STUDYING THE BIBLE EFFECTIVELY (episode 4)

Part III. Other Rules for Bible Study
A. Consider Other Passages on the Same Subject.
Truth on a subject is determined by "adding up" all pertinent passages.
Acts 3:22,23 - Hearken to all things Jesus spoke. Bible study is not like a cafeteria where you take what you want and leave the rest.
Matthew 4:4,7 - Live by every word from God's mouth. For example, Jesus showed that the devil has misused one passage by considering another passage.
John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 14:33 - God's word is truth. He is not the author of confusion. Truth does not contradict itself.
Never "interpret" a passage in a way that contradicts other passages. Conclusions should harmonize with all that God has spoken.
[Rev. 22:18,19; Acts 20:20,27; Matt. 28:20; 12:25,26; James 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 1 Cor. 1:10,13]
Some applications
The pattern of worship is not entirely revealed in one passage. We must study many passages and take the whole pattern.
Likewise, the steps to salvation are not all revealed in any one passage. Denominations err by taking passages that teach we are saved by faith, ignoring passages about baptism, and concluding we are saved by "faith only" without baptism.
So some members of the Lord's church emphasize the command to be baptized, then apparently ignore verses that require a faithful life, attendance, etc.
B. Consider Context and Background.
"Context" means the verses surrounding the one being studied, especially verses on the same subject. By "background" we mean who is speaking, to whom they speak, etc. These are just a particular form of considering all the Bible says (see the last point).
Consider some specific benefits of considering context and background:
Word meanings: Words may have different meanings in different contexts. We learn the correct meaning by how the word is used.
Acts 20:17,28 shows that the "elders" (v17) are "bishops" or "overseers" (v28). Hence, both terms refer to the same work or office.
Further explanation: When a verse confuses us, other statements nearby may clarify the meaning.
Acts 16:31-34 - Some people claim v31 means we are saved by "faith only," so baptism is not needed. But v32-34 shows that only part of the gospel had been taught. When all was taught, baptism was so urgent that the sinner had to do it even in the middle of the night (cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16; etc.).
Proper application: Often a statement can best be understood by considering how it is applied in context.
Romans 7:1-7 - We have been discharged from the law, but what law does this mean? It included, "Thou shalt not covet" (v7) - one of the Ten Commands. Hence, the law we are freed from includes the Ten Commands.
The speaker: Every Bible word is infallible, but sometimes it infallibly records the sins or lies of fallible people.
Psalm 14:1 quotes "There is no God." But who says this? The fool says it. The Bible accurately records, not that the statement is true, but that foolish people truly do say it.
Job 2:9 says "Curse God and die." But who says this? Job's wife said it, and was immediately rebuked by Job.
To understand the Bible properly we must realize that sometimes it accurately records the fact that fallible people do or say sinful things.
The people addressed, when and where: Not all instructions in the Bible - not even all that God spoke - are intended for us to obey.
Genesis 6:13,14 - God told Noah to build an ark. Must we build one?
Genesis 22:1,2 - God told Abraham to sacrifice his son. Must we slay ours?
Luke 23:39-43 - Jesus said the thief on the cross would be in Paradise, so some conclude we today can be saved without baptism. But the man Jesus addressed lived under the Old Testament before Jesus died to remove it (Heb. 9:16,17; Col. 2:14). This no more applies today than the command to Noah to build the ark or the command to Abraham to slay his son.
C. Define the Meaning of the Words.
The Bible is verbally inspired - each word is from God (see previous notes). The message is revealed in words, and we understand it only when we understand the words.
Words are sometimes used today in ways that completely differ from the meaning in the Bible. Consider such words as the following: saint, church, bishop, Christian, etc.
The word "baptism" is defined today as sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, but in the Bible it means immersion (Rom. 6:4; Acts 8:38,39).
Dictionaries may help, but the best way to learn Bible words is to study them by the means already discussed: context and parallel passages.
Part IV: Tools & Suggested Procedures for Bible Study
Having completed our study of requirements for Bible study, we will now offer some helps and suggested methods of applying these principles. These ideas harmonize with the principles we have learned, but other approaches may fit them too.
