Part 1 – Understanding the Bible starts with the right questions
Why do so many people find the Bible difficult?
Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself. You open the Bible, read a few chapters, and think: What is this actually about?
Some parts are easy to understand. Others seem complicated, ancient, or even contradictory. Maybe you’ve asked yourself:
- Is the Bible actually meant for ordinary people?
- Why are some parts so difficult?
- How do I know which explanation is correct?
Those are honest questions. And you’re certainly not the only one asking them.
The beautiful thing is that God never intended for His Word to be an unsolvable puzzle. The Bible sometimes requires study and patience, but it was written so that every person can get to know God.
The Bible is no ordinary book
The Bible is actually a small library.
It consists of 66 books, written by about 40 different authors over a period of about 1,500 years. Kings, shepherds, prophets, fishermen, and doctors all contributed to it.
Yet all those books ultimately tell one coherent story.
Paul writes about this: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
So the Bible is much more than a collection of old stories. It is God’s message to humanity.
One big story
Although the Bible consists of many different books, everything ultimately revolves around one big question:
How does God save man from sin?
From Genesis onwards, you see how man lives away from God. But you also see how God repeatedly takes the first step to restore the relationship.
God’s love runs like a thread through the entire Bible.
- God seeks man.
- God keeps His promises.
- God reveals His character.
- God ultimately sends Jesus as the Savior of the world.
After His resurrection, Jesus explained this Himself to two disciples:
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)
When you discover that the entire Bible ultimately points to Jesus, many separate stories suddenly fall into place.
Why do some parts seem difficult?
There are several reasons for that.
The Bible was written thousands of years ago. People lived differently then than we do now. They spoke different languages and had different customs. That doesn’t mean God’s message is outdated, but it does mean you sometimes first need to understand the time in which something was written.
Additionally, the Bible contains different types of texts. You’ll find history, poetry, prophecies, songs, letters, and parables. You simply read a poem differently than a historical account.
Furthermore, many Bible writers build on earlier events. If you don’t know that background, you can easily misunderstand a text.
Even Peter acknowledged that some Bible passages are tricky:
“…in which there are some things hard to understand…” (2 Peter 3:16)
In other words: if you sometimes find the Bible difficult, you’re not alone.
Never read a Bible verse out of context
One of the biggest mistakes people make is using a single Bible verse to build an entire doctrine.
Every text is part of a larger whole.
Therefore, always ask:
- Who is speaking here?
- Who is being spoken to?
- Why is this being said?
- What comes before it and what comes after it?
We call that the context.
Peter gives us an important principle:
“Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)
When you take the context into account, you often discover that a difficult text suddenly becomes much clearer.
The Bible explains itself
The safest way to understand the Bible is to compare the Bible with itself.
Many topics appear in multiple places. What is mentioned briefly in one Bible passage is explained in detail elsewhere.
That’s why it’s important not to rely on a single text, but to look at what the whole Bible says about a subject.
This way, you discover the complete picture step by step.
God wants you to understand His Word
Some people think that only pastors or theologians can truly understand the Bible.
Jesus says exactly the opposite.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
And He makes another wonderful promise:
“If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God…” (John 7:17)
God desires for you to get to know Him.
You don’t have to understand everything before you start reading.
You only need to be willing to search honestly.
Summary
The Bible was not written for a small group of scholars, but for everyone who wants to get to know God.
To understand the Bible well, four simple principles help:
- See the Bible as one big story.
- Take into account the time in which a text was written.
- Always read a text in its context.
- Compare Bible verse with Bible verse.
Whoever applies these principles will notice that the Bible becomes increasingly clear.
Remember this
Never read a single Bible verse on its own. Always read the chapter, pay attention to the context, and compare the text with other Bible passages. The Bible is its own best interpreter.
Think about it
- Have you ever found the Bible difficult?
- Which book of the Bible appeals to you the most?
- Do you usually read individual verses or a whole chapter?
- What question about the Bible would you like to see answered?
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your Word. Sometimes I find the Bible hard to understand, but I believe that You want to make Yourself known to everyone who sincerely seeks You.
Will You help me to read the Bible with an open heart? Give me wisdom to understand Your message and let Your Holy Spirit lead me, so that I discover more and more who You are.
Help me not only to gain knowledge, but also to live according to what I learn.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Next time: In part 2 you will discover one of the most important keys to Bible study: why the Bible is its own interpreter and how you can avoid misunderstanding Bible verses.
