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Table of Content 1
Study of Supporting Peripheral areas Affecting Hermeneutics
Personal Introduction
Goal
Objective's
Course Introduction
Who should take this course
Hermeneutically Teaching the Word
Merrill C Tenny Quote
Terms to be Familiar With
What is Hermeneutics
What is Exegesis
What is Eisegesis
What do you think about the state of today’s church (Movie)
Bible knowledge Survey
Discerning the Will of God
Objections to learning proper Bible Interpretation
The Internal Claims of Scripture
Biblical Spiritual Qualifications of an Interpreter
EXPECT PERSECUTION FOR SPEAKING BIBLICAL TRUTH
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Why are there so many
different
Christian
Bible interpretations?
Ministries Hiram E. Sutton
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Table of Content Overview 2
Study of Hermeneutics
INTERPRETING THE BIBLE OBJECTIVELY (Movie)
Which Bible Version to Study From
What is Hermeneutics
Source of Biblical Interpretation
Benefits of Hermeneutics
Inappropriate Methods by Dr. Bob Utley, Professor of
Hermeneutics (Retired)
The Interpretation Process
The Language of the Bible
The Literal Interpretation Principle of the Bible Types and Antitypes
The Grammatical Principle
The Cultural Principle
The Contextual Principle
The Historical Principle
Scripture Interprets Scripture Principle
The Progressive Principle
The Accommodation Principle
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Table of Content Overview 3
Study of Hermeneutics
The One Interpretation Principle
The Harmony of Scripture Principle
The Genre
Figures of Speech in the Bible
Interpretation of Prophecy Principles 1
Interpreting Prophecy according to the law of double reference
Interpretation of Prophecy Language Principle
Interpretation of Prophecy Historical Background Principle
Interpretation of Prophecy Passage Parallel Principle
Types and Antitypes
References used for this Presentation
Recommended Books / Websites
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
Reduce Biblical Ignorance among Believers
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
Enable believers:






To defend the faith (2 Pet 3:15)
To contend for the faith (Jude 3)
Prepare for discipleship and teaching work (Matt 28:19)
To enable believers to “correctly” interpret scripture on their own
Correctly discern between good and evil (1 John 4:1, Eph 4:14, Heb
5:13-14)
To equip and build others within the church (Eph 4:11-12, Acts 18:2426)
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 The
fact that God has spoken in Holy Scripture is at the
heart of our faith.
 This
Therefore it’s important for us to make certain what God has said
task should not be approached carelessly or half
heartily but with fear, trembling and prudence
 Upon
the “correct interpretation” of the Bible rests the
doctrine of the foundation of our faith i.e., doctrinal
understanding of person of Christ, salvation, sanctification,
the nature of God, the study of prophecy and other
important biblical doctrines and ultimately our eternal
destiny
 The
correct interpretation can be done only if we have
carefully, thoroughly and systematically apply the system
of bible interpretation which will yield the meaning that the
bible writer intended to convey as they wrote under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit
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

Further, we need to know the correct method of Biblical
Interpretation so that we do not confuse the voice of God
with that of man
This should leads us to the questions:

1.
How do we bridge the linguistic, cultural, and historical
gaps between us today and that of the writers of the Bible
2.
What are the guiding principles that will help us build
the bridge as we address these gaps?
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
In order for the local church to grow in grace and knowledge of God's
word, remain healthy, be ready to address an every changing culture,
remain strong during times of adversity. God’s “whole” eternal truth must
be consistency taught by its servants, obeyed in the walk of life, expressed
in worship, utilized in the work of service.

Neh 8:8-9
Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita,
Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while
the people remained in their place.
They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that
they understood the reading.
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There is a distinct difference between preaching and teaching.


"Preaching" (Greek: ceruse) is to proclaim, publish, or herald the Good News.

“Teaching (Greek didaskō, did-as´-ko) is to systematically and objectively instruct, guide, and apply others through
the Word of God. With the direction of the Holy Spirit, both can ultimately lead to a person's salvation.
In general, preaching should be used for the unsaved while teaching should be used for the saved. In comparing the
two, the Bible clearly places greater emphasis on teaching over preaching. Jesus himself was often times referred to as
"Teacher" (Matt. 8:19, 12:38, 19:16, 22:24) or "Rabbi" (John 1:38). Additionally, many New Testament passages allude to
teaching more clearly:


"Command and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:11)

"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." (Titus 2:1)

"Those who oppose him he must gently instruct..." (2 Timothy 2:25)
However, we are not to neglect preaching. Jesus tells us to, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
(Mark 16:15). Paul tells us to, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season, correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great
patience and careful instruction." (2 Timothy 4:2)

Within our society today we can clearly see two distinct types of pastors and ministers within our churches.


There are those who "preach" the Word

Then there are those who "teach" the Word.
The Study of Hermeneutics can and will enable the servant in the Lord to be a workman that’s equip to perform the
ministry God call has called them to. (2 Tim 2:15) A teacher or preacher who employs hermeneutics no doubt will be more
effective for the cause of Christ in both preaching and teaching believers. (Eph4:11-12)

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(http://www.bibleteacher.org/con_4.htm)
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
All of those who have been “Born again by the
Spirit of God” so that we may effectively engage
in the good works of God in which we where save
to serve in. (Eph 2:10)
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Keep in Mind
"The Bible was written in an environment that is now
unfamiliar to most of its readers. The individual
realization of the modern world with its new
facilities, products, and problems is quite different
from the social and economic conditions described in
the Bible. Some of its language is puzzling, and can
easily be misconstrued if one does not have some
explanation of the ancient background."
Merrill C. Tenney
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
Hermeneutics

Exegesis

Eisegesis
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
Hermeneutics is the science and art of biblical
interpretation to discover what the author’s intended
meaning was, when he wrote under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit.


It is a science because there exists a systematic, mechanical,
and formulated approach to the interpretation process.
It is an art because it involves an individual's talent, skills,
and knowledge to perform the task of interpreting the
Scriptures.
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
Exegesis is the “application of hermeneutics”
which seeks to extract from the Scriptural text that
meaning which is already present. (Roy B. Zuck,
Basic Bible Interpretation, p.22)

Good biblical exegesis is actually commanded in
scripture. “Study [be diligent] to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
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
Eisegesis - A subjective method of interpretation by which
one introduces their own opinions into the text.
This typically is done at the expense of either the language
(Hebrew, Greek) and or context of passage or the historical
setting or the context of the subject as found in the whole
of scripture

Avoid this method at all Cost
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

What do you think about the state of today’s church?
The purpose of showing you this video is give you a sense of mission and focus as
it pertains to the study of Hermeneutics
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
According to a Gallup Poll:

Only half of adults interviewed nationwide could name any of the four
Gospels of the New Testament.

Just 37% of those interviewed could name all four Gospels.

Only 42% of adults were able to name as many as five of the Ten
Commandments correctly.

