The Bible is full of treasures, and scripture can be likened in a way to a jewel with many aspects. When viewing a jewel from different angles, with light shining from different directions, new beauty is seen and a new perspective gained. Likewise, Bible verses can take on greater clarity and we can gain a deeper understanding of their meaning as we apply them to our lives.
One thing that I have found to be very helpful when reading the Bible is to pray for guidance and clarity, as Psalm 119:18 says: “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions” (NLT). God’s Spirit will guide us as we read His Word, and help us to better absorb and grasp the truth (John 16:13).
Another point that is helpful, either when claiming a scripture while praying or in my everyday understanding and application of it, is to read the surrounding verses. Doing this helps give the verse context and can help me apply it correctly. Paul instructed Timothy, “Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP).
Here are two examples of well-known Bible verses that become clearer and more meaningful when reading the surrounding text.
Many people have heard the verse in Matthew that says: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). This is correctly seen as a promise of God’s supply. However, some people use this verse to promote the idea that if you follow God, or give your tithes and offerings, that God promises to make you rich or give you everything you want. But by reading the surrounding verses, the true meaning is clear.
“Can any of you add a single hour to the length of your life by worrying? And why do you worry about clothes? Consider the lilies in the field and how they grow. They don’t work or spin yarn, but I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was clothed like one of them.
“So don’t ever worry by saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ because it is the unbelievers who are eager for all those things. Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them! But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness and all of these things will be provided for you as well” (Matthew 6:27–29,31–33 ISV).
We see that rather than promising riches or wealth, Jesus was telling His disciples not to worry and fret that they would lack their basic necessities, such as food and clothing, but rather to focus on obeying and serving God, trusting that He would provide these things as He knows best.
Another often-quoted verse is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). Sometimes we claim this when facing a difficult task, feeling overwhelmed, or when we are lacking physical health or strength, which is fine, but when we read the surrounding verses, we see that Paul was actually talking about a very different topic.
He said: “I am not telling you this because I need anything. I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens. I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens, when I have enough to eat and when I go hungry, when I have more than I need and when I do not have enough. I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11–13 NCV).
So, the strength referred to here is being content or thankful in all situations, not allowing difficulty to make us doubt God’s love or question Him, but rather looking to God for strength to live with joy in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.
I have also found it helpful to read a Bible verse or passage in different versions or translations. This often gives me a well-rounded application, and sometimes the use of different words or phrases in the various versions helps me understand the meaning more deeply. (There are websites and apps that have a number of translations of the same verse for comparison.)
It is important to go into Bible reading and study time with an open mind and heart. For example, if I feel strongly about a certain situation or course of action, rather than going into my time of study hoping to find confirmation of my opinion or feelings, I need to be open to possibly having my opinions or feelings changed by God’s Word. Also, it’s important to realize that God’s Word, while interesting and informative, should also be transformative. In other words, I should desire that God changes and transforms me through His Word, so I become more like Jesus in my thoughts and actions.