Interpreting Scripture is a challenging task. But when you read Scripture, you are interpreting it.
Here are some questions to answer which will help you interpret Scripture so you understand it as it was intended. When these questions are answered, you will discover that the fulfillment is greater than the prediction, just as the antitype is greater than the type:
- Does the New Testament quote it or allude to it?
- How does the New Testament treat the oracle’s themes and theological points?
- Who is the author of the passage?
- To whom were they writing?
- What is the outline/structure of the passage?
- Is the choice of words, wording, or word order significant in this particular passage?
- Are any words repeated? Any significance to the repetition?
- What is the cultural, historical background and context of the passage?
- What was the author’s original intended meaning?
- How did the author’s contemporaries understand him?
- How would the original audience have been affected by the passage?
- Why did he say it that way?
- Are there any unusual words in the passage that call for more exploration?
- How does the passage fit into the surrounding paragraph? Chapter? Book?
- Why did the author place the passage here and not somewhere else?
- In one sentence, what is the main point of the passage?
- How does this passage connect to the overall storyline of the Bible?
- How does God want this passage to function in my life?
- What kind of response does this passage call for?
- How does this passage reveal Jesus as savior?
- Father, I believe this passage is about the gospel of your Son. Help me see how!
What other questions would you add?