How to Study Your Bible

How to Study Your BibleHow to Study Your Bible

Basics of GraceBasics of Grace

IntroductionIntroduction

This is a Bible study method which has been historically called "inductive," meaning that the method is designed to let the text speak for itself, rather than impose meaning onto it. It is an exegetical method, meaning that one is trying to "unfold" or more literally, "lead out" the meaning of the text. The goal of this method is to understand the meaning of God's Word so that one can "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects" (Col. 1:10). We have failed to be God-honoring in our pursuits if understanding of the truth does not lead to transformation of our life (cf. Rom. 12:1-2, Eph. 4:22-24).

ToolsTools

This method only requires the use of a good study Bible and the internet to access online study resources. For this study, we will utilize the MacArthur Study Bible (NASB version) and the online site, Blue Letter Bible (www.blueletterbible.org)

Passage: Luke 18:9-14Passage: Luke 18:9-14

Overview of MethodOverview of Method

1. Spiritual Preparation1. Spiritual Preparation

Spiritual Preparation – This is the most important step and often the most neglected. Proper time in prayer before sitting down before the "Book" is absolutely essential. It is also a good time to remind yourself to be "prayerful" through your study time.

2. Background Preparation2. Background Preparation

Study the background of the Bible book. Where was it written? When was it written? Was it original a unit or several parts put together? Biblical introduction also supplies information about historical background (writers, readers, locations, philosophies, cultures, etc.) Without biblical introduction, interpretive mistakes are easily made because the background and context of the book were not properly understood. – A good study Bible will have introductory articles before each Bible book that provide this sort of information.

Title

As with the other 3 gospels, the title is derived from the author’s name. According to tradition, Luke was a Gentile. The Apostle Paul seems to confirm this, distinguishing Luke from those who were “of the circumcision” (Col. 4:11, 14). That would make Luke the only Gentile to pen any books of Scripture. He is responsible for a significant portion of the NT, having written both this gospel and the book of Acts (see Author and Date).

Very little is known about Luke. He almost never included personal details about himself, and nothing definite is known about his background or his conversion. Both Eusebius and Jerome identified him as a native of Antioch (which may explain why so much of the book of Acts centers on Antioch—cf. Acts 11:19–27; 13:1–3; 14:26; 15:22, 23, 30–35; 18:22, 23). Luke was a frequent companion of the Apostle Paul, at least from the time of Paul’s Macedonian vision (Acts 16:9, 10) right up to the time of Paul’s martyrdom (2 Tim. 4:11).

The Apostle Paul referred to Luke as a physician (Col. 4:14). Luke’s interest in medical phenomena is evident in the high profile he gave to Jesus’ healing ministry (e.g., 4:38–40; 5:15–25; 6:17–19; 7:11–15; 8:43–47, 49–56; 9:2, 6, 11; 13:11–13; 14:2–4; 17:12–14; 22:50, 51). In Luke’s day, physicians did not have a unique vocabulary of technical terminology; so when Luke discusses healings and other medical issues, his language is not markedly different from that of the other gospel writers.

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Historical and Theological Themes

Luke’s style is that of a scholarly, well-read author (see note on 1:1–4). He wrote as a meticulous historian, often giving details that helped identify the historical context of the events he described (1:5; 2:1, 2; 3:1, 2; 13:1–4).

His account of the nativity is the fullest in all the gospel records—and (like the rest of Luke’s work) more polished in its literary style. He included in the birth narrative a series of praise psalms (1:46–55; 1:68–79; 2:14; 2:29–32; 34, 35). He alone reported the unusual circumstances surrounding the birth of John the Baptist, the annunciation to Mary, the manger, the shepherds, and Simeon and Anna (2:25–38).

A running theme in Luke’s gospel is Jesus’ compassion for Gentiles, Samaritans, women, children, tax collectors, sinners, and others often regarded as outcasts in Israel. Every time he mentions a tax collector (3:12; 5:27; 7:29; 15:1; 18:10–13; 19:2), it is in a positive sense. Yet, Luke did not ignore the salvation of those who were rich and respectable—e.g., 23:50–53. From the outset of Jesus’ public ministry (4:18) to the Lord’s final words on the cross (23:40–43), Luke underscored this theme of Christ’s ministry to the pariahs of society. Again and again he showed how the Great Physician ministered to those most aware of their need (cf. 5:31, 32; 15:4–7; 31, 32; 19:10).

