When reading the bible, it is important that you go about interpreting scriptures correctly. This is the main way you will be able to grow as a Christian. There are several principles of biblical interpretation that will help you when it comes to rightly dividing the word. You do not need to attend a biblical college or have theological training in order to apply these principles.
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.
There are several scripture passages which are referred to in other places in the Bible. To understand such scriptures better, go to the places where the passage have been mentioned and study them. This will increase your understanding of that particular passage. Also, if you think that a particular passage seems to be contradicting another passage, it could be that you are interpreting one or both scriptures incorrectly, so you may want to study both scriptures further.
Consider the genre of the scripture you are reading. Different genres are interpreted differently, as they have different features and are written using different styles. For instance, how you interpret poetry books is different from how you will interpret narratives or parables. This may require a more trained mind to do this, as some differences may be quite subtle for an ordinary reader to notice.
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.
Try and understand the language used and its meaning. This may require that you study the original meaning of different words in Hebrew or Greek. This is because English words may translate differently and slightly change the meaning that the original author meant. You can use study guides to help you.
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.
There are several scripture passages which are referred to in other places in the Bible. To understand such scriptures better, go to the places where the passage have been mentioned and study them. This will increase your understanding of that particular passage. Also, if you think that a particular passage seems to be contradicting another passage, it could be that you are interpreting one or both scriptures incorrectly, so you may want to study both scriptures further.
Consider the genre of the scripture you are reading. Different genres are interpreted differently, as they have different features and are written using different styles. For instance, how you interpret poetry books is different from how you will interpret narratives or parables. This may require a more trained mind to do this, as some differences may be quite subtle for an ordinary reader to notice.
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.
Try and understand the language used and its meaning. This may require that you study the original meaning of different words in Hebrew or Greek. This is because English words may translate differently and slightly change the meaning that the original author meant. You can use study guides to help you.
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.
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