How to Handle Scripture (Pt.3)

INTRODUCTION

- Read 1 Timothy 4:13.

- In this passage Paul tells Timothy what must be his constant practice as a faithful minister of Jesus Christ.

- He has already urged him to be an example in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity (v. 12).

- To build both his life and ministry, Timothy must use Scripture as the material with which he builds.

- A faithful minister constructs his entire ministry from the Word of God.

- In verse 13 Paul directs Timothy to give attention to three things—reading, exhortation, and doctrine.

- The command to give careful attention carries the idea of thorough private preparation beforehand.

- Before Timothy can give these things to others, he must first practice them himself.

- Reading is the public reading of the Word; exhortation challenges hearers to apply it; doctrine is the systematic explanation of Scripture.

- Every believer must prepare for Bible study and maintain a right perspective of God’s Word.

- That is where Bible study begins.

- Paying attention to doctrine involves far more than the moment of teaching; it includes the full investment of study and readiness that comes first.

- Since that is true, how do we study the Bible?

I. Where Bible Study Begins

- Bible study begins with preparation and with the right perspective of God’s Word.

II. How to Study the Bible

A. Read the Bible (“What does the Bible say?”)

- Advanced techniques and study helps have value, yet they must never replace the basic discipline of reading.

- The essential starting place is steady, careful reading of Scripture itself so that its complete message and unity settle into the heart.

B. Interpret the Bible (“What does the Bible mean?”)

- True interpretation requires stepping into the writer’s situation in order to grasp his thoughts, feelings, and purpose.

- The central aim is to uncover the reason the author wrote the words he did.

- Interpretation is simply the careful work of recovering what the original writer meant.

- To discover the author’s original meaning you must first understand the problems that stand in the way.

- These include the language, the history, the culture, and the geography of the text.

- You must also be familiar with sound principles of interpretation.

- Remember that context rules.

- Context refers to everything that surrounds and shapes a given statement.

- Any word, verse, or teaching must be read in light of the verses around it, the larger section, the book that contains it, and the whole of Scripture.

- Begin by gaining a broad sense of the entire passage, noting its main idea and how its parts fit together.

- Always seek the full counsel of the Word of God.

- Be like the Bereans and examine what you study or are taught.

- Remember that Scripture will never contradict Scripture.

- Apparent contradictions come from poor study or interpretation.

- If you fail to discover the author’s original meaning, you will end up with contradictions.

- Scripture must be understood in the light of the whole of Scripture.

- This is what the Reformers called *Analogia Scriptura*.

- No portion of the Bible presents a truth that stands against another portion.

- Scripture functions as a unified composition in which every section gains clarity only when viewed alongside the rest.

- The best interpreter of Scripture is Scripture.

- To understand Hebrews you need to understand Leviticus.

- To understand Revelation you need to understand Daniel.

- Cross-reference as many truths or principles as possible and ask whether these same truths appear in other parts of Scripture.

- Seeming conflicts disappear once enough related passages are brought together, because the Bible forms one consistent whole.

- The Spirit does not replace careful study; He enables and blesses the effort of diligent investigation.

- Setting aside personal study under the claim that the Spirit alone is enough actually amounts to setting aside Scripture itself.

- Do not base your doctrine on an obscure passage of Scripture.

- An obscure passage is one whose sense is not immediately clear.

- Doctrine rests on the clear, repeated teachings of Scripture.

- We know Jesus is God because it is taught throughout the Bible (John 1:1; 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20).

- We know salvation is by grace through faith and not of works because that is taught throughout the Bible (Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7).

- The church is to be led by a plurality of godly elders because that truth is repeated many times in the New Testament (Acts 14:23; 15; 20:17; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5).

- Do not build theology on obscure passages such as baptism for the dead (1 Corinthians 15:29) or the claim that tongues is a private prayer language (1 Corinthians 14:2).

- Interpret Scripture literally.

- The Bible is not a book of mysticism.

- God has given us His Word so that we can know what is true.

- Therefore approach the text in its straightforward sense.

- Scripture is to be understood in its natural, normal sense.

- Finally, check your conclusions by using reliable commentaries.

- Commentaries have their place—after you have done the work yourself.

- Choose them based on teaching content and the author’s beliefs.

- Some are purely devotional and offer little help in interpretation.

- One-volume commentaries covering the entire Bible often skip many verses.

- Commentaries on individual books are usually more thorough.

- Useful authors include John MacArthur, D. Edmond Hiebert, Vernon Doerksen, Maxwell Coder, Thomas Manton, Charles Spurgeon, and John Calvin.

- Helpful word-study resources include Fritz Rienecker, Kenneth Wuest, Colin Brown, and Marvin Vincent.

- No single author has a corner on all the truth.

- You may disagree with a writer on one point without dismissing everything else he says.

- Summarizing the steps of interpretation: First state an initial proposal based on the content.

- You cannot do this adequately until you have worked through observation.

- This proposal may be the theme of the passage or a principle the passage teaches.

- Next search the context—ask what the surrounding context adds and view the passage within the setting of the entire book.

- Then seek comparison through cross-reference.

- The Bible itself sheds light on its own meaning; compare related passages and other reliable translations.

- After that, survey secondary resources such as commentaries, atlases, and dictionaries—but only after you have done the primary work yourself, and use them discerningly.

- Finally state your conclusions in one sentence or less, supported by cross-references, consistent with the context, and including any application principles that arise directly from the study.

C. Apply the Bible (“How does it apply to my life?”)

- Application always follows interpretation.

- The entire purpose of studying Scripture is to bring its truth into daily living.

- Without that step, all the careful work of discovering the author’s meaning proves empty.

- Knowing the truth yet refusing to live it increases the seriousness of the disobedience.

- Psalm 119:34 and James 1:22 both emphasize this.

- Application must be kept simple, practical, and personal.

- Ask the right questions: How does this relate to my life?

- Is there a principle to apply?

- Is there a command to obey?

- Is there an attitude to adjust?

- Is there a sin to repent of?

- Principilize what you learn by writing a brief sentence that summarizes what the passage teaches.

- For example, James 1:2-12 teaches that trials are a normal part of the Christian life and that we are to count them all joy because of what they produce in us.

- Model before others what you learn.

- Paul modeled the truth for the church (Philippians 4:9), and we are likewise called to model righteousness (1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3).

- Finally, teach what you learn to others (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:1-2).

CONCLUSION

- Read the Bible.

- Interpret the Bible.

- Apply the Bible.

- The goal of all Bible study is to know God and to make Him known.

***Gospel***