Interpreting Bible Passages
Study Bibles
As I say elsewhere, I encourage you to read and reread the Bible with a study Bible in hand. Along with listening to quality preaching and teaching of God’s Word, private Bible reading is the best way to increase your knowledge of the Bible. When you read something in the Bible that is unclear, glance down to the study notes. Each of the study Bibles below is exceptional.
*NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (3)
The Process of Interpreting the Bible
The resources in this section explain the process of how to interpret the Bible and apply it to your life.
*Living By the Book by Howard G. Hendricks & William D. Hendricks (1 or 2): The authors teach a three-step process for how to read the Bible (observation, interpretation, and application), encouraging us to be active Bible readers each step of the way. Use it in conjunction with their workbook.
Seven Arrows by Matt Rogers & Donny Mathis (1 or 2): Arranged around seven questions, such as “What does this passage say?”, “What did this passage mean to its original audience?”, and “How does this passage change the way I relate to people?” A great starting point for learning how to read the Bible more intentionally.
40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible by Robert L. Plummer (2 or 3): I have used this book in my introductory Bible courses at two Christian universities, precisely because the author is so clear, concise, and balanced in the way he addresses foundational questions in the area of biblical interpretation.
*Journey into God’s Word by J. Scott Duvall & J. Daniel Hays (2): This book is an abridged version of the book immediately below, Grasping God’s Word.
*Grasping God’s Word by J. Scott Duvall & J. Daniel Hays (3): An excellent college-level introduction to the process of interpreting God’s Word. Use it in conjunction with their workbook.
How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament by Jason S. DeRouchie (3 or 4) & How to Understand and Apply the New Testament by Andrew Naselli (3): The authors outline how to interpret the Old Testament and the New Testament in twelve steps each. Their first eight or nine steps focus on interpreting individual passages of Scripture, while they also address topics such as biblical theology, systematic theology, and practical theology.
For the Love of God’s Word by Andreas J. Köstenberger & Richard D. Patterson (3): This book is an abridged version of the book immediately below, Invitation to Biblical Interpretation.
Invitation to Biblical Interpretation by Andreas J. Köstenberger with Richard D. Patterson (4): A seminary-level introduction to biblical interpretation.
Commentary Series
My prayer is that a new generation of Christians would fall in love with reading commentaries on books of the Bible. Doing so stimulates both your head and your heart, much more than so many of the so-called devotional books that Christians read in the bathroom.
In an Amazon search, type in a book of the Bible you want to study (such as “Philippians”) and a commentary series that fits your level and needs (such as the “Bible Speaks Today”), and it will lead you here. Or type in “Philippians” and “Pillar New Testament Commentary,” and it will lead you here.
These are my favorite commentary series:
The Bible Speaks Today Series (2)
*ESV Expository Commentary (2 or 3)
Expositor’s Bible Commentary (3 or 4)
*Baker Handbooks on the Old Testament / Baker Handbooks on the New Testament (3 or 4) While these books are not commentaries, they usefully outline the authors’ flow of thought.
*Pillar New Testament Commentary (3 or 4)
Biblical Theology for Christian Proclamation (3 or 4)
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (4 or 5)
Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament (4 or 5)
*Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (4 or 5)
The Letter to the Romans by Douglas J. Moo (4 or 5): Though this is an individual commentary, it deserves special mention here. It is the best commentary I have read by one of the best Bible commentators in the world. Dr. Moo is a profound gift from God to the church.
Note: The categories and books below have a more technical feel to them. Most people study information like this in formal settings, such as Christians colleges and universities and seminaries.
Introductions to Books of the Bible
“Introduction” is a category within biblical studies that addresses introductory matters related to the study of individual books and larger sections of the Bible, such as information about a book’s author, date of composition, purpose, and outline. The study Bibles listed above supply that information as well, in a condensed format.
Introducing the Old Testament by Tremper Longman III (2 or 3): This book is an abridged version of the book immediately below, An Introduction to the Old Testament.
An Introduction to the Old Testament by Tremper Longman III & Raymond B. Dillard (3 or 4): A college-level or seminary-level introduction to the Old Testament.
The Lion and the Lamb by Andreas J. Köstenberger, L. Scott Kellum & Charles L. Quarles (3): This book is an abridged version of the book immediately below, The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown.
Biblical Languages (year one)
Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar by William D. Mounce (3 or 4)
Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar by Gary D. Pratico & Miles Van Pelt (3 or 4)
Biblical Languages (year two)
Exegetical Gems from Biblical Greek by Benjamin L. Merkle (3 or 4): A summary of “35 key Greek grammatical issues and their significance for interpreting the New Testament.” Read this after you read the book below, as a delightful change-of-pace to reviewing second-year Greek.
*Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament (4 or 5)
Exegetical Gems from Biblical Hebrew by H. H. Hardy II (3 or 4): An excellent way to review second-year Hebrew.
Invitation to Biblical Hebrew Syntax by Russell T. Fuller & Kyoungwon Choi (4 or 5)
Biblical Languages (year three and beyond)
The Greek Verb Revisited by Steven E. Runge & Christopher J. Fresch (eds.) (5)
*Prepositions and Theology in the Greek New Testament by Murray J. Harris (5)
Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament by Steven E. Runge (5)
Biblical Words & Concepts
New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis by Moisés Silva (ed.) (4 or 5)
Other Helpful Resources
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament by G. K. Beale & D. A. Carson (4 or 5)
Old Testament Use of Old Testament: A Book-by-Book Guide by Gary Edward Schnittjer
Best Bible Books: New Testament Resources by John Glynn (original author)