Studying the Bible
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him. Neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Rightly dividing the word of truth.
The Bible is the world's best-selling book. Year after year, millions of copies are sold or given away. Although most ancient books have disappeared from memory, the Bible continues to be printed more than any other book on earth and is available in more than 2,000 languages. It has helped form the basis for Western society and has shaped much of its religious, economic and social outlook.
Yet in spite of the Bible's popularity, it has also aptly been described as the world's most misunderstood book. Although millions of people are Bible readers, many find it hard to understand. Some even give up trying, thinking it too confusing. Possibly you have been one of those who have found the Bible difficult to comprehend. Perhaps you wish you knew how to better apply its timeless principles, how to use it to build a right relationship with its author, our Creator. I pray that the following will help point you in the right direction.
1. Ask for God's help with a Proper Attitude
2. Obedience Brings Understanding
3. Accept the Inspiration of All the Bible
4. Consider the Context
5. Consider All the Scriptures on the Subject
6. Use Bible Helps Properly
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Rightly dividing the word of truth.
The Bible is the world's best-selling book. Year after year, millions of copies are sold or given away. Although most ancient books have disappeared from memory, the Bible continues to be printed more than any other book on earth and is available in more than 2,000 languages. It has helped form the basis for Western society and has shaped much of its religious, economic and social outlook.
Yet in spite of the Bible's popularity, it has also aptly been described as the world's most misunderstood book. Although millions of people are Bible readers, many find it hard to understand. Some even give up trying, thinking it too confusing. Possibly you have been one of those who have found the Bible difficult to comprehend. Perhaps you wish you knew how to better apply its timeless principles, how to use it to build a right relationship with its author, our Creator. I pray that the following will help point you in the right direction.
1. Ask for God's help with a Proper Attitude
2. Obedience Brings Understanding
3. Accept the Inspiration of All the Bible
4. Consider the Context
5. Consider All the Scriptures on the Subject
6. Use Bible Helps Properly
1. Ask for God's help with a Proper Attitude.
Curiously enough, we find that the Bible is not a book that can be readily understood by everyone. How then can we come to understand it? Our first step is to humbly ask God for help. Prayer, coming to God to humbly ask for His help is the first vital key to understanding His Word. God describes the kind of attitude and approach He respects in: Isaiah 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
God does not play favorites, He is not concerned with the color of a person's skin or his or her nationality. He looks on the heart, the attitude and approach to determine whether to give understanding. Peter says: Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Jesus Christ thanked God the Father for the way He chose whom to give spiritual understanding in: Luke 10:21-22 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
God reserves the right to choose those to whom He will reveal spiritual understanding. Sometimes one whom God so chooses may indeed hold to views that oppose the truth, as did the apostle Paul. God miraculously called this man who had vigorously persecuted the early Christians. God opened his mind and used him as a powerful tool to reveal a wealth of spiritual truth and to write much of what we now know as the New Testament.
Notice the importance of God's involvement in our understanding of the Bible. Christ said to His disciples: Luke 24:44-45 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.
It was not their intellect that let them grasp the meaning, they had to have divine help:
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Because God inspired the Bible, it follows that it is not a mere book that takes only a measure of intellectual effort to understand. God reserves the right to grant an understanding of His precious truths to whomever He will. Our motivation in studying the Bible is important. If we feel compelled to read it to please others or pore over it only as a religious duty, God likely will not open the Scriptures true meaning to us. His truths will remain hidden. How then can we find these truths?
As we have seen, the first key to understanding Scripture is to ask for God's help with a right attitude: Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Why is attitude so important? Paul reveals the answer: 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
No one will be able to boast that he was able to rightly understand God's spiritual truths with only his native intelligence and his own effort. On the other hand, once a person humbly asks God for help and is committed to obeying what he learns, he is on the right track. Christ explained this to His disciples: Matthew 18:3-4 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
No matter how intelligent we may be, if we don't humble ourselves and become teachable as a small child, God will not help us grasp His Word. God promises that He will faithfully answer a humble request for understanding from those with whom He is working. James writes:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
All through the Bible we see examples of people who asked humbly for godly wisdom and were rewarded. Examples are David, Solomon, Daniel, Esther and Jesus Christ first disciples. An example of a proper, humble, godly approach is that of the Bereans: Acts 17:10-12 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These 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. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Unlike others, the Bereans did not immediately reject what Paul was saying, even though many things they heard contradicted their own long-held beliefs. They carefully reviewed the Scriptures with an open mind and saw that what Paul had said made sense. Then after diligently searching the Scriptures, they verified that what he taught was indeed the truth and they humbly accepted his teachings. Similarly, if we want to understand the Bible, we need the attitude of the Bereans. We need to carefully review the Scriptures, not taking our beliefs for granted. Because as the Bereans found, our own ideas can be wrong.
