How to Study the Bible for All It’s Worth

1. How to Study the Bible for All It’s Worth Part 1

2. Consider the Background • “To approach the study of any one of the books of the Bible without knowing something of its purpose or its principle theme would be like reading a newspaper without knowing anything about its date or its place of printing….”

3. Consider the Background • “…In both cases the reader would not know whether he was reading of incidents or characters of his own time or of things that happened thousands of years ago. There can be but little profit in this kind of Bible study. In fact, it is not Bible study at all—it is no more than just Bible reading.” • Harvey Scott, Bible Study Guidance: “A Study of Right Living,” Oklahoma City: Telegram Book Company, 1960, p. 57.

4. Become Acquainted with the Author • Of course, every author was inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21), so we could say God is the author. • However, each writer wrote under circumstances peculiar to him and used vocabulary that would fit his occupation and education. • The Holy Spirit helped the writer select words from his own vocabulary that conveyed the message exactly as he wanted it.

5. Examples of Unique Vocabulary • In David’s Psalms, there are many references to aspects of taking care of sheep and the role of the shepherd (i.e. Psalm 23). • Luke, the physician, explains none could heal the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8:43-44). • Only Luke notes the Lord touched the ear of the high priest’s servant and healed him (22:51).

6. Examples of Unique Vocabulary • Paul authored 13 N. T. books. • He was a Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin, taught at the feet of Gamaliel, a Pharisee and a former persecutor of the church (Acts 22:1-5; Philippians 3:4-6). • Helps us understand references to the prophets and the great debt he owed because of the mercy God had shown him.

7. Identify the Speaker • The speaker may not be the same as the author. • Matthew records the words of Jesus, Satan, the angry mob and Pilate, among others. • Luke assembled an account of Christ’s life based upon eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:1-4).

8. Identify the Speaker • While the record of statements will be correct, the message presented maybe untrue. • The speeches of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar are uninspired men’s answers to the cause of Job’s suffering and may mislead us. • Gamaliel’s conclusion will be true in judgment, but may cause us to fail to oppose error in a timely manner (Acts 5:38-39).

9. The Purpose • The Preacher said he was going to search for something that was good for man (Ecclesiastes 2:3). • As he tells how the search proceeded, he tells of much folly (1:16; 2:1, 15; 3:17-18; etc.) • Using man’s wisdom, he pursued courses that would not result in a good end for man (2:17) • His conclusion is that the key to man’s happiness does not lie in man’s pursuit of what he thinks is good, but in fearing God and keeping his commandments (12:13)

10. The Date of Writing • It is important to know the age, or time, in which instructions and promises were given. • Noah did not leave his father’s house. • Abraham did not build an ark. • The law of the Sabbath was for the children of Israel (Exodus 31:12-17).

11. The Date of Writing • It is important to know the age, or time,…. • The thief on the cross lived under the law of Moses (Luke 23:43; Hebrews 9:16-17). • It helps us understand the instructions of Mark 14:13 when we know carrying water was the work of women during that period of time.

12. The Addressees • In what city did the addressees live? • What occupations were common there? • What was the governing authority in the city? • How did the city relate to that authority? • Nineveh was the capitol city of Assyria. • Philippi was considered Roman soil.

13. The Addressees • What was the racial mixture? • The writer of Hebrews often refers to Israelite history and Jewish figures of speech. • Paul quotes a prophet of Crete (Titus 1:12). • Paul quotes a poet on Mars Hill (Acts 17:28). • What person is being addressed? • Which Herod? Pharaoh? What is the nature and position of the man of whom the writer is speaking?

14. The Nature of Writing • Is it biography, history, law, poetry or prophecy? • Poetry and prophecy often contain figurative language, while law and history seldom do • Poetry uses “much more figurative speech, and the figures more bold and imaginative” (Clinton Lockhart, Principles of Interpretation, p. 51) • In Psalm 80:4, the translators used “angry,” when the literal word was “smoke,” because they understood it as a figure representing God’s anger

15. Context, the Key to Understanding • To be truly understood, any statement must be considered in light of its context

16. Context, the Key to Understanding • An example is found in Jesus’ statement, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37) • By reading the surrounding verses, we realize Jesus meant for us to love our neighbor by being merciful to him when we see him in need. • Our understanding of “neighbor” is found in Jesus’ answer to the lawyer’s question, “Who is my neighbor?” (All who are in need)

17. The Three Parts of Context • The specific statement itself • The immediate context, which includes verses immediately before and after • The remote context, which includes all that is said in the whole Bible about the thing being considered • “A text out of its context is simply a pretext.”

18. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” • This is the answer Paul and Silas gave to the Philippian jailer’s question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

19. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ…” • The context reveals they taught him the word of the Lord, he washed their stripes and was baptized immediately, along with his family • Vs. 34 says, “And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.” • This clearly indicates belief in God involves hearing the truth and being baptized. • Compare Galatians 3:26-27.

20. Consider the Words • The words used in any passage must be understood in order to fully grasp the meaning. • Paul tells of a man caught up into the 3rd heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2) • The birds fly in the first • The stars shine in the second • God lives in the third

21. Understanding the Words • The same word may have different meanings in different passages. • Death can refer to • physical death – Genesis 24:67 • death in sin – Ephesians 2:1 • death to sin – Galatians 2:20

22. “World” and “Works” • “World” can refer to • that which God created – Acts 17:24 • material possessions – Matthew 16:26 • sinful desire – 1 John 2:15-17 • “Works” can be used to describe • works of merit – Ephesians 2:8-9 • works of faith – Ephesians 2:10; James 2:14-17

23. The Word “Faith” • In Matthew 8:10, Jesus describes a centurion’s actions by saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” • “Here confidence is meant, as the adjuncts ‘found’ and ‘great’ clearly imply” (Lockhart, p. 108). • In Jude 3, faith is something to be contended for, which can be delivered. • Thus, Lockhart says it is “the system of Christian truth which was to be believed” (p. 109).

24. Consider the Literal Meaning First • The rule, even in the works of men, is to take the literal meaning first unless it contradicts some other clear teaching • Be careful not to confuse personal speculation with what the Bible teaches • Genesis 1:2-3 speaks of light in contrast to darkness, thus literal light. • Some would make the light of John 1:1-9 the same. • Obviously, the text will not allow such a position because verse 14 tells us it is Jesus who became flesh and dwelt among men.

25. Commands and Ordinances • “Commands generally, and ordinances always, are to be understood in a literal sense” (Dungan). • For example, Jesus decreed that belief and baptism are necessary to save man (Mark 16:16) • Both belief and baptism are literally required, with no hidden figurative meaning • Matthew 5:16 contains a command stated in figurative language • The Lord is clearly using light to represent the example each Christian sets in his daily affairs

26. The Meaning When Written • In Matthew 24:34, the word “generation” is from the word “genea,” which is translated “generation” and means 30 to 40 years.

27. The Meaning Generally • It is important to take the word in the sense it is generally understood unless the context demands otherwise. • In Genesis 22:1, the KJV says, “God did tempt Abraham.” • “The word tempt, many times, occurs in the sense to do wrong; but generally it has the meaning of to try or prove” (Dungan). • Thus, we conclude God tested or proved Abraham (James 1:13).

28. The Author May Give the Meaning • When the author gives his own meaning, it will never go against the generally understood meaning, but may specialize its usage • “Elder” was used by the Jews to describe an older man, but it often is used for an office in the N. T. (1 Peter 5:1-2; Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 3:1-8; 5:17) • John lets us know Jesus was speaking about his body, not the place of worship (John 2:18-21).

29. Words Describing Definite Action • Words like jump, run, etc. have but one meaning. • Commands ordering such actions can only be accomplished by obeying the strict meaning.

30. Baptism Describes a Definite Action • One cannot sprinkle or pour to baptize since baptism is a burial (Romans 6:3-4). • Baptidzo meant “to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water,” metaphorically meaning to overwhelm (Thayer). • “To baptize, primarily a frequentative form of bapto, to dip, was used among Greeks to signify the dyeing of a garment, or the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another, etc.” (Vine).

31. Context May Give the Meaning • In John 8:47, “The word ‘hear’ cannot be literal in the sense of receiving sound by ear, for anyone not deaf could do that; and the reason, ‘ye are not of God,’ would not apply. But ‘hear’ clearly means ‘heed;’ and hence their being ‘not of God,’ but disposed against God, furnishes a good reason” (Lockhart, p. 109). • Similarly, in Romans 2:13, “the contrast between ‘hearers’ and ‘doers,’ shows that ‘hearers’ are not those who heed, for they would be doers. The ‘hearers’ are those who have opportunity to know the law, but do it not” (pp. 110-111).