How to Effectively Study and Interpret of the Bible

[amigo de christo]

Contrast in Scripture is not an 'error'.
It is designed by our Heavenly FATHER to challange us to 'think',

"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter."
Proverbs 25:2

The Word and words of GOD are as meat to the soul of a lamb
but them words can be made as a snare unto the soul of he who truly does not love GOD
but rather loveth to heed men who twist .
You see in the beginning it might seem as contradictions , but even then by grace i knew i was not understanding it .
BUT THE MORE I read it , and by grace the more i read that bible and by grace the more i read that bible
IT ALL Became more and more rightly divided .
YOU will actually find NO ERRORS , NO CONTRADICTIONS in the bible .
Only what might have seemed to be differing , BUT as time goes on and lots of bible reading continues
IT ALL STARTS COMING TOGETHER . AND man does it make one wise unto salvation through faith in JESUS THE CHRIST .
but many due to their lack of love for TRUTH and their desire to sit under men who preach as they want to hear
and not rather as to what IT SAYS
THEY have been made wise unto SLAVATION and bondage through their faith in lost men and in another version of jesus .
Folks got no idea what has become of much of christendom and speciallly in these latter years my friend .
SO what i say to one i must now say to all .
AMBER ALERT , CHRISTENDOM HAS BEEN INFILTRATED and COMPROMISED from within .
I repeat WOLVES have entered in and took over many places and the generation they raised up
has become twice as foul as they . and yet they holler love love love , GOD is love , HE IS LOVE
and they have zero idea their love REJECTES much of HIS TRUTH . and charity DONT REJECT TRUTH
IT REJOICES IN TRUTH
they have no idea another iamge of GOD of CHRIST has been recreated in the image of what they all think is LOVE and is GOD .
BUT ITS THE DEVIL . and i have to say that for the sake of all . WE GOTTA GET THEM IN THAT BIBLE david
for themselves .

 

[Jay Ross]

Hello,

When reading our beloved fallible translation verify that the translations hold to the context of the available Greek or Hebrew texts from which the translations were generated. For example, in the Hebrew text, where we find the Hebrew word "‘ō·w·lām" is usually translated as "forever" but the reality is that the time period was for a finite period of time where the vanishing point, i.e. the end point of that time period, is beyond our ability to envisage or comprehend.

For example, the Promise of possession of a portion/an entity part of the earth found in Genesis 13 and 15 was for a period of time which can be determined from history. Israel began gaining possession of the area of the described land when they began entering the land of after crossing the river Jordan into the land of Canaan and the furthest prophetic land possession was established by King David. It has also been suggested that King Solomon gain possession of some of this prophesied land through his marriages with his many wives.

However, with the death of Solomon, some of the nations to the north of Israel stopped paying tribute to Israel and Rehoboam running short of a source of funds from the tributes no longer being paid, attempted to raise the taxes in Israel to make up for this shortfall, but this resulted in Israel becoming a divided nation with the formation of the Northern and Southerns Kingdoms.

So, the land possessions found in Genesis 13 and 15 was for a limited period of time and only for a few hundred years. In Genesis 15 the possession of the described portions of the earth was as a sign for Israel to know that God intended to give them possession of the whole earth in the distant future. The sign covenant given in Genesis 15 was in response to Abraham's question, found in Genesis 15:7-10: -

7 Then He said to him, "I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this earth to possess it."​

​

8 And he said, "Lord God, how shall I know that I will possess it?"​

​

9 So He said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.​

​

When we consider the historical record, it confirms that "‘ō·w·lām" should not be translated as "forever" but rather as a period of time where the end point of that time period was beyond Israel's ability to comprehend. In other occurrences of "‘ō·w·lām" the timespan is defined as an extended finite time period.

Shalom

 

[amigo de christo]

Hello,

When reading our beloved fallible translation verify that the translations hold to the context of the available Greek or Hebrew texts from which the translations were generated. For example, in the Hebrew text, where we find the Hebrew word "‘ō·w·lām" is usually translated as "forever" but the reality is that the time period was for a finite period of time where the vanishing point, i.e. the end point of that time period, is beyond our ability to envisage or comprehend.