Is humility, then, all that is needed? That a person begins with a humble attitude doesn't mean he will continue that approach and gain the understanding he seeks. The Bible shows that some who come to an understanding of certain basic revealed spiritual truths will lose that comprehension because they do not act on them. By rejecting knowledge revealed by God, they choose to lay aside their humility and exalt their own point of view.
Jesus illustrated in His explanation of the parable of the sewer why some will understand while others will not: Luke 8:10-15 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
There in Christ's words are some of the reasons people fail to grow in spiritual understanding. Most do not persevere in God's Word because of negligence, lack of faith or a self-centered rather than godly outlook. An attitude of prayerfully, humbly seeking help from God so we can learn. Leading to putting into practice what we do learn, is the first key to understanding God's truths in the Bible. You can put this principle into practice by asking God to enlighten, teach, instruct and correct you from His Word and lead you in understanding it.
Curiously enough, we find that the Bible is not a book that can be readily understood by everyone. How then can we come to understand it? Our first step is to humbly ask God for help. Prayer, coming to God to humbly ask for His help is the first vital key to understanding His Word. God describes the kind of attitude and approach He respects in: Isaiah 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
God does not play favorites, He is not concerned with the color of a person's skin or his or her nationality. He looks on the heart, the attitude and approach to determine whether to give understanding. Peter says: Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Jesus Christ thanked God the Father for the way He chose whom to give spiritual understanding in: Luke 10:21-22 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
God reserves the right to choose those to whom He will reveal spiritual understanding. Sometimes one whom God so chooses may indeed hold to views that oppose the truth, as did the apostle Paul. God miraculously called this man who had vigorously persecuted the early Christians. God opened his mind and used him as a powerful tool to reveal a wealth of spiritual truth and to write much of what we now know as the New Testament.
Notice the importance of God's involvement in our understanding of the Bible. Christ said to His disciples: Luke 24:44-45 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.
It was not their intellect that let them grasp the meaning, they had to have divine help:
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Because God inspired the Bible, it follows that it is not a mere book that takes only a measure of intellectual effort to understand. God reserves the right to grant an understanding of His precious truths to whomever He will. Our motivation in studying the Bible is important. If we feel compelled to read it to please others or pore over it only as a religious duty, God likely will not open the Scriptures true meaning to us. His truths will remain hidden. How then can we find these truths?
As we have seen, the first key to understanding Scripture is to ask for God's help with a right attitude: Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Why is attitude so important? Paul reveals the answer: 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
No one will be able to boast that he was able to rightly understand God's spiritual truths with only his native intelligence and his own effort. On the other hand, once a person humbly asks God for help and is committed to obeying what he learns, he is on the right track. Christ explained this to His disciples: Matthew 18:3-4 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
No matter how intelligent we may be, if we don't humble ourselves and become teachable as a small child, God will not help us grasp His Word. God promises that He will faithfully answer a humble request for understanding from those with whom He is working. James writes:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
All through the Bible we see examples of people who asked humbly for godly wisdom and were rewarded. Examples are David, Solomon, Daniel, Esther and Jesus Christ first disciples. An example of a proper, humble, godly approach is that of the Bereans: Acts 17:10-12 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These 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. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Unlike others, the Bereans did not immediately reject what Paul was saying, even though many things they heard contradicted their own long-held beliefs. They carefully reviewed the Scriptures with an open mind and saw that what Paul had said made sense. Then after diligently searching the Scriptures, they verified that what he taught was indeed the truth and they humbly accepted his teachings. Similarly, if we want to understand the Bible, we need the attitude of the Bereans. We need to carefully review the Scriptures, not taking our beliefs for granted. Because as the Bereans found, our own ideas can be wrong.
