Discipleship Curriculum Series

Inductive Bible Study: Its Efficacy and Methodology

Carlos Taylor, Ph.D.

2014

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present one very effective Bible study method called
Inductive Bible Study (IBS). This method is hard work; the extent of ones learning is
dependent on how much work one puts into it. What a Bible student will learn will
depend on his or her diligence in applying this powerful method of learning. Applied
correctly, IBS is, in my opinion, the most effective way of learning the Bible. In this
paper, I will show the steps I take in applying the inductive Bible study method. Much of
what I know today about the Bible is due to implementing these principles as set forth in
this paper. Unless otherwise stated, the passages found in this curriculum are from the
New American Standard Bible (NASB).

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Dedication

First and foremost, I would like to dedicate this paper to the Lord who so graciously
gave us the beautiful gift of His Holy Word. May we be so saturated with His Word that
the words we speak become the outflow of Scripture.
This curriculum is also dedicated to Risen Scepter Ministries International (RSMI)
and its founder, Bishop Gary Earls. May this study be a blessing to the pastors, Bible
students, and Christian workers who minister through RSMI.
I also dedicate this curriculum to the members and friends of the First Baptist Church
of Daly City, who I have served these past 18 joyous years. May they apply these
practical methods that they may learn and love Scripture, and thereby "accurately handle
the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
Lastly, I dedicate this study to Kay Arthur, the acclaimed Bible teacher and author. I
found her book, How to Study Your Bible, to be the sine qua non of all literature, both in
print or online, pertaining to the inductive Bible study method. In fact, much of the
material in this paper is based on this exceptional book.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract ...

ii

Dedication .. iii
Table of Contents .. iv
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: Selecting the Passage 3
Chapter 2: Giving a Title to the Passage 5
Chapter 3: Outlining the Passage 6
Chapter 4: Writing Down the Main Theme 8
Summary Statement 9
Develop Your Own Chart of Map .. 11
Chapter 5: Discovering the Key Verse 13
Chapter 6: Writing Down Your Observations .... 14
First Essential: The Bible .. 14
Examine the Context 14
Observe the Obvious Facts, People and Events . 15
Principle 1: Identify the Obvious People 16
Principle 2: Identify the Obvious Places . 17
Principle 3: Identify the Obvious Events 17
Deal with the Text Objectively .. 17
Identify Type of Literature 20

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Important Guidelines .. 21
Key Words and Phrases . 23
Second Essential: An Exhaustive Concordance 24
How to Use a Concordance 25
Third Essential: An Exhaustive Dictionary .. 25
Fourth Essential: Understand How Words Work .. 26
List What You Have Learned From Each Word 26
Fifth Essential: Look For Contrasts and Comparisons .

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Contrasts

27

Comparisons 28
Sixth Essential: Look for Expression of Time 28
Seventh Essential: Look for Terms of Conditions 28
Eighth Essential: Identify Clearly-Defined Statements .. 29
Ninth Essential: Choosing the Right Bible Version 29
Chapter 7: Interpreting the Old Testament 30
Interpreting Old Testament History .. 31
Interpreting Old Testament Prophecy 32
Interpreting Old Testament Wisdom Literature . 32
Synonymous Parallelism 33
Synthetic Parallelism . 33
Antithetic Parallelism . 34
Chapter 8: Interpreting the New Testament 35
Chapter 9: Observation Worksheet . 37
Chapter 10: Cross-Referencing ... 38
Chapter 11: Ask Questions .. 39

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Chapter 12: Principles of Hermeneutics .. 41
Hermeneutical Principles to Follow .. 41
Principle 1: Let Scripture Interpret Scripture 41
Principle 2: Scripture Will Never Contradict Scripture 43
Principle 3: Do Not Base Doctrine on Obscure Passages . 44
Principle 4: Interpreting Scripture Literally .. 45
Principle 5: Interpreting Figurative Language ...... 45
Three Principles for Understanding Figurative Language 46
Figurative Language ... 46
Simile . 46
Metaphor 46
Hyperbole .. 47
Metonymy .. 47
Personification 48
Irony 48
More Hermeneutical Principles to Follow 48
Principle 6: Look for the Author's Intended Meaning .. 48
Principle 7: Interpret Parables, Allegories, Types & Symbols Judiciously ... 49
Principle 8: Interpret Prophecy . 52
Important Guidelines in Interpreting Prophecy ... 53
Chapter 13: Final Interpretational Guidelines 58
Laws of Composition 58
Preparation or Introduction 58
Climax 58
Pivotal Point 58
Radiation 59
Interchange 59
General to Particulars 59
Cause and Effect 59
Explanation and Analysis .. 60

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Interpretation . 60
Summarization .. 61
Chapter 14: Application .. 62
Scripture Memorization 63
Bibliography ... 65
About the Author .. 66

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Introduction

There are two basic methods of Bible study: book by book or topic by topic. The
inductive Bible study (IBS) method works best in the first category: book by book.
According to David Bauer (2013), the inductive Bible study "is built upon wellconsidered hermeneutical principles" (p. 7). While this method of Biblical studies is
effective for both clergy and laymen, unfortunately, it has become out of favor in recent
decades. In past centuries, IBS has found much support from Bible scholars and
theologians. However, with the advent of radio, television, internet, and social media, the
discipline of personal Bible study and inductive Bible study has fallen precipitously in
recent years. Believers today would rather buy a digital tape or DVD of Bible teaching
rather than study God's Word on their own. Unfortunately, many believers in recent
years choose to learn from the ardent study of others. They choose to be fed by others
rather than feeding themselves. Christians as a whole have become lethargic in personal
Bible study. Many learn the Bible from YouTube and other popular websites.
Consequently, these believers have lost the joy of discovering Bible truths on their own.
There is great joy in self-learning. Self-study takes much effort, but the effort is
worth it. While inductive Bible study is hard work initially, over time, practice and
repetition, the effort becomes easier and more joyful.
I have been a pastor and Bible teacher for over two decades, and I can affirm that the
inductive Bible study method provides a good handle of the Bible. Apply these
principles and you will be blessed immeasurably!
We must first define what inductive Bible study is. Induction is the "process of
estimating the validity of observations of part of a class of facts as evidence for a
proposition about the whole class" (Random House Webster's College Dictionary, 2nd
ed.). In other words, inductive Bible study is an approach of Bible study where the
student moves from the specific to the general. In inductive Bible study, we move from
the micro to the macro, from the details to the big picture. A single verse does not
provide the meaning of the entire passage, a passage does not provide the meaning of the
entire chapter, and a chapter does not provide the meaning of the entire book. One must
put the pieces in place to see the big picture.

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A Biblical example of the inductive process is found in Matthew 22:37, where we are
to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. The heart, soul and mind are
the specifics. From there we get a glimpse of the whole picture, loving God with our
whole being.
Several steps are used to implement the Inductive Bible Study method. These steps
include:
Selecting the passage;
Giving a title to the passage;
Outlining the passage;
Writing down the main theme of the passage;
Discovering the key verse;
Writing down observations;
Cross-referencing;
Asking questions; and
Application.
One does not have to go down each step in a successive manner. These steps are not
rigid. Once you select a text, you can go up and down the steps as you desire. But the
key element to remember is to execute all the steps in order to get the most out of it.
When these nine steps are diligently applied, the Bible student will develop Bible
competency.

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CHAPTER 1: SELECTING THE PASSAGE

Prayer must be the foundation of any Bible study. As you go through each step, ask
God to give insight. The Bible is a spiritual book; hence, we need Gods Holy Spirit to
enlighten us. I personally like to begin my Bible study by claiming Psalms 119:18,
Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Your law. It is the Holy Spirit
who instructs you. Therefore, you must always ask Him to open "the eyes of your
understanding" (Ephesians 1:18).
We must approach Bible study with the solid conviction that the entire Bible is God's
holy Word; hence, it is true. John 17:17 states, "Your word is truth." This means that we
must believe the Word of God from cover to cover. To believe the Bible is to believe in
the creation of the world in seven days, the account of Adam and Eve, a worldwide flood,
Jonah and the whale, the virgin birth, and miracles. The Bible is inerrant and infallible.
By inerrant, we mean that the Bible contains no error. And by infallible, we mean that
the Bible cannot be wrong or have mistakes. However, men's opinion as recorded in
Scripture may be wrong. For example, in John 8:48, the Jews accused Jesus with these
words, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" So while
this statement is in Scripture, it is obvious that this statement is not true. Jesus was not a
Samaritan; He was born in Judea. Neither did He have a demon. The inductive Bible
study method will help us interpret Scripture rightly.
The first step in IBS is selecting the passage.
In my experience, the best way to choose a passage is to first select a Bible book.
Each passage will consist of each chapter of that book. When you have already selected
a book to study, cover that book chapter by chapter. Start at the beginning of the book
and study each chapter because this will provide the context and sequence of events. By
beginning at the middle of the book, you fail to understand the necessary background
information.
As an example, I choose to study the book of Romans. Romans has 16 chapters.
Hence, I will study 16 passages; one passage for each chapter. At one chapter per week, I
would have completed Romans in 16 weeks, or in about 4 months.

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The key to successful inductive Bible study is consistency. For instance, study one
chapter a week regardless of your schedule. Too often we begin with zeal, and examine
two or three chapters in the first week. The following week we lose our zeal and fail to
study that week. Inconsistency will always impede Christian growth.
There will be times when it may not be feasible to study one chapter as your passage;
you may study more or less than one chapter because they form a single unit. For
example, 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 speak of spiritual gifts. You may study these two
chapters as a single passage.

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CHAPTER 2: GIVING A TITLE TO THE PASSAGE

Personally, I like to title each passage. This gives me a good handle of what the
chapter is about. But in order to remember what the title is, it must be catchy. Years ago,
there was a TV series entitled "Have Gun, Will Travel." As I was reading the account of
the call of Abraham in Genesis chapters 11 and 12, the patriarch journeyed from Ur to
Haran, and then to Canaan, I entitled this passage "Have Promise, Will Travel."
Unfortunately, many current Study Bibles in the market today already have chapter
titles. I prefer to write my own. In fact, there may be times when my title is different
from what the editors put in the beginning of each chapter. Remember, the titles above
each chapter were placed by man; they are not a part of Scripture. I also like to compose
my own title because I can recall them better than one composed by someone else. There
are three key factors to remember in deciding on a passage title. First, you must put some
thought into it; it will stay with you for years to come. Second, make it relevant. "The
Church in Acts" is a title that may not sound relevant today. You may want to change it
into "The Church Then and Now." Lastly, the title must be short; long titles are difficult
to recall.

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CHAPTER 3: OUTLINING THE PASSAGE

Outlines accomplish several things. First, outlines help you examine how all the
sections of a passage fit together. Second, they help you see the sequence from one point
to the next. They provide an overview of how the different parts are interlinked together.
And thirdly, they help you visualize the passage as a whole.
An outline is like a tapestry. A tapestry consists of several patterns sewn together.
The patterns in and of itself may not make much sense. But when placed side by side
they reveal the big picture. Each point in an outline is similar to a pattern that shows the
big picture when pieced together.
If possible, make each point in the outline begin with the same phrase. Last Sunday I
delivered a message on Philippians 2:1-2. My outline began with the same phrase, "We
Have Unity Because," as seen below:
I.

We Have Unity Because We Have Encouragement in Christ

II. We Have Unity Because We Have Consolation in Love

III. We Have Unity Because We Have Fellowship in the Spirit
IV. We Have Unity Because We Have Affection and Compassion
Below is the outline of Psalm 46, which I also completed for this Thursday's Bible
study. The numbers inside the parenthesis correspond to the verses. Notice carefully
how the first word in each part begin with the same word.
GOD IS FOR US
1. God is our refuge (1,11)
2. God is our strength (1)
3. God is our help in trouble (1)
4. God will protect His holy city (4-7)
I DO NOT NEED TO FEAR
1. In times of earthquakes (2)
2. In times of floods (3)
I NEED TO PRAISE HIM
1. Praise His wonderful works (8)
2. Praise His future acts (9)

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3. Praise Him because He is God (10)
As you outline the passage, you may want to write some personal thoughts and ideas
and add them to your Observation Worksheet, which will be discussed in more detail in
chapter 9. As I outlined Psalm 46, these thoughts came to mind:
1. This passage begins and ends with God as our refuge (1,11). Verses 1 and 11
may be the key verse and summary verse.
2. Verse 7: The God of Jacob is our refuge (KJV)
The God of Jacob is our stronghold (NASB)
The God of Jacob is our fortress (NIV)
(Here we see that refuge, stronghold, and fortress are synonymous).
This is called synonymous parallelism.
3. Verse 11: The Lord of hosts (KJV, NASB)
The Lord Almighty (NIV)
The Commander of the heavenly armies (Living Bible)
(Here we see that Lord of hosts is synonymous to
Lord Almighty and Lord of the heavenly armies.")
In addition, as you read and outline the passage, you may notice that some words or
phrases are repeated. Take note of these repetitions because God placed them there for a
purpose. In Psalm 46, these words reoccurred:
1. "Lord of hosts" (7,11). The heavenly hosts are spiritual beings who inhabit the
heavens and possess power. But God is their Lord.
2. "God of Jacob" (7,11). Jacob is the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Therefore, this
phrase means God is Lord over all Israel.
3. "stronghold" (7,11). God is able to help regardless of circumstances because He is
completely strong.
Outlines are important; it will help you understand the text as a single unit.

