Interpretation

Purpose of Interpretation

• explanation
• answers questions
• fills gaps in our knowledge
• paraphrase 
• identify main idea

Start with Context

Proximity

History

Type of Literature

Find the Correct Definitions

Paraphrase

Use good tools

Focus

Identify the Relationships

Goal

Pay attention

Seek

Focus

Identify the Main Idea

Goal

God's "big idea"

Basic Bible Study Library

www.e-sword.net
www.logos.com

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Mind the Gap

• language
• culture
• time
• geography

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Word Studies

• Danger: modern meaning
• Blessing: knowing full meaning

Word Studies

• Unabridged concordance
• Strong's numbering system

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Word Studies

• Use a word study tool

Word Studies

• Concisely paraphrase the term

Geographic Study

Why do a Geographic Study?

• Inspiration
• Understanding
• Context

Tools for a Geographic Study

• Bible maps
• Atlas
• Dictionaries / encyclopedias

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Historical Background Study

Why do a Historical Background Study?

• Inspiration
• Understanding
• Context

Tools for a Historical Background Study

• Encyclopedias
• Study Bible notes
• Bible history books

Biographical Study

Why do a Biographical Study?

• Inspiration
• Understanding
• Context

Procedure for a Biographical Study

• Gather tools
• Look up name in concordance
• Read all references in Bible
• Note context & take notes
• Synthesize & note character traits

Biographical Study of John Mark

• Acts 12, 13, 15
• Colossians 4:10 (Acts 4:36-37)
• Philemon 24
• 2 Timothy 4:11
• 1 Peter 5:1

Using Commentaries

Value of commentaries

• different point of view
• better skills
• appeal to authority

Time to use commentaries

• gain perspective on text
• after our own work
• criticize our work

Selecting a commentary

• What is the purpose?
• What skills must we have?
• Can we trust it?

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