For example, the Promise of possession of a portion/an entity part of the earth found in Genesis 13 and 15 was for a period of time which can be determined from history. Israel began gaining possession of the area of the described land when they began entering the land of after crossing the river Jordan into the land of Canaan and the furthest prophetic land possession was established by King David. It has also been suggested that King Solomon gain possession of some of this prophesied land through his marriages with his many wives.

However, with the death of Solomon, some of the nations to the north of Israel stopped paying tribute to Israel and Rehoboam running short of a source of funds from the tributes no longer being paid, attempted to raise the taxes in Israel to make up for this shortfall, but this resulted in Israel becoming a divided nation with the formation of the Northern and Southerns Kingdoms.

So, the land possessions found in Genesis 13 and 15 was for a limited period of time and only for a few hundred years. In Genesis 15 the possession of the described portions of the earth was as a sign for Israel to know that God intended to give them possession of the whole earth in the distant future. The sign covenant given in Genesis 15 was in response to Abraham's question, found in Genesis 15:7-10: -

7 Then He said to him, "I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this earth to possess it."​

​

8 And he said, "Lord God, how shall I know that I will possess it?"​

​

9 So He said to him, "Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.​

​

When we consider the historical record, it confirms that "‘ō·w·lām" should not be translated as "forever" but rather as a period of time where the end point of that time period was beyond Israel's ability to comprehend. In other occurrences of "‘ō·w·lām" the timespan is defined as an extended finite time period.

Shalom

in some places yes its a time peroid .
but in some instances it is for all eternity . and they shall be with GOD forever and ever .
But yes in some places it seen as a peroid of time . we just gots to learn to rightly discern .
But beware many men , they love to twist the scrips , they sure love to twist my friend .
I actually learned the difference by just reading the bible for myself . strange huh .
Just like i learned there was no contradictions , that what seemed as a difference was only
my own lack of understanding . So now you also know why
i speak against them men that try and pit james against paul etc
or paul and peter preaching two different gospels crap .
And many other lies do they preach . NOT an apostel one taught a different gospel .
Paul preached to both jews and gentiles in a lot of synagogues that same gospel
just as peter who preached to the jews AND to the gentile house o cornleious preached THE SAME GOSPEL .
we is been lied to about many things for a long long time . But i say BIBLE UP for YOU . it will
become clearer and clearer in time .

 

[amigo de christo]

Amber alert , CHRISTENDOM has fallen
the enemy has breached the walls by means of a false peace false love trogan horse of common ground .
and many churches opened that door to that inclusive horse . That now leads them
into alll out rebellion against THE VERY GOD they think they follow but have rejected , the very CHRIST they think they follow but have rejected . .
THE DEVIL did this . HE can wear a lot more than prada folks
HE and his men can WEAR WOOL . watch out for there be many .

 

[Jay Ross]

But I say BIBLE UP for YOU. it will
become clearer and clearer in time.

Yes, that is what I have done. I have taken to reading the bible and allowed the Bible to reveal its secrets to me, instead of relying on the various divergent commentaries that are sold for a profit to provide the answer for me. It takes time for the answers to be revealed, and we need patience for the revelations to be obtained.

Notice I asked the question as to why Rehoboam needed to increase the taxes on the people of Israel, when Solomon had increased the taxes on Israel to the maximum point where they could bear them whereas with Rehoboam tax increases, they rebelled against him which resulted in the kingdom of Israel dividing into two entities.

Notice that I only found my answers from reading the scriptures with little or no input from other sources.

I have a pastor who believes that the scriptures tell us that Abraham at one time worshipped idols based on this verse from the Book of Joshua 24:2: - "And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Your fathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods." However, I believe that this understanding has come about because of a reading comprehension problem. The fact is that Joshua identified which Terah, from the fathers of Israel, by telling us that the Terah he was speaking of, was the father of Abraham and his brother Nahor. Another way of paraphrasing this verse to remove this ambiguity is this: - Joshua 24:2: - "And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Your fathers, including Terah, (the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor), who dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; served other gods."

Today, with the use of computers we would simply make (the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor) a footnote so that the verse would read like this: - 2 And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel: 'Your fathers, including Terah,[1] dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods.

Sadly, many learned theologians, with letters after their name, also believe that Abraham worshiped idols while he lived Ur.

Shalom

---

[1] It should be noted that Terah was the father of Abraham and Nahor.