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CHAPTER 4: WRITING DOWN THE MAIN THEME

As each book in the Bible has an overriding theme, so does each chapter. Determine
the theme for every chapter of the book you are studying. At the same time, as you read
the chapter, you may select the key verse of that chapter.
Each passage has one overriding theme; note it and write it on your Observation
Worksheet. A theme is that one dominant idea in which the entire passage hangs on.
There can only be one main theme per passage. There will be times when the main
theme will be the key verse, but this may not always be the case. Personally, like the
title, I prefer to write the main theme in my own words. Make it catchy; a catchy theme
written in your own words will be easier to remember. I alluded earlier to Psalm 46,
which I had outlined. This overriding theme of this chapter consisting of 11 verses is, in
my own words, "I am safe in God's hands." Notice I used the pronoun "I" in my theme
sentence. Try to make the theme as personal as possible.
The theme may not be apparent during the first reading. But as you read and reread
the passage, the prevailing theme will become evident. You may even want to read the
passage from different translations or versions to broaden your understanding. Ward
(1969) posited, "Repeated reading of the entire literary unit will usually open up the
major theme" (pp. 51-52). The theme does not have to be a complete sentence; it can be
a phrase. If you choose to write your theme, keep it short and to the point.
A passage may have several sub-themes; do not confuse these with the overall
theme. As Ward articulated, "There are almost always secondary themes underlying the
major one" (p. 51). Focus on the overriding theme.
Just like a passage, the theme of a book will reveal itself as you read and reread it.
According to R. J. Krejcir (1978), it is best to read the passage aloud for better
concentration. The book of James has five chapters. If you did a chapter study, you
should have five themes corresponding to each chapter. But the book of James is also a
unit with its own primary theme. The theme of James is: genuine faith will produce
authentic deeds; true faith will result in fruit; or a life of faith is accompanied with a life
of deeds. You may word it anyway you prefer.

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At times, a word or phrase that is repeated in a text becomes the theme. In the book
of 1 John, the word "fellowship" is mentioned four times in chapter 1; this may be the
theme. Similarly, the word "abide" appears 11 times in the entire book; abiding in Christ
may then be the theme of that book. Another Christian may disagree because he sees
Christian virtues enumerated in the book. To him the theme of 1 John may be "the marks
of a Christian." Both points of view are correct.
As you read the book of Judges, you discover the wickedness of the Israelites. You
also discover that the phrase "every man did that which was right in his own eyes""
appears in Judges 17:6 and 21:25. This explains why the people of Israel did wickedly;
they did as they pleased. This could be the theme of this book.
Furthermore, an event may substantiate the theme. As Ward proposed, "The whole
interpretation is strengthened, and clarified, if the meaning of the event can be related to
the central theme of the Bible" (p. 30). In order words, events in the book may reinforce
the theme of that book.

Summary Statement
After reading the entire book, discern what statement best summarizes that book.
This statement is called the summary statement. In the gospel of John, the key verse may
be 20:31, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of
God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." The theme may be, in your
own words: Believe and have life. The summary statement then becomes: Believe in
Jesus and experience the life God has to offer. The summary statement must always be a
complete sentence; it cannot consist of two or more sentences. You may want to use key
words in composing the one-sentence summary statement. In John 20:31 the key word is
"believe" as it appears twice. Again, if the theme or summary statement does not seem
apparent at first reading, you may need to read the book several times.
Naturally, it will be easier to discover the theme in shorter books than in longer ones.
Finding the theme of 2 John is easier because it consists of 13 verses. The theme in
Jeremiah would be more difficult since this book has 1,364 verses. In my experience, it
is best to first discover the main theme, and then use that main theme to form the basis of
your summary statement.

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Let us look at another example. As you read the book of Hebrews, one discovers
that the overriding theme is that Jesus is the High Priest; we need no other. This theme,
stated in a complete sentence, may also be the summary statement. The theme verse of
this book may be Hebrews 4:14-15, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has
ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For
we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we
have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet he did not sin."
Never "invent" a chapter or book theme. The theme will "pop up" and speak to you
as you read and reread the text. The book theme may be related to the chapter themes
because the chapter themes support the main theme. For example, if the book theme is
Christian virtues, then each chapter theme might cover one or more specific virtues.
In many Bibles, chapters are composed of paragraphs. Remember that paragraphs
are man-made. This means that two or more paragraphs may have a single theme. So, in
the case of Christian virtues, there might be three paragraphs on love, two on patience,
and one on godliness. In such cases, you may combine paragraphs that relate or build
upon each other.
Your book theme is like a skeleton; you will need to fill in the flesh. Notice the
theme of each book and chapter, as well as the sub-themes inside each chapter. Look
carefully at the outline below and you will notice that some paragraphs are combined
because they have the same sub-theme. This outline, with minor changes, are from the
Kay Arthur's excellent book entitled, How to Study Your Bible:
Book - theme
Chapter 1 - theme
Paragraph 1 - sub-theme
Paragraphs 2,3 - sub-theme
Paragraph 4 - sub-theme
Chapter 2 - theme
Paragraph 1 - sub-theme
Paragraph 2 - sub-theme
Chapter 3 - theme
Paragraph 1 - sub-theme

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Paragraph 2 - sub-theme
Paragraphs 3,4 - sub-theme
Paragraph 5 - sub-theme
Be diligent. If you work hard, you will be amazed how you will gradually develop a
good grasp of each paragraph, chapter, and book. Over the years you will develop a good
understanding of several Biblical books chapter by chapter.
Remember, in composing your summary statement, chapter and book themes, there
are no right or wrong answers. God will bless your hard work as you proceed
methodically.

Develop your own chart or map

Many people are visual. Charts and timelines are excellent visual aids. The maps
found at the end of a Bible are probably the most unused portion of the Bible. But it is
difficult to understand the Bible without referring to these maps. At times, you may even
want to draw your own map or chart. For example, in the book of Judges, you may want
to chart the name of each individual judge chronologically and write down their strengths
and accomplishments, along with their weaknesses and failures. You may also do this in
2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Add these charts to your Observation Worksheet.
I made the chart below this morning. It is a list of all the kings of Israel (the
Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom). I wanted to know if the kings in
Judah had longer tenure on average than Israel because the Southern Kingdom had more
good kings than the Northern Kingdom. The numbers inside the parenthesis correspond
to the number of years of their reign.

Judah

Israel

Rehoboam (17)

Jeroboam (22)

Abijah (2)

Nadab (2)

Asa (41)

Baasha (24)

Jehoshaphat (28)

Elah (2)

Jehoram (8)

Zimri (7 days)

Ahaziah (1)

Omri (12)

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Athaliah (6)

Ahab (22)

Joash (40)

Ahaziah (2)

Amaziah (29)

Jehoram (12)

Uzziah (52)

Jehu (28)

Jotham (16)

Jehoahaz (17)

Ahaz (16)

Joash (16)

Hezekiah (29)

Jeroboam II (41)

Manasseh (55)

Zachariah (6 mos.)

Amon (2)

Shallum (1 mos)

Josiah (31)

Manahem (10)

Jehoahaz (3 mos.)

Pekahiah (2)

Jehoakim (11)

Pekah (20)

Jehoachin (3 mos.)

Hosea (9)

Zedekiah (11)

The Southern Kingdom, with more kings who walked with God, had 20 kings whose
reigned averaged 19.8 years. The Northern Kingdom had 19 kings whose reign averaged
only 12.7 years. By this I concluded that the Lord blessed Judah with more kings and
longer tenure because they were more righteous than Israel.

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CHAPTER 5: DISCOVERING THE KEY VERSE

Each passage usually has a key verse in which the entire passage hangs on. In
Hebrews 11 we read about men and women of faith whose lives pleased God. Thus, the
key verse in this chapter could be verse 6, "For without faith it is impossible to please
God." Each name mentioned in this chapter was a saint who pleased God by living a life
of faith.
It must be understood that different Bible students may come up with different key
verses even though they are studying the same passage. Thus, another Bible student may
say that Hebrews 11:1, not 11:6, is the key verse for this passage. Verse 1 reads, "Now
faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." So, whereas
I selected verse 6 as the key verse because it was faith exemplified, another student may
have selected verse 1 because it was faith defined. Both views are correct.
While you may have many favorite verses, be careful. Your favorite verse does
not necessarily mean it is the key verse. The key verse may not be your favorite verse.

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CHAPTER 6: WRITING DOWN YOUR OBSERVATIONS

Create your own observation worksheet. Write neatly because your notes will
become your main reference for future personal Bible study.

First Essential: The Bible

Examine the context
Context literally means "with the text." In other words, in studying a passage,
examine the immediate text surrounding it, the book where the text is found, and the
entire Bible which contains the book. The context helps understand the meaning of the
passage. In studying a particular passage, one must ask three questions:
a) Is my interpretation consistent with the theme, purpose, and structure of the book
in which it is found?
b) Is my interpretation consistent with other Scripture passages; if there are
differences, why?
c) Am I considering the historical and cultural background of the text?
For example, in 2 Timothy 2:16 we read, " avoid worldly and empty chatter." Does
this mean that a Christian must avoid talking about current events, sports, funny stories,
anecdotes, or mundane things of the world? No! Verse 15, the previous verse, makes
reference to the "word of truth." The immediate context is the gospel. One who delivers
the gospel must handle it correctly. Yes, we can tell jokes; we can talk amount mundane
matters. But when it comes to delivering the gospel, ascertain the message and its
interpretation are correct.
Never take a Scripture out of context to make it say something contrary to the text.
Always handle the Word of God objectively; avoid presuppositions. Discover what the
author is saying, and do not add to his meaning.
Verses are not written in a vacuum; they appear as part of a larger picture.
Therefore, it is essential to study each verse within each context. And in order to
understand the context, one must read the verses or paragraphs before and after the text.
A common saying used by pastors is, A verse taken out of context is pretext. Always
look at the context. A passage, when taken out of context, can be misconstrued and lead

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to false teaching. A student who only looks at a few facts may end up with a wrong
interpretation; therefore, look at all the relevant facts to reach the correct conclusion.
Many cults prove their theology by extracting a few verses or taking a text out of context.
You may have heard this example. The first verse is, "Judas killed himself." The second
verse is, "Go and do likewise." The third verse is, "And what you do, do quickly." Using
these three unrelated verses, a Bible teacher can convince his flock to take their own lives
immediately. When taken out of context, Bible teachers can teach heresy.
And in order to understand the passage, see it as a whole. Always look at the whole
teaching as found in the Bible. For example, Jesus is not only the Lamb, He is also a
Lion. He is not only loving, He is also just. He is not only truth, He is mercy as well.
He is not only the past, but also the present and the future. By cross-referencing related
passages, one can visualize the whole picture.
Each verse or passage must be examined within its context; this is foundational for
sound Biblical interpretation. Always remember: context rules.
You may want to research extra-biblical sources to understand the context of the
writing. In John 19 we read Pontius commanding his soldiers to scourge and crucify
Jesus. To comprehend why Pilate gave such an order, one must research his troubles
with Rome, his struggles with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, his insecurity regarding
his position, and his use of brutality as a means to bring order. In this wider context,
Pilate ordered Jesus' arrest and death to appease the Roman Senate and placate the Jewish
leaders. Without their support, he might be readily replaced. His hold on power was
fragile; as there were many who desired to replace him.
In understanding the context, it may even be helpful, if possible, to visit the Holy
Land. In the account of David slaying the giant Goliath, the Bible recounts that he picked
up five small, smooth stones. A visit to the Valley of Elah will reveal there is a stream
nearby where many such stones are abundant. So David had no difficulty finding such
stones.

