Why does understanding the Bible matter?

from the old testament

• From the beginning, God called His people to understand His Word through steady meditation and careful obedience. The Lord told Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it” (Joshua 1:8). The only way to please God was by obeying what He said, and that requires knowing God’s Word. Moses taught families to keep God’s words on their hearts and to speak of them in daily life so that learning would shape every moment (Deuteronomy 6:6–9). The person who delights in God’s instruction is pictured as fruitful and stable, rooted like a watered tree (Psalm 1:2–3). As we understand the Bible better, we learn more about what God wants us to do and how we can please Him.
• The Old Testament also reveals that God’s Word brings wisdom and joy to those who seek it. David wrote, “the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). In the same psalm, he described Scripture as more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey because it warns and rewards those who keep it (Psalm 19:10–11). Israel’s calling before the nations included living out God’s statutes with understanding, which would display wise discernment to the watching world (Deuteronomy 4:6). Even when everything else fades, God’s Word remains firm, making it a reliable guide for every generation (Isaiah 40:8). Understanding it, then, also gives us true wisdom about how to navigate life while keeping eternity in mind. It teaches us to think with God’s perspective on life.
• When God’s people strayed, renewal came through clear reading and explanation, so everyone could understand the meaning. Ezra read the Law, and the Levites “gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8). This understanding brought sorrow over sin and then strength to obey, showing that clarity leads to repentance and life (Nehemiah 8:9–12). The prophets warned that ignorance of God’s Word brings ruin; the Lord said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Notice how the goal was not just reading the Bible, but understanding it so that life would bring joy, not pain.

from the new testament

• Jesus affirmed the enduring authority of Scripture and expected His followers to understand it. He said, “until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18). After His resurrection, He showed the disciples how the entire Bible points to Him, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets” (Luke 24:27). He even opened their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45), emphasizing that grasping God’s Word requires His gracious work in our lives. Ultimately, understanding the Bible is essential for salvation, since Jesus’ death and resurrection are at the center of its story.
• The apostles shared this same conviction, teaching that Scripture is God-breathed and wholly trustworthy. Paul explained that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” so believers can be equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Peter emphasized that prophecy did not originate in human will but from men “carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20–21). Because its source is God Himself, Christians are called to receive, study, and apply the Bible with confidence. Understanding is essential for living a mature and productive life.
• The early church showed what this looked like in practice. Paul urged Timothy to “devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13), illustrating that providing understanding is a core task of the gathered church. Paul praised the Bereans for “examining the Scriptures daily” to verify what he taught them (Acts 17:11). Scripture is a means to test and ensure that what others teach us is true.
• The author of Hebrews described the Word as “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Scripture understands us better than we understand ourselves! As we gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, we also come to understand ourselves better.
• Paul encouraged believers to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). Understanding the Bible goes beyond merely knowing facts about it. The purpose of understanding is for its teachings to permeate our very being, leading to a life centered on God.

implications for today

Since God gave Scripture to be understood, humility should be our starting point. Come prepared to listen, acknowledging its authority and trusting that God speaks through it. Pray before and during your reading, asking for guidance to see clearly and respond faithfully.

To better understand Scripture, start by reading passages within their context, following the flow of thought through the paragraph, chapter, and entire book. As you do, focus on the author’s purpose, the type of writing, and how each part fits into the larger story centered on Christ. Use straightforward passages to help clarify more difficult ones, and be careful to allow Scripture to interpret itself, rather than letting external ideas change its meaning.

Utilize the resources God has provided—such as reliable translations, study notes, and sound teaching—to deepen your understanding. These tools should clarify the text and provide background, but they should never overshadow or replace the Scripture itself.

Finally, grow in understanding alongside others. Listen to faithful preaching, discuss what you’re learning in smaller groups, and talk openly about your insights. True understanding develops as you apply God's truth in everyday life. The aim is not merely to increase knowledge, but to gain a clearer picture of Christ and to live in a way that reflects Him every day.