

Exegetically Speaking
Wheaton College
“Exegetically Speaking” is a weekly podcast of the friends and faculty of Wheaton College, IL and The Lanier Theological Library. Hosted by Dr. David Capes, it features language experts who discuss the importance of learning the biblical languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—and show how reading the Bible in the original languages “pays off.” Each podcast lasts between seven and eleven minutes and covers a different topic for those who want to read the Bible for all it is worth. Click on the ⓘ symbol below for each episode to read the description.
If you're interested in going deeper, learn more about Wheaton's undergraduate degree in Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin) and our MA in Biblical Exegesis.
If you're interested in going deeper, learn more about Wheaton's undergraduate degree in Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin) and our MA in Biblical Exegesis.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 12, 2024 • 12min
Endurance in Non-Retaliation, with Darian Lockett: 1 Peter 2:23
1 Peter 2:23 is translated in the NIV as, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.” Close attention to the Greek grammar can illuminate that Christ’s non-retaliation was an enduring one, outlasting the repeated attacks made on him. Dr. Darian Lockett is Professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America. Among his publications are, Letters for the Church: Reading James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude as Canon and Letters from the Pillar Apostles: The Formation of the Catholic Epistles as a Canonical Collection. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3yeGTfX M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4d6MGmV

Aug 5, 2024 • 12min
Raised or Immortalized, with John Walton: Daniel 12:2-3
In Daniel 12:2-3 the dead awake, some to life, some to shame and contempt. This has long been understood to refer to bodily resurrection, one of a few such OT passages. But there are indications in the text’s language that its intended sense is otherwise. John Walton, Old Testament Professor Emeritus at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. One of his most recent publications is The Lost World of the Prophets: Old Testament Prophecy and Apocalyptic Literature in Ancient Context. Among his others, note also: Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation. He is currently working with Dr. Aubrey Buster(Associate Professor of OT at Wheaton College) on a commentary on Daniel. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4c8xjcd M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3Mbc2UZ

Jul 29, 2024 • 10min
In Later Times, with Jermo van Nes: 1 Timothy 4:1 and 2 Timothy 3:1
1 Timothy 4:1 is translated by the NLT, “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith.” Some take the Greek behind “the last times” to mean “the last days,” the extreme end of history. But is that Paul’s meaning? Dr. Jermo van Nes is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven, Belgium. Among his publications are, (co-editor) Let God Be True: Perspectives on Romans 3, (author) Pauline Language and the Pastoral Epistles, and (co-editor), Drawing and Transcending Boundaries in the New Testament and Early Christianity. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4cNrBO3 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3LujQjY

Jul 22, 2024 • 9min
The Scoffer Does Not Love Reproof, with Arthur Keefer: Proverbs 15:12
Proverbs 15:12 is translated, “mockers resent correction” (NIV), “scoffers do not like to be rebuked” (NRSV), “mockers hate to be corrected” (NLT), and in other ways. Close attention to the Hebrew wording enhances our awareness of the character type (the scoffer) and the response to reproof (does not love it). Dr. Arthur Keefer is a Presbyterian Minister at the Scots’ Church in Melbourne and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Divinity (Trinity College, Melbourne). His publications include, Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World, and (co-editor) The Cambridge Companion to Biblical Wisdom Literature. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3LgaoAH M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3Yfno1t

Jul 15, 2024 • 12min
Someone Knocking at the Door, with Scott Duvall: Revelation 3:20
A close and careful reading of the words and grammatical constructions of Revelation 3:20 will clarify at whose door the Lord stands, and the strong encouragement of what he is doing there. Dr. Scott Duvall is Fuller Professor of New Testament at Ouachita Baptist University. Among his publications are (with J. Daniel Hays), Grasping God's Word, Fourth Edition: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible and God's Relational Presence. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3WivvsF M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3SoN8ET

Jul 8, 2024 • 11min
Elijah the Foreigner in Gilead, with David Firth: 1 Kings 17:1
When an OT character is first introduced in narrative literature, we are typically given important clues about who they are and what they are going to do. So it is with Elijah, a foreigner who would seem to be an unlikely opponent of Baal worship. Dr. David Firth is Old Testament Lecturer at Trinity College, Bristol, UK. Among his publications are, Including the Stranger: Foreigners in the Former Prophets, 1 & 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Study Guide: A Kingdom Comes, and (co-edited with Brittany Melton) Reading the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3RMY2E5 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4cBEcU7

Jul 1, 2024 • 9min
The Gift of Being a Go-Between, with Teresa McCaskill: Romans 12:6-8
Among the spiritual gifts Paul lists in Romans 12 is diakonia, often translated simply as “ministry” or “service.” The social context of the Greek speaking world can assist us in understanding more fully what this term signified for them. Dr. Teresa McCaskill is an independent researcher who resides in central Florida. She has authored Gifts and Ritual: The Charismata of Romans 12: 6-8 in the Context of Roman Religion, and is working on a second book. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4bvshGE M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/45HZVHQ

Jun 24, 2024 • 12min
Get Your Young Adult in the Right Rut, with Richard Schultz: Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go” (KJV) is a popular proverb, but to understand what it means we have to understand what biblical proverbs are, and what key Hebrew words of this proverb likely intend. Dr. Richard Schultz is the Blanchard Professor of Old Testament in Wheaton College Graduate School. In addition to other publications, he has authored Out of Context: How to Avoid Misinterpreting the Bible and co-edited with Daniel Block, Bind Up the Testimony: Explorations in the Genesis of the Book of Isaiah. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3VjzzqN M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4ca9xgE

Jun 17, 2024 • 8min
The Biblical Languages for a Church Historian, with Pablo Deiros
Pablo Deiros is an Argentinian pastor, teacher, author, and more. He recounts his years of learning Hebrew and Greek and their importance for his work as a church historian. His publications include Historia Global del Cristianismo and Historia Del Cristianismo En America Latina. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4aVmlGB M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4b8N2ru

Jun 10, 2024 • 8min
Pioneer Made Perfect, with Amy Peeler: Hebrews 2:10
The NIV translates part of Hebrews 2:10 as, “it was fitting that God . . . should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” Prof. Peeler explains what is intended by the imagery of the key Greek words translated as “pioneer” and “make perfect.” Amy Peeler is the Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College. Her most recent publication is Hebrews (Commentaries for Christian Formation). Another is Women and the Gender of God and she is presently working on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4aKK0sW M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3wYZig8