How to Understand the Bible

A Guide for Beginners

Introduction

The Bible is the most influential and widely read book in human history. It is also the most misunderstood and misinterpreted book. Many people want to read the Bible, but they don’t know how to start or what to do. They may feel intimidated by its size, complexity, and diversity. They may have questions or doubts about its reliability, relevance, and authority. They may wonder how to apply its teachings and insights to their lives today.

If you are one of those people, this blog post is for you. In this post, I will share with you four simple steps that can help you read and understand the Bible better. These steps are not rules or formulas, but rather principles and suggestions that can guide you in your journey of discovering the treasures of God’s Word. By following these steps, you will be able to:

• Choose a Bible translation that suits your needs and preferences.
• Start with a plan that helps you read the Bible regularly and systematically.
• Apply some basic principles of interpretation that help you understand the Bible accurately and faithfully.
• Seek help from others who can enrich your understanding and application of the Bible.

My goal in this post is not to make you an expert or a scholar of the Bible, but rather to help you become a better reader and a more faithful follower of Jesus Christ. I hope that by reading this post, you will develop a deeper love and appreciation for the Bible, and a greater desire and passion to know God through His Word.

First Step: Choose a Bible Translation

The first step in reading and understanding the Bible is to choose a Bible translation that suits your needs and preferences. A Bible translation is a human attempt to render the original languages of the Bible (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) into another language (such as English). There are many different types of Bible translations, but they can be broadly classified into three categories:

• Literal translations aim to preserve the exact words and grammatical structures of the original languages as much as possible. They tend to be more accurate and consistent, but also more difficult and less natural to read. Some examples of literal translations are the King James Version (KJV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the English Standard Version (ESV).
• Dynamic translations aim to convey the meaning and intent of the original languages as clearly and smoothly as possible. They tend to be more readable and understandable, but also more interpretive and paraphrastic. Some examples of dynamic translations are the New International Version (NIV), the New Living Translation (NLT), and the Contemporary English Version (CEV).
• Paraphrase translations aim to restate the message of the original languages in a fresh and creative way. They tend to be more expressive and engaging, but also more subjective and looser. Some examples of paraphrase translations are The Message (MSG), The Living Bible (TLB), and The Amplified Bible (AMP).

There is no such thing as a perfect or best Bible translation. Each translation has its strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages. The best way to choose a Bible translation is to consider your purpose, level, and preference. For example:

Purpose

• If your purpose is to study the Bible in depth, you may want to use a literal translation that preserves the nuances and details of the original languages.
• If your purpose is to read the Bible for devotion or inspiration, you may want to use a dynamic translation that communicates the meaning and relevance of the original languages.
• If your purpose is to explore the Bible for curiosity or creativity, you may want to use a paraphrase translation that captures the essence and flavor of the original languages.

Level

• If your level is high, you may want to use a literal translation that challenges you to dig deeper into the text and learn more about its background and context.
• If your level is medium, you may want to use a dynamic translation that balances accuracy and readability, and helps you grasp the main points and applications of the text.
• If your level is low, you may want to use a paraphrase translation that simplifies and clarifies the text and makes it easier for you to follow along.

Preference

• If your preference is formal, you may want to use a literal translation that respects the dignity and authority of the text and maintains its traditional style and vocabulary.
• If your preference is casual, you may want to use a dynamic translation that adapts the text to modern language and culture and makes it more accessible and relatable.
• If your preference is creative, you may want to use a paraphrase translation that expresses the text in new ways and perspectives and makes it more interesting and appealing.

Of course, these are not hard-and-fast rules or categories. You can use different translations for different purposes.

Second Step: Start with a Plan

Reading the Bible can be a rewarding and enriching experience, but it can also be challenging and overwhelming. There are many books, chapters, verses, stories, and messages in the Bible, and it can be hard to know where to start and how to proceed. That’s why having a plan or a schedule for reading the Bible is important. A plan can help you:

• Set a realistic and achievable goal for reading the Bible.
• Stay focused and motivated on your reading.
• Track your progress and celebrate your achievements.
• Discover new insights and perspectives from different parts of the Bible.
• Avoid getting confused or discouraged by difficult or unfamiliar passages.

There are many different methods or approaches for reading the Bible, and you can choose the one that suits your preferences, interests, and needs. Some common methods or approaches are:

• Chronological: This method follows the historical order of events in the Bible, from creation to the end times. It can help you understand the context and timeline of the biblical story and how God’s plan unfolds throughout history.
• Thematic: This method groups together passages that share a common theme, topic, or message. It can help you explore the depth and richness of God’s character, promises, and commands, and how they apply to your life.
• Book-by-book: This method goes through each book of the Bible in its entirety, from Genesis to Revelation. It can help you appreciate the diversity and unity of the biblical literature, and how each book contributes to the overall message of the Bible.
• Other methods: There are also other methods that combine or vary these approaches, such as reading the Old and New Testaments simultaneously, reading a psalm and a proverb each day, reading the gospels in parallel, etc. You can also create your own method based on your personal goals and interests.

To help you create and follow a reading plan, there are many resources or tools that you can use. Some examples are:

• Apps: There are many apps that offer ready-made or customizable reading plans, as well as features like reminders, notes, bookmarks, audio versions, etc. Some popular apps are YouVersion Bible App, Bible Gateway App, ESV Bible App, etc.
• Websites: There are many websites that provide online access to various translations and versions of the Bible, as well as reading plans, commentaries, dictionaries, maps, etc. Some popular websites are Bible.com, BibleGateway.com, BlueLetterBible.org, etc.
• Books: There are many books that guide you through reading the Bible in a systematic or thematic way, as well as provide background information, explanations, reflections, questions, etc. Some popular books are The One Year Bible, The Daily Walk Bible, The Essential 100 Challenge Booklet (E100), etc.

