How To Read The Bible

The Bible is God speaking to you. It is God’s instrument in salvation (Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 1:25) and God’s means for growing mature Christians (1 Peter 2:2).

The first step in understanding the Bible is conversion. Paul said, “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. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things” (1 Corinthians 2:14–15). The unsaved person can read the Bible and receive inspiration, but the true Christian receives infinitely more. To salvation must be added submission. The Bible must be read in a spirit of humility. This is the way to begin.

1. Read The Bible Prayerfully

Prayer is the “open sesame” to the Bible. All of us in reading some current book have wished the author were present to answer and explain some things. This is rarely possible. Amazing as it seems, this is possible when reading the Bible. James said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). God delights to give us wisdom and understanding. The psalmist knew this lesson, for long years ago he prayed, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18). It is wonderful to ask the Lord to show us some “wondrous thing” each day out of His law. After He has done this, dwell upon the truth, apply it, and put it to use. John Newton said it this way, “By one hour’s intimate access to the throne of grace, where the Lord causes His glory to pass before the soul that seeks Him, you may acquire more true spiritual knowledge and comfort than by a day’s or a week’s converse with the best of men, of the most studious perusal of many folios.”

The Bible is the result of men being moved by the Holy Spirit. In 2 Peter 1:21 we read, “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.” And again, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). The Holy Spirit who led these men to write desires to lead us to understand. Without the Holy Spirit the Bible is an ocean which cannot be sounded, heavens which cannot be surveyed, mines which cannot be explored and mysteries beyond unraveling. We must yield to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit has come and indwells every believer. Let us permit Him to guide us into God’s truth. Without the illumination of the Holy Spirit we read in vain. Let us read the Bible prayerfully.

2. Read The Bible Carefully

Of the Christians at Berea it could be said, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). The Bereans read the Scriptures carefully. The Bible is read a lot but studied little. To read with care requires concentration. Our minds must be alert. The Bereans “received the word with all readiness of mind.” To read in a perfunctory way for conscience sake is worthless. May we never read the Bible out of obligation. Spasmodic, intermittent reading produced instability.

Jesus said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). This demands obedience. “If any man will do his will, he shall know. . .” All the icebergs of difficulty will melt before a ready and willing mind. Dark skies will be pierced, deep places fathomed and wide rivers forged. Obedience to God’s will results in an unshakeable confidence in God’s Word.

The Bereans also “searched the scriptures daily.” This necessitates work. The great truths of God are not gathered by the careless reader. Diamonds are not found on the sidewalk. We must dwell upon its chapters, verses, phrases and words, eagerly searching to understand its message. The best is always under the shell. Yes, we must search like a miner looking for gold. The psalmist said, “I love thy commandments above gold” (Psalm 119:127). We must search like a hungry man for food. Jeremiah said, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them” (Jeremiah 15:16). Job said, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). And again, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103). The little bee alights on the flower, then dips down to the very heart and sucks up the honey. Careful Bible reading will yield honey to the mouth. Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life” (John 5:39).

The Lord’s formula for Joshua’s prosperity and success was, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

The word “meditate” means “to attend.” All attention must be focused on the subject at hand. David’s definition of a happy man in Psalm 1:2 is one who delights “in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” May God deliver us from a complacent, casual, cursory reading of the Word of God. Let us read the Bible carefully, searchingly, and attentively.

3. Read The Bible Systematically

First, set aside a definite time for Bible reading, preferably at the beginning of the day when the mind is alert. At a prescribed time in a quiet place, systematically read the Word of God. Do not permit anything to interfere no matter how important is seems. Many well-meaning Christians who sincerely love the Lord are up-and-down in their Christian experience because they have no definite time with God. The old hymn states, “Take time to be holy, Speak oft with the Lord.” To this I might add, make time. Let us beware of the barrenness of an overactive life.

To read a portion of the Bible before retiring is fine but not sufficient. Not only our last conscious thoughts should be of the Lord, but also our first thoughts. Give God the first part of the day, not the last; the best, not the worst. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Second, begin at the beginning. In reading any other book we start with chapter one. To start a novel or biography in the middle results in confusion. The same holds true for the Bible. We cannot adequately understand Exodus apart from Genesis, or Hebrews apart from Leviticus. Too often we become so attached to certain favorite portions that we neglect the remainder of the Bible. The Lord said, “Go through the depth of it.” Begin where God began, Genesis 1:1 and steadily go through to Revelation 22:21.

Third, secure a notebook and jot down some questions such as: “Who is speaking—God, an apostle or the devil? To whom was it written—saints or sinners? What was the background of the writer and possibly the receiver? What are the main ideas? What seems to be the key verse? What message is there for me today?” As you read, fill in the answers. Learn the facts, then apply them. This method of reading will help you grasp the entire book, thus avoiding error and misinterpretation. As you read, make sure you understand the words. If not, look them up. Get your bearings geographically and chronologically. Notice the marginal references and compare Scripture with Scripture.

Added to your regular reading you might want to do some topical studying. This yields rich dividends. Take your concordance (Young’s Analytical Concordance, Cruden’s Complete Concordance, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance) and look up the word “heaven.” Look up every passage in the Bible on this subject and record your findings. You will be thrilled at what you have learned.

Commentaries are splendid. However, beware of being chained to them. Someone has humorously said, “The Bible throws a lot of light on the commentaries.” Any book that takes priority over the Bible becomes a crutch which leads to weakness. To read the words of men and neglect the Word of God is to say the books of men are more interesting than the Book of God. Certainly the creature cannot capture your interest more than the Creator. Nothing will help you grow like a systematic study of the Bible.

4. Read The Bible Trustfully

“Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). Salvation as well as growth depend upon trustfulness. Faith is necessary in understanding the Bible. This is exactly where Israel failed. “The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2). We must believe God.

The Bible is living, not dead. If the Lord came personally to you, would you ignore Him? He has spoken to you in the Bible! We dare not neglect it. Think of it! Not man’s word, but God’s Word. Let us humbly say with Samuel, “Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:9).

Imagine Mr. Jones at the close of a busy day. He is weary in body and fatigued in mind. Just before going to bed, he hurriedly reads one of the shorter psalms. Briefly he prays and tumbles into bed. Doubtless Mr. Jones will remember little of his reading. Every condition militates against it.

In contrast, imagine Mr. Jones at the beginning of the day. He is rested in body and ready in mind. In a definite place at a definite time he starts the day with God. After prayer for the Spirit’s enlightenment, he reads with care answering obvious questions and making brief notations of his findings. Occasionally, a verse must be looked up or a passage of Scripture compared with another. After systematic study, he is ready for all the events of the day. The Word of God will garrison him against evil. His new spiritual discoveries may be applied and put to use. Surely he will “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

To amount to something in God’s sight, we must read the Bible prayerfully, carefully, systematically, and trustfully.