Observe the obvious facts, people and events

The Bible was written by a specific author to a specific audience for a specific
purpose during a specific time period in history. Thus, to understand and interpret any

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book or passage, one must examine: authorship; the recipients of the letter; and the
purpose and historical events relevant to the passage. It helps to become aware of the
historical, political, economic, and social situation pertinent to the passage to be studied.
For instance, hope is one salient theme in both Ezekiel and Jeremiah. But what was this
hope? Israel was despondent because they were deported to the far country of Babylon.
Their greatest hope, then, was to one day return to the Promised Land, the land of their
birth.
In inductive Bible study, first reflect on the obvious facts that are there. Sometimes,
certain obvious facts or details may stand out within a passage. The obvious elements to
watch out for are people, places and events. For example, certain words, commands, or
ideas may be repeated. God repeated these for emphasis; hence, take note of these
repetitions.
Repetition is using the same word or phrase several times. Authors use repetition for
emphasis. For instance, "the Word" appears four times in John 1:1-14, "fellowship"
appears four times in 1 John 1:1-7, and "holy" appears three times in Isaiah 6:3. These
words are important; do not overlook them.
In chapter 13 we will investigate how God uses repetition to reach a high point or
climax.

Principle 1: Identify the obvious people

Begin by noting who wrote the book or epistle, who he wrote to, and other names
mentioned. In studying the people, examine who they are and what they did, as this will
explain why the author mentioned them. Also examine the meaning of names. For
instance, the name Ezekiel means "God strengthens." In Ezekiel we read about the fall of
Jerusalem and the inhabitants deported into Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel entered the
scene to bring God's strength to the people in their dark times of distress.
If your passage is Genesis 12-50, the four key people are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and
Joseph. You may want to study each one individually, marking down successes and
accomplishments; failures and disappointments; and struggles and victories. A study like
this would benefit the hungry soul.

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What the passage says about God. The Bible is God's revelation of Himself. Find
out what the passage teaches about God's character, attributes, nature, and how He
interacts with certain people. Relationships are important, so discover how and why God
related to these characters.

Principle 2: Identify the obvious places

To get a grasp on Bible teaching, examine the places. Use maps. If you are studying
the destruction of the city of Jericho, you will notice through photographs that this area is
spacious and flat. Thus it was very possible for the Jews to easily encircle this prominent
city seven times in the days of Joshua without encountering natural obstacles.

Principle 3: Identify the obvious events

Note what is happening and why it is happening. You may even want to use a
colored pen or pencil to mark the verbs with different colors, such as: red for sin; green
for things to do to grow as a believer; blue for God's love, eternal life and heaven; orange
for miracles; and so on.

Deal with the text objectively

We must study the Bible objectively and subjectively. In determining what the Bible
says, first examine it objectively. Once the passage has been examined objectively, a
person can then seek to apply it subjectively into his or her personal life.
One simple way to examine the passage objectively is by using a method used by
reporters and journalists. This method is called the 5 Ws and the H, which stand for:
Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. These six elements are self-evident; some or
all of these will appear in the text. Begin with what is obvious. Try to be a vacuum
cleaner, picking up tids and bits to acquire the whole picture. For example: who did
what? Where, when, why, and how did he or she do it? Correct answers to these primal
questions will lead you to correct interpretations. Similarly, a wrong understanding of
these basic concepts will lead to erroneous interpretations and false theology. Not every
passage will have all six of these elements; some may be missing. Regardless, take
careful note of which are present.

18
Try to be as accurate as possible in answering the 5 W's and the H. If the "Who" is
God, you may ask, which Person in the Godhead? Develop a questioning mindset;
always ask questions. Bible study becomes exciting when you have an inquisitive mind
and discover answers to your own questions. Validate your answers because wrong
answers may lead to wrong interpretations. You must be able to justify your
interpretation.
In studying a Bible book always ask, "Why was it written?" By understanding the
occasion why it was written, its setting or background, you will be able to interpret the
book correctly. An understanding of Old Testament history is important to understand
the writings of the Old Testament prophets. These prophets wrote about the political,
economic, and spiritual affairs they faced as they composed their books.
To determine the occasion and setting of the book, you need to do two things.
First, research the author's background

Do a character study by using a concordance to determine relevant facts about the

author.

Read what commentaries say on the book you are studying, such as authorship,
setting and the date of the book.

Read a book written by a credible scholar or teacher about the author of the book
you are studying. Oftentimes, the Bible authors wrote to combat socio-economic,
political, and religious malaise in the land.

Second, examine the historical setting

As mentioned earlier, there are many types of literature found in the Bible. Most
prevalent is the historical type of literature. How are we to interpret historical Biblical
literature?
Understanding historical literature is vital because almost half (17 of 39) of the Old
Testament books are historical. In the New Testament, Acts is the only historical book.
While some posit that the Gospels are historical, most believe they are narrative and
biographical.
Historical narrative is characterized by real people who lived during certain times in
actual places who faced specific events. Historical books were written by actual people
under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; they are not myths, fables or fairy tales.

19
In studying historical narrative, take note of the following:

The date of the writing is usually discussed in commentaries or in study Bibles.

After discovering the historical setting, refer to other tools, such as Bible
dictionaries and Bible handbooks.

Understand the customs of the day because they will shed light on what God is
teaching, which will lead to correct interpretations. Not understanding the culture
may lead to misinterpretations. Imagine yourself in the time and place of the text.
Speaking of misinterpretation and culture, nowhere in Scripture is the number 13

mentioned as an unlucky number. This is a western idea not found in Jewish culture.
Some current Bible teachers claim that Paul had to be the author of the book of
Hebrews, which was his 14th book. If Paul did not author the book of Hebrews, then he
composed 13 books. Since the Lord would not have permitted Paul to write 13 books,
he, therefore, had to be the author of Hebrews. We must be careful not to insert current
western culture into the Bible.
We witness cultural behavior in Ruth 3:4, and again in Ruth 3:7. In these two
passages Ruth removed the blanket covering Boaz' feet, and laid down by his feet. It
would be immodest for a woman to lay down by a man's side, unless she was his wife.
To lay down by his feet demonstrated: modesty; and signified that Boaz, as a near
kinsman, should redeem her. Similarly, in Ruth 4:7, the Bible says that it was the custom
in former days that a man, to confirm a legal transaction, would remove his shoe and give
it to the other party. Unless we understood the custom of that day, the text will me
senseless to us.
You may have heard the word "exegesis" before. Exegesis is the process of
interpreting Scripture by drawing out the actual meaning of the text. In exegesis, the
interpretation is based solely on the text; not what we think the text should say. "The aim
of biblical exegesis is to determine what the text of Scripture itself says and means, and
not to read something into it" (Zuck, 1991, p. 99). The inductive Bible study method is a
tool to correctly exegete Scripture.
Never allow tradition to replace Bible teaching. Your faith must emanate on Biblical
instruction, not church tradition. Do not allow tradition to influence your hermeneutical
interpretations.

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Identify the type of literature
The type of literature will determine how you will interpret the text. There is no onesize-fits-all. The type of literature sets the framework for proper interpretation. Some
types of literature found in the Bible are: poetic (Psalms), historical (Genesis, Judges,
Acts), biographical (Ruth, Esther, Luke), wise sayings (Proverbs), prophetic (parts of
Daniel and Revelation), epistle (the letters of Paul, Peter, John), or even a combination of
the above (Daniel is historical, biographical and prophetic). Each type of literature is
unique. Contrasts are often found in poetic literature. In Psalms and Proverbs we see a
contrast between the rich and the poor; the godly and the ungodly; the wise and the
foolish; the diligent and the indolent. In Psalm 1:6, the righteous and the wicked are
contrasted. This verse reads, "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way
of the wicked will perish."
We must realize that Hebrew poetry is unlike English poetry. While English poetry
uses rhyme and meter, Hebrew poetry does not use rhyme and meter; instead, it makes
abundant use personification. For example, in the book of Proverbs, wisdom is
personified as a wise woman who cries out in the streets. Proverbs 1:20-21 reads,
"Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square; At the head of the noisy
streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings ."
Notice the pronoun "she" which I have underlined referring to wisdom. Today, we like
to use the phrase "Lady Wisdom," based on this Judaic concept. Understanding these
concepts help us understand what the writer wants to communicate.
Books, such as Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon, fall under
the category of "wisdom literature." Some Bible teachers include Lamentations as being
a part of the wisdom books. Much of the wisdom books include poetry, as mentioned
earlier. It is essential to understand Hebrew poetic style in order to correctly interpret the
passage.
Hebrew poetry also uses parallelism. In parallelism, one line in a verse may be
restated in the next line with similar or contrasting ideas. Besides parallelism, metaphors
and similes are also common. In metaphors, one idea represents something else; and in
similes, ideas are contrasted using the phrase "like" or "as." The important element to
remember is that Hebrew poetry incorporates beautiful patterns and styles that are

21
difficult to translate into English. Oftentimes, we cannot appreciate the richness of the
Hebrew poetry when it is transferred over into English.
One structure common in Hebrew poetry and unnoticed when read in an English
translation is acrostics. In acrostics, the first line begins with the first letter of the
Hebrew alphabet, the second line with the second Hebrew letter of the alphabet, and so
on.
The most famous acrostic in the Bible is Psalms 119. Each stanza of eight lines
begins with the Hebrew alphabet in successive order. The first stanza begins with the
letter aleph, the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet, the second stanza begins with the
letter beth, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, until we reach taw, the last letter of
the alphabet.
Lamentations also takes this poetic form. The first four laments are acrostics.
Chapters 1, 2, and 4 all have 22 verses, corresponding to the 22 letters of the Hebrew
alphabet. Each lament begins with the Hebrew alphabet in consecutive order. The third
chapter is also an acrostic with three verse stanzas for a total of 66 verses.
While historical literature primarily portrays people and events, poetry is richer with
a broader swath or palette. And whereas historical literature is usually straightforward in
its narrative, poetry uses more imagery, allusions and symbols.
Lamentations is poetry within its historical context. Proverbs is poetry within the
context of wise sayings. Song of Solomon is a love poem. Psalms is a collection of
various songs and prayers to be offered during special occasions or settings. It is thought
that the Psalms were sung by the priestly choir in temple worship.
Psalms is the longest poetic literature in the Bible. It was written, not by one person,
but by several different individuals who lived in different times and under different
circumstances. Some are "imprecatory," calling on God's just judgment on the wicked.
Others are cries for help and comfort, while others are confessions of sins. But all of
Psalms has one thing in common: each chapter is an expression of worship to the true
God.
Important Guidelines
1. Remember that parallelism is the most important feature

22
Parallelism is quite noticeable in the Hebrew Bible but somewhat hidden in its
English translation. Fortunately, these parallelisms are sometimes easier to note in a
good translation. The key to parallelism is to recognize its use and to apply it correctly.
We shall look at parallelism more thoroughly in chapter 7.
2. Look for figures of speech
As mentioned earlier, Hebrew poetry is replete with metaphors and similes, so pay
close attention to them. For example, the phrase "teeth like a flock of ewes" means
"white." When Jeremiah wrote, "He has broken my teeth with gravel," he meant that his
face was bowed low to the ground, as in a prostrate, humble position. A good
commentary will explain what these figures of speech mean.
A common phrase used in the Old Testament is "gathered to his people." It means
death, and is used in describing the death of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Aaron, Moses,
Josiah, and others. It connotes how the people of God will reunite in the next life.
Figures of speech are just that; they are not to be taken literally. For example, in
John 1:29, John the Baptist uttered, "Behold, the Lamb of God." John was not pointing
to a literal lamb; he was pointing to Jesus, who, like a sacrificial lamb, would bring
atonement for sin.
Similarly, we read many passages, such as in Psalm 18:2, that say, "The Lord is my
rock." This is symbolic; we can depend on the Lord because, like a rock, He is strong
and unmovable. James 3:6 states that "the tongue is a fire." Obviously, this cannot be
taken literally. This is a metaphor.
So how do we determine if the speech is literal or figurative? Zuck explained that
the speech is figurative "when it is out of character with the subject discussed or is
contrary to fact, experience, or observation" (p. 145). In other words, take the text
literally except when a literal interpretation makes no sense. Today, people often say
when they are hungry, "I could eat a cow." Obviously, no one can eat a whole cow;
therefore, this saying must be taken figuratively.
3. Recognize the purpose of the literary devices to bring out truth
Literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, parallelisms, contrasts and
comparisons, are always used for a purpose. Discover its purpose and interpret it
correctly.

