The Study of a Book

1. APPLY THE EARLIER PRINCIPLES
1. Apply the Principles for Studying a Word.
2. Apply the Principles for Studying a Phrase.
3. Apply the Principles for Studying a Verse.
4. Apply the Principles for Studying a Chapter.
2. BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE BOOK
1. Read through the Book.
1. This is done without the purpose of study, but rather for the purpose of familiarity.
2. Do this without looking at commentaries or any other resources.
2. Read through the Book.
1. Continuously – this means that you sit down and read the book all the way from start to finish in a single sitting.
2. Repeatedly – this means that you go through the continuous reading several times.  Reading through the book three times would be a good practice, but if you can do more, do it.
3. BREAKDOWN THE BASICS OF THE BOOK
1. Read through the Book (4th time).
1. This reading is going to incorporate questions and answers.
2. This reading will be used to gather the information below.
2. Basic Questions to Answer
1. How many chapters are in the book?  Is there anything significant about this?
2. How many verses are in the book?  Is there anything significant about this?
3. What is the average number of verses per chapter in this book?  How does this compare with other books of the Bible?
4. How many words are in the book?  Is there anything significant about this?
4. FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOOK
1. Read through the Book (5th time).
1. This reading is going to incorporate some more questions and answers.
2. This reading will be used to gather the information below.
2. Background Questions to Answer
1. Who is the author?
1. Is there any external proof?
2. Is there any internal proof?
2. To whom is the book written?
3. About what is the book written?
4. What places are mentioned?
1. What are the first and last places mentioned?
2. Does this tell you where the book starts and where the book finishes?
3. Does the book give away the location of the authorship of the book?
4. Do some of these places have other names in scripture?
5. What dates are mentioned?
1. What are the first and last dates given?
2. Does this tell you how much time the book covers?
3. How do the dates in this book relate it to other books of the Bible?
4. Does this indicate that you ought to also study a portion of another book to fully understand the time about which you are studying?
6. What people are mentioned?
1. Who are the major characters of the book?
2. Who is mentioned as a matter of history and who is mentioned as being alive at the time of the book?
3. What does the mention of a living person tell you about the time of the authorship and events recorded in the book you are studying?
7. What events are mentioned?
1. Does this tell you how much time the book covers?
2. Does this indicate that you ought to also study a portion of another book to fully understand the time about which you are studying?
8. What is the order of the book?
1. Is this book written in chronological order?
2. Is this book written in a way to emphasize certain events without the worry of order?
9. What doctrines are dealt with in this book?
1. Does this indicate some of the problems that the author is addressing?
2. Does this give any indicator as to the time of the authorship of the book?
3. Give Each Chapter a Title.
5. KEYS TO INTERPRETATION CONCERNING THE BOOK
1. Read through the Book (6th time).
1. This reading is going to incorporate the provision of keys to properly interpret this book.
2. This reading will be used to gather the information below.
2. Key Questions to Answer
1. What are the major topics of this book?
2. Is there a statement of purpose?
1. Some books have a direct statement telling the purpose of the book and some do not.
2. John has one of the clearest statements of purpose in the Bible in John 20:30-31 [30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: [31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
   See All....
3. What are the key words or phrases?
1. What words or phrases occur most often in the book?
2. Are there words or phrases that occur often in one part of the book, but less often in another part of the book?
4. What is the key verse or passage of the book?
5. Are there any key shifts in the text?
1. Key shifts can refer to many things; things like a shift in the person of the pronoun, a shift in audience, location, key person, etc.
2. Several books have some important key shifts that will help you understand the breakdown of the book.
3. Several such shifts occur in John.
1. The coming of His hour
1. Not yet come (John 2:4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
   See All...; John 7:30Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
   See All...; John 8:20These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
   See All...)
2. Now come (John 12:23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
   See All..., 27; John 13:1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
   See All...; John 16:32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
   See All...; John 17:1These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
   See All...)
2. The identity of “his own”
1. In John 1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
   See All..., “his own” are the Jews who reject Jesus.
2. In John 13:1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
   See All..., “his own” are the disciples who believed in Jesus.
3. Growing rejection of Jesus and His message
1. First unorganized attempt to kill Him (John 5:16-18 [16] And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. [17] But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. [18] Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
   See All...)
2. First major departure of His disciples (John 6:66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
   See All...)
3. First organized attempt to seize Him (John 7:30-32 [30] Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. [31] And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done? [32] The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
   See All...)
4. First organized attempt to kill Him (John 11:47-51 [47] Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. [48] If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. [49] And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, [50] Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. [51] And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
   See All..., 57)
5. Final rejection of His miracles (John 12:37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
   See All...)
6. Are there any natural divisions in the book?
1. Most books of the Bible have some natural divisions of thought, though some are better defined than others.
2. These natural divisions can also be shown by events, time or places.
7. What is the general feel of the book?
1. Does the author seem pleased or troubled with the conditions surrounding the times in which he is writing?
2. Is it a book of praise or is it a book penned to deal with troubles?  Note: Both could apply.
3. Consider the book of Galatians for an example.
1. The multitude of conflicts mentioned in the book
1. Paul’s gospel versus another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9 [6] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
   See All...)
