Mike Reynolds Supporter

in my opinion, we should understand the non-negotiables of Scripture regarding God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. These non-negotiables should be our core of who we are in Christ. All other areas of Scripture should be discussed without destructively and negatively damaging the other persons opinions on God's word. When studying scripture through context, grammar, the genre of the writing, author/audience and intent; we can understand a little better why and what God is telling us through His word. Many people, even godly theologians debate on scripture and seek to find the true understanding of the Word. We should always feel free to discuss our understanding amongst our brothers and sisters in Christ, but ultimately yield to the Holy Spirit and even consult others more educated or knowledgable on the subject. 

Open minds and willing hearts are better to have in moments of debates when seeking wise counsel. I remember stating things as facts when I first became a Christian (which were terribly wrong) and my friend didn't scold me, he gently suggested that I think of it in a different light. Not long later did I understand what he was saying as the Holy Spirit had brought me a better understanding of what I was originally misunderstanding.... so in short to answer the question, we should always be open to discuss our interpretations but their comes a time when we should seek wide counsel of someone who is well versed to understand their meaning on the word.

December 02 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

JD Abshire Supporter

I believe the Bible encourages debate.

1 Corinthians 11:19 "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you."

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

No scripture is isolated from scripture given elsewhere. Seeming contradictions arise when we have a wrong interpretation and wrong understanding. All of us get into trouble when we "cookie cut" scripture. 

For instance, in Matthew 27:5 we read: "And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself."

Luke 10:37 states: "And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."

So if we do not "rightly divide" but combine the two passages we come up with: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
I realize this example is bizarre and extreme but to a lesser degree, it happens all the time.

Text taken out of context in isolation from its cotext becomes a pretext. 

Text: A written, typed, or printed version of something such as a speech or a statement.

 Context: The words, phrases, or passages that come before and after a particular word or passage in a speech or piece of writing and help to explain its full meaning. 

Cotext: The text that surrounds a passage, i.e. the words or sentences coming before and after it. (Cotext is the textual context of a text.) 

Pretext: A reason for an action which is false, and offered to cover up true motives or intentions.

December 02 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Joe cattani Supporter

When you are drawn to the Bible, God is speaking directly to you. I find that the message applies to me, so the message is unique to my circumstances. God uses the same scriptures to lead two different persons in the direction he needs them to go. So listen to others and don't be afraid to ask for explanation of a word or verse or chapter no matter how long you have been studying the Bible. An old Jewish saying "there is no shame in a rich man asking a poor man for a cup of water"

December 02 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

donna reyes Supporter

As far as I remember the bible said lean not on you own understanding. We must Pray and ask wisdom from the Lord. And seek also the people that are trustworthy in this field.

December 02 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Emo Tenorio Supporter Shomer

In my humble opinion scripture should be read with an open prayerful mind asking God to reveal His deep buried nuggets of wisdom. 
We all come to faith on our own very different life experience paths, God uses these experiences for His glory. The body of believers is varied for a purpose strong, weak, short, tall and iron sharpens iron!

There are some who have paid such a price for their faith knowledge, that it's humbling to those who haven't. Their interpretations of scripture comes from a very long dark night of broken painful weakness, where a most merciful God showed His loving grace.

The wise would choose not to pay the admission price for such heartbreaking knowledge or wish such things on their worst enemy, and yet these lion heart warrior saints walk among us with a purpose, let us be wise in building up our faith.

Scripture tells us to come let us reason, together we will seek out the true things of God with all that He has given to us!

Four Jewish levels to scripture, p'shat, remez, drash, and Sod = secret things (to profit)

In the Lord's freedom to seek out the Sod........warrior on

December 02 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Frederick Thomas Supporter Rom 3:4 ...let God be true...

After years of studying I came to this awakening that the teachers need historical background knowledge of the people to whom certain things were written. 

