How to Study the Bible
Introduction:
1. Yogi Berra once said, “You can see a lot just by looking.”
2. This might go without saying, but it probably deserves to be said: As you read, carefully observe what you are reading.
3. It is possible to read without thinking… without observing.
4. To interpret the Bible properly there is probably nothing more essential that a careful observation of the text as we read.
5. As you read, ask God to “open your eyes” to the truths in His Word. They are there to BE observed. (Psalm 119:18)
6. This will require a slow reading…
7. As you read carefully pay attention to the details.
8. For me it requires reading and re-reading the same sentence many times sometimes.
9. Stop and THINK about who is trying to communicate to you through this Book!
10. It means that we are to read the Word with a HUNGER to know Christ in a deeper way through His Word. It is a revelation of Him.
11. As we read we behold the glory of the Lord in the mirror of His Word (II Cor. 3:18). The glory of God is worthy of our attention.
Things to Be Looking For:
1. The meaning of words:
a. Do you know the meaning of the English word in your translation?
b. Do you also know the meaning of the Greek word underlying that English word?
c. Don’t be lazy… look it up. Do not assume you know.
2. Terms of conclusion (to a thought or an argument):
a. Therefore
b. So
c. So then…
d. Because
e. For this cause…
f. Finally…
3. Terms of contrast:
a. But
b. However
c. Nevertheless
d. Yet
e. Though
4. Terms of time:
a. As soon as
b. At that time
c. Later
d. Now
e. Soon
f. Until
g. When
h. Morning, day
i. Evening, night
j. A feast day
5. Terms of chronology
a. After
b. Afterwards
c. First
d. Second
e. Lastly
f. After this
g. Then
h. Finally
6. Terms of description:
a. Adjectives
b. Adverbs
7. Terms that connect: (other words, phrases, thoughts, concepts, etc.)
a. And
b. But
c. With
8. Terms that are instrumental: (or means)
a. With
b. By
c. By means of
9. Terms (or concepts) that appear repeatedly:
a. Note the number seven in the book of Revelation (54 times!)
b. Note the words justice; just; (22 times) righteous; righteousness (44 times) in the book of Romans
c. Note the word “believe” in the gospel of John (83 times)
d. Note the word “law” in Galatians (32 times)
e. Note the word “holy” in Leviticus (92 times)
f. Can you think of other repeated words or phrases in a particular book of the Bible?
10. Terms that speak of reason or purpose:
a. That; so that; in order that
i. This is often the translation of a VERY common Greek word that introduces purposes clauses: hina
ii. Gal.3:14 – there are two purpose clauses in this verse (both are hina)
b. For
c. For this cause
11. Terms of condition:
a. If
b. Since
12. Promises
13. Contrasts
14. Comparisons
15. Commands
16. Warnings
a. Lo!
b. Beware!
c. Behold!
d. Woe!
17. Natural outlines in the text
a. A common outline in the Pauline epistles (first doctrine, then practice; or first position, then condition)
b. Look for a main theme and subdivisions of that theme
c. Don’t force the text to fit your outline. (That’s backwards!)
Charts and Outlines Help Us to Observe
1. Dispensational charts
2. Eschatology charts
3. Chronology charts
4. Diagrams of passages
5. Parallel passages
6. Doctrinal charts
a. Salvation and rewards
b. Salvation and discipleship
c. Position and condition
d. Israel and the church
e. First and Second Coming of Christ
f. Christ’s deity and humanity
7. Make your own charts
INVESTIGATING WORDS
Doing a Word Study
1. Determine which word you want to study.
2. If it is a New Testament word, determine the Greek word from which it was translated. (Use a Strong’s Concordance)
3. Determine the meaning(s) of that Greek word. (Consult a Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the NT; or Zodhiates Complete Word Study Dictionary)
4. Look up all the occurrences of that Greek word in the New Testament. (Use an Englishman’s Concordance)
5. Study each occurrence in its context. (You may also want to consult commentaries at this point)
6. Observe:
a. Determine which meaning the word has in that particular context. (If there are multiple meanings for one word)
b. Consider every word in the verse; consider each phrase; note the subjects; verbs; modifiers; etc.
c. What is the main point of the passage?
d. What did the author mean when he wrote it?
e. What is the purpose of the passage?
f. Ask yourself the key questions: Who? What? When? Where? Under what circumstances? How? Why?
g. Determine what important truth about the concept is revealed in each context.
7. Determine which meaning the word has in that particular context. (Some words have multiple meanings – but this is not always the case.)
8. Determine what important truths about the word/concept are revealed in each context.
9. Compare cross references to discover other related truths. (Consult a Treasury of Scripture Knowledge; Vines Topical Bible)
10. Record your findings on a list or chart.
11. Look up other Greek words which may be translated by the same English word and look up other synonyms for the term.
a. Repeat steps #1-8,10 for each synonym, recording findings from each different Greek word separately.
12. Organize your findings into outline form.
13. Make personal application.
a. Are there any commands in the passage? Any promises?
b. Are there any evil to avoid?
c. Is there a good work I should begin to do?
d. Is there truth in this passage in which I should trust?
e. What can I learn about myself?
f. What can I learn about God?