Without these
elements, proper Bible study is not possible. There can be no casual
look or occasional glance at the scriptures than can be called Bible
study. One reason why the so-called Christian bookstores are filled
to the rafters with so many books, different translations and paraphrases,
isn’t because the scriptures are so hard to understand,
but because most professing believers are LAZY, and do not
apply the diligence and effort needed to study and know the word of
God.
II. BIBLE
STUDY MUST BE AN INDIVIDUAL EFFORT. "Study to show yourself
approved." There is no question that the scriptures teach corporate
worship where the teaching of the scripture is the priority. However,
this, in no wise, is a substitute for individual Bible study. No
one can study the Bible for you. You must study to
show yourself approved.
III. BIBLE
STUDY MUST BE DONE WITH THE HIGHEST MOTIVE - GOD’S APPROVAL!
"Unto God" We learn and study to prepare lessons and sermons for
others. This is commendable. We also need to learn and read so that
we may know God’s truth for ourselves. That also is
commendable. However, until and unless we see the highest and ultimate
motive in the study of scripture we have studied incorrectly.
I can safely say that all of the dried—up, boring, individual
Bible studies that we may fall into is a direct result of wrong
motives for Bible study. We need to study the Bible to meet God’s
approval in our lives. Study to present yourself accepted,
reliable, valuable to God.
IV. PROPER
BIBLE STUDY PRODUCES SPIRITUAL LABORERS. "A workman"—a
laborer in the spiritual fields; to toil at the word.
V. PROPER
BIBLE STUDY PRODUCES BOLDNESS, NOT SHAMEFULNESS. "That needeth
not to be ashamed"—inward shame before God because of lack
of diligence in being a faithful laborer in the word.
VI. PROPER
BIBLE STUDY PRODUCES ACCURACY IN HANDLING YOUR BIBLE. "Rightly
dividing the word of truth"—handling accurately, correctly,
to cut straight the truth Handling accurately the truth. Again,
to be a worker of the word, with the ability to handle accurately
the truth, that is the result of all true Bible study.
2nd
Corinthians 4:1-2
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received
mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking
in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by
manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s
conscience in the sight of God.
Paul said, when
it came to his relationship with the word of God, he was not guilty
like those who adulterated the word of God with human traditions.
Instead, Paul renounced them. He spoke out against them, he refused
them, he denied them, and he disowned them with hatred. He concluded
that his entire religious lifestyle was nothing but a dung heap. Many
of you with traditional religious, backgrounds have never renounced
them, and in not doing so, you still filter all of scripture and all
of your distorted views of Christianity through your religious traditions.
That mess needs to be renounced if it does not line up with the scriptures.
It will prevent you from understanding the scriptures.
VII. PROPER
BIBLE STUDY RECOGNIZES THAT THE SOURCE OF STUDY IS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH.
"The word of truth"—spoken of what is true in itself, purity
from all error or falsehood. It is true doctrine and a divine reality.
The word of truth, is an expression used in other portions of scripture.
- It is used
of the gospel message. Ephesians 1:13, Colossians 1:3-5.
- It is used
of salvation. James 1:18.
- True churches
are supported and undergirded by it. 1st Timothy 3:15.
VIII. PROPER
BIBLE STUDY MUST BE PRECEDED BY THE PROPER ATTITUDE TO RECEIVE IT.
Let’s examine some of the attitudes of one’s life that is
absolutely essential to proper Bible study
Psalm 25:9
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach
his way.
The Psalmist makes
it very clear that only those who are the meek will be guided and
taught by God. The word "meek" means "to be in complete subjection
or submission to God, placing him or herself at God’s disposal
without hesitation or resistance. " If we have the wrong attitude
towards God BEFORE we start looking at the word of God, then
there will be no understanding of it, no matter how much we study
it. If in our lives there is no submission to God’s word, demonstrated
by consistent practice of it in all areas of our lives, true Bible
study and the results of it are not possible.
Acts 2:41-42
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand
souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine
and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
They delightfully,
with gratitude, embraced the word of God. They demonstrated the right
attitude in receiving the word, and demonstrated it by obeying what
was taught (read verse 42). They were faithful in the outgoings of
the Christian life. They remained in the learning and obedience of
the teaching from their leaders. They are an example for us today
as to how one must be prepared to hear from God. In their case, both
before and after salvation.