 

[David in NJ]

Thank you. First, the two quoted verses are not a "contradiction", rather they are the same message presented from two different points of view. This is a common Hebrew style of writing for emphases. The same message is repeated two or more times, either expanding the message or making it more focused. In this case it is an expansion.

Yes, i am familiar.
Thank you

 

[David in NJ]

Thank you. First, the two quoted verses are not a "contradiction", rather they are the same message presented from two different points of view. This is a common Hebrew style of writing for emphases. The same message is repeated two or more times, either expanding the message or making it more focused. In this case it is an expansion.

In this case it is an expansion.

Absolutely

The LORD desires to expand our understanding.

 

[David in NJ]

The Word and words of GOD are as meat to the soul of a lamb
but them words can be made as a snare unto the soul of he who truly does not love GOD
but rather loveth to heed men who twist .
You see in the beginning it might seem as contradictions , but even then by grace i knew i was not understanding it .
BUT THE MORE I read it , and by grace the more i read that bible and by grace the more i read that bible
IT ALL Became more and more rightly divided .
YOU will actually find NO ERRORS , NO CONTRADICTIONS in the bible .
Only what might have seemed to be differing , BUT as time goes on and lots of bible reading continues
IT ALL STARTS COMING TOGETHER . AND man does it make one wise unto salvation through faith in JESUS THE CHRIST .
but many due to their lack of love for TRUTH and their desire to sit under men who preach as they want to hear
and not rather as to what IT SAYS
THEY have been made wise unto SLAVATION and bondage through their faith in lost men and in another version of jesus .
Folks got no idea what has become of much of christendom and speciallly in these latter years my friend .
SO what i say to one i must now say to all .
AMBER ALERT , CHRISTENDOM HAS BEEN INFILTRATED and COMPROMISED from within .
I repeat WOLVES have entered in and took over many places and the generation they raised up
has become twice as foul as they . and yet they holler love love love , GOD is love , HE IS LOVE
and they have zero idea their love REJECTES much of HIS TRUTH . and charity DONT REJECT TRUTH
IT REJOICES IN TRUTH
they have no idea another iamge of GOD of CHRIST has been recreated in the image of what they all think is LOVE and is GOD .
BUT ITS THE DEVIL . and i have to say that for the sake of all . WE GOTTA GET THEM IN THAT BIBLE david
for themselves .

BUT THE MORE I read it , and by grace the more i read that bible and by grace the more i read that bible

BEAUTIFUL and TRUE = same for me

IT ALL Became more and more rightly divided .

The Holy Spirit only leads us into Truth = if we submit to Him and the Word

YOU will actually find NO ERRORS , NO CONTRADICTIONS in the bible .

No errors that diverts us away from TRUTH

 

[Behold]

A general comment: Rather than most folks meaning to imply that they are using the "original autographic manuscripts", most are referring to using original language manuscripts

I haven't found what you stated, to be accurate.

What ive noticed is that "scholarship" wants to sit as the final authority above the Bible, (English Version), so, what they SAY is... "a better rendering is found in the Original".,. or "The Original says"... or.. "the english translation is weak here, or wrong here, so, in the ORIGINAL"...

So, they dont say "originals" or "in the original language".. ..instead...what these incredible Liars ALL do, these self appointed bible correctors, do.. is try to pretend that there is an ORIGINAL somewhere, that They have access to, that THEY have mastered, which gives them the authority inside their self deceived heads.... to come to a Forum, or stand in a Pulpit, or before a Classroom, or in a Youtube video, and presume to have the SECRET interpretation, that only the "ORIGINAL" can provide..through them...

And this is the worst sort of carnal self righteous lying,... because its the very epitome of Satanic subversion of God's Word, as these (educated beyond their intelligence) LIARS, pretend they have the Truth, they have the ORIGINAL (wink)......, and all you have is some old bible filled with errors.... that needs to be CORRECTED by one of these self appointed : Authorities.

Avoid them.
They are a demonic plague on the body of Christ, 2nd only to Calvinism.

 

[David in NJ]

I haven't found what you stated, to be accurate.

What ive noticed is that "scholarship" wants to sit as the final authority above the Bible, (English Version), so, what they SAY is... "a better rendering is found in the Original".,. or "The Original says"... or.. "the english translation is weak here, or wrong here, so, in the ORIGINAL"...

