Studying Scriptures (Part 2)
What about hard to understand passages? How can I grow even more in understanding and responding to God’s word as a self-feeder when what I’m reading doesn’t make sense?
Of course, you can always shoot us an email and we’ll do our best to answer your questions… However, if you would like to discover how we approach answering you, then check out the resource we’ve put together for you.
There are four questions(*) that you can look at that may help you. It’s important to remember that this is a lifetime of discovery in relationship with God. No one knows everything about God or his Word (see: Isaiah 55:8,9), but these tools will help you along the way to understanding and responding to what God says.
What does it say?
Like the "Read" section on the previous page, it all starts with reading the Scriptures. God chose to communicate his truth to us primarily through his word. So the first step is reading what it says. Now this may sound too obvious, but this step involves more than letters and words on a page. It’s carefully observing what is happening.
Think like the detective Adrian Monk here. Carefully examine the text. Try to catch all the clues that are there. You’re collecting the evidence, exploring the room, looking at all the angles before coming to a conclusion about what happened and what to do with the evidence collected.
The cool thing about the Bible is that it doesn’t contain useless information. Sure, it may not look like a clue, but look closer! Every part of the Bible fits into the whole. The authors of Scripture do not waste a single word so there’s a lot of depth here. (see our key verse: 2 Timothy 3:16,17)
As you begin to move beyond casual reading to studying the text, think of it as interrogating it. You want to get to what happened… In an interrogation, there are five basic questions you’d ask: Who, what, when, where, and how?
Grab a pencil and notepad. Then, as you read, think through some of the following questions…
1. Who?
Does it say who wrote the book? (by book I mean: Genesis, Psalms, John, Jude, etc.)
To whom is the author speaking/writing?
Who are the characters involved?
Is the author quoting someone else?
Is somebody or a group being described?
2. What?
Is the passage about events or ideas?
What’s the main idea being discussed?
If it’s a story, what is the overall plot?
What conflicts are presented in the text?
What key events are taking place?
What key words or phrases can you identify?
3. When?
Does the passage say when the book was written?
Does it describe the circumstances of its writing?
When does the action take place?
Does the text refer to the past, present or future?
What words indicate time factors or time changes? (like "three days", "then", "tomorrow", etc.)
4. Where?
Where was the author at the time of the writing?
Where do the initial readers of the book live?
Where does the action of the story take place?
What nations, religions, or cities are mentioned?
What buildings, structures, or landmarks are referred to?
Do these buildings or places have special significance to God’s overall plan? (like "the temple", "the wilderness", "Babylon", "Zion", etc.)
*Bible commentaries, dictionaries and encyclopedias are also helpful to some of the background of the text your reading. Some of these are available at Bible Gateway.
5. How?
How would you describe the tone of writing? (Rejoiceful? Sad? Determined? Encouraging? etc.)
What type of literature is it? (poetry, story, sermon, etc.)
How does the author portray each of the characters? (Good? Evil? Rebellious? Foolish? Wise? etc.)
How would you describe the pace of the story? (hurried, suspenseful, deliberate, jerky, etc.)
How does the pace effect the story’s impact and meaning?
What figures of speech are used? What is their effect? ("figures of speech" is an expression that uses words in a non literal or unusual sense to enhance its effect on the listener. For example: metaphor, simile, irony, etc.)
What important words or phrases are repeated?
Why do you think those words/phrases are used?
These questions are not all answerable or even meant to be. Again, the goal is to spend time observing what is happening in the text. Become good observers of what’s going on around you. You never know what you’ll find!
What does it mean?
Ken posted a great question about this subject… let’s begin there.
Ken says: What an amazing opportunity to study the Bible! Like Jeff, I find that I am interested in the history surrounding the Bible, as well as the spiritual significance of its contents.
I am interested in talking about how the Bible is misused by some people to justify wicked or selfish behavior. How can I make sure that my interpretation and understanding of the Bible is truly accurate and unbiased? My desire is to cut through the religious theories and doctrinal prejudice to determine what is the absolute, unaltered truth of God’s Word.
