Bible Study - Introduction

In Bible study it is important to rightly divide the Word of God. This means you must understand what is being said to whom. You must also interpret and apply the meaning correctly.  For example:

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

"Rightly dividing" as used here is taken from the rules for Old Testament sacrifices and means to "cut straight." In the Old Testament, when a person brought a sacrifice for sin, the animal was divided into three parts. One part was offered to God. Another part was given to the one who brought the offering. The third part went to the priest. From this practice the expression "rightly dividing" developed. It means to "give to each that which belongs to him."

There are three major groups to which the Word addresses itself. These are listed in I Corinthians 10:32:

Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God. (I Corinthians 10:32)

All Scriptures were given FOR us, but not all verses are directed TO us. For example, God told Noah to build an ark. This account is recorded as an example from which you are to learn spiritual truths but it does not mean YOU should build an ark. Some of the Bible is directed to the Jews. Portions are directed to the Gentiles (nations other than the Jews).  Other portions are directed to the Church (all those who are true believers in Jesus Christ).  In order to find the correct meaning from the Bible you must learn to rightly divide it.  Another word for this is "interpretation" which means to give something proper meaning.  You must learn how to arrive at the proper meaning for each Scripture. Jesus pointed out to the religious leaders of His time:

. . . Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.  (Matthew 22:29)

Spiritual error results from not knowing God's Word. There are certain principles that must be followed in order to properly interpret the Bible.

There basic rules for interpreting the Bible which help to "rightly divide" the Word of God.

√     THE RULE OF DIVINE AUTHORITY

The rule of divine authority means to accept the Bible as the final authority; that is all the Bible is inspired by God, from Genesis through Revelation:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.  2 Timothy 3:16

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  2 Peter 1:19-21

There are two different types of inspiration: Verbal and plenary inspiration.  Verbal inspiration means that every word in the original manuscripts was inspired by God.  Plenary inspiration means full inspiration of all Scripture as opposed to partial inspiration. Every portion of the Bible is inspired.

Divine authority means there is no conflict between the Bible and history or science. If there is an apparent conflict it is because:

     1.         We have failed to understand science or history.

or else. . .

      2.         The current scientific knowledge is not accurate. When conflicts are apparent, the Bible is taken as the final authority because it is the divinely inspired Word of God. In the past, when apparent conflicts between the Bible and history or science arose, later investigations always proved the Bible to be correct.

√     THE RULE OF LITERAL INTERPRETATION

To interpret the Bible literally means to believe it means exactly what it says. Always interpret the Bible literally unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When the Bible says Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry ground, accept it literally. When the Bible tells about the walls of Jericho falling down, accept it as it is recorded by the Holy Spirit.
Certain persons, places, or events, while literal in themselves, may also represent something that will happen in the future. 

Symbols are also used in the Bible. A symbol stands for a meaning in addition to its ordinary one. For example, in Mark 14:22 the wine is used as a symbol of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (They were not drinking actual blood.)  Symbols are often used in Bible prophecy. For example the great image of which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed in Daniel has symbolic significance. Each part of the image represented a future world kingdom (Daniel 2).  The Bible usually explains symbols when they are used. For example, Daniel's interpretation of the symbolic image is recorded in Daniel 2:31-45.  Jesus often used parables when He taught.

A parable is a story that is told for the purpose of illustrating a spiritual truth. Whenever  Jesus used a parable it is always stated in the Bible. If it does not say it was a parable then the account should be accepted as an actual event.

√     THE RULE OF CONTEXTUAL CONSIDERATION

Every verse of the Bible should be studied in its context. This means it should be studied in relation to the verses which precede and follow it, as well as in relation to the rest of the  Bible. Many false doctrines and cults have been created because verses or parts of verses were taken out of their context.

For example, the Bible says there is no God. Did you know that? You will find this in Psalm 14:1. Right there it says "there is no God." But if we read all the passage then we have this:

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. (Psalm 14:1)

The complete verse in its context is quite different in meaning than the portion removed from the context.  To study a verse in its context ask yourself the following questions:

     1.         Who Is Speaking Or Writing?

                 Although all the Bible is God's Word, different men were used in writing and speaking it.

     2.        What Is Being Said?

                 Summarize the main points of what is being said by the speaker or writer.

     3.        To Whom Is It Being Said?

                 Israel? The Gentile nations? The Church? A specific individual?

     4.        Why Was It Said?

                 What is the purpose in the passage? The Bible itself states purposes for some books & passages:

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not

written in this book:  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, 

the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.  (John 20:30-

31)

For other parts of Scripture the reason for writing is not so clearly stated.   

Examine the context more closely to determine why the message was recorded.

       5.        When Was It Said?

The time and circumstances of some scriptures help us understand the meaning. For
example, when there was confusion in church services at the church of Corinth Paul wrote a special passage of scripture. He told the women to keep silent in the Church. Did this mean women could not sing, pray, teach, or worship out loud in the Church?  To find the answer, examine when, why, and to whom this was said. In Jewish church services men were seated on one side of the building and women on the other.  The Corinthian women were disrupting services by shouting questions to their husbands on the other side of the room.

This was the occasion when Paul found it necessary to write:

Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.  (1 
Corinthians 14:34)

Interpreting a Scripture within its context helps explain the meaning of the passage. Taking a verse out of context can result in incorrect understanding. Often the context of a Scripture in the Bible gives the interpretation. A good example of this is the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-9. The parable is interpreted in verses 18-23. In many cases similar to this the Bible interprets itself within the context. This is why contextual consideration is important.