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3. Reading3. Reading

Read the passage in several good literal translations (NASB, NKJV, ESV). It is best to read the entire paragraph (minimum) or better, the entire chapter where the text under study is located.

4. Observation4. Observation

Read and re-read the text until your mind is saturated with it. While memorization is not required, the text should be so vivid in your mind that you have "almost" memorized it.

4. Observation4. Observation

• Begin to ask questions:Begin to ask questions:• Who?Who?• What?What?• When?When?• Where?Where?• How?How?• Why?Why?• Don’t worry about making note of the Don’t worry about making note of the

obvious!obvious!

4. Observation4. Observation

• Pay careful attention to:Pay careful attention to:• Repeated wordsRepeated words• Repeated expressionsRepeated expressions• ContrastContrast• The author’s logic or flow of thoughtThe author’s logic or flow of thought

• Write down all of your questions, Write down all of your questions, thoughts, observations, etc.thoughts, observations, etc.

4. Observation4. Observation

• Purpose of the parable (v. 9)Purpose of the parable (v. 9)• Contrast between the two menContrast between the two men• Who is justified? (v. 14)Who is justified? (v. 14)

5. Identification5. Identification

• Grammar & syntaxGrammar & syntax• To what is each word, phrase, clause, To what is each word, phrase, clause,

sentence, and paragraph related? In sentence, and paragraph related? In what way is it related? what way is it related? For what For what purpose is each related? – purpose is each related? – Sometimes, Sometimes, making a logical diagram of the text making a logical diagram of the text can be helpful to see these types of can be helpful to see these types of relationshipsrelationships

• Where is the prominence or emphasis? Where is the prominence or emphasis? (pay attention to word order and the (pay attention to word order and the employment of emphatic words) employment of emphatic words)

V. 11 (ESV) - The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

V. 11 (NASB) - The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

V. 11 (NIV) - The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men-- robbers, evildoers, adulterers-- or even like this tax collector.

5. Identification5. Identification

• ExpressionExpression • Are there any idioms?Are there any idioms?• Are there any literary devices used? Are there any literary devices used?

((these will be more common in these will be more common in narrative and poetic books) – narrative and poetic books) – parallelism, inclusio, chiasm, etc.parallelism, inclusio, chiasm, etc.

• What is the literary form & genre? What is the literary form & genre? (narrative, poetry, letter (epistle), (narrative, poetry, letter (epistle), proverb, proverb, parableparable, apocalyptic , apocalyptic literature, etc.) literature, etc.)

5. Identification5. Identification

• ExpressionExpression • Do a word study for each word crucial Do a word study for each word crucial

to the text. to the text. Comparing various Comparing various translations often reveals the words translations often reveals the words that need to be studied.that need to be studied.

V. 13 (NASB) - But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, the sinner!”

V. 13 (NIV) - But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

V. 13 (ESV) - But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'

See Blue letter Bible and commentaries

V. 13 (NASB) - But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, the sinner!”

Note NASB margin reading: “13 – or propitious

5. Identification5. Identification

• ExpressionExpression • State the argument, theme, or "big State the argument, theme, or "big

idea" message in your own words idea" message in your own words

6. Examination6. Examination

• What are the circles of context? What are the circles of context? (immediate, remote, external (immediate, remote, external setting)setting)• How does the passage fit into each How does the passage fit into each

circle of context? circle of context? • The external setting is in the ancient The external setting is in the ancient

near eastern cultural, historical, near eastern cultural, historical, geographical, political, economic, and geographical, political, economic, and spiritual milieu spiritual milieu

Luke 18:1-14(2 parables)

Luke 14:1-19:27(Ministry in Perea)

Luke 9:51-19:27(Journey to Jerusalem – 3rd of 4 major

divisions in the book of Luke)

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6. Examination6. Examination

• Are there any parallel passages?Are there any parallel passages?• A parallel passage is another verse of A parallel passage is another verse of

Scripture which deals with the same Scripture which deals with the same event, topic, or discussion as the event, topic, or discussion as the verse presently under examination – verse presently under examination – A study Bible will help identify any A study Bible will help identify any potential parallel passagespotential parallel passages – – look in look in margins for verse citationsmargins for verse citations

6. Examination6. Examination

• Are there any parallel passages?Are there any parallel passages?• Pay the most attention to parallel Pay the most attention to parallel

passages which discuss the same passages which discuss the same historical event (narrative) or passages historical event (narrative) or passages which are written by the same author which are written by the same author about the same subject – about the same subject – If your If your passage is in one of the four gospels, passage is in one of the four gospels, you can use the Blue Letter Bible you can use the Blue Letter Bible “Harmony of the Gospels” to check for “Harmony of the Gospels” to check for parallel narrative accounts in the other parallel narrative accounts in the other gospel books.gospel books.

