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How To Understand The Bible
(Tichaona Trymore Kamugogode is one of the many preachers supported by the Southside congregation. He labors in Harare, Zimbabwe.)
Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
2 Timothy 2.16-17
God’s word is the most unique book ever written. This collection of 66 separate books of history, poems, prophecies, biographies, and letters tells the greatest story in human history: How God man man, how mankind fell out of favor with God, and how God provides man with a way to be rescued from the consequences of sin.
Some people are confused by this collection of different types of literature. There is uncertainty about how to understand and use this book. But God is not trying to confuse us, and his word can be read, understood, and applied to every person’s life experience so that we can please him, serve him, and ultimately be saved by him. There are some simple steps that can help us in understanding the message from this important book. What does the Bible say?
Generally, the Bible is written in language that is easy to understand. Like any other written language, we must first read and understand what the Bible says. This involves answering simple questions, like “Who is involved?” “What are they doing and when and how are they doing it?” A second step in understanding God’s word is determining what the Bible means. This involves determining the message of a particular scripture. “Why is this written?” A third step in understanding God’s word is determining how the Bible applies to us. This involves the personal application of God’s word to our own lives. “What does it mean that I need to do?” Let us us a couple of examples to illustrate how these simple steps can help us understand God’s word.
First, notice Genesis 6.13-17: “And God said unto Noah, ‘The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is how thou shalt make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cuties, and the height of it thirty cubits. A light shalt thou make to the ark, and to a cubit shalt thou finish it upward; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. And I, behold, I do bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breadth of life, from under heaven; everything that is in the earth shall die.’”
What does the Bible say? God told (who) Noah to (what) build and ark, and gave specific instructions (how) on the size, components, and design.
What does the Bible mean? God said the reason to build this boat (why) was because he was going to destroy man with a flood of water which would cover all of the earth, and the boat was the only way to escape this disaster.
How should I apply it? God gave the command specifically to Noah, at a time when he had decided to destroy man because of sin. It does not apply to us, so there is nothing we need to do in response to this command. Even though the command does not apply to us, we can still learn from it. We learn God’s attitude towards sin. We learn that God’s punishment for sin is just. We learn that man brings destruction on himself through sinful behavior. But the command was given to Noah, not to anyone else.
Let us look at an example that is somewhat different. Jesus said to his apostles: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16.15-16).
What does the Bible say? Jesus told (who) his apostles to (what) preach the gospel to the entire world, and gave specific instructions on (how) the way to be saved and become one of his disciples.
What does the Bible mean? The gospel is the good news of salvation, and Jesus told his apostles that it needed to be preached to the whole world to save people (why) who would respond to it. Those who do not respond will be condemned.
How should I apply it? Jesus’ command and promise is continuous. The gospel is still able to save people today. So, the command to preach it continues. It applies to us; we are saved in the same way as the people in the first century were saved — by believing and obeying the gospel.
