Learning how to understand the Bible can feel like trying to read a book written in a different language, because, well, it kind of is. You’re dealing with ancient cultures, unfamiliar customs, poetic language, and stories that happened thousands of years ago. Add in all the “begats” and Levitical laws about skin diseases, and it’s no wonder people feel lost.
But the Bible wasn’t written to confuse you. It was written so you could know God better. And while some passages are genuinely complex, most of the Bible becomes much clearer when you understand a few key principles about how to read it.
I’m not going to promise you’ll understand every single verse by the time you finish this post. But I am going to show you practical strategies that make Scripture significantly less overwhelming and way more accessible. These are the same approaches that helped me go from feeling completely lost to actually comprehending what I was reading, and even enjoying it.
But Before we talk about study methods and tools, let’s address the most important step that often gets skipped: asking the Holy Spirit for help.
The Bible isn’t just another book you can master through intellect alone. It’s God’s living Word, and the same Spirit who inspired it is available to help you understand it.
Before you open your Bible, pray something simple like:
- “God, help me understand what I’m reading today.”
- “Holy Spirit, give me insight into Your Word.”
- “Show me what You want me to learn from this passage.”
This isn’t about saying the perfect prayer—it’s about acknowledging that true understanding comes from God, not just from your own effort. The Apostle Paul prayed that believers would receive “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” to know God better (Ephesians 1:17). You can pray that same prayer for yourself.
The Holy Spirit is your teacher. Jesus promised that “the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). When you invite the Holy Spirit to lead you as you read, you’re tapping into the divine help that makes Scripture come alive.
Study tools are helpful. Context matters. Translation choice is important. But none of that replaces the Holy Spirit’s work of illumination, helping you see what God wants you to see, understand what He wants you to understand, and apply it to your life.
Start every Bible study session with prayer. Let the Holy Spirit lead you to understanding. Then use the practical strategies below to dig deeper.
Now, let’s break down other things we can use as tools to help us understand the Bible in a way that actually works.
Why Understanding the Bible Feels So Hard (And Why That’s Normal)
Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about why this feels difficult in the first place.
The Bible is:
- Written over 1,500 years by 40+ different authors
- Set in cultures completely different from ours
- Full of various literary styles… poetry, history, prophecy, letters, parables
When you pick up a letter Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in 55 AD, you’re reading someone else’s mail from nearly 2,000 years ago. Of course it requires some work to understand. The good news is that you don’t need to become an ancient Near Eastern scholar to grasp what God is saying through Scripture. You just need the right approach.
How to Understand the Bible: Start With Context, Not Random Verses
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to understand the Bible is reading random verses in isolation.
You know those inspirational Bible verse images on social media? They’re nice for encouragement, but they’re terrible for actually learning how to understand the Bible. A verse pulled out of context can mean something completely different than what the author intended.
Here’s how to understand the Bible through context:
Read Entire Chapters, Not Just Verses
Instead of jumping around to individual verses, read whole chapters or sections at a time. This shows you what comes before and after, which often explains confusing parts.
For example, Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Sounds like a motivational poster, right? But when you read the whole chapter, Paul is actually talking about being content whether he has plenty or is in need—not about winning football games or crushing your goals.
Context changes everything.
Understand Who Wrote It and Why
Every book of the Bible was written by someone specific, to someone specific, for a specific reason. Knowing this helps immensely when you’re trying to figure out how to understand the Bible correctly.
Ask yourself:
- Who wrote this book?
- Who was the original audience?
- What situation were they dealing with?
- Why was this written?
A good study Bible will give you this information in the introduction to each book. This background context makes confusing passages suddenly make sense.
Pay Attention to the Type of Writing
The Bible contains different genres, and each should be read differently:
- Narrative/History (like Genesis, Acts): tells stories, look for what God is doing and how people respond
- Poetry (like Psalms, Song of Solomon): uses metaphor and emotion
- Wisdom Literature (like Proverbs): gives general principles
- Prophecy (like Isaiah, Revelation): often symbolic, requires careful interpretation
- Letters/Epistles (like Romans, James): addresses specific church issues
When you know what type of literature you’re reading, you know how to read it properly.
How to Understand the Bible: Use the Right Translation for Your Level
Not all Bible translations are created equal, and picking the wrong one can make understanding Scripture way harder than it needs to be.
Translation philosophy matters when learning how to understand the Bible:
Word-for-Word Translations
These translate as literally as possible from the original languages:
- ESV (English Standard Version)
- NASB (New American Standard Bible)
- KJV (King James Version)
Pros: Very accurate to original text
Cons: Can be harder to understand, sometimes awkward phrasing
Thought-for-Thought Translations
These translate the meaning/ideas rather than exact words:
- NIV (New International Version)
- NLT (New Living Translation)
- CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Pros: Easier to read and understand
Cons: Slightly less literal
Paraphrases
These rewrite the Bible in contemporary language:
- The Message
- The Passion Translation
Pros: Very readable, great for fresh perspective
Cons: Not as accurate for serious study
My recommendation for learning how to understand the Bible: Start with NIV or NLT for readability, then use ESV when you want to dig deeper. Don’t start with KJV unless you enjoy reading Shakespeare, the “thee” and “thou” language creates an unnecessary barrier.
Get a modern study Bible in a translation you can actually understand. This single tool will transform your Bible reading experience.
How to Understand the Bible: Ask Better Questions as You Read
One of the most effective ways to understand the Bible is learning to ask the right questions while you’re reading.
Instead of passively reading words, engage actively by asking:
Basic Comprehension Questions
- What is actually happening in this passage?
- Who are the main people involved?
- Where and when is this taking place?
- What just happened before this? What happens after?
Interpretation Questions
- Why did this person act this way?
- What does this reveal about God’s character?
