Interpreting the Bible

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When removed from its context, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (NIV Philippians 1:21) appears to say that we can experience true life through knowing Jesus Christ personally and interacting with Him in all of our experiences. This truth is taught by other Bible passages (John 10:10; 17:3; Galatians 2:20). When Philippians 1:21 is interpreted this way, it beautifully expresses what many people have experienced. Perhaps that is why many people interpret this text this way. Yet, as we have discovered, the context indicates that Paul probably meant Philippians 1:21 to mean, “For to me, to continue to live means I will serve Christ more and will produce more fruit for Him. If I die, I will gain, because I will go to be with Him.”

You might ask, “Is it wrong to interpret a Bible text differently than what the author intended it to say?” God often speaks to His people through His word about our lives. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (NIV Hebrews 4:12). Because of this, our understanding of a particular Bible text may change as we grow in our understanding of God’s Word. 

God may use the same text to say different things to us about our lives at different times. God may use the same text to say different things to different people. But we should remember that the Holy Spirit inspired the authors of the Bible to write a specific message to a particular first group of readers. There is a curse against changing the meaning of God’s revealed truth in the Bible (Revelation 22:18–19). 

That means we should determine what the Holy Spirit intended each Bible text to communicate. We should recognize and acknowledge the difference between the author’s intended message and what God may be saying to us personally about our lives from the same text. We should also make sure that what we think God is saying to us is in agreement with the teaching of the rest of the Bible. If we do not, deceiving spirits and false teachers may mislead us.

However, you can be confident that God’s messages to His people will never be contrary to the teaching of the whole Bible. Why? 
  • Because all Scripture is from God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21). 
  • God is good, pure, holy, and perfect in every way (Leviticus 19:2; Numbers 23:19; Matthew 5:48; Mark 10:17–18; Hebrews 7:26–28). 
  • He cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). 
  • He never makes mistakes or sins (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 19:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26–28). 
  • God is always faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 49:7; Romans 3:3–4; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:13; Revelation 1:5; 3:7, 14). 
  • He never changes (Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 13:8). 
  • God always does what He says He will do and does not contradict himself (Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 7:9–10; Romans 15:8; 2 Corinthians 1:17–20). 
  • Because of God’s characteristics, all communication from Him must also have the same characteristics. 
  • Because all Scripture is from God, all Scripture is authoritative, reliable, without error, always true, and without contradictions (2 Samuel 22:31; Psalms 12:6; 18:30; 19:7–9; 119:128, 140, 143; Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:17–18; John 10:35; 2 Corinthians 1:17–20; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:25). 
Therefore, no properly interpreted Bible text will contradict the teaching of the whole Bible. And no communication from God will contradict the teachings of the Bible.

Consequently, you should use the teachings of the whole Bible to test both your understanding of specific Bible texts and what you think God may be saying to you personally. Any message that is contrary to the teachings of the Bible is not from God. Any interpretation of a Bible text that contradicts the teachings of other Bible texts is not correct.



French, R. A. (1999). Keys to the Bible’s treasures: how to determine the meaning of Bible texts. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

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