Creative Bible Study

Chapter Six: Principles of Interpretation

In this chapter I have learned importance of rightly dividing the word of truth or interpreting the word of God.

The word “Rightly dividing” originate from the old testament where sacrifice was divided in three portions ,one for God,the priest and the one sacrificing.

I learnt about most important rules of interpreting the bible amongst those is:

Rule of Divine authority

Bible should first and foremost be accepted as the divine final authority between History and Science etc.

The rule of literal interpretation

Bible must always be interpreted literally unless it states otherwise.

The rule of contextual consideration

Bible must always be interpreted according to it’s context, points to be considered must be who wrote the book?whom was the book directed to?what is being said?why is it being said?when was the book written?.

The rule of first mention

The first mention of a portion of the scripture will always give meaning to preceding portions of the scripture.

The rule of repetition

Whenever the word of scripture is repeated it shows the significant point that a reader must not overlook.

Rule of Cumulative Revelation

As the scripture says “No portion of scripture is of private interpretation” ,the scripture cannot be isolated from the whole counsel of the word of God, Bible must interpret Bible.