23
4. Remember that poetry can exaggerate or evoke images to represent ideas
An exaggeration is an overstatement, and used for dramatic effects, i.e., to make a
point. In the Gospels we read that Jesus healed all the sick. The word "all," is an
exaggeration since Jesus did not heal every single sick person. It means that He healed
very many. In the same way when the Bible says that all the world has come to Jesus, it
does not mean every living person in the entire world; it simply means a great multitude.
Poetry can also evoke images. In Isaiah 26:18 we read the phrase "Give birth to the
wind." This phrase simply means "created." Poets like to paint pictures with words.
5. Recognize the form of each poetic book
Psalms is different from Proverbs, and both are different from Job. While all poetic
books use poetic devices, the structure of each book is unique. Each poetic author
introduces his own structure that matches his personality. So while there may be
similarities in various poetic books, there are also differences, since various authors
composed them during different times, under different circumstances, while still
employ8ng their own unique personalities.

Key Words or Phrases

Key words or phrases are those that the writer uses repeatedly and in a specific way.
God is the key Actor or main Character in Scriptures; therefore, all references of God
should be considered as key words or phrases. You may want to mark these key words or
phrases. You may even code them systematically, such as color-coding; or use check
marks for commandments to be obeyed, and "X;s" for prohibitions. Transfer these to
your Observation Worksheet.
Many of us are familiar with Psalm 23. The key phrase may be the second half of
verse 1, which reads, "I shall not want." This could be the theme of this chapter. It is
short, just four words, yet encapsulates, not only that chapter, but all of life.
Some books contain key phrases that unite and explain the book. For instance, in the
book of Judges the repeated phrases are, "the sons of Israel again did evil," "there was no
king in Israel," and "man did what was right in his own eyes." In other words, when the
judges died, there was no longer any self-restraint; the people pursued evil and followed
their own wicked paths. It is imperative that key words and phrases are observed, as they

24
will reveal the intended message of the writer. As a general rule, the more times a word
or phrase appears, the greater the emphasis.
Doing "word studies" is one great way to learn more about God's Word. Discovering
the importance of key words, such as "atonement" or "redeem," can offer great insight.
Remember that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and some Aramaic, while the
New Testament was written in Koine Greek. "Koine" means "common," and was1 the
Greek used by the common man. Classical Greek, on the other hand, was used by the
elite. In addition, the Hebrew Old Testament, which was translated into Greek around
100 B.C., is called the Septuagint, and often referred to as LXX. Naturally, in doing a
word study, you must examine how the word is used within its context. Each time the
same key word or phrase is used, study it carefully; because the word or phrase may offer
different nuances. For instance, the word "fear" has several meanings: terror, alarm and
reverence. The word is used positively, such as fear for God, and negatively, such as fear
of invasion. In addition, the word "fear" may refer to Jews in one passage and to Gentiles
in another passage. Note the difference and why they differ.

Second Essential: An Exhaustive Concordance

An exhaustive concordance is a word index; it shows where each word in a particular
translation (such as KJV, NASB, NIV) is used throughout the Bible. For example, if you
want to know where else the word "guard" in 2 Timothy 1:14 is used in the New
American Standard Bible, you look up that word in a NASB concordance. You will see a
list of verses where that word is used throughout the Bible.
In choosing a concordance, select one that is keyed to the version you use for your
private reading and Bible studies. A good concordance will not only show the word in
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, but also how that word is used. Two reputable
concordances are the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (keyed to the KJV), and the New
American Standard Exhaustive Concordance (keyed to the NASB). The KJV is also
abbreviated as AV, which stands for Authorized Version.
The front side of the concordance has a list of every word in the Bible and where it is
found. The back section consists of the Hebrew and Greek dictionary, which reveals the

25
various meanings of the same word. In English, one word may have many meanings;
Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek is no different.

How to Use the Concordance

Step 1
Look up the English word in the concordance, find the Scripture references where
the word is used, then find the number code (the numbers are the same in both the
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and the New American Standard's Concordances).
Step 2
Turn to the back of the concordance to either the Greek or Hebrew dictionary
(Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament), depending on
whether you are studying a passage from the Old or New Testament.
Step 3
Find the number and the corresponding Greek or Hebrew word. The definition for
the word will be in italics.

Third Essential: An Expository Dictionary

The second tool essential for word studies is an expository dictionary of Biblical
words. An expository dictionary provides more expansive definitions than those found in
a concordance. It may even include the etymology of that word.
While there are many expository dictionaries, Kay Arthur recommends these three:
Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament;
Warren Baker and Eugene Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old
Testament;
W.E. Viue, Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament
Words.
After you have determined the meaning from your exhaustive concordance and
expository dictionary, take the definition back to the verse you are studying and see if it
clarifies your understanding of the text. Remember, the purpose of doing word studies is
to learn more about the passage based on a deeper understanding of how the words are
defined.

26
A good Bible dictionary will explain the meaning and nuances of words. For
example, the phrase "sons of Belial" appears often in the KJV, although the NASB uses
the phrase "worthless fellows," and the NIV uses the word "scoundrel." The Hebrew
word is "baliya'al." Upon checking a Bible dictionary under "Belial," you discover that
the masculine noun of Belial is "beliya'al," and this word means "worthlessness." So
while the Jews may have clearly understood what "children of Belial" meant, it would not
have made any sense to us unless we referred to a Bible dictionary.

Fourth Essential: Understand How Words Work

It is helpful to know something about parts of speech in the original Biblical
language. Verbs express action; this is an important part of speech in understanding
Scriptures. By studying the verb, one may determine if the statement is a command or a
suggestion; a reality or a possibility; or a completed or a continuous act. Determining
these will give fresh insights in your Bible studies.
It is not only important to discover meanings of words and figures of speech; one
must interpret discoveries within the context of the passage. Always remember: context
is king.

List what you learned from each word

Compile key facts that stand out. For example, in 1 Timothy 1, you will notice the
many acts God has done; you may want to list them down. An example is given below:
God
1. made Paul an apostle by His will (1)
2. gives grace, mercy and peace (2)
3. is the Father (2)
4. is thanked and served (3)
5. gives gifts ( 6)
6. doesn't give the spirit of timidity (7)
7. gives the spirit of power, love, and discipline (7)
8. gives power for those who are suffering (8)
9. saved us (9)

27
10. called us (9)
As you write down the above, you may notice that in verse 9 it was God who saved
us. Salvation, then, becomes the key theme in this chapter. So I would add another
category called Salvation in my key word study.
Salvation:
1. God saved us (9)
2. God called us with a holy calling (9)
- not according to our works (9)
- according to His purpose and grace (9)
3. was granted to us in Christ Jesus (9)
- from all eternity (9)
4. was revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus (10)
Be on the alert for topics that you may want to study in the future. While you may
do a word study, inductive Bible study is more conducive for expository rather than
topical studies because the focus is on a passage rather than individual words.

Fifth Essential: Look for Contrasts and Comparisons

Contrasts
A contrast is an evaluation of things that are different or opposite in the text being
studied. Oftentimes, the contrast is noted by the word "but." For example, 2 Timothy 1:7
reads, "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and
discipline." We see the two kinds of spirits contrasted.
But not all that appears to be a contrast is such. For example, in 2 Timothy 1:3 Paul
writes, "I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day." Night and day are not
contrasted; rather they depict that Paul's prayer was unrelenting.
Day and night are contrasted in 1 Thessalonians 5:5, "For you are all sons of light
and sons of day. You are not of night nor of darkness." In this verse day and night, and
light and darkness are contrasted.
Comparison compares similarities; contrast compares differences.
2 Timothy 1:9 is an example of contrast. This verse reads, "who has saved us and
called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His purpose

28
and grace." The contrast is works and grace; God called and saved us, not because of
works, but because of His purpose and grace.
Discover what the writer is teaching or what lesson can be learned in the contrast.
Comparison
Comparing things is a tool to clarify a thought or idea; they present similarities of
two or more objects. A comparison refers to things that are alike, and usually contains
the words "like" and "as." For instance, in 2 Timothy 4:3, we read, "Suffer hardship with
me, as a good soldier to Christ Jesus." In this verse Paul compares the suffering of a
Christian to that of a soldier.
Comparison are commonly used in the parables. For example, in Matthew 13:31, we
read, "The kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed."
In comparing one object with another, not every detail will fit perfectly. The key,
then, is to extract the details that fit well and make the most sense.

Sixth Essential: Look for Expression of Time

Words such as "then," "after this," "finally," and "when" indicate sequences of
events. They answer the question of "when." Expressions of time can be marked by
drawing a clock on the margin of your Bible across where these words appear.
Matthew 24:15-31 uses these phrases as a sequence of time: "when" in verse 15,
"then" in verse 16, "immediately after" in verse 29, and "then" again in verse 30. The
account is stated in a chronological order.

Seventh Essential: Look for Terms of Conclusions

Words such as "therefore," "for," "so that," and "for this reason," indicate that a
conclusion or summary is being made or that a result is being stated. Note these words
and what the conclusions or results are.
In 1 Timothy 1 we read: "longing to see you so that I may be filled with joy" (v.
4); "for this reason I remind you" (v. 6), and again "for this reason I also suffer" (v. 12).
Quite often in your reading, you will notice that certain facts lead to certain conclusions.
Be alert for "cause and effect" scenarios.

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Eighth Essential: Identify Clearly-Defined Statements
Oftentimes, books in the Bible can be divided into clear-cut segments. Two
examples are: Romans chapters 9-11 is a segment dealing with God's relationship with
Israel; and 1 Corinthians 12-14 is a segment dealing with spiritual gifts. Other Bible
teachers divide Romans into two segments: chapters 1-11 as doctrinal; and chapters 1216 as practical. There is no right or wrong way of dividing Scripture portions; it depends
on each individual. Discerning segment division takes time, practice, diligence, and
familiarity with the text. These clearly-defined segments may also be used in writing
your outline.

Ninth Essential: Choosing the Right Bible Version

I am often asked what translation or version of the Bible should one use. There are
many good ones. My advice is fivefold. First, select a Bible where the passages are
written in paragraphs format. Paragraphs determine where a unit of thought begins and
ends. If your Bible is not in paragraph format, it is difficult to know where a new thought
starts. Second, select a Bible that has footnotes to bring clarity to the passage. For
example, in my Bible, Joshua 24:2 mentions "River." The footnote below explains that
the River referred to is the Euphrates River. Footnotes can also explain ambiguous
words. In Joshua 7:26, we read that Achan was buried in the valley of Achor. In the
footnote, the word "Achor" means "trouble." Achan was buried in the valley of trouble
because he caused much trouble to Israel. Third, select a Bible that contains crossreferences, usually located in the margins. This will help you compare a passage with
other similar passages. Fourth, select a Bible that has wide margins that will allow you to
add your own notes. And lastly, if available, select a version in your mother tongue; you
will get more out of it.

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CHAPTER 7: INTERPRETING THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Bible is made up of the Old and New Testament. The Old Testament looks
forward to the New Testament, and the New Testament looks backward to the Old
Testament. We must not look at the Old and New Testaments as two different volumes.
They are a unit and must be studied together.
The Bible is God's clearest revelation of Himself to humankind. However, God did
not reveal or unveil all of Himself to us at one time. Rather, He revealed Himself to us
progressively. His revelation was linear. We call this "progressive revelation."
Progressive revelation is paramount in Bible interpretation. In other words, the books
written later contain more revelation than those written earlier. God unfolded Himself
gradually. There are certain things in the Old Testament that can only be understood in
the light of the New Testament. For example, in Malachi 4:5, we read of God sending
the prophet Elijah before the coming of the Lord. But Elijah had already come; who
would this Elijah be? In Matthew 11:12-14, we read that the prophet Elijah did indeed
come, and that he appeared in the person of John the Baptist. The New Testament adds
clarity to the Old Testament.
God revealed His many names progressively, over an extended period of time. An
interesting study would be to make a timeline of when a new name of God was first
manifest. For example, God is first introduced as Elohim in Genesis 1:1, as Yahweh in
Genesis 7:1, as El Elyon ("Most High God") in Genesis 14:18, as Adonai ("Lord") in
Genesis 15:2, as Yahweh-jireh ("The Lord will Provide) in Genesis 22:14, and as Shaddai
("The Almighty") in Genesis 49:25), and so on.
Oftentimes, an Old Testament passage may be difficult to interpret. We read about
the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53. Many Jews interpreted this Suffering Servant as the
nation of Israel. After all, the history of Israel is a story of horrific suffering. But in the
New Testament, it is disclosed that this Suffering Servant is Jesus Christ. Hence, the
New Testament clarifies what is not specific in the Old Testament.
Another example where the New Testament adds clarity to the Old Testament is
Isaiah 7:14, which states that "a virgin will be with child." Who is this virgin that Isaiah
is referring to? Many Jews during the Old Testament interpreted this child to be the child

31
of King Ahaz. After all, the Hebrew word for "virgin" is "almah," which can also mean
"a young woman." But as we read the New Testament, we discover in Matthew 1:23-25,
that this virgin was Mary, the mother of Jesus. Thus, the New Testament interprets the
Old Testament. The Bible itself is the most reliable interpreter of Scripture.

