Few things are as vital to the spiritual life of a believer as daily Bible study. However, if not done correctly, we can fall into interpretive traps that can lead to errors. Many people are aware of the possibility of misinterpreting the text but are unsure of how to read the Bible in a way that minimizes errors. In this post, I have compiled a simple guide to interpreting and studying the Bible faithfully, listing ten points in no particular order. My intention here is to edify the body by providing a tool to help get the most out of their study of God’s word.
Literal Meaning: Literal meaning refers to looking for the plain or natural meaning of something rather than searching for hidden meanings. An example of this is the story of David and his five stones. The mistake would be to assume that the stones have a deeper meaning when, in fact, David simply wanted extra ammunition. There is no hidden meaning behind this, and assuming there is could and often does lead to heresy.
Authorial Intent: When reading any book, especially the books of the Bible, it is essential to look for what the author intends to communicate. What the passage means to us is irrelevant; what the author intends to convey is paramount. Never sacrifice the intended meaning of a text for personal gratification.
Use Scripture to interpret Scripture: Interpreting Scripture with Scripture is crucial. For example, the Old Testament is essential in understanding the New Testament, and it is the lens through which we read the New Testament. We read the word of God forward, not backward, letting the revelation unfold as God intended. Another example of this principle is letting the greater context of Scripture (e.g., the verses preceding and following) aid in interpreting a specific verse.
The Lexical Principle: The lexical principle in biblical interpretation involves studying the words and their meanings within a given text, which requires one to examine the original language of the text, such as Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek, to understand the meanings of individual words and phrases for a more accurate interpretation of the passage. There is a correct way to do this that can assist in accurate interpretation and benefit one’s study, but there is also an incorrect way to do this that can lead to erroneous interpretation. When you look up a word in its original language, you will likely encounter a range of possible interpretations. A common mistake is to treat this range of meanings as a word buffet, where one selects the meaning that best suits one’s intended point of view. However, the correct approach involves considering the broader context and examining how the word is used in a sentence to determine the correct meaning. A word used out of context can have various interpretations, but when situated within a specific context, its meaning is constrained by that context. For instance, consider the Hebrew word “Yom,” meaning “day,” as found in Genesis 1. When you research this word, you’ll find that it can mean anything from a 24-hour day to an unspecified period of time. Out of context, either meaning could be valid. However, in the context of Genesis 1, only one meaning can be correct. Therefore, in the context of Genesis 1, “day” equates to a literal 24-hour day.
Grammatical Structure: Identifying the structure of each word can aid in interpretation. By determining the grammatical structure of each word, such as noun, verb, etc., we can more easily interpret what the message is and to whom it is being delivered. Understanding the grammatical structure of a sentence helps us comprehend the intended message and its intended audience.
Historical Setting: When reading a book in the Bible, it is crucial to understand its historical context. Knowing when and for whom the author wrote the book can provide valuable insights into the author’s intentions and the societal influences that may have shaped the work. Dive into the historical setting, as it can significantly enhance your understanding and appreciation of the book.
Geographical Setting: It’s important to pay attention to biblical geography. Note the various mountains, rivers, and seas mentioned in the Bible. Take the time to research the locations of the nations mentioned as well. Geography plays a significant role throughout Scripture, especially in eschatology, and understanding it can make you feel more immersed in the biblical world.
Cultural Context: How did the original audience think about certain things, and how did their beliefs, values, and societal norms influence their understanding and interpretation of the subject matter? A word of caution with this point: entire books, such as Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, have been written arguing that certain cultures are predisposed to a more accurate interpretation of Scripture than others. What they mean by that is that the West is bad and the East is good, which is nonsense. However, while Western Christians are not predisposed to misinterpret Scripture because of our cultural context, it is still wise to make sure we understand the cultural context of the original writer and readers of the books in the Bible.
Literary Genre: The genre of a book significantly influences how we interpret and approach the text. For example, when we read the book of Genesis, we understand it to be a historical account. This understanding shapes how we read and interpret the book in two main ways. First, we believe that the events in Genesis happened precisely as the author described them. Because we believe Genesis is inspired, inerrant, and infallible, we view it as perfect history. Second, it is important to pay special attention to the prescriptions and descriptions in the text. As accurate history, Genesis presents the events as they genuinely occurred. Still, it does not mean we should necessarily adopt everything described in the text as a model for our behavior. For example, when Abraham trusts God and follows him out of the land of his fathers, this is a prescription for how we should live. However, when Abraham has a failure of faith and sleeps with his wife’s handmaid, this is merely a description of what happened. The prescriptions in Genesis provide positive guidance on how we should live, while the descriptions give us insight into behaviors we should avoid.
Figures of Speech: The Bible uses figures of speech that readers should interpret metaphorically rather than literally. For instance, when Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount about believers being the light of the world and the salt of the earth, he was using metaphorical language. Similarly, phrases in the Old Testament like “the arm of the Lord” and “the eyes of the Lord” are also not meant to be taken literally because, before Jesus’ birth, God did not have a physical body. Interpreting these phrases literally would imply a belief in a pre-incarnate body, which is not consistent with oneness theology.