Key to Study & Interpret the Bible

“It shall greatly help us in understanding Scripture if thou mark not only what is spoken or written,

but of whom and to whom,

with what words,

at what time,

where,

to what intent,

with what circumstances,

considering what goeth before and what followeth after.”

Miles Coverdale

Miles Coverdale, many, many years ago, herewith told students of the Scriptures that it is critical to “rightly divide” the Scriptures (2Tim 2:15), by thoughtful consideration of these points that he lists, seen above. These points establish proper context for interpretation.

We must be careful to not take what is written to people other than “the church which is His body” as being written to us. The entire Scripture is written for our learning (2Tim 3:16), but only a portion of Scripture is written specifically to the believing child of God who lives in this day of “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph 3:2).

All Scripture is addressed specifically either to “the Jew, Gentile, or the Church of God” 1Cor 10:32, yet all is for our learning.

Three Examples:

1. Moses law was spoken to the Israelites, not Christians who did not yet exist. Paul tells the Church we are “not under the law but under grace” (Rom 6:14). The law speaks only to those under the law Rom 3:19).

2. Jesus’ instructions to the disciples were to and concerning the Nation of Israel, not the Gentiles. Matthew 10:5-6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: ^{6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.}

3. Paul writes unto the Gentiles as their Apostle to be followed (1Cor 4:16, 11:1.)

Romans 11:13 For I (Paul) speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

The sad fact is that so many Christians play fast and loose with Scripture. Many spiritualize and apply the Bible metaphorically, when most is in to be fact taken literally.

Example: For one to take what is of and pertaining to Israel as being also of and to “the Church which is His body,” (Eph 1:22b-23a) is to pilfer what belongs to Israel.

Accordingly, I note that most Christians who misuse Scripture typically claim only the conditional promises of blessing given to Israel, “If thou …, I will…,” yet not the curses and consequences of the law. You will note that most “name it and claim it” presentations of the faith preachers are keyed to the Old Testament Scripture references, not the Pauline “dispensation of the grace of God;” for it is by Paul’s gospel that men will be judged (Rom 2:16, 16:25, 1Cor 14:37). Arthur J Licursi 12.1.04