Unless we actually use it, the Bible is no better than any other book on
our shelves. So how can we properly use it? What principles and methods
of study do we follow? What tools are available to help our understanding?
Having considered the proper mindset for approaching the Bible, let's
proceed to delving into it.
For too many people the Bible is largely a decorative or forgotten item
sitting on a shelf gathering dust. Of course, you can never even begin
to understand the Bible without actually reading what it says (or
having it read to you if you are unable to for some reason).
Moreover, it's not enough to just read excerpts scattered here and there.
As large as the Bible is, there's a lot of ground to cover. We must read
a great deal-and carefully consider and study what we read.
In the words of the apostle Paul, "Study earnestly to present yourself
approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the Word of Truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, Modern King James Version). "Rightly
dividing" can also be literally translated as "cutting straight" (Analytical-Literal
Translation). The idea is to keep right to the line-to adhere exactly
to the Bible's teachings. The New American Standard Bible has "accurately
handling." Again, that requires a lot of reading and study. The word "workman" here
implies considerable and careful effort.
How, then, do we go about this important task? And how are we to properly
understand what we read?
The Bible explains what it means
The Bible contains a huge amount of information-presented in many
different ways. Sometimes the material is straightforward historical narrative.
Sometimes it's poetry. Sometimes it's meant to be taken literally. Sometimes
it uses figurative language, employing metaphors and symbols.
