Procedures in Bible Study 1. OBSERVE exactly what the author is saying. This is the most important step in Bible study and must come first. The more careful and thorough your observations, the more meaningful will be your interpretations, the fairer will be your evaluations, and the richer will be your applications. 2. INTERPRET objectively what the author has written. After you have observed carefully what the author is saying, determine what he really meant by what he said. You are to try to discover the thoughts, attitudes, emotions, purpose of the author. 3. SUMMARIZE concisely the key ideas in a passage. While summarization is listed as Step 3, it really is a process which should be done in connection with both observation and interpretation. Try to summarize the facts you observe and then the meaning of the facts. 4. EVALUATE fairly what the author has written. Not until you have a clear concept of what the author has written. And what he meant by what he wrote can you honestly judge the validity of the passage. Thus evaluation must come after observation and interpretation. For whom is this true and in what sense? 5. APPLY personally the message revealed. While application is listed fifth in the process, this does not mean that it is fifth in importance. Application is the fruit which will come forth through the other processes. Application is a growing process, not superimposed in a superficial way, but rising out of all the other processes. 6. ACTUALIZE your convictions. Someone has said, Don t just study the Bible, do something. Too often Bible study is mainly intellectualizing and emotionalizing the truths, but no actualizing actually doing what the Lord revealed to us. Page 32
Principles of Interpretation Principle Description The Bible is to be read like any other book. This rule is simply the application of the principle sensus literalis. In other words, in the Bible, a verb is a verb and a noun is a noun, just as in any other book. Historical narratives are to be interpreted by the didactic. The term didactic comes from the Greek word which means to teach or instruct. Essentially, this rule says that we must not take doctrine from historical narrative. We can only take doctrine from didactic or instructive passages in the Bible. In the Gospels, we have many occasions where didactic is given alongside of the historical narrative. The implicit is to be interpreted by the explicit. Another way to say this is that we must allow the obvious teaching of Scripture to instruct us as to the proper understanding of the obscure portions of Scripture. Determine carefully the meaning of words. Words mean things if we therefore have the wrong definition of a word, we will undoubtedly have the wrong interpretation of a passage of Scripture. Many words have more than one meaning, and must be defined in the context of usage by the author. There are two basic method by which words are defined: Etymology is the science of word derivations. i.e. if we know Greek then we know that the word hippos means horse, and the word patamos means river, therefore the word hippopotamus means river horse. Or the word glory in the Hebrew means weightiness or significance. Thus, the glory of God refers to His significance. Customary usage This is the understanding of the word in the context of the time it is being used. For example, the word cute in the Elizabethan period mean simply bowlegged. So when we call a girl cute today, we can only hope she is NOT a Shakespearian actress. The definition of scan in English dictionaries for years has meant to read carefully, but our more modern dictionaries define it, to skim over lightly. Page 33
Principle Description Note the presence of parallelisms. In ancient Near Eastern languages, this is a very common and relatively easy to recognize literary device. There are three types of parallelisms: Synonymous occurs when different lines or parts of a passage present the same thought in a slightly altered manner of expression (Ps. 84:2-3; Prov. 19:5). Antithetic occurs when the two parts are set in contrast to each other. They may say the same thing but say it by way of negation (Prov. 10:4; 13:1) Synthetic Here the first part of the parallel creates a sense of expectation which is completed by the second part. It can also move in a progressive, staircase movement to a conclusion in a third line (Ps. 92:9). Note the difference between proverb and law Proverbs are catchy little couplets designed to express practical truisms. They reflect principles of wisdom for godly living. They do not reflect moral laws that are to be applied to every life situation. Scripture has only one meaning and should be interpreted literally unless a figurative interpretation is required by certain conditions. A passage may be interpreted figuratively: When it involves an impossibility or an absurdity. When it involves a contradiction or inconsistency. When it involves an immoral conclusion. When it is otherwise implied by the context of the passage. When it is clearly stated to be figurative or allegorical. When it is more appropriate to be figurative for the reason of sheer common sense. Interpret words in harmony with their meaning in the time of the author. What is its use by the author in the passage and in other passages by the same author? What is its relation to its immediate context? What is its current use at the time of writing? What is its root meaning? A word used more than once in the same context will have the same meaning. See John 3:16-20; 1 Peter 1:2, 20 Page 34
Principle Description Interpret the words of the prophets in their usual, literal and historical sense, unless the context and manner in which they are fulfilled clearly indicates they have a symbolic meaning. Though God s revelation is progressive both Old and New Testaments are essential parts of this revelation, and form a unit that must not be taken separately. You must understand the Bible grammatically before you can understand it theologically. A doctrine cannot be considered biblical unless it sums up all that the Bible teaches about the subject. We must consider the whole counsel of God in determining any Bible doctrine. Scripture will never contradict itself. Let Scripture interpret Scripture Page 35
