Three Simple Rules Of Interpretation
Preface: The Golden Rule of Interpretation
“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other
sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual,
literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in
the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths
indicate clearly otherwise.”
D. L. Cooper
Dr. David L. Cooper (1886–1965), a respected early twentieth‑century
theologian and linguist. He founded the Biblical Research Society and
devoted his life to teaching the literal‑grammatical‑historical method
of interpretation. He was trained in Semitic languages and earned
advanced degrees in Hebrew and related fields. His work focused heavily
on prophecy, Israel, and careful exegesis.
Seek the plain, literal meaning of the Scriptures.
The sum and substance of this most important rule is that one should
take every statement of the Scriptures at its face value, if possible.
In essence, Cooper argued that Scripture should be understood in its
normal, grammatical, historical sense unless the context clearly
demands a figurative interpretation. He emphasized that words should be
taken in their ordinary meaning, that context governs interpretation,
and that Scripture should be compared with Scripture.
Source: D. L. Cooper, The Golden Rule of Interpretation.
Three Simple Rules of Hermeneutics
1) You must know the Author of Scripture.
"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." John 7:17
This is called The Principle of Human Willingness in
Illumination. If any man "will do" His will. Willingness
precedes understanding. Only then will you "know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself".
Scripture is meant to be understood, and understanding comes by willingness to obey.
2) Interpret scripture literally.
J.D. Pentecost, an American Christian theologian (April 24, 1915 – April 28, 2014) said it best:
"That method that gives to each word the same exact basic meaning it would have in normal, ordinary customary usage."
The Literal Method of Interpretation - John Dwight Pentecost
The literal method does not however rule out the use of pictorial
speech. For example "Behold the Lamb of God" is clearly
understood to mean Christ.
3) Allow scripture to interpret scripture.
The method of interpretation that brings clarity is to allow Scripture to interpret Scripture.
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Peter 1:20
Compare Scripture With Scripture
"We are not to expect, in every place, the whole circle of Christian
truth. Nothing is proved by the absence of a doctrine from one
passage, which is clearly stated in others. For all things are
not taught in every place." Richard Chenevix Trench, from Notes
on the Parables of Our Lord.
No single passage contains all that God has revealed concerning a doctrine. The "sum" of God's Word provides the full picture.
"The sum of thy word is truth." Psalm 119:160
Examples of allowing scripture to interpret scripture:
The Seed of the Woman
Genesis 3:15 promises that the seed of the woman would bruise the
serpent's head. The meaning becomes clear in the New Testament where
Christ comes into the world to destroy the works of the devil.
Genesis 3:15 compared with Galatians 4:4 and Hebrews 2:14
The Lamb of God
Isaac asked:
"Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Genesis 22:7
The answer unfolds progressively through Scripture until John the Baptist declares:
"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29
The One Baptism
Ephesians 4:5 speaks of: "One Lord, one faith, one baptism."
The nature of that baptism is explained elsewhere:
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." 1 Corinthians 12:13 - Written to a local church body.
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" Romans 6:3 - The only salvific baptism known to scripture.
Scriptura Scripturam interpretatur - Scripture interprets Scripture
~Tony
© A.K. Pritchard 1979, 2026 - Free to use with proper attribution.