Comparing Scripture with Scripture: The Biblical Way to Study and Teach God’s Word
Studying and teaching God’s Word by comparing Scripture with Scripture is based on the Spirit’s injunction through the Apostle Paul:
The bolded phrase in the above Scripture is also rendered “interpreting spiritual things in spiritual language” or “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. What the Apostle Paul is conveying is that “God’s secret wisdom,” with which he had been entrusted to proclaim (1 Corinthians 2:7), was not being taught as a result of human wisdom, but was being taught by the Holy Spirit, Who teaches by comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. Since the Word of God is defined as “spiritual” (John 6:63b) in both instances in the above injunction, then comparing the Word of God with the Word of God, or comparing Scripture with Scripture, establishes the Bible as its own best reference. And because “all Scripture is God-breathed…” (2 Timothy 3:16), the Bible in your hand, coupled with your faith in JESUS and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, empowers you – the believer in the pew – to both study and teach the Word of God with credibility and confidence.
The Bible studies, sermons, and reflections on this site are the result of this approach to studying and teaching God’s Word. May you be blessed and empowered in your use of this approach, as well~! Rev. Desiré P. Grogan Author, Revelations from The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Chapters 1-3: A Commentary for the Believer in the Pew.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
1 Corinthians 2:13