Is humility, then, all that is needed? That a person begins with a humble attitude doesn't mean he will continue that approach and gain the understanding he seeks. The Bible shows that some who come to an understanding of certain basic revealed spiritual truths will lose that comprehension because they do not act on them. By rejecting knowledge revealed by God, they choose to lay aside their humility and exalt their own point of view.
Jesus illustrated in His explanation of the parable of the sewer why some will understand while others will not: Luke 8:10-15 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
There in Christ's words are some of the reasons people fail to grow in spiritual understanding. Most do not persevere in God's Word because of negligence, lack of faith or a self-centered rather than godly outlook. An attitude of prayerfully, humbly seeking help from God so we can learn. Leading to putting into practice what we do learn, is the first key to understanding God's truths in the Bible. You can put this principle into practice by asking God to enlighten, teach, instruct and correct you from His Word and lead you in understanding it.
2. Obedience Brings Understanding.
The second key follows logically from the first. A right attitude leads to a proper obedience of God's laws, which form much of the foundation of the Bible as James explains in:
James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
We see then that applying what we learn from God's Word is necessary, along with a humble approach. We must begin to live what we learn for God to grant us continued understanding. If we refuse to accept the understanding that God reveals to us, He ceases to give us more of it.
God explains this principle: Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
For us to understand the Bible, we must first learn about and respect God's law. We read a summary of this principle in: Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Paul emphasizes this point: Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
If a person studies the Bible just to hear what it says but not to do what it commands. He or she is not pleasing God and cannot expect His help. Sadly, many think Jesus Christ came to do away with the law but He denied this in the strongest terms: Matthew 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Jesus explained that all of God's commandments should be fulfilled in a more complete way than taught by the Pharisees. He stressed that we should take into account the spiritual intent of the law and not just the letter. He showed that both aspects of law keeping are necessary to truly obey God.
To those who followed but didn't obey Gods laws: Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Christ expected His followers to deeply respect God's commandments as He always respected and obeyed them. His view was clear: John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Christ's teachings uphold God's commandments. They do not do away with them:
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Therefore, to understand revealed spiritual truths requires the second key. Which is faithful obedience to God's perfect laws and instruction as shown in Scripture. Though obedience is necessary for continued spiritual understanding, this does not mean that obedience entitles us to Salvation. God alone, through his grace and mercy, forgives sin, grants us help to overcome and offers Salvation as a gift. However, God expect us to do our part while he fulfills the rest. James emphasized this principle: James 2:21-22 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
The many benefits of obedience will quickly manifest themselves to the doer. King David wrote: Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Jesus said: John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
An attitude of humble, willing obedience is the litmus test.
3. Accept the Inspiration of ALL the Bible.
The third key involves the way we view the Scriptures. To understand them, we must accept the authority over us of the entire Bible. God inspired all the books of the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. God assures us that we can absolutely trust the Holy Scriptures.
Paul wrote: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
This is a powerful statement. It means we can confidently accept the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God. What evidence do we have that the entire Bible is inspired by God? That is an important question. If the Bible were just another religious book written thousands of years ago, why would we need it? After all, we have plenty of those already available and new books on religion appear almost every day. What makes the Bible one of a kind is its consistency.
Its underlying principles have never changed throughout the 1,600 years of its creation. Some 40 authors composed the various books of the Bible over the centuries and only a few of its writers personally knew any of the others. Yet a continual unity of thought is obvious in their writings.
The religious writings that form the bases for other religions and philosophies are imperfect. They contain both easily identifiable doctrinal and historical errors and inconsistencies. Only the Bible has held up under centuries of scrutiny from historians, critics and the archaeologist's spade. Unparalleled in the history of literature, the Bible has proved reliable in ways unmatched by other.
Gleason Archer, a scholar of biblical studies and languages of recent years, writes about attributes of the Bible: " As I have dealt with one apparent discrepancy after another and have studied the alleged contradictions between the biblical record and the evidence of linguistics, archaeology or science. My confidence in the trustworthiness of Scripture has been repeatedly verified and strengthened by the discovery that almost every problem in Scripture that has ever been discovered by man. From ancient times until now, has been dealt with in a completely satisfactory manner by the biblical text itself or else by objective archaeological information. " ( Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1982, p.12 )
Not only is the Bible historically accurate but also its unifying principles are found from the beginning to the end. Faith for example, is one of those unifying principles. Back in Genesis 4, at the beginning of human history. We see the faith of Abel, who paid for his faith with his life. Throughout the centuries of the biblical record, this same faith is to be found in the trials of Noah, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, Jesus Christ Himself, the apostles and the members of the early Church.