A. Helpful Tools for Study
Translations: The Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek, so we need translations into our language. Since the Bible is verbally inspired, translations ought to give the exact meaning of the original words.
Unfortunately some modern "translations" are too loose, emphasizing eloquent expression instead of original meaning. Other translations come from one man or one denomination, so their views may influence their work. Seek a translation made by many men from different groups, who believe in verbal inspiration and who emphasize the meaning of the original words (the introduction usually describes the translators and their philosophy).
For a primary study Bible, we suggest the King James Version, New King James Version, American Standard Version, or New American Standard Version. Others may be useful for comparison, but not for a main study Bible. Comparing several translations may help clarify the text.
Cross references: Some Bibles have footnotes on each verse that refer to other similar verses. From those verses you might find still others, etc. This is useful for "studying other verses on the subject."
Concordance: A concordance lists words in the Bible alphabetically and gives passages where each word is used. Some concordances are brief; others are more complete.
Uses of a concordance include: (1) finding many passages about a subject; (2) finding a particular verse if you know one or two words in it; (3) determining the meaning of a word by studying verses where it is used.
Other helps: The following helps may be useful, but remember they are written by fallible humans who can be wrong.
(1) Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias are descriptions, listed alphabetically, of Bible people, places, things, and events. Emphasis is on history and geography. Do not expect detailed definitions or discussions of doctrinal matters.
(2) Word study helps include "expository dictionaries" and lexicons. These actually define Bible words. You look up the English word in an expository dictionary, but you must know the Greek or Hebrew alphabet to use a lexicon. Be careful with these books if you have no training in the original languages.
(3) Commentaries are verse-by-verse explanations of the Bible text. Be especially careful because the authors' beliefs may contradict Scripture. If you use commentaries, study several to get alternative views, consider the reasons the author gives for his view, and always let the Bible be your final authority.
B. Suggested Procedures for Bible Study
Too many people do not study the Bible in an organized way, and too many depend on others to study for them. It may not be wrong to use someone else's material to guide us in a study, yet some members cannot study for themselves.
The following suggestions are designed to help you start with just a few basic Bible study tools and study a Bible passage or subject for yourself. They are general guidelines that may be abbreviated or modified in some cases. But they should be helpful in learning God's word.
Suggested procedure for studying a Bible passage
Suppose you have a particular section of Scripture you want to study: a verse, chapter, section, or even a whole book. The following procedure will help you use the principles we have learned.
1. Study the general background of the book of the Bible. Who wrote it? What do you know about the author? To whom was it written, and what do you know about these people? When was it written and under what circumstances? You may learn this information from reading the book itself (see next step) or by using cross-references, concordances, etc.
2. Read the passage in context. You may need to read the whole book. Understand the theme of the book, and list the main subjects discussed.
3. Study the particular passage section by section. Examine each paragraph, each verse, each phrase, and even each word. Define key words using context, parallel passages, other translations, and dictionaries. Study other passages on the subject (use cross references and concordance).
Ask yourself questions about what the passage does and does not mean, and consider alternative views. Search for evidence till you can answer your questions, prove what view is correct, and explain the meaning in your own words. Think of examples or illustrations to help explain the passage. Make specific applications to your own life and the lives of others.
Write careful notes throughout your study, and save your notes for future reference.
Suggested procedure for studying a Bible subject
1. Select and define the topic. Write it as precisely as you can in a few statements or questions. Revise if necessary as you proceed.
2. Jot down everything you think you know about the topic: passages, main points, illustrations, applications, etc.
3. List the important words related to the topic. You will use these to find pertinent passages in the concordance. Be sure to define them as you proceed.
4. List the important passages. Use memory, concordance, cross references, etc.
5. Study each passage using the methods previously described for passages. Ask questions, draw conclusions, make applications, think of illustrations.
6. Organize the material. Divide your topic logically into its major divisions and sub-divisions. Classify each item of information under the appropriate sub-division. (If you cannot do this, you probably need to study more to understand the material better.)
Again, take careful notes at each step. You may want to write a final outline or summary of the material, especially if it is to be taught to others. Save your notes for future study.
Conclusion
God's word not only teaches why we should study, it teaches us how to study. We have no good excuse for not studying and learning God's word. Our eternal destiny depends on the outcome.