Bible "study" Rules!

[kenallen]

For many years I broke the rule to study all scripture, as I couldn't understand the old testament so avoided it. I finally found a person who promised me to only tell me of scripture, not his interpretation of it, or if he did interpret he would explain why. I used his commentary that was geared to explaining how the old and new testament agreed.

It was like having a key to the new testament, like opening a closed door.

Who are you talking about and where can I find them. I am an old fart but a new christian and I have been studying using biblehub.com and the Strong's and try to take each verse on its own and in the context which they are set. That is the way we were tought in school. One apple + 1apple = 2 apples. You get the point
KenA

 

[Chester]

Grace And Peace, Precious friend(s). For your Encouragement and help:

(6) The Best "Interpretive" Commentary On The Bible Is :
The BIBLE Itself!

NEVER ever interpret The Many Plain Scriptures
by the "few" difficult verses, But, ALWAYS Always
Interpret the few Obscure/Difficult/Dubious verses
By ALL Of The MANY Plain and Clear Passages Of
God’s Pure And Holy Word!

Response to Point # 6:

I agree in principle with this point, but I think that a clear caution is needed.

There are some Scriptures that may be more "difficult" to interpret and understand, but yet every Scripture can and should be carefully studied and understood. When properly interpreted there will be no disagreement among Scriptures. I would disagree that any verses are "dubious" - the word means "suspect, not to be relied upon." All Scripture is given by and inspired by God and can be relied upon.

The problem often is that people use this principle of interpretation to simply prop up their own version of doctrine. They come to Scripture with their doctrinal statements already decided, and then if a verse does not seem to match their doctrine, they class it as an "obscure, dubious" verse and "interpret" that verse in light of the "many plain Scriptures" that prop us their predecided doctrine.

And yet, as a general principle of interpretation I believe # 6 is true. But it must be correctly understood.

 

[posthuman]

my own church has a set of 'rules for reading scripture'

there are 5; here they are:

1. John 8:24, John 8:58 Where you begin. Jesus IS God. Always IS God. Never is NOT God. He is Omniscient, Omnipotent & Omnipresent. He is ALWAYS just, good and has NO sin or fear (which is sin) ever in Him.
2. When God/Christ asks a question it is never for Himself. He knows the answer (see rule one). The question is not for Him but for us, He is teaching.
3. When God/Christ weeps it is not for Himself. It is for the lost/Israel.
4. When God/Christ intervenes something extraordinary has occurred. A great truth has been protected. A great sin has been committed. Or a combination of both.
5. The purpose of Israel and the Law is to teach of Christ, in Portraits, Types, Shadows and Doctrine.

 

[Magenta]

Luke chapter 24
[27] And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luke 24:27 + 31

 

[Magenta]

Who are you talking about and where can I find them.

I know of a radio teacher who is also online whose main course relates the new to the old (and vice versa), always.

You can find him here (<= link ).

 

[ResidentAlien]

Grace And Peace, Precious friend(s). For your Encouragement and help:

Bible “study” Rules :

(1) “Let ALL things be done Decently and In Order!”
(1 Corinthians 14:40 KJB!)

(2) Study ALL Scripture Rightly Divided! :

“Study to shew thyself Approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth!”
(2 Timothy 2:15 KJB!)

(3) Never Ever add to, Or take away From, God’s PURE And Holy Word!
{ Including "God's Contexts!," [Prophecy] Rightly Divided from [MYSTERY]! }
(Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18,19 KJB!)

(4) Be noble students :

“These (in Berea) 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!”
(Acts 17:11 KJB!)

(5) Build Sound Doctrine, God’s Way! :

(5a) “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept;
line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little!”
(Isaiah 28:10 KJB!)

(5b) Find ALL Related Scriptures For A Specific doctrine! :

”ALL Scripture Is Given By Inspiration Of God, And Is
Profitable For Doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness : that the man of God may
be perfect, throughly furnished unto ALL good works!”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJB!)

(5c) Compare ALL Related Scriptures to learn and know a
Specific doctrine! :

“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!”
(1 Corinthians 2:13 KJB!)
{Comparing Scripture With Scripture!}

“Simplicity” in CHRIST! (2 Corinthians 11:3 KJB!) Amen?

(6) The Best "Interpretive" Commentary On The Bible Is :
The BIBLE Itself!

