Biblical interpretation should strike fear into our heart with the realization that we are handling the very Words of the Eternal God. A God whose thoughts are not like our thoughts and whose ways are not like our ways (Isa. 55:8); a God who speaks (Matt. 4:4); The God who created the Heavens and the Earth by using words (Heb. 11:3). Understand this, that every word that He spoke had its intended purpose. When God said, “Let there be light” that is exactly what happened, light appeared (Gen 1:3). Therefore, God’s Word is intentional and has purpose (Isa. 55:11).
Hermeneutics is the science of Biblical interpretation. There is a correct way to interpret scripture and there is an incorrect way to interpret scripture. The Bible student is to be true to the text. It is not what is true to you, but what is true to the text. The Bible student is to read out of the text (Exegesis) and not into the text (Eisogesis). The belief that each of us could have our own interpretation of a particular Bible passage and that each of us is correct is called subjectivism. “Whatever you like is true for you and whatever I like is true to me.” This is what author R.C. Sproul calls subjectivism. In other words, what the Bible says is subjective to my interpretation. Truth only has one interpretation. It cannot be truth if there are multiple meanings. Then the interpretation is either true or it is false. This is why Biblical interpretation should be fearful to each of us. This is why it vitally important to interpret God’s intended purpose of every word that He has spoken.
Please keep in mind that the devil knows scripture (Matt. 4:3-11). While tempting Jesus, Satan took his liberty with interpretation and grossly took Scripture out of context. Jesus replied each time with, “It is written.” Satan attempted to single out a Bible verse and apply it to his cause. Jesus corrected Satan’s attempts by looking at how his flawed interpretation fit into the whole of scripture. We are no better than Satan when we twist and distort Scripture to fit our ideologies. We are no better than the devil when we misinterpret Scripture and take it out of context.
One must be converted before attempting to interpret the Bible. The unregenerate man is unable to discern the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14). His eyes have not yet been opened to truth. One must be filled with the Holy Spirit, for it is the Spirit that will lead us into all truth (John 16:13). However, being filled with the Spirit of God does not mean we are supernaturally enabled to know all things. Paul admonished the converted Timothy to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Author A.W. Tozer wrote, “The Holy Spirit never fills a man’s head. The Holy Spirit fills his heart.” The Spirit filled Bible student is to fill his mind with the Word. The Spirit filled heart will help interpret a Bible filled mind.
To be true to the text one pursues the context. Context is fundamental to Biblical interpretation. Bad theology has been built upon the vacillating foundation of incorrect contextualization. This is where many have erred throughout history, cherry picking a Biblical passage and making it a doctrine. They refuse to look at the whole counsel of the Word of God and instead choose to build their thoughts only on part of the Scriptures.
There are several actions we can take and several questions we can ask to ensure correct context. First, we must work our way out of the passage. What chapter is the verse in? What book is the chapter in? What type of book is it? Is it an historical book, a poetic book, a prophetic book, or an epistle? Who wrote this particular book of the Bible? Who were the author’s intended readers? When was this book written? How does this passage fit into the scope of scripture? Are there other texts to which I can reference? These are just a handful of questions that we must ask before we can correctly interpret a particular Bible passage. A good place to begin finding these answers is a good study Bible. Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias, commentaries and handbooks are the tools that will help you mine for the vast riches of God’s Word.
Finally, beloved, one of Satan’s failed temptations in the wilderness was to entice Jesus to miraculously turn stones into bread. Let us not turn the living Bread into stone with our flawed interpretations. Instead, approach the Word of God with fear and trembling, leaning on the guidance of the Spirit to keep us true to the text.