Let the Bible Speak—Rules for Rightly Interpreting Scripture

One Meaning: Every Passage Has One Intended Message
A foundational rule of Bible interpretation is that each passage has one meaning—the one intended by the inspired writer. Though many today say, “That’s just your interpretation,” scripture is not open to multiple conflicting meanings. Like any written message—a newspaper article, a letter, a law—our job is to determine what the author meant when he wrote it. This principle aligns with common sense and respect for God’s word. When someone twists a clear verse into something obscure, they usually depart from the truth. The most straightforward, natural reading is often the correct one.

Let the Author Explain Himself
Whenever an author explains what he means, we must let that explanation stand. God has not left us in the dark. In many cases, the scriptures clarify themselves. When the Bible explains itself, there is no need to go beyond or around that explanation. Trust God’s word to interpret itself before imposing your own ideas onto it.

Context Is King
Always interpret a passage in harmony with its context. Read what comes before and after. Consider who is speaking, to whom, and why. Context is critical to understanding meaning. A verse quoted in isolation can be misunderstood or even misused. Look also at the broader context of the whole Bible on any given topic. Context protects truth.

Understand the Author’s Environment
Scripture was written in real-world situations. Jude changed what he planned to write because of urgent circumstances (Jude 3). Knowing what was happening around the author helps us grasp why he said what he did. Culture, audience, and the problem addressed all influence how a message should be understood.

Harmony of Scripture: No Contradictions Allowed
No true doctrine will ever contradict another clear passage of God’s word. If your interpretation of a verse conflicts with other parts of the Bible, then your interpretation is wrong. God does not lie or speak in riddles. Interpret the unclear in light of the clear, not the other way around.

Use Scripture to Interpret Scripture
Often, one passage will explain another. This means we must diligently search and compare all that the Bible says about a topic. No teaching of scripture is found in only one place. Salvation, baptism, grace, faith, the church—each of these is discussed throughout scripture. Only by gathering all related passages can we arrive at the truth.

Recognize Idioms and Figures of Speech
Like every language, Hebrew and Greek use idioms—expressions not meant to be taken literally. “Apple of his eye,” “blessing I will bless,” or “hate father and mother” are examples. These expressions carry deeper or cultural meanings. Knowing this protects us from literal misreadings that miss the true point.

Balance Scripture—Don’t Exaggerate or Neglect
It’s possible to overemphasize certain scriptures while ignoring others. For example, some fixate on the “cup” in the Lord’s Supper as though it were more important than the blood it represents. Others give weight to insignificant details like an “upper room.” We must weigh each part of God’s word properly.

Plain Before Complicated
When faced with a difficult passage, interpret it in light of clearer ones. Peter admitted that some of Paul’s writings were “hard to understand,” and warned that unstable people twist them (2 Peter 3:15–16). But those passages are not impossible to understand—they just take more effort and humility.

Example: The Coming of the Kingdom
Mark 9:1 says some listening to Jesus would not die before seeing the kingdom come with power. If we isolate that verse, we might misinterpret it. But by tracing the theme through Matthew 16, Luke 24, Acts 1, and Acts 2, we see the timeline: Jesus promised the kingdom and power; He tied it to the Holy Spirit and Jerusalem; it all comes together in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost with the establishment of the church. Scripture explains scripture. With patience and care, the Bible becomes its own best commentary.

Sermon Outline: Let the Bible Interpret the Bible

I. Every Passage Has One Meaning

• Not “your truth” or “my truth”—only God’s truth (2 Timothy 2:15)

II. Respect the Author’s Explanation

• Don’t twist what is plainly explained (Galatians 1:6–9)

III. Keep Passages in Context

• Immediate, remote, and overall biblical context (Luke 10:25–37)

IV. Understand the Environment and Purpose

• Circumstances shape the message (Jude 3)

V. Harmonize All Scripture

• Truth never contradicts itself (Psalm 119:160)

VI. Let Simple Verses Explain Difficult Ones

• Use Acts 2 to clarify Mark 9:1 and Matthew 16:18

VII. Recognize Idioms and Cultural Expressions

• “Hate father and mother” means love God more (Luke 14:26)

VIII. Avoid Imbalance in Application

• Don’t elevate trivial details; focus on core doctrine

IX. Study All Passages on a Topic

• Do the work of gathering, comparing, and confirming truth

Call to Action:
Let’s be people who handle God’s word with reverence and diligence. Don’t settle for shallow interpretations or personal preferences. Dig deeper. Study carefully. Seek the one true meaning God intended. If you’ve misunderstood God’s will in the past, now is the time to return to what He actually said. Let the Bible speak—clearly, consistently, and completely. Will you honor God’s word by rightly dividing it today?