NEVER ever interpret The Many Plain Scriptures
by the "few" difficult verses, But, ALWAYS Always
Interpret the few Obscure/Difficult/Dubious verses
By ALL Of The MANY Plain and Clear Passages Of
God’s Pure And Holy Word!
+
ONE Final Excellent Rule for Knowledgeable Bible study! :

(7) In order to Honor The Father And The SON (John 5:22-23 KJB!),
in Preparation For Judgment, Always keep {Uppermost} in mind :

”Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,
do ALL to The Glory Of God!” (1 Corinthians 10:31 KJB!)
-----------------------------------
And then we ALL, who are "Called Into Fellowship With
God's SON, The LORD JESUS CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJB!), And,

"Endeavouring For The Unity Of God's Spirit In The Bond Of
PEACE!..." (Ephesians 4:3 KJB!), can obey God's Exhortations! :

”...speak...the things which become Sound Doctrine!”
(Titus 2:1 cp "SAME mind And judgment!" 1 Corinthians 1:10 KJB!)
Amen?

Would the Results of following All of God’s Rules Above Be:

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in
love, and unto all Riches of the Full Assurance Of Understanding,
to the acknowledgement of The Mystery Of God, and of the Father,
and of CHRIST!” (Colossians 2:2 KJB!)?
---------------------

Precious friend(s), Please Be Very RICHLY Blessed!

You seem big on the KJB. Is that also an implied rule—use the KJB?

 

[2ndTimothyGroup]

Luke 24:27 + 31

Amazing. You just showed me something that I had never seen before. This chapter includes many aspects of Circumcision of the Heart. It points to Moses, and of course we should all think of Moses and the Veil, and what it represents. When the Veil was raised, Israel could not understand, but when it was lowered, they could both understand and obey. This points to the idea of Circumcision of the Heart. It also includes the Bread of Life! And anyone who eats of Christ lives for how long? Forever . . . which is what we see in Genesis chapter 3, with Jesus being that Tree of Life. More than this, Jesus Blessed this Bread Himself! If there was ever the Bread of Life, this was it! But there is more! The disciples ate the Bread and what happened? Suddenly their eyes were opened, and they could "see." And what is the purpose of Christ?

John 9:39 NLT - "Then Jesus told him, "I entered this world to render judgment--to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind."

What does this mean? This is the Circumcision of Christ . . . exactly what I teach nearly every day that I post, here. But there is more, Jesus was "working" on these disciple's hearts earlier in the day, for they said, "Didn't our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?"

What else is amazing about this Scripture set is that it shows that Circumcision of the Heart is a separate Work from the Work of sending the gift of the Holy Spirit, for verse 49 shows that Christ would send the Holy Spirit at a later date.

Unbelievable. I can't believe I didn't see this before. I literally keep track of all of these things in an Excel Spreadsheet, so I thank you deeply for giving me the chance to add more Scripture to support this idea . . . this concept.

 

[Magenta]

Unbelievable. I can't believe I didn't see this before. I literally keep track of all of these things in an Excel Spreadsheet, so I thank you deeply for giving me the chance to add more Scripture to support this idea . . . this concept.

That's amazing and so great that we can each in our own ways help build
up knowledge and understanding among members in the Body of Christ

 

[Blik]

Are you reading a plain English version?

I don't believe any version of scripture is perfect, most all try to express the true word of God in another language, so I use many versions, comparing them.

 

[posthuman]

I don't believe any version of scripture is perfect, most all try to express the true word of God in another language, so I use many versions, comparing them.

only the original languages, IMO, are perfect - every translation necessarily introduces error & removes information.
and in the original languages, those languages need to be allowed to interpret themselves, on first principles: outside of scripture, uses of the language do not necessarily reflect the way the language is used in scripture.

for example, tho you may find an extra-biblical source where it appears 'nephesh' might refer to a neck and nothing else, within scripture itself, however, this clearly isn't the case. the 'nephesh' is the soul; the core being of a person; their identity -- which identity is entirely separate from their body, and which persists even while the body is returned to dust. it is only related to neck in that to break one's neck is to separate their soul from their flesh.

this is not a 'Greek' idea; this is a scriptural idea, long pre-existing Greek philosophy. despite modern liberal theological ideations & criticisms of sound doctrine, it is neither by accident nor by perversion that the NT authors use the Greek word psyche. see Genesis 15 for an example-par-excellence. Abraham asks how shall he know that his innumerable descendants will inherit the promise? the only way his question makes sense is in recognizance of the inevitable end of his flesh, such that, in order to **know** what happens long after his flesh is destroyed, he himself must in some wise persist. Abraham is asking, how may he know he has eternal life? how does Abraham know he has salvation?

God gives him surety of his continued everlasting existence by showing him a smoking torch and flaming firepot passing through the pieces of divided animals and undivided birds. this is perfect.

this is not only perfect in every aspect but also a great mystery: it is the proof of the eternal existence of the soul -- eternal existence being very different in and of itself from eternal life i.e. 'immortality' -- which belongs only to God, and is God's to confer. God in Genesis 15 **proves** to Abraham that He is faithful to confer upon him salvation; to give him eternal life and to preserve it. that is the meaning of the torch & furnace passing through the parts and the unbroken birds.

ask, therefore, what happens to the bodies of the living souls which were divided, as God, manifest in two signs, passes in the midst of them?
i.e. -- exactly what did Abraham see in his deep sleep? how does this testify of Christ?

