Biblical Studies / Bible Interpretation

  • How to Study the Bible

    2 Timothy 3:14–17

    As we have said many times before, the church is not infallible but it is wise. If we neglect the wisdom of historic, orthodox, biblical Christianity, then we will make many mistakes in interpretation and application. We must study privately ...Read More

  • Conceited Know-Nothings

    1 Timothy 6:2b-4a

    It can be easy to know all of the right methods for interpreting the Word of God and yet at the same time not obey its precepts. This happens all too often in the Christian community when believers, consciously or ...Read More

  • Fleshly Persecution

    Galatians 4:28–31

    Professing Christians throughout our land are compromising the truth of the gospel to get along with false teachers and others who clearly reject the biblical gospel and the lifestyle it promotes. Martin Luther responds with this sober warning: “Whoso will ...Read More

  • Typology Versus Allegory

    Galatians 4:25–27

    John Calvin comments, “The true meaning of Scripture is the natural and obvious meaning; and let us embrace and abide by it resolutely. Let us not only neglect as doubtful, but boldly set aside as deadly corruptions, those pretended expositions ...Read More

  • Listening to the Law

    Galatians 4:21–24

    Tomorrow we will examine in more detail the actual approach Paul takes in Galatians 4:21–31. For now, note that the search for hidden meanings in Scripture violates the perspicuity or clarity of God’s Word. The Bible is ...Read More

  • First Timothy

    1 Timothy 1:1-2

    Take time to read through the letter of 1 Timothy in preparation for our study over the next few months. Consider the problems and issues Paul discusses in this letter and how they manifest themselves in the church today. Ask ...Read More

  • The Pastoral Epistles

    2 Timothy 1:14

    Today’s passage summarizes a theme that runs throughout the Pastoral Epistles, namely, our need to guard the deposit entrusted to us. This deposit is the prophetic and apostolic word of salvation found in the Bible, which is entirely trustworthy ...Read More

  • Against the Law

    Romans 3:31

    Perhaps it is better to say that new covenant believers ought never consider the Mosaic law alone. That is, we must view it through the lens of the “law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Jesus, when asked about the greatest ...Read More

  • Paul’s View of the Apostles

    Galatians 2:6

    Critical to today’s passage is the understanding that the Jerusalem apostles added nothing to Paul’s gospel. Paul was called later, but that did not make his preaching deficient. At any rate, in the final analysis there are no ...Read More

  • The Galatian Problem

    Galatians 1:6–7

    Martin Luther’s commentary on Galatians states, “Since Paul by his own experience teaches us that congregations which are won by great labor are easily and soon overthrown, we ought with singular care to watch against the devil ranging everywhere ...Read More

  • The Judgment of Jerusalem

    Matthew 24:29–31

    Today’s passage reminds us of our need to read each biblical passage according to the type of literature it happens to be. For example, passages that are apocalyptic (symbolic depictions of God’s wrath and vindication) cannot be read ...Read More

  • Desecrating the Sanctuary

    Matthew 24:23–28

    In the days ahead we will look further at how the destruction of Jerusalem vindicates Jesus’ teaching and how it resulted from the nation’s rejection of the Messiah. For now, be reminded of the disaster that ensues when we ...Read More

  • Running for the Hills

    Matthew 24:15–22

    Jesus words in today’s passage indicate that it is not necessarily wrong for believers to flee when calamity comes or when men rise to persecute the church. Certainly, if we are caught we must be willing to die for ...Read More

  • Signs of the End

    Matthew 24:9–14

    The fact that the Gospel had been proclaimed to the Roman world by the late middle of the first century does not mean that the task of world evangelization has been completed. People from every tribe, nation, and tongue will ...Read More

  • Peter, the Rock

    Matthew 16:13–20

    When we study Scripture, we should be careful not to let the excesses of opposing positions unduly influence our own applications of the text. All the teachings of those with whom we disagree may not necessarily be wrong, and we ...Read More