Seven in ten (70%) were able to name the town where Jesus was born,
but just 42% could identify him as the person who delivered the
Sermon on the Mount.
http://www.theologicalstudies.org/page/page/1572910.htm
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
Researcher George Barna has also documented the lack of
Bible knowledge in the United States:

38% of Americans believe the entire Bible was written several
decades after Jesus' death and resurrection (While this is true of the
New Testament, the entire Old Testament was written hundreds of
years before the birth of Jesus Christ).

12% of adults believe that Noah's wife was Joan of Arc.

49% believe that the Bible teaches that money is the root of all evil. (The
love of money is said to be the root of all types of evil).

75% believe that the Bible teaches that God helps those who help
themselves. 10

http://www.theologicalstudies.org/page/page/1572910.htm
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
Consider the following statistics regarding “born again” believers:[1]










35% believe that Jesus Christ was crucified but He never had a physical
resurrection
28% believe that when Jesus Christ lived on earth He committed sins
46% claim that Satan is “not a living being but is a symbol of evil.”
1/3 believes if a person is good enough, then he or she earn a place in Heaven.
1 out of 4 believes it doesn’t matter what faith you follow because all religions
teach the same lessons.
52% reject the existence of the Holy Spirit.
Only 5% adults have a biblical worldview.
Only 9% born between the yrs. 1984-2002 base their moral choices on the Bible.
Only 32% born between the yrs. 1965-1983 say that moral truth is absolute.
[1] The Barna Group of Ventura, California: www.barna.org
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

1 Chron 12:32
32 Of the sons of Issachar, 
men who understood the times, with
knowledge of what Israel should do, (i.e. what God wanted to
accomplish)
Eph 5:15-17
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of
the Lord is. (i.e. what God wants to accomplish through us)
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Discerning the Will of God

Keeping in mind the points discussed in the video; the Gallop Poll survey and Barna surveys and lets discuss the will of God using 1
Chron 12:32 and Eph 5:15-17 to understanding the mind of God for the times we live and the course of action that we should be pursuing.
1 Chron 12:32

32 Of the sons of Issachar, 
men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do,
Understood = ‘biynah / bee-naw‘ n – comes from the root Hebrew verb bene. The verb and its derivatives are used 247 times. The background idea
of the verb is to “discern
1.
The men of Issachar were the fewest of all, only 200.
2.
They understood the natural times:

, could discern the face of the sky, were weather-wise, could advise their neighbors in the proper times for ploughing, sowing reaping, etc.
3.
They understood the ceremonial times:

Or the ceremonial times, the times appointed for the solemn feasts; therefore they are said to call the people to the mountain (Deut 33:19) to
offer sac sacrifices of righteousness.
the hour that
In this critical juncture they knew Israel ought to make David king.
It was not only expedient, but necessary; the present posture of affairs called for it.
Application :
They had discerned God’s will in this matter. These were people who saw with prophetic vision and
responded with action. Just as we should respond in the same spirit—rightly discerning the need for
accurate Biblical interpretation.
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
In Eph 5:15-17 Paul tells the church at Ephesus and by way of application the church
individually and universal to understand what the will of God is and act accordingly just as
the men of Issachar.
Eph 5:15-17
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (i.e. what God wants to
accomplish through us)

How to Walk
Eph 5:15
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
“See” is blepō, “to discern mentally, observe perceive, consider, contemplate, look to in the sense of taking care,
take heed.”
“Walk” is peripateō, “to order one’s behavior, to conduct one’s self.”
“Circumspectly” is akribōs - ak·ree·boce , “exactly, accurately, carefully.”
Believers then, are to walk (live) carefully, so as to be wise or skillful and thus please
the Lord. The manner for this careful, precise walk is making the right use of every
opportunity
Can be translated , “Be constantly taking heed how accurately you are conducting yourselves.” That is, see to it
that your conduct is accurate with respect to the demands of the Word of God.
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
Objective of the Walk
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

16 “Redeeming” is exagorazō - ex·ag·or·ad·zo, (The middle voice
indicates the subject performing an action upon himself (reflexive
action) or for his own benefit. E.g., “The boy groomed himself) .” “to
buy up.”
 Therefore In the middle voice as it is used here, it means, “to buy up for
one’s self or one’s advantage.” Metaphorically, it means, “to make a wise and
sacred use of every opportunity for doing good,”
 “Time” kairos - kahee·ros (καιρος), “time as regarded in its strategic. The idea
is taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. The right
time; a limited period of time.
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
The reason for redeeming the time
V 15 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
 “Evil” - poneros /pon·ay·ros , “evil in active opposition to the good,
pernicious” . Evil is always aggressive in its opposition to good
 Our redemption of the time is of special significance as we approach the
end of the church
 The use of the word time indicates opportunity is limited accordingly to
the duration of the presented oppportunity
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17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (i.e. what
God wants to accomplish through us)

(5:17) “WhereFore or By Ye - Mood — Imperative
The imperative mood corresponds to the English imperative, and expresses a command

Example Jesus’ phrase, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mk.1:15) is not at all an
“invitation,” but an absolute command requiring full obedience on the part of all hearers.

“Unwise” is aphrōn (ἀφρων), “without reason, senseless, foolish, stupid, without reflection or
intelligence, acting rashly.”

“Understanding” is suniēmi (συνιημι), “to set or bring together, to put the perception with the
thing perceived, to set or join together in the mind,” thus, “to understand.” The word speaks of
reflective thinking.

The active voice represents the subject as the doer or performer of the action. e.g., in the
sentence, “The boy hit the ball,” the boy performs the action.
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
There are 4 four points I would like to bring to your attention:

Point 1


Point 2


The new life of believers through the new birth is conducive and created to understanding and doing the divine
will of God.
Point 4


It’s imperative that we understand what God wants to accomplish through us. The conception of the will of God
is the basis and purpose of salvation; In other words God save you for a reason according to his will and for his
purpose.
Point 3


The ability to correctly analyze situations through discernment is what is required and should be a normal part
of the Christian life. Just as it was for the men of Issachar, so should it be for those who are born again believers.
God commands that we act in accordance to his will
Point 5

AS we approach the end of the age there will be teachers instructors, laity who will …” 
shine brightly like the
brightness of the 
expanse of heaven, and those who 
lead the many to righteousness …“(Dan 12:3), these will
understand Dan 12:10e) how to redeem the time.
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

Christians who don't know the rules of Bible Interpretation will still benefit on reading the Bible.
Many Bible verses are so simple and clear that our bigger problem today is not interpreting the
difficult verses but obeying those parts of the Bible that we clearly understand.
Objections
1. "Having rules in Bible Interpretation will take the Bible away from the common or not highly
educated Christians.“
2.
Some Christians don't believe that there are certain rules that they need to apply in Bible
interpretation other than just reading and praying for guidance. They feel that such rules will
take their right to be able to understand the Bible on their own, and that they will have to
depend on scholars or experts to explain the Bible for them.

First, proper interpretation only requires more time studying and a little common sense. An average
Christian who can read and follow simple instructions can understand and apply the principles and
guidelines of proper interpretation.

