Basic Principles of Studying the Bible

• Interpret the vague in light of the clear. If there’s one verse that seems confusing, does the Bible speak more clearly to that idea anywhere else? Consider the context of the passage (paragraph, chapter, book). How does what’s around the verse(s) help you understand what you’re reading?
• The text cannot mean something specific it never would have meant in original context (e.g. nothing in Revelation is a metaphor for helicopters).
• Understand the difference between descriptive passages and prescriptive passages. Descriptive: an account of a unique happening in history that we are meant to learn from and be encouraged by, but not necessarily seek to replicate today (e.g. the Israelites marching around Jericho with trumpets). Prescriptive: a timeless truth we are meant to practice today (e.g. Paul’s charge to the Galatians to do good to others in 6:10).
• Understand the type/genre of Biblical literature you're reading. If you’re unfamiliar with the various types of Biblical book categories, you can watch this overview here.
• Read the text for its plain and obvious meaning. We easily overcomplicate things, and sometimes it’s good to be reminded to take Scripture for what it simply says.
• Examine the original language to see what it reveals. This may require some outside resources. One site we recommend using is Bible Hub’s Hebrew & Greek references, where you can enter the Bible verse, and then click on individual words to learn more about that word, and see where else it occurs in the Bible. John 3:16 is a great example. We tend to think of "so" as only quantity but in original language it conveyed the manner in which God loved, i.e. sacrificially, "God loved the world in this way."
• Note the various theological themes of the passage and how it ties into the overall Biblical narrative (creation, fall, redemption, restoration).
• Always take a God-centered, Christ-glorifying perspective for understanding the passage (what does this say about God and His engagement with His creation?).

One last thought

Don’t be afraid to highlight or take notes in the margins. For a quick overview on just one method of using different highlighter colors to help you identify and learn to understand Scripture, watch our video here.