Context

• Psalm 14:1 – “there is no God”
  • Do you believe the Bible?
  • This verse is taken out of context!
• Studying the context means reading the surrounding verses to help you understand what a word or phrase means.
  • Examples:
    • Foxes – Matthew 8:20; Luke 13:31-32
    • Love – II Samuel 13:1; Ephesians 5:25; Song of Solomon 1:2

How do you study the context?

• Just read the verses before and after.
• The headings in your Bible may be helpful.
• Glance at an outline in a study Bible, commentary, or Bible dictionary.
• Pay attention to connecting words.

Harmony

• Make sure to also consider how this passage harmonizes with the rest of the Bible.
• Matthew 4:5-7
• Hebrews 9:12

How do you study harmony?

• General knowledge of the Bible
• Use cross references
• Use digital search features or paper concordance
• Use topical Bibles
• Examples:
  • Psalm 2
    • Psalm 2:1 has a cross reference to Acts 4:25-26, showing that part of the psalm was quoted there.
  • Philippians 4:13

Homework

• Do you believe the Bible is literal?
• Open your Bible to any page. Can you find a figure of speech?