A Context-Forward Approach to Faithfully Seeking Truth in God’s Word

How can we study our Bibles faithfully, dependent upon the Spirit’s leading, as we diligently seek to rightly handle God’s Holy Word? Here’s a method I have found helpful.

I doubt this is new.  In fact, I hope it is not new – because new approaches are seldom as beneficial as their creators might think.  Rather, I hope this is, if anything, a fresh packaging of a time-tested approach to seeking the Spirit-illuminated, objective truth of the Word. It is this pattern I have seen exemplified in the work of theologians, and of recent, with John Piper’s Look at the Book series.  

In the end, it is my hope that, in spelling out this approach, it proves helpful tool in your tool chest for Spirit-guided study of God’s Word. I find it particularly helpful in dealing with passages that are difficult to understand, seemingly paradoxical or controversial in nature.  But it’s probably not as well fit, at least for the average lay person, for your daily devotions. You will soon see this isn’t a quick, easy or expedient way to seek God’s objective truth, but I do believe it’s a reliable means by which the Spirit may, if He so wills, be pleased to illuminate the marvelous truths of His Word to our minds and hearts.

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.”

Psalm 119:18, NASB 1995

Overview

Here’s the basic outline of my approach to in-depth study of the Bible, divided into four phases. Each phase is distinct, but builds upon the previous steps to help sharpen, examine and challenge our interpretations in a Spirit-dependent, context-forward, humble approach to Bible study.

Phase 1: SEEK

In Phase 1, we focus on developing the first wire-sketch of our interpretation of a passage, rooted in prayer and basic observation. By itself, I’d argue that this is the basis for all sound, Spirit-led study of God’s Holy Word.  

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”

1 Corinthians 2:12,13, ESV

Step 1: Pray
Why start with prayer? There are a myriad of benefits to beginning any reading or studying of God’s Word in this way. Here’s just a few: First, it is an act of obedience. If we are commanded to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), should not our study of God’s word be bathed in prayer? Second, it is an act of dependent humility. To pray is to remind ourselves that we cannot do it on our own. Perhaps we don’t need the Spirit to observe objective truth in God’s Word, but without the Spirit, that knowledge puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1) and stirs up pride in our hearts. We must depend upon the Spirit, not just for right understanding, but that this right understanding would penetrate into our hearts, enlivening our affections, arousing love and empowering our obedience. Third, it helps us to enter our study with thanksgiving and hope – recognizing that the ability to read, to think, to understand are all gifts of grace we do not deserve, and is fitting us for an eternity with our Lord.

What I am not commending is a sort of superficial, rote preamble to the real work of study, but rather a study that is initiated and sustained by prayer all along the way. When we’re going through the passage and are stumped, we should pray. When we see beautiful things in God’s Word, we should pray. When the Word reveals truths about our hearts and convicts us of our sin, we should pray. Prayer should be the vein running through the body of our study.

What should you pray? I’ve always enjoyed the ACTS model of prayer – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication – and this can be easily applied to prayer for our study. We adore God for the gift of His Word. We Confess that we are prone to trust in our own understanding and not lean on the Lord’s. We thank God for the gift of His Spirit and the illumination He alone can provide. We ask the Lord to show us wonderful things in His Word.

Step 2: Read
Sure, this step is a bit obvious. In order to Study the Word, we must read it! Personally, for in-depth study, I find the NASB 1995 to be a great primary translation, with its emphasis on literal translation and minimal interpretation allowing the reader to determine the truth for themselves.

First, I’d suggest you simply read the passage. Take your time and observe how the statement is structured. Look for connecting words and phrases, “therefore”, “so that”, “but”, “and” etc. and consider how those impact the meaning of the passage. Do this a couple of times until you feel you’ve mastered the flow of the passage and have at least a rough understanding of what it may mean. At this point you may have more questions than answers – and that’s great. Feel free to record those questions for later contextual consideration.

It would probably be helpful, even at this early stage, to check to make sure you are defining the words you’re reading in the same way its author intended. Definitions change over time, and we can unwittingly find ourselves in many a theological pickle if we read into a word or phrase a definition that the author never intended. Hope is a great example of this. In Scripture, the Greek word often translated as hope is ‘elpis‘. When associated with faith, it is not simply wishful thinking (Like, “I hope it’s not going to rain this afternoon.”), but expresses a confident certainty that the object of our hope will definitely be realized. If we fail to recognize this, chances are our interpretation is going to be off the mark. This is where a concordance comes in handy. I find Bible Hub’s Online Concordance to be an especially helpful resource for this type of study.

