Lesson 9: The Heart of Interpretation
The Biblical Necessity
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Biblical interpretation and biblical application belong together. However, it is wise to learn application as a separate discipline from interpretation. The famous Bible study triad of Observation, Interpretation, and Application helpfully distinguishes each step. It is wise to follow those three steps one at a time, since we don’t want to confuse what the Scripture means (Interpretation) with how to obey its meaning (Application). That’s why we have a separate lesson in this course on application.
But at the same time, we must not fall into the error of interpreting the Bible without applying it. The Bible gives two clear reasons for this.
Reason 1: God Links Interpretation and Application
When Jesus’ disciples plucked and ate grain on the Sabbath in Matthew 12, the Pharisees rebuked him for allowing them to do “what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath” (Matt 12:2). But Jesus didn’t respond by telling them, “You are wrongly applying the meaning of Scripture.” Instead, he uncovered the root of their error in verse 7: their interpretation. Quoting Hosea 6:6, he says, “If you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless” (Matt 12:7).
The Pharisees wrongly applied Scripture because they had misinterpreted the OT. By condemning them, Jesus demonstrated that interpretation and application link closely together. And what God has joined together, let no one tear asunder.
Reason 2: God Intends Interpretation to Lead to Application
The passages below are two especially clear places where the Bible reveals that God intends faithful biblical interpretation to lead to biblically-faithful application.
These verses support the theme of this lesson: the Bible demands that we apply it to our lives. God reveals himself to us in Jesus Christ, through his written Word, so that we will respond rightly by the power of his Holy Spirit. If you interpret without applying, you rebel against God’s purpose. If you abandon interpretation before applying what you learn, you abort God’s will. So interpretation must lead to application. Interpretation and application are distinct but inseparable.