Jan. 18, 2026

Principles for Biblical Interpretation I

Introduction - This lesson is a follow-on to my last sermon which introduced the main methods of biblical interpretation.  Image the point that the safest and best method is the Literal Method, which is actually the Literal-Historical-Grammatical method more specifically.  Today I will expand seven principles used within that method.  Hopefully this lesson will help you to:

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. NASB

Most Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.  Many Christians, however, have disagreements about how it should be applied because they have no systematic way to interpret it.  The following principles should help you to “rightly divide” or “accurately handle” the Word:

1. The Context Principle - the principle by which the interpretation of any verse is determined by consideration of its context.  The context of a verse is the passage or section it is in.  The context of a passage is the book.  The context of a book is the Testament (Old or New).  The context of the Testament is the whole Bible.  

    Example: Luke 24:49 And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to             stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” NASB

This verse is used to promote “tarrying “ to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  The context of the New Testament clearly shows that this period of waiting was not necessary after the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

2.  The First Mention Principle - The First Mention Principle means that the interpretation of any verse is aided by considering the first time its subject appears in Scripture. 

Example:  Genesis 22:5 - Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.” NASB. 

First mentions can be done through a thing, a person, an act or event, a place, or a prophecy.  Here, contrary to the modern church’s emphasis on music as worship, this first mention contained not a note of song.  Worship can include music, but the Biblical idea is that it is a lifestyle of sacrifice. 

3.  The Comparative Mention Principle is that principle by which a certain version group of verses may be interpreted by comparing and/or contrasting it with another verse or group of verses.  

Example:  Use this method when two or more verses deal with the same subject.  

Ephesians 4:22-24 teaches to:                 Colossians 3:5-14 teaches to: 

 - put off the old man                           - put off all these (list of sins)

 - Be renewed in the Spirit of your mind              - be renewed in knowledge of Christ

 - put on the new man                      - put on (list of virtues)

4.  The Progressive Mention Principle is that principle by which the interpretation of any verse is aided by the progressive mentions of its subject in Scripture.  

Example: Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. NASB. Is Peter the rock upon which the church is founded?  A trail of references to “rock” or “stone” leads us to a pretty strong picture:  that a rock is a symbol of something very strong and powerful.  

Genesis 28:16-22        The rock anointed to be Bethel, the House of God

Genesis 49:24            The shepherd, the stone of Israel

Exodus 17:1-17        The smitten rock provides living waters

Deuteronomy 32:4,15        God, the rock of our salvation

Deuteronomy 32:18        The rock that begat thee

Psalms 31:2            The strong rock

Psalm 62:7            The rock of strength and refuge

Psalm 95:1            The rock of defense

Isaiah 42:11            the inhabitants of the rock

Daniel 2:34,35            The stone, kingdom smashing the kingdoms of the world

Matthew 16:18        The foundation rock of the church

1 Peter 2:6,8            The chief cornerstone, the stone of stumbling, rock of offense

By the time we get to Matthew 16:18 it is evident that a rock in Scripture is not a human.  We have a strong progressive mention to this point.

5.  The Complete Mention Principle says that the interpretation of any verse is determined upon a consideration of the complete mention of its subject in Scripture.  This is a companion to the last two principles.  They work together, each being an outgrowth of the former, ands each more certain in determining a correct interpretation. 

Example: 1 Peter 2:6,8 leaves no doubt that the Rock mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 16:18 is Himself.  There are no singular mentions of the symbol of a rock in the remainder of Scripture.  The revelation of the symbol is complete at this point and we may safely conclude that Jesus is the Rock upon which the church is built.  

6.  The Election Principle is that principle in which the interpretation of any verse of group of verses is determined by considering its relation to the election involved in the purposes of God.  This principle is only useful when election (the sovereign choice of God) is a factor.  Election involves the sovereign choice God based upon foreknowledge.  God simply knows who will serve Him, because He is all-knowing.  This is not a capricious choice based on His emotion or whims.  

Example: Romans 9:11-13 …for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.” 13Just as it is written: “JACOB I HAVE LOVED, BUT ESAU I HAVE HATED.”  God could love Jacob and hate Esau before they were born because He foreknew their characters.   

7.  The Covenantal Principle is that by which the interpretation of a verse or group of verses is determined by a consideration of its covenantal setting.  Major Covenants of the Bible, such as the Everlasting Covenant, the Edenic Covenant, the Adamic Covenant, the Noahic Covenant, the Abrahamic Covenant, The Mosaic Covenant, the Palestinian Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, and the New Covenant, must be considered when interpreting a verse or verses.  

Example: the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a good example of a Scripture which is often seen as part of the New Covenant, but clearly does not contain many elements of the New Covenant.  For example, there is no mention of the Holy Spirit, no reference to the death of Christ or its produce: redemption, reconciliation, or propitiation. The idea of a new creation, and the phrase in Christ is missing.  There is no enabling power to meet the severe demands posed by Jesus’ use hyperbole (cutting off hands and plucking out eyes) and no mention of justification.  Righteousness is  mentioned in relation to the human effort displayed by the Pharisees, not the righteousness bestowed by grace.  There is no mention of being saved from hell by simply believing. Verses 3-11, commonly called the Beatitudes, are completely works-reward descriptions related to human effort, not grace.  

Conclusion - in coming weeks I will introduce the remaining principles for a total of 17 principles. 

    the Ethnic Division Principle        The Parabolic Principle

    The Allegorical Principle        The Typical Principle

    The Chronometrical Principle        The  Numerical Principle

    The Breach Principle

    The Christo-Centric principle

    The Moral Principle

    The Symbolic Principle