So, they dont say "originals" or "in the original language".. ..instead...what these incredible Liars ALL do, these self appointed bible correctors, do.. is try to pretend that there is an ORIGINAL somewhere, that They have access to, that THEY have mastered, which gives them the authority inside their self deceived heads.... to come to a Forum, or stand in a Pulpit, or before a Classroom, or in a Youtube video, and presume to have the SECRET interpretation, that only the "ORIGINAL" can provide..through them...

And this is the worst sort of carnal self righteous lying,... because its the very epitome of Satanic subversion of God's Word, as these (educated beyond their intelligence) LIARS, pretend they have the Truth, they have the ORIGINAL (wink)......, and all you have is some old bible filled with errors.... that needs to be CORRECTED by one of these self appointed : Authorities.

Avoid them.
They are a demonic plague on the body of Christ, 2nd only to Calvinism.

What I have noticed is that "scholarship" wants to sit as the final authority above the Bible,

You nailed it!

 

[AW Bowman]

I haven't found what you stated, to be accurate.

What ive noticed is that "scholarship" wants to sit as the final authority above the Bible, (English Version), so, what they SAY is... "a better rendering is found in the Original".,. or "The Original says"... or.. "the english translation is weak here, or wrong here, so, in the ORIGINAL"...

So, they dont say "originals" or "in the original language".. ..instead...what these incredible Liars ALL do, these self appointed bible correctors, do.. is try to pretend that there is an ORIGINAL somewhere, that They have access to, that THEY have mastered, which gives them the authority inside their self deceived heads.... to come to a Forum, or stand in a Pulpit, or before a Classroom, or in a Youtube video, and presume to have the SECRET interpretation, that only the "ORIGINAL" can provide..through them...

And this is the worst sort of carnal self righteous lying,... because its the very epitome of Satanic subversion of God's Word, as these (educated beyond their intelligence) LIARS, pretend they have the Truth, they have the ORIGINAL (wink)......, and all you have is some old bible filled with errors.... that needs to be CORRECTED by one of these self appointed : Authorities.

Avoid them.
They are a demonic plague on the body of Christ, 2nd only to Calvinism.

I understand your position. To whit the purpose of this thread: To provide a methodology where by individuals can "self feed" on the word. Also, to provided a mechanism by which one can challenge spiritual leaders who have miss used Scripture in order to support their own agendas. It is never rude or presumptuous to ask a teacher, "What Scriptures are your basing your interpretation (conclusions, authority) on?" Then go back and personally check those references for yourself - see if what you were told is true or not. Everyone should always remember that salvation is ultimately a personal responsibility. However, in today's Western church there are very few who take that responsibility seriously. Also everyone needs to remember that when it comes to salvation your highest priorities need to be the word, the Holy Spirit, and you. Everything you hear or read is someone else's commentary on the Bible. There is a biblical roll for teachers, prophets, etc. within the church, so chose your "experts" with care - and question everything!

 

[David in NJ]

I understand your position. To whit the purpose of this thread: To provide a methodology where by individuals can "self feed" on the word. Also, to provided a mechanism by which one can challenge spiritual leaders who have miss used Scripture in order to support their own agendas. It is never rude or presumptuous to ask a teacher, "What Scriptures are your basing your interpretation (conclusions, authority) on?" Then go back and personally check those references for yourself - see if what you were told is true or not. Everyone should always remember that salvation is ultimately a personal responsibility. However, in today's Western church there are very few who take that responsibility seriously. Also everyone needs to remember that when it comes to salvation your highest priorities need to be the word, the Holy Spirit, and you. Everything you hear or read is someone else's commentary on the Bible. There is a biblical roll for teachers, prophets, etc. within the church, so chose your "experts" with care - and question everything!

It is never rude or presumptuous to ask a teacher, "What Scriptures are your basing your interpretation (conclusions, authority) on?" Then go back and personally check those references for yourself

ABSOLUTELY TRUE 24/7

Also everyone needs to remember that when it comes to salvation your highest priorities need to be the word, the Holy Spirit, and you.

This is also TRUE
i would only amend the last word of "you" in this sentence to: 'your faith in the Word'.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
Ephesians 2:8

 

[AW Bowman]

Comments on interpretive questions

First question what did the original author say?

How many people know and understand Hebrew, Greek, and English, to the point they may be considered as experts in those languages? Answer: very, very few. Early in the tread we discussed variances found in the original language text, all of which are copies of copies of earlier text. Fortunately, however, there are relatively few variances to be found among the multiple Hebrew text. Further, but variances we have found are relatively minor and do not materially change the message of those texts.