Second, these guidelines and principles will give everybody the tools needed to objectively question
and make an educated criticism on different interpretations of the Bible today, even those made by
Bible experts. Thus heightening ones level and ability to discern biblical truth from error.

You will no longer be forced to follow a doctrine or a teaching that you feel is not an accurate
interpretation of the Word of God, just because it is being taught by a "teacher" or an "expert". Or is
just part of a particular denominational teaching.
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E. as
Sutton
Information from site http://www.bible-interpretation.com
used
a base.
28
1)
The source of Scripture
GOD:
Over 3800 times the bible says, ”God said”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ... "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.“
2 Peter 1:20-21... "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of
one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will,
but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.“
2)
The Vitality of Scripture
 Hebrews
4:12... "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any twoedged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and
marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Continue
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The Priority / Authority of Scripture in the life
of the believer
3)

Matt 4:4 “It is written, ‘
Man shall not live on bread alone, but on

every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’
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The Light of Scripture
4)

Ps 119:105 - Your word is a 
lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
The Warning of Scripture
5)

Isaiah 8:20 - To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according
to this word
, it is because there is no light in them.


2 John 9 - Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of
Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has
both the Father and the Son.

1 Tim 4:16a - “…Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching;
persevere in these things… “
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
The Eternal Nature of Scripture
1 Pet 1:24-25
24 For, “
All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of

grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off,
25 
But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is 
the word which was 
preached to you. Cf Is 40:6-8
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1.
2.
Spiritual qualifications have an important place in the list of qualifications
and cannot be overstated.
The interpreter must have the same spirit (Holy Spirit) which enabled the
writers to understand their revelation from God and to record it



1 Cor 2:14-16
14 But a 
natural man 
does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for
they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they
are spiritually appraised.
15 But he who is 
spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised
by no one.
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3.
Must be Born again (John 3:3) cf (1 Corinthians 2:14)
4.
Must have a zeal that consumes: and enthusiasm that breeds
both reverence and productivity of the things of God
1 Pet 2:1-2
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and
envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may
grow thereby

Long/ desire (epipotheo /ep·ee·poth·eh·o ) - deeply desire; have great
affection for to long for something with a deep desire implication of
recognizing a lack 2 to pursue with love 3 to lust, harbor forbidden desire.
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3.
Must have a deep reverence for God ()
1.
Prov 9:10
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is
understanding
4.
Must depend on the Holy Spirit to empower you to deliver God’s Word

(Acts 1:8)
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and
you shall be 
My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and even to 
the remotest part of the earth.”
5.
Must be teachable
Prov 1:5
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall
attain unto wise counsels:
Prov 9:9
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just
man, and he will increase in learning.
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•Accursed as being a divider and trouble makers when standing up for Biblical truth
within the church
•
Kings 18:16-18
16
So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him; and Ahab went to
meet Elijah.
17 When Ahab saw Elijah, 
Ahab said to him, “Is this you, you troubler of
Israel?”
18 He said, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house
have, because 
you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and 
you
have followed the Baals.
•
John 15:18-19
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are
not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates
you”
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1.
Unbelief

No spiritual life:

1 Cor 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness
unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Tares among Wheat

Matt 13:24-30
24 Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “
The kingdom of heaven 

may be
compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.
25 “But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed 
tares among the wheat,
and went away.
26 “But when the 
wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.
27 “The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in
your field? 
How then does it have tares?’
28 “And he said to them, ‘An 
enemy has done this!’ The slaves 
said to him, ‘Do you want us,
then, to go and gather them up?’
29 “But he 
*
said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat
with them.
30 ‘Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to
the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but 
gather
the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
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2.
Satanic blindness:
 2 Cor 4:3-4
3 And even if our 
gospel is 
veiled, it is veiled 
to 
those who are
perishing,
4 in whose case 
the god of 
this 
world has 
blinded the minds of the
unbelieving 
so that they might not see the 
light of the gospel of
the 
glory of Christ, who is the 
image of God.

1 John 5:19
19 We know that 
we are of God, and that 
the whole world lies in the
power of the evil one.
Continue
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How Satan Blinds the Mind
Tares that Satan has planted in the church are dead in trespasses and sin
(Eph 2:1)
While in this state their habitual behavior/ walk is according to the world
system and its wisdom of which they speak from (1 John 4:5)
The characteristics of the world’s wisdom is said to be earthy, natural and
demonic (James 3:15)
While in a state of unbelief the god of this world works through them to
accomplish his will (Eph 2:2)
They are under his control (1 John 5:19b)
That is not to say all those outside of Christ are possessed by demonic
spirits in the common use of the term, but it is to say all men everywhere
who are not in Christ an obedient to him are and can be influenced by
Satan
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Those who walk in unbelief, walk according to the world system
(1 John 4:5), its wisdom (James 3:15) and according to the God of this world (Eph 2:1,
1 Jn 5:19)
Opinions
Hopes
Morals
Religion
Philosophies
Dead Person
Walking
Impulses
Aims
Education
Ethics
Aspirations
Thoughts
Entertainment
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3.
Cultural (World System) inroads into the church

Teachers Speaking from the world system
1 John 4:5
5 
They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to
them.

Teachers that have a hostility toward God
James 4:4
4 You 
adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with 
the world is 
hostility toward
God? 
Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Teachers that have a love for the things of the world
1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love 
the world nor the things in the world. 
If anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, 
the lust of the flesh and 
the lust of the eyes and 
the boastful
pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who 
does the will of God lives
forever.
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4.
Carnal Blindness
1 Cor 3:1-3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to 
spiritual men, but as
to 
men of flesh, as to 
infants in Christ.
2 I gave you 
milk to drink, not solid food; for you 
were not yet able to
receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is 
jealousy and strife among
you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking 
like mere men?
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5.
Lack of training

2 Peter 3:16
16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of 
these things, 
in which are some things
hard to understand, which the untaught and 
unstable distort, as they do also 
the rest of the
Scriptures, to their own destruction.

He attributes their spurious teachings, in part, to the fact that they are “untaught”


Timothy is told to “study to show yourself approved unto God” (2 Tim 2:15)


Untaught - amathes /am·ath·ace/] adj: adjective pertaining to one who has not acquired a formal
education, and hence with the implication of being stupid and ignorant—‘uneducated, unlearned,
ignorant.
dokimos - In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper
money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into moulds and allowed to cool.
When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins were
comparatively soft and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty
laws were passed in Athens, to stop the practice of shaving down the coins then in circulation. But
some money changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money. They were men
of honor who put only genuine full weighted money into circulation. Such men were called
“dokimos” or “approved”. Donald Barnhouse.
There is no shortcut to proper biblical understanding; we are commanded to study and be taught
by those God has given to the church to equip us.
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6.
Those who teach that are Unstable
2 Peter 3:16
as also in all his letters, speaking in them of 
these things, 
in which are some things
hard to understand, which the untaught and 
unstable distort, as they do also 
the rest
of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Unstable - [asteriktos /as·tay·rik·tos/] adj: adjective - pertaining to the tendency to change
and waver in one’s views and attitudes—‘unstable.
Distort - strebloo /streb·lo·o: to twist, turn awry. 2 to torture, put to the rack.
7.
Poor hermeneutics or non at all
2
Tim 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
8.
Heretical teaching
2
John 9
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He
that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
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Failure to declare the whole counsel of God as
an antidote to the doctrine of savage wolves.
9.