Specific Things to Observe Key Words When you first read a passage, look for the key words, those words which you think are important in the passage. Repetition of words will sometimes give you a clue. Underline them in your Bible. Look mostly for nouns and verbs. Look also for routine and non-routine words. Advice Admonitions Warnings Promises Be on the alert for the admonitions which a writer gives; the advice, the exhortations, the warnings, the things which he tells you to do. Also, note the promises and the encouragements. One clue is to look for imperative verbs. Reasons Results For doing things When you observe admonitions, see if the writer gives you some reasons for his advice. Or note if he sets forth a causeand-effect relationship If you do this, then this will happen. Often with a warning, he will give possible results. Contrasts Comparisons Illustrations Make special note of the way a writer uses contrasts, comparisons, illustrations to bring out his ideas. Comparison is the association of things that are similar. Contrast is the association of things that are opposite, often introduced with but. Repetition and progression of ideas Be on the alert for repetition of words, ideas, statements. This will often give you a clue as to the author s purpose in a passage. Take special note of lists of items or ideas. Compare the items and see if there is any significance in the order. Do ideas progress toward a climax? Questions Be on the watch for the use of the question. Is it used to introduce an idea, summarize a series of ideas, or just to challenge the thinking? Is it rhetorical? Page 36
Important connectives prepositions conjunctions Connectives are very important in revealing key ideas and relationships. Be on the alert for some of the following: but introduces a contrast if introduces conditional clause for, because, therefore introduce reason and results in, into, with important connectives in order that sets forth a purpose Grammatical connection verbs nouns pronouns adverbs adjectives The term grammar frightens the average person, but even so, it is important to note the grammatical construction of some statements. Be on the alert for the verbs and their tenses for the use of pronouns for the use of adverbs and adjectives and the way they describe things. Atmosphere Overall tone Emphatic statements Note the general tone of a passage. It may be characterized by the mood of joy, thanksgiving, concern, humility, zeal, anger, caution, etc.. The tone of a passage may vary as a writer moves from one idea to another. The mood of a writer is often revealed by the way he addresses his readers. Also note the use he makes of emphatic statements, words and phrases to reveal his feelings. Literary form Always note the literary form of a passage discourse, narrative, poetic, dramatic, parabolic, apocalyptic. Also determine if the writer is using literal or figurative terms. General structure Note the arrangement of the ideas in a passage, the relationship of verses to each other. Sometimes the author makes a general statement, and then explains it with examples. Other times he may list a series of ideas and then summarize with a general statement. Page 37
Common Types of Literature in the Bible Name Characteristic Phenomenological language Describes events as they appear from the point of view of the observer, not scientific but still meaningful. Simile Two things are compared using a word such as like or as. (Rev. 1:12-16) Metaphor/Analogy A word or phrase usually used to designate on thing is used to designate another, a comparison. (Lk. 22:19) Anthropomorphism Descriptions of God that use human characteristics to depict some action or aspect of His being. (2 Chr. 16:9) Round numbers Estimates of time, people, and size. (Jn. 6:10) Compressed events Omission of detail not essential to the point of the story. Hyperbole Exaggeration used for vividness and impact. (Mt. 23:24) Metonymy Using a word but meaning something related to it rather than its common definition. (Mk. 1:5) Type A reinterpretation of a thing or event showing a deeper, more abiding significance. Paraphrase Use of approximate wording which captures the essence but is not verbatim. Idiom A way of saying something peculiar to a group of people. Allegory A metaphor extended into a complete story to illustrate some truth. (Gal. 4:24-31) Fable Similar to a parable, but made up of a fictitious or imaginary story. (Judges 9:7-15) Page 38
Riddle An analogy written up as a puzzle. To solve, will produce some truth. (Judges 14:12-19) Irony and sarcasm A sharp remark uttered in contempt or ridicule. These two words are basically the same, the latter being more severe in degree and intensity. (1 Cor. 4:8) Interrogation To question for effect often not seeking an answer. (Rom. 6) Personification A figure where inanimate objects have personal attributes. (Isa. 55:12) Synecdoche A more inclusive term is used for a less inclusive term or vice versa. A part for the whole or the whole for the part. (Jer. 25:29; 3 days in the grave 1 Cor. 15:4) Page 39
Twenty-three Facts about God 1. God is self-existent. Exod. 3:13 14 2. God is self-sufficient Ps. 50:10 12 3. God is eternal. Deut. 33:27; Ps. 90:2 4. God is infinite. 1 Kings 8:22 27; Jer. 23:24 5. God is omnipresent. Ps. 139:7 12 6. God is omnipotent. Gen. 18:14;Rev. 19:6 7. God is omniscient. Ps. 139:2 6; Isa. 40:13 14 8. God is wise. Prov. 3:19; 1 Tim. 1:17 9. God is immutable. Heb. 1:10 12; 13:8 10. God is sovereign. Isa. 46:9 11 11. God is incomprehensible. Job 11:7 19; Rom. 11:33 12. God is holy. Lev. 19:2; 1 Pet. 1:15 13. God is righteous and just. Ps. 119:137 14. God is true. John 17:3; Titus 1:1 2 15. God is faithful. Deut. 7:9; Ps. 89:1 2 16. God is light. James 1:17; 1 John 1:5 17. God is good. Ps. 107:8 18. God is merciful. Ps. 103:8 17 19. God is gracious. Ps. 111:4; 1 Pet. 5:10 20. God is love. John 3:16; Rom. 5:8 21. God is spirit. John 4:24 22. God is one. Deut. 6:4 5; Isa. 44:6 8 23. God is a Trinity. Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14 Page 40