How to Study the Bible for Yourself: 3 Essential Tools
One of the most common questions believers ask is, "How do I study the Bible and understand what I am reading?"
Many Christians want to grow in their knowledge of God's Word but do not know where to begin. They may feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar words, difficult passages, or the many interpretations offered by Bible teachers and commentators.
Yet God did not preserve His Word so that only scholars and theologians could understand it. He gave us the Scriptures to read, study, and believe, and He has given believers the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth.
There is no shame in being a babe in Christ. The problem comes when we remain spiritual infants rather than growing in our understanding of the Word.
Learning how to study the Bible does not require a seminary education or an extensive library. It begins with a sincere desire to know what God has said, a willingness to examine the Scriptures carefully, and a few basic tools.
How to Study the Bible with the Right Tools
When I was a young believer, my mentor and Bible teacher, Brother E. C. Moore, taught me that three things were necessary to begin studying the Scriptures:
A King James Bible
A Strong's Concordance
A Webster's 1828 Dictionary
These were the tools I began with, and they remain valuable today.
Although electronic resources have made Bible research much easier, I still recommend having a physical Bible. Online applications are convenient for searching words and comparing passages, but there is something valuable about sitting down with the Scriptures and reading without distraction.
The tools themselves do not give us spiritual understanding. They help us examine the words God has preserved so that we can compare Scripture with Scripture.
Why I Recommend the King James Bible
I believe the King James Bible is the preserved Word of God for English-speaking believers today.
The reasons for that conviction involve manuscript history, translation methods, and the differences between the texts underlying the King James Bible and modern translations. Those subjects deserve careful study of their own.
For our present purpose, one important characteristic of the King James Bible is its precise use of English.
Some readers struggle with words such as thee, thou, ye, and thy. Yet these distinctions can help clarify whom a passage addresses.
For example:
Thee, thou, and thy refer to an individual.
Ye and you generally identify plural audiences in the grammatical distinctions of the King James Bible.
When Paul writes to Timothy, he says:
" O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust..." — 1 Timothy 6:20 (KJV)
The instruction is directed to Timothy individually.
But when the Lord Jesus Christ says:
"Ye are the salt of the earth..." — Matthew 5:13 (KJV)
He is addressing His disciples collectively.
These distinctions can help us understand the intended audience of a passage.
Rather than dismissing unfamiliar English as outdated, we should consider whether those words communicate something important that deserves our attention.
How to Study the Bible Using Webster's 1828 Dictionary
The second tool I recommend is Webster's 1828 Dictionary.
English words change meaning over time. Some words commonly understood centuries ago are rarely used today, while others have acquired different meanings.
A historical dictionary can help us understand how English words were used and why particular expressions appear in the King James Bible.
Consider an unusual phrase found in 2 Kings 3:9:
"So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them." — 2 Kings 3:9 (KJV)
What does it mean that these kings "fetched a compass"?
We might immediately picture someone using a handheld compass to determine direction. But that is not what the passage describes.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary includes a definition of compass as a circular course or circuit.
The word fetch can also carry the sense of reaching or arriving at a destination.
Together, these definitions help us understand that the armies traveled by a circuitous route over seven days.
Suddenly, a phrase that appeared confusing begins to make sense.
This is why we should not automatically replace unfamiliar biblical language with modern expressions. Sometimes the original English communicates something that a simplified reading might overlook.
Let the Bible Define Its Own Words
A dictionary is helpful, but it should not become our final authority.
The most valuable way to understand a biblical word is to examine how that word is used elsewhere in Scripture.
This brings us to the third study tool.
How to Study the Bible with Strong's Concordance
A Strong's Concordance allows us to locate words throughout Scripture and examine the Hebrew and Greek terms associated with them.
Its greatest value is not simply providing definitions. It enables us to compare passages and observe how words are translated in different contexts.
Return to the expression "fetched a compass" in 2 Kings 3:9.
The Hebrew word behind this expression is sabab, identified by Strong's number H5437.
It carries the idea of turning, surrounding, or moving around something.
Rather than stopping at that definition, we can search for other passages where the same Hebrew word appears.
Comparing Scripture with Scripture: The Meaning of Compass
The Hebrew word sabab appears in Genesis 2:11:
"The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;" — Genesis 2:11 (KJV)
Here, a river is described as encompassing or winding around a region.
Now consider Genesis 19:4:
"But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:" — Genesis 19:4 (KJV)
In this passage, the men of Sodom surrounded Lot's house.
The circumstances are different, but the underlying idea remains consistent. Something moves around, encompasses, or surrounds another thing.
We have now gained a clearer understanding of the word by allowing Scripture to demonstrate its meaning.
How the Same English Expression Appears in the New Testament
The expression "fetched a compass" also appears in Acts 28:13, describing Paul's journey toward Rome:
"And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:" — Acts 28:13 (KJV)
This time, the passage concerns travel by sea.
The Greek word is perierchomai, identified by Strong's number G4022. It carries the idea of going around or moving from place to place.
The same Greek word appears in Acts 19:13, where certain Jews are described as "vagabond," and in 1 Timothy 5:13, where Paul describes those who are "wandering about from house to house."
These examples demonstrate movement from one place to another, sometimes without a settled destination.
In Acts 28, the expression describes a sailing route that was not simply a straight course. The surrounding context mentions the south wind, suggesting the importance of sailing conditions during the journey.
Notice what we have accomplished.