Acts 20:27-32 (see Acts 20:17-32 for full context)
27 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all 
the flock, among which the Holy
Spirit has made you 
overseers, to shepherd 
the church of God
which 
He 
purchased 
with His own blood.
29 “I know that after my departure 
savage wolves will come in among you,
not sparing 
the flock;
30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away 
the disciples after them.
31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period
of 
three years I did not cease to admonish each one 
with tears.
32 “And now I 
commend you to God and to 
the word of His grace, which
is able to build you up and to give you 
the inheritance among all those who
are sanctified.
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10. Selfishness
/ Pride / Arrogance
 2 Chron 26:16-19 (Uzziah)
16 But 
when he became strong, his heart was so 
proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful
to the Lord his God, for 
he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of
incense.
17 Then Azariah the priest entered after him and with him eighty priests of the Lord, valiant men.
18 
They opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, “
It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the
Lord, 
but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the
sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the Lord God.”
19 But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged
with the priests, 
the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the
Lord, beside the altar of incense.
20 Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous on his
forehead; and they hurried him out of there, and he himself also hastened to get out because the
Lord had smitten him.
 Beware of the selfish ambition that places oneself above GOD, and the pride that
appropriates His glory. Understand that these are characteristic traits of Satan's rebellion
which transformed him into the enemy GOD.

Isaiah14:12-21
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Failure to mature:
11.

1 Cor 3:1-2
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to 
spiritual men, but as to 
men of flesh, as
to 
infants in Christ.
2 I gave you 
milk to drink, not solid food; for you 
were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even
now you are not yet able,

Heb 5:11-14
11 Concerning 
him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of
hearing.
12 For though 
by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach
you 
the 
elementary principles of the 
oracles of God, and you have come to need 
milk and not
solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he
is an 
infant.
14 But solid food is for 
the mature, who because of practice have their senses 
trained to 
discern
good and evil.

Heb 6:1-3
1 Therefore 
leaving 
the 
elementary teaching about the 
Christ, let us press on to 
maturity, not
laying again a foundation of repentance from 
dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of 
instruction about washings and 
laying on of hands, and the 
resurrection of the dead
and 
eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do, 
if God permits.
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12.Undue
emphasis on tradition
Mark 7:1-13
1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come 
from Jerusalem,
2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with 
impure hands, that is, unwashed.
3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they 
carefully wash their hands, thus observing the 
traditions of the
elders;
4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they 
cleanse themselves; and there are many other
things which they have received in order to observe, such as the 
washing of 
cups and pitchers and copper pots.)
5 The Pharisees and the scribes 
*
asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the 
tradition of the elders, but
eat their bread with 
impure hands?”
6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘
This people honors Me with their
lips, But their heart is far away from Me.
7 ‘
But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’
8 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the 
tradition of men.”
9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your 
tradition.
10 “For Moses said, ‘
Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘
He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to 
be put to
death’;
11 but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is 
Corban (that is to
say, 
given to God),’
12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother;
13 thus invalidating the word of God by your 
tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as
that.”

Col 2:8
8
See to it that no one takes you captive through 
philosophy and empty deception, according to the
tradition of men, according to the 
elementary principles of the world, 
rather than according to Christ.
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
It is clear that believers and unbelievers will not have
the same goals, aspirations and love for one another.
Thus heightening the friction between the two
groups
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12.
Our Humanness; we are not infallible
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BIBLE VERSIONS
COMPARISON OF LITERALNESS
MORE LITERAL
MORE PARAPHRASE
LESS INTERPRETATIVE
MORE WORD FOR WORD
LXX
Young's
Literal
NAS
ASV
Amp
ESV
KJV
NKJV
LXX- Septuagint (*)
NAS = New American Standard (*)
Amp = Amplified Version
ASV = Authorized Standard Version
1901
ESV = English Standard Version
KJV = King James Version (*)
NKJV = New King James Version (*)
Youngs Literal Translation (*)
NRSV
NAB
MORE INTERPRETATIVE**
MORE CONCEPT FOR CONCEPT
NIV
NJB
NCV
ICB
NRSV= New Revised Std Version
NAB = New American Bible (*)
NJB = New Jerusalem Bible
NIV = New International Version
NCV = New Century Version
ICB = International Children's
Bible
NLT
Phillips
GNT
CEV
TLB
MSG
NLT = New Living Translation
Phillips = JB Phillips
GNT = Good News Translation
CEV = Contemporary English
Version
TLB = The Living Bible
MSG = The Message–not
recommended
** MORE INTERPRETATIVE: For the most objective, non-biased and "pure" inductive study, do not use
paraphrased versions as your primary resource, for they provide no way to determine whether or not the
translator's interpretation of the original Greek and Hebrew is accurate. The more literal versions such as NAS,
ESV, KJV, NKJV etc. more accurately render the words of the original biblical authors and are therefore
recommended for inductive Bible study.
http://preceptaustin.org/the_key_inductive_bible_study.htm#BIBLE VERSIONS: CHART
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
Hermeneutics is the science and art of biblical
interpretation to discover what the author’s
intended meaning was, when he wrote under the
influence of the Holy Spirit.

It is a science because there exists a systematic,
mechanical, and formulated approach to the
interpretation process.

It is an art because it involves an individual's talent,
skills, and knowledge to perform the task of
interpreting the Scriptures.
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
These principles are embedded in the scripture itself.
The Bible interprets itself (scripture interprets
scripture).
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Correct Biblical Interpretation is Paramount in
order to:


provide an “objective, Biblical World view” understanding of what
God has said to us through His written word.

to “put aside” any denominational, unscriptural traditions,
personal opinions, geographical, or “cultural reasoning” that
separate our minds from that of the writers of the Bible so that we
can understand what God is saying

be equipped ourselves for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17)
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A.
Ignoring the literary context of the books of the Bible and using every sentence, clause, or
even individual words as statements of truth unrelated to the author’s intent or the larger
context. This is often called “proof-texting.”
B. Ignoring the historical setting of the books by substituting a supposed historical setting that
has little or no support from the text itself.
C. Ignoring the historical setting of the books and reading it as the morning hometown
newspaper written primarily to modern individual Christians.
D. Ignoring the historical setting of the books by allegorizing the text into a philosophical /
theological message totally unrelated to the first hearers and the original author’s intent.
E. Ignoring the original message by substituting one’s own system of theology, pet doctrine, or
contemporary issue unrelated to the original author’s purpose and stated message. This
phenomenon often follows the initial reading of the Bible as a means of establishing a
speaker’s authority. This is often referred to as “reader response” (“what-the-text-means-to
me” interpretation).
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•
Within the science of interpretation
(Hermeneutics) there exists four essential and
primary steps in the interpretation process.
1.
Observation
2.
Interpretation
3.
Correlation
4.
Application
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