2. Pleasing men versus serving Christ (Galatians 1:10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
   See All...)
3. Liberty versus bondage (Galatians 2:4And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
   See All...)
4. Gospel of the circumcision versus gospel of the uncircumcision (Galatians 2:7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
   See All...)
5. Paul versus Peter (Galatians 2:8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
   See All..., 11)
6. Works of the law versus faith of Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
   See All...)
7. Works of the law versus hearing of faith (Galatians 3:2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
   See All...)
8. Law versus faith (Galatians 3:11-12 [11] But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. [12] And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
   See All...)
9. Seed versus seeds (Galatians 3:16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
   See All...)
10. Law versus promise (Galatians 3:17-18 [17] And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. [18] For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
    See All...)
11. Servant versus child (Galatians 4:7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
    See All...)
12. Bondwoman versus freewoman (Galatians 4:22-23 [22] For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. [23] But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
    See All...)
13. Ishmael versus Isaac (Galatians 4:28-29 [28] Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. [29] But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
    See All...)
14. Liberty versus an occasion to the flesh (Galatians 5:13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
    See All...)
15. Flesh versus Spirit (Galatians 5:17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
    See All...)
16. Led of the Spirit versus under the law (Galatians 5:18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
    See All...)
17. Works of the flesh versus fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
    See All..., 22)
18. Sowing to the flesh versus sowing to the Spirit (Galatians 6:8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
    See All...)
19. Corruption versus life everlasting (Galatians 6:8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
    See All...)
20. World versus Paul (Galatians 6:14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
    See All...)
2. The way the epistle is addressed
1. Rome
1. Beloved of God (Romans 1:7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
   See All...)
2. Called to be saints (Romans 1:7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
   See All...)
3. Thank my God for you all (Romans 1:8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
   See All...)
4. Faith spoken of through the world (Romans 1:8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
   See All...)
2. Corinth
1. Sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
   See All...)
2. Called to be saints (1 Corinthians 1:2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
   See All...)
3. Thank my God always on your behalf (1 Corinthians1:4)
3. Ephesus
1. Saints which are at Ephesus (Ephesians 1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
   See All...)
2. I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 1:15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
   See All...).
3. I cease not to give thanks for you (Ephesians 1:16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
   See All...).
4. Philippi
1. Saints in Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:1The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
   See All...)
2. Thank my God upon every remembrance of you (Philippians 1:3Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
   See All...)
5. Colosse
1. To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse (Colossians 1:1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
   See All...)
2. We give thanks to God (Colossians 1:3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
   See All...).
3. We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:4Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
   See All...).
4. The love which ye have to all the saints (Colossians1:4)
6. Thessalonica
1. The church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
   See All...)
2. We give thanks to God always for you all (1 Thessalonians 1:2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
   See All...).
3. Remembering without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 1:3Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
   See All...)
1. Your work of faith
2. Labour of love
3. Patience of hope
7. Galatia
1. I marvel that you are so soon removed (Galatians 1:6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
   See All...).
2. O foolish Galatians (Galatians 3:1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
   See All...)
3. Who hath bewitched you (Galatians 3:1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
   See All...)?
4. Are ye so foolish (Galatians 3:3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
   See All...)?
5. I am afraid of you (Galatians 4:11I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
   See All...).
6. Am I become your enemy (Galatians 4:16Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
   See All...)?
7. They zealously effect you, but not well (Galatians 4:17They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
   See All...).
8. I stand in doubt of you (Galatians 4:20I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
   See All...).
9. Who did hinder you (Galatians 5:7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
   See All...)?
8. What is the theme of this book?
6. APPLICATION OF THE STUDY OF THE BOOK
1. Read through the Book (7th time) - This reading is going to be used to provide outlines and practical applications of the book.
2. Outline the Book.
1. Start with a basic outline of the book.
1. First step using Galatians
1. Personal Section- The Apostleship of Paul (Chapters 1-2)
2. Doctrinal Section- Justification by Faith (Chapters 3-4)
3. Practical Section- Life in the Spirit (Chapters 5-6)
2. Second step using Galatians
1. Personal Section- The Apostleship of Paul (Chapters 1-2)
1. Paul’s Divine Call (Chapter 1)
2. Paul’s Divine Message (Chapter 2)
2. Doctrinal Section- Justification by Faith (Chapters 3-4)
1. According to Promise (Chapter 3)
2. According to Sonship (Chapter 4)
3. Practical Section- Life in the Spirit (Chapters 5-6)
1. The Life of Liberty (Chapter 5)
2. The Life of Sacrifice (Chapter 6)
2. Fill the outline out up to the point where you have outlined the entire book in great detail.
3. Practical Lessons of the Book
1. The entire Bible is not written to you, but the entire Bible is written for you.
2. What is the foremost practical application of this book of the Bible?
3. What can this book teach you about
1. Serving God
2. Righteousness
3. Faithfulness
4. Sin
5. Faith
6. Etc.
4. What lessons out of this book would be useful for
1. Preaching
2. Teaching
3. Families
4. Men
5. Ladies
6. Children