What a great question! The following was the answer I gave him and it dives into this subject of interpreting (understanding) what the text means:
Ric says: Hey Ken! Thanks for your question about how to interpret and understand the Bible. I’m one of the pastors here at Real Life and I’ll try to be as helpful as I can with a reply.
Interpreting the Bible is our attempt at understanding what is being communicated. It’s sad that people try and twist Scripture or make it say things to fit their evil and selfish agendas. Unfortunately it’s been happening since the beginning. (see: Genesis 3)
It’s also true that we are going to make some honest mistakes and will be biased from time to time. I think that all comes from the fact that we are imperfect people. The life of a Christ follower is about growing in our relationship with Jesus and being humble enough to let God correct our misconceptions!
Like with all communication, authors have a purpose and meaning behind what they are trying to communicate so here are a few things to keep in mind when interpreting Scripture.
First of all, we were intended to read the Bible in community. There are those of us that are reading this for the first time and others who are very familiar with the words. So we need to read this in community so that we don’t get off track. That’s why I like Life Groups where you can grow together, not only in relationship to others but in relationship to our great God. It’s vital that we are not attempting to grow solo with God… frankly, it won’t happen.
However, great groups of people can and have been VERY wrong. It’s not enough to just talk about the Scriptures in groups without some foundational principles for studying them. This Sunday Jeff is going to be talking about how to study God’s Word, giving us some tools for our journey.
On the subject of interpretation (discovering what the text means), I’d like to give you a few tools that I’ve found along the way that will work hand in hand with what Jeff’s talking about this week.
- God has made the meaning of the Bible accessible to anyone. The basics of how to have a relationship with Jesus is very clear. God deeply desires for us to know Him and have a relationship with us… to change our lives! Does this mean we’ll get it all right away… no, it’ll take your entire life. But I think that’s what a relationship is all about – it’s not about "arriving". It’s about growing along the journey.
- God is necessary for us to understand and apply Scripture. The message of the Bible can be comprehended by people who do not believe it, but the proper spiritual response that it calls for comes only through God’s work on the inside as we read.
- Scripture doesn’t contradict itself. The interpretation we come up with for a particular passage must be in harmony and consistent with the rest of Scripture.
- Scripture interprets itself. Each passage of Scripture is illuminated by other passages. So our interpretation of a particular passage should be compared with other Scriptures.
- When a passage is unclear… Unclear or ambiguous passages should be read and interpreted in light of clearer passages. If a passage is unclear and you don’t understand it, that’s okay. It’s like what Lynelle said in her devotional… write it down! It may become clearer as you run into other passages.
- Every passage of Scripture has meaning and relevance for the believer. This is taken directly from our key passage. (2 Timothy 3:16,17) Some passages have more direct application while others are more indirect, but all scripture is profitable for the believer’s growth.
- Each passage has unity, coherence, and purpose. The authors of Scripture wrote with specific purposes in mind, and used literary "strategies" to accomplish this. Looking for the larger structures of thought enables us to understand each one properly.
- We should not approach individual verses as self-contained units. Every verse fits within the logical sequence of an entire passage and must be understood in light of the whole. (take a step back from the individual tree and look at it in light of the entire forest)
- Each passage should be interpreted in light of the type of writing it is. There are many types of writing in the Scripture (poetry, story, prophesy, etc.) and each comes with its own rules of how to read it.
- Meaning is always conveyed in CONTEXT. Accurate interpretation is built on a thorough understanding of the entire context of a given passage. Context will determine the meaning of words and whether something is to be understood literally or figuratively.
A very practical example was given by Cris’ answer to Denise’s post using one of the above guidelines about Scripture interpreting itself:
Denise says: …Sometimes there are passages in the Bible that I just don’t get…and I read one in today’s reading. Here it is:
Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?” Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.
Matthew 17:10-13
Having been a card-carrying member of the New Age for several years, this passage immediately makes me think of reincarnation. I understand the metaphorical meaning of the passage, but it sounds like Jesus is speaking more literally than that. Is there an Old Testament scripture I can read to help me understand verse 10 before I can understand the subsequent verses?
