Interpretation: Step 2 in Bible Study

Interpretation is the process of understanding 1) what a Biblical text means and 2) how the text was meant to be applied. Once you have gathered the necessary information to discover what a passage is saying, you can then begin to understand its meaning through careful study of the book’s historical context, literary context, and actual content.

1. Historical Context

“Why did the author write this book?” This is a hugely important question that needs to be answered. Each Bible text was written with specific authorial intent. Reading through an entire book to get a sense of what the book is about is a good first step in discerning the book’s purpose. However, we’ll also need to get some background information to help us understand how the events, situation, and timing of the book impact the author’s intent.

Background information of the book can be gathered from several sources: a good study Bible, a Bible dictionary, a Bible commentary, etc. As you study the passage’s historical context, seek to understand the following:

Author

The Bible is the perfect divine / human book. While we know that the ultimate author of the Scriptures is God Himself (2 Tim.3:16; 2 Pet.1:20-22), we cannot ignore the fact that God used men to write His Word. As we study the Scriptures, it is important for us to know who these authors were and what their relationship was with the book’s original audience.

Audience

The people being addressed play a major role in the passage’s meaning. Their circumstances influence the content, tone, and aim of the book. As you consider the audience, note the following:

• What was their relationship to the author?
• What was going on in their lives prior to or during the time of the writing?
• Is the audience Jewish, Gentile, or mixed?
• Is this an OT or NT audience?
• Was the book addressed to a particular person (ex. Philemon) or a group of people? If so, then what do I need to know about this person or group of people?

Situation

What was going on that prompted the author to write the book? Find out the problems that the author is seeking to address in his writing. When we are able to discern the issues that prompted the author to write, we will have a much better understanding of the what, why, and how of the book’s message.

2. Literary Context

Literary context refers to what comes before and after the text that we’re studying. To understand a passage’s literary context, read through the book or chapter several times. Try to write down the theme (unifying message) of the section or book in a single sentence. Notice how the author is developing his argument. Seek to discern how the specific parts relate to the overall whole.

Personally, I’ve found it helpful to organize the major parts of a book into a simple chart. This helps me see how the paragraphs, chapters, and major sections of the book relate to one another. It also gives me a better sense of the key themes, emphases, flow, and structure of the book. Obviously, it’s difficult to do a single chart for a bigger book. For larger books, charting the major sections can work just as well.

3. Passage Content

Once you have understood the big picture of the book, take time to study its individual parts. Once again, play the part of the detective, carefully investigating what’s in the passage so that you can understand its meaning. Take the principles you learned in the observation stage and apply them to the passage that you’re studying.

The Goal: Application

The goal of Bible study is not merely to gain information. Rather, our desire is to experience Christlike transformation as we apply God’s Word to our lives. I’d encourage you to consider how the next article might help you faithfully apply the truths of God’s Word to the way you think, pray, feel, and live.