2nd Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
In this passage of scripture we are told in the plainest language possible, that there is no such thing as our private interpretation to the Bible. The apostle Peter delineates for us how the scriptures came to be, for it was given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and therefore both the word and the Holy Spirit must be consulted, if we desire a correct interpretation of the scriptures.
First of all, the study of the Bible must always begin with prayer, so that the Holy Ghost can guide our minds, and thereby save us from the error of imposing our own interpretation on the various verses. This first and necessary step is in line with the promise that Christ made to us, when he described the office and work of the Holy Spirit. Let's read:
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
The next important factor for us to consider in any interpretation of the scriptures, is that the Bible never contradicts itself, and therefore must be studied carefully by comparing line upon line. The habit of using a single verse to build an entire doctrine or belief system upon is productive of the greatest evils, for the Bible is written in such a way as to explain itself using different passages on the same topic, stacked harmoniously and methodically on top of one another. Let's read:
Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
Another critically important factor in the correct interpretation of scripture is that of believing what is written therein. A spirit of doubt and skepticism causes the plainest passages of holy writ to be shrouded in mystery, whereas if we cultivate a ready and willing mind, the truths will be made plain to our understanding. The prerequisite of a believing mindset cannot be overemphasized, for it is the means whereby access to God, and all spiritual things of an uplifting nature, is granted. Let's read:
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
The last, but certainly not the least issue pertaining to the correct interpretation of scripture we will examine, is the necessity to study and believe both the old and new testaments, for both were inspired by God. The bulk of the Bible is actually made up of the old testament, and therefore any attempt to separate the old from the new will inevitably lead to confusion and private interpretations. Christ alluded to the necessity of believing the old testament writings as being totally essential to a proper exegesis and understanding of what was to later be the new testament. Let's read:
John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
In our day there are several churches, denominations, and evangelical institutions that pride themselves on a specialization of new testament interpretation, while the gold mines of truth to be found in the old testament remain largely untapped. It is virtually impossible to properly understand the new testament without the information and prophecies of the old, which find their fulfillment in the new. That's why we are given the following passage of scripture to remind us that the entire word of God is meant for every generation. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
One of the main reasons for the gross misinterpretation of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, is because of a neglect of the old testament teachings on the non-immortality of the soul, where it is clearly stated that the dead are very dead, until the voice of the Son of God calls them back to life at the last trump, or at the second resurrection. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Job 7:9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. 10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
In our study of the scriptures, let us then be careful not to impose our own preconceived ideas and beliefs on the passages contained therein, but let us rather come to the study of God's word with a childlike attitude, and the spirit of a humble learner, for all who thus seek the Lord to be taught and instructed by Him, will never come away disappointed. Let's read:
Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
May God grant us His grace that this would be our experience, now and forever. God bless!