 

[TheLearner]

Luke 24:27 + 31

Hey, where did you see my wife to draw her in that dress?

 

[TheLearner]

read to here

 

[Nehemiah6]

In context, this whole "precept upon precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" is presented in a NEGATIVE context.

It is negative for those who are disobedient (as in the passage quoted "yet they would not hear") , but positive for those who are not ("this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest"). It represents the manner in which those who begin with spiritual milk are gradually fed spiritual meat (similar what happens in the physical realm) -- a little at a time.

 

[Nehemiah6]

You seem big on the KJB. Is that also an implied rule—use the KJB?

If not, it should be, and there are sound reasons for that. But we won't get into the details. Christians should always remember that their spiritual forefathers who used an English translation regarded the King James Bible as "the Word of God" -- without any disputation. This included the whole English-speaking world for over 300 years. Also the King James 2000 Bible has updated the language.

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

GRACE_ambassador said:

Grace And Peace, Precious friend(s). For your Encouragement and help:

Bible “study” Rules :

(1) “Let ALL things be done Decently and In Order!”
(1 Corinthians 14:40 KJB!)

(2) Study ALL Scripture Rightly Divided! :

“Study to shew thyself Approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth!”
(2 Timothy 2:15 KJB!)

(3) Never Ever add to, Or take away From, God’s PURE And Holy Word!
{ Including "God's Contexts!," [Prophecy] Rightly Divided from [MYSTERY]! }
(Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18,19 KJB!)

(4) Be noble students :

“These (in Berea) 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!”
(Acts 17:11 KJB!)

(5) Build Sound Doctrine, God’s Way! :

(5a) “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept;
line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little!”
(Isaiah 28:10 KJB!)

(5b) Find ALL Related Scriptures For A Specific doctrine! :

”ALL Scripture Is Given By Inspiration Of God, And Is
Profitable For Doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness : that the man of God may
be perfect, throughly furnished unto ALL good works!”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJB!)

(5c) Compare ALL Related Scriptures to learn and know a
Specific doctrine! :

“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!”
(1 Corinthians 2:13 KJB!)
{Comparing Scripture With Scripture!}

“Simplicity” in CHRIST! (2 Corinthians 11:3 KJB!) Amen?

(6) The Best "Interpretive" Commentary On The Bible Is :
The BIBLE Itself!

NEVER ever interpret The Many Plain Scriptures
by the "few" difficult verses, But, ALWAYS Always
Interpret the few Obscure/Difficult/Dubious verses
By ALL Of The MANY Plain and Clear Passages Of
God’s Pure And Holy Word!
+
ONE Final Excellent Rule for Knowledgeable Bible study! :

(7) In order to Honor The Father And The SON (John 5:22-23 KJB!),
in Preparation For Judgment, Always keep {Uppermost} in mind :

”Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,
do ALL to The Glory Of God!” (1 Corinthians 10:31 KJB!)
-----------------------------------
And then we ALL, who are "Called Into Fellowship With
God's SON, The LORD JESUS CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJB!), And,

"Endeavouring For The Unity Of God's Spirit In The Bond Of
PEACE!..." (Ephesians 4:3 KJB!), can obey God's Exhortations! :

”...speak...the things which become Sound Doctrine!”
(Titus 2:1 cp "SAME mind And judgment!" 1 Corinthians 1:10 KJB!)
Amen?

Would the Results of following All of God’s Rules Above Be:

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in
love, and unto all Riches of the Full Assurance Of Understanding,
to the acknowledgement of The Mystery Of God, and of the Father,
and of CHRIST!” (Colossians 2:2 KJB!)?
---------------------

Precious friend(s), Please Be Very RICHLY Blessed!
------------------------

@Kenallen asks:

Grace, are you the person that told me about the Bereans? I want to be like them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenallen, we would like to welcome to our study assemblies/groups.

You can send an email to Berean@BereanBibleSociety.org and ask for
the Free Monthly study "Berean Searchlight," and also names of assemblies
or small "home study groups" in your area. Or visit their website:

BereanBibleSociety.org

We will gladly help with any and all questions you may have on
your own Grace journey With God, in order to be a "Noble Berean."

GRACE And Peace to you, my new Precious friend!