Greek manuscripts. However, we find significant variances. We have passages that have been modified, passages that have been added, and some passages that have the experts divided. An outstanding reference source is the book entitled Essential Guide to Bible Versions, by Philip W. Comfort, Ph.D.

With this level of uncertainty, the trustworthy of various manuscripts used as sources for our modern translations leaves the interpretation of the Bible with some serious questions. At this point it is imperative that we read several translations while we are attempting to formulate our own interpretation of the Bible. Good Study Bibles will also have marginal notes concerning the translation of questionable words, verses, and paragraphs. The primary translation resources are usually identified in the preface to the Bible. Parallel Bibles that contain three or more translations in parallel might be good place to start with. Online Bibles generally have a multitude of original language resources, and translations, with notes and reputable commentaries that you can use. A vast majority of the online resources are free of charge, with some modules available at a minimum charge.

Major note: Undertaking Bible interpretation seriously is hard work. It requires time, effort, and dedication. It is not for the faint of heart, because it requires the interpreter to be brutally honest with themselves. Why? Because when engaged in an honest interpretation effort, the interpreter will, by necessity, find their belief system at some point challenged, and be required to alter or even abandon a favorite doctrine, or modification to their theology. One wise pastor of the 19th or early 20th century said, “If your view of God does not change within every five years, you are brain-dead.” Meaning: You have demonstrated to yourself that you have not grown in your spiritual walk with God.

Next: Question #2. A more difficult subject.

 

[David in NJ]

Comments on interpretive questions

First question what did the original author say?

How many people know and understand Hebrew, Greek, and English, to the point they may be considered as experts in those languages? Answer: very, very few. Early in the tread we discussed variances found in the original language text, all of which are copies of copies of earlier text. Fortunately, however, there are relatively few variances to be found among the multiple Hebrew text. Further, but variances we have found are relatively minor and do not materially change the message of those texts.

Greek manuscripts. However, we find significant variances. We have passages that have been modified, passages that have been added, and some passages that have the experts divided. An outstanding reference source is the book entitled Essential Guide to Bible Versions, by Philip W. Comfort, Ph.D.

With this level of uncertainty, the trustworthy of various manuscripts used as sources for our modern translations leaves the interpretation of the Bible with some serious questions. At this point it is imperative that we read several translations while we are attempting to formulate our own interpretation of the Bible. Good Study Bibles will also have marginal notes concerning the translation of questionable words, verses, and paragraphs. The primary translation resources are usually identified in the preface to the Bible. Parallel Bibles that contain three or more translations in parallel might be good place to start with. Online Bibles generally have a multitude of original language resources, and translations, with notes and reputable commentaries that you can use. A vast majority of the online resources are free of charge, with some modules available at a minimum charge.

Major note: Undertaking Bible interpretation seriously is hard work. It requires time, effort, and dedication. It is not for the faint of heart, because it requires the interpreter to be brutally honest with themselves. Why? Because when engaged in an honest interpretation effort, the interpreter will, by necessity, find their belief system at some point challenged, and be required to alter or even abandon a favorite doctrine, or modification to their theology. One wise pastor of the 19th or early 20th century said, “If your view of God does not change within every five years, you are brain-dead.” Meaning: You have demonstrated to yourself that you have not grown in your spiritual walk with God.

Next: Question #2. A more difficult subject.

How many people know and understand Hebrew, Greek, and English, to the point they may be considered as experts in those languages? Answer: very, very few.

Do you believe we cannot know God's words unless we know the 'original' Hebrew, Greek and English???

 

[AW Bowman]

Do you believe we cannot know God's words unless we know the 'original' Hebrew, Greek and English???

Of course not! I made that abundantly clear in previous posts. But, using a good lexicon sure helps. Even so, it was those "experts" that made today's Bibles possible. Now local "experts" can be okay, but I would rather trust established (respected) expert opinions. Yet, as I have often said, check everything and all commentaries (pastors, Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, etc.) against the word. Remember, every opinion voiced about the word of God is someone's commentary - it may be a good and a bad commentary, but it what they think and hold to, that includes you and me, and everyone who posts their opinion about what the Bible teaches. It is the result of our interpretation of what we read and what we have heard from someone they trust. A trap we all often fall into is thinking that our interpretation (commentary) is better than most everyone else's. Every teacher must first be a continuous student (remain teachable), so we all need to be both students as well as teachers, at some level.

