Practical Guidance on Studying the Bible with R.C. Sproul
Studying the Bible effectively involves a combination of diligent effort, a receptive heart, and an understanding of its practical application to life. The book of Proverbs emphasizes that wisdom is practical knowledge intertwined with ethical choices, requiring discipline and an active training of one's energy toward wisdom and away from folly [5].
A foundational aspect of biblical study is the earnest pursuit of knowledge. Proverbs encourages an inclination of the ear and an application of the heart to understanding divine things [4]. This pursuit should be marked by an "earnest and importunate desire, expressed by prayer," and a diligent, unwearied search for truth, much like searching for silver or hidden treasure [4]. John Gill, in his commentary on Proverbs, highlights the importance of applying one's heart to instruction, whether from parents, ministers, or the Scriptures themselves, which are profitable for instruction in righteousness [9]. He also notes the significance of bringing one's heart, not just one's body, to the place of instruction, such as the house of God, and opening one's ears to the "words of knowledge," which are the doctrines of the Gospel [9].
The Bible itself promises divine guidance in this endeavor. Psalm 32:8 states, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you" [3]. This suggests that God actively participates in the learning process for those who seek Him.
Beyond mere intellectual assent, biblical study is intrinsically linked to Christian conduct and spiritual growth. The "Christian Conduct" entry in Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various actions that demonstrate a life lived in accordance with biblical teaching, including believing God, fearing God, loving God, following God, obeying God, and rejoicing in God [2]. It also includes believing in Christ, loving Christ, following Christ's example, obeying Christ, and living to Christ [2]. This comprehensive list underscores that biblical knowledge is not an end in itself but a means to a transformed life.
The concept of prudence is also closely tied to effective biblical study and its application. Prudence is described as being intimately connected with wisdom [1]. It is exemplified by Christ and is manifested in the exhibition of God's grace [1]. Those who possess prudence are celebrated for it, gain knowledge, deal with knowledge, look carefully at their actions, understand God's ways and their own, and are preserved by it [1]. This suggests that a prudent approach to studying the Bible involves not only acquiring information but also discerning how to apply it wisely to foresee and avoid evil [1].
The early church fathers also emphasized the importance of studying the Scriptures. John Chrysostom, for instance, wrote homilies on the study of the Scriptures, among other topics like penitence, almsgiving, and prayer [6, 7, 8]. His extensive work on biblical texts highlights a historical precedent for deep engagement with the Word.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Psalms “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you. -- Psalms 32:8”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 2 This chapter directs to the means of attaining to the knowledge of divine things, and shows the profit and advantage arising from thence. The means are, embracing the doctrines of the Gospel, and retaining in memory and affection the ordinances of it, Pro 2:1; and an inclination of the ear and an application of the heart to the knowledge of these things, Pro 2:2. An earnest and importunate desire, expressed by prayer, after the same, Pro 2:3; and a diligent and unwearied search for them, as for silver and hid treasure, Pro 2:”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 1:2: 1:2-7 This prologue explains the purpose of the book and identifies the different readers to whom it is addressed. 1:2-3 Wisdom is practical knowledge that involves ethical choices. Words such as right, just, and fair are associated with biblical wisdom. Gaining wisdom involves discipline, an active, intentional training of energy toward wisdom and away from folly. The book of Proverbs encourages us to resist our natural sinful tendencies toward wrong behavior.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: on old age 8 on study of Scriptures 9 on Penitence and confession of our sins 10 on relieving distress 11 on Almsgiving and giving to beggars 12 on free-will and Penitence 13 on not postponing Baptism and on a right life 14 on Thought of God and earnest prayer 15 on sin-enslavement and on untimely laughter 16 on dwelling in Heaven 17 on worthily receiving Holy Communion 18 on the Might of Poverty 19 on the great Gain of loving one’s neighbor 20 on slavery to possessions and on Thankfulness 21 on gossip 22 on seeking God , on His protection and endur”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew: and practice within the Church. For all information with respect to the Text and Manuscripts of these Homilies, the learned reader is referred to the Greek Edition of Mr. Field, which has been of great service, as affording a safe basis for the Translation. The paucity of materials possessed by Savile, and the carelessness of the Benedictine Editor, had left much room for improvement by a judicious and faithful use of the existing copies. It may now at last be hoped, that we have a Text very closely approximating to the genuine work of the Author. For the ”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: to good men, no protection to the wicked, ib. ; earthly, useless without the spiritual, 89 . Repentance, its efficacy to procure pardon, 50 ; to avert judgment, 121 ; is the not doing the same again, ib. ; great difficulty of, 260 ; a source of hope, 295 . Repetitions, vain, consist in praying for vain things, 157 . Reproach, to be borne patiently, after the example of Christ, 312 ; injures only the author, ib. Reserve, in teaching doctrine, 13 , 93 ; of John Baptist, 105 ; and Paul, ib. Resurrection, the, implied in Christ, "The Life," 22 ; of Chri”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 23:12: Apply thine heart unto instruction,.... To the instruction of parents, and to the instruction of ministers of the word; to the Scriptures, which are profitable to instruction in righteousness; to the instruction of wisdom, or to the Gospel of Christ, which instructs in things relating to him, and to salvation by him: or, "bring in thine heart to instruction" (y); not only bring thy body to the place of instruction, the house of God, but bring thine heart thither also; and thine ears to the words of knowledge; the doctrines of the Gospel, which are the means of th”