Have you ever found yourself puzzled by a Bible passage? Maybe you’ve read a verse that seems to contradict what you’ve learned elsewhere in Scripture, leaving you confused and frustrated. You’re not alone. The fact is many believers struggle with interpreting Scripture. Without a solid approach, it can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle without all the pieces. But what if I told you that unlocking the treasures of Scripture isn’t as impossible as it seems? 

Imagine for a moment: What if you had a set of tools that could unlock the mysteries of Scripture? What if you could approach even the most challenging passages with confidence, knowing you have a solid framework for interpretation?

The truth is, interpreting Scripture doesn’t have to be an intimidating task reserved for Biblical scholars and pastors. It’s a skill that every believer can – and should – develop. But here’s the catch: without the right principles, we risk misunderstanding or misapplying God’s Word. And in a world that is fighting against all manner of truth, we can’t afford to get this wrong.

So, are you ready to transform your Bible study? To move from confusion to clarity, from uncertainty to understanding? Join me as we explore four foundational principles for interpreting Scripture. Putting these principles into practice will transform your Bible study from a daunting task into a rewarding journey. These aren’t just academic tools – they’re practical keys that can unlock God’s Word in your daily life.

1. Scripture Interprets Scripture

One of the most important principles to remember is that Scripture interprets Scripture. You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s worth repeating: the best interpreter of Scripture is Scripture itself. Because all Scripture is inspired by God and unified in its message, we should use one part of the Bible to help explain another. This principle is crucial because it helps us avoid taking verses out of context or misinterpreting isolated passages.

The beauty of this approach is that it allows the Bible to be its own interpreter. Instead of immediately turning to outside sources or our own assumptions, we let God’s Word illuminate itself. Moreover, this principle helps us avoid the danger of building entire doctrines on single, isolated verses. Instead, we look at the whole counsel of God. 

Think about it this way: imagine trying to understand a complex novel by reading only a single page. You would miss the broader narrative, the development of characters, and the author’s intent. The same is true with the Bible. Each verse is part of a larger story, and to understand it fully, we need to see how it fits into the whole.

This approach also helps us grasp the grand narrative of Scripture. The Bible isn’t just a collection of isolated stories or commands; it’s one cohesive story of God’s redemptive plan. When we interpret Scripture with Scripture, we start to see how all the parts fit together in this overarching narrative.

In practice, this means when you come across a verse or passage that is confusing, you should look for other verses that discuss the same topic. Use a concordance or a study Bible to find cross-references. For example, if you’re studying what the Bible says about faith, compare passages from Hebrews 11, James 2, and Romans 4. Seeing how different authors and contexts address the same theme can illuminate its meaning and application.

By allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, we honor the Bible’s integrity and ensure that our interpretations align with the broader biblical narrative. Remember, this principle isn’t just about gaining head knowledge. As we let Scripture interpret Scripture, we’re allowing God’s full revelation to shape our understanding, our hearts, and ultimately, our lives. It’s a journey of discovery that can transform not just how we read the Bible, but how we live out our faith every day.

2. Use Clear Teachings to Understand Difficult Passages

Not all passages in the Bible are equally clear. Some are straightforward and easy to understand, while others can be quite challenging and even perplexing. When we encounter these difficult passages, it’s wise to interpret them in light of the clear teachings found elsewhere in Scripture. This principle helps us maintain consistency in our understanding of biblical truth and prevents us from building doctrines on obscure or ambiguous texts.

Clear teachings of Scripture are those foundational truths that are repeatedly affirmed throughout the Bible and are plainly stated. These clear teachings act as anchors, providing stability and guidance when we navigate more complex and nuanced passages. For instance, the Bible consistently teaches the nature of God as loving, just, and holy. When we encounter a difficult passage that seems to suggest otherwise, we should interpret it in light of these established truths.

Moreover, this principle reminds us of the importance of theological humility. When we encounter a difficult passage, instead of immediately assuming we’ve discovered a new, groundbreaking interpretation, we should first check if our understanding aligns with the clear, established teachings of Scripture. This helps guard against doctrinal error and maintains the unity of biblical truth.

In practice, it is helpful to identify the clear, foundational teachings of Scripture on any given topic before delving into more complex passages. Another practical step is to familiarize yourself with historic creeds and confessions of the church. While not on par with Scripture, these documents often summarize key biblical teachings and can provide a helpful framework for interpretation.

Remember, this principle doesn’t mean we avoid or downplay difficult passages. Instead, it provides a framework for approaching them with wisdom and discernment, always in the context of Scripture’s overall message. By doing so, we can engage with the full richness of God’s Word while maintaining a solid theological foundation.

3. Use the New Testament to Interpret the Old Testament

The relationship between the Old and New Testaments is a vital aspect of biblical interpretation. The New Testament provides clarity, fulfillment, and context for the Old Testament. This principle is essential for interpreting Scripture because it allows us to see the continuity of God’s redemptive plan throughout the Bible. The New Testament often provides insight into Old Testament prophecies, laws, and events, revealing their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

One primary way the New Testament interprets the Old Testament is by revealing the fulfillment of prophecies and typologies in the person and work of Jesus Christ. For instance, Isaiah 53 speaks of the suffering servant who would bear the sins of many. While the full meaning of this passage might have been obscure to its original audience, the New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus as this suffering servant (Acts 8:32-35, 1 Peter 2:24). By reading these Old Testament passages in light of the New Testament, we see the prophetic foreshadowing and fulfillment in Jesus.

