The following "Golden Rule of Interpretation" was written by Miles Coverdale in the 16th century. He was as William Tyndale being pioneers in translating the Bible into english.
"It shall greatly help you to understand Scripture if you mark not only what is spoken or written but of whom, and by whom, with what words, where, at what time, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what goes before and what follows."
I like to study the KJV of the Bible.Here is a link called the Modern Bible which was given to me by a pastor of a church I attended in Hesperia CA. They say the KJV has added words because it is translated from a newer greek translation than that of NIV which is translated from the Oldest greek translation which is supposedly more accurate. Let us run a test. The Lord's prayer found in Matthew 6 in NIV and KJV are pretty much the same. The Lord prayer in Luke 11 in KJV is pretty much the same found in Matthew. However the Lord's Prayer found in Luke in the NIV is totally different.
Here is some scriptures relating to studying the Bible.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Even though many of us read the Bible, we really don't study. We use Critical thinking to increase revenue within a business. We use critical thinking to make our jobs easier but we do not use critical thinking when it comes to the Bible. We just believe what we hear without really ever studying the Bible. We need to STUDY to show ourselves APPROVED unto God so we can RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word.
2 Timothy 3:
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Even though all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, not all applies to us. An example, how many of you offer sacrifice of animals for your sins? This is scripture in the Old Testament and we put the scripture in the right place and right time. It becomes a valid doctrine. It was doctrine for the Jews under the law.
Romans 15:4
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. This is Paul writing in the New Testament, Things that were written aforetime, he was referring to the Old Testament. It is for our learning that through patience and comfort of the scriptures brings us hope.
1 Corinthians 2:
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth *; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. When we study, we need to compare scripture with scripture for a stronger base of understanding. anyone can take a scripture out of context using it as stand alone. An example of comparing scripture with scripture is Luke 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. If you read the parable , it is about Jesus leaving and returning to his kingdom. He is having brought those servants that didn't want anything to do with him before him so they can be killed. An inmate that was witnessing in jail took Luke 19: verse 27 as it was okay to kill the other inmate that he or she witness to because they didn't want anything to do with Jesus. We know from comparing scripture with scripture that we are not to kill people for not accepting Christ.
2 Peter 1:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. This is basically saying that we should read the scriptures before and after to get the full context of what is being said. This way we don't take scripture out of context. An example is once saved always saved, they will take the word sealed in Ephesians 1:13 and use it to mean once save always saved. but we need to read the text before and after as well as comparing scripture with scripture. Matthew 25 where God is separating the sheeps from the goats. Remember sheep and goats represent those who are saved. The sheep because they followed the commandents had eternal life, the goats because they didn't follow the commandments are going away into everlasting punishment as Matthew 25:46 If goats represented those that didn't accept Christ, Why is he asking them anything because they are already lost without be ask about if you fed me, ect
I John 2:
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. What this is saying is that when we are listening to our pastor or someone else's teaching, we are not to take what they teach is gospel and we are to read the scriptures to see if what is being taught is true. Here we have an example of that found in
Acts 17:
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. When this people became saved, they study the scriptures daily to see if what is being taught is true, this is the way we are suppose to do as well.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
NIV
Luke 11: 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father,[a]
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.[b]
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.[c]
And lead us not into temptation.[d]’”
KJV
Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say,
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
The added words are "Which art in Heaven, Thy will be done as in heaven, so in earth, but deliver us from evil" these words aren't found in NIV version of the Lord's prayer found in Luke chapter 11. Is KJV really have extra words, I personally don't think so. Is the older greek translation more accurate. Again I don't believe so. that is why I study from the KJV. If NIV is really more accurate, then why is there two different versions of the Lord's Prayer. Heck if I didn't want to do the Lord's will, I would chose Luke 11 NIV version but then he wouldn't deliver me from evil either. Something to think about to those who think KJV has added words..
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