Bible Interpretation in Six Easy Steps

It’s easier and harder than it sounds

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1. Pray
   1. 1 Corinthians 2:14
   2. John 14:26
   3. John 16:13
2. Read for Comprehension
   1. Read it. (1 Peter 3:15-16)
   2. Do you know all the words?
   3. Did you get lost in a run-on sentence?
   4. Did it make sense at a basic reading level?
   5. Did you follow the author’s argument?
   6. Did you read it in context?
3. What Did It Look Like Then?
   1. Where does this fit in redemptive history?
   2. How would the original audience have understood this? (Matthew 7:9, 19:24)
   3. How would the original audience have applied this? (Leviticus 11:7-8)
4. What’s the Point?
   1. This is about summarizing the principle in a way that is not limited to a specific
      situation or culture.
   2. Luke 18:1-8
   3. Luke 16:19-31
   4. This is a “bridge between two worlds.” (Stott)
   5. If we fail to do this, we will impose cultural standards as though they were God’s
      standards.
   6. Deuteronomy 22:5
5. What Does It Look Like Now?
   1. This is about applying the principle in our context.
   2. This doesn’t mean a free-for-all because the principle has already been established.
   3. There can be multiple application of a single principle.
   4. There can be culturally appropriate and inappropriate applications of a principle.
6. Do it!
   1. James 1:22
   2. John 14:15
   3. 1 John 1:6