Old Testament Chapter
Genesis 4 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering. 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand. 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. 16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. 17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. 19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. 21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. 22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah. 23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. 24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. 25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. 26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
New Testament Chapter
Hebrews 11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called. 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets. 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented. 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 40 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
This chapter shows that for thousands of years a unity of thought was based on the principle of faith. Therefore, when reading the Bible we need to keep in mind the unity of its spiritual principles. Whether we're studying a narrative, a hymn, an apostolic letter or the four Gospels. We find that all are connected to the same underlying principles inspired by God. If left to the devices of fallible men, the contradictions in its principles would long ago have been exposed as they have been in most of man's writings.
Many views and interpretations about what the Bible says are contradictory. But none of these sectarian opinions affects the integrity of the Scriptures themselves. God's commandments are another example of a unifying principle. His laws form the backbone of Scripture, the basis for God's relationship with mankind. They begin in Genesis where basic principles are revealed and are expanded throughout the rest of the Bible.
In the last chapter of the Bible we read: Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
God's commandments do not change from the beginning to the end of the Bible, even though they are amplified in the New Testament. God Himself inspired all of the Scriptures. Jesus Christ mentioned the principle that Scripture is built on the framework of the commandments of God.
He explained in the two greatest scriptural and spiritual principles. One covers the First through the Fourth Commandments and the second deals with the Fifth through the Tenth:
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. These two principles, said Jesus, form the foundation of all of God's laws.
Another example of biblical unity of thought is found in the genealogies listed throughout the Bible. Some think they are only a remnant of history and of little worth. Yet the genealogies in Genesis 5 and 10 and 1 Chronicles 1-10 form the basis for the lineage of New Testament figures including Jesus Christ in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. They depict Christ not as a legendary figure but descended from Old Testament personalities whose existence can be verified.
Historical and archaeological evidence has confirmed the existence of many of Jesus' ancestors, giving credence to the prophecies about Jesus' descent from Abraham:
- Genesis 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
- Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
- Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Genealogies thus serve as historical guideposts for the existence of Jesus Christ: John 10:35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken.
God does not contradict Himself. This is one of the main reasons ( in spite of countless attempts to destroy it ) that His Holy Word is still with us after thousands of years. It will survive as long as mankind is on earth and it is intended for our reading and understanding.
As Paul mentions in: Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Jesus said that His words in the Bible would be preserved: Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
The principle of the inspiration of the Bible means that our beliefs must be brought in line with and conform to Scripture, which consistently conforms to its own principles. God does not make mistakes. He does not contradict Himself. We see in the Bible an intricate interweaving of God's truths and the revelation of His plan from beginning to end.
The apostle Peter said of the inspiration of the Hebrew prophets: 1 Peter 1:10-12 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you. 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
All Scripture is unified, clearly manifesting divine inspiration. God’s Spirit is the guiding force behind the Scriptures. As early as Peter's time, some were already twisting parts of the Old and New Testament writings to their own folly:
- 2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
- 2 Peter 3:14-16 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you. 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
As quoted earlier, Paul instructed fellow minister Timothy that: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
At that time, before the books of the New Testament had been canonized or portions of it had even been written. The Scripture to which Paul referred was the Hebrew Bible, what we commonly call the Old Testament. For several decades in the early Church, this was the only Bible extant. Accepting only a part of the Scriptures as a basis for faith has resulted in literally hundreds of denominations with contradictory beliefs. Yet if we do justice to what the Bible says, all Scripture should be respected and believed. From Genesis to Revelation.
Jesus told us to live by every word of God:
- Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
- Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
We are to rely on the Scripture’s and not man's ideas to explain God's truths. It's one thing to view the Bible as a mere collection of stories. It's quite another to accept it as an inspired body of unifying and related instructions, history and illustrations. The Bible is full of examples of people like us whose lives illustrate their obedience or disobedience to the principles of God.
4. Consider the Context.
As with the great unifying principles, the Bible reveals another key to unlocking the meaning of the Scriptures. Context. Keeping in mind the context of the examples and teachings in the Bible can help us avoid misunderstandings: Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.
