Methods of Bible Study
ObservationInterpretation
CorrelationApplication
The Big Picture Observation – What does it say?
Interpretation – What does it mean?
Correlation – What other Scripture supports this?
Application – How does that work forme?
Figure 2Figure 1
Figure 3
Observation Exegesis
• Ex – out of
Eisegesis• Eis – into I think I feel I believe I heard that
http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/dispen/literal.htm
Observation Read
• Start with your favorite version
• Try two or three different versions
List• Names• Places• Chronological data
• Similarities• Differences
ObservationWhen observing a
passage ask
• Who• What • When• Where• How
Warning, this is not for the faint of heart. Please avoid
Interpretation
Application
Interpretation
Interpretation Genres
• Law• History• Poetry• Prophecy• Parables• Epistles (Letters)• Apocalyptic
Interpretation Genres
• Law• History• Poetry• Prophecy• Parables• Epistles (Letters)• Apocalyptic
Interpretation Author and Date
• Old Testament writers – Law, poetry, or prophecy? Prophecy—which captivity?
• New Testament writers – Which Gospel? Epistles—Which writer or missionary journey?
Interpretation
Grammar Subjects Verbs How clauses relate to each other How are prepositional phrases used
Word usage
Interpretation
If the plain sense makes sense, seek no other sense.
David Cooper