Introduction

Context

Reading the surrounding words and phrases to help understand a passage.

Examples:

Psalms 14:1 – The fool says, “there is no God.”

Matthew 7:1, 5, 15, 16 – How to judge rightly. Hypocritical judging is condemned. Not all judging.

I Corinthians 7:26-27

I Corinthians 15:32-34 – If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.”

I Corinthians 10:23 – All things are lawful, but not all things edify.

Acts 16:31 – Is belief all that is required for salvation?

Harmony

God does not contradict Himself. We must harmonize different related verses.

Examples:

Matthew 4:1-11 – Jesus called out Satan on misusing scripture.

Psalms 14:1 – Compare Romans 1:20.

Matthew 7:1 – Compare John 7:24.

I Corinthians 7:27 – Compare I Timothy 4:1, 3

I Corinthians 15:32 – Compare Ephesians 5:15-16

I Corinthians 10:23 – Compare I John 3:4

Acts 16:31-32 – Compare James 2:19-24. We are not justified by faith alone. I Peter 3:21

Things that will help:

Take time – II Timothy 2:15

Read – I Timothy 4:13

Think – I Timothy 4:15-16