Practical Rules of Interpretation

Practical Rules of Interpretation

Translation
Correct translation is critical to understanding.
Example: Immanuel -- God with us (Matthew 1:23)
Example: Pascha is translated Easter instead of Passover (Acts 12:4)

Context
   a. Who speaks?
   b. Who is spoken to?
   c. Do the scriptures before and after clarify the context?

Topic, central thread, or theme
The great rhetorical question of I Corinthians 1:13 sets the tenor of the epistle. That is, from one's calling to the resurrection Christ is not divided.

Time frame, chronology, order of events
Example: Revelation 14:9, The third angel's message could be taken as the Church's commission. If concepts are taken out of their time frame it can lead to wrong conclusions.

Symbolism
Example: Hebrews 12:22-23 refers to the Church and not to literal Zion.
Example:Psalm 87:607 is a prophecy about the Church, not just physical Zion.

Use of allegory
Example: In Galatians 4:22-24 and Isaiah 54:1 the New Testament Church is depicted.

Relationship of one scripture to another. The Bible agrees with itself.
Sometimes there are apparent contractions, but the same spirit inspires it all.
Example: Acts 15:19 - The Gentiles are told not to eat meat offered to idols. Paul came to see in I Corinthians 8 that meat or the idol is nothing, but if it caused offense to one's brother it was sin. The Gentiles were coming out of idolatry and thus should not practice any of the elements of false religion. Even though the eating of the meat was lawful, it was not expedient.

Definition of words, terms, etc.
Example: A careful use of concordances, lexicons, and commentaries can be helpful.