HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE?

HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE? by. Mitozyl A. Sanchez

Introduction:
1. Is the Bible we can understand? If so, why we often wondered men understanding the Bible are not the same? The some says is different to others says." If you asking them all, "Is that really the Bible says?", their answers is YES! But, why their interpretation are not alike?
2. What is the reason men often do not understand the Bible alike? How we can understand the Bible? That is the some questions that we need to know.

I. Is The Bible We Can Understand? Many people do not read the Bible because they said they do not understand it. But the Bible itself teaches that we can understand the Bible.
A. First, if we want to understand the Bible, we must to read it! (Nh.8:8; Ep.3:4). No read, no
understanding!
B. The Bible is the word of God revealed to man (Jr.30:1-2; 2 Pt.1:20-21; 2 Tm.3:15-17). If the
Bible is we do not understand, why God command us to understand it! (Ep.5:17).
C. The things God revealed belong to us but the secret things belong to God (Dt.29:29;
1 Co.2:10-13).

II. Why Men Do Not Understand The Bible Alike? Here are some reasons:
A. Because men do not study the Bible (2 Tm.2:15; At.17:11). The more one knows about the
Bible the better one will undestand it.
B. Because men study the Bible with a closed mind--like Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, "...that
when jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife and cast it into the fire
(Jr.36:20-26).
C. Because men are hindered by tradition--Mk.7:5-9 Jesus, says,"...Full well ye reject the
commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."
D. Because men try to prove a point--e.g. Acts 16:30-31, here in the passage they tried to
proved that the salvation is through "faith only". But the context do not interpret like that,
verses 32,33 & 34, you will see the Gods plan of salvation -- i.e. first, they had heard the
word, thus they have faith (Rm.10:17), they repent and they baptized.
E. Because men do not love the truth -- 2 Ts.2:10-12 says, "...because they received not the
love of the truth, that they might be saved."
F. Because men are blinded by worldly living (2 Co.4:3-4; 1 Jn.2:15-17; Cf. 1 Co.3:1-4)

III. How We Can Understand The Bible? Here are the some ways that will help you to
understand the Bible:
A. Believe the Bible only as the Word of God (2 Tm.3:15-17; Is 34:16). Many people do not
understand the Bible because they have their own creed books.
B. Expect to understand the Bible (Ep.3:4).
C. Use a correct translation of the Bible -- Incorrect translations have caused some to
misunderstand the scriptures. Some are good standard translations like the King James,
American Standard and New American Standard. Some are not good like the Good News
For Modern Man, Living Bible and New World.
D. Prayer (Jm.1:5; Ps.119:34,73,125).
E. Meditation (Ps.119:99; 1:2).
F. Consider who is speaking, who is being spoken to and the circumstances of the statement.
Remember God speak to Satan, to the man, woman, Jews, Gentiles, apostles, etc.
G. Read everything said on a given subject -- A partial view is dangerous, most religious error
is taught using part of what God said. Ps.119:160 says,"The sum of thy word is truth".
H. Recognize figurative language -- The book of Revelation is filled with figurative language
(Rv.1:1). Read Rv.5:8 to see the example of it.
I. Realize one verse can only teach what another verse will allow it -- e.g. Rm.10:13 and
Mt.7:21, these passages must interpret with harmonize. Calling the name of the Lord to be
save is to obey His command (Mt.28:19; Cf. At.22:16).

Conclusion:
1. There are "some things hard to be understood" (2 Pt.3:16), but through the some ways that
can help us to understand the Bible that we disscuss here, we can understand the Bible alike.
2. May the God of heaven fill you "with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding" (Cl.1:9).