Scriptural
Studies
How to Study the Scriptures?
Understanding the Scriptures Spiritually is a Key!
Nab B.
October 1, 2022
(Updated Sep 6, 2025)
The scriptures are likened to hidden treasures that require deep digging. The more you dig, the more you find! Designed that way, they sift the seeker from non non-seeker. (Pro 2:3-4)
The Scriptures are best understood spiritually; otherwise, you will miss their many parables, shadows, types, symbols, and signs.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63) ESV
"And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual." (1 Cor 2:13) ESV
Don't Get Answers from Humans!
Don't get your answers from religious authorities only. Pray also for the Spirit to guide you into "all truth".
Many Christians prefer to let others tell them what to believe rather than study the scriptures. For sure, teachers and shepherds are needed in the church (scriptural), but it was so until one matures in faith and knowledge.
Don't read the Bible as you would other books because the Spirit of God inspired its thoughts. The same Spirit is needed to fathom their depth.
Which Bible Translation to Use?
Don't stick to one translation. Compare as many as possible. Don't follow proponents of the KJV only movement. All translations have their own biases. The majority of translations are good and reliable.
Another thing: Don't rely heavily on paraphrastic translations. They can be too liberal and biased. Read word-for-word translations such as NKJV, NASB, KJV, ESV, etc. Better, use BLB literal translation. Better yet, use the Concordant New Testament Translation.
Translations are made by translators who often express their biased beliefs in their translations. Only the original Hebrew and Greek are pure texts. Fortunately, today, they can be easily consulted online. So, when you doubt a word or passage, check a Bible concordance for word meaning and usage in its original language. I often use these to check unclear words or passages.
If anything, avoid or limit Bible study aids. They are full of denominational biases and teachings. You run the risk of hearing the word of man rather than God's!
Although there are numerous Bible aids online, I use only a few. Be careful with commentaries. Consult them after you have come to your own conclusion. If you don't, they could influence your thinking.
Contexts, Cross-References, Words!
Pay close attention to contexts and cross-references for proper understanding. Contexts are a valuable way to examine the meaning of a passage. Cross-reference verses that share a common theme to gain a full picture of a subject. I mostly use context and cross-references.
There is more than one context. A passage can be clearer not only by the immediate context but also by another passage elsewhere in the Bible. A clear understanding must harmonize, not only with the immediate context but also with the rest of the scriptures.
When in doubt, check words and their meaning in the original Greek or Hebrew, here: https://biblehub.com/
Consult this valuable literal NT translation. It's the closest you can get to reading the original Greek in English, here: Concordant Literal New Testament.
Full Bible Resources Here: Bible Study Tools
"Hear What the Spirit is Saying"
(Rev 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22)
Seven times, Jesus Christ advised us to "Hear what the Spirit says," and to open our "eyes of understanding".
Make it your aim to depend less on human interpretation and thinking and more on God's interpretation and thinking through His Spirit. Use your faculty of reason and intellect fully.
Keep these scriptures in mind:
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Rev 2:7)
"My sheep hear my voice." (John 10:27)
"He (Jesus) opened their mind to understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:25) BLB
"The words I speak unto you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, He shall teach you all things." (John 14:26)
Read the Scriptures for a Reason!
Some read the Bible to adore it and nothing more! Others read it to gain head knowledge. Though useful, they can lead to spiritual poverty in the end!
Don't just love the Bible, love the one who inspired and communicated its thoughts. The scriptures constitute messages and revelations from God and Christ to those who love them.
Avoid what the Pharisees have done:
"You do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me." (John 5:38-39) ESV
Although they saw Jesus and knew the scriptures well, they failed to recognize him. The lesson: Read scriptures to get closer to God and Christ, not the other way around. Do not substitute the scriptures for the person of God and of Jesus Christ. The scriptures are only one of the ways to know. But the way of the Spirit goes even further when it dwells in the born-again believer.
If your aim is to know God and Christ well, reading the scriptures will be "pure joy".
“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
(John 14:23) ESV
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