The New Testament also provides a clearer understanding of the Old Testament law. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus declares, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” This statement helps us interpret Old Testament laws and rituals. For example, the sacrificial system detailed in Leviticus finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 10:1-18). Understanding this helps us see that the purpose of the Old Testament sacrifices was to point forward to Christ’s atoning work.

Furthermore, the New Testament writers often use Old Testament passages to teach and reinforce key theological points. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently quotes the Old Testament to support his teachings about salvation, grace, and faith. For example, in Romans 4, Paul uses the story of Abraham to explain justification by faith. He cites Genesis 15:6, which says, “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness,” to show that righteousness comes through faith, not works. This interpretive method shows us how foundational Old Testament narratives are illuminated by New Testament theology.

Remember, this principle isn’t about diminishing the Old Testament, but about seeing it in its full, Christ-centered glory. As Augustine famously said, “The New Testament is in the Old concealed; the Old Testament is in the New revealed.” As we learn to read the whole Bible this way, we’ll find that every part of Scripture points us to the grace and glory of Christ.

4. Interpret Scripture Based on the Genre of the Passage

The Bible is a diverse collection of writings that includes various genres, each with its own interpretive rules and nuances. Recognizing the genre of a passage is essential for understanding its intended meaning and how it applies to our lives. Just as you wouldn’t read a novel in the same way you read a textbook, you shouldn’t approach the different genres in the Bible with a one-size-fits-all mindset. Understanding the genre helps us grasp the author’s intent, the historical context, and the message God wants to convey.

The main genres found in the Bible include historical narrative, law, poetry, wisdom literature, prophecy, gospels, epistles, and apocalyptic literature. Each of these genres has its own set of characteristics and interpretive principles. 

Major Biblical Genres

Historical Narrative: Much of the Old Testament (like Genesis, Exodus, and 1 & 2 Kings) and parts of the New Testament (like Acts) fall into this category. These books recount events that happened in space and time. When interpreting historical narrative, we should focus on the flow of the story, the actions and decisions of characters, and how God interacts with His people throughout history.

Law: Portions of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy contain legal codes for ancient Israel. Interpreting these passages involves recognizing their purpose for the original audience and understanding how they point to broader spiritual principles. While we’re no longer under the Old Testament law, understanding this genre helps us appreciate God’s holiness and the need for Christ’s fulfillment of the law.

Poetry and Wisdom Literature: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon are poetic books that use metaphor, simile, and other literary devices. Interpreting poetry requires recognizing its figurative language and emotional expression. When reading poetry, we shouldn’t always take things literally. Instead, we should appreciate the emotional depth and symbolic language used to convey spiritual truths. When reading wisdom literature, we should look for general principles rather than absolute promises or commands. They offer practical advice for godly living.

Prophecy: Books like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel contain prophetic literature. This genre often uses symbolic language and can refer to near-future events, far-future events, or both. Prophecies often have immediate and future fulfillments, pointing to both historical events and messianic promises. Interpreting prophecy requires careful attention to historical context and an understanding of prophetic imagery and symbolism.

Gospels: The Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are unique biographical accounts of Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection. Interpreting the Gospels involves understanding the cultural and historical context of first-century Judea and recognizing the distinct perspectives each Gospel writer brings. The Gospels require us to understand both their historical narrative and their theological implications. For example, Matthew often emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, while Luke highlights Jesus’ compassion and outreach to marginalized groups.

Epistles: The New Testament letters, such as Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians, are instructional writings addressed to early Christian communities. Interpreting the epistles involves understanding the specific issues and questions these communities faced and how the apostles’ teachings apply to broader Christian doctrine and practice. For instance, Paul’s letters to the Corinthians address specific problems within the Corinthian church, offering timeless principles for church conduct and Christian living.

Apocalyptic Literature: The book of Revelation and parts of Daniel contain apocalyptic visions and symbols. Interpreting apocalyptic literature requires an understanding of its highly symbolic language and the context of persecution and hope for deliverance. Revelation’s vivid imagery of beasts, dragons, and heavenly battles conveys deeper spiritual truths about the ultimate victory of God’s kingdom.

Recognizing these genres is crucial because it shapes our expectations and interpretive approach. For example, we wouldn’t expect scientific precision from a poetic description of creation, nor would we read Jesus’ parables as historical narratives. Similarly, we wouldn’t interpret the metaphorical language in Psalms the same way we would Paul’s logical arguments in Romans.

By interpreting Scripture based on its genre, we show respect for the inspired text and the way God chose to communicate His message. This approach helps us avoid misunderstandings and allows us to grasp the full richness of God’s Word. Remember, the goal is not just to understand the words, but to comprehend the message as it was intended to be received by its original audience and apply it faithfully to our lives today.

Start Interpreting Scripture Today

Interpreting Scripture is a journey that requires diligence, humility, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit. By using these principles—Scripture interprets Scripture, using clear teachings to understand difficult passages, interpreting the Old Testament in light of the New Testament, and considering the genre of the passage—you can grow in your understanding and application of God’s Word.

I encourage you to put these principles into practice. Start with one of your favorite Bible passages and apply these four principles to interpret Scripture. Share your insights with a friend or small group and encourage them to join you in this journey of discovering the richness of God’s Word.

Remember, interpreting Scripture isn’t just an academic exercise – it’s about growing closer to God and allowing His Word to transform our lives. So, let’s commit to diving deeper into God’s Word, using these principles as our guide.

What passage will you start with today? Share your insights in the comments below – I’d love to hear how God’s Word is speaking to you!