Interpreting Old Testament History

People love to hear stories. Stories are easy to understand, remember, and relate to.
The Old Testament is full of stories to instruct us on who God is, what He does, and how
we are to live. In order to determine correct interpretations to these stories, the Bible
student must become familiar with the story's historical context. Old Testament stories
were presented within a certain context. The use of secondary sources, such as maps,
word studies, and concordances are helpful in interpreting the Old Testament historical
books. We must remember never to spiritualize or add a meaning that cannot be
supported.
In regard to the use of secondary sources, try to avoid canned messages, outlines and
ready-made curriculums. In my personal experience, many Filipino pastors, rather than
study the Bible on their own, simply copy Sunday School quarterlies, tapes and CD's, and
books and pamphlets for their Sunday messages. While God in His goodness may bless
these messages, it stifles the pastors' personal growth. Do not become dependent on
canned material. IBS will give you good messages to deliver.
When the Bible elaborates on an event with much detail, there is a reason; God wants
to teach us a lesson. Numbers 2 gives an exhaustive account on where each tribe
encamped around the tabernacle. In addition, this same chapter also mentions the
population per tribe along with other minute details. The chapter may even be boring.
Do not ignore these details; God placed them there for a reason. According to Chuck
Missler of Koinonia House Ministries, upon drawing his own diagram of where each
tribe was encamped on each side of the tabernacle, he discovered that the encampment,
from above, looked like a huge cross. The cross made by Israel as they camped around
the tabernacle was a foreshadow of Christ's cross. The lesson is: dont just depend on
maps, charts or illustrations; make your own as you read Biblical details.

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Interpreting Old Testament Prophecy
The key in understanding prophecy is to understand what the people during the time
of the prophet would have understood in their in their historical setting. Put yourself in
the setting. Also determine if the prophecy's fulfillment was already fulfilled, will be
fulfilled soon, or still far away. Some prophecies may have a dual fulfillment, that is, it
may have a near and a far fulfillment. Christ first coming would be an example of near
fulfillment, and His second an example of a far fulfillment. Another example of near
fulfillment is found in 2 Kings. The Lord prophesied that the dynasty of King Jehu
would only last four generations due to his evil ways. In 2 Kings 15:12, we read, "Your
sons to the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel." This prophecy was
fulfilled with King Zechariah, the fourth and last king of the line of Jehu.
Exact interpretations are always difficult if the event has not yet occurred. During
these times one cannot be dogmatic. When an Old Testament prophecy is not specific or
clear, there must be a gentle spirit of understanding and acceptance among the brethren
with other points of view.
In interpreting prophecy, it is paramount that one compares both the Old and New
Testament. Both Testaments are replete with prophecy. The one New Testament
prophetic book is Revelations, and this book is best understood with a knowledge of the
Old Testament. Chapter 12, entitled Principles of Hermeneutics, will provide more
details on interpreting prophecy.

Interpreting Old Testament Wisdom Literature

The books Job through Song of Solomon are referred to as Wisdom Literature, with
much of it written in poetic style. Some scholars prefer to separate wisdom books from
poetic books. In such cases, Job and Proverbs would fall under wisdom literature; while
Psalms, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon are under poetic books. Poetic books are not
all poetry. It may contain other forms of literature. Lamentations can be listed as either
wisdom literature or a poetic book.
Wisdom literature that is primarily narrative, such as Job, should be interpreted using
the principles of Old Testament history. After all, Job was a historical figure.

33
Some elements to look for in the poetic books are rhyme, meter, and symbols, as
well as parallelism. While uncommon in Hebrew literature, rhyme can be found in the
Old Testament. For instance, Samson gave this riddle, that happens to rhyme in our
English Bible. This rhyme is found in Judges 14:14,
"Out of the eater came something to eat,
And out of the strong came something sweet."
In the area of parallelism, there are three kinds of parallelism.
Synonymous Parallelism
Synonymous parallelism in Hebrew poetry involves saying the same thing using
different words, repeating the same thought two or more times. For example:
"Wisdom shouts in the street,
She lifts her voice in the square" (Proverbs 1:20).
In this verse, "shouts" and "lifts her voice" are synonymous; as well as "street" and
"square."
Sometimes the same synonyms occur in both Old and New Testaments. The word
"highway" in Isaiah 40:3 is replaced with the word "paths" in Matthew 3:3. Perhaps John
the Baptist did not want to use the word "highway" because there were no highways in
the desert, so he chose the word "paths" instead, which was more appropriate for his
audience (Zuck, p. 258).
Synonymous parallelism is not limited to the Old Testament; it is also found in the
New Testament as well. Philippians 2:1 is a good example:
If any comfort in Christ
If any encouragement of love
If any fellowship of the Spirit
If any affections and compassion.
The next verse, verse 2, is another example:
That you may think the same thing
Having the same love
Joined in soul
Thinking the one thing.
Synthetic Parallelism

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In synthetic parallelism new information is added to the original concept. Psalm
1:1,2 is a good example:
How blessed is the man
Who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,.
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit it the seat of scoffers.
But his delight is the law of the Lord
And in His law does he meditate day and night.
In these two verses, lines three and four amplify line two. The verbs "stand" and
"sit" expand on "walk." The phrases "path of sinners" and the "seat of scoffers" expand
on the "counsel of the wicked."
Antithetic Parallelism
Poets often contrast one idea with another. We saw this in the previous section,
where the wicked man who sits with scoffers is contrasted with the righteous man who
delights on the law of the Lord.
Some Hebrew poetry is written in the form of an acrostic. Each verse or groups of
verses starts with a successive letter in the Hebrew alphabet. This is most apparent in
Psalm 119 and in the book of Lamentations. In Psalms 119, each stanza consisting of 8
verses starts with each consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Lamentations, each
lament begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in successive order. Unfortunately,
the Hebrew acrostic idea does not translate well in other languages, including English.

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CHAPTER 8: INTERPRETING THE NEW TESTAMENT

Several passages in the New Testament can best be understood in the light of the Old
Testament. For example, in Hebrews 7, we read about an important Old Testament
figure named Melchizedek. To understand this New Testament passage we need to go
back to Genesis 14, to determine who this Melchizedek was. We read that Melchizedek
was both a priest and king. He is a type of Jesus, our High Priest and King.
In 2 Peter 2:15, we read about the "way of Balaam," and in Revelation 2:14, we read
about the "teaching of Balaam." Who is this Balaam, and what did he do and teach? We
discover the answer in the Old Testament, in Numbers 22-24. Thus, we must interpret
the verses regarding Balaam in the New Testament in the light of the Old Testament.
The New Testament looks backward to the Old Testament. Much of what is taught
in the New Testament is built upon truths previously established in the Old Testament.
You may say that the Old Testament laid the foundation for the New Testament. In
Colossians 2:17, we read, "things which are a mere shadow of what is to come." The Old
Testament presented shadows and types whose substances were found in the New
Testament. Remember that the New Testament must be interpreted within the context of
the Old Testament as both testaments form one unit. Knowledge of the Old Testament
elucidates instructions in the New Testament. For example, we read in John 3:14, "As
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up."
This verse cannot be understood unless we go back to the Old Testament book of
Numbers, chapter 21, where Moses raised the serpent up on a standard in the wilderness.
The serpent lifted up on the standard is analogous to Christ lifted up on the cross; both
brought healing.
The book of Acts is the only New Testament historical book. Acts provides the
background of many of the New Testament epistles, especially Paul's. So, when Paul
stated that he was shipwrecked in 2 Corinthians 11:25, we can refer to Acts to provide the
proper background of this shipwreck.
While much of New Testament doctrines find its foundation in the Old Testament,
this is not always the case. The New Testament doctrine of the church is not found in the
Old Testament; neither does the word "church" appear in the Old Testament. The New

36
Testament may present new truths not found in the Old. But it is safe to state, that
generally, the New Testament not only builds on the Old Testament, it also expands on it.
There are, also, elements in the Old Testament that have been abrogated in the New
Testament. There exists both continuity and interruption in Old and New Testament
theology. The moral code in the Old Testament continues to the New; after all, we are
moral beings. But other Old Testament codes, such a food laws, are no longer applicable.
Mark 7:19 states, "Thus, He declared all foods clean." Foods forbidden in the Old
Testament period are now permissible. It is, therefore, essential to determine the time
frame of the text to ensure proper interpretation and application.

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CHAPTER 9: OBSERVATION WORKSHEET

A habit I developed over the years is to always have a notebook with me each time I
read the Bible. With a notebook nearby I can easily jot my thoughts down. I learned that
if I do not write down my reflections immediately, I will forget it. As the saying goes, "A
short pencil is better than a long memory."
Review your observation worksheet, examining the 5 W's and the H, key phrases,
words, and themes, and compare them to the passage. Each time you read the passage
from the same or different translations, you will encounter new discoveries; add them to
your observation worksheet. The worksheet is dynamic; it is expandable. Be sure to
write legibly for future reference.
Personally, I prefer to use a three-ring binder; I can always buy 3-holed paper and
add my notes to my worksheet. And since the paper is removable, I can always arrange
my notes in chronological order, or according to the order of books in the Bible.

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CHAPTER 10: CROSS-REFERENCING

As you read the Bible, you will come across a verse or passage that you may want to
cross-reference. Cross-referencing is the process of examining other references or verses
in order to elaborate on a point. As an example, Jesus mentioned the unforgivable sin in
Matthew 12:31-32. I wanted to examine what this unpardonable sin is, so I crossreferenced Mark 3:28-29. The process of going to other verses to shed light on a topic is
called cross-referencing. Similarly, if you wanted to study more about the Sermon on the
Mount as found in Matthew 5-7, you would read Luke 6 as a cross-reference.
Some cross-referencing will bewilder you, which will require you to do an extended
study. For instance, you read in Revelation 22:16 that Jesus is called the bright and
morning star. But as you cross-reference, you discover that Satan is also called the
morning star in Isaiah 14:12. So now you ask: why are Jesus Christ and Satan called the
morning star. As you research, you discover that the morning star is the brightest star
that outshines all the rest. This may represent Satan who may have been the most
beautiful and powerful of all of God's creation. And as you study more, you notice that
Satan sinned (Luke 10:18). So you conclude that: Satan sinned, not Jesus; and Satan was
a created being, not Jesus.
Another interesting study you may want to do is to cross-reference the word "lion" in
the New Testament. You will notice that both Satan and Jesus are compared to a lion. In
Revelation 5:5, Jesus is called "the Lion of the Tribe of Judah." But in 1 Peter 5:8, Satan
is compared to a "roaring lion." Cross-referencing can become challenging and
enlightening.

39
CHAPTER 11: ASK QUESTIONS

As you read the passage, ask lots of questions; develop a questioning mindset. For
instance, I outlined Psalm 46 in chapter 3 of this curriculum. As I outlined this chapter,
this question came to mind:
Question: Why does the KJV and NASB say in verse 9 that God will burn the
chariots in the fire, but the NIV says that God will burn the shields with fire? Which
is the best translation: chariots or shields?
Answer: According to Strongs Concordance, the Hebrew word used means cart,
wagon, or chariot, that is, a vehicle used for transporting something or someone, and
drawn by an animal. Thus, chariot is the better translation, as used in the KJV and the
NASB. In addition, in the NIV, the footnote for this word reads "or chariots." So the
NIV agrees with the KJV and NASB versions.
Earlier I mentioned the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, the Sermon on the
Mount was delivered on a mountain. But in Luke 6, its cross-reference, this sermon was
given on a flat, open field. So you ask, "Was the Sermon on the Mount given by Jesus on
a mountain or a flat field?" As you study further, you realize that Jesus was speaking to
the crowd in Aramaic. And in Aramaic, the word "laura," can be translated as either
mountain or field. Matthew translated this word as "mountain," whereas Luke translated
this same word as "field." The short answer to this question then becomes, "We dont
know. It can be either."
General questions to ask in your studies are:
1. What does the passage say?
2. What does the passage mean?
3. How does the passage apply to me?
4. What is God telling me?
5. How am I encouraged or strengthened?
6. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance are needed?
Be a vacuum cleaner; pick up as much information as possible. This will help you
understand Scriptures.

40
2 Kings 18:17 mentions a "fuller's field." Wanting to know what this was, I looked
up the word "fuller" and discovered that, in Hebrew, the root word means "to wash." In
addition, we read the phrase "fuller's soap" in Malachi 3:2. Therefore, this could have
been the place in Jerusalem in ancient Israel where soap was made and where people
washed. Bible dictionaries are good resources for finding answers to your questions.