6. Examination6. Examination

• Are there any parallel passages?Are there any parallel passages?• Care must be taken here not to Care must be taken here not to

import meaning from a parallel import meaning from a parallel passage into the verse being studied. passage into the verse being studied. However, parallel passages can be However, parallel passages can be helpful for double-checking one's helpful for double-checking one's conclusions or for bringing additional conclusions or for bringing additional information about a subject not given information about a subject not given in the verse under study.in the verse under study.

7. “Solution”ation7. “Solution”ation

Answer questions and solve Answer questions and solve interpretive problems. interpretive problems.

• List any potential interpretive List any potential interpretive problems and corresponding problems and corresponding solutionssolutions

• Choose one as the "preferred" Choose one as the "preferred" solution and compare pros and solution and compare pros and cons with other possible solutionscons with other possible solutions

8. Consultation8. Consultation

Check your conclusions against reliable Check your conclusions against reliable commentaries.commentaries.

• Some good commentaries include: Some good commentaries include: The The Expositor’s Bible CommentaryExpositor’s Bible Commentary, , The The MacArthur New Testament CommentaryMacArthur New Testament Commentary, , Thru the BibleThru the Bible, , The New American The New American Commentary SeriesCommentary Series. . Blue Letter BibleBlue Letter Bible also has several good commentaries, also has several good commentaries, including Matthew Henry and Jamieson, including Matthew Henry and Jamieson, Fausset & BrownFausset & Brown

8. Consultation8. Consultation

Check your conclusions against Check your conclusions against reliable commentaries.reliable commentaries.

• Watch for alternative Watch for alternative interpretations and note any interpretations and note any additional problems that you may additional problems that you may have overlooked in your study. You have overlooked in your study. You should re-evaluate your conclusions should re-evaluate your conclusions if no commentator agrees with you.if no commentator agrees with you.

18:9 This parable is rich with truth about the doctrine of justification by faith. It illustrates perfectly how a sinner who is utterly devoid of personal righteousness may be declared righteous before God instantaneously through an act of repentant faith. The parable is addressed to Pharisees who trusted their own righteousness (vv. 10, 11). Such confidence in one’s inherent righteousness is a damning hope (cf. Rom. 10:3; Phil 3:9), because human righteousness—even the righteousness of the most fastidious Pharisee—falls short of the divine standard (Matt. 5:48). Scripture consistently teaches that sinners are justified when God’s perfect righteousness is imputed to their account (cf. Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:4, 5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:4–9)—and it was only on that basis that this tax collector (or anyone else) could be saved.

18:13 - The tax collector’s humility is notable in everything about his posture and behavior. Here was a man who had been made to face the reality of his own sin, and his only response was abject humility and repentance. He contrasts with the Pharisee in virtually every detail. God, be merciful. He had no hope but the mercy of God. This is the point to which the law aims to bring every sinner (cf. Rom. 3:19, 20; 7:13; Gal 3:22–24).

18:14 justified. I.e., reckoned righteous before God by means of an imputed righteousness (see note on v. 9).

MacArthur Study Bible, 1518.

9. Evaluation9. Evaluation

Conclude your study with any evaluation:Conclude your study with any evaluation: • Be willing to modify or refine your Be willing to modify or refine your

conclusions based upon your additional conclusions based upon your additional study or insight gained in commentariesstudy or insight gained in commentaries

• Acknowledge any uncertainties, Acknowledge any uncertainties, ambiguities, lack of knowledge or need ambiguities, lack of knowledge or need for additional information.for additional information.

• Outline a method of "where to go from Outline a method of "where to go from here" in order to further investigate here" in order to further investigate standing problems.standing problems.

10. Application10. ApplicationOnce conclusions are made about the meaning of Once conclusions are made about the meaning of

the passage, ample time should be spent in the passage, ample time should be spent in meditation, reflection, prayer, and personal meditation, reflection, prayer, and personal application.application.

• What are the timeless theological truths that What are the timeless theological truths that the passage is teaching?the passage is teaching?

• What can be learned about God from this verse?What can be learned about God from this verse? • What in your thinking needs to change in light What in your thinking needs to change in light

of this verse?of this verse? • Were you convicted or challenged by something Were you convicted or challenged by something

in the verse?in the verse?

10. Application10. Application