Interpretation: Some helpful rules.

vsjb34 · Fierce Poodle Joined: 04 Aug 2003 Posts: 281

1. Scripture never contradicts itself.

2. Never interpret a single verse or phrase outside of it's context.

3. For word meanings look up the original word (Greek or Hebrew), find where else the word is used to help clarify the meaning. This works most of the time. Unless a word is only used once.

4. This is language. All the rules of grammar and context apply. Such as connecting words like "and" and also words that related to a thought just stated like "For" and "Therefore", etc. Paragraphs, the intended audience, etc. All these things must be kept in mind when interpreting Scripture.

Ron · Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2003 7:50 pm Post subject:

I have made a bookmark I keep in my Bible when I study with the following guidelines on it to help me stay within the boundaries of interpretation.

- Do not read into God's Word what you want to find. This means do not come to the Bible with a preconceived idea of what a particular passage means and then find the support for your presupposed idea.

-Not every verse applies to us. In Paul's day all men greeted each other with a kiss. As we read Romans 16:16 we are told to "Greet one another with a holy kiss." In those early times the kiss, as a token of peace, friendship, and brotherly love, was frequent among all people; and the Christians used it in their public assemblies, as well as in their occasional meetings. This was at last laid aside, not because it was abused, but because, the Church becoming very numerous, the thing was impossible.

-Discover the author's original intent. A verse cannot mean something to us today that it could not mean to the author's original audience.

-Always read verses in their context Verses in the Bible are not written of a "stand-alone" form. We can choose Bible passages to prove any idea we may choose by taking a particular out of passage and matching it with our own preconceived ideas.

-Note if the Scripture is pas, present, or future. Some passages written in past-tense form have been fulfilled.

-Biblical truths are established on a balance of Scripture. Because we know the Bible never contradicts itself, we cannot decide doctrinal issues on a single passage. We must look at the author's overall message.
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"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 11:15

Yours in Christ with much love,
Ron

http://www.arkwebshost.com/theology/ron