I know without a shadow of a doubt that reincarnation is a bogus belief…that we live on this earth but once, and, as believers in the One True and Living God and His Son Jesus, spend eternity in Heaven with him. Praise the Lord! I just want to understand this passage in it’s context a little better. Thanks!
Cris says: Denise, Good question. "Is there an Old Testament Scripture I can read to help me understand verse…."
The best and safest approach to understanding scripture is to interpret scripture with scripture. Most Bibles have carefully organized cross-reference systems in the margins of the text to help us quickly find related passages to help gain a wider perspective on what is being said.
Concerning the verse you mentioned: Matthew 17:10-13
Jesus is speaking about John the Baptist fulfilling the "prophetic role" of Elijah.
John the Baptist is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy in Malachi chapter 3. He was the messenger or prophet that was foretold of by God. John was not a resurrected or reincarnated Elijah, but he took Elijah’s prophetic role. Notice in Mathew 9:14 that Jesus says, speaking of John, that "he is the Elijah who was to come".
Other places in the New Testament also help to bring clarity to this passage. Saying of John that he came in the “spirit and power” of Elijah. (Luke 1:17 and Matthew 11:14)
Also a note on reincarnation. One has to die to be reincarnated. Elijah was never separated from his body. He is one of two people noted in the bible that did not die. 2 Kings 2:11
A couple of Old Testament passages to consider:
See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
Malachi 3:1(NIV)
See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.
Malachi 4:5,6 (NIV)
(More on Elijah is found in 1 Kings 17 through 2 Kings 2)
I hope you find this answer helpful, and may God bless you with wisdom and understanding as you continue to seek Him!
Overall, it’s important for us to remember that God intends for us to live in a LIFE-LONG relationship with him. God deeply desires to reach out to us through His Word. He longs to walk with you every step of the way and help you understand who He is, why He came and what He’d like to do in and through you.
What Truths is it teaching?
The next step in studying the Bible is discovering what timeless and universal Truths the author is trying to communicate. Finding these biblical principles will bridge the gap between the "world of the Bible" and our personal life today. This is an crucial step that precedes applying what we’ve read to our lives because it gives us a tool to help us know if biblical commands are to be obeyed, followed, or set aside.
Consider the following, and try to decide whether we should obey the following biblical passages exactly or not exactly…
"Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you."
(Genesis 12:1)
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations."
(Matthew 28:19)
"Do not plow with an ox and donkey yoked together."
(Deuteronomy 22:10)
"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that will cause your brother to fall."
(Romans 14:21)
"Snatch others from the fire and save them."
(Jude 23)
"Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly."
(Joel 2:15)
"For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it."
(Ecclesiastes 2:21)
"Anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death."
(Leviticus 24:16)
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
(Deuteronomy 6:5)
"Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife."
(1 Corinthians 7:27)
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church."
(Ephesians 5:25)
"And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away."
(Matthew 18:9)
Some of these we need to follow exactly. Others are figures of speech that we need to follow, not literally, but figuratively. Still others were given to people at a specific time for a specific purpose and we are exempt. ALL of these are lifted out of there context and so there are bigger ideas and principles at stake that are valid. Feel free to use your Bible or go online here to read these in their broader context.
So how do you find solid biblical principles from the scriptures? There isn’t a particular formula to use on scripture to mine these Truths out, but here are some guidelines with examples that you can use as tools on your journey.
1. Biblical principles are eternal. They are not time-bound, locked to the ancient past. For example:
"If you do not believe that I Am, you will indeed die in your sins." John 8:24
Poor Principle: When Jesus was on earth, the Jews needed to believe in him.
Why is it poor? This principle is a description of something which happened long ago. It is not a timeless statement.
A Better Principle: Anyone who believes in Jesus does not die in sin. We should therefore actively respond to him by believing his claim to be God, and trusting in his solution to our sin problem.
2. Biblical principles are universal. It applies to a broad audience – to everyone.
For example:
"You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? …When one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere men?" I Corinthians 3:3-4
Poor Principle:
The Corinthian church had a problem with hero-worship.Why is it poor?
