How to Study the Scriptures

Why Study the Scriptures

Article I

One standard of truth

The only standard of truth given to man comes from one source – the Holy Scriptures. If man is going to learn what is Truth, he is going to have to study God’s Word. The reasons for studying God’s Word are endless. First and foremost, however, God commands us in His Word to study the Scriptures. Our lives are filled with situations where we will need direction and instruction concerning this life and the next.

2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth KJV

Studying the Word of God teaches us about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, healing, how to be set free from the snares of the enemy, and eternal life. Studying the Word of God teaches us how to be conformed to the image of Christ and how to renew our minds to think like God. Just as important, studying the Word of God teaches us about eternity, and how we will be ruling and reigning with His Son, Jesus Christ, forever and ever.

The aim of good interpretation

The aim of good interpretation is simple - get at the plain meaning of the text. We must answer the question of what God is saying as He gave the plain truth to the authors who penned the words of each book of the Bible so many millenniums ago. What the authors meant to say so many thousands of years ago must mean the same today. To find the correct meaning of Scripture we need to filter through many things, such as p resuppositions, time and language barriers (Hebrew/Greek to English), customs of biblical times versus the customs of today, various political, social-economical and geographical situations, as well as idiom phrases that have changed through the millennia of time.

Presuppositions

Every time you read the Scriptures, you are forming an opinion of what “you” think it says. You are trying to make sense out of what you are reading based on your background and experiences in life. This is called “presupposition.” Your presuppositions make up the core of your belief system in “theology” (study of God). When you think you understand a portion of Scripture, you automatically assume everyone else understands the Scriptures in the same way you do. That, however, may not necessarily be true.

Several problems lie within presuppositional thinking, such as: Everyone comes from different backgrounds and experiences in life. Various denominations also interpret Scripture differently, having basic distinct differences in the meaning of salvation, different modes of baptism, tithing, healing, tongues, etc., which have been taught to congregations, forming further presuppositional thinking. To only complicate matters more, those in the Western world (Europe and United States) tend to base knowledge and understanding in a linear pattern, meaning there is a beginning and an end. The Bible, however, was written by those with an Eastern mind who had circular beliefs, meaning whatever begins, will come back to repeat itself – causing a circular motional effect. A prime example is a belief in the Bible as a whole. The Western mind looks at the book of Genesis as the beginning and the book of Revelation as the end. Everything that happened in between was to bring the book to a happy ending. The Eastern mind, however, sees the book of Revelation as a fulfillment of the book of Genesis. What began in the book of Genesis in the Garden of Eden eventually is fulfilled (and repeated) in the book of Revelation, and everything in between was a combination of circular motions to bring on the big picture of a circular motion as well. With putting presuppositional thinking into the equation of understanding the Bible, we each, therefore, have our own individual concept of what we “think” it should say. How then can man rid himself of presuppositions and accurately interpret the Word of God as God originally intended it to say?

Historical distance

In all forms of communication there exists a gap between the communicator and the receiver. The Holy Scriptures was written by several authors some 2000–3500 years ago, as God inspired holy men through the power of the Holy Spirit to communicate to man through a variety of methods. This gap of time, between then and now, along with the customs and political changes, as well as social-economical and geographical differences is called historical distance.

Idioms

Idioms are idiosyncrasies of speech – jargon, accepted speech within a group or culture. Idiom phrases change from decade to decade, century to century, and millennia to millennia. Idioms generally begin as slang terms, often used by young people who grow into adulthood and carry much of the same language throughout their lives. These slang terms, or idioms, eventually become part of society and are listed in our dictionaries as accepted speech in the general populace. A good example of an idiom of today would be a “hot dog” and a “coke.” This generation knows these to be a sausage wiener on a bun with a soda drink; however, if someone from biblical times heard that phrase, they wouldn’t have any ideas what you were talking about. To be even more frank, the biblical generation probably wouldn’t even know what a sausage wiener, bun, or soda drink was as well. These are all learned words, with some having been idioms at an earlier date which was then developed over a period of time.

Biblical Idioms

The Bible also has its own jargon. It is filled with idioms that were known by the people of that day. A perfect biblical example comes from Mark 10:25.

Mark 10: 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

In biblical times it was common knowledge that the eye of the needle referred to a simply sewing needle, a familiar tool for hand sewing clothing. The verse, supported by those around it, simply was pointing out that it was impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a sewing needle, only to say that it is impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven unless he was willing to give it all up for the cause of Christ.

Translating Scripture from one language to another

It is important to note that whenever a language is translated into another language, something is always lost in its translation. The translators have tried to find words in their language to explain as accurately as possible the meaning of the word to be translated. Often the translated word doesn’t fully explain it properly. It is also important that in the translating from one language to another, that the original Hebrew or Greek version of Scripture translated into English be used as a base for translation. If a translation has been translated from an already translated version, error is inevitable, ending in doctrinal error.

W e do not know what the biblical authors’ individual perspectives or experiences were when they penned their writings. We do know, however, that it was their way of thinking as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write down what God had put on their heart. It is the heart of God that we want to know. Through it all, we need to decipher what God was saying through these biblical writers.

Tools for learning

This article is designed to help you gain tools to help you overcome presuppositions and historical distances so that when you read the Word of God, you can read it as accurately as possible for it to mean the same thing today as it did 2000 to 3500 years ago when the author penned it under the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word is eternal and meant to be ministered to all generations.

