Studying Scripture is a process. It needn’t be intimidating, overwhelming, or discouraging. In fact, when we spend time studying God’s Word, our hearts and minds are renewed with the truth of who God is, who we are, and the eternal hope we have in Christ as our Lord and Savior. Soaking in God’s Word is nourishing to our minds and hearts and also provides us with great joy and understanding. Psalm 19: 7-9 says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.”
The Word of God is more precious than gold (Psalm 19:10). It is deeply desirable and fully satisfying, but it is not to be trifled with. We must understand the Word of God rightly, seeking to understand all that God has for us – not all that we want God to have for us. There is a difference.
How, then, do we understand the Word of God rightly? Learning to study, interpret, and apply Scripture appropriately is a skill that develops the more we practice it. Even then, there may still be passages, concepts, and teachings that take more work to fully grasp. This does not negate God’s goodness or holiness but affirms his ultimate, perfect, and supreme nature. Allow yourself to wrestle with these more difficult passages, concepts, and teachings, not in a spirit of truth to be conquered but in a spirit of grace to be received.
When it comes to interpreting Scripture, it is important to understand that several different methods are promoted within the Christian community – not all of equal validity or reliability. Whenever major differences in interpretation arise, it is likely because different interpretive methods were applied. However, we firmly believe that the historical-grammatical interpretive method is the most objective and reliable. It has been the only consistent method employed by scholars and theologians for centuries and is most utilized by Bible-believing churches and Christians. Although not an exhaustive explanation of the historical-grammatical method, below are a few fundamental principles of biblical interpretation to help guide your process. We hope these principles lead you to a greater understanding of God’s Word as He intended.
Principle #1
Three primary contextual considerations exist when interpreting Scripture – theology, history, and literature. Andreas J. Kostenberger refers to this as the “hermeneutical triad.” All three play a significant role in the interpretive process as related to context. We must remember that the Word of God is fully inspired yet written in human language. This means that the character of God, history, and language rules must be considered when attempting to interpret Scripture rightly.
Principle #2
A proper interpretation of Scripture is based on the author’s intent – what the author intended to convey to the original audience. The reader does not determine the meaning of Scripture and does not change or shift over time as culture changes. Understanding the historical and grammatical context is crucial.
Principle #3
Using clearer passages of Scripture to help interpret less clear passages is appropriate and sometimes necessary to rightly understand a specific, more obscure, or challenging passage. This principle relates to the clarity of Scripture or the perspicuity of Scripture. Wayne Grudem explains, “The Bible is written in such a way that it can be understood, but right understanding requires time, effort, the use of ordinary means, a willingness to obey, and the help of the Holy Spirit, and our understanding will remain imperfect in this lifetime (Grudem, Systematic Theology, 109).
Principle #4
There are different types of literature, or genres, in Scripture. Be aware of what genre of literature your passage is part of as different interpretive considerations apply for other genres, specifically as it relates to the use of words and language.
Principle #5
The historical-grammatical interpretive method generally embraces a literal interpretation of Scripture. However, that is not to say that every word of Scripture is to be taken literally. Biblical authors employed figurative speech numerous times throughout their writings. Jesus referred to himself as “the door” in John 10:7. We understand from that example that Jesus was not saying he was a literal door. How do you know when to interpret a word or passage literally or figuratively? A good rule of thumb is to consider that a word or phrase is meant to be interpreted literally unless it is obviously figurative. This is not always clear, however. In those cases, consider the context of a passage, and consult other trusted sources to help guide you when in doubt.
Principle #6
Words and language matter. Not only is it important to understand the rules of language, but seeking to understand the meaning of specific words is also crucial. Be careful not to apply your definition to words because meanings and connotations tend to change and become nuanced over time. It is often helpful to seek confirmation of a word’s meaning through consultation with a Bible dictionary or lexicon. It is also helpful to understand the basic rules of language and apply them accordingly. In other words, be careful not to superimpose your understanding of words and language to a passage as that may not accurately reflect what the biblical authors meant to convey to their original audience.
Finally, remember that interpreting Scripture rightly is a process that takes time. It requires patience, effort, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide our efforts. Studying in a group can be invaluable because group discussion tends to bring out different and varying aspects of a passage, greatly magnifying our contemplation, interpretation, and application of Scripture.
For more in-depth guidance regarding biblical interpretation, we recommend the following resources:
- Andreas J. Kostenberger and Richard Patterson, Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2021).
- Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2014).
- Jason S. DeRouchie, “Interpreting Scripture: A General Introduction,” https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/interpreting-scripture-a-general-introduction/.
- Joel James, “The Basic Principles of Bible Interpretation,” https://gracefellowship.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/12-basic-principles-for-Bible-interpretation.pdf.
- Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020).