Introduction: Why Interpretation Matters
Interpreting the Bible is one of the most sacred and transformative tasks entrusted to believers. It is more than a method of gaining knowledge; it is a spiritual discipline that shapes our identity, informs our theology, and equips us for faithful living. Scripture is not just a historical document—it is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), living and active (Heb. 4:12), and speaks to both the individual and the community of faith. It is digging into the wisdom God is sharing with us in His word. Interpretation is squeezing the juice in the Word. How we interpret it directly impacts how we know God, how we live in the world, and how we lead others in truth.
“The more I interpret Scripture, the more Scripture interprets me—and transforms me into the likeness of Christ.”
For me, interpreting the Bible is both a personal joy and a communal responsibility. It is a practice rooted in reverence, shaped by theological tools, and nourished by dialogue with others in the Body of Christ.
A Journey of Discovery and Transformation
Interpreting the Bible is a sacred endeavor that requires diligence, humility, and a willingness to engage with the divine. As a follower of Christ, I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, containing the story of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. When I approach Scripture, I do so with reverence, recognizing that it is a complex and multifaceted text that demands careful consideration.
Understanding how to interpret the Bible personally is essential. Here are seven transformative benefits, each with supporting Scripture:
1. Spiritual Growth and Maturity
The Powerful Importance of Personally Interpreting Scripture
Personally, interpreting the Bible is foundational for spiritual growth and maturity. We must be able to discern God’s truth and apply it to our lives.
📖 2 Timothy 3:16–17
“All Scripture is God-breathed… so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2. Discerning Truth from Error
Personal interpretation helps us recognize and reject false teachings.
📖 1 John 4:1
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits…”
“When we interpret Scripture with integrity, we develop discernment that protects our faith.”
3. Applying Scripture to Life
Proper interpretation enables us to live out the Word.
📖 James 1:22–25
“Do not merely listen to the word… Do what it says.”
4. Personal Conviction and Assurance
Interpreting Scripture brings confidence and assurance in our faith.
📖 Hebrews 11:1
“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
5. Effective Witness and Evangelism
It equips us to communicate our faith clearly and respectfully.
📖 1 Peter 3:15
“Always be prepared to give an answer… with gentleness and respect.”
6. Personal Encounters, Fellowship, and Communion
Personal interpretation deepens our fellowship with God and others.
📖 1 Corinthians 1:9
“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son…”
7. Stirring Deep Joy and Intimacy
Engaging deeply with Scripture brings joy and a closer walk with God.
📖 Psalm 119:162
“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.”
📖 Jeremiah 15:16
“Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts..”
Interpreting the Bible in Community
A Shared Journey of Revelation
Scripture was written for communities of faith, not individuals in isolation. From Israel’s reception of the Torah to the early church’s reading of apostolic letters, the Bible has always been meant to be read with others. I engage Scripture through:
- Small groups
- Peer theological discussions
- Mentorship
- Church and academic Bible study
“Each believer brings a unique lens—when we read together, we reflect the fullness of the body of Christ.”
One of the most life-giving aspects of communal interpretation is the diversity of perspectives. Each believer brings a unique background, cultural lens, and spiritual journey to the table. When we read together—especially across generations, cultures, and denominations—we more fully reflect the richness of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12–27). What I may overlook, someone else may illuminate. What I may misinterpret, another may clarify through prayerful insight or lived experience.
I still live in and with the joy of how a truly God breathed group Bible study can grant you access to deep light of the Scripture. It was in one if such group study that I saw the beautiful reason God told Moses to pick the snake by the tail and the reason God turned Moses’s rod into a serpent. That insight further sparked hunger for deeper revelation of God’s word
In group settings, I often begin with questions like, “What do you see here that moves you?” and “How does this passage challenge or comfort you?” These questions create space for the Spirit to speak not just through scholars or pastors but through everyday believers who are themselves living epistles (2 Cor. 3:2–3).
Spiritual Friendship and Interpretive Accountability
In one-on-one discipleship, interpretation becomes relational and transformational. We hold each other accountable and sharpen one another, just as Proverbs 27:17 affirms:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
I had a friend when I first came into the city of Abuja. He was sent to follow me up when I visited the church for the first time. We formed a great bond and we started a Bible study challengewhich was tagged study the Bible 360. It was eye opening. I remember reading through the Psalm and seeing that David actually prophesied about Jesus in many ways. The depth and clarity was mind blowing. I never saw Psalm from the Messianic point if view until we engaged in that study.
We read not just for information, but for transformation. We ask each other hard questions. We hold each other accountable to live out what the Word commands. We learn to listen—not just to Scripture, but to how the Spirit uses Scripture to shape our hearts.
In these spaces, humility is key. I bring my insights, but I also expect to be challenged.
My Tools and Methods for Studying Scripture
A. Theological Frameworks and Hermeneutical Principles
I begin all interpretation with this presupposition: The Bible is the authoritative, inspired Word of God, and it must be read with the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). From that starting point, I apply several layers of hermeneutical tools to draw meaning from the text.
1. Historical-Cultural Context
Understanding the world behind the text is essential.
Resources I use:
- Bible Background Commentaries (e.g., Craig Keener’s IVP Bible Background Commentary)
- Lexicons and cultural handbooks (e.g., The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times)
- Historical atlases to situate narratives in their geopolitical context
This helps avoid anachronistic readings and brings the author’s intent into clearer view.
2. Literary and Genre Analysis
I read the Bible as literature—rich in poetry, narrative, prophecy, apocalyptic vision, and epistle.
Each genre requires special attention:
- Narratives — plot, character, and theological arc
- Poetry — metaphor and emotional depth
- Epistles — argument flow and church application
B. The Inductive Method: Observation, Interpretation, Application
This three-step method keeps my study rooted in the text and the Spirit:
- Observation – What does it say?
- Interpretation – What does it mean?
- Application – What does it demand of me?
“I often sit with a passage for days, even weeks, letting it read me before I dare read it.”
C. Canonical and Christocentric Reading
I trace redemptive themes across Scripture and interpret everything through Christ, the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17). As the Word made flesh (John 1:14), Christ is the center and culmination of God’s revelation. All faithful interpretation must ultimately point to Him.
Favorite Tools and Resources
🛠️ Tools I frequently use:
- Logos Bible Software – deep word studies and commentaries
- ESV and NIV Study Bibles – footnotes and references
- BibleProject – visual storytelling and canonical themes
- Systematic Theology Texts – doctrinal grounding (e.g., Grudem, Erickson)
- NICOT/NICNT Commentaries – exegetical depth
- Bible Journaling – prayers, reflections, and spiritual insight
Conclusion: Scripture as a Lifelong Companion
Interpreting the Bible is not something I do just to prepare sermons or write papers. It is a sacred rhythm of my life. It is where I meet the God who speaks, convicts, heals, and commissions. In private devotion and communal study, with high-powered software and handwritten notes, I approach Scripture with a reverent heart and a teachable spirit. What excites me most is that Scripture is inexhaustible.
“Each time I return to Scripture, the Spirit whispers something new. Not because the meaning has changed—but because I have.”
This is why I will never graduate from Bible study. Scripture interprets me as much as I interpret it.
📖 Psalm 119:18
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”