- What was the author’s point in including this story?
- How would the original audience have understood this?
Application Questions
- What does this teach me about God?
- What does this teach me about people/humanity?
- How does this apply to my life today?
- What should I do differently because of what I just read?
Write these questions and your answers in a journal. The act of writing forces you to think more carefully about what you’re reading, which directly improves how well you understand the Bible.
(If you’re just getting started with Bible study, check out my post on How to Study the Bible for a complete framework to build your study practice.)
How to Understand the Bible: Let Scripture Interpret Scripture
Here’s a principle that will revolutionize how to understand the Bible: the Bible explains itself.
When you encounter a confusing passage, look for other places in Scripture that talk about the same topic. Often, a clearer passage will shed light on a more difficult one.
How to do this practically:
Use Cross-References
Most study Bibles include cross-references, little superscript letters or numbers that point you to related verses. Follow these when you’re confused about a passage.
Look Up Key Words
If you don’t understand a term, look it up in other verses where it appears. A tool like New Strong’s Concise Concordance & Vine’s Concise Dictionary helps you find every place a word appears in Scripture and shows you the original Hebrew or Greek meaning. Bible Gateway and Blue Letter Bible offer similar search features online for free.
Compare Different Accounts
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) often tell the same stories from different angles. Reading multiple accounts gives you a fuller picture of what happened.
Study Themes Across Books
Want to understand what the Bible says about faith? Prayer? Suffering? Look up multiple passages on that topic instead of relying on just one verse.
The Bible is meant to be read as a whole, interconnected story. When you let Scripture interpret Scripture, confusing parts start making sense.
How to Understand the Bible: Use Helpful Study Tools (You Don’t Have to Do This Alone)
You’re not supposed to figure out how to understand the Bible entirely on your own. God has given the church scholars, teachers, and resources to help.
Essential tools for understanding the Bible better:
Study Bibles (Already Mentioned, But Worth Repeating)
These are Bibles with built-in notes, explanations, maps, and timelines. They’re like having a knowledgeable teacher reading with you. The NIV Study Bible and The ESV Study Bible are both excellent investments.
Bible Dictionaries and Concordances
These help you look up unfamiliar terms, names, and places. Many are available free online at sites like Bible Gateway.
Commentary Resources
Commentaries are books (or websites) where biblical scholars explain passages in detail. They’re especially helpful for difficult books like Revelation or prophetic passages.
Free online options:
- Bible Gateway (multiple translations, cross-references)
- Blue Letter Bible (original language tools, commentaries)
- YouVersion Bible app (reading plans, devotionals)
Bible Study Guides
Structured study guides walk you through books of the Bible with explanations and questions. These are great if you want a more guided approach to learning how to understand the Bible.
You don’t need all of these tools at once, but having at least a study Bible and access to online resources will make a massive difference in your comprehension.
How to Understand the Bible: Common Mistakes That Keep You Confused
Let me save you some frustration by pointing out mistakes that make understanding the Bible harder than it needs to be.
Mistake #1: Starting in the wrong place
Don’t start with Revelation or Leviticus. Begin with the Gospels or a New Testament letter. (For more guidance on this, see my post on 5 Bible Study Tips for Beginners.)
Mistake #2: Expecting to understand everything immediately
Some passages take years to fully grasp. That’s okay. Mark confusing parts and come back to them later.
Mistake #3: Reading too fast
Slow down. The Bible isn’t a novel you’re trying to finish quickly. Read a smaller amount carefully rather than racing through chapters.
Mistake #4: Ignoring cultural and historical background
Understanding the original context—what was happening politically, culturally, religiously—clarifies so many confusing passages.
Mistake #5: Trying to make every verse directly about you
Not every verse is a personal promise or command for you today. Some passages are historical records, some are specific to certain people or situations. Learn to discern what applies directly and what provides general principles.
Want to avoid even more common pitfalls? My upcoming post on Bible Study Mistakes to Avoid will cover the biggest errors people make and how to fix them.
How to Understand the Bible: Practice Consistently and Give Yourself Grace
Here’s the honest truth about learning how to understand the Bible: it takes time.
You’re not going to master biblical interpretation in a week, a month, or even a year. Understanding Scripture is a lifelong journey, and that’s by design. God’s Word has depths that reveal themselves slowly, over years of faithful reading.
What helps:
- Consistency over intensity – reading 10 minutes daily beats a 2-hour cram session once a month
- Starting with easier books – build your confidence before tackling complex prophetic literature
- Writing down what you learn – journaling solidifies your understanding
- Asking questions without shame – confusion is part of the learning process
- Praying for understanding – ask God to help you comprehend what you’re reading
The disciples walked with Jesus for three years and still didn’t fully understand everything He taught. You’re in good company when you feel confused.
Be patient with yourself. Keep showing up. Keep reading. Keep asking questions. Understanding grows gradually, and one day you’ll look back and realize how much clearer Scripture has become.
Your Next Step: Put These Strategies Into Practice
You now know exactly how to understand the Bible more clearly:
- Read with context, not random verses
- Use a translation you can actually understand
- Ask better questions as you read
- Let Scripture interpret Scripture
- Use study tools designed to help you
- Avoid common mistakes that create confusion
- Practice consistently with grace for yourself
Here’s what to do today:
- Get a study Bible if you don’t have one (seriously, this changes everything)
- Choose one book to start reading—try the Gospel of John or the book of James
- Read one chapter slowly, using the question method from this post
- Write down what you learned and one question you still have
- Look up your question using cross-references or online tools
Learning how to understand the Bible isn’t about being smart enough or spiritual enough. It’s about showing up consistently with the right tools and approach.
God’s Word is meant to be understood, not just admired from a distance. Start putting these strategies into practice today, and watch Scripture come alive in ways you never expected.