God’s Word is eternal

The authority of the Bible

Our Bibles are infallible in that what the authors intended to convey, through the power of the Holy Spirit, with regard to matters of faith (doctrine) and practice (ethics), are true and will never lead us astray. Our Bibles are inerrant in that what the authors intended to convey with regards to matters of fact (history, geography, science, etc.) are also true and will never lead us astray.

God’s Word is the final authority .

God’s desire has always been to reach the heart of all mankind. He came to us through many different perspectives, and spoke in whatever way He knew would reach His people, using forty plus holy men with forty plus different personalities. In order for God to reach the greatest amount of people, He spoke through their history, cultural eyes, political and geographical situations.

Heb 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets - Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…

Genres

The word genres can be classified as a categories or types of literature characterized by a particular form, style, or content. The major genres in the Old Testament are:

The major genres in the New Testament are:

God wanted to reach all mankind in a way that every individual could understand. Each of us has different personalities, coming from different backgrounds and experiences which make up who we are. God wants to get His truth to us in a way that we, as individuals, can understand.

Exegesis

The first field of biblical interpretation is called exegesis, which means a careful systematic study of the Scriptures to discover the original intended meaning. It is the digging through Scripture to discover God’s Truth.

Content/Context

When you read Scripture, it is important that you read it correctly. If you start pulling scripture verses out of its original context, you could easily change its meaning. You will then contextually change the meaning of what the author intended to say. Then it becomes easy to twist that section of Scripture to say just about anything you want it to say; thus, lacking biblical truth. Heretical doctrines come from pulling verses out of its content.

Content: The subject matter of a written work – meaning or significance of a literary work. The meaning of word, structure of language and sentences. The proportion of a specified substance.

Context: The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines it’s meaning. To join together to weave (Time, historical, geographical, cultural and political situations are factors).

A typical example of Scripture that is pulled out of its contents to change its meaning contextually is Phil. 4:19.

Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Many Christians stand on this scripture verse thinking that God automatically takes care of them. Then when things don’t go as they thought they should, they don’t understand what happened –or worse, they think God has failed them. Their claim of this verse is made without prior knowledge of the conditions that preceded it. The meaning behind God supplying all of our needs is conditional. Paul wrote the church at Philippi to tell them that they were the only church that came to rescue him when help was needed for the financing in spreading the Gospel. That church helped him not once, but twice. Many within the church gave beyond their own needs in the promotion of the Gospel. The apostle told them that because they helped supply the financial needs to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God would supply their needs from His riches in glory. The principle here is that when we financially give to ministries that help spread the Gospel of Christ, God will then supply our needs according to His riches in glory.

Scripture will always support scripture

Scripture will always support all other scripture as long as it is kept in its proper contents and context. Remember, you are trying to understand what the writer meant, not trying to put your own meaning into the scripture. Always compare scripture with scripture – not your own meaning of what you think it says. Do not try to find scripture verses to support your thoughts, but let Scripture speak for itself. Discover the meaning of scripture to discover truth, not search for scripture to support your ideas of truth.

The Bible speaks to three classes of people

God speaks to three different races or classes of people throughout His Word – the Jews, Gentiles, and the Church. We need to know who is being spoken to when reading Scripture.

There are three questions we need to ask ourselves: (1) Who is the scripture being written to? (2) Who is the scripture being written about? (3) Who is the scripture being written for?

Look at the following verse.

Gen 49:28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

• Who is this scripture being written to ?  It is clear that this verse is speaking to the Jews!
• Who is this scripture written about ? The Jews!
• Who is this scripture being written for ? The Jews!

Now, look at another passage of scripture. This time it will come from the New Testament:

Mat 24:3-4 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Again, asking the three questions, at first glance it may seem confusing. Even though this is a New Testament scripture passage, it is still the Jews who are being spoken to. Jesus is explaining many things which will happen at the end of the age.

Mat 24:5-8 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Jesus is referring here to the Tribulation Period that is yet to come. He is not referring to the Church. According to 1 Thessalonians, and other passages, which is specifically written to the Church, the Church will escape the wrath that is to come upon the earth, not having any part of the Tribulation Period.

To answer the above questions, Jesus is referring to the Jews and Gentiles (Gentiles meaning heathens). It is written to, about, and for them.

Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand

Other scripture will support that this is during the mid time of the Tribulation Period.

Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

The elect are the Jews and Gentiles who will come to Christ during the Tribulation Period.

Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Who are the elect? Jesus is talking to the Jews, specifically the Jews who will come to Christ during the Tribulation Period. Remember, the Church had not come into existence when Christ spoke this message.

Mat 24:40-41 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Many un-knowledgeable Christians read these verses and think this is the rapture of the Church, when in essence Jesus is talking about the Jews and Gentiles. He is explaining what will happen at the end of the age and how there will be wars upon wars. This verse simply means one will die and another will live – which are the effects of war.

Know what covenant the Scripture is written about

The above scripture verses are told about the Old Covenant, but were written under the New Covenant. Let’s now look at another New Testament Scripture verse, written by the Apostle Paul.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Again, ask yourself the same questions.

Who is this scripture being written to?
This time the above scripture verse is written to the Church at Ephesus, or the Church in general. The Apostle Paul was not speaking to the Jew, unless they were also a part of the Church. He was not speaking to the Gentiles (heathens), because they are not the Church. He was speaking to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who is this scripture written about?
This scripture was written about the Church, under the New Covenant.

Who is this scripture being written for?
This scripture was written about the Church, under the New Covenant.

In the following articles of this series on "How to Study the Bible,"you will be given the tools and methods on how to study.  You will be an active participant in learning how to do a book study, chapter, verse, and character studies.  These are tools that are essential for all Christians as they learn to study their Bible.

Click here to go to article II of this series