Lesson 10: Interpretive Tools
Search the Scriptures
In lesson 6, we explored what it means to interpret the Bible theologically. Biblical theology recognizes the web of patterns and promises, words and phrases, events and characters that tie the Bible together into one book with one big story that culminates in Christ. Systematic theology involves grasping what the whole Bible cumulatively says about a particular topic. To interpret a passage rightly, we need to understand how it fits into the whole. Thus faithful biblical interpretation involves searching the Scriptures, interpreting a passage in light of the whole Bible.
Tools for Searching the Scriptures
Two tools help us trace the links and threads that tie a particular passage into the Book:
- Whole Bible reading plans. While the focused study on individual passages is necessary, reading the whole Bible is just as important. The more you read the whole, the more you will see and discover the beauty of its tightly-woven storyline. There are many plans you could choose to follow. One we highly recommend is Jason DeRouchie’s Kingdom Bible Reading Plan. Another is The Gospel Coalition’s Read the Bible plan.
- Cross-references. Most bibles contain cross-references. Cross-references identify where a passage connects to other parts of the Bible. There are several different kinds of cross-references. For example, the ESV Bible has four types of references:
- Key words – References to specific words or phrases appear as: “cf. Isa 45:23; Rom 14:11”
- Background – Indirect references to related information are introduced with the word “See,”: “See Isa 42:1; Matt 20:28”
- Quotations – References to the source for quotations: “Cited from Ps 2:7”
Often cross-references point us to a single verse, but be sure to explore the full context of the passage in which that verse occurs.
Studying the cross-references provided by translations like the ESV is a great place to start. But these lists are never exhaustive. As you study a passage, you can build out your own lists of cross-references and record them in your physical Bible or on a Biblearc module. Reading the whole Bible and memorizing Scripture are also great ways to build your own internal database of cross-references.
Your Turn
Let’s take some time to practice searching the Scriptures by using cross-references. Philippians 2:9–11 has eight notes in the ESV that contain 17 cross-references. In the module below, complete the following steps:
- Look up at least five of these passages. (Pay particular attention to the OT references. Be sure to look at the full context, not just the individual verses).
- Identify the kind of cross-reference (see the four types listed above).
- In the answer box below, note three insights you gained by searching these cross-references.
Examine the cross-references in Philippians 2:9–11.
Note three insights you gained by searching these cross-references.
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