The Bible isn’t the easiest book for the modern day reader to understand. It is filled with dated words, strange metaphors, various styles of literature and written for a culture very different from what we are used to.
It can be a bit confusing to know how to correctly interpret what we’re reading. However, below are some tips that might help.
1. Read “You” differently.
Almost all the ‘you’ words in the New Testament are plural you’s rather than singular you’s. The epistles were written for the corporate body of believers, not believers alone. So while the beautiful promises and stern admonitions are for you personally, don’t forget to think about how the authors were writing to groups of Christians, working toward living out the gospel together.
2. Recognize that lamenting is OK.
Sometimes we Christians think being filled with the hope, joy and peace of Christ means we never have reason to be sad. But believers can and would mourn and lament, these are natural reactions to sin and suffering. “Just look at the Psalms,”
3. Realize that prophecy is more often FORTH-telling than FORE-telling.
When we read the words of the prophets, we often want to ask, “what did they say about the future?” However, often the prophets weren’t talking about the future (foretelling), they were explaining and interpreting Israel’s history and current predicaments in light of their covenant behavior (forth-telling), and had little to do with the future. Israel may have been painfully aware that they had just suffered military defeat at the hands of the Babylonians, but it took the prophet’s words to explain from God’s perspective why this had happened and what lessons they were to learn from their experience.
4. Become familiar with the idioms Jesus used.
Jesus “spoke of eyes being lamps and people being salt”. The language is often so far removed from our understanding sometimes it is temping to skip over the gospels to the much more familiar epistles. But if we have called Jesus "King" and “Lord,” we dare not skip over His words just because they are hard. Commentaries and a little Internet research on the gospels go a long way towards filling in some of the cultural and linguistic blanks. As his followers and servants, it is our responsibility to keep on seeking understanding.
5. Remember what you learned in English class.
The Bible is written in a variety of literary styles, and to fully understand what the Bible has to say to us, we have to know what type of genre of literature we’re reading. Poetry and Wisdom literature (like Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes), should read differently than a historical book (like 1 Chronicles), which is also different than reading a prophetic book (like Micah). Knowing what style of literature you’re reading can bring incredible clarity to the text.
6. Read ‘King’ When You See ‘Christ.’
Christ, or Messiah, means “anointed one,” and priests and kings were anointed. Substituting "King Jesus" for "Christ Jesus" when reading draws attention to the fact that Christ was not Jesus' last name, but in fact His title: one of great honor and esteem. Making that one switch alone breathes new life into reading the New Testament.
7. Read ‘You’ Differently.
Almost all the "you" words in the New Testament are plural you's rather than singular you's. The Southern "y'all" expresses it beautifully: the epistles are written to believers corporately, not believers alone. This does not diminish personal responsibility at all, though. If anything, it heightens it: we pray together, believe together, suffer together, raise the armor of God together. All y'all.
8. If You See a ‘Therefore,’ Find Out What It’s There For.
Therefore, take note in bibles where paragraphs are divided up with headings inserted by editors. If the paragraph begins with "therefore,” you might have to pick up a bit earlier to understand the context.
9. Realize That Not All ‘If’ Statements Are The Same.
Not all "ifs" are the same. Conditional “ifs” are not the same as causal “ifs.” Some IF statements are always tied to the THEN one (if you stand in the rain, then you will get wet). Others have more risk involved: the IF statement is necessary, but not sufficient, to bring about the THEN one (if you study for an exam, then you will pass). This makes the world of difference in studying Romans 8: "If you are led by the spirit of God, you are children of God." what it means is that if you are led by the Spirit of God (and you ARE!), then you are also always and forever His child.” What a difference!
SOURCE: Browyn Lea For Relevant Magazine
0 Comment "9 Tips To Follow When Reading The Bible"
Post a Comment
Thank You For Reading....Your Comments Are Always Welcome!