BIBLICAL HERMENEUTICS
A Look At God's Rules For Interpreting Scripture
By
Gary Ray Branscome


DEFINITION

       Hermeneutics is that area of theology which concerns itself with the  principles governing the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. In the broad sense of the term these principles include the rules for formulating doctrine. While Hermeneutics might be dealt with under the  heading of Exegetical Theology, it must also be considered in a discussion of Doctrinal Theology inasmuch as Scripture itself sets forth a doctrine concerning the principles by which it is to be interpreted.
 

THE SOURCE OF DOCTRINE

        #1- There is to be found in Scripture a unified body of God-given doctrine.1  This doctrine can be known,2 and every Christian has a responsibility to learn,3 embrace,4 and defend5 it.
 

1

       2 Tim. 3,16: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is
   profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

       1 Tim. 6,1: Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed.

       John 7,16,17: Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. See Gal. 1:11,12.

       Prov. 4,2: For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

       Psalm 19,7: The law of the Lord is perfect, etc.

       Titus 2,10: Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

       Deut. 6,1: Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you.

       1 Cor. 14,37: If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
 

2

       John 7,17: If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

       Titus 1,9: Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

       1 Tim. 6,3,4: If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which  is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, etc.

       Isaiah 29,24: They also that erred in spirit shall come to  understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

       2 Tim. 4,3: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, etc.

       1 Tim. 4,6: If thou put the brethern in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

       1 Tim. 4,16: Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue  in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

       Titus 2,7: In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, Sincerity.

       1 Tim. 1,3: As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went unto Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.

       1 Tim. 4,13: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

       1 Tim. 5,17: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.

       2 John 9: Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God,  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

       Acts 17,11: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

3

       John 5,39: Search the Scriptures, etc.

       Acts 17,11: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

       1 Cor. 10,15: I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

       Rom 16,17: Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

       2 John 10: If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed.  See Gal.1:8,9

       Col. 1,10: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of  God.

       1 Peter 3,15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:  and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, etc.

       2 Pet. 3,18: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  See 2 Pet. 1:5&8

       Col. 1,9: For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  See Eph. 1:16-18,Eph. 3:16-18

       Matt. 22,29: Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. Compare 1 John 4:1,6. Isaiah 29:24

       2 Tim. 3,14: But continue thou in the things which thou has learned and hast been assured of, etc.  See Deut. 31:12&13, John 8:31&32

4

       Col. 3,16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, etc.  See John 15:7

       John 17,8: For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, etc.

       1 Thess. 2,13: For this cause also thank we God without ceasing,  because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

       Prov. 2,1: My son if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee.

       Prov. 10,8: The wise in heart will receive commandments. See Prov. 4:10, Prov. 8:10; Prov. 19:20, Ezek. 3:10, Zeph. 3:7.

       Acts 2,41: Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, etc.

       Acts 8:14: Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that  Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.

       Acts 11,1: And the apostles and brethern that were in Judea heard  that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.  See Acts 17:11

       1 Thess. 1,6: And ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having  received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.  See Col. 2:6
 

5

       Jude 3: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

       Titus 1,9: Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

       Prov. 22,20,21: Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

       1 Pet. 3,15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

       Titus 3,10: A man that is an heretick after the first and second
   admonition reject.

       Rom. 16,17: Now I beseech you brethern, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;


FALSE SOURCES

 
       #2- We are not to regard anything outside of Scripture as the Word of God.1  Nor are we to regard our own private opinions as to the meaning of various passages of Scripture as the Word of God.2

1

       Deut. 4,2: Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.  See Deut. 12:32

       Prov. 30,6: Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

       Rev. 22,18: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.

       John 8,31: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.

       Deut. 28,14: And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other God's to serve them.  See Deut. 5:32, Deut. 17:11&20

       Col. 2,8: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

       Prov. 3,5: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  See Prov. 23:4

       Matt. 15,9: But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  See Mark 7:7

       Jer. 23,16,26: Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy you unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.(26) How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? Yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart.

       1 Tim. 1,3: As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine. See Gal. 1:8
 

2

       2 Pet. 1,20: Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.

       Prov. 3,5:Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  See Prov. 23:4

       2 Pet. 3,16:As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these
   things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other  Scriptures, unto their own destruction.

       1 Tim. 1,6,7: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law: understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

       2 Cor. 2,17: For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God, etc.

       Psalm 56,5: Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

       Isaiah 8,20: To the law and to the testimony:  if they speak not  according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

       Deut. 18,20: But the prophet, which shall presume to speak word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

       John 7,18: He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory:  but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
 



 

THE INTENDED MEANING

        #3- The meaning which God intends for us to place upon His words is only that meaning of which we can be certain,1  that is the plain or obvious meaning of the words2 according to natural usage.3

1

       Prov. 22,20,21: Have not I written to thee excellent things in
   counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee.

       Deut. 18,20: But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in  my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

       2 Pet. 1,20:  Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.

       1 John 5,13: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
 

2

       2 Cor. 1,13:  For We write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end.

       Prov. 8,8,9: All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.  They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

       2 Cor. 3,12: Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great  plainness of speech.

3

       2 Cor, 1,12: For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

       2 Cor. 4,2: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

       Psalm 50,23: Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me:  and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

       1 Cor. 14,33: For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as  in all churches of the saints.


THE DIVINE DOCTRINE

        #4- The divine doctrine consists, therefore, only of that teaching1  set forth so clearly2 in the words of Scripture3 that the passages in  which it is contained4 need no interpretation.5

1

       1 Tim. 1,3: As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine.

       Matt. 7,28,29: And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

       Mark 4,2: And he taught them many things by parables and said unto them in his doctrine.