Whatever method or resource you choose, remember that the most important thing is to read the Bible with an open heart and mind, and to seek God’s guidance and wisdom through prayer. As you read the Bible regularly and faithfully, you will grow in your knowledge and love of God and his word.

Third Step: Apply Some Basic Principles of Interpretation

Interpretation is the process of discovering the meaning and significance of a text. It is necessary for understanding the Bible because the Bible is not a simple book that can be read at face value. The Bible is a collection of ancient writings that were composed in different languages, cultures, times, and genres. Therefore, to understand what the biblical authors intended to communicate and how their original readers understood them, we need to apply some basic principles of interpretation.

Some of the basic principles or guidelines for interpreting the Bible are:

• Context: This means considering the historical, cultural, literary, and theological background of a text. Context helps us to avoid imposing our own assumptions or biases on the text and to appreciate its original setting and purpose.
• Genre: This means recognizing the type or style of literature that a text belongs to. Genre helps us to understand the conventions and expectations of a text and to avoid literalizing what is meant to be figurative or vice versa.
• Audience: This means identifying the intended or implied readers or hearers of a text. Audience helps us to understand the perspective and situation of the original recipients and to avoid universalizing what is meant to be specific or particular.
• Language: This means paying attention to the words, grammar, syntax, and figures of speech that a text uses. Language helps us to grasp the nuances and implications of a text and to avoid misreading or misunderstanding what is being said.

To illustrate how to apply these principles, let us look at some examples from different parts of the Bible:

• Psalm 23: This is a psalm, which is a genre of poetry that expresses emotions, thoughts, and prayers to God. Poetry often uses imagery, metaphors, parallelism, and other literary devices to convey its message. Therefore, we should not interpret this psalm literally as if David was actually a sheep or God was actually a shepherd. Rather, we should understand the psalm as a metaphor that expresses David’s trust and confidence in God’s care and guidance in his life.
• Matthew 5:38-48: This is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which is a genre of teaching that summarizes Jesus’ ethical and spiritual instruction for his disciples. Teaching often uses hyperbole, paradox, antithesis, and other rhetorical devices to emphasize its point. Therefore, we should not interpret this passage literally as if Jesus wanted us to turn our other cheek to anyone who slaps us or love our enemies as if they were our friends. Rather, we should understand the passage as a challenge that exposes our natural tendency to retaliate or hate and calls us to imitate God’s grace and mercy towards others.
• Revelation 13: This is part of the book of Revelation, which is a genre of apocalyptic literature that reveals God’s plan for the end times through visions, symbols, and numbers. Apocalyptic literature often uses imagery, allegory, numerology, and other symbolic devices to convey its message. Therefore, we should not interpret this chapter literally as if there was an actual beast with seven heads and ten horns or a mark with the number 666. Rather, we should understand the chapter as a symbol that portrays the evil and oppressive power of Rome and its emperor in contrast to the faithful and victorious power of Christ and his church.

Fourth Step: Seek Help from Others

Reading and understanding the Bible can be challenging, especially if you are new to the faith or have no one to guide you. The Bible is a collection of 66 books, written by different authors over a span of 1,500 years. It contains different genres of literature, such as history, poetry, prophecy, letters, and gospels. It also uses different languages, such as Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

Some of the words and expressions may not be familiar to you or may have different meanings in different contexts. Some of the cultural and historical backgrounds may not be clear to you or may require further research. Some of the passages may seem contradictory or confusing at first glance.

That is why it is important to seek help from others who have more knowledge and experience with the Bible. They can help you interpret the Scriptures correctly and apply them to your life. They can also answer your questions and doubts and encourage you in your spiritual growth.

There are many ways to seek help from others when reading the Bible. Here are some suggestions:

• Join a Bible study group. A Bible study group is a small group of people who meet regularly to read and discuss the Bible together. They can share their insights and perspectives and learn from each other. They can also pray for each other and support each other in their faith journey. You can find a Bible study group in your local church or start one with your friends or family members.
• Listen to sermons or podcasts. Sermons or podcasts are audio or video messages that explain and apply the Bible to various topics and situations. They can help you understand the main points and themes of a passage, and how they relate to your life. You can listen to sermons or podcasts from your church, or from other reputable sources online or offline.
• Read commentaries or books. Commentaries or books are written works that provide detailed explanations and analysis of the Bible. They can help you explore the historical and cultural background, the literary features, the theological implications, and the practical applications of a passage. You can find commentaries or books in your local library, bookstore, or online.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have explored some of the benefits and challenges of reading and understanding the Bible. We have seen how the Bible is a unique and powerful book that reveals God’s character, plan, and love for us. We have also discussed some of the common obstacles and misconceptions that can hinder our engagement with the Scriptures.

We hope that this post has inspired you to start or continue your journey of discovering the treasures and truths in God’s Word. Whether you are a new or seasoned reader, there is always something new to learn and apply from the Bible.

We encourage you to read it regularly, prayerfully, and in community with others who can help you grow in your faith and understanding. If you have any questions or feedback about this post or anything related to the Bible, please feel free to contact us through our website. We would love to hear from you and support you in your spiritual journey.

Thank you for reading and God bless you!

Other Resources

• How to Read and Understand the Bible for Beginners
• How to Study the Bible: One Meaning, Many Applications
• How to Understand the Bible: 21 Simple Methods for a Deeper Understanding
• How to Study the Bible for Beginners