This speaks only about one particular church. (and also again describes only a past event)A Better Principle:
Division in the church indicates worldliness. We should be grieved by it and take measures (prayer, listening, and dialogue with one another, etc.) to eliminate divisiveness in churches.3. The biblical principle should be drawn from careful attention to the first two steps we discussed. (Seeing – What does it say? & Understanding – What does it mean?) This way you’re discovering the meaning the author intended instead of bringing your own meaning to a particular passage. Consider this example from the story of Abraham’s offering of Isaac in Genesis 22.
"Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey." Genesis 22:3
Poorly drawn moral from this verse:
It’s best to get an early start when you start out on a trip.Why is it poor?
The purpose of this text is not to instruct people in planning a trip. The larger context (Genesis 22:1-19 and Hebrews 11:17-19) is emphasizing the resolute faith of Abraham in God through this excruciating trial, the defining moment of his life.It’s good to develop an eye for seeing and valuing what the author sees as important in the passage.
4. The biblical principles should have the same main point of the entire passage.
For example:
"Love your neighbor as yourself" Matthew 22:39
Poor Principle:
In order to love other people, we must first accept and love ourselves.Why is it poor?
It is not enough that a statement is true, or that it doesn’t contradict the Bible, or that you can "find" it in a verse. The principle must be clearly stated or unquestionably implied as the same point the author is trying to make in the passage.A Better Principle:
We should love other people unselfishly.4. The biblical principle should reflect the same communication purpose that the author had in mind. (if the passage offers thanks to God, the principle should; if the passage is intended to warn, so should the principle, etc.)
For example:"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7
Poor Principle:
When we are in trouble, we should listen to Christian music.Why is it poor?
This passage affirms confident, joyful hope in God and expresses thanks to him – it is not a command or urging readers to do something like listen to music.A Better Principle:
During times when we are specially overcome with our own sin (see context: Psalm 32), we may be assured of God’s protection and deliverance. So it’s appropriate to give thanks to him for his forgiveness.Most of the principles we encounter in the Bible fall into two very broad categories. There are those which are action oriented, intending the readers to obey through their behaviors. Then there are principles that are intended to teach us so as to influence our attitudes, affections, feelings and perspectives.
Behavioral Example:
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8
Principle: We ought to express love to others which is the "bottom line" behind all ethical laws. (see context: Romans 13:1-10)
Teaching Example:
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
Principle: Nothing can thwart God’s love for those who are saved through faith in Jesus.
Again, there is no automatic formula to developing biblical principles. However, by following these guidelines, you will be on the right track. Remember, you’re not alone! We’re on this journey together. Have you come up with a good biblical principle? Share it with other believers and work it until it has the same meaning the author intended.
So What?
After working through the first three questions: What does it say? What does it mean? and What truths are being taught? we’re ready to ask… SO WHAT? What do we do with what we’ve learned? What’s the point of all of this if we don’t ask the question… so what?
We are a T.V. culture. We’re so saturated with a lot of information (like commercials, news bites, etc.) our heads are spinning and we end up doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING with the information. It’s so easy in our culture for knowledge accumulation to happen without any point. Sure, we’re good at trivial pursuit, but to what end???
Like Pastor Jeff has shared several times in the txt series… We need to do something with what we’ve been taught. We need to respond to the truth God has shown us.
If there’s a…
Truth – Believe It
He is the one who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them He is the one who keeps every promise forever.
Psalm 146:6 (NLT)
Jesus told him, "I am the Way—yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me."
John 14:6 (TLB)
Promise – Claim It
But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going. I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch. These are the things I’ll be doing for them—sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute.
Isaiah 42:16 – (Message)
Command / Instruction – Follow It
Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Matthew 22:38 – 39 (NLT)
Sin – Avoid It
You must not steal. You must not cheat people, and you must not lie to each other. You must not make a false promise by my name, or you will show that you don’t respect your God. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:11-12 (NCV)
Warning – Heed It
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.
Matthew 7:2 (Message)
Let’s practice putting the Word of God into action in our lives. Not just hearing what it says, but doing it! Again, if you have any questions or thoughts about studying the word, please email us and we’d be love to chat with ya! office@seekreallife.com
Blessings on your quest!