We began with an unfamiliar English expression, examined its historical meaning, compared the Hebrew usage in several passages, and then considered a similar expression in the Greek New Testament.
We did not need someone else's commentary to tell us what to believe about the passage.
We allowed the Scriptures to provide the context.
Understanding Biblical Words Through Their Context
Another example appears in Revelation 20, where Satan is released after the thousand-year reign of Christ.
Revelation 20:7-9 describes Satan gathering the nations against the saints:
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." — Revelation 20:9 (KJV)
The armies compassed the camp of the saints.
By now, the meaning should be familiar. They surrounded the camp with the intention of attacking it.
Although the Greek expression here differs from the one used in Acts 28, the English word communicates the idea of surrounding something.
This is a simple demonstration of an important principle: The Bible can explain its own language when we take the time to compare passages.
The more familiar we become with the Scriptures, the easier it becomes to recognize these connections.
A Practical Example of How to Study the Bible
You do not need to begin with a difficult prophetic passage or a complicated theological question.
You can start with almost any verse.
Consider Daniel 7:1:
"In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters." — Daniel 7:1 (KJV)
What does it mean that Daniel "told the sum of the matters"?
We probably understand the general meaning, but examining the words more carefully may reveal something useful.
Examining the Words in Daniel 7:1
Using Strong's Concordance, we find that the expression involves two words from the Aramaic portions of Daniel.
The word translated sum is associated with Strong's H7217, resh, meaning head, chief, or principal.
In Ezra 5:10, the word is translated "chief."
In Daniel 2:28 and 2:32, it is translated "head."
We begin to see the idea of something principal or foremost.
The word translated matters is associated with Strong's H4406, milla, which can refer to a word, matter, command, or subject.
In Daniel 2, the word appears in contexts involving the king's dream, the things being spoken, and the information being communicated.
When we combine these observations, the expression "sum of the matters" becomes clearer.
Daniel recorded the principal points or substance of what he had seen in his dream.
A comparison with Webster's 1828 Dictionary supports this understanding. The word sum can refer to the substance, abridgment, or principal contents of something.
We have taken a relatively simple expression and examined it more carefully through Scripture and historical word usage.
This is how Bible study becomes more than simply reading words on a page.
It becomes a process of gaining understanding.
Why We Should Not Depend Entirely on Bible Commentaries
Study Bibles and commentaries can contain useful historical information and observations. I have owned and used them myself.
But we must remember an important distinction.
A commentary is someone's interpretation of Scripture. It is not Scripture itself.
When we begin with another man's explanation, we may unintentionally allow his conclusions to shape our understanding before we have carefully examined the passage.
The same danger existed when religious traditions were elevated above the Word of God.
Jesus warned the Pharisees:
"Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." — Mark 7:13 (KJV)
We should be careful not to make the same mistake.
There is nothing wrong with listening to Bible teachers or consulting reference materials. But those resources should never replace our responsibility to study the Word for ourselves.
Paul instructed Timothy:
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." — 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Notice that the responsibility is placed upon the individual believer.
We are to study, rightly divide, and seek to understand what God has revealed.
The Holy Spirit Is Our Teacher
The greatest resource we have in studying the Scriptures is not a dictionary, concordance, or commentary.
It is the Holy Spirit.
Paul writes:
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." — 1 Corinthians 2:12 (KJV)
The Holy Spirit enables believers to receive and understand spiritual truth.
This does not mean that every passage will become immediately clear or that we will never need to reconsider our understanding.
It means we should approach Scripture prayerfully, trusting God to teach us through His Word.
We should be willing to examine our assumptions, compare passages, and allow the Scriptures to correct our thinking.
How to Begin Your Own Bible Study
If you are just beginning to study the Bible, keep the process simple.
Begin with prayer. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and understanding through His Word.
Read the passage carefully. Consider the context, the speaker, and the audience.
Identify unfamiliar words or expressions. Do not assume you understand every word simply because it looks familiar.
Consult Webster's 1828 Dictionary. Examine historical English meanings when appropriate.
Use Strong's Concordance. Locate the Hebrew or Greek word and compare its usage in other passages.
Compare Scripture with Scripture. Allow related passages to clarify the meaning rather than relying immediately on someone else's interpretation.
Consider what you have learned. Return to the original passage and read it again with your improved understanding.
You may be surprised how much you can learn from a single verse.
You do not need to understand everything at once. Spiritual growth takes time, patience, and consistent attention to God's Word.
Learning How to Study the Bible Is Part of Spiritual Growth
There is a difference between reading the Bible and studying it.
Reading introduces us to the Scriptures. Studying requires us to slow down, examine words, compare passages, and consider what God has said.
The goal is not to accumulate information merely for the sake of knowledge. It is to become grounded in the truth and grow toward spiritual maturity.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us:
"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." — Hebrews 5:14 (KJV)
Spiritual maturity develops through use. We must exercise ourselves in the Scriptures rather than remaining dependent upon others to feed us.
The tools are available. The Word of God is available. And the Holy Spirit has been given to believers to teach and guide us.
The question is whether we are willing to invest the time.
Begin with what you know. Examine what you do not understand. Compare Scripture with Scripture, and ask the Lord to increase your understanding.
The more faithfully we sow in the Word, the more firmly we become established in the truth.
Based on the Bible Study Message "Sowing in the Word, Part 2" by Scott Mitchell, Unlock the Bible Now.
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