Understanding Scripture

Personal Qualifications.

• You must be born again (John 8:43, 47; I Corinthians 2:14).
• You must fear God (Proverbs 1:7; 8:13).

Proverbs 2:1-6 lists several qualifications.

• You must be willing to understand.
• You must retain what you learn.
• You must listen to the teacher.
• You must apply your heart; your heart must be in it.
• You must pray.
• You must search and study.

You must use the knowledge you have already gained (Hebrews 5:14; Matthew 25:29).

You must have the right attitude toward the Bible:  The Bible is always right (Psalm 119:128; Romans 3:.4).

The Rules of Bible Study.

Rule 1 – There are no contradictions in the Bible.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” II Peter 1:20

This is the first thing to keep in mind, each part of Scripture must be interpreted in relation to the other parts, rather than being interpreted privately or separately. The word “truth” is always in the singular in the Bible:  everything in the Bible must harmonize so as to form one truth.

Rule 2 – Pay attention to the grammar in the Bible. Grammar is the form and arrangement of a language.

“hold fast the FORM (shape, arrangement of parts) of sound words.” II Timothy 1:13

Rule 3 – Attach to words their primary meanings.

Give to words THE SENSE (their primary meaning). Nehemiah 8:7-8. Words in their primary meanings may be applied to different things as, for example, the word “save” – one may be saved from numerous things.

Always attach primary meanings to words unless:

1. the primary meaning creates a contradiction, for example: “Son” in I Timothy 1:18 cannot be taken in its primary sense as this would contradict Acts 16:1 and I Corinthians 7:8.
2. the primary meaning creates an absurdity. Isaiah 11:1 does not mean that Jesse is a tree, or Matthew 23:14 does not mean that the Pharisees actually ate houses.
3. the Bible itself tells you that it is not using the word in its primary sense, such as in John 11:11-14 where sleep means death, or in Matthew 16:12 where bread means doctrine.

Rule 4 – Compare Scripture with Scripture

“comparing spiritual things with spiritual” I Corinthians 2:13.

“But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” Isaiah 28:13.

Subjects are presented piecemeal in the Bible, so one must compare various passages to see the whole picture.

Rule 5 – Mind the context of Scripture passages.

The context is extremely important, always pay attention to who is being addressed in a passage; Hebrews 3:1 tells you who is being warned in vs. 7-8.

Observe what precedes and what follows a passage. The first half of John 6:37 tells how many will come to Christ in the second half of the verse, and John 1:13 shows that those who believe in v. 12 were already born of God BEFORE they believed.

Rule 6 – Distinguish between proof texts and reference texts.

A proof text expressly states a point of doctrine, for example, there are numerous texts that prove that God communicates verbally or that God made the world. Any text proves something, but look for EXACTLY WHAT is does prove. A reference text does not expressly define a given point of doctrine, but it refers to it; the point must be PROVED elsewhere.

Examples:

John 5:24 is a proof text in that it proves: that if one believes he has eternal life and that one passes from death unto life BEFORE he hears the word and believes.

Mark 16:16 proves that there is a salvation AFTER baptism, but it DOES NOT PROVE what that salvation is from!!! Hence, it is a reference text with regard to what one is saved from after he is baptized.

John 1:29 proves that Jesus Christ takes away the sin of the world, but it DOES NOT PROVE how many are included in that world because the word “world” is used to refer to various groups in the Scripture.

• • The word “world” refers to the Roman world in Luke 2:1.
  • “World” refers to those who hate Christians in John 15:19.
  • “World” refers to those NOT given to Christ in John 17:9.
  • “World” refers to the Gentiles as opposed to the Jews in Romans 11:.12.

The world of John 1:29 cannot include all mankind because Jesus’ doesn’t take away everybody’s sin, Revelation 21:8, Therefore John 1:29 is a reference text with regard to the number of persons whose sin is taken away.

NOTE:  Comparing verses will show whether a verse can be used as a proof text or not. For example, by comparing verses you learn that the word “world” does not necessarily mean all mankind without exception and there are numerous verses that PROVE this. By a chain of proof texts, you can identify a reference text. Texts used to prove an error will end up proving too much if consistency is maintained.

Rule 7 – Observe the argument from silence, that is, what the Bible does not teach, it does not teach.

In Hebrews 7:13-14 Moses said nothing about the tribe of Judah being in the priesthood. This fact was used by Paul to prove that no man from that tribe was in the priesthood giving attendance at the altar.

No one but the priests could lawfully eat of the shewbread. Matthew 12:4. This is proven from the fact that in Leviticus 24:5-9 Moses never said anything about anyone else but priests eating the shewbread.