rules for interpreting the bible

8/9/2019 Rules for Interpreting the Bible

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Adam Gonnerman IgneousQuill.com

Rules for Interpreting the Bible

When you look at any passage of Scripture, ask yourself four questions:

1. Who is Speaking?

2. To Whom?

3. For What Purpose?

4. For What Age (Covenant)?We will now consider each of these questions in depth.First, who is speaking? the Bible is God's Word, but He chose to use men to convey Hismessage.

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that wemight know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in wordstaught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual with

spiritual" (1 Corinthians 2:12,13).

So, although Paul or Like or someone else wrote the words, even using the style of languageand writing that was then common, the origin of the words and message was God.

Who was God speaking through in the Book of Romans? The Book of Revelation? James?[Romans 1:1, Revelation 1:1, James 1:1]Second, we must ask ourselves as we consider any passage of Scripture, "Who is being spokento in this passage?"

It is true that the Bible is God's Word to humanity in general, but not all of it applies the sameway to everyone.

For example, let's look at 1st John 1:8-10.

"If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess

our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all

unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in

us."

Who wrote this passage? Most likely the apostle John, inspired by the Spirit of God. Who was

he writing to, saying these words?

The context indicates that Christians received this letter from John. People who have alreadysubmitted to the Lordship of Christ Jesus, and are now Sons of God.

Since this writer is writing to Christians, then verses 8-10 apply to Christians only. If animmersed believer in Christ sins, he or she can confess that sin to God and be forgiven. This

verse does not apply to non-Christians. If someone who has not believed in Christ andsubmitted to Him desires forgiveness, then that person should follow Acts 2:38;
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"Repent, and let each of you be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and you shall receive the

gift of the Holy Spirit."

In the above quoted passage, the apostle Peter is speaking to those who have been unbelievers,and not baptized. In contrast, 1 John 1:8-10 is speaking to baptized Christians.

Take a look at 1 Thessalonians 1:1. This is a good example of both Rule 1 and 2.Third, it is good to ask "for what purpose" was any particular passage of Scripture written?Often, books of the New Testament were written to proclaim some specific doctrine ordoctrines of the faith, and at the same time to denounce other teachings as false.

For example, the Book of Colossians was written by Paul and Timothy (1:1) to the Christians inthe city of Colossae (1:2). They wrote to Colossae because the church there had beeninfluenced by teachers of false religions. Some were teaching that gentiles had to become

Jewish before they could become truly Christian. Others were teaching that Christians shouldembrace certain practices of eastern religions. Both categories of teachers were wrong, and theapostle wrote to correct the problem.

One of my favorite passages from Colossians says:

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the

tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to

Christ"(Colossians 2:8).Fourth and finally, "for what age (covenant)" was an particularpassage written?

God has made a few covenants (binding agreements) in history. The two most prominentcovenants are the Old Covenant (made to the Hebrew nation through Moses) and the NewCovenant (made to all the world through Christ Jesus). The Old Covenant was inaugurated atMount Sinai (Exodus 20-23), and the New Covenant began in the death, burial andresurrection of Christ and in the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Church (Luke 23, 24; Acts2:1-4).

The conditions of one covenant must not be confused with those of another. For example,Exodus 20:8 says:

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."

Which covenant was this written for, the Old or the New? Obviously, for the Old Covenant. TheSabbath was to be the seventh day of the week, a day of rest and religious devotion for thenation of Israel. However, it was not and is not for the Church.

The day of assembly for Christians is the first day of the week, not the seventh.


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"And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread..."(Acts 20:7).

"On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no

collections be made when I come"(1 Corinthians 16:2).

Sunday is the "Lord's day"(Revelation 1:10), but not a sabbath day. The Christian's sabbath rest

is in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 2), not in any special day.So there you have it. Four good rules or

principles to use when studying the Bible, along with some essential Christian doctrine. May God

bless the reading of His Word.

Scripture Passages Quoted:1) 1 Corinthians 2:12-132) 1 John 1:8-10; Acts 2:383) Colossians 2:84) Exodus 20:8; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10

rules for interpreting the bible

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