Step 3: Formulate Your Interpretation
Now, based primarily on your reading of the passage itself, form your initial interpretation of the text – almost like a scientific hypothesis to be tested. At this point, it’s certainly okay to have a couple possible interpretations in your mind. In fact, this could prove quite helpful as you work to discern the objective truth of the passage. It may be that one or more of these interpretations will prove wrong as you work through this process, but it’s also possible that more than one may remain plausible, even once you have worked through all of the steps. That’s okay too. But more likely than not, as you go through these steps, you’ll find one interpretation that seems to fit better than the others.

Phase 2: EXPAND

As we move to Phase 2, we expand our study to include the context around it. In this phase, the goal is to test our interpretational hypothesis against the context around it.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:16,17, ESV

Step 4: Examine the Immediate Context
Next, read the passage in its immediate context. By immediate context, I mean at least the verse that precedes and follows the passage in question, but even at this point, if the flow seems to warrant it (such as the whole paragraph being a single thought), you might want to include the whole paragraph. Consider how these passages are connected. Ask how this additional context informs your understanding of this verse. For example, does your passage star with a “for” or “therefore”? Then how does the passage you are considering develop or support the argument of the verse or verses before it?

Step 5: Examine the Broader Context

Now, expand your contextual reading out again, this time to encompass the entire chapter (or in some cases, the context may require you to dip into the previous or next chapter. Remember, chapter and verse divisions are not divinely inspired, but were first employed in 1382 in Wyclif’s Bible translation and 1560 in the Geneva Bible, respectively (you can read more about that, here).  But, historical detour aside, repeat the process of Step 4.  How does this broader context inform the passage?  Are there parallels in the surrounding text that illuminates the meaning of the passage?  

Step 6: Test Your Interpretation in Context
Now that you’ve examined the context that surrounds the passage, return to your interpretation(s) and see how they fit. Take some time to consider how your possible interpretations hold up against the broader context of the chapter.  Does the context exclude one or more of your initial guesses to the text’s meaning? Does one of your interpretations seem to make the most sense based on the broader context?  With your interpretation refined and perhaps a possible alternative or two ruled out, you’re now ready to move to Phase 3.   

Phase 3: COMPARE

Now that we’ve firmly placed our passage within the context of the chapter, it’s time to set ourselves to the more difficult work of examining our interpretation against the broader counsel of God.  This phase focuses on a systematic approach to Bible study that seeks to synergize our understanding of the passage at hand with other Scriptures dealing with the same subject.  The goal is to arrive at an interpretation that is faithful to not just our understanding of the passage and the context that surrounds it, but checks and defines it within the broader context of the Bible itself. 

“The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

Acts 17:10,11, NASB 1995

Step 7: Examine Parallel and Related Passages
Like the Bereans, we must examine our own interpretation to see if it fits within the overarching counsel of the Scriptures.  Perhaps, when you read your passage, other verses came to mind.  With passages in the Gospels, it’s often the case that another Gospel may contain a similar account that can shed further light on our passage.  If examining a passage from one of Paul’s epistles, perhaps he has addressed the same topic in another epistle.  When examining the minor prophets, perhaps you’ll find a connection to a statement of fulfillment in the New Testament.  

Resources can be really helpful in this phase. For starters, having a Bible with ample references and contextual footnotes can help link to passages that would have not otherwise come to mind.  Free online resources like Bible Gateway offer in-depth cross references that can help build your understanding of how your passage connects to other passages.  There are also powerful resources like Logos, that, though pricey, can help with this aspect of your study greatly.  At this point, even a solid systematic theology can be of great value, though keep in mind that these are often flavored to some degree, by the theology of their writer.  Personally, as a Christian convinced of the scriptural warrant of the reformed tradition, I have found Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology to be of great value.      

Step 8: Examine Seemingly Contradictory Passages
If finding parallel passages seems daunting, rest assured that finding contradictory passages can often be even more difficult!  Thankfully, the resources I mentioned in Step 7 can be of significant help. 