 

[David in NJ]

Of course not! I made that abundantly clear in previous posts. But, using a good lexicon sure helps. Even so, it was those "experts" that made today's Bibles possible. Now local "experts" can be okay, but I would rather trust established (respected) expert opinions. Yet, as I have often said, check everything and all commentaries (pastors, Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, etc.) against the word. Remember, every opinion voiced about the word of God is someone's commentary - it may be a good and a bad commentary, but it what they think and hold to, that includes you and me, and everyone who posts their opinion about what the Bible teaches. It is the result of our interpretation of what we read and what we have heard from someone they trust. A trap we all often fall into is thinking that our interpretation (commentary) is better than most everyone else's. Every teacher must first be a continuous student (remain teachable), so we all need to be both students as well as teachers, at some level.

Even so, it was those "experts" that made today's Bibles possible.

Those "experts" were only given the task to translate words of scripture = and God watched over them(not all) to accomplish His will.

every opinion voiced about the word of God is someone's commentary

Not always!
To say "every" is a unqualified judgment call of which neither yourself nor any scholar, nor i have that authority.
But i am sure, in this lateness of the Hour, many are = rcc, jw, mormon, lds, sda, baptist, pentecostal..............

Every teacher must first be a continuous student (remain teachable), so we all need to be both students as well as teachers, at some level.

ABSOLUTELY TRUE

There is a KEY to unlocking and understanding scripture, that most Christians do not submit unto.

 

[Spyder]

Keeping my statement in view of what I have seen in the U.S., I can say that "Christians" I know or have known do not depend on God for understanding truth. The depend on what kind of seminary degree they have and validate their qualifications based on whether or not they say the same things that their parents and grandparents said. The whole idea of searching the scriptures and depending on our petition to God for truth is a foreign idea. This started a very long time ago, and it is rare to find someone who is willing to consider that they don't already "know the truth." Rather than using God and the wisdom that He gave us, we seem to depend on a charismatic speaker with a degree.

 

[Spyder]

I believe that God inspired the originals but I also believe he can and does inspire a translator to faithful translate his word. I know everyone doesn’t agree with that but that’s what I have found over the years.

I understand that belief, as I have heard it claimed before. The problem is that we are told in scripture that we don't need that any man teach us - and at that point, most people are lost. Our relationship with God and His Son is not the kind where are trust is in God. We trust people, and so Christianity has splintered into what we see today. We can't even grant grace to someone who disagrees with our views. If we could only understand that the things written here should be a reason to search and not a reason to fight.

 

[amigo de christo]

Interpretation Questions

So, back to the tool, a methodology for interpreting Scripture. After reviewing the pdf attachment in post # 392, p 20, Context, let's review the questions we should ask when starting our studies.

Please Note: You may not be able to apply all the following questions to every subject you are studying. So please, don’t become discouraged, or even frustrated if you cannot apply an answer to every question in the list, but at least give it a try.

• What did the original author say? (Textual criticism).
• What did the original author main? (Exegesis).
• What did the original author say elsewhere on the same subject? (Parallel passages).
• What do other Bible authors say on the same subject? (Parallel passages).
• How did the original hearers understand the message and respond to it? (historical application)
• How does this truth apply to my day? (Modern application).
• How does this truth apply to my life? (Personal application)
• 
  There are some common literary safeguards that will reduce the frequency of misinterpretation. Primarily the Bible is subject to its immediate and extended context and genre (e.g. poetry, historical, parable, prophetic, etc.).
  
  When formulating your interpretation or listening to a teacher, or reading a denominational tract, a Sunday school quarterly, a Christian magazine, etc., please follow the advice offered in acts 17:11, 12
  
  “These [Jews of Berea] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.”
  
  And….,
  
  Second Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
  
  I pray that the study material I am providing assists in this activity.

Stay well read in the scriptures daily . And HE who inspired them words is but a prayer away for understanding .
I learned by simply reading the bible for hours daily and praying to GOD .

 

[Marvelloustime]

Stay well read in the scriptures daily . And HE who inspired them words is but a prayer away for understanding .
I learned by simply reading the bible for hours daily and praying to GOD .