{"id":1165,"date":"2026-08-01T15:47:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T15:47:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebiblereveals.org\/series-how-to-read-and-understand-the-bible-part-2\/"},"modified":"2026-08-02T12:40:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T12:40:10","slug":"series-how-to-read-and-understand-the-bible-part-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thebiblereveals.org\/en\/series-how-to-read-and-understand-the-bible-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Series: How to read and understand the Bible – part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Part 2 \u2013 The Bible is its own interpreter<\/h2>\n\n

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Can the Bible explain itself?<\/h4>\n\n

Imagine you’re putting together a thousand-piece puzzle.<\/p>\n\n

You would never look at just one puzzle piece and think you understand the whole picture, right?<\/p>\n\n

Yet that often happens with the Bible.<\/p>\n\n

People read one isolated verse and draw a conclusion from it. But just like a puzzle, one piece never shows the entire image. <\/p>\n\n

God has given His Word in such a way that different Bible passages complement each other. That’s why one of the most important rules for Bible study is: <\/p>\n\n

Compare Scripture with Scripture.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The whole Bible tells the same story<\/h4>\n\n

Although the Bible consists of 66 books, it ultimately speaks with one voice.<\/p>\n\n

God does not change.<\/p>\n\n

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”<\/em> (Hebrews 13:8)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

“For I am the LORD, I do not change.”<\/em> (Malachi 3:6)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Because God does not change, He also does not contradict Himself.<\/p>\n\n

When two Bible verses seem to contradict each other, it’s usually a sign that we don’t see the complete picture yet.<\/p>\n\n

Clear passages help explain difficult ones<\/h4>\n\n

Not every Bible verse is equally simple.<\/p>\n\n

Peter already knew that too.<\/p>\n\n

“…in which are some things hard to understand…”<\/em> (2 Peter 3:16)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

That’s why you never start with the most difficult text.<\/p>\n\n

First read the Bible passages that speak clearly about the same subject.<\/p>\n\n

Those help you to better understand more difficult sections.<\/p>\n\n

It’s exactly like making a puzzle: first the clear pieces, then the difficult ones.<\/p>\n\n

Jesus did exactly the same<\/h4>\n\n

When Jesus was on earth, He constantly explained the Scriptures by bringing in other Bible passages.<\/p>\n\n

After His resurrection, something special happened.<\/p>\n\n

“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”<\/em> (Luke 24:27)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Jesus didn’t use just one verse.<\/p>\n\n

He used the whole Bible<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

That is an example for us.<\/p>\n\n

An example<\/h4>\n\n

Suppose someone only reads these words: “God is love.”<\/em> (1 John 4:8)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

That is completely true.<\/p>\n\n

But if you only read that one verse, you might think that God never judges justly.<\/p>\n\n

However, if you read the rest of the Bible, you discover that God is not only loving, but also holy, just, patient, and merciful.<\/p>\n\n

All those attributes together give the complete picture of His character.<\/p>\n\n

That’s why it’s dangerous to isolate one verse from the rest of the Bible.<\/p>\n\n

The Holy Spirit wants to help you<\/h4>\n\n

Bible study is more than just gathering knowledge.<\/p>\n\n

God wants us to understand His Word.<\/p>\n\n

That’s why He promised His Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n\n

Jesus said: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.”<\/em> (John 16:13)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

That doesn’t mean we don’t have to think anymore.<\/p>\n\n

On the contrary.<\/p>\n\n

We can pray for wisdom and carefully examine what the Bible says.<\/p>\n\n

Examine it yourself<\/h4>\n\n

The inhabitants of Berea received a wonderful compliment.<\/p>\n\n

“They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”<\/em> (Acts 17:11)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Notice what’s happening here.<\/p>\n\n

Even when an apostle spoke, they didn’t just take his words for granted.<\/p>\n\n

They went to investigate for themselves what the Bible said.<\/p>\n\n

God also encourages you to read for yourself, compare for yourself, and discover for yourself.<\/p>\n\n

The Bible forms one whole<\/h4>\n\n

From Genesis to Revelation, you see the same God every time.<\/p>\n\n

The same love.<\/p>\n\n

The same truth.<\/p>\n\n

The same plan of salvation.<\/p>\n\n

The more you get to know the Bible, the more you discover that all the books are connected.<\/p>\n\n

That’s what makes Bible study so special.<\/p>\n\n

Summary<\/h4>\n\n

A reliable interpretation of the Bible doesn’t start with one isolated verse.<\/p>\n\n

Always read multiple Bible passages about the same subject.<\/p>\n\n

Clear passages help explain difficult ones.<\/p>\n\n

And never forget that the Bible ultimately tells one big story about God’s love and plan of salvation.<\/p>\n\n

Remember this<\/h4>\n\n

Never build your faith on a single Bible verse. Always compare different Bible passages with each other. That way, you let the Bible explain itself. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Think about it<\/h4>\n\n