Hermeneutics: Principles of Interpretation
[Translation in Pilipino]
In answering interpretative questions, one must conform to certain rules or laws of interpretation. These rules are:
A. General Principles of Interpretation
Each Christian has the privilege and responsibility to study God's Word for himself (2 Tim. 2:15). (The more skilled you become in personal Bible Study, the more your reliance on commentaries and fellow pastors becomes a check rather than a crutch.) -
Saving faith and the Holy Spirit are necessary for us to understand and interpret Scripture properly (1 Cor. 2:12-16; 1 John 2:27).
The Bible is a spiritual book, therefore we need the Spirit to help us understand it.
The primary purpose of the Bible is to change our lives, not simply increase our knowledge (Psa. 119:97-105; Matt. 7:21-29; Jn. 8:31-32). Work from the assumption that the Bible is authoritative and true (Jn. 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
The Bible is the final court of appeal.
Once you remove the authority of the Bible, you have a religion of doubt. If it's untrustworthy in one area, it's untrustworthy in every area.
Interpret personal experience in the light of Scripture and not Scripture in the light of experience. (The New Testament does not teach that because Jesus rose from the dead, He is therefore the Son of God. Rather, because He is the Son of God, He rose from the dead.)
Scripture, not experience, determines truth. For example, "I have spoken in tongues, therefore tongues are for the church today." WRONG! See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5
The Bible interprets itself. Scripture best explains Scripture. We believe in verbal (the words), plenary (the whole) inspiration. God cannot contradict Himself, therefore His Word is always consistent with itself. Biblical examples are authoritative only when supported by a command. All the words of Scripture are inspired but not all the actions it records are to be followed. For example, Abraham's lie in Gen. 20 and Rahab's lie in Joshua 2. The promises of God throughout the Bible are available to the Holy Spirit for the believers of every generation.
a. General promises are promises given to every believer. (1 John 1:9)
b. Specific promises are promises given to specific individuals on specific occasions
For example, Acts 13:47 is a specific promise given to Paul (and possibly Barnabas): "This is what the Lord has commanded us: `I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" (Compare with Isa. 42:6-7). The principle of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) applied to us, but the promise of Isa. 42:6-7 doesn't.
Some passages don't apply now as when they were written. For example, the sacrificial system was for the Jewish people (Lev. 7:1-2 - burnt offerings). Application must always be consistent with correct interpretation. Church history is important but not decisive in the interpretation of Scripture.
a. The church does not determine what the Bible teaches, the Bible determines what the church teaches.
B. Grammatical Principles of Interpretation
Scripture has only one meaning and should be taken in their literally. Ask yourself the following questions:
a. Am I questioning this passage being literal because I do not want to obey it?
b. Am I interpreting this passage figuratively because it does not fit my preconceived theological bias?
Interpret words in harmony with their meaning in the times of the author. In studying a particular word, determine four things:
a. Its use by the author (In the book under study as well as other books written by the author).
b. Its relation to its immediate context.
c. Its current use at the time of writing.
d. Its root meaning (Vine's Expository Dictionary).
Interpret a word in relation to its sentence and context.
a. The study of the context to determine the proper meaning of a word is one of the most basic and important rules of interpretation.
Interpret a passage in harmony with its context. (Ask yourself the following questions:)
a. How does the passage relate to the material surrounding it?
b. How does it relate to the rest of the book?
c. How does it relate to the Bible as a whole?
c. How does it relate to the culture and background in which it was written?
When an inanimate object is used to described a living being, the statement maybe considered figurative (I am the bread – John 6:35; I am the door – John 10:7)
When life and action are attributed to inanimate objects, the statement may be considered figurative (Micah 6:2).
When an expression is out of character with the thing described, the statement may be considered figurative (Philippians 3:2-3 --- dogs). The principal parts and figures of a parable represent certain realities. Consider only these principal parts and figure when drawing conclusions.
a. Determine the purpose of the parable.
b. Make sure you explain the different parts of the parable in accordance with the main design.
c. Use only the principal parts of the parable in explaining the lesson.
Interpret the words of the prophets in their usual, literal and historical sense, unless the context or manner in which they are fulfilled clearly indicates they have a symbolic meaning. Their fulfillment may be in installments, each fulfillment being a pledge of that which is to follow.
C. Historical Principles of Interpretation
Since Scripture originated in a historical context, it can be understood only in the light of biblical history.
The historical context helps to determine:
a. What was the background of the writer?
b. To whom was the letter (book) written?
c. What was the experience or occasion that gave rise to the message?
d. Who are the main characters of the book?
Though God's revelation in the Scriptures is progressive, both Old and New Testaments are essential parts of this revelation and form a unit. Historical facts or events become symbols (types) of spiritual truths only if the Scriptures so designate them (1 Corinthians 10:1-4; Galatians 4:22-24).
D. Theological Principles of Interpretation
You must understand the Bible grammatically before you can understand it theologically. A doctrine cannot be considered biblical unless it sums up and includes all that Scriptures say about it. When two doctrines taught in the Bible appear to be contradictory, accept both as scriptural in the confident belief that they resolve themselves into a higher unity.
a. The Trinity
b. The dual nature of Christ
c. The origin and existence of evil
d. The sovereign election of God and the responsibility of man
A teaching merely implied in Scripture may be considered biblical when a comparison of related passages supports it.
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