I once asked legendary Bible scholar Brevard S. Childs to describe his method for interpreting the Bible. He replied that he didn’t have a method at all, but instead he let the text speak for itself, in its own context. He went on to explain that this context involves faith, the Holy Spirit, and a belief that the text would reveal its own mystery.
In this regard, if Childs were alive today, I believe he would offer tips for interpretation—guideposts rather than a method. So here are five tips to help you help others on their journey of Bible interpretation. These tips are applicable to anyone, even those who are skeptical and cynical about the text.
1. Seriously Read the Words of the Bible
Many people have objections to the Bible that don’t actually come from the words of the Bible. Instead, they are rooted in how Scripture is applied, in a particular religious or social context.
We can’t debate Scripture on its merits if we’re not reading the text closely. We need to wrestle with the meaning of the Bible’s actual words, in their original context.
2. Consider All the Contexts
Don’t just look at the verses before and after a passage. Look at a passage’s location within that particular book of the Bible. What is its purpose? How is it moving the narrative or argument forward? What’s the overall point being made? What previous questions does it answer? What themes does it introduce or elaborate upon? Then consider how a passage fits within the whole story of the Bible. Often the most difficult passages are only unraveled through comparing various related Bible passages. So start lining up those cross-references—but there is no substitute for regularly reading large sections of the Bible at a time.
Of course we also need to examine the historical and cultural context of any Bible passage. Don’t lose sight of how foreign the ancient world is to the people you’re teaching. If you can create understanding of the world of the Bible, you’ll clarify the meaning of a passage.
3. Find the Power of the Original Languages
Much is lost in translation. There is no substitute for translating a biblical text yourself—from its original Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic—as part of your interpretive process. But it’s unlikely that you’re going to have time to do so. You probably do have time, though, to look at a commentary or two that focuses on the original languages (a critical commentary). When doing so, pay special attention to the sections with long and detailed explanations of Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic words. This is often a good indicator of uncertainty and difficulty in translation. This step is mainly about awareness for you as the teacher.
From here, you may want to jump to a theological wordbook. In this regard, I love the Lexham Theological Wordbook(which I helped launch when serving as the publisher of Lexham Press). And obviously, use Bible software. With Bible software, you can quickly dig into specific usage of a word across the Bible and ancient literature. While lexicography should certainly be left to the professional linguists, it’s always fun to dabble.
When teaching a Bible text, it’s important to explain the text’s nuance as well. My favorite resource for this is the UBS Handbook Series(also available in some Bible software packages). It helps you understand the meaning of a passage phrase-by-phrase from a translator’s perspective. The commentators in this series regularly explain how a phrase can be translated into a culture with a different perspective or governance structure. I regularly pull these types of insights into my sermons—they help me clarify the meaning of a text by using a new metaphor.
4. Consult a Range of Scholars
A strong Bible commentary can go a long way, but you also need to consider multiple views. I recommend that leaders use commentaries on different ends of the theological spectrum and a range of commentaries from technical works—dealing with the meaning of particular words, grammar, and syntax—to commentaries aimed at application. Don’t interpret in a vacuum.
5. Be Willing to Switch Methods
Any biblical interpretation method can be a fickle friend. And various methods, when taken too far, have led people astray. Every method (rhetorical criticism, discourse studies, literary criticism, canonical criticism, etc.) will ultimately let you down. Don’t get too attached to your method.
It’s a good practice to read a book on biblical interpretation at least once a year—it will keep you sharp and help widen your viewpoint. Some of my favorites are: The Hermeneutical Spiral by Grant R. Osborne; How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart; the Lexham Methods Series(4 volumes from Lexham Press, which I had a hand in creating); and Fortress Press’s Guides to Biblical Scholarship series.
Biblical interpretation is a process, just like faith. The Bible is only understood through a prayerful journey. Biblical interpretation divorced from faith is missing the point.
The Bible is a theological book and as such, its chief aim and focus is God. If we refuse to confront this God, we will miss the point of interpretation altogether. We may have an intellectual ascent, but we will not ascend to the Bible’s purpose—knowing the Creator of the universe.