You will need to consult Bible references and tools during this process.
This step asks, "What does it say?" As the interpreter, we are to objectively observe the whole
picture of what we are attempting to interpret. Figuratively, we are to act as a detective -investigating, and examining what the passage is saying.
Some of the questions the interpreter might ask are:
1.
Who are the key figures in the book? Who is Jeremiah, Cyrus, Paul, Timothy, etc.)
2.
What is the background and historical setting
3.
What are the key dates?
4.
When was the book written?
5.
What are the key verses in the book? What are the key words?
6.
What are the key events taking place? (Pentecost, Paul's conversion, Christ's resurrection)
7.
What conclusions can be drawn? Must we observe Jewish customs and laws ?
8.
Additionally, the interpreter will observe any key doctrines, themes, and the author's intention in
writing the book .
9.
Observe the text itself, determining what is a metaphor, simile, anthropomorphism, personification,
euphemism, hyperbole, irony.
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
This crucial step is perhaps the most difficult and time-consuming of
these three steps

You will need to consult Bible references and tools during this process.

This step asks, "What does it mean?“

Some of the questions the interpreter might ask are:
1.
Who wrote the book?
2.
What is the overall theme of the book? (God's grace, love, Belief etc)
3.
What does the Grammar mean
4.
What passages make up the context
5.
Cross-referencing to compare similar passages talking about the same subject to
gain a more in-depth understanding
6.
Who is the third person? Me? God? Jesus?
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


Correlation step should be inserted between
Interpretation and Application.
Correlation means examining how one passage
fits in with other passages on the same topic or
theme.
Use it for broader view.
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1.
Here we determine how the passage pertains to the life of the beliver
As
Dr Roy Zuck points out...

Heart appropriation, not merely head apprehension, is the true goal of Bible study. Only in this way can
believers grow spiritually. Spiritual maturity, in which we become more like Christ, comes not just from
knowing more about the Bible. It comes from knowing more about the Bible and applying it to our spiritual
needs.
God expects that those who say they love Jesus will apply His words to their lives and live
accordingly.


(John 14:21)
21 “
He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and 

he who loves Me will be loved
by My Father, and I will love him and will 
disclose Myself to him.”
Heb 12:1-2
"let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith"

Phil 3:14
pressing "on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus") disciplining
ourselves "for the purpose of godliness for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is
profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

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
The Bible was originally written in three languages: Hebrew,
Aramaic, and Greek.

The OT was primarily written in Hebrew

Aramaic is used in
 Daniel 2:4a to 7:28.
 Aramaic is found also in the Ezra 4:8-6:18, 7:12-26 and Jeremiah 10:11.

the Syrian tongue—or Aramaean language, sometimes called Chaldee.
Typically this was made use of by the Persians in their decrees and
communications relative to the Jews (compare 2 Kings 18:26; Isaiah
36:11).

The New Testament is written entirely in Koinie Greek
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
We take the Bible at face value.
Isa.
7:14—Born of a virgin
Micah 5:2—At Bethlehem
Jer. 31:15—Slaughter of the children
Hosea 11:1—Called out of Egypt
Isa. 11:2—Anointed with the Spirit
Zech. 9:9—Entry into Jerusalem
Psa. 41:9; 55:12-14—Betrayed by a friend
Zech. 13:7—Disciples forsake Him
Zech. 11:12—Sold for thirty pieces of silver
Zech. 11:13—Potter's field bought
Isa. 50:6—Spit on and scourged
Exodus 12:46; Psa. 34:20—Not a bone broken
Psa. 69:21—Gall and vinegar
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The study of word meanings, grammar, culture and syntax
of the original languages is important for a proper
understanding of Scripture.

The word meanings, grammar, and syntax of the original languages are
what is included when the Bible say's that God breathe the scriptures (2
Timothy 3:16)

 Example of Word meaning / syntax / context
 John 10:30
I
and
the
Father
are
one
egō
kai
ho
patēr
esmen
hen
verb, first person,
plural, present,
active, indicative
One – (ἑν, hen) neuter, adjective - one
essence or nature that which; is united as
one in contrast with being divided or
consisting of separate parts; I.E. a unity
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1John 3:9
TENSE
ACTION
EXAMPLE & EXPLANATION
PPPMPA: Present Tense, Passive Voice, Participle, Masculine, Plural,
Accusative
Knowledge of the tense of a verb can sometimes be critical for accurate
interpretation.
For example note 1Jo 3:9: "No one who is born of God practices (present
tense) sin (noun), because His seed abides in him and he cannot SIN (verb),
because he is born of God."
PRESENT
TENSE
CONTINUOUS
ACTION
HABITUAL ACTION
OFTEN REFLECTS
A LIFESTYLE
Look at the verb "SIN". At first glance the verse seems to imply that one who
is "born of God" can never commit a sin and yet all genuine believers know
that this is not a reality (cf 1Jo 1:8).
When you understand that the verb SIN is in the present tense, it becomes
clear that John is saying that one who is born of God cannot habitually commit
sins as a way of life.
The aorist and present tenses are used about equally in the NT, together
making up over 80% of all verbs and verbals. Chapman, B. (1994). Greek
New Testament Insert. (2nd ed., revised.). Quakertown, PA: Stylus
Publishing.
GREEK VERBS QUICK REFERENCE
http://www.preceptaustin.org/new_page_40.htm

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PPPMPA: Present Tense, Passive Voice, Participle,
Masculine, Plural, Accusative
EFFECTIVE ACTION
SUCCESSFUL
ACTION
AORIST
TENSE
SINGLE ACTION
ONE-TIME ACTION
States that an action
occurs without regard
to its duration. It is
analogous to a
snapshot which
captures an action at
specific point in time.
1Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who
according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again (AAPMSN)
(5660) to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead,
The AORIST TENSE conveys the truth that the believer's new birth
(indicative mood is mood of reality) has occurred at a point in the past
without specifying when this event occurred.
The passive voice indicates this new birth was produced by a Source
outside of the recipient and in context that Source is "the God & Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ".
The aorist and present tenses are used about equally in the NT, together
making up over 80% of all verbs and verbals. Chapman, B. (1994). Greek
New Testament Insert. (2nd ed., revised.). Quakertown, PA: Stylus
Publishing.
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
Grammar may be studied culturally

Acts 16:31 – Jailer converted
 They said, “
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,

you and 
your household.”
 household – (greek - oikos) Some have use this verse to support
infant baptism since they are part of the household. But the
Greek word included household pets and animals non of which
are candidates for baptism.
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
Words may be studied in languages of the same
family and ancient translations

Hebrew language includes languages from Egypt to
Mesopotamia, Arabic and Aramaic are of Particular
importance for OT studies.
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By cultural it is meant the total ways, methods, tools customs, buildings,
institutions, on their existence.





