A Complete Guide to Bible Interpretation: Moving from “What Did it Mean” to “How Does it Apply”

Introduction

One of the most foundational skills we can develop in our study of Scripture is the ability to move from understanding what the Bible meant in its original context to how it applies to our lives today. The graphic above is designed to help us visualize this process, and I’ll walk you through it step by step. This process is essential because Scripture is the “norm that norms which is normed” (norma normans sed non normata), meaning that it stands as the ultimate, final authority, but it still interacts with other ways of knowing. These ways include reason, tradition, nature, experience, and emotions—each of which holds some degree of authority in our lives as God speaks to us through them as well.

Let me start by asking you to review this chart and then I will interpret. This is what I will have you do for the rest of the article as I want you to engage your thinking cap and see if you can discern how each element of the chart contributes to the big picture.

We begin with this basic “bones” of the chart. Take a look at it and you will find this chart will help us outline the process of biblical interpretation, guiding us from understanding the original meaning of a passage to applying its principles today. It begins with determining the author’s intent (small “a”)—what the text meant for its timebound audience (the original readers on the left and us on the right). From there, we extract the Author’s Intent (large “A” — God) and discover the timeless principles that transcend culture and time, making them applicable to all people across history (timeless audience). Finally, we take those timeless principles and move them to today for modern application. If you don’t get it now, hang with me . . . it should become more clear as we go.

1. What Did it Mean?

We begin in the bottom left, where we ask the most foundational question: What did the text mean to its original audience? This is called “Authorial Intent Hermeneutics” but it is often called “Historical-Grammatical Interpretation.” Before we can jump into application, we must first understand what the biblical authors intended when they wrote the text. The Bible was written in real historical contexts, so our first step is to dive into these contexts and ask four key questions:

• Historical Interpretation: Here, we look at the world in which the text was written. This includes studying the culture, politics, geography, and events happening at the time the text was composed. Understanding the original setting helps us avoid reading our modern assumptions into ancient writings.

• Grammatical Interpretation: The next step is to pay attention to the words themselves. This involves analyzing the original language (Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic), focusing on grammar, syntax, and how words were used in that time. Words can change meaning across cultures and centuries, so understanding their original usage is key.

• Contextual Interpretation: Now, we look at the context surrounding the passage. What is the broader story or argument? How does this verse or passage fit into the chapter, book, and the overall message of Scripture? Without this, we risk pulling verses out of context and misapplying them.

• Literary Interpretation: Lastly, we need to consider the literary form. Is it a poem, a parable, historical narrative, prophecy, or an epistle? Different genres require different interpretive approaches. For example, poetry is full of symbolism, whereas epistles might be more direct and instructional.

Only when we’ve done this groundwork can we move on to the next question.

2. What Does it Mean?

Here is the whole “What Does it Mean?” chart.

This section, illustrated at the top, represents the timeless theological principle we derive from the text. The Bible was written for specific people in specific situations, but within those contexts, there are often truths that apply universally. Our goal here is to extract these timeless principles.

In this section of the graphic, you see symbols representing reason, tradition, nature, experience, and emotions compared with Scripture. These. along with the ultimate authority of Scripture, represent the six sources through which God speaks to us and from which we derive authority in our lives. While Scripture is the final authority, these other sources also hold some degree of authority and work in harmony with the Bible. Let’s break them down:

Compare Scripture with Scripture:

This is often referred to as the “analogy of Scripture.” The idea here is that Scripture is the best interpreter of itself. In this step, we ask whether the conclusion we reached when we asked “What did it mean?” has repeated representation in other parts of the Bible or, just as importantly, if it is contradicted or overturned by other Scripture. Sometimes, we can get the interpretation wrong, and other parts of Scripture can help us discover this. Other times, what was previously understood is updated through progressive revelation. Often, we will find confirmation of our interpretation by seeing it in other passages.

Comare Scripture with Reason:

We use our intellect to study Scripture and the world around us. God gave us the ability to think, reflect, and analyze, and reason plays a crucial role in our understanding of truth. While reason is not infallible, it helps us uncover and engage with the principles found in Scripture.

Comare Scripture with Tradition:

The teachings and practices of the church throughout history offer valuable insights. Tradition connects us to the wisdom of previous generations, helping us see how Christians before us understood and applied God’s Word. However, tradition must always be compared to and normed by Scripture.

Comare Scripture with Nature:

Also known as general revelation, nature reveals God’s attributes through the created world. The beauty, order, and complexity of nature speak to God’s power and divine nature. While nature alone cannot reveal the specifics of salvation, it gives us a glimpse of God’s character and is an important source of knowledge.

Comare Scripture with Experience:

Our personal experiences often inform our understanding of God’s truth. God works in and through our lives, and our experiences can teach us much about faith, growth, and grace. However, since experiences can be subjective, they must be brought into alignment with Scripture to ensure we are interpreting them properly.

Comare Scripture with Emotions:

Our emotions often provide an immediate, heartfelt connection to truth. Emotions can help us grasp the gravity of sin, the depth of God’s love, or the beauty of salvation. However, because emotions can be fleeting and unreliable, they need to be anchored in the truth of Scripture.

These five sources work alongside Scripture, but always in subjection to it. Scripture is the final authority, the norma normans sed non normata—the “norm that norms which is normed.” This means that while we receive truth from reason, tradition, nature, experience, and emotions, Scripture alone stands above them as the infallible guide through which they are filtered.

Extract Timeless Principles:

The next step in the process is to extract timeless principles. Oftentimes—though not always—passages will reveal something about God, humanity, or an imperative to follow. These principles transcend their original cultural context, offering theological truths or practical guidance that remain relevant for all times and places. In this way, we identify core teachings that shape our understanding of faith and practice today. However, not every passage contains such timeless principles, as some are specific to their original setting.

Contextualize the Principles (if any are found):

This next step involves taking the timeless truth we’ve uncovered and placing it back into a new cultural context. Essentially, we re-clothe the principle in modern terms, adapting it to speak to today’s audience while preserving its original meaning. Though the form and expression may change to fit contemporary culture, the core message remains the same. This process ensures that biblical principles continue to guide us in relevant and meaningful ways in our present-day situations.

3. How Does it Apply?

After extracting the timeless principle from Scripture and contextualizing it for today’s culture, the next step is finding the application—whether for preaching (see the guy at the pulpit?!) personal living (see the perfect family and how happy they look after they have applied the Bible?!). The application is where theology meets real life, guiding us in how we should think, act, and relate to others. For personal application, it may challenge our behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs, calling us to align more closely with God’s truth. For preaching, it involves clearly communicating how the timeless principles of Scripture speak to the current audience’s life, offering practical steps or imperatives for them to follow. Ultimately, the goal is to move from understanding God’s truth to living it out in our daily lives or faithfully conveying it to others, ensuring that the message not only informs but transforms.

The Central Importance of This Process

This whole process is essential because it prevents us from mishandling Scripture. We need to understand the Bible both as a historical document and as the living Word of God, capable of speaking truth across generations. By following this method, we respect the authority of Scripture while making its teachings relevant for today. It allows us to extract timeless truths without distorting them, ensuring that our modern application remains rooted in biblical reality.

Watch as I explain and illustrate this entire process on my podcast “Theology Unplugged”