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CHAPTER 12: PRINCIPLES OF HERMENUETICS

Hermeneutics is the study of principles used for the proper interpretation of the
Bible. These principles, as delineated below, will guide you to interpret Scripture
correctly.

Hermeneutical Principles to Follow

Principle 1: Let Scripture interpret Scripture
When you know God's Word thoroughly, you will not accept teaching simply
because someone used one or two isolated verses to support their teaching. These verses
could have been taken out of context, or other pertinent verses could have been withheld.
When you read the Word of God regularly and extensively, you will notice teaching
inconsistent to the truth as found in God's Word.
In John 15:7, Jesus promised, "Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
This does not mean that I can ask for anything I want and He will give it to me. Examine
other verses on prayer and you will discover that there are certain conditions we must
follow. Let Scripture explain Scripture.
There are Christians who may ask why even study the Old Testament? After all, we
are New Testament believers. The Bible is not just a book about God; it is a book of the
progressive revelation of God to man, beginning in Genesis and ending in Revelation. If
God revealed Himself to us all at once, it would be too much for us to comprehend.
Thus, God revealed Himself in progressive steps. For example, in Genesis 3:15 we see
that God tells the serpent, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between
your seed and her seed. He shall bruise you in the head, and you shall bruise him on the
heel." We dont discover until the New Testament that this curse was placed on the
devil. It was during the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ that the serpent's head was
bruised, thus fulfilling this enigmatic prophecy in Genesis. Thus, revelation is
progressive.
Because the New Testament builds on the foundation of the Old Testament, we must
be careful not to interpret the Old Testament without considering the New Testament.
Saturate yourself in the Word of God; it is your safeguard against wrong doctrine.

42
While the Bible is God's revelation of Himself, it is revelation without contradiction.
Therefore, in studying certain passages, or books, they must be examined in the light of
all of Scripture. A doctrine is not exhausted in just one book; rather, they are found in
bits and pieces throughout the Bible. Therefore, in order to interpret verses or passages,
one must look for related passages from other books of the Bible. As mentioned in
chapter 10, cross-reference is a reference to another Scripture that supports, illuminates,
or amplifies the Scripture you are studying. Cross-referencing is simply comparing
Scripture with Scripture.
Scripture cannot contradict Scripture. When you discover seeming discrepancies or
contradictions, study other passages to clarify the ambiguity.

How Do You Cross-Reference Scripture

Step 1
Begin with a concordance which will show you all the places where the word is used,
or where the same subject is referred to. List every cross-reference for the word you
want to study. Remember, an exhaustive concordance lists every reference of every word
in the Bible!
Step 2
Then, turn to each cross-reference, study its context, and how that word is used. If
the word is a verb, determine its tense (past, present, future, or participle), mood
(imperative or indicative), and voice (active, passive, or middle).
Step 3
When you find a cross-reference that illuminates the Scripture you are studying,
write it on your observation worksheet. You may also want to note it in the margin of
your Bible next to the appropriate verse. This is why it is helpful to have a Bible with
wide margins for cross-referencing and note taking.
Step 4
In the course of your cross-referencing, you will find passages that dont really
pertain to the subject matter you are studying. This is because the same word may have a
different meaning or may be used in a different context. Focus on the passages that
elucidate the same subject matter.

43
An Example of the Need to Cross-Reference
In 2 Timothy 1:2, Paul calls Timothy "my beloved son." Then, in verse 5, we read
that Timothy's mother and grandmother were Eunice and Lois respectively. The question
now arises: was Timothy the son of Paul physically or spiritually? Was Paul's wife
Eunice and his mother-in-law Lois?
Step 1
We first go to the concordance, look up "Timothy," and see what Scripture
references are given. The list in the concordance shows there are 25 references that
mention Timothy in the New Testament.
Step 2
Look up all these references and select the ones that mention Timothy's family.
Step 3
As you look at each reference you determine that the most helpful ones concerning
Timothy's family are Acts 16:1, 1 Corinthians 4:17, and Philippians 2:19.
Step 4
From the above 3 references, we learn that Timothy was: already a disciple when
Paul met him; had a Jewish mother who was a believer; a Greek father; and was a
companion of Paul in the furtherance of the gospel. From this we conclude that: Paul
could not have been Timothy's biological father because Paul was not a Greek; and
Timothy was Paul's spiritual son because they labored together in the gospel.
When the word you want to reference is not a proper noun, you may want to look up
the word in the concordance, note the number, and then cross-reference the verses under
that number. For example, if you want to cross-reference the word "suffer," make sure
you are examining verses dealing with the same number. You will notice that the word
"suffer" is number "3958" in Strong's Concordance. You will discover a wealth of new
knowledge doing such a study. Therefore, familiarize yourself with this type of Bible
study; it will prove to be invaluable.

Principle 2: Scripture will never contradict Scripture

Scripture is the best interpreter of Scripture. If Scripture seems to contradict itself,
reexamine the passages to resolve this seeming discrepancy.

44
There are, however, some doctrines that are difficult to reconcile and may appear
contradictory. For example, God's sovereignty versus man's free will. While difficult to
comprehend, as they appear to be in conflict, both are clearly taught in the Bible. In such
cases where Scripture appears to take contradictory stands, realize that our minds are
finite; there are some things that our minds cannot understand. Remember, He is God;
never try to correct or explain Him away. Also remember that we are mere men with
limited understanding. Simply and humbly believe what God says is true, even though
we may not be able to reconcile the two at this time. Perhaps, God will choose to reveal
difficult truths to us when we get to heaven; but on earth we accept it by faith.
Another example of a contradiction is in regard to the age that Jehoiachin became
king in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 24:8 says he was eighteen, but 2 Chronicles 36:9 states he
was eight. Which is correct? Eighteen was most likely the correct age. The scribe who
copied this document, may have misread the number, and put eight instead. The Bible is
true, and the error was due, most probably, to scribal error. Another scribal error
concerns the number of stalls for horses Solomon had. 1 Kings 4:26 says forty thousand;
but 2 Chronicles 9:25 has four thousand. It was probably forty thousand. Again, due to
scribal error in copying, the scribe wrote four thousand instead.
In cases like these, refer to the earlier writings, as the later writings may have copied
the earlier ones. Since 1st and 2nd Kings were written earlier, around the 6th century
B.C,, and 1 and 2 Chronicles written later, around the 5th century B.C., 1st and 2nd
Kings would, most probably, record the correct numbers. In such cases, earlier texts are
preferred over latter ones, as they would be more in keeping to the original manuscripts.

Principle 3: Do not base doctrine on obscure passages

An obscure passage is one in which the meaning is not easily understood. Because
these passages are difficult to comprehend, even when proper principles of interpretation
are used, they should not be used as a basis for establishing sound doctrine. Doctrine
should be based on clear and explicit teachings of Scripture.
1 Corinthians 15:29 is an example of an obscure verse. This verse asks the question,
" what will those do who are baptized for the dead?" Does this verse mean we are to
baptize or be baptized for the dead? Is this a doctrine believers are to practice? No! This

45
is not a doctrinal statement. The truth is, the meaning is not clear. So, without clear
understanding and other Scriptural verses to support it, this verse should not be taken to
establish doctrine.

Principle 4: Interpret Scripture literally

God has spoken to us through His Word. Therefore, we must take the Word of God
at face value, in its natural, normal sense. Look for the clear teaching of Scripture; do not
seek some hidden meaning. At the same time, we are to recognize figures of speech and
interpret them accordingly.
Consider what is being said in the light of its literary form. For example, you will
find more metaphors and similes in the poetic and prophetic books of the Bible.
Proverbs are wise sayings that are generally true. However, they cannot be held as
absolute promises for all people for all times. Proverbs 22:6 is an example. This verse
reads, "Train up a child in the way he shall go, and when he is old he will not depart from
it." Generally, a child who is taught the Word in his formative years will continue in it in
his adult years. Unfortunately, this is not always the case for every child. The fact of the
matter is, there are those who were taught the Word as a child and departed from it as
they aged. This is because each individual has free will. Hence, Proverbs is a litany of
wise sayings that generally holds true.
Psalms, like Proverbs, is a book that contains maxims that are generally true, but
should not be claimed categorically. Psalms 37 teaches that the wicked will not prosper.
Again, this is generally true. But the reality is that there are exceptions, for there are
wicked men and women who do prosper in this world. Interpret portions of Scripture
according to its literary style.

Principle 5: Interpret figurative language

When it comes to truth, human opinion can be wrong. There is only one place to
find truth, and that is the Word of God. Truth must be aligned with and supported by
Scripture. While the Bible is the literal Word of God, inerrant in every aspect, it was
written in the language of the author who may (or may not) have employed a variety of
figures of speech.

46
Therefore, when you seek to interpret the Word of God, you must handle the text
properly, recognizing and respecting the figures of speech used by the author.
Oftentimes, the figure of speech was understood by the people during the time of the
writing and its meaning lost centuries later.
Discerning the figures of speech is important in Biblical interpretation. There has
been much controversy in the church over Jesus' statement regarding the Lord's Supper,
"When He had eaten some bread, and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them,
saying, 'This is My body which is given for you'" (Luke 22:19). Some believe that the
bread actually becomes His body (the doctrine of transubstantiation). Others believe that
Jesus was using a metaphor, i.e., the bread is representative of His body. In order to
come to the correct interpretation, certain guidelines for interpreting figurative language
must be followed.

Three Guidelines for Understanding Figurative Language

1. Identify the fact that the author is using figurative language.
2. Identify the type of figurative language being used: simile, metaphor, hyperbole, etc.
3. Follow the guidelines for interpreting what the author meant by that particular figure
of speech.

Figurative Language
Figures of speech was alluded to in chapter 6. This section will, however, elaborate
figures of speech in more detail.

Simile
A simile is an expressed comparison of two different things or ideas that uses the
connecting words of like, as, such as or the word pair as so. Examples are:
"His eyes were like a flame of fire" (Revelation 1:14b).
"As the deer pants for the waterbrooks, so my soul pants for You, O God" (Psalm
42:1).
"All men are like grass" (1 Peter 1:24).
Notice the words "as" and "like" in the three examples above.

47

Metaphor
A metaphor is an implied comparison between two things that are different. In a
metaphor, the words like, as, and such as are not used. For example, in John 15:5 Jesus
says, "I am the vine, you are the branches." There are two metaphors in this verse. One
compares Jesus with a vine, and the other compares believers with branches.
Another example is found in Ephesians 6:17, " the sword of the Spirit, which is the
Word of God." Here, the Word of God is compared to a sword.
A third example is "You are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:16).
Notice that in the above examples, the words "am," is," and "are" are used, which I
have underlined.

Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a deliberate exaggeration, and used for emphasis. For example, a
young driver may say to his friend, "My car goes faster than the speed of light." Psalms
119:20 is a Bible example, "My soul is crushed with longing." Since the soul is
intangible, it cannot be crushed literally. Therefore, the word "crushed" here shows
exaggeration of grief.
Matthew 23:24 is another example, "You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and
swallow a camel." Here you see another exaggeration of straining a tiny gnat and
swallowing a large camel.

Metonymy
Metonymy is a figure of association, when the name of one object or concept is used
for another to which it is related. An example is, "The Oval Office was busy at work."
Naturally, the office cannot be busy working; therefore, it means the President and his
staff. Mark 1:5 is a Biblical example, "All the country of Judea was going out to him." It
is obvious that a country cannot go to Judea because country means a nation. In this
verse, "country" is a euphemism for "people."

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Personification
In personification, an object is given characteristics that belong to people. 'The trees
of the fields will clap their hands" (Isaiah 55:12) is an example. Psalm 77:16 reads, "The
waters saw Thee, O God, the waters saw Thee, they were afraid." The "waters," that is,
the sea and rivers, are personified as a person who has eyes and can be frightened.

Irony
Irony is a statement which declares the opposite of what is meant. Like hyperboles,
it is used for emphasis. For example, we read in 1 Corinthians 4:8, "You are already
filled, you have already become rich you have become kings." It is obvious that the
Corinthian believers were not kings, and many were not rich. Here Paul is using irony to
make a point.
By knowing what kind of figure of speech is employed, we can determine what God
is saying.

More Hermeneutical Principles to Follow

Principle 6: Look for the author's intended meaning
Always attempt to understand what the author had in mind when you interpret a
Bible passage. Dont twist verses to support a meaning that is not clearly taught. Let the
passage speak for itself.
Judges 6 tells the story of Gideon placing a fleece in order to determine the will of
God. Judges is a historical account of what happened during the early days of Israel. We
should not "put out a fleece" to ascertain God's will because nowhere in Scripture are we
told to do this. To say that we must put out a fleece to know God's will is ascribing a
meaning that the author did not intend. In addition, remember that Scripture must
interpret Scripture. You cannot interpret Scripture using only one verse. And since this
account about the fleece appears only once in the Bible, we should not base doctrine on
this.

