How to Study the Bible | Step 2: REFLECT

Interpretation: What Does It Mean?

Luke 24:27 — Jesus interprets the Scriptures concerning Himself.

2 Peter 1:20–21 — No prophecy is a matter of one’s own interpretation.

“What’s the weirdest or most out-of-context Bible interpretation you’ve ever heard?”

People can make the Bible say almost anything if they skip good interpretation. Studying the Bible without proper interpretation is like grabbing a single puzzle piece and assuming you know what the whole picture looks like. Look at the puzzle piece below. What is the entire puzzle a picture of? Can you know for sure? Go ahead and have a guess for what the puzzle is a picture of and I’ll reveal the answer later.

In our previous blog, we looked at the first step in studying the Bible which is to actually read the Bible. But we do not just skim. We observe. Observation asks, “What does it say?” Today’s blog is step two: Reflect. In our second step, we use the skill of interpretation – which asks, “What does it mean?” In our next blog, step three will be, respond – which asks, “What do I do with it?” Here is a key truth in each of these steps: The Bible has one true meaning (what the original author intended for the original audience), but it has many applications for us today.

I.   Principles of Interpretation

1. Context is King
   • Never pull a verse out of its context.
   • Example: Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
     • Misuse: “I can win championships, get promotions, or do the impossible.”
     • True context: Paul is talking about contentment in any circumstance (having plenty or being in need).
     • Lesson: Christ strengthens us to endure and remain faithful, not to achieve worldly success.
2. Scripture Interprets Scripture
   • The Bible never contradicts itself. Clear passages help explain less clear ones.
   • Example: James 2:24 — “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
     • Misuse: “We’re saved by works.”
     • True context: James is not contradicting Paul; he’s addressing dead faith that produces no fruit.
     • Harmonized with Romans 3:28 — “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”
     • Lesson: Real faith is evidenced by real works.
3. Grammar & Words Matter
   • Pay attention to small words like “therefore,” “but,” “if,” and verb tenses.
   • Example: Matthew 7:1 — “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
     • Misuse: “Christians should never judge anyone.”
     • True context: In verses 2–5, Jesus condemns hypocritical judgment, not discernment.
     • Cross-reference: John 7:24 — “Judge with right judgment.”
     • Lesson: We are to judge with humility and fairness, not hypocrisy.
4. Author’s Intent, Not My Imagination
   • Ask: What did the author want the original audience to hear?
   • Example: Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you…”
     • Misuse: “God guarantees me a prosperous, pain-free life.”
     • True context: God’s promise was given to Israel in exile in Babylon, assuring them of future restoration after 70 years.
     • Application: While not written directly to us, it shows God’s faithfulness and sovereignty — we too can trust His good purposes even in trials.

Why do you think people are tempted to skip observation and jump straight to interpretation?

Have you ever misunderstood a passage until you studied the context more carefully?

How do we balance using study tools (commentaries, etc.) without relying on them too much?

What’s one verse that people often misinterpret, and what’s its true meaning?

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II. The Dangers of Misintrepretation

1. Distorted view of God – Misinterpretation can make God seem harsh, political, or partial instead of holy, loving, and just (Exodus 34:6–7).
2. Twisting Scripture to justify sin or power – Like Satan did in Matthew 4:6, people can quote verses out of context to defend injustice, greed, or violence — even using God’s Word to support nationalism, racism, or oppression.
3. Division and false teaching – When Scripture is taken out of context, it breeds sects, heresies, and confusion within the body of Christ (2 Peter 3:16–17).
4. Replacing the Gospel with ideology – Misinterpreting the Bible through a political or cultural lens turns faith into an agenda. Instead of exalting Christ’s Kingdom, it tries to merge it with earthly kingdoms (John 18:36).
5. Spiritual pride and deception – Wrong interpretation can make people feel self-righteous or superior, forgetting that truth must lead to humility and love (1 Corinthians 8:1).

Remember the puzzle piece? So what was your guess? Would you believe it was a puzzle piece from a picture of the Hollywood sign? Here’s the problem I want you to see: We should never guess in our interpretation. Truth is not subjective. Jesus is truth. He’s not one of many ways, He’s thee way. Remember how inaccurate your guess was. This puzzle had a thousand pieces. The Bible has over 31,000 verses. You can’t take one piece out and act like you know the whole picture.

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Another challenge from today’s blog: Pick one familiar verse (like John 3:16 or Romans 8:28). Write down its surrounding context and summarize the author’s intent in your own words. Remember, when you open the Bible, you’re not just reading an ancient document — you’re stepping into a divine conversation. God has spoken, and His Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). But if we mishandle His Word, we risk hearing our own voice instead of His. That’s why interpretation matters.

Luke 24:27 tells us that when Jesus walked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, “He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” What a moment that must have been — Jesus, the Author of Scripture, teaching how every story, law, and prophecy pointed back to Him! The key to interpreting Scripture rightly is to see it through the lens of Christ. Every page whispers His name.

But 2 Peter 1:20–21 reminds us that “no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation,” for “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” That means we don’t get to invent meanings or twist verses to fit our desires. We are not the authors — we are the stewards. Our task is to discover what God meant when He spoke, not what we wish He had said.

When we pull verses out of context or rely on emotion instead of sound interpretation, we end up with a distorted view of God — one that can lead to confusion, disappointment, or even disobedience. But when we honor context, compare Scripture with Scripture, pay attention to grammar, and seek the author’s intent, the Bible opens like a treasure chest. We begin to see God’s heart more clearly, His promises more deeply, and His truth more beautifully.Faithful interpretation protects us from error but also invites us into transformation. James 1:22 reminds us, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” When we interpret rightly, we don’t just gain knowledge — we gain direction. We hear what God is really saying to His people and learn how to live it out with clarity and conviction.

As you study this week, just like I’ve said and will continue to say in this blog series, slow down. Ask the right questions. Let Scripture speak for itself. Don’t rush past the meaning to get to the application. The goal isn’t just to finish a passage — it’s to fellowship with the Author. When we study the Bible correctly, we don’t just understand the text — we encounter the Truth. And the Truth has a name: Jesus Christ. Signing out for now. Talk to you again soon. Thanks for reading.