But beyond that, I’ve found it helpful to pause, pray, and think critically about our interpretation at this moment, and the implications that it produces. Does this contradict (or perhaps appear to contradict) other Biblical truths?  A great example of this type of thinking from the Scriptures is found in much of Romans.  Especially in Romans 9, Paul makes a claim, and then with surprising accuracy, predicts exactly what objection will come from his assertion.  He names that objection, and then addresses it head on before repeating the process again and again as he defines and defends God’s truth.       

Step 9: Test Your Interpretation in this Context  
As we circle back to examining our interpretation in this new context, we must measure our assertions by both the seemingly parallel and contradictory texts to ensure that our view harmonizes with the greater message of the Bible.  It’s quite possible that this step will further refine or even redefine your interpretation of the passage.  If you still have multiple possible interpretations, it’s likely that this process will cause on of those interpretations to rise above the others. 

Phase 4: CHALLENGE

Finally, in Phase 4, we take what we’ve observed through direct study of the Scriptures and examine it against the wisdom of other saints that have also wrestled through our text.  It is hubris to assume we alone can come to the best conclusion about the meaning of a passage.  God has and continues to sustain His church through the Spirit-implanted wisdom of His Word in theologians who have come before, and for that we owe a great debt of gratitude. 

“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.”

Psalm 1:1,2, NASB 1995

Step 10: Examine Trusted Extrabiblical Resources
At this point, it’s time to look at pertinent sermons, articles and commentaries from trusted authors.  I’d strongly advise that you look, not just at contemporary pastors and theologians, but lean heavily on the wealth of wisdom from centuries gone by.  May we not be guilty, as C.S. Lewis so warned, of chronological snobbery – assuming that what’s novel is best – but rather might we trust in the wisdom of the saints of old.  

As you explore these resources, consider how they handle your passage.  Where do they see the emphasis?  How do they understand the flow?  What interpretive conclusions do they draw?  And finally, how does that connect, refute, or is refuted by the Scriptural study you have done up to this point?  Again, I suggest you take time to pray for humility and clarity in this moment – that you would not be quick to dismiss the interpretations that contradict your own, at least not without serious Scriptural warrant to the contrary. 

Step 11: Examine Contradictory Interpretations
Now that you’ve examined the interpretations of those whom you trust – those who probably ascribe to much of the theological framework that you too hold – it’s now time to examine the interpretation of those with whom you may disagree.  What I am commending here is not a free-for-all consideration of anyone’s opinion you find on the internet, but rather a thoughtful and purposeful consideration of respected pastors and theologians who are committed to the faithful exegesis of God’s Word, but differ from you in their understanding of non-crucial doctrinal positions.  If you are in the reformed camp, look at the interpretation of respected Arminians.  If you’re of a baptist persuasion, consider the interpretations of your faithful Presbyterian brethren… that kind of thing.

Again, be on guard for pride.  Be sure you generously consider and seek to rightly understand their position.  But also, be on guard against a sort of ecumenical, lowest-common-denominator sort of view that puts all interpretations on the same level.  Our interpretations must always be weighed against the standard of the Word, and here, too, we must consider the value of the interpretation based upon the Bible.

Step 12: Test Your Interpretation in this Context 
Finally, as you circle back to testing your interpretation one last time, take time to weigh how the interpretations of others might shape your own.  Do these resources confirm the interpretation you have been developing, or do they in one way or another, refute it?  Do they help you to narrow down your interpretation or refute other possible interpretations you have been holding onto?  Do the interpretations of those from other orthodox traditions help you more fully understand, challenge or refine your interpretation?  

At this point, hopefully you’ve arrived at an interpretation that you feel reasonably certain to be Biblically faithful.  Perhaps you have a favorite, but still see a few other interpretations that have value.  That’s okay too.  Perhaps you are still unsure.  Even this is okay.  Remember, that even in the blessing of wisdom and illumination that the Spirit so graciously imparts to us, we are not God, and He is far, far above us.  There is much that is not ours to know on this side of eternity (Isaiah 55:8,9).  But even in those moments where we are still left scratching our head, rest assured, such time in God’s Word has not been in vain, for His Word always accomplishes its purpose (Isaiah 55:11)!

I pray the Lord may enrich your study of His Word, that you may be changed from one degree of glory to another, beholding the face of God through the illuminating work of the Spirit. May He grant us all eyes to see and ears to hear as we search the Holy Scriptures!