Acts 10:31-33
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are
had in remembrance in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is
Peter; he is lodged in the house of [one] Simon a tanner by the sea
side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that
thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to
hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
This group of
people demonstrated the right attitude in that they sent for Peter
and were gathered together so that Peter could teach them what God
would speak to them. They acknowledged their need to understand, and
comprehend what God would say to them. Again, their hearts were prepared
by God to hear the gospel.
Acts 17:10-11
10 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.
These Bereans,
described as wiser than the Thessalonians, were ready and eager with
mind and heart to embrace, and follow the word of God. We are sorely
lacking in many so—called churches in this great preparation
of heart to hear from God!
James 1:21-25
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save
your souls.
22 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.
Meekness is exercised
primarily before God. It is the opposite of self exertion and self
interest. We cannot approach the scriptures with a selfish, equalitarian
attitude. If we do not have the proper attitude of submission to the
scriptures, we will not know them, and James states clearly we will
not DO them either.
An absence of
meekness is demonstrated by the ability to sit and listen to the word,
read and study the word, but not practice the word. The net result
is a deceived individual whose belief is that study in and of itself
is sufficient enough, but lacks the lifestyle that demonstrates submission
to the word of God and the God of the word.
Let me ask you
this question in all honesty. Does this describe your relationship
with the word of God? Do you study much, read all the right books
and reference materials, hear mountains of sermons, and yet, you cannot
formulate simple biblical truth to share with
anyone? Though you plant yourself like a green bay tree to countless
hours of Bible study, yet your lifestyle is described as Paul said
of the silly women who were ever learning, and never able to come
the knowledge of the truth? Though you know the scriptures by
sight, do you practice them in its simplicity? Though you boast of
the ability to know the truth, do you sense no one wanting to hear
it from you? Is your wall of scripture practice so thin that only
you can’t see that it is transparent? All of these are symptoms
of those who do not manifest the proper attitude of submission towards
the scriptures. Even though you may have a head full of factual information
and study IN VAIN for countless hours, and though you may have
all of the right books and use them, yet, you are deceived because
you do not practice the truth in your life. You do not have
the right attitude towards the scriptures so that you can understand
them.
How
to Study the Bible
Part 2
The Illumination
of God
As much time as
we spent in the attitudes which are absolutely needed in understanding
the scriptures someone might say that this would be sufficient enough
for any of us to launch out and study up a storm. Such is not the
case. The most important element remains, and that is the supernatural
illumination or interpretation of God’s word. Let’s dispel
some rumors that are oftentimes associated with the study of God’s
word when we talk about supernatural illumination or interpretation.
Rumor #1.
Supernatural interpretation of the scriptures means an interpretation
of the scriptures that is illogical. Many are under the impression
that interpretation need not make any logical sense. For example,
Benny Hinn stated that the Lord received 39 stripes by the Romans.
The truth is that Roman scourging had no such number of counting as
the Jewish law did. Mr. Hinn says each stripe represented a specific
sickness of mankind. Not only does the Bible NOT say how many
times that Jesus was beaten by the Romans, but nowhere
in the scriptures does it say, either directly or indirectly, that
the individual stripe of Jesus’ beating represented any
specific kind of disease. That is pure nonsense and totally illogical.
Mr. Hinn’s misinterpretation of the scriptures is so senseless
as to be laughable.
Rumor #2.
Supernatural interpretation of the scriptures means an interpretation
of the scriptures that is esoteric or beyond the understanding of
the average mind. In other words, the obvious interpretation somehow
or another must be mysterious or mystical.
Rumor #3.
Supernatural interpretation of the scriptures means an interpretation
of the scriptures that is private to an individual, and an interpretation
that is set against known, sound scholarship. Too many people
are going beyond the many who have labored in the word and doctrine
and who have come to the proper interpretation of scripture so that
we need not "reinvent the wheel," so to speak.
Rumor #4.
Supernatural interpretation of the scriptures means an interpretation
of the scriptures that is not consistent with other scriptures, nor
conforms to any sound hermeneutical principles. Ignorance is ignorance,
period. The word of God properly taught, (ALL OF IT, that is!)
will make sense. It will conform to other scriptures and proper hermeneutics
will come to the table of proper study of the scriptures.
Rumor #5.
Supernatural interpretation of the scriptures means an interpretation
of the scriptures that is outside of scripture (i.e. dreams,
visions, feelings, emotions, etc.)
Rumor #6.
Supernatural interpretation of the scriptures means an interpretation
of the scriptures that is factual because I believe that it is.
