Interpretation: Finding the Meaning

Interpretation is basically defined as:

"What does it mean?" and I will add (especially to the original hearers)

We build our Interpretation from our Observations (this is why the first step is so important). At this point we rest on our Observations. There is a temptation to say what we think the Bible means-- which is dangerous (and often wrong). In this step in the process, we put together our Observations to try to discover the main idea already present in the passage. The diagram helps us understand this. Observations start very broad and we synthesize them, we knit them together to build the Main Theme. It is helpful if we ask questions such as:

"What is the author trying to say?"
"What would the original hearers think this means?"

We believe that the Bible can be known and understood. But it is important to point out that this is a dangerous step. If the Bible is God's Word (and it is) and we are interpreting it (and we are), then at this point we are saying that we know what God is trying to get across to us. We should be excited about it and that should motivate us to study. Yet we should have the right amount of fear. We need to tread lightly, act with humility, and keep going back to the text for confirmation. All too often people simply make up an idea and point to a phrase in the Bible pulled out of context to back it up. Let's put a stop to that. Remember we are not saying what we think the passage says; we are showing what the passage says. The difference between those two concepts can be staggering.