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II. PRACTICAL RULES
The following
Rules of Interpretation and
Practical
Rules were taken from Smith's Bible Dictionary, Revised Edition
(Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville) that was compiled from Dr. William Smith's Dictionary
of the Bible (pp. 483-484).
I. RULES OF INTERPRETATION
1. Put yourself, as it were, in the times, places,
and circumstances of the sacred writers.
2. Form as a correct a view as you can of the
geography of the Scripture, of the simplicity of ancient manners, of the arts
and habits that existed in those times. The Psalms abound with allusions to
hunting wild beasts. many passages in Job are clear to him who has a correct
view of judicial matters.
3.
Ascertain, as far as it is possible, the plain,
literal and primary meaning of the scripture. Exercise sound common sense. A
right use of reason will supersede much criticism, and prove a valuable
substitute for it.
4. Beware of mystical and ingenious
refinement; do not aim to spiritualize every passage. Real spirituality and
fanciful spirituality are different things. The former is real, deep, sublime,
and satisfactory, the latter is ideal, shallow, specious and delusive.
5. Seek the literal before the spiritual meaning.
6. The true spiritual sense of a passage is that
which is to be most highly esteemed.
7. Avoid ingenious conceits and far-fetched
interpretations.
8. Make all allowance for idiomatical and
figurative diction, especially when an absurdity would follow from adhering to
the literal sense.
9. Always distinguish between plain and
figurative language.
10. Never press a metaphor too far.
11. Carefully consider the context before you draw a
conclusion from a separate passage.
12. Carefully consider the circumstances of a
passage as far as you can; that is, the occasion of it, to whom it was written,
by whom it was written, and with what design.
13. Compare spiritual things with spiritual. Never
be weary of referring to what are called parallel passages; that is, to
illustrate passages: for Scripture is the best interpreter of Scripture.
14. Explain what is difficult by what is plain
and easy.
15. Never expect fully to understand all things in
the Scriptures; yet remember that wise, humble, devout, and persevering study
will be always adding something to our knowledge.
16. When words and phrases are of doubtful
meaning consider them well.
17. do not always fix the same meaning to the
same word, for the same word is frequently used in Scripture in various senses.
18. Endeavor to form clear and distinct ideas of the
great and peculiar words of Scripture, such as faith, repentance, redemption,
justification, sanctification, grace, righteousness, etc.
[N. B. -- It is to be deeply lamented that there is
so little agreement among serious Christians about the ideas to be attached to
such words. In vain do we look for peace and unanimity among Christians, while
the sacred vocabulary remains so undefined as it is at present.]
19. Consider (see 12) the character of a
writer, the state and character of those whom he wrote, the errors which he
opposed, the truths which he inculcated and established.
20. The New Testament is the fulfillment of
the Old. Carefully compare them with each other.
21. The historical and prophetical books of
the Old Testament mutually illustrate each other.
22. The Epistles of the New Testament are the
comment of the Holy Spirit on the four Gospels.
23. The Epistle to the Hebrews is the key to the
Jewish ritual, as contained in the last four books of Moses.
24. In order to form a just view of any book of the
Scriptures, read the whole of it, consider its parts, their relation to each
other, and their formation of a whole.
25. Never form opinions from detailed parts
and passages.
26. Be content to remain in ignorance, rather
than plunge in error, where difficulties are
27. Admit no doctrine as part of the Gospel
which is not agreeable to the general tenor of the whole.
28. Interpret all that is said concerning God,
after the manner of men, in a way that is agreeable to the infinite perfection.
29. Make no types and allegories which the
Scripture does not directly warrant.
30. Do not compel the whole of a parable to
bear a spiritual meaning.
31. The whole is sometimes put for a part, and
a part for the whole.
32. General terms are to be sometimes limited,
particular terms are sometimes put for general, definite numbers are often put
for indefinite.
33. Sometimes things by the figure hyperbole
are magnified or diminished beyond or below their limits.
34. Negatives are often put for a strong affirmation
of the contrary as "not guiltless," i.e., exceedingly guilty
"shall not be moved." i.e., shall be firmly established.
35. Questions are frequently put for strong
affirmation or negations (Jer. v.9; St. Mark viii.36)
36. In reading poetical books remember the nature of
the Hebrew verse.
37. Interpret Prophesy by History, not by
speculation, conjecture and fancy.
38. The sacred writers, and especially the
prophets, often change persons and tenses.
39. Many truths, delivered in the form of absolute
and universal propositions, are to be interpreted under certain limitations and
conditions.
40. One principle, or one duty, is frequently
spoken of as implying the presence of all religion, for where it is, there all
other essential things co-exist with it.
41. Promises made to particular persons in Scripture
may be applied to all believers.
42. Never separate promises from duties. The mind,
heart, and conduct of man--the truth, power and commands of Scripture--study
them in their inseparable relations.
43. Though Scripture was primarily addressed to
particular people, yet its truths, laws, and spirit are of universal extent and
perpetual duration. Hence, whatever we read in the Bible, we read that which God
addresses to us as individuals.
II. PRACTICAL RULES
Read and search the Scriptures--
2. With humility and teachableness, not to
cavil, but to learn.
3. With a devout mind, with heartfelt
dependence on the various influences of the Holy Spirit.
4. With reflection, as a creature endowed with
intelligence and reason. Reading without reflection will communicate no solid
knowledge; it can, at the most, only fill the mind with crude, superficial,
partial, and unconnected notions.
5. With patience, not expecting to know in a
day all that they reveal, or to be in a day, all that they require.
6. With a direct reference to personal
improvement in the universality of Christian godliness; in holiness of mind, or
its effectual illumination in Christian doctrine; in holiness of heart, of
purity of principles and affections; and in the holiness of conduct, or walking
with God, and before God, in obedience to His laws.
7. With a proper recollection of what we read;
as whether it be a doctrine, command, promise, warning, character, event, etc.
8. With so much attention as at least to remember
something. let something, whenever the Bible is opened, be impressed on the mind
for subsequent meditation.
9. With a freedom from all bias to systems of human
device. Let the one and only desire of your soul be--to be taught of God, to be
cast into the pure mold of the Gospel of Christ.
10. With a due recollection that you have always
much to learn, much to correct, etc.
11. With constant interrogation and
self-application; what do I know of this truth--feel of this principle or
affection--enjoy of this promise--fear of this threat--perform of this
duty--avoid of this evil?
12. With meek and fervent prayer to the Father
of Light. make what you read the ground-work of your supplication.
13. With a grateful heart. Always bless God
for giving you the rich treasure of His Word.
14. With the just sense of responsibility. God
demands of us a due improvement of his gifts.
15. With constancy; not by fits and starts,
not as a wide intervals of time, but habitually, daily, through the whole of
life.
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