The Bible
How the hearers understood it. There are writings that will be totally misunderstood if you don't have knowledge of the time it was said, what the hearers understood, their customs of the day and their surroundings.
Example : Jesus speaking to the hearers Joh 16:23 "In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 
The hearer wrote down what he understood Jesus said because he was there: 1Jn 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 
“…according to His will…” this part omitted gave birth to “name it and claim it” and “declare and decree”

Thank God for all those who spend years preparing for us The Commentaries, Apps, and Dictionaries though some differ but at least I am so appreciative of their contribution. It makes studying easier and you can spend your time on studying new topics. 


When I study I put my personal findings on paper. Thereafter I investigate its validity using all kind of tools (Commentaries, dictionaries, bible interpretations and books). 

I also deliberately look for those on the net who agree and disagree with my opinion reached and why they disagree. 

Either I refute or amend because truth must reign.

This method I find very important before sharing it to the brethren.
Our working brethren are depending on the teachers to fill the gap of studying God’s word fulltime intensively because the brethren after a day’s work come home have to wash feed the kids prepare for them for the next day etc. Then they end up with an hour to spend on the word before literally passing out (fall sleep) just to ditto it the next day.

The teachers steer the body of believers and they must do it right.
KJV 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

October 24 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does the Bible say about interpreting it on our own?

The Bible encourages people to read it personally, but it also shows how that reading should happen. When you look at Scripture as a whole, you see a pattern: God expects His people to listen carefully, to seek understanding, and to stay rooted in what He has already revealed rather than inventing new meanings.

One of the clearest ideas in the Bible is that wisdom doesn't come from guessing or from treating Scripture like a puzzle. It comes from paying attention. Many passages urge believers to "hear," “consider," and "remember," which shows that thoughtful engagement is part of faith. The writers assume ordinary people can understand God's words, even if some parts take effort.

At the same time, the Bible warns against twisting its message. Prophets and apostles often confront people who reshape God's words to fit their own desires. That tells us something important: personal interpretation is welcome, but careless interpretation is dangerous. The text is meant to guide the reader, not the other way around.

Another theme is humility. Scripture often reminds readers that understanding comes from God, not from personal brilliance. That humility keeps a person from treating the Bible as a blank page for personal opinions. It encourages a posture of listening rather than forcing the text to say what we want.

The Bible also shows that learning happens in community. From Israel gathering to hear the law, to early Christians studying the apostles' teaching together, Scripture is repeatedly handled in groups. This doesn't cancel personal study; it simply means that shared insight helps protect against misunderstandings. When people learn together, they catch things others miss.

Even so, personal responsibility remains. The Bible speaks to individuals as much as to groups. It calls each person to meditate on God's words, to let them shape daily life, and to grow in understanding over time. That kind of reflection isn't reserved for scholars or leaders. It's part of ordinary faith.

Put together, the Bible's own patterns create a balanced picture. You are meant to read it for yourself, to think about what it says, and to let it speak plainly. But you are also meant to read with care—respecting context, staying open to correction, and remembering that Scripture carries its own meaning before you ever approach it. Personal interpretation is not forbidden; it's expected. It simply needs to be grounded, thoughtful, and humble.

Summary of the question

The Bible encourages personal reading, but it also guides how that reading should be done. Scripture expects believers to seek understanding with humility. Paul tells Timothy that "all Scripture is God‑breathed" (2 Tim 3:16), meaning its meaning comes from God, not personal invention. Peter warns that "no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation" (2 Pet 1:20), reminding readers to approach the text carefully and not twist it to fit their own ideas.

At the same time, the Bible invites individuals to engage it directly. Psalm 1 describes the blessed person as one who "meditates on God's law day and night," showing that thoughtful personal reflection is part of faith. The Bereans in Acts 17 are praised for examining the Scriptures themselves to confirm what they heard.

Together these passages show a balance: you are meant to read Scripture personally and sincerely, but with humility, context, and a willingness to let God's message shape your understanding rather than the other way around.

2 days ago • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report