How to Study the Bible

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• Purpose and Foundation
• Proper Scripture Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
• Four Foundational Laws of Interpretation
• Messianic Prophecy Structure
• New Testament Usage of Old Testament
• Biblical Examples: Discernment and Rediscovery
• Hermeneutics from Arnold Fruchtenbaum
• Footnotes and References

Purpose and Foundation

The goal of Bible study is not simply information, but transformation. The Word of God is sufficient to equip the believer for every good work¹. It is alive and active, judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart².

“The New is in the Old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.”

“The Old is the New contained; the New is the Old explained.” – Often attributed to Augustine, this thought is echoed by Spurgeon and A.W. Pink as a summary of redemptive continuity.

These sayings emphasize that the entire Bible is a unified story, progressively revealing God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.

Proper Scripture Interpretation (Hermeneutics)

1. Observation

• What does the passage say?
• Identify key terms, structure, repetition, and literary form.
• Example: Immaturity and sluggishness noted in Hebrews 5:11–14.

2. Interpretation

• What does it mean in context?
• Consider historical, cultural, grammatical, and literary context.
• Example: Hebrews 6:1–2 lists foundational doctrines.

3. Correlation

• Scripture interprets Scripture.

• Cross-reference and harmonize:

  • Luke 24:27 — Jesus is revealed in all Scripture.
  • Acts 17:2–3, Acts 18:28 — Paul reasons from the Scriptures.

4. Application

• What is the Spirit saying?
• Romans 12:2 — transformation through renewal of the mind.
• James 1:22 — be doers, not merely hearers.

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Four Foundational Laws of Interpretation

1. Golden Rule of Interpretation

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning, unless the facts of the immediate context indicate otherwise.”

2. Law of Double Reference

A single passage may speak of two distinct persons or events separated by time.

• Isaiah 61:1–2 (fulfilled partially in Luke 4:18–19)
• Zechariah 9:9–10 (first and second comings)

3. Law of Recurrence

A later passage expands upon a previously mentioned event or truth.

• Genesis 1:26–27 / Genesis 2:7–25
• Ezekiel 38–39

4. Law of Context

“A text apart from its context is a pretext.” Interpret all passages in light of their immediate and broader context.

Messianic Prophecy Structure

Types of Prophecies

• First Coming Only — Isaiah 53:1–12, Micah 5:2
• Second Coming Only — Isaiah 63:1–6, Zechariah 14:1–9
• Blended First and Second — Zechariah 9:9–10, Isaiah 61:1–2
• Whole Redemptive Career — Psalm 22, Psalm 110, Isaiah 53, Daniel 7:13–14

New Testament Usage of Old Testament

Literal Fulfillment

• Matthew 2:5–6 → Micah 5:2
• Matthew 1:22–23 → Isaiah 7:14

Literal Plus Typology

• Matthew 2:15 → Hosea 11:1
• John 19:36 → Exodus 12:46
• Hebrews — rich with typology from the Law

Literal Plus Application

• Matthew 2:17–18 → Jeremiah 31:15
• Acts 2:16–21 → Joel 2:28–32

Prophetic Summation

• Matthew 2:23, Luke 18:31–33, Matthew 26:54–56 — “spoken by the prophets” as collective reference

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Biblical Examples: Discernment and Rediscovery

Josiah and the Rediscovered Word

• 2 Kings 22:1–20 — Word of God rediscovered in the temple, conviction and repentance followed

Immature Believers and Lack of Discernment

• Hebrews 5:11–14 — believers dull of hearing, lacking discernment

Scripture’s Sufficiency

• Luke 16:29–31 — “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.”
• Psalm 138:2 — God magnifies His Word above His Name

Hermeneutics from Arnold Fruchtenbaum

Fruchtenbaum teaches a literal, historical, grammatical approach centered on Christ and consistent with Jewish context.

Four-Part Method

1. Observation – See what the text says (terms, structure, form)
2. Interpretation – Understand in context (genre: historical, prophetic, poetic, apocalyptic)
3. Evaluation and Application – Discern what truths are timeless vs. contextual
4. Correlation – Harmonize with full biblical doctrine and covenants (distinguishing dispensations)

Four Key Rules

• Golden Rule of Interpretation
• Law of Double Reference
• Law of Recurrence
• Law of Context

Fruchtenbaum also outlines:

• Four types of Messianic prophecy: first coming, second coming, blended, full redemptive timeline
• How NT quotes OT: literal, typical, applied, or summarized
• Emphasis on God’s covenants, Israel’s role, and Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets

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Footnotes and References

Additional Key References:

• Romans 12:2
• James 1:22
• Luke 24:27
• Acts 17:2–3
• Acts 18:28
• Isaiah 53, 61
• Zechariah 9, 14
• Psalms 22, 110
• Genesis 1–2
• Exodus 12
• Hosea 11:1
• Jeremiah 31
• Micah 5:2
• Daniel 7
• 2 Kings 22
• Joel 2
• Matthew 2

Let the Word interpret the Word. Let Christ be seen in all of Scripture. Let study lead to worship and obedience.