Interpreting the Bible

I was told as a young child, “Before you began reading the Bible, you must always pray and ask God for understanding.” We all know the Bible can be very difficult to interpret. However, in reading “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth”, I have learned so much in just reading a few pages. I must agree all Christians should know how to interpret the word of God. God surely want each of us to read, trust, obey and apply His word to our everyday lives. The Bible is meant to be interpreted and understood because if the word is not clear then how can a person apply the word to his or her life correctly. There is definitely a need to interpret the word to receive clear understanding. When Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (New King James Version). In looking at that verse I have always thought it meant flesh of the body. In order for me to really know what God wants me to get out of this passage, I would have to research in detail such as exegesis to find out what the original scripture was intended to mean. One thing we all can agree on a text has to mean what the author intended for it to mean. I can also use other translations in my research but narrow it down to one good translation. There are three tools people need to be able to do good exegesis, which are a good translation, Bible dictionary and commentaries. The good translation will help people with the original languages, the Bible dictionary will give you a good source of meaning to the word or words that one seems to struggle with and the commentaries are also good to have because you can read how others think. The first issue is when an individual read the Bible and interpret the Bible in his or her own thoughts and ideas verses how God has intended for the word to be interpreted. In order for one to explain the word to someone, first he or she must know how to understand and interpret the word themselves. It is so very important to understand the historical context as well as content. The context basically is going to help with the time and culture of the writer. I have learned whatever book you are going to read in the bible make sure you have a Bible dictionary on hand and perhaps a good commentary to help you understand whatever book you are reading. When you study the Bible I think we all should make it a habit to always read a full chapter. I do believe it you get in the routine of doing that it could possibly makes it interesting to read. However, if the content that is being read is not clear, one must go and research the meaning of those words that one does not understand. There are so many different types of languages such as original, receptor, free translation and etc. Free translation can sometimes be a problem because the translator modifies the original author too frequently. The translator makes errors and they do not know everything. Christians has to put into practice of knowing a good translation. In trying to understand the Bible, I never really understood why the weight, measures and money were listed in the back of the Bible. But there are several scriptures in the Bible that speaks of words that is equivalent to weight, measures and money and those words are pounds, feet, liters and meters. There is a lot to interpret and before now I never found it was difficult to interpret the Bible. Although, I am finding out more and more that some of my interpreting are not the way God wanted to word to be interpreted. I have often read the NKJV and now I am finding out that is really not a good translation. Therefore, in discovering this information has really encouraged me to read other translations. The New Testament Epistle is known to be very difficult to interpret. Epistle is basically letters. The occasional documents are what all the epistles have in common which is intended for a specific event.

God word is the same today as it was back centuries ago. Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Christians know there is no one on this earth that has not sin. We all have done some things that we are not proud of but we know that God is a merciful and forgiving God. So many times we want the word to work the way we want it to work and not the way God has intended for it to work in our lives. Christians should not cause confusion in the Word of God. 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” I use to always think the passage was only talking about marriage. I do believe it also speaks about not surrounding yourself with people that does not believe in God. This passage still holds truth as it did centuries ago. In conclusion, God’s Word should always be interpreted correctly. It should never be intended for what God did not want it to be intended. His word gives us instruction how He wants us to live. We must obey God’s Word and also read His word on a daily basis or as often as we can. Again, it is good to use different translations of the Bible but make sure we have a good commentary to follow. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Christians should want to study God’s Word and share it with others. We as Christians have to learn to be able to discern what is good and what is bad. Christians should study the epistles and get familiar with them by understanding them as well.