Somehow or another, the proper supernatural interpretation is revealed
because of some experience, or inner feeling that I believe
makes it correct. We become the source of interpretation rather than
the truth itself.
Rumor #7.
Supernatural interpretation of the scriptures will take place,
even if I am ignorant of the scriptures that I use. God somehow
will give me the meaning of passages that I do not know. Don’t
kid yourself!
Hopefully none
of us fall under these 7 rumors in our thinking concerning Bible study!
Let’s look at one of the clearest passages in the scriptures
which reveal that it takes supernatural power to understand the scriptures.
Luke 24:13-16,
44-45
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called
Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem [about] threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed [together] and
reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
44 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,
Notice Luke 24:45a—then
opened He their understanding. The source of the revelation
of scripture was the Lord, Himself. The word "opened" means "to open
up completely." It is used metaphorically of opening up the eyes,
the scriptures, the mind, and the heart. "Understanding" refers to
the mind (the seat of understanding, thoughts, and councils), judging.
All of this was necessary for them to UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES.
The supernatural illumination was to reveal to these men the scriptures,
not some wild and fanciful, concocted knowledge, but the exact understanding
of the scriptures. When their minds were opened by the Lord and they
read the scriptures, they put it together, and then came the understanding.
Understand this
one crucial point: the supernatural illumination of the scriptures
will always reveal the sense of the scriptures, not nonsense.
Luke
24:27,32
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded
unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Expounded:
To interpret fully, to explain, to explain clearly and accurately
the scriptures. And noticed that Jesus used scripture to interpret
scripture. Now go to verse 32.
32 And they
said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked
with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Opened to us the
scriptures: Open up completely the understanding of the scriptures.
So what is our conclusion again?
The
supernatural illumination of the scriptures will always reveal the
sense of the Scriptures, not nonsense.
King
David recognized that it would take supernatural illumination to understand
the word of God.
Psalm 119:18
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of
thy law.
"To open," means
"to reveal, uncover, disclose." When David said "open my eyes," he’s
saying open to my mind and understanding with the ability to
know your law or word. The word "behold" means "to look earnestly."
David wanted to earnestly look into the word of the Lord. He wanted
his eyes to see extraordinary truths in the scriptures.
Paul also knew
that it took supernatural illumination to understand the scriptures.
1st
Corinthians 2:14-16
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.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is
judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct
him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The Bible
is a closed book to the unsaved. The truth contained in the
scriptures can only be investigated or examined properly by someone
who has the Holy Spirit. Paul also states the fact that we as believers
have "the mind of Christ." We have the ability to think with His supernatural
power, and understand the truth of the scriptures.
Here is a caution
however. Believers who are walking in disobedience also forfeits the
understanding of the scriptures. To an unsaved man the Bible is a
closed book. To a disobedient believer, the Bible is
a closed book.
1st
Corinthians 3:1-4
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual,
but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye
were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying,
and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos;
are ye not carnal?
James 3:13-18
13 Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let
him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory
not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual,
devilish.
16 For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every
evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that
make peace.
Conclusion?
To an unsaved man the Bible is a closed book.
To
a disobedient believer, the Bible is a closed book.
How
to Study the Bible
Part 3
Biblical
Principles
There are three
principles that are a must in any proper Bible study.
- READ WHAT
THE SCRIPTURES ARE SAYING. Let the scriptures speak for themselves.
- INTERPRET
WHAT THE SCRIPTURES ARE SAYING. Let the scriptures interpret
themselves.
- APPLY THE
TEXT ACCORDING TO WHAT THE SCRIPTURES SAY, AND THE PROPER INTERPRETATION
OF THEM.
If you can remember
the following simple point of study, it will keep you from misapplying
scripture. The point is this: Context, context, context! "Context"
means, "that within the text." It is important that we interpret
scripture according to what it says, rather than attempting to say
what we think it means without seeing what the Lord’s clear intent
or meaning is. Remember the order, read the text, interpret the text,
and then apply the text.
The truth of the
matter is this: although scripture MAY have many applications
(and we need to be careful even about that thinking)
it only has one interpretation. You cannot properly
apply scripture AT ALL without a proper interpretation.