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Principle 7: Interpret parables, allegories, types and symbols judiciously
Since other literary devices are used in Scriptures, such as parables, allegories, types,
and symbols, we must understand how they are used in order to interpret Scripture
correctly.
Parables. A parable is a story that teaches a moral lesson or truth. It is designed to
make one central point, with details to reinforce that main point. However, we should not
attempt to give meaning to each and every detail.
Jesus frequently used parables in His teaching for two reasons:

to reveal truth to believers; and

to hide truth from those who hardened their hearts (Matthew 13:10-17; Mark
4:10-12).

How to Correctly Interpret Parables

Step 1: Determine the occasion for the parable
Search out the why or what of the parable; why was it told or what prompted it? For
instance, in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18, verse 9 gives the
why: "And He told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were
righteous, and viewed others with contempt." Jesus used this parable to castigate the
self-righteous, religious leaders.
Step 2: Look for the explanation or meaning of the parable
Examine the context of the parable because this will often explain why Jesus gave
this parable. Also examine what interpretation Jesus gave to the parable.
Dont impose any meaning beyond what is clearly stated, that is, dont add any
meaning or interpretation that the Bible does not give.
Step 3: Identify the central focal idea of the parable
Every parable has one central emphasis; which is the main teaching. For example, in
Luke 18, we read about the Pharisee and the tax collector (publican) who went to pray in
the synagogue. The theme in this parable is that God hears the prayers of the humble and
not the proud. In fact, verse 14 reveals the central teaching, " for everyone who exalts
himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Step 4: Since a parable has one central point, you must identify which details are
relevant, and which are not.

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A relevant detail will reinforce the main point. The irrelevant details have no
significance. We must not add meaning to that which is insignificant or does not support
the main theme. Jesus must be the one to interpret the parable to us; not us. For
example, in the parable in Mark 4, Jesus explained what the seed meant. Jesus explained
in verse 14 that the seed is the word. It would be erroneous to teach that the seed is the
church, Jewish leaders, or the Roman Empire.
Step 5: Interpret parables in the context of the culture in the Bible times rather than
the culture of today.
Matthew 25 recounts the story of the ten virgins. Let us be careful not compare their
lanterns as flashlights; flashlights do not use oil. If we wanted to transpose the Old
Testament lamps to modern times, the closest object would be a Coleman lantern which
uses kerosene. So in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, the wise brought oil for
the lamps, the foolish did not. Oil lamps were the culture of Bible days. Not to bring oil
for their lamps was as foolish as not bringing kerosene for our Coleman lanterns.
Step 6: Parables should never be the primary or only source for establishing
doctrine.
Parables do not establish doctrine; they affirm or amplify the doctrine.
Allegory. An allegory is a story with an underlying meaning that differs from the
facts of the story itself. In other words, it describes one thing by using the imagery of
another. An allegory may be a realistic or nonrealistic story created to teach one or more
truths which may or may not be related.
Two examples of allegory in Scriptures are: the vine and the branches presented in
John 15:1-8; and the bondwoman and the free woman presented in Galatians 4:21-31.
Follow these guidelines when interpreting allegory.
Step 1: List the features of the allegory
In Galatians 4:22-23 we read, "For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by
the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born
according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine
promise." Here the features are: the slave and the free woman; the flesh and the promise.

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Step 2: Note any interpretation given within the text
The interpretations are found in the text. The meaning of the allegory as found in
Galatians 4 is found in verses 24-26, 28-29, and 31, which reads, "These things are being
taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount
Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for
Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in
slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our
mother.

28

Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that

time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the
Spirit. It is the same now.

31

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the

slave woman, but of the free woman." Here the interpretation is evident in the passage.
Step 3: Do not contradict the clear teaching of the Word of God.
Never extract an interpretation that contradicts Bible teaching.
Step 4: Do not try to identify all the features of the allegory.
For example, in the allegory of the vine and the branches in John 15, there is a
mention of a group of people, referred to as "they" in verse 6, who gather the branches
and throw them into the fire. Jesus does not say who these people are, therefore, we are
not to assume or jump to conclusions.
The chart below may help distinguish the differences of a parable and a allegory.
Parable
1. Has one central point

Allegory
Can have more than one central
point

2. Teaches one truth

Can teach a number of truths

3. Every relevant detail

Details may be many, varied,

reinforces the central

theme
4. Usually the story is
separate from its

relating to more than one central

theme
Intertwines the story and the
interpretation

interpretation
In both the parable and the allegory, irrelevant details do not need to be identified.

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Types. A type is a prophetic symbol designated by God. The word "type" comes
from the Greek word tupos. A tupos is an impression created by an image on the object
that was struck. Therefore, a type prefigures something or someone to come, which
would be the antitype. A type can only have one antitype.
For example, in Romans 5:14, Adam is a type of Jesus the antitype. This verse
reads, "Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even
over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the
one to come." The "one to come" is Jesus.
Symbols. A symbol is a picture that represents another thing. For example, the
seven candlesticks mentioned in Revelation 1:20 represents the seven churches described
in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.
When noting symbols, remember the following:
1. The item used as a symbol may represent different things in different passages. For
example, water is used to symbolize the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26), and the Holy
Spirit (John 7:37-39).
2. Although a symbol may represent many things, when it symbolizes something in a
passage, a single parallel is intended. For instance, in John 7:37-39, the water symbolizes
only the Holy Spirit, not the Word.
3. Interpret symbols in the light of biblical settings and culture, rather than the current
setting or culture.
4. Symbols can be timeless and symbolize something past, present or future.
When you interpret the Word of God, interpret it literally. Yet in literal
interpretation consider the figure of speech used in the text.

Principle 8: Interpreting prophecy

All Scripture is prophecy in the sense that it is forth-telling and foretelling; revealing
how to live and what to expect. Scripture informs us what is wrong and how it will be
made right in future prophecy.
Predictive prophecy points to the future fulfillment. Dr. Robertson McQuilkin
(2009) commented in his book Understanding and Applying the Bible:
There are two purposes for predictive prophecy. The chief

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purpose is to affect the conduct of those who hear the
prophecy. The second purpose is met only when the prophecy
is fulfilled; and is to establish confidence in the God who
miraculously foretold events (John 13:19; 14:29; 16:4).
Some scholars divide prophecy into two categories: forth-telling and foretelling.
Forth-telling
Forth-telling prophecy contains a message about the present or immediate future.
Often this is a call to godly living in the light of future prophecy. In Daniel 4, God told
King Nebuchadnezzar in a dream what would happen to him in the very near future if he
did not repent.
Foretelling
Foretelling prophecy is a divine message of events that will take place in the far
future. For example, in Daniel 7, God foretells what will take place from the time of
King Nebuchadnezzar up to the time of the second coming of Christ. Dispensationalists
interpret Revelation 4-22 as future events; what God will do in the end times. To John
the writer, these events will transpire in the far future.
When a prophet spoke for God, his prophecy could refer to:

a present or near fulfillment

a future fulfillment

a twofold fulfillment: a near fulfillment and a far fulfillment.

When you read an Old Testament prophecy, determine if the prophecy refers to:

the prophet's own time and/or a future time

the captivity or the restoration of Israel or Judah, or both

the first coming of Christ and the events associated with it

the second coming of Christ

the last days or end times.

Important Guidelines in Interpreting Prophecy

Here are some guidelines to handle prophecies in God's Word.
Principle 1: The prophets did not always indicate interval of time between events, nor did
they always write their prophecies in chronological order.

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Oftentimes, in the Old Testament, prophecies combined Christ's first and second
coming without inference of an interval between the two. One such prophecy is found in
Isaiah 9:6-7, where verse 6 mentions Christ's birth, a reference of His first coming, and
verse 7 mentions Christ's rule, a reference of His second coming. Yet, as one reads this
passage, there is no inference of an interval of time between these two paramount events.
Principle 2: Always approach a prophecy as literal (in its usual, ordinary sense of the
word) unless one of the following occurs:
A. The grammatical context shows this is figurative language by the use of similes,
metaphors, parables, allegories, symbols or types.
For example, we read that in Daniel 7, the four unusual beasts represent four kings
and their kingdoms.
B. A literal interpretation violates common sense if the meaning of the text is
contrary to what the author is saying or contrary to the rest of Scripture.
Daniel 7 again is a good example of this, where one beast is described as a lion with
the wings of an eagle, and another beast is described as a leopard with four heads and
four wings. Common sense tells us that these two beasts must be taken symbolically and
not literally.
Principle 3: When a prophetic passage cannot be taken literally, look for what the author
is trying to convey through figurative or symbolic language. To discern what the author
is trying to say, look for answers in the following places:
A. Within the context of the chapter or book in which the passage appears.
Daniel 7:17 says, "These four beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who
will arise from the earth." Here it is evident that the four beasts represent four kings.
B. In the other writings of that same author or in other Bible books that refer to that
same person or event.
For example, the fourth beast in Daniel 7 parallels the beast in Revelations 13. They
refer to the same event. Here we see the principle that Scripture interprets Scripture.
Principle 4: Remember that often when a prophet refers to future events, he may not use
the future tense.
The Hebrew language does not have tenses, unlike the English language. Hebrew is
not a "tense" language. This means that the same verb can be translated as past, present

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or future depending on the context and other grammatical cues found in the passage.
This means that a reader cannot tell the tense of a verb simply be looking at it.
Principle 5: When you interpret Scripture, consider the historical context, remembering
that God was delivering His prophecy to a particular people at a particular time who
were experiencing a particular event.
Although the prophecy may be fulfilled in a future time, it was still comprehensible
to those receiving that prophecy, even though they might not have understood all the
details or its full implications.
Habakkuk 1:6 is an example where God tells His people, Israel, that He was "raising
up the Chaldeans" to judge Israel for their wickedness and violence. But the details of
how God would judge His people were not elaborated upon. In other words, in order to
interpret the text correctly, it is important to understand the history surrounding the text
in order to determine if the prophecy has already been fulfilled or still to be fulfilled.
Principle 6: Remember that the meaning of a specific prophecy may not have been
always understood by the prophet himself or those who received the message.
For example, Daniel could not have understood his own prophecy in Daniel 12:8-9,
since it was sealed until the end times.
However, some prophecies will come to light through the following:
A. A fulfillment as recorded in history.
Daniel 11, one of the most difficult chapters in the Bible, describes the kings of the
north and the kings of the south. However, in the light of past historical events or
hindsight, it becomes easy to decipher. History reveals to us that: the mighty king in
verse 3 is Alexander the Great. The kings of the north in verses 5-35 are the Syrian
kings; and the kings of the south in verses 5 and 11 refer to the Egyptian kings.
B. A fulfillment is recorded in the New Testament.
The prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 is fulfilled in Mary according to Matthew 1:23, "A
virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel."
C. An explanation is given in another passage.
The prophecies found in Psalm 2, were fulfilled in the life of Jesus, such as referring
to Christ as "King" in verse 6 and "My Son" in verse 7.

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Principle 7: Remember that many New Testament prophecies include Old Testament
quotations and allusions.
Scholars estimate that at least 350 Old Testament quotations or allusions appear in
the book of Revelation alone. Revelation is replete of the language of Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Daniel, Ezekiel, and other minor prophets. In fact, Revelation contains much Old
Testament phraseology.
In order to properly interpret New Testament prophecy, cross-reference Old
Testament passages. The Old Testament sheds much light in the understanding of the
New Testament.
Principle 8: In studying prophecy, watch for phrases that indicate periods of time, such
as, "in the last days," "the day of the Lord," or "day of wrath." Observe things that will
occur during each time period.
You may ask the following questions:
A. Have these events already occurred in history or are they still to occur? For
example, the prophecies of Isaiah 53 concerning Christ's suffering already occurred, but
the prophecies in Matthew 24, concerning Christ's second coming, are still to occur.
B. Do these events occur with any other particular period of time?
Again, the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6,7 refer to two separate periods of time. "For to us a
child is born" in verse 6 refers to Christ's first appearance; and the phrase "He will reign
on David's throne" in verse 7 refers to Christ's second appearance.
C. Do these events parallel other events mentioned in another passage in God's
Word. For instance, "the distress" in Luke 21:23 and Luke 21:25 is parallel to "a time of
distress" in Daniel 12:1. Scripture is the best interpreter of Scripture.
It is amazing how God weaves his prophecies throughout the Bible, where each
passage of Scripture fits neatly into the big picture. Where one single passage cannot
represent the whole, collectively, they present a comprehensive and beautiful picture. So,
while the Bible may not give specifics or answer every personal question, we can view a
glimpse of the big picture.
And that big picture must include the primal fact that Christ will come again, as
Jesus stated in Revelation 22:12, "Look, I am coming quickly." Let us then live our lives
accordingly. The study of prophecy must induce us to live with purpose.

