The following words are quoted from a MacArthur Study Bible. On Page xxvii of this Bible, Dr. MacArthur provided some direction for Bible study under the heading I used for the title of this post. I am quoting it in its entirety. If you do not own a MacArthur study Bible, I certainly recommend one. He has three versions: NASB; NKJV and ESV. I would guess that the foot notes are the same in each one. The hard cover versions are around $20 at GTY.org.
[Bracketed statements are my words to further explain for new Bible students; also, I emboldened some of his statements for emphasis.]
Begin MacArthur’s words:
WHO CAN STUDY THE BIBLE?
Not everyone can be a Bible student. Check yourself on these necessary qualifications for studying the Word with blessing:
- Are you saved by faith in Jesus Christ (1 Co 2:14-16)?
- Are you hungering for God’s Word ((1 Pe 2:2)?
- Are you searching God’s Word with diligence (Acts 17:11)?
- Are you seeking holiness (1 Pe 1:14-16)?
- Are you Spirit-filled (Eph 5:18)?
The most important question is the first. If you have never invited Jesus Christ to be your personal Savior and the Lord of your life, then your mind is blinded by Satan to God’s truth (2 Co 4:4).
If Christ is your need, stop reading right now and, in your own words with prayer, turn away from sin and turn toward God: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8,9).
[See a link at the end of this post to Jonathan Edwards’ conclusion that conversion occurs in 5 stages which he specifically identified. I posted this information to counter the false notion that a person can say the ‘sinner’s prayer’ and immediately be born again. I have also posted brief videos by MacArthur and Sproul about the order of salvation, that link is also below. I am writing this here because I know the MacArthur is not recommending the ‘sinner’s prayer’ referred to by mainstream evangelicalism.]
WHAT ARE THE BASICS OF BIBLE STUDY?
Step 1: Reading. Read a passage of scripture repeatedly until you understand its theme, meaning, the main truth of the passage [then he quoted Isaiah 28:9, 10].
…There are many good reading plans available, but here is the one I [ JM] have found helpful.
Read through the Old Testament at least once a year. As you read, note in the margins any truths you particularly want to remember, and write down separately anything you do not immediately understand [If you are reading a study Bible, referring to the foot notes would probably be appropriate here]. Often, as you read, you will find that many questions are answered by the text itself.
The questions for which you cannot find answers [in the text] become starting points for other in depth study using commentaries and other reference tools [a free source of many Bible versions, commentaries and dictionaries is Bible Hub].
Follow a different plan for studying the New Testament. Read one book at a time repetitiously for a month or more. This will help you retain what is in the NT and not always have to depend on a concordance to find things.
If you want to try this, begin with a short book, such as 1 John, and read it through in one sitting every day for 30 days. At the end of that time, you will know what is in the book. Write on index cards the major theme of each chapter. By referring to the cards as you do your daily reading, you will begin to remember the content of each chapter. In fact, you will develop a visual perception of the book in your mind.
Divide longer books into short sections and read each section daily for 30 days. For example, the gospel of John contains 21 chapters. Divide it into 3 sections of 7 chapters [or 3 sections of 5 chapters and one of 6 chapters…, would work]. For variety, alternate short and long books, and in less that 3 years you will have finished the entire NT and you will really know it.
Step 2 – interpreting. In acts 8:30, Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch, “Do you understand what you are reading?” Or put another way, What does the Bible mean by what it says?” It is not enough to read the text and jump directly to the application; we must first determine what it means, otherwise the application may be incorrect.
As you read scripture, always keep in mind one simple question: “What does this mean?” To answer that question requires the use of the most basic principle of interpretation, called the analogy of faith, which tells the reader to “interpret the Bible with the Bible.” Letting the Holy Spirit be your teacher (1 John 2:27), search the scripture He has authored, using cross references, comparative passages, concordances, indexes, and other helps. For those passages that yet remain unclear, consult your pastor or godly men who have written in that particular area.
[There is a reference tool known as Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, TSK, that provides many cross references for most verses in the Bible.]
[ Esword for Iphone: you are given basic study tools, like a couple versions of the Bible, a few commentaries, and STRONG’S concordance (Strong’s provides Hebrew and Greek word definitions in English). You may add many versions of the Bible, free and pay; and you can add free and pay versions of commentaries and dictionaries. TSK is a free download. FOR IPHONE, Esword cost about $3. Another benefit of Esword on the phone is that at least three versions of the Bible have readers: the KJV; ESV and CEV; the KJV is plain reading, the other two are dramatized often. Esword is a free pc download, at esword dot net but you cannot get there through Google, use another search engine; and it does not work with windows 10.]
ERRORS TO AVOID
As you interpret scripture, several common errors should be avoided.
- Do not draw any conclusions at the price of proper interpretation. That is, do not make the Bible say what you want it to say, but rather let it say what God intended when He wrote it.
- Avoid superficial interpretation. You have heard people say, “To me, this passage means,” or “I feel it is saying….” The first step in interpreting the Bible is to recognize the four gaps we have to bridge: language, culture, geography, and history (see below”.
- Do not spiritualize the passage. Interpret and understand the passage in its normal, literal, historical grammatical sense, just like you would understand any other piece of literature you were reading today.