From this verse people could infer that man already possesses immortality, that the soul already has eternal life. But such interpretation would contradict other plain Scriptures like:
- 1 Timothy 6:14-16 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
- Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.
- 1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Yet the context of the paragraph explains that it was Satan, in the guise of a serpent, which told this lie. Saying that man would not die. God a few verses back related the correct teaching:
Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
We see that it is not enough to quote an isolated Scripture, we must keep in mind its setting. In this case, the point is resolved by reviewing the entire passage. We can avoid much confusion by applying this important context principle. Sometimes only by reading whole chapters can we correctly understand the subject.
For example some quote Mark 7:18-19 to show that meats declared unfit for human consumption in the following chapters can now be eaten. Referencing Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.
Mark 7:18-19 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him. 19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
Leviticus 11 And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them. 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. 3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. 4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. 8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you. 9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. 10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you. 11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination. 12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you. 13 And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray. 14 And the vulture, and the kite after his kind. 15 Every raven after his kind. 16 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind. 17 And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl. 18 And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle. 19 And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. 20 All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you. 21 Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth. 22 Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind. 23 But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you. 24 And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even. 25 And whosoever beareth ought of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even. 26 The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean. 27 And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even. 28 And he that beareth the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they are unclean unto you. 29 These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind. 30 And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole. 31 These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even. 32 And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed. 33 And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it. 34 Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean. 35 And every thing whereupon any part of their carcase falleth shall be unclean; whether it be oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down: for they are unclean and shall be unclean unto you. 36 Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean. 37 And if any part of their carcase fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean. 38 But if any water be put upon the seed, and any part of their carcase fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you. 39 And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even. 40 And he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even. 41 And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. 42 Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination. 43 Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. 44 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 45 For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. 46 This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth. 47 To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.
Deuteronomy 14 Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. 2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. 3 Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing. 4 These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat. 5 The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois. 6 And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat. 7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you. 8 And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase. 9 These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat. 10 And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you. 11 Of all clean birds ye shall eat. 12 But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray. 13 And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind. 14 And every raven after his kind. 15 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind. 16 The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan. 17 And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant. 18 And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. 19 And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten. 20 But of all clean fowls ye may eat. 21 Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk. 22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. 23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. 24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. 25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose. 26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household. 27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. 28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates. 29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
Yet the context of the chapter reveals the true meaning: Mark 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
The question was not whether particular foods should be eaten but the manner in which His disciples were eating. The Pharisees were criticizing them for eating with unwashed hands. Christ answered: Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
In Matthew 15:19-20, the same incident is mentioned but in more detail: Matthew 15:19-20 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Taking Christ's exhortation in context, we see that all misunderstanding is cleared up. Jesus was not repealing God-given laws, He was stating that minute amounts of dirt that might be present in food would be eliminated through the body's digestive process. At other times, it is necessary to consider the context of the book itself. A prime example is Paul's use of the word law in Romans.
Sometimes he used the term negatively to mean the legalistic concept of law as a means to salvation, which he rejected: Romans 9:30-32 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone.
Yet in other places Paul used law in a positive way: Romans 7:12-13 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Here we see in the same book, the word used in an entirely different way in a different context. It is a mistake to generalize on what the word means when taken out of its proper context. The use of this key in first viewing the context throughout Scripture will help avoid many wrong interpretations.
5. Consider All the Scriptures on the Subject.
Another vital key to understanding Scripture is taking the time to look up the related verses on a subject before coming to a conclusion. The apostle Paul set an admirable example in this regard when he taught certain truths about Jesus by referring to many passages in the Bible of his day, the Hebrew Scriptures. To prove his point, Paul carefully expounded the scriptures that dealt with Christ as the Messiah: Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
To properly understand a subject, all related scriptures must be taken into account. This is the principle of the spiritual nature of the Bible. Meaning that various verses on the same subject can clarify biblical doctrines when they are taken as a whole:
- 1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
- Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Many times when one verse appears to contradict another, it is really only complementing the other, with each verse telling part of the story. For instance Jesus states in: Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
This reference to hating one's family might sound strange coming from Jesus, who said on another occasion: Matthew 5:43-44 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Jesus plainly taught we should not hate anyone. How, then, can these two scriptures be explained? We reconcile them by examining another discussion of the same subject: Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Some scholars point out, Jesus did use the word meaning " hate " but this was apparently a figure of speech properly understood by His audience as meaning " loving less " as Matthew made clear in his account. When we compare both passages, the contradiction disappears. We can easily take one statement out of context and come up with an erroneous interpretation of it. By using this fifth key, carefully compiling the related passages before determining what is meant on a particular subject. We can avoid confusion. The Bible never contradicts itself, its writers complement each other.