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Principle 9: Check your conclusions using reliable commentaries.
Up to this point we have not had to use any commentaries. But commentaries do
have their place. Since there are many commentaries to select from, it is important to
select one that examines the text with integrity, and gives explanations that are in keeping
with the context. In addition, select commentaries that hold to the inerrancy of the Bible.
If possible, examine more than one commentary and weigh the various interpretations.
Remember that commentaries are not infallible; they were written by scholarly men,
which means you may agree or disagree with their comments. Or you may agree in some
areas, and disagree in others. At the same time, check out the interpretations according to
the inductive principles you have already learned, and ascertain that the commentator is
handling the text correctly. Some commentators simply borrow from other sources
without carefully examining the text for themselves. It is best to examine primary
sources, if available.
Be wary of comments that are completely new and unsubstantiated by other
commentaries. It would seem incredulous that God should reveal this one truth to only
one person and not to others in a span of over 2,000 years. Comments that are supported
by other commentators have more reliability than those that have none.
Here are some guidelines in drawing conclusions from your interpretation:
1. Do not contradict the context the passage. Remember: context rules; and a text
out of context is pretext.
2. Do not violate the general theme of the book you are studying.
3. Check to see if your conclusions agree with what the author said in other books of
his writings.
4. Make sure your conclusions do not violate other Biblical truths.
5. Make sure your conclusions are not prejudiced to one particular school of
theology, as this may distort one's interpretation. In other words, study the Bible with an
open mind, asking God to teach you. Avoid preconceived ideas, predetermined
explanations, ecclesiastical confessions, or denominational traditions.

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CHAPTER 13: FINAL INTERPRETATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

While the Bible was written by people who lived in the past to an audience who were
their contemporaries, we must remember that the message of the Bible is timeless; it is
for all people for all times. The Bible was written for us; we must, therefore, understand
how it was written.

Laws of Composition
Good books communicate a thought in a clear and precise manner. In making a
point or supporting an argument, the flow must be smooth from start to finish. Each
Bible writer has his own "laws of composition." Therefore, to fully understand what the
author meant, one must realize how the writer applied these laws.

Preparation or Introduction
In any academic study, the writer often introduces the purpose of his research and
how he will present supporting data. The Bible writers did the same. What background
information was provided by the writer to prepare the reader to understand his book?
The purpose of the Gospel of John, for instance, is for the reader to believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God. So John 1:1-18 lays the groundwork for what is to come.

Climax
A climax is the high point built by a progression from the lesser to the greater. A
passage may start low with facts and background information, and then gradually reach
its peak of intensity. John 1:1-17 is a good example. We see "the Word" repeated, and
we wonder who or what this "Word" is. Finally, in verse 17, we reach the climax when
we are finally informed that "the Word" is Jesus Christ from whom is grace and truth.

Pivotal Point
A pivotal point occurs when the elements of each side differs in some way.
John 11:54 is the pivotal point in the Gospel of John. Previous to this verse Jesus
ministered primarily to the masses of the Jewish people. But after this verse Jesus' focus

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was no longer on the public but on the disciples. This verse reads, "Therefore, Jesus no
longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews and there He stayed with the
disciples." Jesus' time on earth was culminating; He was about to be betrayed. Hence,
Jesus now focused on instructing His disciples in order that they might continue His
earthly ministry.

Radiation
Radiation is the central or single point from which other points emanate.
An example of this is found in 1 Corinthians 15, where the central theme is the
resurrection of Christ, and all the elements in this chapter radiate from this central fact. 1
Corinthians 13 is another example. The theme is love, and all the elements in this chapter
elucidate how love is exemplified.

Interchange
Interchange is the altering of sequence of at least two main thoughts, subjects, or
characteristics.
Luke opens his gospel with the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist, then
the announcement of Jesus' birth, then the birth of John the Baptist again, after which it
reverts back to Jesus' birth. The focus interchanges or moves back and forth.

General to Particular
General to Particular (or vice verse), is a movement from the general down to the
particular or specific.
Genesis chapters 1 and 2 begin with the creation of all things, and then ends with the
creation of man and woman. The Old Testament makes a general statement that the
Messiah is coming. The New Testament then gives the particular, this Messiah is no
other than the Lord Jesus.

Cause and Effect

There are many examples of this throughout the Bible. In John 11, we see the death
of Lazarus, then in verse 4 we see that his death brought glory to God. Similarly, we see

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Adam and Eve sin in the Garden of Eden. The effect was that they were banished from
that Garden. Then, in Romans 6:23 we note another effect of sin, being death. It is
possible that there may be several consequences to one single cause or event.

Explanation or Analysis
Explanation or analysis is the presentation of an idea or event, which is subsequently
explained. For instance, in John 6, Jesus gives loaves and fish to the people on a certain
mountain, and then Jesus explains that He is the bread who gives life.
Sometimes, in analyzing a passage, an interpretation may not be viable. We cannot
insist on a "single meaning" when others are also Scripturally possible (Bauer, p. 18).
The best example I can think of is John 11:35, where the Bible says, "Jesus wept." The
Bible does not categorically explain why Jesus wept. There are at least three possible
reasons; therefore, we cannot be dogmatic and say one is right and the others wrong.
First, Jesus wept because His dear friend Lazarus has just died. Second, Jesus wept
because He saw what sin does to humanity. And third, Jesus wept because there were
mourners who did not believe in the resurrection, and therefore, had no hope. Since
Scripture did not reveal why Jesus wept, we are not to assume.

Interpretation
Interpretation is the presentation of a question, which is usually followed by the
answer. Jesus and Paul liked to employ this form of teaching. Jesus asked His disciples,
"Who do men say who I am??" Paul asked, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may
abound?" Each time the answer to the question is provided.
We must be careful not to insert into Scripture what is not there. This is particularly
true in typology. For example, in Genesis 21, we see that Abraham made a covenant
with Abimelech at Beersheba.. "Beersheba" literally means "seven wells." Let us not
conclude that the seven wells represent the seven Christian virtues as listed in 2 Peter 1:57. Neither should we assume that the four men who brought the paralytic to Jesus
represent faith, hope, love and joy. This would be an example of careless interpretation
which dishonors God.

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Summarization
Summarization is briefly restating the main points or a particular truth.
In Deuteronomy chapters 1-4, Moses summarized the 40-year exodus in four
chapters. Similarly, Stephen provided a summary of Israel's history in one single chapter,
Acts 7. Hebrews 11 is a summation of all the saints from Adam to Christ.
In the New Testament, Hebrews 8:1 presents the summary of the previous seven
chapters. This verse reads, "Now the main point in what has been said is this ."
Usually, the summarization appears towards the end of the book, but not always.
Whenever you see the word "finally," take careful note, because this may indicate the
text's summarization.
While this chapter provides much to digest, these principles will help you better
understand Scripture.

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CHAPTER 14: APPLICATION

In inductive Bible study we make every effort to first understand what the Lord is
saying, and then, what He is saying to us. We must remember that the Bible was not
given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives. Hence, the purpose of the
inductive Bible study is to correctly interpret Scripture in order to apply it to our lives.
Right doctrine will produce right living. As James instructed the believers, "But prove
yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (1:22). A
true follower of Christ will prove himself a doer of God's Word. Always look for a
command to obey, a sin to avoid, an action to perform, or a promise to claim, from the
study of God's Word.
How do we apply the Old and New Testament in our lives? It depends on the
teaching. If the teaching is for the Jews only in Israel, such as rabbinical dress code or
the sacrificial system, it certainly does not apply to us today. But if the teaching is
doctrinal, such as justification by faith and the great commission, then it applies to us.
Doctrine for everyday living, such as purity, as found in the Old and New Testament, also
applies for us today. We know that God's character cannot change, it is the same in both
the Old and New Testament; so we must live in light of God's unchanging character.
Customs that were applicable in the apostolic age may not be applicable today. For
example, in 1 Corinthians 11, Paul requires a woman to cover her head in church. This
does not mean that each woman today must put a veil over her head during worship
services. According to Ward, there was much wickedness in the city of Corinth. The
inhabitants worshipped at the Temple of Aphrodite, a pagan god. Thousands of
prostitutes who did not cover their head would ply their trade. To attend church with
one's head uncovered signified she was a temple prostitute void of modesty. Therefore,
Paul commanded that women in Corinth must cover their head to show they were chaste
(p. 69). Zuck advised, "Determine what is normative for today" (p. 284). He further
elaborated, "We must be careful not to generalize for today everything that happened in
Bible times" (p. 284). Just because Peter raised Dorcas from the dead in Acts 9 does not
mean we are to go to funeral parlors and raise the dead.

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At the same time, in seeking to apply what we read, we must not go overboard or to
extremes. A text may promote modesty or holy behavior. This does not mean that men
cannot have long sideburns and women cannot wear make-up. The principle to apply
would be: dress appropriately.
Similarly, we have read the passage about Jesus rebuking the self-righteous Pharisee
and blessing the sinner as they prayed in the temple. This does not mean we are to live
sinful lives so God will bless us! This would be erroneous application. The lesson here
is: practice humility, because God will bless the humble and not the self-righteousness.

Scripture Memorization
While not mentioned in any of my resource material, I believe that memorizing key
verses must be part of the personal inductive Bible study process. David wrote in Psalms
119:11, "Your word I have treasured in my heart." A Scripture memorization plan must
be an important part of any believer's Bible study. Scripture memorization sharpens the
mind and quickens the soul.
Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." And one
primal way for God's Word to dwell richly in us is through Bible memorization.
There are three essential guidelines related to Scripture memorization. First,
memorize the reference along with the verse verbatim. State the reference first, then the
verse, and then the reference again. This way, you not only quote the verse, but readily
locate the passage as well.
Secondly, review the verses you have memorized in order to retain it. We are
forgetful beings, so review and repetition are key. In my case, I purchased 3"x5" index
cards, which I cut into halves. The set I purchased has 250 cards. When divided, I have
500 blank cards. If there is a verse I would like to memorize, I write the verse on one
side, and the reference on the other side. Each day I take out 10 or 15 cards, look at the
side which contains the reference, and quote the verse. If I cannot recall the verse, I
simply turn the card over where the verse is written. The key to a successful Scripture
memorization program is review.

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Thirdly, memorize from only one version of the Bible, preferably from the version
you use for you regular Bible reading. Memorizing from different versions or
translations will just lead to confusion.
In closing, why am I such a fervent proponent of the Inductive Bible Study method?
Pastors who apply the IBS method will strengthen the churches they pastor. Peter TanGatue (2013) astutely commented, "I believe that IBS can possibly help increase the
spiritual and community vitality of these congregations" (p. 79). Those are my
sentiments; I could not have said it any better.
This week, start your journey. Select a book you may want to study inductively,
such as the four-chapter book of Philippians, and apply these principles. The Inductive
Bible Study method has blessed me; and I can confidently testify that it will bless you as
well.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Arthur, K., Arthur, D., & De Lacy, P. (2010). How to Study Your Bible. Eugene, OR:
Harvest House Publishers.
Bauer, D. (2013). Inductive Biblical Study: History, Character, and Prospects in a
Global Environment. The Ashbury Journal. Vol. 68. No. 1.
Duggan, M. (2014). The Inductive Bible Study Methodology as an Aid to Sermon
Preparation. Kindle.
Krejcir, R.J. (1978). "The Essential Inductive Questions," Retrieved November 12, 2014
from: www.intothyword.org.
McQuilkin, R. (2009). Understanding and Applying the Bible. Retrieved November 15,
2014, from: www.spiritandtruth.org,
Tan-Gatue, P. (2013). Contextualizing Inductive Bible Study (IBS) in a Postcolonial
Filipino-American Setting. The Ashbury Journal. Vol. 68. No. 1.
Ward, W. (1969). The Word Comes Alive. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.
Zuck, R. (1991). Basic Bible Interpretation. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook.

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About the Author

Carlos "Chuck" Taylor has been the pastor of First Baptist Church of Daly City from
1996 to the present. He is a weekly Bible teacher of the radio program "Lifting High the
Cross,", and possesses a Ph.D. from Tennessee Temple University.
He is married to Virginia, is blessed with daughter Amy and son-in-law Augie, and
doubly blessed with grandson Gaige.