How to Study the Bible (Part 3)

2 Timothy 2:15

In the second lesson of this series we focused on the Holy Spirit being the interpreter of God’s word. The Holy Spirit as the interpreter of God’s word show us the true meaning of God’s word by comparing spiritual things with spiritual things (hence, scripture with scripture). In this lesson we will look at some simple principles or guidelines that we must follow when attempting to study God’s word.

Guidelines for Studying the Bible: 

1) Never add to, subtract from, or change God’s word (Deuteronomy 4:2 ; Proverbs 3:5-6 ; Revelation 22:18-19)

• It is better to not understand God’s word than to alter it.

2) Use the Bible to define the Bible

• Examples (Jonah 1:17 with Matthew 12:40 ; Ephesians 2:1 with Numbers 16:30-33)

3)  Always take a verse to be literal unless the context plainly shows the verse to be figurative.

• Example: Matthew 3:11 (Literal) John 6:53-63 (Figurative)
• The context is plain in both of these passages.

4)  There are 3 applications for all scripture (Historical, Doctrinal, and Spiritual)

• Example : The 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)

Historical – Moses on the mount receiving them from the Lord.

Doctrinal – For Israel to have personal righteousness before Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection (Deuteronomy 6:25)

Spiritual –  We can make spiritual application for us today but not doctrinal. We do not keep them for Salvation but all of them except keeping the Sabbath are found in the New Testament.

5)  Never take a verse out of Context

• One of the easiest ways to do this is to ask yourself 3 questions when you are reading a passage.

1)  Who is speaking?

2)  To whom are they speaking?

3)  Regarding what time period are they referencing?

When we do the above things we can begin to rightly divide the word of truth which is the purpose of our study according to 2 Timothy 2:15.