Religious Culture (god’s worship)
Social
Legal
Material Culture
Tools
Objects
Dwellings
Weapons
Garments
 Roman Soldiers armor Eph 6:10
 Etc.







The Bible was composed in a specific culture at a particular point in time.
The principal purpose of studying the cultural elements aids the interpreter to
know what are the original things referred to in scripture.
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
Passages may be studied culturally

Matt 5:41
 “When our Lord mentioned that if we were compelled to go
one mile, we should go two, He was referring to a well known
Persian custom. When a Persian messenger carried a message
of the empire he could compel inhabitants of a locality to carry
his baggage one mile , or to perform any service the messenger
commanded.
 Hence Christians out of love and not command should help their
neighbor not for the customary or accepted one mile, but for the
extra mile of love and grace
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
Ex 7-11

The following is a list of Egyptian gods worship within their culture, along with the corresponding
plague:
1. Turning water into blood - Hapi, the god of the Nile river.
2. Frogs - Heqt, goddess of birth. Heqt is often depicted as a frog.
3. Gnats from dust - Geb, god of the earth or soil.
4. Flies - Kheper, god of beetles and flies.
5. Cattle - Apis, sacred bull.
6. Boils - Isis, goddess of healing.
7. Hail - Nut, sky goddess and/or Horus, falcon god / sky god.
8. Locust - Seth, god of crops.
9. 3 days of darkness - Ra, the sun god (main god of the solar faith).
10. Death of firstborn - Pharaoh who was considered a god.

The plagues were design to attack the greatest of Egyptian gods, leading to the two greatest gods: Ra,
the sun god, and Pharaoh himself.
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
Social Culture

Manners / Customs
 Marriage
 Oldest First
Gen 29:26
 Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger
daughter in marriage before the older one.
 The deceiver Jacob had asked for the younger Rachel’s hand,
but was deceived by Laban and tricked into marrying Leah.
Thus the ancient Near Eastern tradition of the older daughter
marrying first was preserved. This custom is still adhered to in
many countries, and when a younger daughter has an
opportunity to marry, everything is done to get the older
daughter married first.
continue
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
Religious Beliefs Practices

OT
 Baal, Queen of Heaven, Ashtoreth, god’s of Egypt

Galatians
 legalism

Colossians
1 It was Jewish, stressing the need for observing Old Testament laws and ceremonies.
2 It was philosophical, laying emphasis on some special or deeper knowledge (gnōsis).
3 It involved the worship of angels as mediators to God (Col 2:18).
4 It was exclusivity, stressing the special privilege and “perfection” of those select few who belonged
to this philosophical elite.
5 Gnosticism denied the deity of Christ, thus calling forth one of the greatest declarations of Christ’s
deity found anywhere in Scripture (Col 1:15-16; 2:9).

1 John
 Gnostics
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
The Word of God is a perfect unit.

The global context of any verse is the entire scripture
 Consider the:
 verses immediately before, after, and around the passage
 the book its in
 the testament its in (OT / NT)

Verbal Cross Reference
 Wording in one passage is similar to the wording in an other passage
 Ex “Son of Man” cf “first and the last” (Isaiah 44:6 ; Rev 1:17; 22:13)
continue
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
Conceptual Cross Reference
 A verse or passage in one book has the identical substance or
content of another part of scripture even thought there is no
use of common words.
 Ex., Hebrews 2 and Philippians 2 both discuss the character of the
incarnation
 Ex., Romans 3 and Heb 10 discuss the atonement
 life of Christ must be compared to all four gospels
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
All Biblical events occur in the stream of history:

How did the fall occur?

How did the Jews get to Egypt during Joseph’s time?

What where the events that cause the northern kingdom to be exiled into
Assyria?

What where the events that cause the southern kingdom to be exiled into
Babylon during Daniel’s time?

What are the events that will bring about the great tribulation?
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

This principle is best illustrated by what is known as "topical
Bible study."
There are two essential 'rules' for applying this principle:
1) The context of the two passages must be the same
2) The plain passage must be used to guide our interpretation of a less
clear passage - not the other way around!
Continue
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
Parallel cross Reference two or more books
describe essentially the same events

The same historical materials are covered by
Samuel(1,2), Kings, and Chronicles

The Events in the life of Christ in all four gospels
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
The Word of God is to be understood from the Old Testament to the
New Testament as a flower unfolding its petals to the morning sun.

God initiated revelation, but He did not reveal His truths all at one time.
The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is
the Old Testament revealed.

 In the sermon on the mount Jesus said he came to fulfill the law
 In:

Luke 24:27
27 Then beginning 
with 
Moses and 
with all the 
prophets, He explained to them the things
concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

John 5:39
39 
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it
is 
these that testify about Me!
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
The Bible is to be interpreted in view of the fact that it is an accommodation of
Divine truths to human minds:

God the infinite communicating with man the finite.
 The Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
 The Bible was also created in space, in time, and in history so that man could understand it.
 The truths of God made contact with the human mind at a common point, the Bible, to make God
(and, indeed, all of reality) knowable.

Accommodation through Objects
 Tabernacle:
 Animal sacrifice

Accommodation through Nature:
 Parables: Matt 13:25-30

We must be careful, not to push accommodating language about God and His nature to
literal extremes.
 God does not have feathers and wings (e.g., Psalms 17:8); nor is He our literal Father in the same
sense our earthly father is.
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



Every verse in the Bible has only one interpretation
A verse may have many applications.
The one correct interpretation is that which mirrors the
intent of the inspired author.
Simply put, this law states that ALL biblical passages are
to be taken exactly as they read unless there is something
in the text indicating and extended meaning is present
(address the law of double ref.)
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
No part of the Bible may be interpreted so as to contradict
another part of the Bible.
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
The Genre Principle

Genre is a literary term having to do with the category or "genus"
of literature under consideration.

