Keys to Understanding the Bible
Here are 15 keys to help you understand the Bible.
Take time to ponder what you have been learning from the Bible.
1. Pray for understanding
Before you even begin to
study, ask God to guide and show you His will. Remember that it is
the Creator who gives true understanding through His Word. You
cannot gain it on your own (Psalms 119:33-40;
Proverbs 3:5-8; Jeremiah 9:23-24).
2. Keep an open mind
Be willing to admit when you
are wrong and change, even if it means letting go of a long-held
belief or tradition. If you can successfully apply this one
principle, you will be far ahead in the search for spiritual truth
(Acts 17:11; Isaiah 8:20).
3. Humbly seek instruction and correction
Approach the Bible with a
teachable, humble attitude. The Word of God judges our innermost
thoughts. It can show us who we really are. It can reveal every flaw
in our character. So be ready to heed its correction (Jeremiah
10:23-24; Isaiah 66:1-5; Romans
8:6-9; Matthew 5:48).
4. Accept the inspiration of all the Bible
The entire Bible, both Old
and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God. When studying, keep
in mind that He inspired the words you are reading; God is directly
speaking to you through them (2 Peter 1:21; Philippians
2:5; John 6:63).
5. Plan time for regular study
It’s easy to let everyday
concerns interfere, so schedule study time and try to maintain it.
Over time you will look forward to this daily experience (Ephesians 5:15-17).
6. Let the Bible interpret itself
If something seems confusing
or even contradictory, let clear biblical passages shed light on
those you find difficult to understand. Scriptures do not contradict
each another; they complement each other. Also, to properly
understand a verse in the Bible, don’t force your personal point of
view into it. Instead use the context and other relevant scriptures
to find the correct meaning (2 Peter 1:20; John
10:35; John 17:17; Isaiah 28:9-10).
7. Study topics
Concentrate, at various
times, on one subject, doctrine or book. Use a concordance or other
study aid to put together all the scriptures relevant to a subject.
This will allow you to see all that God has to say about a
particular topic (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). For help
getting started, send for our free Bible Study Course .
8. Read the whole Bible
Go through the Bible from
cover to cover. By reading every section of the Bible, you give
yourself a broad familiarity and perspective that will help you shed
preconceived ideas about doctrinal subjects. Our Bible Reading
Program provides a convenient schedule for
accomplishing this and other goals.
9. Compare different translations
The Bible was written in
ancient languages, and scholars sometimes differ on how certain
verses should be translated today. A literal rendering is often
preferred, but a thought-for-thought translation or paraphrase is
sometimes better at capturing the intent of ancient figures of
speech. We must also be aware that doctrinal bias can influence
translation. Comparing Bible versions will inform us on
disagreements in translation and help us to sort through such
issues.
10. Use study aids properly
Many Bible study aids are
quite helpful. They can provide valuable historical background or
point you to other scriptures that add clarity to what you are
reading. Aids include concordances, lexicons, dictionaries, maps and
commentaries. However, always keep in mind that such resources are
not Scripture and can be wrong.
11. Seek guidance from God’s
Church
It is always best to seek
help from qualified people in any field of study. God has
commissioned His servants to guide people into a fuller
understanding of His Word. If you have questions, feel free to
contact us. We offer free publications and resources on a wide
variety of biblical subjects (Proverbs 11:14; Nehemiah
8:8; Acts 8:30-31; Acts 18:26;
Romans 10:14-15).
12. Take notes
Jot down notes and
explanatory comments in your Bible, a notebook or computer. This
will help you remember key ideas or related scriptures. Some people
use a marking system, with colors or symbols, to keep track of key
verses by categories (doctrine, correction, prophecy, etc.). This
can help you save time when looking for a particular section of
Scripture.
13. Review and meditate
Take time to ponder what you
have been learning. If something seems hard to understand, take some
time to consider its meaning, using what you have already learned as
the starting point. Reflect on what the Bible is saying and on how
you can apply the verses in everyday life (Psalms 1:1-3; Psalms 119:97-99; Psalms 139:17-18).
14. Obey God’s Word and prove it right
Put God’s Word to the test
by practicing the things you are learning. Acknowledge how His ways
bring positive change in your life. The best way to determine that
God’s commands and teachings bring true peace and blessings is by
living them (Psalms 111:10; John 3:22; John 10:10; John 8:31-32; Malachi 3:10).
15. Hold fast
Once you have proven
something to be true, don’t allow yourself to be lightly convinced
out of it. While new evidence may overturn your previous conclusion,
this must be the product of serious study in God’s Word. And always
beware, because false teachers can lead you astray. Ask God to help
you remain true to His teachings (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 3:13-15; Colossians
1:22-23; Psalms 119:10-16).