GOLDEN RULES OF INTERPRETATION
THE BASIS FOR A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD'S WORD
Part One
In order to fully understand the Word of God (the Bible), there are certain requirements that you must yield to. The Bible is a spiritual book, and it must be spiritually discerned. "Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually examined'' (I Corinthians 2:14).
The spiritual requirements for a clear understanding of the Word of God are as follows:
One must love God: Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27; Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:25-35; I John 2:7-11, 4:7,8,20.
One must have the will to do God's will: John 7:17; Psalms 40:6-8; Acts 13:22; Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:29-31; Colossians 1:9-11; Ephesians 5:17; I Thessalonians 4:3; John 14:21; I Thessalonians 5:16-18.
One must be willing to lay aside human theories and practices of men which are contrary to the will of God: Matthew 23:15, 29-36; Isaiah 66:1-5; Ezekiel 14:4,5; Acts 17:10,11; Galatians 6:12; Ephesians 4:17; Isaiah 29:13-16.
One must pray to the Lord, ''Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Psalms 119:18). Proverbs 2:3, Psalm 119:160, Dan. 4:37.
The intellectual requirements are as follows:
One must study the Word in order to get its messages. II Timothy 2:15.
One must discipline one's mind to memorize the Word. Psalms 119:11; 37:31; 40:8.
One must worship the Lord with all one's heart. Proverbs 1:7; 9:10,15,33; Psalms 111:10; Job 28:28.
THE USE OF LANGUAGE
Part Two
In order to understand the Scriptures one must know the use of language: the grammar, the specific meaning of words, and the fundamental laws of speech especially the principles which are characteristic of the Scriptures.
A knowledge of the use of language is important because:
Intelligible language expresses a logical process of the mind. There are certain definite fixed laws of the mind according to which all normal persons think and act.
(Examples)
Laws of observation
Laws of deduction
Laws of inspiration etc.
Language either written or spoken is governed by definite specific laws that are just as real as the laws governing physical matter.
(Examples)
Laws governing the uses of metals, and those controlling the explosion of gases and directing of electrical energy are employed in the construction of an automobile motor; if these basic Laws are ignored the motor will be a failure.
In the study of the Scriptures, if the basic laws of language and interpretation are ignored, or are not employed, the message God intended to convey may be misunderstood or misinterpreted in part or in whole.
In the Bible, which is God's revelation to man, the thought and also the
very words by which the ideas were expressed in the original tongues were given infallibly by he Holy Spirit of God.
In the Scriptures the Lord said exactly what He meant and meant just what He said.
The prophets and apostles spoke and wrote in the language of the people to whom the ministered.
The Lord had a very definite idea to convey whenever He made a statement.
A careful and honest appraisal of any statement found in the Scriptures will reveal that it has a definite and specific meaning; and a solemn and sincere purpose should be exercised to learn exactly what is said in the Scriptures and to arrive at the precise idea of the inspired writer.
Source: http://www.biblicalresearch.info/page43.html