 

[posthuman]

If not, it should be, and there are sound reasons for that. But we won't get into the details. Christians should always remember that their spiritual forefathers who used an English translation regarded the King James Bible as "the Word of God" -- without any disputation. This included the whole English-speaking world for over 300 years. Also the King James 2000 Bible has updated the language.

they said the same thing of the GNV, which was in fact the Bible of the reformation and the pilgrims to America, not the KJV.

but nvm that

i agree that older translations are by-and-large more accurate than liberal theology changes
sometimes they are an improvement - but new translations are not at all necessarily better on the basis of being newer.

while i maintain that the preserved original languages are the only authoritative copies, as incomplete and mysterious as they may be - they agree, and praise our Saviour the LORD Jesus Christ

 

[Runningman]

Grace And Peace, Precious friend(s). For your Encouragement and help:

Bible “study” Rules :

(1) “Let ALL things be done Decently and In Order!”
(1 Corinthians 14:40 KJB!)

(2) Study ALL Scripture Rightly Divided! :

“Study to shew thyself Approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth!”
(2 Timothy 2:15 KJB!)

(3) Never Ever add to, Or take away From, God’s PURE And Holy Word!
{ Including "God's Contexts!," [Prophecy] Rightly Divided from [MYSTERY]! }
(Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18,19 KJB!)

(4) Be noble students :

“These (in Berea) 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!”
(Acts 17:11 KJB!)

(5) Build Sound Doctrine, God’s Way! :

(5a) “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept;
line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little!”
(Isaiah 28:10 KJB!)

(5b) Find ALL Related Scriptures For A Specific doctrine! :

”ALL Scripture Is Given By Inspiration Of God, And Is
Profitable For Doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness : that the man of God may
be perfect, throughly furnished unto ALL good works!”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJB!)

(5c) Compare ALL Related Scriptures to learn and know a
Specific doctrine! :

“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!”
(1 Corinthians 2:13 KJB!)
{Comparing Scripture With Scripture!}

“Simplicity” in CHRIST! (2 Corinthians 11:3 KJB!) Amen?

(6) The Best "Interpretive" Commentary On The Bible Is :
The BIBLE Itself!

NEVER ever interpret The Many Plain Scriptures
by the "few" difficult verses, But, ALWAYS Always
Interpret the few Obscure/Difficult/Dubious verses
By ALL Of The MANY Plain and Clear Passages Of
God’s Pure And Holy Word!
+
ONE Final Excellent Rule for Knowledgeable Bible study! :

(7) In order to Honor The Father And The SON (John 5:22-23 KJB!),
in Preparation For Judgment, Always keep {Uppermost} in mind :

”Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,
do ALL to The Glory Of God!” (1 Corinthians 10:31 KJB!)
-----------------------------------
And then we ALL, who are "Called Into Fellowship With
God's SON, The LORD JESUS CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJB!), And,

"Endeavouring For The Unity Of God's Spirit In The Bond Of
PEACE!..." (Ephesians 4:3 KJB!), can obey God's Exhortations! :

”...speak...the things which become Sound Doctrine!”
(Titus 2:1 cp "SAME mind And judgment!" 1 Corinthians 1:10 KJB!)
Amen?

Would the Results of following All of God’s Rules Above Be:

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in
love, and unto all Riches of the Full Assurance Of Understanding,
to the acknowledgement of The Mystery Of God, and of the Father,
and of CHRIST!” (Colossians 2:2 KJB!)?
---------------------

Precious friend(s), Please Be Very RICHLY Blessed!

Grace is the key to all of this. There are going to be a lot of misunderstandings along the way. The real test is can we tolerate each other, not you and I, but everyone relative to themselves.

 

[posthuman]

Grace is the key to all of this. There are going to be a lot of misunderstandings along the way. The real test is can we tolerate each other, not you and I, but everyone relative to themselves.

they will now we are Christian by our love ♥

 

[Katarienr]

Sorry, but the phrase "correct interpretation" of the Holy Letter jars on me. Right for whom? I thought that we were allowed to admit our ignorance. Despite my deep faith and devotion to my First Church Love, I'm willing to admit that I don't have a monopoly on the truth. Even relying on the "classical" interpretation, recognized by all, we see the meaning differently. It seems to you that there are several interpretations of the Bible. And I think there are billions of them. Exactly as many as there are people on Earth. But for our reasons, we choose this or that option as the basis from which we start our thoughts.

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

It seems to you that there are several interpretations of the Bible. And I think there are billions of them.

Precious friend, A Very Warm Welcome to the Chat. I agree, there are
several, as I have found about 14 for the Confusion of water baptism.
But, I don't think there will be billions.

Please Be Very RICHLY Encouraged And Edified In The
LORD JESUS CHRIST, And In His Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided! (Rule # 2)

GRACE And Peace...