       Mark 7,7: Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. See Matt. 15:9

2

       2 Cor. 3,12: Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great  plainness of speech.  See Prov. 8:8&9

       2 Cor. 1,13: For we write none other things unto you than what ye read or acknowledge, etc.

       Prov. 22,20,21:  Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, etc.

3

       John 8,31: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.

       2 Tim. 3,16: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, etc.

       Prov. 30,6: Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

       Isaiah 28,9,10: Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make  to understand doctrine? ... For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little.

       1 Tim. 5,17: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

4

       2 Pet. 1,20: Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.

       John 8,31: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.  See Deut. 18:20

       Rev. 22,18: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. See Prov. 30:6

5

       2 Pet. 1,20: Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.

       2 Cor. 1,13: For we write none other things unto you than what ye read or acknowledge, etc.

       Prov. 8,8,9: All the words of my mouth are in righteousness ... They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.


IT'S AUTHORITY

        #5- The teaching set forth in these clear passages1 is to be accepted2 as true,3 unconditionally. Not because it agrees with our own judgement,5 but because it is the Word of God.6
 

1

       John 16,25: These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs:  but the   time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

       John 16,29: His disciples said unto him, So, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

       2 Cor. 1,13: For we write none other things unto you than what ye read or acknowledge, etc.

       2 Cor. 3,12: Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech.  See Prov. 8:8&9

2

       1 Thess. 2,13: For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

       Col. 3,16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and Spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

       Prov. 4,10: Hear,- 0 my son and receive my sayings, etc.

3

       John 17,17: Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.

       Psalm 119,160: Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgements endureth for ever.

       Dan: 10,21: But I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth, etc.

       Rom. 3,4: God forbid:  yea, let God be true, but every man a liar, etc.

4

       1 Tim. 6,3,4: If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud knowing nothing, etc.

       Rom. 3,4: God forbid:  yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

       2 Pet. 1,19: We have also a more sure word of prophesy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, etc.

       1 Thess. 2,13: For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, etc.

       Prov. 8,8,9: All the words of my mouth are ... right to them that find knowledge.  See John 10:34,35, Gal. 3:16.

5

       Prov. 3,5: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

       Prov. 23,4:  Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

       1 Thess. 2,13:  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, etc.

       I Cor. 8,2:  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

       1 Cor. 4,4:  For I know nothing by myself, etc.

       1 Cor. 3,18,19:  Let no man deceive himself.  If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

       Rom. 3,4:  God forbid:  yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.

6

       2 Tim. 3,16: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
   profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

       2 Pet. 1,20,21: Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the Scripture  is of any private interpretation. For the prophesy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

       I Thess. 2,13: For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, etc.

       Rom. 3,4: God forbid:  yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.
 



 

HOW IT IS TO BE FOUND

        #6- In order to know1 what Scripture does or does not say2 on any   given topic3 it is necessary, therefore, that we first discover4 the clear passages5 of Scripture6 which speak on that topic.

1

       John 7,17: If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether I speak of myself.

       Prov. 2,5: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

2

       John 8,31,32: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If  ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

       Jer. 23,28:  The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully.

       2 Pet. 1,20:  Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the Scripture  is of any private interpretation.

3

       Luke 24,27: And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

       2 Tim. 3,16: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
 profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

4

       John 5,39: Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:  and they are they which testify of me.

       Acts 17,11: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were 50.

 5

       2 Cor. 1,13: For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end.

       2 Cor. 3,12: Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great  plainness of speech.

6

       Isaiah 28,9,10: Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? ... For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little.

       John 8,31,32: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If  ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.


HOW IT IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD

        #7-Each of these clear statements of Scripture is then to be compared with1 and understood in a way that agrees with,2 that teaching set forth in all of the other clear passages of Scripture.3

1

       1 Cor. 2,13: Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  Compare Rom. 7:14, John 6:63

       Isaiah 28,9,10: Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? ... For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.

2

       Isaiah 8,20: To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

       2 Pet. 1,20: Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.

       Rom. 12,6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophesy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.

       Rom. 3,4: God forbid: yea, let God be true, hut every man a liar, etc.  See John 17:17

3

       Isaiah 8,20: To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

       Rom. 12,6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophesy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.
 


 THE ANALOGY OF FAITH

       #8- That body of doctrine which consists of nothing other than the sum total of all of the clear passages of Scripture which set forth a doctrine or doctrines is the standard of faith.

       Rom. 12,6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophesy, let us prophesy according to the standard (proportion) of faith.

       Isaiah 8,20: To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
  



 

THE STANDARD OF INTERPRETATION

        #9- All unclear passages of Scripture1 must be understood in the light of,2  and all teaching must be in accordance with,3 the standard of faith.

1

       2 Pet. 3,16: As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.

       John 16,25: These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs:  but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.  See Matt. 13:10-11

2

       Rom. 12,6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophesy, let us prophesy according to the standard (proportion) of faith.

       Psalm 119,105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

       1 Cor, 2,13: Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  Compare Rom 7:14, John 6:63

3

       Isaiah 8,20: To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

       Rom. 12,6: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophesy, let us prophesy according to the standard (proportion) of faith.

       Acts 17,11: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

       Gal. 1,9: As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

       Rom. 16,17: Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

       Titus 3,10: A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.

       1 Tim. 6,3,4: If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, etc.

       2 Tim. 4,3: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.