You cannot apply the text AT ALL if you fail to read
what the text is saying. No matter how we may want to make a portion
of scripture say something, if we do not properly read the text AND
ALL RELATED PASSAGES TO THE PARTICULAR TEXT WE ARE LOOKING AT,
and interpret the passages according to what it says, then our application
is WRONG and we need to stop this practice. Keep
in mind again that the purpose of proper Bible study is to become
accurate handlers of the scriptures. Until we are, we should not say
anything about the scriptures to anyone because in being a poor handler
of scripture we commit the great sin of saying that God said
something that He didn’t say, or not saying God said something
that He did say.
James reminds
us not to be many teachers because we are going to be held in greater
accountability. We should be very cautious in attempting to display
our Bible knowledge, unless we have an absolute understanding of what
we are saying, which can only come from a proper understanding of
the text itself. Then, and only then, we can be bold with the scriptures.
What usually happens is that we read some of a text, fail to apply
any sound interpretation principles, and then attempt to apply the
scriptures according to what we think it says, not what God intended
the text to say.
Let’s look
at some examples of how scriptures are misquoted, not interpreted
properly, and then misapplied.
Isaiah
53:5
But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised
for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.
- Physical
healing. If you read the entire chapter, the healing refers
to sin. Not only that, but Peter interprets the passage
for us.
1st
Peter 2:24-25
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,
that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by
whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto
the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
The passage and
proper interpretation is given by Peter, a writer of scripture. This
is one case where clearly scripture interprets scripture.
Philippians
4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches
in glory by Christ Jesus.
- God will
supply your needs. What is needed to understand this portion
of scripture is first to read verses 10-19. The point of the passage
is NOT that God will meet all of your needs because you can
quote the passage, but that the Philippians, who themselves were
poor, gave Paul a gift, which made them poorer, and
Paul said because you have supplied my need, God shall supply your
need.
Romans
10:2
For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not
according to knowledge.
- Christians
have zeal without knowledge. The verse has nothing
to do with Christians whatsoever. Just read verses 1-4 and you will
see that. Look at verse 2—For I bear THEM witness. Who
are the THEM? In verse 1, Paul tells us plainly who they
are. Israel is the them, not Christians! The context has
nothing to do with Christians, but of Jews who need to be saved!
Look at verse 2 again. What is the knowledge? Is it the lack of
scripture? Not even close. The knowledge is the saving gospel of
Christ as verses 3-4 clearly state.
Philippians
4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
- I can do
anything for God. Read all of the chapter and you will find
that the interpretation has to do with Paul, writing in a dungeon,
telling the Philippian believers not to have any anxiety. Then Paul
receives a gift from the Philippian believers and tells them that
in whatever state he’s in he’s content whether in poverty
or abundance. Paul is saying that whatever the circumstances were
in his life he could endure, because Christ empowered him.
I believe that
we have stated the case clearly that context means something.
Now, we need to
state the case that words means something also.
Sometimes we fail to interpret properly, because we do not understand
the word(s) in a passage. And again, I must emphasize that the proper
understanding of a word(s) does not rest on what I think it means,
but what God intended for it to mean.
Example: Love.
The English definition is not relevant here at all. There are at least
four words in the Greek language for love. Three of them are used
in scripture. There are not 3 words for love defined in the English
language to my knowledge.
Context means
something, words means something, and lastly, grammar
means something.
Galatians
5:16
[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil
the lust of the flesh.
This verse isn’t
a suggestion as some may read. It is a command. In fact,
grammatically, it is a present active indicative, meaning that it
is to be done all of the time. We are to keep walking in
the Holy Spirit. This isn’t optional. Proper grammar
also is needed in proper bible study.
|
What
do I need to do when I approach the scriptures?
- Pray.
Divine insight is absolutely essential.
- Have
proper Bible tools. History, language helps, concordance,
Bible dictionary, etc.
- Give
quality time to study. Make large segments of time
to study. Don’t waffle at it.
- Keep
pencil and paper handy. Write questions and notes.
Don’t waste your time on memory.
- Learn
to read ALL of the text. Don’t stop at a verse
and ask questions, chances are they are answered in that
chapter.
- Interpret
what the text says, not what you think it says or
want it to say. God has given us the "what it says."
- Remember
that proper application arises out of proper interpretation.
Application MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE PROPER INTERPRETATION
OF THE TEXT!!
|
Do NOT
attempt to teach anyone anything about scripture that you do not know.
If you have not done your homework as far as study is concerned, if
you have not applied proper methods of the study of scripture, you
should never attempt to teach or share with anyone,
anything at all from scripture lest you make God out to be a liar,
and His word false. The scriptures are not to be handled foolishly
and loosely, but accurately for God’s glory.
