Tips to Understand Your Bible - Tip 2: COMPARISON

In order to arrive at a balanced view and understanding of a particular Scripture, it’s important to compare Scripture with other Scripture.

A simple comparative study can often clarify the meaning of a Scripture. Sometimes a Scripture may seem to suggest something, but it is not explicitly written; we can compare it to a Scripture that states it clearly and directly. So, we take the Scriptures that are in question and examine them in the light of other Scriptures that make clear, direct statements.

Looking at many passages of Scripture on a certain subject can also be very helpful. Many false doctrines have arisen when someone built their doctrine on something they saw in only one verse of Scripture. One particular passage seldom presents all sides of a truth. Doing a comparative study of what the rest of Scripture has to say on that particular subject will help you stay balanced.

For example, in 1 Corinthians 7:38 NLT Paul writes, "So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better.” If we lift this Scripture out of context then we could easily come to the conclusion that Paul thought remaining single in life was better than getting married, or that he was possibly against marriage all together. But this Scripture only offers a comparison of what was good and what was better under those current circumstances; it does not convey that Paul considered marriage to be ‘bad’. We should compare this Scripture with other Scriptures on marriage throughout the Bible so that we can have a more balanced view.

When you look at other Scriptures as well as consider the whole narrative of the Bible, you will be safeguarded against extremism. If you feel stuck on a certain scripture you can ask yourself this question: "Is this interpretation consist with the other Scriptures on the same topic?" Taking the time to do a thorough study a particular subject in Scripture will keep you from jumping to conclusions and ending up in error.

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These 5 tips of Bible Interpretation help equip us to better understand God’s Word: 

1. Context - The primary rule of Bible interpretation is to take into consideration the context of a passage.

2. Comparison - In order to arrive at a balanced view and understanding of a particular scripture, it’s important to compare Scripture with other Scripture.

3. First Mention - Looking at the first place a subject is mentioned in Scripture is a key to understanding that subject. That first mention becomes like an anchor or reference point for further interpretation on the subject. 

4. Progressive Revelation - As time unfolds, God's purposes become more clear and understandable. 

5. Christ - The Bible is one continuous story, and it is imperative that we keep in mind that all Scripture revolves around Christ and the redemption of mankind.