Here are some books of the Bible and their respective genres:






Psalms – Poetry
Proverbs - Wise Sayings
Minor/Major Prophetic Books (Isaiah–Malachi) History/Prophecy
The Gospels / Acts - Biography and History
The Epistles - Teaching and Doctrine
Revelation - Eschatology and Prophecy
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








Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as." Example: "As lightning that comes from the east is visible even
in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:27)
Metaphor: One thing described in terms of some other thing. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father
has been pleased to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32)
Anthropomorphism: God described in human terms. "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the
whole earth" (2 Chronicles 16:9)
Words of association: One word stands for something else. Examples: "Circumcision" meaning the Jews
(Galatians 2:9, King James Version); "sword" for all weapons (Romans 8:35)
Personification: Personal qualities assigned to an object. "The mountains skipped like rams" (Psalm 114:4)
Euphemism: Substituting an inoffensive word for a possibly harsh or crude one. "Adam lay with his wife
Eve" (Genesis 4:1) means that they had sexual intercourse
Hyperbole: Exaggeration. "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out" (Matthew 5:29).
Irony: The literal meaning is opposite the real meaning. "You have become kings...! How I wish that you
really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!" (1 Corinthians 4:8)
Apocalyptic Literature:


Uses symbols that communicates absolute truth (Rev 1:20 
seven stars which you saw in My right
hand, and the 
seven golden lampstands: the 
seven stars are the angels of 
the seven churches, and the
seven 
lampstands are the seven churches.
Scripture gives the definitions
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
Meaning and significances of:
 All proper names
 Events
 References to:
 Geography
 Customs
 Culture
The following is a list of names that will form the united coalition as mentioned in Ezek 38:1-6.
They can be currently identified based on the historical geographical region each group occupied
Gog is described as being “of the land of Magog” and as the
“prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.” Most Bible scholars
believe Gog is not a name but a title, like Pharaoh or Czar. He is
a dictator who will hatch an “evil plan” (Ezek 38:10).
Magog = Leading Bible scholars say this is Russia and republics
of the former Soviet Union. The first century Roman historian
Josephus said the “Magogites” were the peoples whom the
Greeks called “Scythians.” Scythians were a fierce, blood-thirsty
civilization that settled north of the Baltic Sea in what is now
Russia and the European republics of the former USSR.
Rosh = Russia*
Meshech = Some Bible scholars say this is Moscow, others
believe it refers to Turkey
Tubal = Some Bible scholars say this refers to the city/region of
Tobolsk in Russia along the Tobol River; others say it refers to a
section of modern-day Turkey. (Interestingly, in 1964, massive
reserves of oil and gas were discovered in the Tobolsk region of
Siberia and people now refer to the region as the “energy center
of Russia.”)*
Cush = Sudan and Ethiopia
Put = Libya, and possibly Algeria and Tunisia
Gomer = Turkey, but also possibly Germany and Austria
Beth-togarmah = Armenia and the Turkic-speaking peoples of
Central Asia
“Many peoples with you” who will attack along “the mountains Persia = This was the official name of Iran until 1935
of Israel” = Other countries will be involved in the coalition as
Layman Perspective
well, notably countries that border the mountainsCreated
of Israel.by
This
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87
1.
Interpret Literally
A. The
New Testament literal method of fulfillment establishes the “literal
method” as God’s method in regard to unfulfilled prophecy













Isa. 7:14—Born of a virgin
Micah 5:2—At Bethlehem
Jer. 31:15—Slaughter of the children
Hosea 11:1—Called out of Egypt
Isa. 11:2—Anointed with the Spirit
Zech. 9:9—Entry into Jerusalem
Psa. 41:9; 55:12-14—Betrayed by a friend
Zech. 13:7—Disciples forsake Him
Zech. 11:12—Sold for thirty pieces of silver
Zech. 11:13—Potter's field bought
Isa. 50:6—Spit on and scourged
Exodus 12:46; Psa. 34:20—Not a bone broken
Psa. 69:21—Gall and vinegar
continue
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2.
Interpret according to the harmony of prophecy
A.
This rule is laid down in 2 Pet 1:20-21, where the author affirms, “no
prophecy is of private interpretation”
20 But 
know this first of all, that 
no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own
interpretation,
21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men 
moved by the
Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The prophecies did not originate with the prophets themselves. The
word epilyseōs (“interpretation,” lit., “unloosing”) and the word ginetai
(“came about”). The Scriptures did not stem merely from the prophets
themselves; their writings came from God. Verse 20, then, speaks not of
interpretation, but of revelation, the source of the Scriptures.
continue
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1.
Scripture should be interpreted only in context, that is, a prophecy
cannot stand alone without other prophecies to aid in its
understanding.
2.
Observe the time relationships
3.
Interpret prophecy Christologically
A.
Rev 19:10
10 Then 
I fell at his feet to worship him. But he 
*
said to me, “Do not do that; I am
a
fellow servant of yours and your brethren who 
hold the testimony of Jesus;
worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
B.
1 Pet 10-11
10 As to this salvation, the prophets who 

prophesied of the grace that would come to
you made careful searches and inquiries,
11 
seeking to know what person or time 
the Spirit of Christ within them was
indicating as He 
predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories 
to follow.
continue
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“Some” prophetic versus focus on the immediate historical context of the
prophet, yet there is a more complete fulfillment later.


May have a primary application to the millennial kingdom or the eternal kingdom,
but are fulfilled in part in the church age.

These prophecies speak of events that are separated by time as though they were not
separated.

(J. Dwight Pentecost) "Two events, widely separated as to the time of their
fulfillment, may be brought together into the scope of one prophecy. This was done
because the prophet had a message for his own day as well as for a future time . . . It
was the purpose of God to give the near and far view so that the fulfillment of the
one should be the assurance of the fulfillment of the other." (J. Dwight Pentecost,
Things To Come [Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1964], pp. 46,47.)
continue
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Verse
Immediate Reference
Later Reference
Psalm 22:1
David
Matt 27:46 (Christ on the Cross)
Psalm 22:6-7
David
Isaiah 49:7; Isaiah 53:3; Luke 23:35
(Christ)
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
The prophet predicts two dissimilar events, widely separated by
time, as though they were one event.


Isa. 61:1-9
Verse
Fulfillment:
Later Reference
Isa. 61:1-2a
Christ 1st
coming
Luke 4:18-21 (
Christ in the synagogue on the Sabbath)
Isa. 61:2b-9
Christ 2nd
coming
TBF
Isaiah 11:1-5
Isa. 11:2
Christ 1st
coming
Matt 3:16, John 1:32
Isa. 11:3
Christ 1st
coming
John 2:25; 7:24
Isa 11:4-5
Christ 2nd
coming
2 Thess 2:8
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The prophet predicts aspects of God's kingdom at the end of the
age. (In the final kind of double reference, the prophet's focus is
exclusively on the later event.)
New Testament authors subsequently reveal that this prediction has
been granted in a partial way to the church. (The prophets predictions
will still be fulfilled at the end of the age.)
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Examples:
Jer. 31:31-34 (compare Heb. 8:8-13;10:16-18);
(Jer. 31:31-34) "The time is
Jer. 31:31(Heb. 10: 16-18)
coming," declares the LORD, "when I
34
The Holy Spirit also
will make a new covenant with the
describes
testifies to us about this.
house of Israel and with the house of
the spiritual
First he says: (16) "This
Judah.
blessings
is the covenant I will
that
(32) It will not be like the covenant I
make with them after
“Israelites
made with their forefathers when I
that time, says the Lord.
”
will
enjoy
took them by the hand to lead them
I will put my laws in
when
God
out of Egypt, because they broke my
their hearts, and I will
inaugurates
covenant, though I was a husband to
write them on their
his New
them, " declares the LORD.
minds." (17) Then he
Covenant
adds: "Their sins and
(33) "This is the covenant I will make
with
them
lawless acts I will
with the house of Israel after that
at
the
end
remember no more."
time," declares the LORD. "I will put
of the age.
(18) And where these
my law in their minds and write it on
have been forgiven,
their hearts. I will be their God, and
there is no longer any
they will be my people.
sacrifice for sin.
(34) No longer will a man teach his
neighbor, or a man his brother,
saying, 'Know the LORD,' because
they will all know me, from the least
of them to the greatest," declares the
LORD. "For I will forgive their
wickedness and will remember their
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sins no more.“
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The
author of
Hebrews
declares
that these
same
blessings
have been
given to
all who
believe in
Jesus
during
the
Church
Age.
95
Examples: Isa. 49:6 (compare Acts 13:47)
(Isa. 49:6)
He says, “It is too 
small a
thing that You should be My
Servant
To raise up the tribes of
Jacob and to restore
the 
preserved ones of
Israel;
I will also make You
a
light 
of the nations
So that My salvation
may 
reach to the end of the
earth.”
God says that his Servant
will restore Israel to him
and be a light to the nations
so that his salvation may
reach to the ends of the
earth.
Isaiah evidently
understood this
to refer to the
rule of Messiah in
the millennial
kingdom.
Acts 13:47
47 “For so the Lord
has commanded us,
‘
I have placed You as

