Basic Principles of Biblical Interpretation (Dr. Jesse Moon, pages 36-37)

  1. The Scriptural principle (analogy of faith)

The fundamental principle of interpretation is that Scripture is its own best interpreter. This requires the careful consideration of the context of the passage and the correlation of its message with the whole of Scripture. The teaching of a given passage must be harmonized with the general teaching of the Bible,

  • A passage of Scripture may have only one interpretation with several applications.
  • The most simple and natural meaning of the passage is most likely the true one
  • If there seems to be two interpretations for a passage take the clearest meaning
  • If there seems to be two interpretations with equal support accept both and consider them to be a paradox.
  • Study the parallel passages and they will enhance and qualify the message of the passage under consideration.
  1. The literary principle.

Interpret the Bible just as you would any other book (so far as it is like any other book).

  • Interpret in the light of introductory data. This includes biographical information on the author; circumstances of the writing; and circumstances of the recipients.
  • Interpret according to the literary style.
  • Interpret according to the purpose of the book or passage.
  1. The grammatico-historical principle.
  • Interpret according to accepted rules of grammar. This includes: word meanings; literary form; structure; and construction of ideas.
  • Interpret according to the facts of history.
  • This includes the significant persons, movements, events, and philosophies which preceded, followed and were contemporaneous in both biblical and extra-biblical history.
  1. The contextual principle.

Since the original message was conveyed within a given context correct interpretation is dependent upon the restoration of that context as much as possible,

  • Interpret according to the grammatical context.
  • Interpret according to the literary context
  • Interpret according to the historical context.
  • Interpret according to the cultural context.
  1. The figurative principle.

The Bible makes abundant use of figurative language in the attempt to reveal spiritual truths in human terms. This is accomplished by drawing analogies between spiritual truths and familiar objects. The interpretation of figurative passages requires the following:

  • Determine if the language is figurative or literal.
  • The nature of the subject gives a clue as to whether it is to be taken literally or figuratively. Common sense and context are helpful here.
  • Comparison of the literal and the figurative meanings of the passage with other Scriptural teachings will help in the decision.
  • Interpret the passage as literal unless it is clearly in contradiction with the context and the whole teaching of Scripture to do so,