiliar with the bulk of his publications. In fact, a large number of Bullinger’s published writings are no longer in print. This volume is a collection of twenty-four of his little known, shorter Biblical studies.