a
light for the Gentiles,
That You may 
bring
salvation to the end of
the earth.’ ”
Paul quotes
this same
passage as a
description of
the church's
mission work
to the
Gentiles. This
phase of
Messiah's
redemptive
work with the
Gentiles
(through the
Body of
Christ) was
unforeseen by
Isaiah.
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
Give careful attention to:

Language of the prophetic passage:
 Figurative Psalms 2:1-3
 Poetic
 Symbolic Dan 7:23 beast =a nation; Dan 8:20-21 horn=king)
continue
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
Determine the historical background of the
prophet and the prophecy
continue
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
Search the entire body of Scripture to see what
passage parallel each other:

Day of the Lord

The Shaking of the Nations

Re-gathering of Israel
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
Type - (Greek tupos) means the mark of a stroke or blow
 Method of biblical interpretation where by an figure, emblem or symbol found in
the Old Testament is seen to prefigure one found in the New Testament.
 Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even
over those who had not sinned 
in the likeness of the offense of Adam,
who is a 
type of Him who was to come.


Antitype – is the fulfillment of the type
Types and antitypes are never identical but only similar
Either type or antitype may be a person, thing, or event, but often the type
is messianic and frequently related to the idea of salvation.

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OT Type
OT Reference
NT Antitype
NT Reference
The people of Israel
Exod. 19:6
Believers
1 Peter 2:5
The Prophet like Moses
Deut. 18:17-19
The Messiah
John 5:46; 6:14; 7:40; Acts
3:22-26; 7:37
Animal sacrifices
Lev.1-7, Num 6:14
The cross,
Heb. 7:27; 10:1-4; 1 Peter 2:24
God's presence with His
people
Exod. 40:34-38; Num. 9:15-23
The incarnation of Jesus
Matt. 1:23; John 1:14; Acts
2:2-4; 1Cor. 3:10-17; 6:19
Bread of the presence
(made from manna)
Exod. 25:23-30
Jesus the bread of life
John 6:32-33, 35
Altar of incense
Exod. 30:1-10
The prayers of the saints
Rev. 5:8; 8:3
Washing basin / laver
Exod. 30:17-21; 38:8
Washing from sin in baptism /
satisfying spiritual thirst / the Holy
Spirit
Acts 2:38 / John 4:13-14 /
John 7:37-39;
Acts 1:5; 10:47
The grain offering
Lev. 2
Jesus offered us His flesh to eat
John 6:54-58
The high priesthood
Lev. 8
A mediator between God and men
1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:26-28
The Passover lamb
Exod. 12:1-28, 43-49
Jesus Christ
Acts 8:32: 1 Cor. 5:7;
1 Peter 1:15-19; 2:21-23.
Feast of first fruits
Lev. 23:11; Deut. 16:9-12
Christ's resurrection
1 Cor. 15:20, 23
The day of atonement
Lev. 16
The cross
Rom. 3:25; Heb. 9:7-8, Heb
9:23-28; Heb 9:13:11-13
The bronze serpent
Num. 21:5-9
The cross
John 3:14-16
The smitten Rock
Exod. 17:5-7
Christ
1 Cor. 10:4
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


Protestant Biblical Interpretation by Bernard Ramm (1970) Baker Book
House
Basic Bible Interpretation by Dr. Roy Zuck (1991) Chariot Victor
Publishing
Wilson Dictionary of Bible Types by Walter Lewis Wilson(1957
Eerdmans Publishing

Tense Voice Mood : Pierce, Larry

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament

Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The
Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures
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
Robertson, A.T.: Word Pictures in the New Testament

Logos Bible Software Scholar Version






Louw, Johannes P. ; Nida, Eugene Albert: Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament : Based on Semantic
Domains.
The New Manners and Customs of the Bible by Freeman, James M. ; Chadwick, Harold J.: Manners &
Customs of the Bible
GREEK VERBS
QUICK REFERENCE http://www.preceptaustin.org/new_page_40.htm
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary :
An exposition of the scriptures (2:869). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
By J Dwight Pentecost; THINGS TO COME; A study in Biblical Eschatology
DICTIONARY OF DEITIES AND DEMONS IN THE BIBLE
Edited by Karel van der Toorn ,Bob Becking, Pieter W. van der Horst
Toorn, K. v. d., Becking, B., & Horst, P. W. v. d. (1999). Dictionary of deities and demons in the Bible DDD (2nd
extensively rev. ed.). Leiden; Boston; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Brill; Eerdmans
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
(J. Dwight Pentecost, Things To Come [Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1964

http://www.whitehorseinn.org






Why are there so many different Christian interpretations? Got Questions Ministries
provided the base
The Principles of Biblical Interpretation
http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache:Sa6xDfQNzd8J:www.englewoodbaptist.com/docs/Le
sson%252012.pdf+biblical+example+of+Contextual+Principle&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
Jamieson, Robert ; Fausset, A. R. ; Fausset, A. R. ; Brown, David ; Brown, David: A
Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments
http://www.crosstv.com/
Louw, Johannes P. ; Nida, Eugene Albert: Greek-English Lexicon of the New
Testament
Evans, William ; Coder, S. Maxwell: The Great Doctrines of the Bible. Enl. ed. Chicago : Moody
Press, 1998, c1974, S. 194
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You must understand that Satan is real and the spirit realm is controlling what we
perceive as truth and reality in the physical realm through the KOMOS.
Education
(POL)
Psychology
(LOF,POL,LOE)
Thoughts
(LOF,LOE,POL)
Philosophies
(POL)
Religion
(POL)
Ethics
POL
Morals
(LOF)
Walking in
Unbelief
Aims
(LOF,POL,LOE)
Hopes
Aspirations
(POL)
Continue
Impulses
Entertainment
(LOF,LOE)
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