Understanding scripture is usually not an easy task, particularly if you do not know how to go about it. Lack of proper interpretation skills may lead to a misinterpretation of the Bible and wrongful application of the word of God. However, this does not have to be the case. You can take time to study the basic principles of biblical interpretation. You do not have to be a theological student to know how to go about rightly dividing the word of God.
You should consider what the author's original intended meaning was. In order to do this effectively, you can use some study tools to help you understand the author's original context, in terms of culture and history. This includes using a bible commentary and a study bible when studying scripture. There are several versions of commentaries and study guides, so try and find a good one by checking out reviews about it before making a purchase.
Do not interpret a text out of context. If you do this, you will invariably misinterpret it and cause it to mean whatever you want it to mean. Read what the verses before and after the text say. Also, consider what the whole chapter and also the whole book says. Knowing who the author of the text is and his style of writing will help you understand the text further.
Use scripture to interpret scripture. If a particular text is not clear, consider other scriptures where the same text may have been referred to elsewhere in the bible. This will give you a clearer understanding of what is going on in the text. Also, keep in mind that the bible does not contradict itself. If it appears to be doing so, then it probably means that you are not interpreting that particular scripture appropriately.
The style that the book has been written in is important. This is because different stylistic devices have been used to write different sections of the Bible. To understand what a particular passage says, you have to understand the style which it has been written in and know how to correctly interpret that style. This may take a bit of hard work and in some cases, it may take a trained theologian to understand some difficult aspects of the passage.
In some cases, the surface meaning of the text is its true meaning. There is no other meaning. This applies in cases where the text is quite straightforward. Don't attach additional meaning to passages where no additional meaning is required.
Having an understanding of Hebrew and Greek will come in quite handy. If you do not understand the languages, then use Bible study guides to uncover the original meaning of various words used in the passages. This is because some words tend to lose their original meaning when they are translated from the original language they were written in.
Depend upon the Holy Spirit to help you discover God's truth. This means approaching scripture interpretation prayerfully and with an open mind that is ready to understand. It would be hard for you to interpret the scripture without the Spirit's help. However, this does not mean being lazy and not studying. You must study to understand the bible.
You should consider what the author's original intended meaning was. In order to do this effectively, you can use some study tools to help you understand the author's original context, in terms of culture and history. This includes using a bible commentary and a study bible when studying scripture. There are several versions of commentaries and study guides, so try and find a good one by checking out reviews about it before making a purchase.
Do not interpret a text out of context. If you do this, you will invariably misinterpret it and cause it to mean whatever you want it to mean. Read what the verses before and after the text say. Also, consider what the whole chapter and also the whole book says. Knowing who the author of the text is and his style of writing will help you understand the text further.
Use scripture to interpret scripture. If a particular text is not clear, consider other scriptures where the same text may have been referred to elsewhere in the bible. This will give you a clearer understanding of what is going on in the text. Also, keep in mind that the bible does not contradict itself. If it appears to be doing so, then it probably means that you are not interpreting that particular scripture appropriately.
The style that the book has been written in is important. This is because different stylistic devices have been used to write different sections of the Bible. To understand what a particular passage says, you have to understand the style which it has been written in and know how to correctly interpret that style. This may take a bit of hard work and in some cases, it may take a trained theologian to understand some difficult aspects of the passage.
In some cases, the surface meaning of the text is its true meaning. There is no other meaning. This applies in cases where the text is quite straightforward. Don't attach additional meaning to passages where no additional meaning is required.
Having an understanding of Hebrew and Greek will come in quite handy. If you do not understand the languages, then use Bible study guides to uncover the original meaning of various words used in the passages. This is because some words tend to lose their original meaning when they are translated from the original language they were written in.
Depend upon the Holy Spirit to help you discover God's truth. This means approaching scripture interpretation prayerfully and with an open mind that is ready to understand. It would be hard for you to interpret the scripture without the Spirit's help. However, this does not mean being lazy and not studying. You must study to understand the bible.
About the Author:
Sign up for immediate access to our e-book featuring info on rightly dividing the word. The web page you should refer to appears here http://abraham-did-not-tithe.com.