There’s one thing you can do as a Christian that’s more important than anything else. Study the Bible. But sometimes it can feel overwhelming. With so many different authors, genres, and cultural contexts, how can we be sure we’re interpreting it correctly? That’s where hermeneutics comes in—a fancy word that simply means the method of interpreting the Bible properly.

Here are three key principles of interpretation to help you study the Bible with confidence.

First, Scripture interprets Scripture. The Bible is the best interpreter of itself. Since all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), we can trust that it is consistent. When we come across a difficult passage, we should look at other parts of the Bible for clarity.

For example, James 2:24 says, “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” At first glance, this seems to contradict Paul’s teaching in Romans 3:28, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” But when we examine Scripture as a whole, we see that James and Paul are addressing different issues. Paul is refuting legalism, the belief that we can earn salvation by adhering to the Moral Law. James is addressing those who claim to have faith but show no evidence of it. Together, these passages reveal that a true Christian will produce good works.

When faced with difficult passages, start with clear teachings before tackling difficult ones. Also, use well-established doctrines like the Trinity and salvation by grace as a guide. Remember, don’t build your theology on isolated or obscure verses. The Bible is a unified whole, and no single verse should be interpreted in a way that contradicts the rest of Scripture.

Second, context interprets Scripture. One of the biggest mistakes in Bible study is taking verses out of context. Every verse belongs within a larger passage, and understanding the setting, audience, and historical background is essential for proper interpretation. Remember, never read a Bible verse.

One of the most common verses taken out of context is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” This verse is often used as motivation for personal success. However, in context, Paul writes this while imprisoned for preaching the gospel. He’s encouraging the Philippian church to endure persecution and suffering by relying on Christ as their strength. He isn’t saying we can achieve anything we set our minds to. He is teaching that Christ gives strength to endure every situation.

By keeping verses in context, we understand what the author truly intended. Here are three questions you can ask yourself that will help you interpret Scripture correctly: What is the surrounding context? Who is the audience? What is the historical or cultural background?

Third, the author’s intent interprets Scripture. Every book of the Bible was written with a specific purpose to specific people. Understanding the author’s intent helps you interpret Scripture correctly. A big part of this is recognizing the genre (history, poetry, prophecy, etc.) and reading accordingly.

For example, Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.” This verse is often quoted to say that without a dream, strategy, or inspiring vision, people will fail.

This verse isn’t about leaders needing a vision statement. It’s about the necessity of God’s Word for moral and spiritual order, which is made clear in the second half of the verse. When people ignore or reject God’s truth, they fall into moral confusion and disorder.

To make sure you understand authorial intent, ask yourself these three questions: What was the author’s purpose? What genre is this passage? How would the original audience have understood it?

Remember, the Bible was not written to you. It was written to specific people, at a specific time in history, for a specific purpose. By seeking the author’s intent, we avoid reading modern assumptions into the text and instead discover its true meaning.

Reading your Bible isn’t just about checking off a devotional checkbox—it’s about understanding God’s Word so we can grow closer to him. If you put into practice these three principles, you’ll develop a strong foundation for biblical interpretation. So, grab your Bible, take your time, and dig deep—God’s Word is worth it!