GAPS TO BRIDGE
The books of the Bible were written many centuries ago. For us to understand today what God was communicating then, there are several gaps that need to be bridged: the language gap, the culture gap, the geographical gap, and the historical gap. Proper interpretation, therefore takes time and disciplined effort.
- Language. The Bible was originally written in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Often, understanding the meaning of a word or phrase in the original language can be the key to correctly interpreting the passage of Scripture.
- Culture. The culture gap can be tricky. Some people try to use cultural differences to explain away the more difficult biblical commands. Realize that Scripture must first be viewed in the context of the culture in which it was written. Without an understanding of first-century Jewish culture, it is difficult to understand the gospels. Acts and the epistles must be read in light of the Greek and Roman cultures.
- Geography. A third gap that needs to be closed is the geography gap. Biblical geography makes the Bible come alive. A good Bible atlas is an invaluable reference tool that can help you comprehend the geography of the Holy Land.
- History. We must also bridge the history gap. Unlike the scriptures, of most other world religions, the Bible contains the records of actual historical persons and events. An understanding of Bible history will help us place the people and events in it in their proper historical perspective. A good Bible dictionary or Bible encyclopedia is useful here, as are basic historical studies.
PRINCIPLES TO UNDERSTAND
Four principles should guide us as we interpret the Bible: literal, historical, grammatical, and synthesis.
- The literal principle. Scripture should be understood in its literal, normal, and natural sense. While the Bible does contain figures of speech and symbols, they were intended to convey literal truth. In general, however the Bible speaks in literal terms, and we must allow it to speak for itself.
- The Historical Principle. This means that we interpret a passage in its historical context. We must ask what the text meant to the people to whom it was first written. In this way we can develop a proper contextual understanding of the original intent of Scripture.
- The Grammatical Principle. This requires that we understand the basic grammatical structure of each sentence in the original language. To whom do the pronouns refer? What is the tense of the main verb? You will find that when you ask some simple questions like those, the meaning of the text immediately becomes clearer.
- The Synthesis Principle. This is what the Reformers called the analogia scriptura. It means that the Bible does not contradict itself. If we arrive at an interpretation of a passage that contradicts a truth taught elsewhere in the Scriptures, our interpretation cannot be correct. Scripture must be compared with Scripture to discover its full meaning.
Step 3 – Evaluating. You have been reading and asking the question, “What does the Bible say?” Then you have interpreted, asking the question, “What does the Bible mean?” Now it is time to consult others to insure that you have the proper interpretation. Remember, the Bible will never contradict itself.
Read Bible introductions, commentaries, and background books which enrich your thinking through that illumination which God has given to other men and to you through their books. In your evaluation, be a true seeker. Be one who accepts the truth of God’s Word even though it may cause you to change what you always have believed, or cause you to alter your life pattern.
Step 4 – Applying. The next question is: “How does God’s truth penetrate and change my own life?” Studying Scripture without allowing it to penetrate to the depths of your soul would be like preparing a banquet without eating it. The bottom-line question to ask is, “Ho do the divine truths and principles contained in any passage apply to me in terms of my attitude and actions?”
Jesus made this promise to those who would carry their personal Bible study through to this point: “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17).
Having read and interpreted the Bible, you should have a basic understanding of what the Bible says, and what it means by what it says. But studying the Bible does not stop there. The ultimate goal should be to let it speak to you and enable you to grow spiritually. That requires personal application.
Bible study is not complete until we ask ourselves, “What does this mean for my life and how can I practically apply it?” We must take that knowledge we have gained from our reading and interpretation and draw out the practical principles that apply to our personal lives.
If there is a command to be obeyed, we obey it. If there is a promise to be embraced, we claim it. If there is a warning to be followed, we heed it. This is the ultimate step: we submit to Scripture and let it transform our lives. If you skip this step, you will never enjoy your Bible study and the Bible will never change your life.
Step 5 – Correlating. This last stage connects the doctrine you have learned in a particular passage or book with divine truths and principles taught elsewhere in the Bible to form the big picture. Always keep in mind that the Bible is one book in 66 parts, and it contains a number of truths and principles, taught over and over again in a variety of ways and circumstances. By correlating and cross-referencing, you will begin to build a sound doctrinal foundation by which to live.
WHAT NOW?
The psalmist said, “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Ps 1:1,2).
It is not enough just to study the Bible. We must meditate upon it. In a very real sense we are giving our brain a bath; we are washing it in the purifying solution of God’s Word.
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. (Joshua 1:8)
STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS:
*****For information about how to meditate on scripture, see, Categories, Spiritual Disciplines; therein, there is a 5 part series by Donald S Whitney titled Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, the link to part 1: https://sheeplywolves.com/spiritual-disciplines-for-the-christian-life-donald-s-whitney-part-1/
*****For further information about being saved, the following important post in this blog relates what Jonathan Edwards discovered after he researched to understand the difference between professed believers that stay in the faith and those that fall away. He concluded that true conversion occurs over time; he specified 5 stages:
*****The following post explains what it means to be born-again; but it explains repentance and faith in the process. See videos 2, 3, and 5. You will likely understand video 3 most easily, so begin with it.
https://sheeplywolves.com/decisionism-vs-the-doctrines-of-regeneration-and-faith-repentance/