Comparing Texts: What was written on the Cross?
A good example of how to compare texts that complement rather than contradict each other is found in the words Pilate, the Roman governor, wrote and placed on the cross of Jesus' crucifixion.
- Matthew 27:37 " THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS "
- Mark 15:26 " THE KING OF THE JEWS "
- Luke 23:38 " THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS "
- John 19:19 " JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS "
At first glance, it might appear none of the authors copied the words on the sign properly. But when we read each account, we find every one adds a bit more information to the rest. From John we find that Pilate did the writing. In Luke we find additional information why these words are different.
The inscription was originally written in three languages, Greek, Latin and Hebrew:
Luke 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
So the variation of the wordings logically would have to do with the three languages used as well as the different point of view of each biographer, stressing slightly different aspects of Christ's life and ministry. Adding up the wording of the different accounts, we see that the complete message recorded by the signs was " This is Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews " None of the Gospel accounts contradicts the others they complement each other to provide increased understanding.
6. Use Bible Helps Properly.
Can we understand all aspects of Scripture from the Bible alone? Certainly a good grasp of the Bible is possible through applying the keys discussed earlier. However, our understanding can be enhanced by taking advantage of the work of scholars who have studied culture, language, history and archaeology as they relate to biblical events and characters. We live 2,000 to 3,500 years removed from the time the Scriptures were originally written. The Bible's authors wrote in the languages and settings of their times. Culture and language were different from today's culture and language.
Since the original languages of Scripture ( Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic ) are so different from our modern languages. Bible helps are useful to enable us to better grasp the Scriptures as they were written and understood: 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
As a craftsman makes use of a tool kit, we can use proper tools to help us better understand the Bible. Besides often quoting from the Hebrew Scriptures, on occasion the apostles quoted other sources to drive their point’s home. For instance, Paul used a quote from a Sicilian poet, Aratus, to convey to the Athenian philosophers a principle about God: Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
The apostle Jude quoted from a work called the Book of Enoch: Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.
Besides the Scriptures themselves, these men sometimes quoted other sources to help the brethren in their understanding of the Word of God.
A Concordance: Certainly the first basic Bible help is a concordance. A concordance is simply a compilation of many or all of the verses pertaining to a specific word as it is used throughout the Bible. Each word appears in alphabetical order, starting where it is first used. Followed by many of all of the verses with the term until its last use in the Bible. By looking for a particular word, you can quickly locate nearly any verse in the Bible. Because it lists every use of a given word, a complete or exhaustive concordance is extremely helpful for compiling, examining and comparing all the scriptures on a given topic, enabling you to gain an overall view of nearly any subject.
A Bible Encyclopedia or Dictionary: Next in importance is a Bible encyclopedia or dictionary. This kind of reference explains a given subject or what a word meant in Bible times. Be prepared for an enormous variety, from simple one-volume editions to four, five and 10-volume works. For starters, a current one-volume dictionary or short encyclopedia written by conservative authors should provide a good, basic meaning for biblical words and subjects. New Bible Dictionary and Unger's Bible Dictionary are such works. Be aware however, that many such works exhibit the author's bias when discussing theological issues. Thus they are often not a reliable guide in doctrinal matters. Conservative authors tend to be more accurate because they tend to believe the Bible is divinely inspired and thus trust what it says. Some other authors treat the Bible only as a combination of historical and mythological ethnic literature. Older works should use as opposed to newer releases.
A Bible Commentary: A commentary is another potentially valuable Bible help. It is just what the name implies. The writer comments on the verses covered in that particular volume. The contents vary greatly, from one-volume to multiple-volume works, some by one author and some by several. Keep in mind the backgrounds and biases of the authors. They can range from conservative scholars who believe in the literal inspiration of the Bible to theologians who regard much of Scripture as uninspired and just literature. Naturally, their comments vary considerably from those of the conservative authors and frequently contradict them. Older works should use as opposed to newer releases.
