How to Read the Bible
Last updated: 2026-04-13
A Christian should read the Bible with reverent esteem, diligent prayer, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit to illuminate the text. Scripture is the only rule for our faith and life, and it must be interpreted by comparing clearer passages with those that are more obscure.
📖 A Reverent Approach
The Scriptures are the very Word of God and are to be approached with high esteem and a firm persuasion of their divine origin. As taught in the Westminster Larger Catechism Q.157, we must read with diligence, meditation, self-denial, and constant prayer, acknowledging that it is the Lord who enables us to understand. Our reading must not be merely academic; it must be received with faith and love, aiming to lay the truth up in our hearts and practice it in our daily lives as described in the Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.90.
Sources: Westminster Larger Catechism Q.157 · Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.90
⚖️ The Rule of Interpretation
The Holy Spirit, speaking through the Scriptures, is the supreme interpreter. Because Scripture has one, literal sense intended by God, the infallible rule of interpretation is comparing Scripture with Scripture (Westminster Confession of Faith Ch.1 §9). We look to clearer passages to shed light on those that are more obscure, ensuring our understanding is consistent with the analogy of faith. As noted in The Art of Prophesying Ch.IV, we must be careful to consider the context and scope of a passage rather than forcing human-invented allegories upon the text. Ultimately, this Word is our only rule for glorifying and enjoying God (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.2).
Sources: Westminster Confession of Faith Ch.1 §9 · The Art of Prophesying Ch.IV · Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.2
❤️ The Gospel Goal
We read the Bible not to earn favor, but because we are already accepted in Christ. The Scriptures are designed to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Him (2 Timothy 3:15). We are all broken, sinful creatures who cannot understand the things of God without His grace, yet we are deeply loved by a God who maintains constant, fatherly watchcare over us. Whether we are reading for doctrine, reproof, or instruction, our goal is to be fully equipped for every good work, living in the freedom of the gospel as we walk in the light of His Word.
Sources: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 · 2 Timothy 3:15
To get more out of your daily Bible reading, employ the methods of careful analysis—reading in context, identifying the scope, and observing the structure—while always bathing your study in prayer and self-denial. Remember that the goal is not merely intellectual accumulation, but to meet Christ in the Word so that it may become effectual to your salvation.
🧐 A Disciplined Approach to the Text
To derive the greatest benefit from your time in the Word, adopt a systematic method of analysis. Begin by reading the text carefully in its immediate context, as a verse isolated from its surroundings is easily misinterpreted. The Art of Prophesying Ch. V suggests you identify the main propositions and how they relate, determine the scope of the passage, and gather the specific doctrines that naturally arise from it. Never rush through the text; consider how the original historical setting, grammar, and rhetoric serve to unlock the author's intended meaning. As the 1689 LBCF Ch.1 §9 reminds us, Scripture is its own best interpreter.
Sources: The Art of Prophesying Ch. V · 1689 LBCF Ch.1 §9
❤️ Cultivating a Heart for the Word
Daily reading is not a mere academic exercise but a spiritual encounter. The Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.90 teaches that for the Word to be effectual unto salvation, we must attend to it with preparation and prayer, receiving it with faith and love. By hiding the Word in your heart, as the Psalmist did, you equip yourself for the battle against sin and find guidance for your steps. As it is written: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105, ASV). Approach the text with a posture of self-denial, acknowledging that while you are deeply flawed, you are being transformed by the very Spirit who inspired these words to point us to the finished work of Christ.
Sources: Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.90 · Psalm 119:105 · Psalm 119:105, ASV
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